"FIFA 12 MADE ME BETTER AT FOOTBALL..."

The FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC) this week surpassed one million players participating in the annual tournament. Following the first ever FIWC in 2004, the tournament has grown significantly and in 2011 secured its place in the Guinness World Records as the largest online gaming tournament in the world. This year's FIWC has already attracted over 130,000 more players than last year’s event, tipping it over the 1 million player mark for the first time in the tournament's history.

To coincide with the event, FIFA surveyed more than 10,000 registered players in the tournament throughout the world, and discovered that gamers believe the virtual skills learnt playing EA SPORTS FIFA 12 on the PlayStation®3 may even translate onto the real pitch. According to the survey, an astonishing 58% of players believe that the hours they spend playing in the tournament will actually improve their football skills and make them better football players in real life.

The survey also revealed that 46% believe that participating in the FIFA Interactive World Cup has improved their understanding of football tactics when it came to the real game. 23% of players credit the FIWC with improving their skill and 17% were convinced it gave them better awareness of other players on the pitch. While transferring football skills from the screen to the pitch, it is unsurprising to learn that 43% of participants claimed that they had even dreamt about playing FIFA 12.

Contestants can still participate in this year’s FIWC through an online tournament played on the PlayStation®Network, by registering ‘in-game’ in FIFA 12 on their PS3™.  For more information on the FIWC, go to: www.fifa.com/fiwc.