World Cup 2010 Blog: “ESPN’s World Cup 2010 TV Schedule” plus 1 more

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ESPN’s World Cup 2010 TV Schedule Posted: 28 Jan 2010 05:56 AM PST US sports broadcaster ESPN has released details of its World Cup 2010 coverage. If you’re reading this from outside the US, you may not think this is big news. But for American soccer fans, it is. Here’s why: In other countries, you can take it for granted that football is a big deal and so the World Cup will be treated accordingly by your broadcaster. Not so much in the USA. And so the quality of coverage given to the World Cup can be used a sort of yardstick for the progress of soccer in America. In 2006, ESPN did a decentish job of actually putting the games on screen, but – without naming any names – the commentary and coverage left a lot to be desired. Here’s an interesting report on ESPN’s World Cup 2006 coverage from ESPN Ombudsman George Solomon. I watched several games on Univision, and I don’t speak Spanish. ESPN released a statement yesterday, outlining its plans for World Cup 2010. And it looks like good news. We already knew that Sky Sports legend Martin Tyler (pictured, above left) will be the lead commentator. Which is a coup. The man knows his business, so there will be no “Michael Beckham” faux pas this year. Yesterday ESPN also confirmed that: 1. All 64 matches will be broadcast live. 2. In high definition. 3. On either ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC. Of those 64 matches, 52 will be simulcast online at ESPN360.com. Which means many many Americans with be able to either secretly or not so secretly watch games at work 100% legally and in high quality (although the service is only available via certain internet providers). The only games not simulcast on ESPN360.com will be those being screened on ABC only. In which case, all you need is a TV and some bunny ears. ESPN have also confirmed that every World Cup 2010 match will get a pre-game, half-time and post-game show, broadcast live and on location. As opposed to from Bristol, Connecticut. Teams coming out, national anthems and handshakes will all be broadcast. Which hasn’t always been the case. Here’s the full ESPN World Cup 2010 TV schedule, image captured and pasted from this ESPN press release: I’m cautiously optimistic that ESPN will get it right this time. What do you think US soccer fans?

EA Sports FIFA World Cup 2010 Game Gets a Release Date. But Will You Be Buying? Posted: 27 Jan 2010 09:32 AM PST Every World Cup year since 1998, EA Sports has released a special version of its legendary FIFA game. This being a World Cup year, we’ll be getting another one. There’s even a release date penciled in, and it’s apparently April 27th. I can never decide how I feel about these FIFA World Cup games. Gamers will know that EA release a new FIFA game every single year, sometimes with and sometimes without significant improvements or changes. So releasing two games in one year raises the question: Is the EA FIFA World Cup game a part of the glorious celebration of football that is a World Cup year? Or is it a shameless attempt to cash in on said glorious celebration by slapping a World Cup logo on an old game? Obviously I haven’t played EA’s World Cup game, so can’t say what it’s like. But if you want to get excited/be convinced about FIFA’s World Cup game, then you’ll enjoy this Gamespot interview with EA Sports FIFA World Cup 2010 line producer Simon Humber, discussing the development of the new game. According to Humber, the April 27th release will feature: A gorgeous new pitch: Our pitch simply wasn’t good enough, so we’ve made it look superb. Lighting of the players and environment: Clever changes to the lighting makes everything look more realistic. Camera flashes: You’ll see all the fans in the crowd using their cameras. Seat cards: Fans hold up cards to form national flags and emblems in a show of patriotism. Fans: Close-up shots on supporters cheering on their team or despairing in anguish. Confetti rains down from the sky in the team colors and stays on the pitch all game. Streamers create a carnival atmosphere as they glide to the ground. Populated benches: Characters sit on the benches rather than being empty. Broadcast graphics: The same captions you’ve seen in FIFA tournament broadcasts. Close-up celebration camera: To really feel the goal-scoring moment, the camera zooms in close to the player as he responds to your celebration commands. New players and managers: More content for star heads and many of the team managers.[England national team manager Fabio] Capello looks brilliant, and [notoriously tall English footballer] Peter Crouch no longer looks like a naughty elf. All of which sound like cosmetic changes. There’ll be a few tweaks to actual gameplay too, plus a facility to play out the World Cup online, competing against other human opponents. Or you can take your country through the whole World Cup qualifying process. Which actually sounds quite good. But I’m still not sure. Maybe the best bet is to hope someone else buys it and invites me around to play. What do you think? If you already own FIFA 10, do you also plan to purchase FIFA World Cup 2010?

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