If a Cristiano Ronaldo-themed dance simulator isn't your cup of tea, how about a more traditional football game? Today EA and Sony Ericsson have announced that FIFA 12 is now available for the Xperia Play, and will be available on other 2011 Xperia handsets at a later date. What's more, for a limited time, Xperia Play owners can grab FIFA 12 for free from the phone's games widget.
EA has gone all out with its latest mobile version of FIFA, with a full compliment of teams and many of the gameplay enhancements from the console versions of the game. And as you'd expect from a FIFA game, you also get to play in a host of real-world stadiums with "authentic commentaries" from the usual pundits. No remote-controlling real footballers just yet though, unless you're Tom Meighan or Darren Bent.
The Android version of FIFA 12 is apparently exclusive to SE devices until Feb. 2012, at which point we expect it'll appear on the Android Market for a wider audience to enjoy. In the meantime, Xperia Play owners can head on over to that games widget and enjoy their (free) exclusive.
We've got the full presser after the jump.
London – December 1st, 2011 – EA SPORTS™ FIFA 12, the latest edition of the world’s most popular sports videogame franchise, launches today as an Android exclusive on Sony Ericsson’s flagship gaming smartphone Xperia™ PLAY.
FIFA 12 lets fans take control of football superstars like Wayne Rooney and Kaka, and delivers one the most authentic sporting experiences on mobile, with features including Leagues and Cups, Quick Match and Daily Challenge.
The game, developed for Android by EA Mobile™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) will debut on XperiaTM PLAY fully-optimized for gameplay using the PlayStation® Certified smartphone’s unique gamepad. FIFA 12 will also be available exclusively on the wider Xperia™ range, including the company’s acclaimed Xperia™ arc S, Xperia™ arc, Xperia™ ray, Xperia™ neo and Xperia™ pro smartphones.
Fans can expect improved gameplay depth, authentic commentaries, updated teams from the world’s top leagues, and all new replay systems and stadium designs to enhance the FIFA experience.
“Our vision is to create the most authentic FIFA experience that fosters one of the largest football communities on the planet,” said Glenn Roland, VP, EA Interactive, New Platforms and OEM. “By introducing FIFA to Xperia devices we’re able to give fans yet another compelling opportunity to play no matter where they are, anytime, anywhere.”
FIFA 12 joins a strong roster of titles the publisher has brought to Xperia™ PLAY in 2011, including leading franchises like Battlefield and Need For Speed™. A number of these titles are currently available for free download as part of Sony Ericsson’s ‘Get In The Game’ limited-time Xperia™ PLAY promotion. FIFA Soccer 12 itself will be available as part of this promotion until early 2012.
“This year, we’ve partnered with EA to bring some of its best titles to Xperia™ PLAY for an unmatched mobile gaming experience,” said Tim Harrison, Head of Content & Strategy at Sony Ericsson. “FIFA is a huge franchise that appeals to football fans around the world and a real highlight in a successful autumn and Holiday season of bringing great content to Xperia™ PLAY.”
All information and details about the promotion on Xperia™ PLAY is available at: www.sonyericsson.com/eapromo
FIFA 12 is distributed under the title FIFA Soccer 12 in North America.
