With all the hype surrounding the 2010 FIFA World Cup I had to go out and purchase what at the time was the latest and most up to date version of the storied EA Sports soccer franchise title. But with the debut of FIFA 11 on Tuesday, the franchise took a huge leap forward by unleashing its new and improved title from the one released just months ago. Critics, game enthusiasts and reviews have been kind to the title thus far, but with only a few minor tweaks to the highly touted FIFA 10 release from last season, many are left to wonder if this title packs enough punch for your dollar.
From what I have seen FIFA 11 and its Personality+ Plus system have all but revolutionized player control and authenticity. For one, players stay true to their abilities on the field, allowing for a look and feel that is true to specific players. While the system has a high degree of clarity for the more popular players like Kaka, Rooney and Iniesta to name a few, the ability to draw comparisons from real life matches and seeing players perform or react like they would in real life is a fascinating element that truly adds value to the game.
Gamers will also be introduced to a new 360 degree fight for possession system. Not only will bigger and more physical players be able to dominate the pitch, but this new footwork element is a tremendous step up from the 8 way player movement system that has been used in years past and will alow for an increased level of smooth, more realistic play. This system, along with a new long distance passing element, or Pro Passing, will make individual playing style and freedom much more intuitive during actual game play. A few additional tweaks round out the FIFA 11 changes with new user controlled celebrations, a user friendly penalty kicking system (the easiest and most fluid to date) and as stated above the new Pro Passing system. With Pro Passing, pass accuracy is determined by a gamers ability on the control pad, player skill, game situation and urgency on the pitch.
With all the hoopla surrounding its release, EA Sports hasn't spared any expense either from a marketing perspective either. Having launched its Event Marketing Tour for FIFA Soccer 11 yesterday in New York City, fans and players came together for a once and a lifetime experience. The event included a 12 man New York Red Bulls playoffs style tournament, industry professionals, fans and of course the FIFA 11 title all complete with systems and screens to allow for an incredible one of a kind gaming environment. But not to worry, the FIFA 11 Event Marketing Tour is set to come to a town near you.
According to a September 22 press release by IGN.com this tour will be comprised of, "a nationwide, 13 city, five-week long program that showcases EA's acclaimed FIFA Soccer 11 video game and PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment systems." In addition, EA Sports will offer fan incentives for those who choose to tag along and participate. "Throughout the five weeks, two vehicles outfitted with 15 TVs along with 15 PS3 systems, plus a full-time crew, will travel the East Coast while another team will visit West Coast cities. At each Tour stop, fans will have the opportunity to play FIFA Soccer 11, as well as receive free prizes courtesy of EA SPORTS and PlayStation, including Adidas-branded FIFA Soccer 11 T-shirts and the chance to win a PSP (PlayStation Portable)go system or a PS3 system."
In my eyes this integrated on the go marketing campaign is just what the doctor ordered and its no surprise that sports gaming juggernaut EA Sports is behind all the madness. With the debut of the FIFA 11 Official Sound Track, another key characteristic and newly acquired model used by EA set to supplement the release, look for them to make a splash and continue to change the way gamers experience the titles with which they crave. EA's ability to add value to the fan by inviting out MLS players during the Event Marketing Tour is also a fantastic way to increase brand loyalty, awareness and serves as a great catalyst to bring the sports fan and athlete together. With a complete line up of host cities to follow during the month of October, it is my hope that the MLS and EA will continue to leverage this title and embrace cross promotion as a way to further add value to the famed title, and draw attention to the MLS as a professional sports entity here in the United States.
According the IGN.com, "The EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 11 Takeover Tour will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign, including live Twitter feeds, Facebook fan page updates, PlayStation.com and more, that will drive game and tour awareness, in addition to driving attendance at Tour stops." Utilizing social media platforms in conjunction with web based press releases like the one's found on IGN.com, Gamespot and other high traffic gaming sites, look for this tour to be a hit and for FIFA 11 to do well in its debut week here in the U.S. and overseas.
EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 11 Takeover Tour Schedule:
9/25 - 9/26 Columbus, OH, 9/25 - 9/26 Chicago, IL, 9/28 (LAUNCH) New York, NY, 9/28 (LAUNCH) Chicago, IL, 10/2 - 10/3 Boston, MA, 10/2 - 10/3 Denver, CO, 10/9 - 10/10 Baltimore, MD, 10/9 - 10/10 Phoenix, AZ, 10/16 - 10/17 Atlanta, GA, 10/16 - 10/17 Los Angeles, CA, 10/23 - 10/24 Dallas, TX, 10/23 - 10/24 San Francisco, CA, 10/30 - 10/31 St. Louis, MO and 10/30 - 10/31 Seattle, WA.
*For an exclusive look at the FIFA 11 NYC Launch Event simply click on the title of this article
With all the hype surrounding the 2010 FIFA World Cup I had to go out and purchase what at the time was the latest and most up to date version of the storied EA Sports soccer franchise title. But with the debut of FIFA 11 on Tuesday, the franchise took a huge leap forward by unleashing its new and improved title from the one released just months ago. Critics, game enthusiasts and reviews have been kind to the title thus far, but with only a few minor tweaks to the highly touted FIFA 10 release from last season, many are left to wonder if this title packs enough punch for your dollar.
From what I have seen FIFA 11 and its Personality+ Plus system have all but revolutionized player control and authenticity. For one, players stay true to their abilities on the field, allowing for a look and feel that is true to specific players. While the system has a high degree of clarity for the more popular players like Kaka, Rooney and Iniesta to name a few, the ability to draw comparisons from real life matches and seeing players perform or react like they would in real life is a fascinating element that truly adds value to the game.
Gamers will also be introduced to a new 360 degree fight for possession system. Not only will bigger and more physical players be able to dominate the pitch, but this new footwork element is a tremendous step up from the 8 way player movement system that has been used in years past and will alow for an increased level of smooth, more realistic play. This system, along with a new long distance passing element, or Pro Passing, will make individual playing style and freedom much more intuitive during actual game play. A few additional tweaks round out the FIFA 11 changes with new user controlled celebrations, a user friendly penalty kicking system (the easiest and most fluid to date) and as stated above the new Pro Passing system. With Pro Passing, pass accuracy is determined by a gamers ability on the control pad, player skill, game situation and urgency on the pitch.
With all the hoopla surrounding its release, EA Sports hasn't spared any expense either from a marketing perspective either. Having launched its Event Marketing Tour for FIFA Soccer 11 yesterday in New York City, fans and players came together for a once and a lifetime experience. The event included a 12 man New York Red Bulls playoffs style tournament, industry professionals, fans and of course the FIFA 11 title all complete with systems and screens to allow for an incredible one of a kind gaming environment. But not to worry, the FIFA 11 Event Marketing Tour is set to come to a town near you.
According to a September 22 press release by IGN.com this tour will be comprised of, "a nationwide, 13 city, five-week long program that showcases EA's acclaimed FIFA Soccer 11 video game and PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment systems." In addition, EA Sports will offer fan incentives for those who choose to tag along and participate. "Throughout the five weeks, two vehicles outfitted with 15 TVs along with 15 PS3 systems, plus a full-time crew, will travel the East Coast while another team will visit West Coast cities. At each Tour stop, fans will have the opportunity to play FIFA Soccer 11, as well as receive free prizes courtesy of EA SPORTS and PlayStation, including Adidas-branded FIFA Soccer 11 T-shirts and the chance to win a PSP (PlayStation Portable)go system or a PS3 system."
In my eyes this integrated on the go marketing campaign is just what the doctor ordered and its no surprise that sports gaming juggernaut EA Sports is behind all the madness. With the debut of the FIFA 11 Official Sound Track, another key characteristic and newly acquired model used by EA set to supplement the release, look for them to make a splash and continue to change the way gamers experience the titles with which they crave. EA's ability to add value to the fan by inviting out MLS players during the Event Marketing Tour is also a fantastic way to increase brand loyalty, awareness and serves as a great catalyst to bring the sports fan and athlete together. With a complete line up of host cities to follow during the month of October, it is my hope that the MLS and EA will continue to leverage this title and embrace cross promotion as a way to further add value to the famed title, and draw attention to the MLS as a professional sports entity here in the United States.
According the IGN.com, "The EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 11 Takeover Tour will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign, including live Twitter feeds, Facebook fan page updates, PlayStation.com and more, that will drive game and tour awareness, in addition to driving attendance at Tour stops." Utilizing social media platforms in conjunction with web based press releases like the one's found on IGN.com, Gamespot and other high traffic gaming sites, look for this tour to be a hit and for FIFA 11 to do well in its debut week here in the U.S. and overseas.
EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 11 Takeover Tour Schedule:
9/25 - 9/26 Columbus, OH, 9/25 - 9/26 Chicago, IL, 9/28 (LAUNCH) New York, NY, 9/28 (LAUNCH) Chicago, IL, 10/2 - 10/3 Boston, MA, 10/2 - 10/3 Denver, CO, 10/9 - 10/10 Baltimore, MD, 10/9 - 10/10 Phoenix, AZ, 10/16 - 10/17 Atlanta, GA, 10/16 - 10/17 Los Angeles, CA, 10/23 - 10/24 Dallas, TX, 10/23 - 10/24 San Francisco, CA, 10/30 - 10/31 St. Louis, MO and 10/30 - 10/31 Seattle, WA.
*For an exclusive look at the FIFA 11 NYC Launch Event simply click on the title of this article
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