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EA puts women on the cover of 'FIFA 16' for the first time
Back in May, EA announced that FIFA 16 would feature 12 national women's soccer teams, making it the first major sports franchise to focus on women's sports. Today marks another milestone: FIFA 16 is now also the company's first major sports title to feature a female athlete on its cover. Three of them, actually -- depending on where you live.
'FIFA 16' will feature women soccer players for the first time
If you're entitled to play a sport in real life, then it's only fair that you can do so from the comfort of your couch. That's why it's good to see EA Sports announce that FIFA 16 will feature women's soccer teams for the first time. Now, users will be able to play as one of 12 international teams that include the USA, England, Brazil and France. It's a big step, too, since while you can get a licensed WNBA title from 2K Games, this is the first time EA has included a women's roster in one of its team-based games. In fact, the only woman we remember appearing in one of these games up to this point is Ronda Rousey in the UFC spin-off title.
Not even 'FIFA 15' could dethrone 'Frozen' in the UK last year
It should shock no-one to hear that Frozen outsold every other piece of entertainment in the UK in 2014. Even so, the emphatic style with which it did so might surprise you. According to new figures from the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA), the Disney sing-along extravaganza racked up just over 4 million DVD and Blu-ray sales last year, beating the nearest competition, which included films, video games and music, by a huge margin. Its closest rivals were FIFA 15, which scored 2.6 million sales, and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, which shifted 1.8 million copies -- a stellar effort, considering they debuted at least six months after Frozen's release. The film's soundtrack even made the top 20, besting entertainment home-runs such as Destiny, Gravity and Watch Dogs. The numbers aren't perfect though; the ERA's data only includes physical film and video game sales, while its music figures account for digital sales too. Even so, were downloads fully embraced we doubt Elsa and friends would have been toppled from their icy throne.
Sony will not renew its FIFA sponsorship
Sony will reportedly not renew its FIFA sponsorship and will instead spend its money on structural reforms, according to Nikkei. The electronics giant began sponsoring the global soccer organization in 2005, signing an eight-year, 33 billion yen ($277 million using current rates) contract, which is set to expire this year. According to Nikkei, Sony participated in sales and marketing for over 40 soccer tournaments during that time, including the 2010 and 2014 World Cup matches. Sony reported a 85.6 billion yen operating loss ($766 million) in October, at which point it noted a thriving Games and Network division led by 13.5 million PS4 shipments. The company upped its loss forecast to 230 billion yen ($2.15 billion) in September after it downgraded its mobile and smartphone business by 180 billion yen ($1.68 billion). It restructured its TV division and sold off its Vaio PC brand in February as well, which resulted in the loss of 5,000 jobs. [Image: Sony]
FIFA 15 among games blocking PS4 Share Play in US
Users are reporting a number of issues with using the PS4's Share Play feature, Sony's online pass-the-controller multiplayer service. Namely, it appears FIFA 15 is giving players fits, as visiting players are unable to view the footage shown on the host's console. Rather, one half of the Share Play tandem sees the screen above, which says, "Viewing the game screen that the host is currently playing is not allowed due to content restrictions in your country or region." In our tests between two US-based PS4 players this morning, the Share Play visitor was unable to view game footage on four separate occasions: In FIFA 15, WWE 2K15, Guacamelee and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Share Play for FIFA 15 was functional once we tested the service with our UK-based editor, Sinan Kubba (albeit with some bouts of lowered resolution and frame-dropping). However, it appears the error message being displayed is entirely inaccurate, as PlayStation noted on Twitter, adding that the support team is investigating the issues. Eurogamer's big list of Share Play-functioning games notes that FIFA 15 "works fine," so your mileage (or kilometer-age in this case) may vary at the moment. Share Play arrived in October as part of the PS4's version 2.0 update, which itself caused a number of other issues for players. Sony issued another update just this week, version 2.02, to rectify some of the console's lingering problems. We've reached out to Sony to find out what might be causing the hiccups with Share Play and which games are affected.
