Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 Announcement and First Feature Details

[RaychelSnr]

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – January 10, 2012 – Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: EA) announced today that the world’s number one selling golf video game franchise will return with an array of exciting new features, including Kinect for Xbox 360 integration, an opportunity to experience Tiger’s golf legacy, online and social features, as well as a Collector’s Edition providing even greater access to the Masters Tournament and Augusta National Golf Club. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13® and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 13: The Masters Collector’s Edition, marks the 22nd season for the EA SPORTS golf simulation video game franchise and will go on sale in North America on March 27 and worldwide on March 30, and be made available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

With the most comprehensive swing mechanic revamp in over a decade, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 will provide fans unprecedented control over their swing tempo, ball position and stance, allowing players to replicate countless swing combinations used by real-world PGA TOUR players. Coupled with complete integration with Kinect for Xbox 360, including voice-enabled controls, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 lessens the gap between the real world and virtual golf course experience.

“Our fans asked us to deliver a new level of fidelity and authenticity to Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 and our team delivered with the ability to literally choose millions of shot combinations through our new swing mechanic,” said Mike Taramykin, vice president and general manager of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR. “Fans will now be able to experience unparalleled control on the virtual golf course.”

“As the first of the EA SPORTS titles to feature Kinect for Xbox 360 integration in 2012, the controller-free and voice-enabled Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 experience will bring a whole new level of fun to fans worldwide,” said George Peckham, general manager, Global Publishing Group at Microsoft. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with EA SPORTS to deliver the most immersive and engaging sports gaming experiences, only on Xbox 360.”

In addition to Kinect for Xbox 360 integration, EA SPORTS is providing fans with a fully immersive golf experience through all-new features such as Online Country Clubs, the chance to relive Tiger Woods’ memorable golf career accomplishments and the return of the pre-eminent tournament in all of golf – the Masters.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 and The Masters Collector’s Edition include a number of features and enhancements that will make golfers feel as if they’re on the course, such as:

· Total Swing Control – Taking its most significant leap forward in swing mechanics in over a decade, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 revolutionizes the virtual golf swing. Golfers will take full control over their swing with all-new tempo, swing plane and shot power controls along with an adjustable shot setup, allowing players to address the ball in a number of ways to create limitless shot types with just one club.

· 22 Licensed Professional Golfers – Fans can take to the course with any one of 22 PGA TOUR golfers in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13, including Tiger Woods, 2011 US Open Champion Rory McIlroy, 2010 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Rickie Fowler and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 US cover art finalist Bubba Watson. More details about the new golfers in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 will be revealed during the week of January 16.

· Kinect for Xbox 360 Integration –Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 will be the first-ever Kinect for Xbox 360 sports simulation title, tracking full body movements to create the most advanced and authentic swing to date on the virtual golf course. Controller-free and voice-enabled controls provides for a unique, never-before-seen sports gaming experience. More details will be revealed about Kinect for Xbox 360 integration the week of January 24.

· PlayStation Move Integration – Improve your game with the true-to-life golf swing created for the PlayStation Move. Fans will once again be able to experience the authentic golf swing created by the PlayStation Move, allowing golfers to emulate their swing style as they drive the ball down the fairway or sink a 30-foot putt.

· Experience Tiger’s Golf Legacy – Relive first-hand Tiger Woods’ most memorable golf accomplishments as he rises from a child prodigy to golfing legend. More details will be revealed about the Tiger golf legacy feature the week of February 6.

· Online Country Clubs –In Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13, gamers will be able to invite friends to join their own exclusive country club and team up to gain quicker access to downloadable golf courses or compete against other club members for the coveted Club Championship. More details will be revealed about Online Country Clubs the week of February 20.

· The Masters Collector’s Edition Exclusives –The Collector’s Edition provides fans with the ultimate Masters experience. Fans that purchase the Collector’s Edition will receive all of the features in the standard edition game, as well as exclusive access to Augusta National Golf Club’s Tournament practice facility, Augusta National’s famous Par 3 Course, an authentic Green Jacket Presentation and a chance to explore the hallowed grounds like never before.

The Collector’s Edition also comes packed with five additional championship courses in addition to the standard edition, allowing players to experience 21 of the world’s greatest golfing destinations.

