That's right football fans (or Soccer for our American and Australian friends and whoever else calls it Soccer), it's coming home once again.
EA have announced details of their upcoming successor to the highly popular FIFA franchise, FIFA 2008.
Not only will it be released on the usual formats (PS2, PSP, XBOX360, DS, pc, and mobile), but for the first time ever it will be released on the Nintendo Wii and, more importantly for us Sony Console people, the game will be released on the Playstation 3 format.
The big name that has been mentioned in connection to the motion capturing of players is the one and only Brazilian, Ronaldinho of the Spanish Giants Barcelona.
Ronaldinho, among other high profile players, will today be Barcelona, Spain, being specially motion-captured for the FIFA title.

Here is the official EA Press Release for you all to see:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RONALDINHO HEADLINES EA'S LINEUP OF GLOBAL SUPERSTARS
EA SPORTS FIFA Franchise to Motion Capture Ronaldinho, Miroslav Klose, Sergio Ramos, Tranquillo Barnetta and Andreas Ivanschitz today in Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain - May 24, 2007 - Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho will headline a global lineup of superstar athletes to be featured on the front packs of FIFA 08, the next chapter in the internationally acclaimed videogame franchise from EA SPORTS that will be available this Autumn for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, Nintendo DS, PC, mobile and will appear for the first time on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Wii.

The spotlight will shine on FC Barcelona's world-class midfielder Ronaldinho who will be the center-piece of FIFA 08 global packaging and marketing campaigns. Selected FIFA World Player 2004 and 2005, and a finalist last season, Ronaldinho will take his place on FIFA 08 covers alongside star players from other select teams in countries around the world.

Ronaldinho will join 2006 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner Miroslav Klose of Werder Bremen on packaging in Germany, rising star Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid on the cover in Spain, attacking midfielder and captain of the Austrian national team Andreas Ivanschitz of Panathinaikos FC on the cover in Austria, and Swiss national Tranquillo Barnetta of Bayer Leverkusen on front packaging in Switzerland. Midfielder Florent Malouda of Olympique Lyonnais and winger Frank Ribery of Olympique Marseille will be paired with Ronaldinho on covers in France. The athletes appearing on the cover of FIFA 08 in North America and the United Kingdom will be revealed next month.

Player - Nationality - Club
Ronaldinho - Brazilian - Barcelona (Spain)
Sergio Ramos - Spanish - Real Madrid (Spain)
Miroslav Klose - German - Werder Bremen (Germany)
Andreas Ivanschitz - Austrian - Panathinaikos FC (Greece)
Tranquillo Barnetta - Swiss - Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Florent Malouda - French - Olympique Lyonnais (France
Frank Ribery - French - Olympique Marseille (France)

EA also revealed that many of the players who will be appearing on its FIFA 08 covers are participating in state-of-the-art body motion capture today at a private facility in Barcelona, Spain. Cover stars Ronaldinho, Klose, Ramos, Barnetta, and Ivanschitz are being motion captured today for the EA SPORTS FIFA videogame development team. The body movements, individual moves and playing style of each athlete is being captured, digitized and will become the life-like movement of the virtual players in future versions of EA's FIFA games.

"We are proud to call some of the world's best football athletes our partners. The access, guidance and insight they give us means that FIFA 08 will create a next gen experience that not only looks authentic, but that captures the emotion, finesse and beauty of the game," said Joe Booth, senior producer for FIFA 08. "Through sessions like today, and the continued investment in our next gen football engine, our world-class development team continues to revolutionize the authentic gameplay experience."

"Ronaldinho and all the FIFA 08 cover stars bring a passion for the sport that is raw and true. They enjoy helping us bring that real-world experience into the game," said Matt Bilbey, International Director, EA SPORTS. "Their expert skills, commitment to success and passion for football inspire our development team and help us make FIFA 08 the most natural-feeling football videogame in the world."

FIFA 08 is developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C. It is scheduled for world wide release this Autumn on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, PC and mobile. FIFA 08 has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So there you have footy fans, we can now begin to look forward to the next FIFA game.
As of this moment in time, no specific date has been given for its release, other than this AUTUMN. Watch for it coming out round about September/October time as per usual.

Jay
Site Squad

Wow that's pretty cool, have you played MLB 07 The Show for PlayStation 3? I hear it has even better graphics than the PlayStation 2 game. I want to hear about it before I get it.

Nope, I'm from England, so baseball isn't really the sort of sport I watch.

Anyway, back to the news...

EA have released more details about their upcoming next instalment of FIFA 08 and here it is for your eyes only (those being the eyes of every single person who visits this site of course).


