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Recently, Jeremy Bennett, from the Back Nine Blog and the EA SPORTS Forums where he is a Moderator, sat down with Greg Rinaldi from the Tiger Woods Online team to discuss the game and its current open beta state:

Jeremy Bennett (JB): For those who may be brand new to Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online, what is the best way to describe the overall experience?

Greg Rinaldi (GR): Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online is the first browser-based, online, streaming sports simulation from EA SPORTS. This revolutionary addition to the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR franchise allows players to access their favorite golf title from just about any internet-enable PC or Mac. This means that you can play Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online virtually anywhere; at work, at home, at the airport or even at your in-laws' house...but wherever you are, you're only one click away from your next round of golf.

JB: What was the driving force behind creating Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online?

GR: The goal in creating Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online was always to re-energize our PC product. Most importantly, we wanted to build an experience that would allow us to have a more direct relationship with our audience and which would make it possible for us to evolve and tailor the experience to best suit our players. We're changing the way we think about game development at EA and the way our audience influences the games we create. Along with multiple feedback channels, we're also able to track players' behaviors which gives us a much clearer picture on which features are working and which need our attention. This telemetry is the main driver in how we will be approaching additions and updates to the game going forward.

JB: Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online uses streaming technology to deliver the gaming experience. Why have you chosen this method instead of a disc-based game?

GR: More and more people are getting their entertainment through streamed online experiences. Whether that means streaming music via Pandora or streaming movies via NetFlix, the convenience and immediacy of streaming media is appealing to both consumers and content creators. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online represents what we refer to as "games as a service" rather than a product on a shelf. A disc-based game is a static product, meaning that whatever we put on that disc is what our audience gets, and we can't change or add anything until we ship another disc the following year. With a streaming game, we can add or update features and add new content as soon as it's ready. We don't have to go through the process of shipping a disc and our audience doesn't have to go through the process of purchasing and installing a new disc. Everything is immediate and dynamic. Not to mention the fact that with a streamed experience, you are able to access the game from any internet-enabled PC or Mac, without having to purchase and install a new disc on each machine you wish to play on.

JB: One large part of Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online is the social networking aspect of the game. How have you tied these aspects into the game itself?

GR: Absolutely. In recent years, social networking has exploded on the web thanks to the likes of facebook, twitter, MySpace, etc. When it comes to the internet, no one is an island; everyone is connected in some way. Naturally, we wanted to extend that experience to Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online. Community is key in our game and we plan to introduce several features at launch and shortly thereafter that will allow our community to connect with each other in more ways than in any other online sports title. Our players can use a feature called facebook connect to link their facebook account with their Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online account. They will also be able to become fans of other golfers and can sponsor their fellow players to earn cash in the game. Additionally, players are able to chat with and connect with others through the forums or the in-game chat feature.

JB: Can you describe the MMO aspect of your created golfer, and what it takes to go from an amateur to a legend?

GR: Creating your custom golfer and progressing him through the ranks is at the core of what makes Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online a compelling experience. We create sports simulations at EA SPORTS so that our audience can get a taste of what it's like to be a professional athlete. Just like in real life, you'll start your career as an Amateur golfer and you'll need to prove that you can handle yourself on the links in order to reach the status of golf Legend. To climb the ranks, you'll need to earn experience points (XP) by playing good golf and you'll also need to master each course by completing a series of objectives which will put your skills to the test.

JB: For those who are fans of the console version, what similarities and differences will Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online present to the gamer?

GR: Each version of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online is a unique experience. Of course, all products in the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR franchise boast the same unparalleled golf simulation our audience has come to expect. However, each platform has its own strengths and each appeals to different sensibilities. The XBOX 360 and PS3 versions provide immersion...meaning that they appeal to players who want to kick back on the couch in front of their big-screen and escape reality for a few hours. The Wii version provides the audience with a tactile simulation which appeals to players who want to experience the thrill of swinging a virtual golf club in the comfort of their home. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online appeals to several different types of players. First, it is tailored to our PC and Mac audience who may not own a console or who simply prefer the PC or Mac as their platform of choice. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online also appeals to gamers on the go; especially players who may only have a few minutes between meetings to get their golf fix.

JB: One of your major taglines is "Golf...whenever you want it". Could you let the gamers know what the focus is behind this tagline, and the advantages of its features?

GR: "Golf...whenever you want it" means that the game is always available and easily accessible from anywhere...anytime. The fact that the game is streamed to your browser means that there is no disc to install, which means you now have a high-quality, portable golf experience. The only requirement is a modern PC or Mac and a dependable internet connection. And because the entire game lives on a server, you can start and stop a game at anytime/anywhere and pick it up later; right where you left off. For example, you could start a game on your PC desktop the office, close the browser when your boss pops in and then login and complete that same round on your MacBook at home. You never even have to save your game because it's always there on the server; just close your browser and come back to it whenever you want.

JB: Could you go into detail the different modes that one has to choose from when they want to get a round of golf in?

GR: In the Open Beta, players can choose to play either a Single Player or Multi-Player Stroke Play round on one of our seven world-class golf courses. There are also a host of Daily Tournaments to choose from which are divided into Beginner, Amateur, Pro and Tour Pro tiers. Soon we'll be rolling out Weekly Tournaments, Special Events, Match Play and Group Play Tournaments. We'll also be adding more single player modes and challenges throughout the year.

JB: What are the initial courses that will be in this game? Also, what is on the table in regards to additions to the game down the road?

GR: There are currently seven courses available in the Open Beta. They are TPC Sawgrass, Pebble Beach Golf Links, St. Andrews Links, Wentworth, Wolf Creek Golf Club, Sheshan Golf Club and Torrey Pines. In addition to these great courses, we plan to introduce a new course about once per month from the day we launch. We will also release several new features throughout the year including Turn-Based Multiplayer, a fully stocked Pro Shop and additional game modes.

JB: Finally, once Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online is released in full to the public, can you go into detail how one can access the game initially, and what options will be available to them outside of the basic trial?

GR: Once the game exits Open Beta and is officially launched, registering for Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online will be free. The free membership will have its benefits and registered users will be able to create a golfer and play full rounds of golf on a specific course. Additionally, the user will have the option to purchase a monthly or yearly subscription in order to gain access to the full stable of world-class courses and unlock the complete Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online experience.