Soccer is often called the most popular sport in the world. Now, it can also be called the most popular sports game in the world, as EA Sports reports that FIFA 11 has sold a staggering 2.6 million copies in less than one week at retail.
FIFA 11, which relesed in North America on September 28 and in Europe on September 30, has already racked up more than $150 million in retail sales. It is now the fastest selling sports game of all time.
The game certainly deserves its success. In his FIFA 11 review, Game Rant’s T.J. Lauerman calls the game “the most beautiful, deep sports games ever created.” Players seem to agree, with over 18 million online games played. So far.
Peter Moore, President of EA Sports, commented on FIFA’s success and delived a little good news to players, as well.
EA’s press release offers some more specific details on what Ultimate Team will bring to the FIFA experiece, and it sounds significant.
“We’re thrilled at how fans embraced FIFA 11 last weekend, and we are excited to be able to offer one of our most popular game modes — FIFA 11 Ultimate Team — for free this November.”
“This is a landmark achievement for EA Sports — we’ve shattered sales records at retail, critics are praising FIFA 11 as being one of the most authentic and innovative titles ever, and fans are connecting and competing with other gamers around the world and have logged a record number of online connected game sessions.”
It’s been quite a season for blockbuster game releases. Microsoft’s Halo: Reach currently holds the record for biggest entertainment launch of 2010, with sales of more than $200 million in a mere 24 hours. But the impending arrival of Activision/Treyarch’s Call of Duty: Black Ops just might make the world forget all about space marines and soccer players. After all, the previous game in the series, 2009’s Modern Warfare 2, made a billion dollars (literally) in just over a month. The recent news that Black Ops will release in 3D doubtless makes the game even more attractive to potential players.
“FIFA 11 Ultimate Team challenges gamers to build a squad of the world’s best football stars by earning, buying, selling and even trading players with other Ultimate Team gamers around the world. They can strategically craft squads to get the best chemistry and team rating, and then take them onto the pitch to compete in online and single-player tournaments which are updated weekly.”
“FIFA 11 Ultimate Team delivers a number of major changes as requested by gamers. Gamers can now pit their ultimate team directly against their friends’ best squads in Play A Friend online matches–the No. 1 requested new feature.”
In any case, Game Rant congratulates FIFA 11 and EA Sports on their success. With the FIFA 11 Ultimate Team mode being released for free in November, FIFA fans should be busy for some time to come.
Ranters, are you playing FIFA 11?Are you surprised that it is now the fastest selling sports game ever?
FIFA 11 is available now for the Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, PC, Wii, and DS.
Source: Electronic Arts
