EA announces Rugby 2005!

[Sammael]

For all you Rugby fans out there! EA to the rescue!

Electronic Arts announced today that EA SPORTS Rugby 2005 is under development as the newest ongoing franchise in the EA SPORTS lineup, heralding the sport's emergence as a global phenomenon. The game, which features a host of gameplay and graphical upgrades, will deliver an authentic rugby experience and is scheduled for release in spring 2005 for the Xbox videogame system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and the PC.

"EA SPORTS is committed to making the most complete and authentic rugby game possible," said Andrew Wilson, producer of the game. "By leveraging our sports technology and experience to create EA SPORTS Rugby 2005, we feel we can grow a successful interactive franchise for one of the fastest growing sports in the world."

EA SPORTS Rugby 2005 incorporates all the major Rugby teams, players, and tournaments, including the Tri-Nations, Super 12 and many more authentic and prestigious events from the world of Rugby. The game incorporates a completely upgraded graphical engine with individually differentiated players, realistic motion-captured player animations, dramatic lighting and cameras, and stadiums that are accurate with details such as crowd reactions, songs, and chants. EA SPORTS Rugby 2005 plays realistically with on-the-fly play-calling, right analog stick controls for fakes and crushing hits and improved kicking control. The game also features a 'Rugby 101' training mode outlining the rules, controls, and tactics of the sport through videos and interactive challenges.

EA SPORTS Rugby 2005 is being produced by EA Canada where such hit franchises as FIFA Football, NBA LIVE and NHL are made. EA SPORTS Rugby 2005 is being developed by HB Studios.

[lllusion]

isnt that great, now i can hit a grown man in the nuts.

[Casper]

I played their Rugby game for Genesis back in the day, and it was pretty good. Doubt I'll get this go, being that it's EA - and they are now on my 'Do Not Buy' list.

[Ghost]

i stopped playing sports games becuase of EA, so i pretty much will pass.

[heartsfan]

Not into rugby despite it being huge over here and living next to our national stadium......pass.

[Variation-XBA]

they need to bring back cricket!

[SamSmith]

ireland is one of the top rugby teams in the world... yeah, i know... pointless facts....
but i remember their other rugby game.. i think it was just called rugby.... doesnt matter really, because its not worth remembering... looked like a ps1 game.

[heartsfan]

How did it play though?

[SamSmith]

to tell the truth... it didnt play very well at all.... but i they have picked it up in terms of game play, im sure that if you like that type of game you will like their next one...
there isnt a great choice of rugby games... i heard that WCR rugby was good... i think it was either codemasters or akklaim who did it... if it was akklaim dont expect to see a sequel until another publisher takes it up...

[mrmp3]

The Genesis Rugby was sick.

As for the PS2 one, it had only 1 on 1 support. They released another one after, but I heard it was still shoddy. Still with EA on this whole Hit Stick tyrade they've been on, then maybe one aspect of the game we'll be rewarding. I'll defintely rent it though.

[Stifler]

Yes *****es, can't wait for this badboy.