FIFA, Sony team up for virtual World Cup soccer

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 23 August 2007 02:52

Your IT - Entertainment

The FIFA Interactive World Cup kicks off in October with Sony as the new presenting partner, so contestants will play EA Sports' FIFA 08 on the PlayStation 3.

"With the added realism that PS3 brings to FIFA 08, we have every belief that now is the time to truly make an impact with the FIFA Interactive World Cup, We’re looking forward to PS3 fans helping to make the tournament every bit as iconic for gamers as the real FIFA World Cup is for football fans," said Simon Rutter, VP sales and marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

A first prize of $US20,000 is at stake, and the season will run until May 2008. "With the extended event period matching the European league system, we have made yet another big step towards establishing the FIFA Interactive World Cup as the world's leading football gaming competition just like the FIFA World Cup is for real football," said FIFA executive member Chuck Blazer.

Qualifying events are being held at 20 locations around the world. Most are in Europe, but North and South America, Africa, India and Oceania are also covered. The location of the US event has yet to be confirmed, while the nearest qualifier for virtual Socceroos is across the Tasman in Auckland, New Zealand.

For those who can't or don't want to travel to the physical events, qualifying will also take place on the PlayStation Network.

Registration for the tournament has opened.