FIFA reigns in the UK, Bayonetta 2 debuts in top ten
FIFA 15 continues to rock the UK's sales charts, marking the soccer sim's fifth consecutive week at the top. EA's marquee sports game is followed by the PlayStation version of Minecraft, which reached Vita this month and made a sizable jump from ninth to second in the sales charts last week. Third on the list is The Evil Within, Bethesda's frightful survival horror game. Unsurprisingly, the middle of the pack includes Destiny, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. As far as new games go, the Wii U-exclusive Bayonetta 2 arrived at seventh in the UK's sales charts last week, a good spot for a single-console new release that also complements our five-star review of the game. Head past the break for the breakdown of the top-ten sellers in the UK, provided by Chart-Track.
FIFA 15 booting up for EA Access members today
FIFA 15 will roll out to EA Access members on Xbox One today, five days before its arrival on retail shelves. The game is available on a limited basis before its September 23 launch much like Madden NFL 15; EA Access members will have six hours to score as many goals as they can before the early play period dries up. Hey, there's always the FIFA 15 demo that's been available for a little over a week. EA revealed its Access program in late July as a method of providing Xbox One players select games from its catalog for $5 per month or $30 per year. Earlier this month, the publisher said members poured 245,000 hours into the Madden 15 trial, amounting to over 40,000 players. EA removed Ultimate Team trade offers from FIFA 15 following revisions to its Ultimate Team abuse policies last month, which will result in permanent FIFA Online bans for coin selling and farming. The publisher removed trading from its FIFA Ultimate Team web app at that point, and multiple tweets indicate that the app is down for extended maintenance today. [Image: EA Sports]
EA hopes to earn $1 billion from add-on content this year
Electronic Arts is aiming to surpass $1 billion in add-on content and DLC sales this year with major expected contributions from its sports franchises, Bloomberg reports. EA spokesperson John Reseburg confirmed with Bloomberg that Madden NFL add-on content revenue grew by 350 percent year-on-year in the financial quarter ending June 30. Reseburg notes that Madden NFL 15 will be a "major contributor" to expected revenue growth in the publisher's sports sector. Add-on content featured in the Ultimate Team modes for the FIFA and Madden franchises drove significant revenue gains over the last year, and EA aims to stabilize its virtual economy with stricter rules banning coin sellers and card-trading bots. [Image: EA]
EA banning FIFA Ultimate Team coin sellers from its online games
We're roughly one month away from the launch of FIFA 15, and EA Sports is reminding the series' fans that it won't tolerate cheating, especially in FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT), the mode that continues to earn big bucks for the publisher. In a lengthy update on the official FIFA site, the publisher discussed the effects that coin and card-trading bots have on its FUT servers. In May, the publisher opted to de-activate trading in the FUT web app due to "the severe Transfer Market search issues caused by coin-farming bots," which caused the loss of in-game currency and athletes for other players. In turn, the makers of these bots sell the Ultimate Team goods on third-party websites (when they aren't phishing for account information on social networks). Whether buying or selling these items, EA considers these folks cheaters, and has already taken action in the past: "Since February 2014, we've banned hundreds of thousands of FIFA 14 accounts for coin selling and buying," it said.
You can't join 11-vs-11 Pro Clubs in last-gen FIFA 15
FIFA 15 won't include the Pro Clubs mode on PS3 and Xbox 360, EA Sports announced. The mode allows players to create and join teams for 11-versus-11 online matches, which the last-gen versions of FIFA 14 included. "We're very confident in the amount of innovation and depth we're delivering for FIFA 15 on PS3 and Xbox 360 but there are some things we couldn't do for FIFA 15 on PS3 and Xbox 360, either based on the limitations of these consoles, or our time and resources," EA Sports wrote in an update on the FIFA site. The previous generation of systems will still enjoy a number of changes in this year's game, such as improved teammate intelligence and player control. It will also feature Chelsea's Eden Hazard alongside Lionel Messi on some European covers and Clint Dempsey in North America, who will wear his Xbox-branded Seattle Sounders jersey on the Microsoft boxes. FIFA 15 will launch on September 23 in North America for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. It will arrive on September 25 in Europe and one day later in the UK. [Image: EA Sports]
Xbox One 'FIFA 15' bundle coming to Europe September 25
"Woo" indeed... (from the crowd here at Xbox's press briefing in Cologne ahead of Gamescom). The cause of the outburst? A reference to Germany's World Cup victory. But, also for the equally soccer-related FIFA 15 bundle just announced. The bundle comes to Europe in September (25th). Who will be in your ultimate team? Peter Schmeichel -- legendary goal keeper -- on stage threw England a bone choosing Bobby Moore (from the 1966 winning squad). Still, you've got a few weeks to think who you might choose. Get at it.
