EA Announces Wii Game Slate

Electronic Arts has announced the first six game titles it has in development for Nintendo's forthcoming Wii console. Guess what? Madden made the cut.

Electronic Arts, the world’s largest video game developer, has announced (PDF) its initial game titles under development for Nintendo’s forthcoming Wii console game system. Scheduled to be first out the door for the new system with the famously motion-sensitive controller are:

• Madden NFL
• Need for Speed
• Harry Potter
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour
• SSX
• The Godfather

EA says each title will retain key play elements and hallmarks of its franchise, but will be designed to take advantage of the Wii’s unique capabilities. “Once we started to experiment with Madden on Wii, there was an explosion of innovation. Everyone in the studio is energized by the creative opportunity afforded by both the hardware and controller. By reaching into our catalogue, we are able to bring a fresh and distinctive experience to some of EA’s most popular franchises. Creatively, the game play possibilities are staggering and endless,” said John Schappert, EA Senior Vice President and General Manager.

EA demonstrated Madden NFL for Wii at its Studio Showcase 2006, showing how players could use the Wii’s unique controller to pass and snap the football. EA also indicated it’s working on integrating real-time content from the ESPN sports networking into its sports titles. The company expects to announced additional titles for the Wii in the coming months; no availability date for the Wii has been announced, but analysts expect it in the last quarter of 2006, in time for the end-of-year holiday buying rush.