Manchester City FC Transfer News: Sky Blues sign FIFA 12. Wait WHAT?!
It seems that Manchester City Football Club’s hunger to be the most talked about club knows no bounds, as Electronic Arts announced that they had signed a deal with the club for the upcoming, and highly anticipated, football simulation game, FIFA 12.
Manchester City made headlines since the club was taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group, a company with its roots in the United Arab Emirates, in 2008. The club went on to sign almost every superstar under the sun since then, splashing
over $150 million in player transfers.
A new £400-million stadium naming rights deal with Etihad seemed to demonstrate how far Manchester City are willing to go in order to achieve the status of becoming the world’s biggest club. However, it seems the club now want to brainwash the millions
of FIFA fans.
Just to clarify, Manchester City have not bought the FIFA franchise from EA, though ruling it out for the future would be a tad pre-mature, but rather both parties have come to sign a deal which will see exclusive Manchester City FC content in the
game.
First things first, it has been confirmed that the entire Manchester City squad have had their heads scanned, so that their likenesses in the game are exactly the same as in real life.
EA made the announcement in Vancouver, where the FIFA series has been developed over the past few years, “(The deal) is unprecedented in both its scale and scope within the computer game industry. As part of the agreement, dedicated Man City content
will be distributed through the Club and EA's digital channels, including MCFC 'match simulations' prior to real fixtures and unique visuals of the City stars in action.”
The move almost seems to make FIFA 12 sound like the ‘official game of Manchester City Football Club’, which may not be the best thing at this point in time, seeing how the club is embroiled in controversy over their Etihad deal.
Players will also be given “exclusive and unique free club specific pack design” and areas around the club stadium will have areas dedicated to gaming.
EA were not the only one’s hyping up the partnership, as the Chief Brand and Commercial Officer for Manchester City, Ian Cafferky hinted that the deal may very well become a long term one.
“Many of our supporters, not to mention first team players are huge fans of FIFA. The deal with EA Sports was therefore a natural fit and the beginning of what I know will be an exciting partnership,” said Cafferky.
In the end, Manchester City fans have more to cheer about and rub in everyone else’s faces, yet there are over 200 clubs available in FIFA 12 so fans of other clubs still have a reason to grab a copy of the game when it releases on the 30thof
September.
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