The search for the best virtual soccer player in North America is heating up as FIFA, the world's governing body of soccer, Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Sony Computer Entertainment announced two live qualifying events of the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2009 (FIWC) in North America as well as an online competition, leading to the National Final in New York City where one individual will win the North American championship and the chance to be crowned the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2009 Champion.
Danny Cowan from Gamasutra writes:
FIFA, the world's governing body of football, Electronic Arts and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that Alfonso Ramos, the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2008 Champion, has received his official winner's trophy at the FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich...
The FIFA Interactive World Cup 2009 is underway for the first time in the Middle East, with EA SPORTS FIFA 09 players on PLAYSTATION®3 able to stake their claim for greatness and a USD 20,000 cash prize.
On top of beating out Call of Duty: World at War for the Christmas No.1 spot and returning to the top of the UK charts for the first week of 2009, EA's FIFA 09 has sold over 2 million units so far in the UK alone, making it the fastest selling FIFA game in the series' history.
So here we are again, after having celebrated and eaten until our bellies started to crack. Last week we had no UK charts post due to the fact we were too busy eating turkey and opening presents.
Ve3tro writes, "Here are the top 20 games in the UK right now based on sales. The top four spots seem to be just rearranging themselves from last week's, with EA's FIFA 09 now in the top spot.
EA's FIFA 09 has become UK's all-format Christmas number one following an eleventh-hour sales surge at the retailers. The highly successful sports title, which has hovered around the top half of the charts since its October release, snatched the accolade from the bookies' odds-on favorite Call Of Duty: World At War.
Players of FIFA 09 on Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION® 3 who upload their replay videos to www.easportsfootball.com now have the chance to show their super-strikes to thousands via the site's popular new Top 10 Goals feature.
FIFA 09 has received its second patch, which will not harm old save files. Along with various gameplay bugs, the tweaks include:
ELSPA (Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association) today announced the list of videogames vying for the number one spot this Christmas. And leading bookmaker Ladbrokes makes Call of Duty: World at War its 1/3 favourite for the festive accolade...
The feeling of 'deja vu' is in the air, since this is the fourth consecutive week Call of Duty: World at War remains in the top of the charts.
PS3clan started the Game of the Year 2008 elections. This week you can vote on category SPORTS.
PS3clan was present at a huge Electronic Arts and Sony event in Holland largest soccer arena (50.000) called the Amsterdam Arena.
Even though CoD WaW sales fell 51%, it managed to maintain the first place of the British charts, according to Chart Track. With so many games coming out this period, it's natural to see many ups and downs in games sales. The battle is harsh and only the strongest survive.
"OK lads it seems that the official patch has been released into the wild this evening. When I turned my game today I received an update and looking around the official forums it seems many other 360 users have also. PS3 users are still waiting it seems but with the PSN usually slower to update I'm sure it will be along soon. Let us know if you are pleased with the update or if any more problems surface themselves."
EA has been hard at work on a patch for FIFA 09 and have now announced the general fixes of said patch. They state they are aiming for a release next week and among the issue's fixed are:
dailygamesnews.com - EA Sports announced today that all 14 international commentary packs in Fifa 09 will be available to download free on both the PlayStation Network for PS3 and on Xbox Live Marketplace for Xbox 360. For the first time, fans worldwide can now download and experience all language commentary packs featuring different commentators from all over the world while playing Fifa 09.
MCV: Title hits one million UK sales after enjoying most successful opening week ever for a football game