They've released details about "the tremendous depth of gameplay features in EA SPORTS™ FIFA 08 for Xbox 360™ and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system which will create a football experience that matches the complexity, finesse and beauty of the real-world game."

The official statement from EA follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASTER THE SKILLS REQUIRED TO PLAY LIKE A PRO IN EA'S FIFA 08 FOR XBOX 360 AND PLAYSTATION 3
Advanced AI, Realistic Shooting Mechanics, New Be A Pro feature and User-Defined Skill Moves Enable Fans to Experience the Challenge and Exhilaration of a Professional Player


CHERTSEY, UK., – June 4, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today revealed the tremendous depth of gameplay features in EA SPORTS™ FIFA 08 for Xbox 360™ and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system which will create a football experience that matches the complexity, finesse and beauty of the real-world game. FIFA 08 challenges players to master the skills required to play like a pro football player. Fans around the world can experience the same highs and lows of real-world players and tackle the challenges they face on a daily basis. FIFA 08 allows you on the pitch to defy the odds, perfect your skills, elevate your game and rise up to win glory for your club.

The FIFA 08 next-gen gameplay engine, built to maximize the power of Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, delivers animations and ball control that is so responsive you feel like you are actually on the pitch. Footballers in FIFA 08 now benefit from A.I. so smart, it features a 35-point decision engine which enables players to process multiple decisions and reactions in real-time. The A.I.’s dynamic ‘Threat Map’ system captures the excitement and realism of football. Players are now aware of their surroundings, reacting authentically to threats and opportunities to make intelligent football decisions.

Now with the FIFA 08 shooting system you can enjoy even more control and precision in front of the goal to become a true marksman. The next-generation ball-striking engine calculates shot success by combining an almost infinite number of different contexts, including ball spin, pressure from defenders, player attributes, and even air pressure to recreate the drama and unpredictable nature of shooting.

For the first time ever, fans playing FIFA 08 will face the pressure to improve their game that real-world players endure every day. A new play mode called Be A Pro locks you in the role of a single player and challenges you to master the same disciplines as a real football player—from positioning and tackling to reading the field and passing.

“This year, FIFA 08 takes its second step into the next-generation. Last year, we kicked off the next-generation by introducing a new engine and stunning ball physics. This year, we are introducing new gameplay, new modes and a new feeling of football finesse,” said Andrew Wilson, Executive Producer for FIFA 08. “Be A Pro forces you to think and react like a professional player - you will experience the whole range of emotions players go through during the course of a game. This feature, along with advancements to our gameplay engine, will deliver on our promise of authentic football gameplay.”

FIFA 08 introduces skill moves with a true next-generation organic ‘building-block’ system enabling you to combine tricks and skill moves together to recreate signature moves from the real-world superstars or define your own style of play. Animations can be interrupted at any time to transition into a new move, enabling you to read and respond to the defence, just like real life. Master the skills to break down the defence, elude your marker and lead your team to victory.

The award-winning Interactive Leagues feature that was first introduced in FIFA 07, now makes its debut on Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3. Represent your club online against your rivals throughout the season in the F.A. Premier League, Bundesliga, French League or Mexican 1st Division. When they play, you play.

“The Interactive Leagues is the most successful online tournament we’ve had for the FIFA franchise and I am thrilled to bring it into this year’s next-gen game. As a Leeds United fan I was pained to see Manchester United win the first Interactive Premier League last season. However, I’m looking forward to redressing the balance this year through FIFA 08,” said Joe Booth, Producer for FIFA 08 on Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3. “One of my favourite things about Interactive Leagues is how it connects me and the development team with the FIFA gamers via our weekly in-game pod-cast. We have just broken the one million downloads mark and It’s been a fantastic way to interact with other fans, share experiences and answer questions.”

In addition, FIFA 08 is dramatically more real and exhilarating with the inclusion of 620 licensed teams, 30 leagues, and more than 15,000 players making it 20% larger than FIFA 07 on current generation formats.

FIFA 08 is developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C. It is scheduled for worldwide release this autumn on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, PC and mobile. EA will reveal the specific features available in the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP system, PC and mobile versions in the coming weeks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Any further details released will be posted in this news topic.

Jay
Site Squad

p.s. A couple of images follow for you to drool over...

is anyone in here not from England, and has played MLB 07 The Show for PlayStation 3?

okay thanks have you played the game?

you should try MLB 07 The Show... it's very realistic, i feel like i'm at the stadium... umpire personalities with each one having a different definition of the strike zone.