Sensible World of Soccer Confirmed for Xbox Live

A dedicated Xbox Live Arcade edition of Sensible World of Soccer, the true sequel to the classic lightning-fast football game of the 1990s, is now in development for Xbox 360, the next generation video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and will arrive in Q1 2007, Codemasters and Microsoft announced today at X06, Barcelona.

Based on the classic 1994 Amiga title, Sensible World of Soccer will capture the original’s entire world of football, mixing management with super-fast match action and featuring teams and divisions from around the globe.

It is also confirmed that the Xbox Live Arcade edition will take the ultimate football kickabout online, enabling players to compete head-to-head in matches, friendlies, tournaments, and custom leagues over Xbox Live. The off-line game will further offer the classic twenty-season career mode, which gives gamers the opportunity to play as thousands of different teams.

Chris Lewis, regional vice president, Entertainment and Devices EMEA, Microsoft, comments:

“We’re delighted to welcome Codemasters on board for Xbox Live Arcade. To have such an iconic gaming experience as Sensible World of Soccer lined up as a future title is fantastic and will deliver the perfect match for Live gamers. Xbox 360 is already the home of next-generation football – with Sensible World of Soccer, Xbox 360 gamers will be able to enjoy the seminal console football game experience too.”

Says Nick Pili, Codemasters’ director of Casual Gaming:

“Sensible World of Soccer for Xbox 360 Live Arcade will enable fans of the original and a new generation of gamers to experience a beautiful game that’s recognised as the classic Sensi title. Making use of Xbox Live for online multiplayer matches will take the SWOS experience to a whole new level of gameplay perfection.”

The Xbox Live Arcade edition will also enable players to switch between visuals refined for Xbox 360, with a high-def display up to 720p, and the original game’s retro visuals. Sensible World of Soccer will be available for Xbox Live Arcade in Q1 2007.