'A football experience that matches the complexity, finesse and beauty of the real game'. That is the not inconsiderable accomplishment that EA Sports claim to have achieved in EA SPORTS™ FIFA 08 for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. In the ground-breaking game, the challenge for gamers is to master the skills required to play like elite professionals such as Ronaldinho, Fabio Cannavaro or Cristiano Ronaldo, experiencing the same highs and lows and tackling the same challenges these real players face on a daily basis. FIFA 08 puts you on the pitch to defy the odds, perfect your skills, elevate your game and rise up to win glory for your team.

The FIFA 08 next-generation gameplay engine, built to maximise the power of PLAYSTATION®3, delivers animations and ball control so responsive that, according to its creators, "you feel like you are actually on the pitch". Footballers in FIFA 08 now benefit from Artificial Intelligence (AI) so advanced that it features a 35-point decision engine which enables players to process multiple decisions and reactions in real-time. The AI's dynamic 'Threat Map' system captures the excitement and realism of football, leaving the players aware of their surroundings and ensuring that they react authentically to threats and opportunities to make intelligent football decisions.

The FIFA 08's shooting system also enables gamers to enjoy even more control and precision in front of goal. A true next-generation ball-striking engine calculates shot success by combining an almost infinite number of different factors, including ball spin, pressure from defenders, player attributes, and even air pressure, all of which go towards recreating the drama and unpredictable nature of shooting.

Furthermore, for the first time ever, fans playing FIFA 08 will face the pressure to improve their game that real-world players endure every day. A new play mode called 'Be A Pro' locks you in the role of a single player and challenges you to master the same disciplines as a real football player, from positioning and tackling to reading the game and linking play.

Andrew Wilson, executive producer for FIFA 08, is in no doubt that the spectacular result of these advances combine to provide that most sought-after of ingredients: authenticity. "This year, FIFA 08 takes its second step into the next-generation," he said. "Last year, we kicked off the next-generation by introducing a new engine and stunning ball physics. This year, we are introducing new gameplay, new modes and a new feeling of football finesse. 'Be A Pro' forces you to think and react like a professional player - you will experience the whole range of emotions players go through during the course of a game. This feature, along with advancements to our gameplay engine, will deliver on our promise of authentic football gameplay."

FIFA 08 also heralds the introduction of skill moves with a true next-generation organic 'building-block' system enabling gamers to combine tricks and skill moves to recreate signature moves from the games superstars or even define their own style of play.

As for the award-winning Interactive Leagues feature that first introduced in FIFA 07, this now makes its debut on PLAYSTATION 3. Represent your club online against rivals throughout the season in England's Premier League, Germany's Bundesliga, France's Ligue 1 or the USA's Major League Soccer. When they play, you play.

And that isn't all. FIFA 08 can also claim to be considerably comprehensive than its predecessors, with the inclusion of 620 licensed teams, 30 leagues and more than 15,000 players, making it 20 per cent larger than FIFA 07.