FIFA, EA AND PLAYSTATION KICK OFF FIFA INTERACTIVE WORLD CUP 2008
EA and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) are this year's presenting partners for the only FIFA-sanctioned global interactive football challenge
Chertsey, UK, 23 August 2007 -- FIFA, the world's governing body of football, Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced the new season of the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC), the world's only officially FIFA sanctioned global football gaming competition. Sony joins EA as new presenting partner for the tournament, in which participants from around the world compete with EA SPORTS FIFA 08 on the PlayStation®3 (PS3). The FIWC launches with a new format, designed as a season-long experience mirroring the real world of football. The announcement was made today at the Leipzig Games Convention.
The fourth edition of the FIWC kicks off in October 2007 and will culminate in the Grand Final in Berlin's Sony Centre in May 2008. This year, players can compete at one of more than 20 physical FIWC 08 Qualifier Events across the globe or online via the PLAYSTATION®Network in over 25 countries. In May 2008, 32 finalists will compete to be crowned FIFA Interactive World Player, rewarded with an invitation to the FIFA World Player Gala along with a USD 20,000 cash prize. Registration opens today at www.FIFA.com/FIWC
"To be associated with the world's leading games publisher, EA, and one of the most respected organizations in the world, FIFA, is very exciting for us," said Simon Rutter, VP Sales & Marketing for SCEE. "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."
Matt Bilbey, Senior Director, Sports Marketing, EA said "The FIFA Interactive World Cup has become a firm fixture in the diaries of many football fans and gamers around the world and we'll be there to bring them a season full of great competition with FIFA 08 on the PlayStation 3. With FIFA 08, EA Sports is delivering the sensations of being on the real FIFA World Cup football pitch, so football gamers in every geography better start practicing!"
"The FIFA Interactive World Cup is a great way to bring together football gamers and the wider football community. With the introduction of the new format, we have taken yet another big step towards establishing the FIFA Interactive World Cup as the world's leading football gaming competition, just like the FIFA World Cup is for football on the field of play", says FIFA Executive-Member Chuck Blazer.
EA SPORTS FIFA 08 for the PLAYSTATION3 offers a football experience that matches the complexity, finesse and beauty of the real-world game. FIFA 08 features a new, organic building-block system that enables players to combine tricks and skill moves together to recreate signature moves from the real-world superstars or define their own style of play.
In addition, FIFA 08 features a true next-generation ball-striking engine that re-creates the drama and unpredictable nature of shooting, the award-winning Interactive Leagues online gameplay and the inclusion of 620 licensed teams, 30 leagues, and more than 15,000 players.
For the complete event schedule and to keep the finger on the pulse of the FIFA Interactive World Cup please go to: www.FIFA.com/FIWC.
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Notes to Editors:
For further information please contact:
SCEE
Nick Sharples ( nick_sharples@scee.net) or Nick Caplin ( nick_caplin@scee.net)
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd
Tel: + 44 207 859 5301(5349) Fax: + 44 207 859 5036
Electronic Arts
Bettina Munn ( bmunn@ea.com)
Tel: +41 22 316 1327
FIFA
FIFA Media Department
Tel. : +41-43/222 7272
Fax: +41-43/222 7373
E-mail: media@fifa.org
About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd.
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2 and PSP (PlayStation®Portable) software and hardware in 102 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories.
Since the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 in Europe on 23 March 2007 and the end of March 2007 over 1.6 million units have been shipped across the SCEE territories, over 5.5 million globally. Between its European debut on 24th November 2000 and the end of March 2007, over 44 million PlayStation 2 consoles have been shipped across the SCEE territories, over 117 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history. Between its European debut on 1st September 2005 and the end of March 2007, over 8 million PSP systems have been shipped across the SCEE territories, with over 25 million shipped worldwide since its Japanese launch in December 2004.
More information about PlayStation products can be found at www.playstation.com or visit the Virtual Press Office at www.scee.presscentre.com.
PLAYSTATION, PlayStation and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PSP is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
About EA
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS, EA, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO. In fiscal 2007, EA posted revenue of $3.09 billion and had 24 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.electronicarts.co.uk. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at www.electronicarts.co.uk/press.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.
About FIFA
For more than 100 years, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, founded on 21 May 1904 in Paris and better known as FIFA, has continued to provide the essential leadership role to the international football family. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the eighth FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter guides the organisation today with a commitment to the evolution of FIFA as a modern and dynamic association. The basis of the world's football family is formed by FIFA's members. From the founding seven, the family has today grown to 208 affiliated football associations, also organised into six confederations spanning the globe.
FIFA's worldwide activities go well beyond its various competitions, such as the world's biggest single-sport event, the FIFA World Cup. In football development projects such as the FIFA GOAL Programme as well as in corporate social responsibility activities (including the Football for Hope movement to support through football social and human development) FIFA makes material, financial and promotional contributions to develop the game and make the world a better place. For the Game. For the World. To find out more about FIFA and its initiatives please check out www.FIFA.com.