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FaceBreaker World Premiere Trailer
Recently revealed as the newest game from EA Canada, FaceBreaker's arcady style is seen in motion for the first time in Game Trailers exclusive premiere teaser for the game, though not as we'd have hoped. The teaser simply shows some CG of a few stereotypical boxers, the thin fast guy, the slow powerful guy, and the egotistical guy. The graphics look good, but then it's a pre-rendered movie of stylized characters, and it's likely we'll end up seeing a Fight Night: Round 3 level of graphics, as that was this team's previous project. In the end though it won't matter how good the graphics are if there's no gameplay beneath them. We don't know anything about the controls or gameplay so far, but the arcade influence will hopefully prevent them from deviating very far from the excellent Fight Night: Round 3 controls. Here's also to hoping that the game doesn't take itself too seriously, and ends up winning the fight for spiritual successor to Ready 2 Rumble.
EA reveals 'Facebreaker,' a tooned-up Fight Night
Are you Ready 2 Rumble? "No," says EA's newly announced boxing game, Facebreaker. "But I do feature real-time facial deformation and a lighthearted approach to pugilistic pummeling! So really, I'm more like a Fight Night cel-out." According to the folks at 1UP, Facebreaker is being developed by EA Canada for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii. Says EA's Peter Moore: "Arcade boxing takes me back to my roots in this industry, and this game signals our shift to adding more approachable fun to our product lineup."Those approaching the fun will find an inevitably "colorful" cast of playable caricatures to choose from, including "Latin lover" Romeo and "an oversized Russian demolitions expert" called Molotov. If you'd prefer to have your own face broken, you can either integrate a personal photo via Game Face technology or simply wear your Tingle costume when buying the game from the store.More Facebreaker details can be found in the March 2008 issue of EGM.
Fifa 08 and Spiderman: FOF demos on XBLM
It was a long time coming -- a demo was expected by the end of August -- but a demo for FIFA 08 has finally landed on Marketplace. A demo has also appeared for the new beat 'em up Spiderman: Friend or Foe. FIFA 08, as you might imagine, focuses on soccer (AKA football), whereas Spiderman: FOF focuses on kicking the crap out of copious baddies. The twist in Spiderman: FOF is that you'll find yourself fighting alongside some of Spidey's biggest enemies. The twist in the FIFA demo is that it's not available in Europe yet. Don't fret though, European readers, for Major Nelson notes that the demo should be crossing the pond "very soon." In the meantime, why not lay the smack down (you know, pugilistic shenanigans) on some hapless comic book villains?
PS3 becomes home to FIFA Interactive World Cup 2008
Do you have what it takes to be the world's best virtual football player? The FIFA Interactive World Cup begins this October, and the Grand Final will take place in the Sony Centre in Berlin next May. Players will be able to compete in one of twenty FIWC Qualifier Events around the world, or online through the PlayStation Network. Not only will players be vying for fame, but the grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $20,000 USD. The FIWC will be open exclusively to PS3 players.Simon Rutter, VP Sales & Marketing for SCEE commented: "With the added realism that PS3 brings to FIFA 08, we have every belief that now is the time to truly make an impact with the FIFA Interactive World Cup, We're looking forward to PS3 fans helping to make the tournament every bit as iconic for gamers as the real FIFA World Cup is for football fans." While Xbox 360 enjoys a superior version of American football in Madden 2008, it appears that the rest of the world will enjoy a superior soccer game on PS3 through FIFA 2008. Which game of "football" will reign supreme? Registration for the FIWC opens today at www.FIFA.com/FIWC.
EA finally makes sports game that (shock!) runs at 60fps on PS3
Maybe EA has finally learned the importance of the PS3 community. Maybe they finally tackled the challenges of developing for Sony's next-gen hardware. Or maybe EA wanted gamers to just shut up about the 60 fps debacle caused by Madden 2008. Whatever the reason, EA representatives were keen to make note that the upcoming FIFA 08 was, in fact, running at 60 fps on both the Xbox 360 and PS3. At Leipzig, the development team showed the game off on PS3, highlighting that the game wasn't sloppily ported for our platform. Rather, it was developed from the ground-up for both platforms. That's the way it always should've been, EA.
FIFA 08 Wii: Mii-supported party games, dev talks Wii vs. Xbox One
For the Wii version of FIFA 08, Electronic Arts has turned Brazilian footballer (or soccer player, for those in the US) Ronaldinho into his own Mii character and included a Wii-only collection of multiplayer minigames dubbed "Footii Party with Ronaldinho" that gamers can play using their own Mii characters. Yes, folks, another Wii title with an added minigame collection, only this time we get a football legend with an unarguably large grimace to host. While discussing FIFA with Eurogamer, group producer Tim Tschirner was asked his thoughts on the Wii's horsepower. Tschirner said that the console is "about as powerful as the original Xbox," though noting that the video hardware "unfortunately is not as powerful." Shaders were cited as an issue, which is something we heard previously when Newsweek's N'Gai Croal discussed Wii and Xbox One similarities with anonymous developers. Not that the hardware limitations have hurt its sales, mind you, so can't we all just get along? %Gallery-3967%
Eric Staal featured on NHL 08 box art
IGN revealed that Carolina Hurricanes center, Eric Staal, will be the next player on the cover of EA Sports' NHL 08. Staal was honored to have been selected by EA Sports, and says he played NHL 07 regularly. Staal played a huge part in the Hurricanes' Stanley Cup victory in the 2006 season, having accumulated 28 points in the Playoffs. The fact that they had to beat the hometown team of a particular blogger to acquire the Cup won't deter us from giving the game its fair shake.