FIFA 15's global cover star just lost the World Cup
FIFA 15's cover athlete is Barcelona's Lionel Messi, marking the Argentinian footballer's third consecutive year on the series' box (his fourth being 2012's FIFA Street). Messi will be the lone global star on the game's cover, though EA says regional editions will include local heroes alongside him. Messi's cover spot follows Argentina's loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final match yesterday. Joystiq's own Sinan Kubba could be heard across the globe shouting, "I told you so!" to yours truly about the championship results - meaning I must now must pay my side of the bet with an unfortunate selfie in a Messi jersey. Check out large versions of the next-gen and PC cover art in the gallery below and join us after the break for that selfie and some hearty pointing and laughing. FIFA 15 will launch September 23 in North America, September 25 in Europe and one day later in the UK for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. [Image: EA Sports]
Apparently, the internet loved the 2014 World Cup final
The numbers speak for themselves: This year's World Cup has been setting records all over the place. Not only did it keep folks in the US tuned into their team with services like WatchESPN, but who could forget the most tweeted-about sports game ever in that 7-1 thumping suffered by host nation Brazil -- Sad Brazilians, anyone? Yesterday's final, meanwhile, which ultimately saw Germany beat out Argentina for football's biggest prize, set great numbers for social media and TV networks alike. For its part, Facebook reports that the 2014 World Cup Final was the biggest sporting event in its history, with comments, likes and posts combining for over 280 million interactions. Twitter, on the other hand, says the match produced a total of 32.1 million tweets and, in the process, broke the record for any event with 618,725 tweets per minute.
Video: Philips hue and two fun apps stir up FIFA World Cup finals fever
Do you have any of the Philips hue smart lightbulbs installed in your home? If you do, grab your iPhone, pull up the App Store, and grab two apps that promise to get you in the mood for the remaining FIFA World Cup games. Those games are scheduled for Saturday at 4 PM ET to determine the third-place team (host country Brazil vs. The Netherlands) and on Sunday at 3 PM ET to crown the World Cup champion and second-place team (Germany vs. Argentina). The first app is Hue World Cup for Philips hue (US$1.99), which is a "sound and light effects board" that works with the Philips hue bulbs to create a wild mix of light and sound. Select a country, and you can play the national anthem accompanied by a light show featuring that country's flag colors. There are plenty of sound effects to get you in the mood, even if you can't be in Brazil for the last few games: crowd noises, drums, horns, you name it! Developer David Pewzner's OnSwitch for Philips hue and LIFX (free) provides different moods that evoke Iceland, New Mexico, the Sahara, and other light tints. He's added special World Flag effects now, which provide special lighting and sound whenever a goal is scored. Of course, being "that guy" who likes to control everything in his house from his iPhone, I just had to give this setup a try with the Philips hue lightbulbs I have installed. The free OnSwitch app was tested first -- the app provides two sets of country flags. On Saturday, for example, I could use the World Flags 1 set which contains both Red/White/Blue countries (Netherlands) and the Green/Yellow/Blue flag of Brazil. Selecting a flag for the team I'm rooting for lets me know that if I'm running the app when a goal is scored by my team, the lights will flash in a spectrum of colors and I'll hear a horn. The rest of the time, the app cycles the lights between the country's colors -- with the Netherlands, it cycled between red, white and blue. . But it's the Hue World Cup for Philips hue app that is really a lot of fun. You can start off the game with the national anthem of your country's team, accompanied by the flag colors flashing on the lights. There are a number of sound effects you can choose to play, and all of the sounds can be sent to speakers over AirPlay. Crowd noises, horns, drums, clapping -- you name it, they've thought of it. It's probably the closest thing to being at the Estádio Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro for the final. . If you're a football (soccer) fan who already has Philips hue lights, it's time to grab the apps and get ready for this weekend's matches. No Philips hue lights? No problem -- head to your local Apple Store and pick up the Philips hue Connected Bulb Starter Pack for $199.95. Photo: AP Photo/Francois Xavier Marit, Pool
1.7 million people were using WatchESPN during the US vs. Germany World Cup match