More details will be revealed about features exclusive to The Masters Collector’s Edition during the week of March 6.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 is developed in Orlando, Fla., by EA Tiburon and will retail for $59.99 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13: The Masters Collector’s Edition will be available for $69.99 on Xbox 360® and PlayStation®3.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13: The Masters Collector’s Edition will be participating in the EA SPORTS™ Season Ticket program. Season Ticket subscribers will be provided full digital access to Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13: The Masters Collector’s Edition three days before retail launch.

Over the past two decades, EA SPORTS has introduced a series of immersive and authentic golf experiences across a variety of game platforms that has helped expand the popularity of the sport amongst fans. The EA SPORTS golf product portfolio includes the award-winning Tiger Woods PGA TOUR franchise, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online and EA SPORTS PGA TOUR® Golf Challenge for Facebook.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 12: The Masters was recently chosen by Kotaku as the 2011 Sports Game of the Year and was a finalist for the Spike VGA’s Best Individual Sports Game category

[CoreySA]

I was one of the Game Changers involved in the community event down in Orlando, and if there is anything you want to know about the new swing mechanic or other info, I'll try to answer! I can also be more commonly found on Twitter @CoreySA if you guys have anything to ask me on there.

[OnlookerDelay]

Quote: Originally Posted by CoreySA

I was one of the Game Changers involved in the community event down in Orlando, and if there is anything you want to know about the new swing mechanic or other info, I'll try to answer! I can also be more commonly found on Twitter @CoreySA if you guys have anything to ask me on there.

The Total Swing Control mechanic looks to be the groundbreaking revolutionary step this game needed. Do you feel like the golfer is now more subject to the laws of physics and is under the restraints of acceleration, interita, and torsion? It sounds like this new mechanic will add so much feel to the game. I've longed for something that would require more golf intuition and make me feel move involved with the shotmaking and execution process.

[CoreySA]

Quote: Originally Posted by OnlookerDelay

The Total Swing Control mechanic looks to be the groundbreaking revolutionary step this game needed. Do you feel like the golfer is now more subject to the laws of physics and is under the restraints of acceleration, interita, and torsion? It sounds like this new mechanic will add so much feel to the game. I've longed for something that would require more golf intuition and make me feel move involved with the shotmaking and execution process.

Great comment. It's hard to explain it fully without feeling it for yourself (my impressions will be out later on today), but it does 'feel' completely different. For long-playing Tiger fans there is definitely going to be a learning curve on higher difficulties and there are over 60 million different shot variations and possibilities in the game. Your acceleration is based on the speed you move at and trust me - on higher difficulties this game is no longer an easy play.

Every shot out of the bunker requires thought and care, same with deep rough. No more hitting shots 240yds. out of the rough. There is also a new ball marker for spin control which requires you to hold down the right stick at the position you want to hit the ball WHILE you swing. Shot making is a thoughtful process now but on easier difficulties this can all still be toned with options.

[OnlookerDelay]

Quote: Originally Posted by CoreySA

It's hard to explain it fully without feeling it for yourself

LOL... believe it or not, this was the answer I was hoping to get! The fact that it can't be explained without feeling it tells me there's a lot going on under the hood! I can't wait to get my hands on this game. I've been complaining about the lock & load swing mechanic that has turned this game into laser darts for years.

Thanks for your comments on the difficulty on hitting trouble and hazard shots as well... there needs to be a penalty when playing these shots.

[Perfect Zero]

Eh, this doesn't justify a purchase for me. It seems like we're getting leftovers every single year with TWPGA, which is ok because there isn't that much you can do new every year.

The one good thing about the game is that it encouraged me to learn the game. I can play more than 21 courses now.

[CoreySA]

Quote: Originally Posted by OnlookerDelay

LOL... believe it or not, this was the answer I was hoping to get! The fact that it can't be explained without feeling it tells me there's a lot going on under the hood! I can't wait to get my hands on this game. I've been complaining about the lock & load swing mechanic that has turned this game into laser darts for years. Thanks for your comments on the difficulty on hitting trouble and hazard shots as well... there needs to be a penalty when playing these shots.

Haha. No worries man. I'm confident you'll like what you get this year. I feel like they really paid homage to the hardcore fans this year. My full impressions will be out later on and I'll be sure to put a link in the comments here as well. It will give you a more detailed look on things I saw while in Orlando and what to expect. Glad I could help!

[threattonature]

I don't plan to buy another edition until they add some way to play a full season or career with friends.