News
EA Sports Challenge Series Powered by Virgin Gaming Launches Today
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. –December 8, in the year of our
Lord 2011 –– Pro athletes will not be the only ones
cashing in on their highlight reel moves in 2012, as Electronic
Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced the EA SPORTS™
Challenge Series, a sports video game tournament series that
will determine the most skilled Madden NFL 12, NHL®12 and FIFA
12 gamers. Powered by Virgin Gaming and exclusive to the
PlayStation®3 (PS3TM) computer entertainment system,
participants will compete for over $1-million in cash and prizes
– the largest prize money of any console-based sports gaming
tournament ever. Available online at virgingaming.com, new
technology allows gamers to participate in the tournament online
at their leisure by pairing up gamers playing on the site at the
same time.
“Virgin Gaming is earning a reputation for hosting the biggest
gaming tournaments, but our members have been asking for even
larger prize pools. That’s what drove the creation of the EA
SPORTS Challenge Series; the idea came from them,” said Rob
Segal, CEO of Virgin Gaming. “This is also the perfect
opportunity to bring our unique tournament format to the masses,
giving gamers the freedom to compete whenever they want, instead
of according to a set schedule. Those who make it through the
online qualifier phase will then earn a seat to play in the live
finals for huge cash prizes and true e-sport star status.”
Players that want to compete in the EA SPORTS Challenge Series
can register and participate immediately. The three tournaments
will begin with online qualifiers through Virgin Gaming for
Madden NFL 12, NHL® 12 and FIFA 12. Players will need to
outscore the competition by winning through the online
qualifiers in order to secure a seat at the final event to be
hosted in New York, April 2012.To learn more about EA SPORTS
Challenge Series, the individual tournaments and official rules,
please visit
www.easports.com/challengeseries.
Madden NFL 12 continues the rich tradition of the storied
franchise by bringing fans closer to the NFL than ever before.
Madden NFL 12 transforms on-field action and core gameplay
modes, driving innovation in six key areas: Playbooks and
Gameplay; Presentation; Franchise and Superstar modes; Dynamic
Player Performance; Madden Ultimate Team; and Online
Communities. Whether battling your rivals on the couch or
online, leading your favorite team to the Super Bowl in
Franchise mode, or building the ultimate dream team in Madden
Ultimate Team, Madden NFL 12 is True to the NFL, True to the
Franchise, True to the Game.
Chosen “Best Console Game” at Gamescom and winner of the
prestigious E3 Game Critics award for “Best Sports Game” at E3
2011, FIFA 12 is the most successful launch in the history of EA
SPORTS and the industry’s biggest ever launch of a sports
videogame. FIFA 12 brings to the pitch the game-changing new
Player Impact Engine, and revolutionary gameplay innovations
inspired by the real-world game, including all-new Precision
Dribbling, Tactical Defending, and Pro Player Intelligence.
Plus, new live services and breakthrough social experiences like
EA SPORTS Football Club and FIFA Ultimate Team deepen fans’
connection to the real-world game, their favorite club, and
their friends, rivals and millions of other players around the
world in the massive FIFA online community.
EA SPORTS NHL 12 authentically captures hockey as it is played
on the ice with more than 300 gameplay refinements highlighted
by three key innovations: Anticipation AI, Dynamic Goalies and
the Full Contact Physics Engine. Anticipation AI takes NHL 12 to
the next level as players will now intuitively determine their
next move by reading and anticipating the play. With the Full
Contact Physics Engine, size and strength matter. NHL12
continues to innovate by giving you true to life collisions and
control over the battles around the crease. With Dynamic
Goalies, goalies are live for the first time ever. Players can
make contact with goalies as they crash the crease and goalies
will battle through traffic in front of the net as they fight
through screens to make awe-inspiring saves.
For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video,
blogs, forums, fantasy leagues and game communities, please
visit
www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.