FIFA Street will convert "last remaining PES players"

The last few Pro Evolution Soccer fans will finally jump ship when FIFA Street hits, says EA.

Speaking to MCV at a showcase for the five-a-side spin-off game – which arrives on March 16th on Xbox 360 and PS3 – creative director Gary Paterson said Street will convert players of rival Konami football game PES.

"We’re hopeful that maybe the last remaining hardcore PES group of players will be interested in FIFA Street," he said.

"We’ve been round Europe and there were a few PES journalists there who were really getting into the game too. So we’re hopeful that we can use Street as a way to introduce people that love football video games into the EA Sports family.

"Also, maybe some other players see FIFA as being a bit intimidating for them, and we’re hopeful these are looking for a more casual experience. It’s a way for people to have their first experience in the world of football gaming and maybe in the future they can go on to be FIFA gamers."

There are at least four FIFA titles due out this year, including FIFA Football for Vita on February 22nd and FIFA Street on March 16th. If past years are anything to go by, a UEFA Euro 2012 Championships tie-in will launch in the summer, followed by FIFA 13.

We’re hopeful that it’s going to be a big year for FIFA,” added Paterson. The first FIFA Street games did reasonably well, so even if we get half of what they did we’ll be quite happy.”