NEWS - Monday, September 26, 2005
EA And FIFA Hosts Xbox World Cup
EA and FIFA to host second Xbox World Cup Entrants can now compete for a place in the final via Xbox Live Electronic Arts has announced that it is teaming up with FIFA to hold the second annual FIFA Interactive World Cup for the current generation Xbox, with this year's final to be played on Xbox 360. Entrants can register on site at one of the regional tournaments or earn a place by winning a local qualifying tournament. The UK regional tournament event will take place at Olympia 2, London, on October 15. Eight pairs of tickets to a 2006 FIFA World Cup match in Germany will be handed over to the winners of the regional tournaments, who will then get to compete in the worldwide finals, taking place in London on December 18. Each finalist will receive an Xbox 360 and a copy of FIFA 06. There's also a new twist to this year's event - two lucky Xbox Live members will also be chosen to qualify for the grand final. Entrants to the online competition will need to visit the tournament website to register. The overall champion will be named FIFA Interactive World Player 2005 and will receive their trophy at the star-studded FIFA World Player Gala, to be held in Zurich on December 19. "We are all very excited about this year's FIFA Interactive World Cup," said Xbox VP Peter Moore. "By expanding the Xbox Live component of the competition we have really opened up the entry routes into this year's tournament allowing even more people to participate and eventually win it. It also means that only the best, most competitive gamers will make it through to the grand final." EA's Clive Downie commented: "We are thrilled to work with our long-term partners at FIFA and Xbox to help bring the second FIFA Interactive World Cup to football fans across the world." ""This year's tournament will be the place to test your virtual skills in authentic, interactive gameplay on EA's FIFA 06. We're looking forward to our fans getting ready to bring the athleticism, individuality and emotions of world stars to life." FIFA 06 will go on sale in Europe on September 30, with a worldwide launch to follow in the first week of October.Source: http://www.gameindustry.biz
