\'Best ever\' FIFA a global hit

The wait is over. Fans of the world’s favourite football videogame were finally able to get their hands on EA SPORTS FIFA 13 this week when the latest edition was launched to rave reviews. FIFA 13 is being described as the ‘best ever FIFA’ by the global media, with at least 40 reviews scoring at least 90 out of 100 – hardly surprising, therefore, that the game racked up global pre-orders of around 1.3 million prior to launch. Indeed, more than 4.6 million fans in 123 countries, the most ever for an EA SPORTS game, have already played the demo version of FIFA 13 on PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 and PC systems. Anticipation ahead of Friday’s European release of FIFA 13, which followed a record-breaking launch in the US, reached fever pitch just ahead of the launch.. At least one chain of supermarkets in the UK opened their doors at midnight on Thursday to allow eager fans the chance to be among the first owners of the latest version of a game that has been a global sensation for 19 years. FIFA 13 comes with a plethora of exciting new features, including First Touch Control, Complete Dribble, Tactical Free-Kicks, Attacking AI, and a revised Player Impact Engine, and has been creating a global stir across social media in the lead-up to launch date. EA SPORTS/FIFA’s Facebook page recently surpassed 10 million ‘likes’ while Twitter, YouTube and other platforms saw FIFA 13 mentioned approximately once every 1.3 seconds. The timing of EA SPORTS’ launch of FIFA 13 is perfect, with the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2013 about to kick-off on 1 October. The FIWC has quickly become the largest gaming tournament in the world and the 2013 edition, which will climax in Madrid in May, promises to be just as hard fought and popular as ever - especially as there is once again $20,000 USD prize-money up for grabs at a Grand Final venue that has, for the very first time, been chosen by FIWC players! The winner will also get to rub shoulders with some of the stars of FIFA 13, such as Lionel Messi, as a guest at the FIFA Ballon d’Or next January. The FIWC smashed its own competitor record last year with more than 1.3 million registered players all over the world, so make sure you get plenty of practice with your new FIFA 13! FIFA and EA SPORTS teamed up for the first time back in 1993 when FIFA 94 became the first videogame to be officially licensed by FIFA. Since then, FIFA and EA SPORTS have worked together on a host of FIFA-approved games, including FIFA Manager, FIFA Online 2 & 3, FIFA Street and, in association with social networking platform Facebook, FIFA Superstar. From : Fifa