Plastic legs score a goal in FIFA 08 teaser trailer
Assuming you really love watching some quick footwork by some plastic-looking legs, you'll probably get a ... prepare yourself ... kick out of this teaser trailer. Oh no we didn't! In all honesty, EA has made some fairly lofty improvements regarding the next installment of FIFA. Like having superstar Ronaldinho grace the cover. Other improvements? We imagine graphics, gameplay, pretty much everything that crippled last year's game. It's all in good fun and shows what we can expect -- nicely rendered grass, possibly some insanely improved ball-handling mechanics, and people cheering. Cheering people are awesome.
11 vs. 11 possible for EA's FIFA 2010
EA is hoping to support 11 vs. 11 play in time for their FIFA 2010 World Cup edition. This will allow them to have a "Virtual World Cup" with 11 of the best players from each country representing. FIFA 08 producer Joe Booth says, "In the long term we have big plans. We'd like for the 2010 World Cup to have a virtual World Cup at the same time, and build an organization in each territory that finds the best 11 players and flies them out to South Africa, and have a full-on tournament there." Booth says that over the next two iterations of the game they're focusing on a "Be A Pro" feature which has the player taking care of one man on the field. Booth says they're trying to get something that feels "offline." It would be cool after EA finishes the whole tournament in 2010 they edit the footage to get the best angles possible for the game and put it on the marketplace ... for free. That might be fun to watch.
FIFA 08 scores with Ronaldinho, blesses PS3 & Wii
EA didn't shock the world with its surprise confirmation of FIFA 08 today, but PlayStation 3 and Wii owners might be pleased with the assurance that versions of the soccer sim are in development for their consoles, along with Xbox 360, PS2, PSP, DS, PC, and mobile platforms. A strong marketing initiative appears to be the key feature of this year's iteration, with Barcelona's midfielder and two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo de Assís Moreira, or simply Ronaldinho, being brought on as the "center-piece" for the global packaging campaign. From country to country, Ronaldinho will be joined by other carefully selected stars, whose celebrity will help drive predictable profits. But EA claims it's not just paying these footballers for a picture, as several participating athletes will be carefully studied under the lens of a mocap camera deep within a private facility in Barcelona for authentic virtual representation. As for the rest of the league's players? Well, you just can't pay 'em all... FIFA 08 is being developed by EA Canada in Vancouver and is scheduled for a worldwide release this fall.
FIFA franchise coming to PS3
EA Vancouver will be developing the next reiteration in the series, FIFA 08. This marks a prominent series introduction to the Sony console, as the last crippled FIFA game hit all systems except the PS3. The first showing of a FIFA on the PS3 might even push system sales by convincing soccer fanatics the PS3 can provide high-profile titles as well as lucrative sports franchises. Soccer champ Ronaldinho will grace this year's cover, with several other prominant soccer stars assisting with motion-capture. FIFA 08 will be availablle in the fall, on every console known to man (but more importantly, the PlayStation 3).
NBA Street Homecourt shots, nothin' but net
DeaconBlade 360 let us know about some exclusive shots of NBA Street Homecourt that he snagged. Unfotunately, the shots only tell us two things. One, well, it's basketball. Two, it's damned pretty. Obviously, we don't know how schmoove it looks in motion, but the shots are definitely promising, showing off plenty of detail in both the characters and the backgrounds. Here's hoping EA releases some video to go with the shots. Do we have any NBA Street fans out there? What would you like to see in Homecourt?
FIFA 360 deserves red card, EA gyps again
It's as simple as this: FIFA 07 for Xbox 360 will include 7 professional leagues (actually, just 6, as Juventus is the only team featured from Italy Serie B) and 21 stadiums for $59.99. FIFA 07 for Xbox/PS2 will feature 28 leagues and 47 stadiums for just $39.99. Which one you buyin'? Heck, even the thrifty ($29.99) DS version's got 25 leagues packed inside that tiny cart, which begs the question: what's limiting EA's "next-gen" sports releases? Both FIFA and Madden continue to lack content and features present in the Xbox and PS2 versions. The good news is, Pro Evolution Soccer's arrival on Xbox 360 will likely encourage EA to clean up its act for the next go-around. Unfortunately, without competition, the same can't be said for Madden ... [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
360 FIFA gets 1/4 the leagues of PS2, Xbox [update 1]
Leave it to EA to prove that they are still the "evil" EA. Long story short, EA has completely nerfed the "exclusive" 360 version of FIFA 07. For this wonderful exclusive, EA has decided to remove an entire 18 soccer leagues, leaving the 360 with a paltry 7. Even the 7 is misleading, as one of those leagues has only one team in it. One team! On top of all this, the 360 version is also getting less than half of the stadiums of it's last gen brethren (21 compared to 47 on Xbox and PS2). Granted, we're all Americans here at 360 Fanboy, and thus not soccer fans by default, but this is ri-goddamn-diculous. Anybody else want to bet that EA just might be expecting us to buy the missing content with MS Points? Shame on you EA. Why release the game at all? [Via Xboxic] Update: Fixed continuity error
NHL 07 ready to shoot it out with 2K?
