SSX dev diary highlights social-play features

While EA's in no hurry to have SSX lumped in with the more contentious trappings of the “social gaming” movement, the reborn snowboarding title's taken plenty of cues from the increasing prevalence of social media, as this new clip shows. Focusing on the title's Explore and RiderNet functions, Creative Director Todd Batty explains how SSX has been designed to keep players in touch and in contest – even when friends are offline.

SSX recently saw its release date slip back until the end of February, which gives EA a little more time to trickle out info like this, as well as teasing the game's characters as it continued to do earlier this week with fan-favorite Zoe. Expect plenty more info before the game's revised street date of Feb 28.