Electronic Arts today announced the continued record-setting sales pace for FIFA 10 as well as the development of FIFA 10 Ultimate Team, a game mode expansion and new way of playing FIFA 10, the highest rated sports game* ever on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Based on internal sales projections, FIFA 10 has sold through more than 4.5 million units worldwide since launch, a 26 percent increase over the same period a year ago (eight weeks in Europe and five weeks in North America).  FIFA 10 also became the fastest-selling sports videogame in the world with 1.7 million units sold through at European retail in its first week after its launch on 1 October, and it's the top-selling game overall in Europe in 2009.

FIFA 10 has achieved new franchise records for online play as well, averaging three million** games played daily and over 113 million^ total online games played on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 over the past two months, and will launch FIFA 10 Ultimate Team in the new year.

FIFA 10 Ultimate Team is a deeper, more authentic, more dynamic version of the game mode successfully introduced last year and enables fans to customise the way they build their Ultimate Team.

Take on the challenge of building an Ultimate Team of the best football stars in the world, manage one or multiple squads simultaneously, and compete against other gamers in dynamically updated online tournaments. For the record number of football fans playing FIFA 10 online, FIFA 10 Ultimate Team provides a new challenge to put a personally crafted team up against the rest of the world.

"FIFA 10 Ultimate Team adds a lot more authenticity to a unique game that will update with new challenges and content over time," said Producer Paul Hossack.

"We now have over 7,000 players from 27 leagues available, from which gamers will craft one or multiple squads to show their mastery of the revamped, more realistic chemistry system, and compete in tournaments with exciting requirements and rewards. On top of that, we'll release new tournaments and other updates regularly to keep the experience fresh and exciting."

FIFA 10 Ultimate Team has more options and players that enable gamers to emulate the way real-world coaches and managers build the truly great football teams. Choose how to manage your team - focusing on creating one formidable squad or managing multiple squads to match dynamic requirements for tournaments and competitions. Buy, sell, trade and acquire the biggest stars to build your dream team. Be strategic and tactical in preparing your squads for the various in-game competitions. A completely redesigned chemistry system, built around player relationships on the pitch, means that managing teams and squads to their full potential is even more critical to success. Take carefully assembled squads into standard tournaments and themed competitions against the most formidable teams from around the world - and then out wit and out play them.

Test your skills as a player and manager to claim global football supremacy with FIFA 10 Ultimate Team, available to purchase for 400 Microsoft points or $4.99 as a download via Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network to FIFA 10 beginning February 2010.

FIFA 10 and an internet connection are required for play.

* Source www.metacritic.com as of 27 November, 2009
** based on average daily online users between 1 October 2009 and 19 November 2009.
^ as of 30 November 2009.