EPL Talk » Electronic Arts

EA Sports Announces Release of FIFA Online for the PC

Jonathon Feyerherm — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:30:19 +0000

Electronic Arts, makers of the FIFA video game series, have announced they will release a free PC game called FIFA Online in June 2010.

The game is currently in closed beta mode which allows players to test the game and provide feedback to the developers. It will change to open beta mode in June 2010 and be widely available.

The developers of the game are looking to create game that casual gamers could pick up and play without the need for a console. You can register to be in the beta testing of the game at the official website here. Not everyone is accepted into the beta program and EA Sports will e-mail you with the information if you are selected. You do have to provide some basic information such as where you’re from, how often you play video games, and how often you watch soccer on television.

Below are more details on the game including some quotes from one of the developers (from an EA Sports press release).

Quote from Executive Producer

“Listening to and engaging soccer fans has been one of the driving forces behind the success of our FIFA franchise and now we are inviting European football fans–in mass numbers and earlier than we ever have before–to help us develop a new soccer game,” said Executive Producer Kaz Makita. “Fans will determine the features that matter most, and at the end of this process, our goal is to deliver a game for fans looking for a quick soccer fix at home or at work.”

“There are a large number of soccer fans who do not want a console gaming experience due to time and other priorities in their personal lives but they still want to be able to play a top-quality soccer videogame,” explained Makita. “FIFA Online will be designed specifically for them.”

Details on the game’s release

EA SPORTS FIFA Online will be released around the world in stages. The English language version will be available to all soccer fans in June, 2010. Over the next 12 to 24 months FIFA Online will launch in other languages across Europe and then in North America. Non-English speaking soccer fans will also be able to participate in the development process of these games.

EA SPORTS FIFA Online will offer an authentic soccer experience with 30 licensed leagues, 500 clubs and more than 15,000 players. During the first closed beta stage beginning February 3, the game will feature a 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa tournament mode and a control system that uses the mouse only. At the second stage of closed beta, the game will feature a League Mode that enables fans to manage and compete as their favorite soccer club, and the ability to play online matches. FIFA Online will enable soccer fans and gamers to build their favorite club into their dream team by developing or acquiring players, upgrading skills, and getting unique apparel by earning in-game currency to acquire items or through micro-transactions. Additional content will be designed for the game based on feedback by fans.

Jonathon Feyerherm is creator/editor of The 90th Minute Soccer Blog, Free Soccer Highlights, and Free Live Sports TV

FIFA 09 Interview With Aaron McHardy

The Gaffer — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:00:14 +0000

The interview about FIFA 09 with Aaron McHardy from EA Sports is now available on the EPL Talk Podcast.

Interviewed by Johnathan Starling, McHardy discusses the latest features of FIFA 09 as well as answering questions from you, the readers, and chatting about his playing career which included participating in a World Cup qualifier match for Jamaica.

The episode, number 107, marks the debut of Johnathan Starling as host of the EPL Talk Podcast. Starling is a chief contributor at EPL Talk who many of you know from hosting the EPL Talk Chat, writing for the site as well as being the host of The Third Half Podcast, which is available via the EPL Talk Podcast stream at iTunes and the podcast website.

The Third Half is released on a twice weekly basis, while the EPL Talk Podcast will be released on a frequent basis based on the availability of interview guests.

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FIFA 09 Interview With EA Sports’ Aaron McHardy: Questions Please

The Gaffer — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:59:05 +0000

FIFA 09 will be released in North America this Tuesday. To coincide with the launch, EPL Talk’s Johnathan Starling will interview EA Sports Gameplay Producer Aaron McHardy. If you have any questions about the new game, what it’s like behind the scenes at EA or anything else FIFA 09-related, please post your questions here before midnight Tuesday October 14, 2008.

McHardy is no stranger to football. He played for Jamaica in a World Cup qualifying match. He was selected as a member of the PAC-10 all conference first team in 2001 when he was at Oregon State University. Born in Vancouver to a Jamaican father, McHardy played as a striker.

The interview is now live on the EPL Talk Podcast.

FIFA 09 Preview

The Gaffer — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:58:08 +0000

FIFA 09 Preview? We’ve got it here including the official preview, a trailer from EA featuring Maurice Edu and a couple of fan videos showing actual gameplay.

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Electronic Arts must hate the August transfer window. With their FIFA series being released in early September, EA has no time to include the latest big signings such as Robinho and Berbatov. Thankfully updates should take care of the transfer switches.

FIFA 09 is scheduled for release in Europe on October 3, 2008 for the PS3 and Xbox 360. The North America release date is October 14.

The commentators featured in the English-speaking versions will include Martin Tyler and Andy Gray.