EA Takes It Online

By now, everyone has heard the big news out of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2004—Electronic Arts (EA) has seen the live—Xbox Live®, that is. Fifteen upcoming titles were announced with full Xbox Live support, proving that broadband gaming is becoming the industry standard, with Xbox is leading the way. With EA and its family of brands producing some of the finest, best-supported games on Xbox®, this development (combined with the new Xbox Live features recently released) means that both should attract new fans.

“Everyone have their Gamertags?”

The first EA game comes to us courtesy of the EA SPORTS brand, and it’s a long-running, smash hit football franchise ready to win over whole new legions of gamers courtesy of Xbox Live. Something in the Madden NFL™ franchise, you presume? No, but you’re close. NCAA® Football 2005is the first Xbox Live-enabled football simulation out of the gate—and if this is any indication of things to come, EA and Xbox Live should have a long, successful relationship.

EA and Xbox Live have changed the rules.

So, how will Xbox Live change the way you play NCAA Football 2005? How won’t it? Consider the following:

• Sanctioned tournaments: The combination of new Xbox Live features and EA’s pre-existing online service should mean ample opportunity for you to become a college coaching phenom on Xbox Live.
  
• Trash talking, up close and in your ear: Keep your opponent off his game with verbal abuse while you play up your home field advantage by working the stadium into a frenzy. Of course, if he has home field advantage, you can still dish it out.
  
• Online wherever you are: No matter where you are, as long as you have a PC with an Internet connection, you should be able to check in on all the current standings in your league or scope out the competition.

“Yeah, I linked my Gamertag. You?”

These are just a few of the advances that Xbox Live and NCAA Football 2005 are bringing your way soon. Expect further updates as we get more news about what’s coming up with EA and Xbox Live!

By Ben Barker