Nintendo and EA Announce Collaboration
While EA is might be cutting some of its EA Sports titles from the GCN line-up, suprisingly it has collaborated with Nintendo to release twenty new titles, including sports titles, four of which will link with the GBA. More below.
EA Connects with Nintendo
More Than 20 Titles in Development for Nintendo GameCube and At Least Four to Link With Game Boy Advance
REDMOND, Wash., March 6, 2003 – The world’s two foremost video game developers, Nintendo and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced a collaboration on games that will include exclusive features for connected play between the Nintendo GameCube™ console and the portable Game Boy® Advance system. The creative effort will be led by EA, with Nintendo’s legendary game producer, Shigeru Miyamoto, providing input on technical game play elements.
The first three EA titles to support connectivity between the two systems will be Madden NFL™ 2004, FIFA 2004 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 2004. Madden NFL 2004 will launch on the Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance simultaneously in August. FIFA 2004 will be available on both systems when the game launches in Europe this autumn and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2004 is scheduled for launch in October. Over the next 12 months, EA plans to introduce approximately 20 Nintendo GameCube titles from their EA SPORTS™, EA GAMES™, and EA SPORTS BIG™ brands. Some of the additional Nintendo GameCube titles are also expected to support connectivity with Game Boy Advance.
A Game Boy Advance can be connected to the Nintendo GameCube system using a cable that links the two systems. Connectivity, depending on each software design, can allow users to exchange various forms of data, unlock new game levels, or use the Game Boy Advance as a supplemental game screen or controller.
“This is the year when the full potential of our exclusive ability to connect console and handheld gaming becomes clear with the delivery of unique game entertainment,” says George Harrison, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. “This bold alliance to build connectivity into some of the world’s most popular entertainment franchises will underscore that in unique and powerful ways.”
“This agreement means that three of the world’s most popular sports games – Madden NFL football, FIFA soccer and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR golf – are going to include a new way to play, and new way to compete on Nintendo systems,” said EA Executive Vice President of North American Publishing, Nancy Smith.
Source: http://www.nintendo.com
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