EA Sports Partners with Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook

[Steve_OS]

EA SPORTS PARTNERS WITH BLUE RIBBON COLLEGE BASKETBALL
YEARBOOK TO PROVIDE TEAM SCOUTING REPORTS IN NCAA BASKETBALL 09

University of North Carolina Tar Heels
Top Rated Team In NCAA Basketball 09

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – October 15, 2008 – Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) today unveiled a partnership with Blue Ribbon™ College Basketball Yearbook to provide team ratings and team scouting reports for the EA SPORTS™ college basketball videogame NCAA® Basketball 09, scheduled for release December 2 for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, and the PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems.

Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook has been the leader in compiling accurate scouting reports of college basketball teams for 28 years and EA SPORTS will utilize its scouting reports and data to drive its college basketball videogame.

“We are always looking at new ways to create a more authentic gameplay experience for our fans and this new partnership with a recognized industry leader is significant,” said Peter Moore, President, EA SPORTS. “This partnership enables us to replicate with precision the playing style of every Division I school in NCAA Basketball 09 this year.”

NCAA Basketball 09 introduces a new, strategic gameplay feature that challenges gamers to replicate their school’s style of play and set the game tempo to enhance their chances of winning. Whether your school pushes the ball in transition, runs a half-court offense that utilizes the clock and limits possessions or features a balanced attack that combines transition offense with set plays, NCAA Basketball 09 rewards the strategic gamer by emphasizing team specific styles of play. In addition, NCAA Basketball 09 will feature Division I coaches in-game for the first time, providing real time instruction and feedback, helping players control the tempo by executing their team’s offense and defense to perfection.

“The partnership between EA Sports and Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook will bring a level of realism never before experienced while playing NCAA Basketball 09,” said Chris Dortch, Editor, Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. “Because for the last 28 years, when college coaches begin the process of scouting their opponents, the first resource they turn to is Blue Ribbon. To have that sort of resource-- which coaches all around the country have come to rely upon--available in NCAA Basketball 09 is unprecedented.”

In partnership with Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, EA SPORTS today revealed that the University of North Carolina, an NCAA Tournament Final Four finisher a year ago, is the top rated team in NCAA Basketball 09. EA SPORTS named the Tar Heels No. 1 followed by Pittsburgh (2), Notre Dame (3), UCLA (4) and Connecticut (5).

EA SPORTS PRESEASON TOP 25
1. North Carolina
2. Pittsburgh
3. Notre Dame
4. UCLA
5. Connecticut
6. Oklahoma
7. Louisville
8. Duke
9. Tennessee
10. Texas
11. Memphis
12. Purdue
13. Michigan State
14. Miami
15. Arizona State
16. Baylor
17. Kansas
18. Marquette
19. St. Mary’s
20. Syracuse
21. Gonzaga
22. Villanova
23. USC
24. Wisconsin
25. Washington

NCAA Basketball 09 is in development at EA Canada in Burnaby, B.C. The game is rated “E” for everyone by the ESRB and will ship to stores on December 2. To learn more about the game visit www.ncaabasketball09.com.

[JohnDoe8865]

This is a good sign IMO. The more authentic, the better especially with such a diverse and passionate game like college basketball. Scouting reports need to be accurate to the 08-09 teams strengths and weaknesses though, not just a generic overview of the teams.

"NCAA Basketball 09 rewards the strategic gamer by emphasizing team specific styles of play. In addition, NCAA Basketball 09 will feature Division I coaches in-game for the first time, providing real time instruction and feedback, helping players control the tempo by executing their team’s offense and defense to perfection."

This part in particular sounds great and I really hope it is as deep as it sounds.

[Ty]

This is good, because as a College Hoops fan over the past years, I'm kinda nervous about this game comparing it to the other titles in the series. This makes this game more promising though. Thanks!

[ehh]

Then how the hell is Pitt #2?

J/k, well.....kinda....

[PaulZweber]

Have they been planning on using Blue Ribbon for a while, thus building the game with this in mind? Or are they deciding to add this a month and a half before release? If it is the first one, this sounds awesome. If they just decided to put it in now, I see disaster and a rushed, buggy product. Hopefully they have been making this game with the Blue Ribbon scouting included.

[ldpart67]

Quote: Originally Posted by ehh

Then how the hell is Pitt #2? J/k, well.....kinda....

That doesnt Suprise me half as much as Notre Dame Ranked right behind them!

[ahill22]

sounds kind of like nba live dna