Electronic Arts is sticking with Tiger Woods during his current problems, but is bailing out of PC packaged goods for its latest golf video game, launched in a free open beta today.
EA is switching to an online version of Tiger Woods PGA Tour, withsales dwindling to almost nothing for PC disk-based sports games, due to rampant piracy and many players preferring the console versions.
Tiger Woods is the first attempt by EA to switch its PC sports titles to an online format and others are likely to follow if this proves a success.
The game is graphically rich and has 3D visuals and wind effects. It is played within a browser window and the only download required is a one-time installation of theUnity graphics engine platform.
The game connects to Facebook, allowing players to publish their achievements and invite their friends to become fans.
They can also see others playing the same hole and chat with anyone on the course – seven well-known courses are currently available.
To encourage players to keep coming back, there are tournaments and daily competitions including “The Cut Line”, where golfers try to beat a target score. They can also sponsor friends and earn in-game money if they make The Cut Line.
The game should get an official launch in two months or so and EA plans to earn revenues with premium subscriptions and sales of virtual goods, such as new equipment and apparel from its “Pro Shop”.
The Silicon Valley publisher also announced today that Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 will be launched on the Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and iPhone in June.
Tiger Woods will provide competition forWorld Golf Tour , a Flash-based free online game that has attracted a community of more than 1m golfers. Last year, it co-hosted the first virtual US Open with the USGA and it makes money through sponsored tournaments, in-game advertising and virtual micro-transactions.