If Ann Coulter is correct, that following soccer is un-American, unmanly and unworthy of a species with opposable thumbs, then clearly, you're all a bunch of girly men. At some point during the USA vs. Germany match that aired earlier today, 1.7 million visitors using WatchESPN. And that's not even counting folks who watched on television or through other means. As TechCrunch notes, that 1.7-million figure is even more than the 1.1 million concurrent viewers who tuned into the Super Bowl earlier this year (to be fair, of course, more people had to watch this match at work because it aired at 12PM Eastern, not on a Sunday night). Even more impressive is the fact that ESPN managed to rack up all these simultaneous visitors despite having technical difficulties that left some viewers unable to log on during the first half. "We did investigate some limited issues due to unprecedented demand during the first half," an ESPN rep told TechCrunch. See, there ya go: Americans like soccer, after all (especially when Americans are playing). How you like them apples, Ann? Update: An ESPN rep has issued a correction, saying 1.7 million people were using WatchESPN at once, not watching the USA vs. Germany match specifically -- we guess a few of you may have taken the opportunity to pull up Portugal vs. Ghana on a second screen. Image credit: Getty
World Cup fever invades the App Store
Last Sunday's matchup between the U.S. and Portugal attracted nearly 25 million viewers on ESPN, netting the highest TV rating for any Soccer game ever broadcast in the U.S. World Cup fever is upon us. And with good cause; this year's World Cup opening round has been one of the most exciting in decades (two stoppage time goals on consecutive days?!). TV aside, the influence of the World Cup is also evident on the App Store where Soccer-centric apps have skyrocketed to the top of the charts in recent weeks. A few days ago, Appfigures put together a few charts which highlight the growing popularity of these apps on the App Store. Naturally, apps that offer free streaming of World Cup games such as the "watchESPN" app are doing extraordinarily well. As of Monday evening, three of the top seven free iPhone apps are all World Cup related (FIFA World Cup Brasil, WatchESPN, and Univision Deportes). The chart below is particularly interesting as it shows the popularity of FIFA's official World Cup App across a number of countries in the weeks building up to Brazil's opening match against Croatia. Undoubtedly helping matters is that Apple itself has taken to advertising the World Cup on the App Store. To wit, check out the attention-grabbing promotion for the WatchESPN app which can currently be found on the App Store main screen. What's more, Apple published a prominent section called "Soccer Fever" where fans can check out the best Soccer video games, the best apps to stay abreast of all the World Cup news as it happens, social networking apps useful for "sharing the fever", soccer books, soccer themed movies, Brazilian music recommendations, and for those lucky enough to be on hand for the festivities, apps to help folks discover and get around Brazil.
PSA: Fake EA Sports Instagram account phishing for Xbox, Origin logins
It's World Cup season; reigning champions Spain lost in spectacular fashion and FIFA soccer fans may be interested in rectifying that loss to Chile in FIFA 14's Ultimate Team World Cup mode. Unfortunately, Instagram accounts posing as official EA Sports channels are popping up during this period of piqued interest, posting tempting offers for free in-game currency in order to obtain players' Xbox Live and Origin account details.
Engadget Daily: inside the NBA finals, France scores with FIFA's new goal-line tech and more!
Today, we go behind the scenes at the 2014 NBA Finals, learn about Earin's truly wireless earbuds, relive France's controversial score with FIFA's goal-line technology and take a look at Airdog: a GoPro-equipped drone with a knack for sports action. Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last 24 hours.
FIFA 15 kicks off September 23
EA's next soccer sim FIFA 15 will hit store shelves in North America September 23, with a European release following on September 26. The game will launch across the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PS3, Xbox 360, and PC platforms. The PC version of the game will use the publisher's Ignite Engine, unlike FIFA 14. Those that pre-order the game's Ultimate Team Edition will receive roughly $40, (£30) in FIFA Ultimate Team goods. That includes items and game celebrations from the publisher's catalog of digital perks, EA Sports Football Club. [Image: EA Sports]
SMITE patch introduces Footballer skins and Hercules revamp
In honor of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, this week's SMITE patch will feature two new football- (soccer-) themed skins for X'balanque: the Jaguar Footballer and Football Star 2014. If you buy the Jaguar Footballer skin before July 12, you get the Football Star 2014 skin for free. In addition, a makeover is in store for Hercules, Champion of Rome. A new official video showcases Hercules' lore, abilities, and gameplay strategies. Check it out, along with one showing off the new X'balanque skins, just after the cut below. [Thanks to Soren for the tip!]
