EA Confirms Multiformat FIFA 08, New Cover Athletes

Representatives from Electronic Arts have confirmed the first details of FIFA 08, the latest yearly update to the company’s best-selling soccer series. At the same time Brazilian star Ronaldinho has been announced as heading a new set of international cover stars. As usual, the new game will be released in the autumn, with a specific release date yet to be announced. The game is confirmed for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo DS, PC and mobile phones. It will also appear on the Wii and PlayStation 3 for the first time. The FIFA series is EA Sports’ most successful title outside the U.S., with the new game being created by regular developers EA Canada in Vancouver. Although additional cover athletes for the UK and North America have not yet been announced, Brazilian national player and Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho has already been confirmed as headlining global marketing efforts for the game. As with previous versions of the game, the box art will feature Ronaldinho alongside other prominent national players. Striker Miroslay Klose of Werder Bremen will feature on the German packaging, Real Madrid rising star Sergio Ramos will be used in Spain, national team captain Andreas Ivanschitz will be included on the Austrian cover, Swiss national player Tranquillo Barnetta will be used in Switzerland and French players Florent Malouda and Frank Ribery will feature in French marketing. Many of the players will also be participating in motion capture work at a private facility in Barcelona this week. Ronaldinho, Klose, Ramos, Barnetta and Ivanschitz will all have their animations featured in the game, along with their digitized facial features. "We are proud to call some of the world’s best football athletes our partners. The access, guidance and insight they give us means that FIFA 08 will create a next gen experience that not only looks authentic, but that captures the emotion, finesse and beauty of the game,” said Joe Booth, senior producer for FIFA 08.