It's a World Cup world-first as Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 pioneers online multiplayer.
Howzat!? Market-leading series to deliver first cricket game with online multiplayer – compete in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 online!
Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 , the evolution of the best-selling cricket game series, will be the first ever cricket video game to offer extensive online play when it launches next March for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®2 and PC. No other cricket videogame currently available offers this gameplay feature.
Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 will offer extensive online play on both Xbox 360 and PC and feature a variety of multiplayer options for up to four players on the PlayStation 2.
On Xbox 360, Xbox Live gameplay will deliver multiplayer tournaments, including the ICC World Cup 2007 and ICC Champions Trophy 2006, leagues, exhibition and warm up matches. Xbox Live leader boards and specific achievements, such as scoring a century, or winning a match at every ground in the game, will enable players to gain gaming points. Less scrupulous players will also be able to "sledge" their opponents over Xbox Live voice chat, adding a touch of psychology to proceedings and immersing the player deeper still into the match experience. Or you could just chat politely about the weather.
On PC, Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 will support LAN games and online play, again offering multiplayer leagues, tournaments such as the ICC World Cup 2007 and ICC Champions Trophy 2006, exhibition and warm up matches.
On both Xbox 360 and PC, up to 16-player simultaneous multiplayer tournaments will be possible, including the ICC-licensed events. Should you wish to just sit back and take in a game, there's even a feature that enables up to eight spectators to watch an intense game of cricket develop before them.
Says John Jennings, Executive Producer of Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 :
"We're proud that Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 is again raising the bar for cricket video games by being the first and only title in the genre to offer full online play on Xbox 360 and PC. It's something that the fans of the sport have been crying out for; we've listened and we're only too happy to be the first able to deliver. It's been exciting and challenging but, through the efforts of our in-house cricket team, we're once more looking to set the a new standard for cricket video gaming."
In featuring the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 as officially licensed events, Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 will come complete with player names and likenesses of all the stars of international cricket, as revealed in the new screenshots released today from the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 game mode.
With in-game commentary from established cricket experts Jonathan Agnew, David Gower, Ian Bishop, Bill Lawry and Tony Greig, real player stats from Wisden and featuring the Hawkeye analysis system, Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 will deliver the most authentic cricket gaming experience. Pad up and prepare for the game's arrival next March, coinciding with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, for Xbox 360, PC and PlayStation 2. For more information, bowl over to www.codemasters.co.uk/brianlara2007
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Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience on current and future gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company's dominant brands include Colin McRae Rally, TOCA Race Driver, LMA Manager, Brian Lara Cricket and Operation Flashpoint. The company is headquartered in Southam, Warwickshire UK and maintains operations in the US, Germany, France, Spain, and Benelux. More information about the company and its products is available online at http://www.codemasters.com
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THE INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL (ICC)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the governing body for Test match and One-Day International (ODI) cricket - both men's and women's - around the world. It is also responsible for the global expansion of the game through its Associate and Affiliate Members and a major international Development Program. It manages the playing conditions relevant to the game at the highest level and the organization of tournaments such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy, ICC Intercontinental Cup, ICC U/19 World Cup and the ICC Women's World Cup. Further information on the ICC is available online at www.icc-cricket.com.