EA Sports, proud (for better or worse) creators of the gargantuanly successful FIFA gaming series, have been making friends with everybody lately. Running round making club-specific deals instead of focusing on improving the product - how wonderful. But I digress. This new-found friendliness from EA continues today, with Chelsea announcing an official partnership with the conglomerate for the 2011-12 season.
I can feel your excitement. Nevertheless, this deal features a few extra features compared to EA's handshakes with the likes of Leeds and Derby County. Let's take a look at what's on tap shall we?
Digital Chels
Here's a rundown of what's included in the partnership. In bullet form, of course.
- When FIFA 12 launches on Tuesday 30 September, Blues fans will be able to download and print their own free club specific FIFA 12 cover from Chelseafc.com. The cover will feature three star players as well as Stamford Bridge.
- Fans should also keep an eye out on match days for a dedicated FIFA 12 gaming hub which will be set up at the ground on selected fixtures throughout the season. You’ll be able to get ready for the match with FIFA 12 and EA SPORTS will also have lots of give-aways and special FIFA challenges.
- If you’ve ever wondered who the best Chelsea player is at FIFA, you’ll be able to find out when the gaming hub pays a visit to the training ground to host the first ever Chelsea Pro Player Tournament. Chelsea TV and EA SPORTS will be there to bring you all the action as they find out who is the best Chelsea FC FIFA 12 gamer.
- Plus, EA SPORTS will be producing video content including match simulations and stylised player features throughout the season. You will also get the chance to upload your best goals in advance of key fixtures playing as Chelsea in the game.
- EA SPORTS promotional creative will also be visible on the club’s website where you’ll be able to see the amazing likenesses of Chelsea players in the game.
I'll take a club-specific cover. The rest receives a firm meh.
Our deal is nothing like the one Manchester City agreed to earlier in the summer, which includes, amongst other things, exclusive videos, DLC and 3D head scans of the entire first team. That deal, in my opinion, was ridiculous as favoritism in a gaming platform is questionable at best. Whatever.
Chelsea becomes the sixth so-called official partner for EA Sports, following City, Fulham, Derby, Leeds and the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer. I reckon numerous more of these deals with be announced in the lead-up to the game's release on Sept. 30.
What these handshakes do not reveal is whether or not FIFA 12 will be a glitch-ridden mess like its predecessor. I hope not, because 11 had great potential. Wait, this isn't a gaming site. If you want FIFA news and opinion, visit FIFA Soccer Blog. I'm out.