14 DAY TRIAL // Electronic Arts has announced that it is partnering up with the Coca Cola Zero brand in order to offer an innovative new service that will allow console gamers to relive and possibly change history by playing videogame versions of real World Cup South Africa matches just a few hours after they concluded. An entire team at EA Sports will work to create virtual matches that feature the same turning points as the real-life clashes.
The so-called Coca Cola Zero Story of the Finals will be offered by EA Sports on the PlayStation 3 home console from Sony and on the Xbox 360 platform from Microsoft. The entire experience will be free and players will need to have a continuous Internet connection in order to get the new content.
The idea is to empower gamers and sports fans by turning real-life matches into virtual experiences as quickly as possible. The entire experience is based around the same game engine used by the 2010 FIFA World Cup videogame, which is set to arrive in late April, allowing players to create their own South Africa tournament with any of the 197 teams included. Players will be able to get it for the Xbox 360, the PS3, the Nintendo Wii, the PlayStation Portable and the iPhone.
Kaz Makita, who is the executive producer working on the project, said, “This is an ambitious and completely unique feature that has never before been attempted for football videogames. The hopes and dreams of nations will rise and fall throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final and within hours after the real matches have occurred our development team will re-create the storylines in our game and provide fans the opportunity to replay and, perhaps, change the outcome – virtually.”
Scott Cuppari, who manages the Media and Interactive division of Coca Cola North America believes that “Through our partnership with EA SPORTS and their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa game, we’re offering new, innovative videogame content that delivers a rich experience to gamers and soccer enthusiasts.”