After spending last season stuck in the penalty box, EA makes its Xbox 360 ice hockey debut with a 541mb NHL 07 demo showcasing the upcoming game's shoot-out mode. Featuring highly detailed player models, new controls, and an honest-to-God dynasty mode, this could be the first next-gen EA Sports title that doesn't feel like it's short a Hanson Brother or two. In fact, I have heard buzzing from hockey fans with mullets far longer than my own, that this could be the year EA steals the puck back from the 2K series. Based on your limited experience with the demo, will NHL 07 bring a toothless smile to your facemask?
Lengthy Madden 2007 video
Clocking in at over nine minutes, this video from the LGC shows a rather extensive runthrough of the Wii build of Madden from some geek at EA Canada. Seriously. We could totally rock that guy. Most of the essential mechanics are demoed, so if anything is going to convince you to buy this game, this is it. Apparently we now like to embed videos after the break, so view to your heart's content upon clicking the link.
EuroGamer: MS pwned Leipzig
EuroGamer discusses Microsoft's dominance at the Leipzig Game Convention. Choice quotes: "The PR victory scored by Microsoft here cannot be underestimated. The power of the company's spin machine continues to leave the rest of the games industry in awe even after an entire console generation of experience" ..."There is a very clear winner, and a very clear loser, in the Leipziger Messe this week, as 150,000 consumers are currently finding out - and hundreds of press types have already discovered. The winner is Microsoft." Being European, these guys make a big deal out of Microsoft cornering the soccer market. However, 1up reports that MS may have..gulp..exaggerated (normally a Sony trademark) the extent of that coup (It looks like Pro Evo/Winning 11 and FIFA are "exclusive" only until the Konami and EA can finish developing them for the PS3). Was Sony's lack of a response due to calm knowledge that MS was over-selling its football shut out, or just their usual "Riiiiidge Racer" corporate buffoonery? [Thanks Charch & Lorul2]
FIFA and Pro Evo sock it to Sony
In a Zidane-style head butt to the World Cup dreams of PS3 fanboys across the globe, Microsoft announced that both FIFA 2007 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 will be exclusive to the Xbox 360 for at least a year. Always eloquent Xbox Europe boss Chris Lewis said it best: "Xbox 360 owns football." This shut out probably won't shatter too many shins stateside, but it should provide an added edge in the football-crazed international market. GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! [Thanks Rogue Soul]
360 exclusives won't hinder PS3 sales, unless...
Unless you really can't get enough of those FPS's and sports titles (in which case you probably have either the original Xbox or the 360 already). That was a joke -- don't take it personally. Although Microsoft has acquired a 12-month exclusivity deal for next-gen FIFA and Pro-Evolution Soccer, this won't damage PS3 sales in the UK (since soccer is a bigger deal there than the US, "supposedly"). Marketing Director of Chips, a retail franchise, said that "Microsoft is really pulling out the big guns, but it won't change sale predictions for the PS3 due to the hearts and minds that Sony had already won over." Brand loyalty to the rescue, huh? Independant stores like Action Replay and Gameshop (not Gamestop) agree, saying how the PS3 will sell all its allocation even if there's no... killer app. That's such a terrible term, but it's growing more common. Anyway. While this may or may not end up true, other groups do concede that Microsoft has made a mighty beast with their marketing and sales angle. What do you think? Will brand loyalty help keep Sony afloat until they do find their... killer app? Terrible term. Anyway.
Microsoft head butts FIFA, Pro Evo Soccer into exclusivity
Speaking at the Leipzig Games Convention, Microsoft has announced that if you want to play the most graphically impressive footy games without gallivanting outside and running the risk of getting someone's head lodged in your chest, you'll have to do it on the Xbox 360. In what is sure to be a valuable coup, both FIFA 2007 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 are bound exclusively to the Xbox 360 for a period of 12 months. The latter game is hugely popular in Europe and may prove to be quite a head butting killer app for Microsoft's next-generation console. The exclusivity doesn't include current generation consoles, it seems, but a significantly improved 360 version of Pro Evolution Soccer with Xbox Live support would likely prove irresistable to most. As for FIFA, well, it has "ultra realistic player motion and delivers complete responsiveness due to its ability to branch animations and the real-time calculation of real human biomechanics," according to producer Hugues Ricour. "Essentially our software engineers are writing human decision-making code." Look forward to not making a decision at all regarding the console when you buy a next-gen soccer game in 2007.
