MUMBAI: With a view to increasing its presence in the gaming arena football's governing body Fifa has announced that it has secured a long-term commitment from Electronic Arts (EA).

The deal extends far beyond existing ventures with a licensee. EA has signed up with world football’s governing body from 2007 to 2014 as the worldwide exclusive Fifa Licensee in the product category of interactive football/soccer player, manager and fantasy software games for all delivery methods including consoles, mobile phones and online formats.

EA says that it has had a close association with the game of football for more than a decade, having developed the very successful range of FIFA games launched in 1993 and currently with the 2006 Fifa World Cup game, which enables fans to experience the 2006 FIFA World Cup matches on a unique playing field.

Fifa says that in the early 1990s, it pioneered the industry as the first major sports governing body to endorse a video game. In 2004, Fifa continued this pioneering spirit by launching the first officially sanctioned worldwide video gaming tournament, the FIFA Interactive World Cup. EA will pursue its support for this event and join forces with the new FIFA Partner Sony, as of 2007, to provide the gaming solution and further develop the ambitious virtual football tournament.

Fifa adds that in the interactive world, there is a wealth of opportunities to fulfill its mission of developing football on a global level and fostering the passion of players and fans. With this renewed partnership, Fifa and EA will continue to take their combined passion for football on and off the pitch and for interactive sports entertainment to millions of fans all around the world.