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EA has confirmed that its Be the One event will once again invade Trafalgar Square and act as a glitzy centrepiece to London Games Festival week.
On October 31st and November 1st the public are invited to join the giant publisher to play some of its latest titles, with a host of celebrities and on-stage challenges.
EA stated that it would be building one of the largest ever temporary structures to be erected in Trafalgar Square” – the Be The One BattleDome. The vast transparent weather-proof construction will feature an array of games consoles and PC games.
The main stage will host a series of celebrity and public gaming challenges throughout the event in addition to live music performances.
Be The One officially opens on the evening of Thursday, October 30th with a public premiere event for Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, which will launch on 31st October for PC and Xbox 360.
EA Sports will also host contests across its popular franchises Madden NFL ’09, FIFA ’09 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘09 between British and American gamers via Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.
Games on show during Friday 31st October and Saturday 1st November include new iterations of FIFA, Need For Speed, The Sims, Harry Potter, with a wide range of casual and family titles for Nintendo platforms including Littlest Pet Shop, Boogie SuperStar, Zubo and Monopoly.
The Sims 3, SimAnimals, Mirror’s Edge, Battleforge, Spore, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning and Rock Band 2 from MTV Games/Harmonix will also be on show.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said of the event: I’m delighted that the London Games Festival is back in our city for its third year. It demonstrates the creativity and range of the gaming industry, which, as an important part of London’s creative sector, makes a vital contribution to the economy as a whole. With events across the capital, the festival has something for everyone and illustrates the popularity of this thriving form of entertainment.”
I am pleased to see EA’s Be The One event is returning to Trafalgar Square. It was an undoubted highlight of last year’s festival, which reinforces London’s position at the centre of one the most fastest-growing creative industries in the world.”
Vice President for EA in the UK, Ireland and Nordics Keith Ramsdale added: We’re proud to bring back Be The One as part of the many celebrations and events at the London Games Festival. Interactive entertainment is now an established part of family entertainment."
"Be The One showcases our games in a highly entertaining event format and gives novices and experienced gamers alike the chance to get their hands on some of the hottest games this season. Along with our friends from the world of sport, showbiz and music we’ll be looking to delight and entertain as many people as possible. It will be an event that you won’t want to miss this half term.”
