FIFA Online pulls in players during Cup

The online game “FIFA Online 2” is growing in popularity as the 2010 World Cup continues. Provided by Neowiz Games

Neowiz Games announced June 19 that 120,000 users played EA Sports’ “FIFA Online 2” at the same time as the actual World Cup games, the highest number for an online sports game since “FIFA Online 1,” which recorded 180,000 users during the previous World Cup in 2006.

The popularity of FIFA Online, a joint development with Electronic Arts Inc., skyrockets during World Cup matches, especially when the Korean team is playing. During its match against Greece, 90,000 users played, and the following week the number jumped 36 percent over the week before. New members also doubled from the previous week.

Neowiz Games is expecting even more players if Korea’s team advances into the so-called knockout round of the Cup.

“We are hoping for the best result for our Korean team and that the excitement will attract more users,” said Kang Jae-eun of Neowiz Games. “During Korean games, we are showing specially created videos of our game at the Hyundai Fan Park, Songpa, Seoul, and also running a booth at Haeundae, Busan.”

FIFA Online 2 is the only game in Korea that has an official license from FIFA.

By Jung Seung-hyun [seungjung@joongang.co.kr]