EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online 2 Set to Unite SEA Gamers and Soccer Fans

Virtual soccer met the real world amid team banners, soccer balls and murals of soccer stars as Soccer fans, gamers and media caught the first glimpse EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online 2, which will hit PCs around the region later this summer. Announcing the game’s coming launch were developer EA, regional operator IAHGames and Thai distributor True Digital Entertainment (TDE).

The focus: uniting regional soccer fans and gamers under one game, EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online 2. EA Asia Pacific VP & GM Chris Thompson, IAHGames CEO Roland Ong, and TDE Assistant Director Thiravid Thanapadungkiat all showcased the game and what it will mean for Southeast Asia’s growing gamer base and already rabid soccer fans.

“There’s one game that can unite soccer fans and gamers from across the region,” said Mr. Ong, “that game is FIFA Online 2.”

With 6 million gamers already playing in Korea, EA, IAHGames and TDE all anticipated a big reception for the game in Southeast Asia.

“You take the 6 million gamers already playing in Korea, and you match that against the population of the country, which is about 60 million,” said Mr. Thompson, “and you find that one out of ten people in Korea have played FIFA Online.”

To celebrate their partnership, Mr. Ong and Mr. Thiravid exchanged ceremonial pennants as Mr. Thompson observed approvingly.

EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online 2 allows gamers to customize their favorite team through in-depth management and player leveling tools before taking their custom team onto the virtual pitch. Players then have the option to test their team against a computer opponent, or battle it out in real time against other players from around the region. It’s the first time such a high-profile game combines custom management features with head to head online competition.

A yet unreleased trailer showcased the game’s excitement for lucky attendees, and was followed by a real time demonstration. Singapore National goalkeeper Lionel Lewis faced off against WCG Champion Gamer Mohamed Phirkhan in a live match, with Lewis narrowly winning 2-1.

The match epitomized the realism and excitement of EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online 2, as the crowd gasped and cheered at every scoring opportunity, goal, and even the red card Lewis earned in the second half.

The VIP trio of Mr. Ong, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Thiravid stayed afterwards to sign soccer balls and met various members of the press for questions.

EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online 2 will enter its closed beta test in August, followed by a free open beta and full release.

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