Online Team Play Mode Now Available.

One of the more prominent additions to EA Sports’ annual footie franchise FIFA Soccer is be a pro mode. Similar to superstar mode in Madden NFL, be a pro lets gamers take to the pitch as a single player in an offline match, as opposed to controlling an entire squad. The mode quickly led to speculation that an online-enabled version was in the works.

In August, EA happily confirmed that speculation, stating that PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners in the US and Europe will see the feature six to eight weeks after the game’s respective October 9 and September 28 launches. Hitting sooner than later, EA today announced that Be A Pro: Online Team Play is now available as a free, automatic update for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

In Be A Pro Online, 10 self-styled football stars can take to the pitch five to a side for a single match. Filling out the remaining 11 slots will be computer-controlled teammates. Gamers have the option of being limited to a specific location, roaming freely, or a combination of the two. According to an EA representative, dropped connections will result in all players having to restart the match, and the mode will not replace the standard one-on-one online matches already offered.

FIFA 08 is the most recent of EA Sports’ sports sims titles to offer online team play. The publisher plans to add five-on-five support to NBA LIVE 08 later this month, and three-on-three online play for NHL 08 is available in the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game.

EA Adds More Online Leagues to FIFA 08

Electronic Arts Inc.  announced today that the award-winning Interactive Leagues online mode for FIFA Soccer 08 has been expanded to include the Italian Serie A, Spanish Primera Division, and the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs in North America. The Italian Serie A and Spanish Primera Division will be available to play beginning today while the Interactive Leagues for the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs will begin next week. The addition of three new leagues brings to seven the number of Interactive Leagues now playable online in FIFA Soccer 08 for the Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2, the Wii™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and PC. Every match on every platform counts towards the same leaderboard to create a truly worldwide experience.

The EA SPORTS™ Interactive Leagues enables you to represent your favorite club online against your heated rivals throughout the real-life soccer season. You play your games online against anyone in the world according to the real-world schedule. When they play, you play – and worldwide bragging rights are up for grabs. Track your team’s progress as the aggregate results determine your club’s position in the league table. You actually take to the pitch for the glory of your club.

In addition to the leagues announced today, the online Interactive Leagues also includes the Barclays Premier League, Bundesliga, French League, and the Mexican 1st Division. As you join a club, you join a community – play together for the common goal of victory.

Interact with thousands of other fans on a global scale through EA SPORTS™ Interactive Leagues and share the highs and lows that come standard with wearing the love for your club on your sleeve. Every game day you’re matched up with a supporter of your opposing team. Play as many times as you want online during the four day game window. Games start two days before the real-world game and end two days afterwards. All the winners are added up and three points is awarded to the victorious club. If your club wins in real life, it’s your job to make sure that victory is matched online but if your club lost, you and other supporters can try to re-write the result.

Choose one club per league to represent online – support the team whose colors you bleed as well as teams in the other leagues. If you pick a less-supported club, you will have more opponents to match up against and more opportunities to play. Track your team’s progress as the results determine your club’s position in the league table. Here’s your chance to show your support for your club online, and prove which team belongs at the top of the leader board. Play all season long to uphold the glory of your club and top the table!

FIFA Soccer 08 is developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C. It is available for the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PSP® , PC and mobile. FIFA Soccer 08 is rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI.