EA Releases Details on FIFA 08

Details on the upcoming FIFA 08 for Xbox 360 and PS3 have just been released by Electronic Arts (EA).

FIFA 08 for Xbox 360 and PS3, EA says, will be a game to match the complexity and beauty of real world football. It will throw gamers onto the pitch to defy odds, face highs... and lows, hone their skills, and play like pro football players, and maybe lead their teams to that oh-so-elusive victory!

According to EA, the new game will sport 620 licensed teams, 30 leagues, and over 15,000 players, making it a much larger-than-life experience as compared to FIFA 07.

The '35-point decision' engine will deliver even more responsive animations and ball control. EA claims the engine will put together different parameters such as ball spin, pressure from defenders, player attributes, even air pressure, to recreate the magic and high drama of real soccer.

The engine's smart Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 'threat map' system will help players remain more alert, and respond to threats and opportunities in real time to make the most of what they have.

FIFA 08 will feature a new mode dubbed 'Be A Pro' which as the name suggests, will lock gamers into the role of single players, daring them to play like professionals, right from positioning and tackling to reading the field and passing the ball.

EA claims players will be able to create their own styles, or recreate signature styles of some of the game's greats with the help of FIFA 08's Gen-Next 'building-block' system.

What's more, animations will be such that can be interrupted any time to transition into a new move, helping gamers read and respond to or better still - break the defence.

Andrew Wilson, Executive Producer for FIFA 08, said, "This year, FIFA 08 takes its second step into the next-generation. Last year, we kicked off the next-generation by introducing a new engine, and stunning ball physics. This year, we are introducing new game play, new modes, and a new feeling of football finesse."

EA says the 'Interactive Leagues' feature that was first introduced in FIFA 07, will now debut on Xbox 360 and PS3 in a way that gamers can play out their fantasies in the F.A. Premier League, Bundesliga, French League, or Mexican 1st Division.

Developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, FIFA 08 is scheduled for an autumn worldwide release on Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, PC, and mobile.

EA says it will release specifics of the other versions of FIFA 08 in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, screenshots of FIFA 08 for Xbox 360 and PS3 can be downloaded at http://info.ea.com.