I need to see some major interest from PS3 users in order to make my idea happen.

I WANT TWO FIFA 09 TOURNAMENTS – XBOX and PS3

PS3 USERS - If you want this tournament to happen, I need to see BIG participation numbers. So do this:

Comment in the section below. In order to comment, you must leave an email – MAKE SURE I can contact you on this EMAIL. I will then construct an email database to keep you informed of when the tournament will happen.

But again – I NEED TO SEE THE PARTICIPATION IS AT A MAX.

XBOX users have already proven they can do it. Now its your turn. Comment below, leave an email, and lets get started on creating two GREAT tournaments for the Winter.

‘Nuff Said!

But throw on top of that a 104 inch projection screen to play FIFA 09 on, and add a couple of footballers to play against (including Red Bulls Mac Kandji, Matt Mbuta and Andrew Boyens), and you have a Soccer Nerd’s Video Game Heaven!

Novecento really did this shin dig up – but that might be my bias for amazing Argentine food talking. The outside featured a sidewalk footie display, highlighted by a gorgeous flat screen where passers by could play some FIFA. The 2006 EA FIFA World Champion was on hand to show off his skill to the gathering crowds. I will have more on that later.

The place was also swarming with a bunch of beautiful FIFA 09 girls . . . .

. . . see what I’m saying?

Anyway, the night featured an all night tournament, with the winner taking home a Wii. Of course, I was in, as was my photographer (pictured above with the girlies). Let me say that this FIFA game lays last years product to waste. Here are a few observations:

- You can switch off to a player more accurately than before. If you want to switch to a specific defender, the AI is much more responsive to the logical switch than the 08 product.
- Speed. UEFA Euro 2008 was fast, but almost to a flaw. This game allows for speed on offense AND defense, where recovery of the ball and the subsequent jostling to hold on can work in either positions favor.
- Physicality. Thats what 09 is all about. You can knock people off the ball, box the ball in for protection, back track at a decent speed that does not leave the D immediately exposed. All that good stuff.
- Passing. Wow. You can spring a pass to a computer forward that will independently point out a passing lane. It is up to you to be smart enough to pick up on the gesture (here is one taken of me playing Barcelona on the left)

But enough of that – let’s get back to the party! A long story short, I advanced to the final of this tournament, which was commentated on by the announcer from ESPN Deportes. I picked Argentina (obviously), and my opponent picked England (the crowd favorite) . . . .

When all was said and done . . . I won a Wii. Argentina managed to net 4 goals, on the back of Riquelme who was playing CAM spectacularly, to Englands 1. Who says blogging doesn’t have its advantages?

So, if winning a Wii was not enough, I actually had the opportunity to play the 2006 FIFA World Champ right after the game (pictured to the right)! He came in second in last years 08 tournament as well, just to give you the necessary background. This game was for fun and I thoroughly expected a whooping . . . but when game time came, a miracle happened. I WON.

Sticking with Argentina, the champ decided to counter me with Brazil. But it was all for nothing, as I immediately went up 3 goals in the first half, and closed the half winning 3-1. Thats when he really put his game face on, concentrating on every play. In the end, the game wound up being 4-2 Argentina, with a confounded World Champ slinking away wondering what happened, and with an astounded blogger pondering the same thing.

What a great night.

The game is in stores NOW. Go out and pick this up NOW. You will absolutely not be disappointed.

Remember – you too can download a free demo version of FIFA 09! Go to your marketplace and start downloading!

Enjoy y’all!

I am looking for a writer to join me on The Offsides Gamers community. One guy can’t cover everything, and the goal is to bring our audience the most comprehensive, across the board coverage we can supply.

I must emphasis – PC GAMING, PRO EVO and FOOTBALL MANAGER COVERAGE A MAJOR PLUS.

But not a requirement.

And this is what I need:

+ Someone who can write well
+ Someone who can post at least twice a week
+ Someone who would be willing to do gamer tournaments every now and then (with or without me, even simultaneously – whatevs)
+ Someone who loves video games
+ Someone with immediate access to a game system (more than one is a major plus)

You will have direct access to the post page, and will be working along my side at bringing the most varied and best gamer coverage we can put out there.

Sound interesting? Send me an email: daveredbulls@hotmail.com.

Tell me a bit about yourself, your gaming interests, systems, and let me know if youve previously blogged, or written for anything (not necessary but always a plus!).

Hope to hear from you soon!

I’ll let them do the talking. HOW AWESOME IS THIS?!?!???!??!?!?

EA will be releasing an online Demo version of FIFA 09 to hold all of us over till the eventual release date in two months. Starting September 11, you will be able to get a taste of what is being called the best football game to come out in years.

EA has also announced a very interesting partnership with Adidas, in what they are calling “Live Season.” Here is an excerpt of the release:

“Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced a new premium service for EA SPORTS™ FIFA Soccer 09 called adidas Live Season that will redefine the soccer videogame experience by dynamically updating player form in-game on a weekly basis so that player attributes mirror real-world performances. FIFA Soccer 09 will now feel and play differently throughout the entire 2008-2009 season matching the weekly rhythm of soccer. The new service will be available for Barclay’s Premier League, La Liga BBVA, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A and Mexican Primera Division on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and PC.”

Imagine that – real time performance evaluations of all your favorite players, available at your finger tips. Every kid has always dreamed of real time compatability between the players in the game and the players in real life. No more will you have to ask yourself “Why is Claudio Reyna a 75 rating when he has clearly fallen off the map?” Or “Why is Peter Crouch a 97 when clearly he should be a 2?!” That kind of stuff.

With every tidbit of information, I beg and plead more and more for October to come around . . .

This season, you pick your style. Offensive defenseman a la Brian Leetch? Go for it. Power Forward in the Lindros mold? Make it happen. Look at the gameplay! Its tremendous!

Anyone down for an NHL tourney?

Dont know what a Mii is? Look to your left!

EA is ahead of the curve once again, creating platform specificity – including Wii based characters.

I have been waiting for an excuse (lose weight, be more active) to open up my Wii and start playing. This is where that streak ends. Guess what game I want my hands on?

Ill have more screenshots and trailers for the coming days.

Ladies and gentlemen, your cover athletes for this side of the Atlantic.

FIFA 09 will be released October 3rd.