1. What is Game Face?
EA SPORTS Game Face is a new feature available to registered users of www.easports.com and www.easportsfootball.com. You can upload photos of your own face (or create a new Game Face from scratch without uploading a photo, using a wide selection of sliders and settings) and have it take a starring role on your Profile page.

But that's not all! Game Face also works with FIFA 10's Virtual Pro feature, meaning that your Game Face is downloaded into the game and mapped on to a facial model, ready for kick off. If you have ever wanted to play alongside your footballing heroes, Game Face is your chance to literally join them in the action on the pitch.

PLEASE NOTE: Game Face is our first step towards a full 3D avatar on the web, and as such it is "BETA" at this stage. This means that, at first, all new Game Face registrations will need to be approved in order of receipt to make sure the system is working as expected. After registering you will receive an email via the Football World/EASPORTS.com messaging system explaining this, but be aware that during this initial testing phase your registration may take several days to approve.

2. And so what is Virtual Pro?
Virtual Pro is a game mode in FIFA 10 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. FIFA 10 is the first game to include the new Game Face technology, which allows users to create a 3D avatar head on the web and then import it into the game.

3. How is this different from Photo Game Face in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10?
Photo Game Face is a similar technology that allows you to upload and share your likenesses in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, Facebreaker and Fight Night Round 4. However, Photo Game Face doesn't allow you to create your character and customise it on the web and act as a persistent web avatar. Game Face is the next evolutionary step from Photo Game Face.

4. What about my current 2D Avatar?
Game Face's 3D avatar appears on your Football World profile page alongside your existing 2D avatar. You will still be able to buy items for your 2D avatar with credits on the website, and the 2D image will still display around the web and in all EA SPORTS games except FIFA 10 this year. FIFA 10 will be focused on the display of the Game Face/Virtual Pro avatar in game.

Also, you might have noticed that Game Face is just, well, a face. Game Face is still a work in progress and the transition from 2D to full 3D is not yet complete. Check the Game Face Forums often to see how the feature develops.

5. What do I need to use it in FIFA 10?
First of all, you must have an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 console with an Internet connection, as well as an Xbox Live membership in the case of Xbox 360 and a PlayStation Network account in the case of PlayStation 3. You must also have an EA account, which you can register either in the game or on an EA website such as Football World, and have that linked to your Xbox Live or PSN account. For more information on linking your accounts, click here. Once you have linked your EA account to your console account, you can simply log in to your profile on Football World and set about creating your 3D avatar in Game Face.

6. What do I need to do to create the perfect Game Face?
If you are using a photo to create a Game Face, bear in mind that a high resolution, good quality, well lit photo will result in a better quality avatar. The better your photo, the better you will look in 3D. Try to get even lighting across your face. If you use a flash, try to soften the light with a filter to avoid too many deep shadows. All you need are Jpeg photos of the front of your face and, ideally, a profile photo of the side of your face. When you select skin tone for your Game Face, this will also determine the skin tone of your character's body.

7. I don't have a digital camera - can I still make a Game Face?
If there is a suitable (Jpeg) photo of yourself anywhere on the web, you can simply use the URL of the image to import into the system. Game Face also allows you to create any likeness you can imagine by using the pre-set models in the Game Face widget. Simply choose one of the starter faces and modify it to create anyone you can imagine.

8. What can I do with my Game Face?
Once you have created your Game Face, you can download it to FIFA 10 and use it in any game modes that accept it, including Manager Mode and the new Pro Club Championship mode online. Your Game Face will also sit on your Football World profile page. And this is just the first stage of our online plans for Game Face.

9. How does Game Face work in FIFA 10?
Once you have completed your Game Face, you can download it via your EA account into your copy of FIFA 10 (you must of course have full online gaming capabilities activated with your console). Simply select Virtual Pro from the main menu in FIFA 10 to create your initial character. Once complete, you'll be able to select Virtual Pro in the main menu then navigate to a secondary menu item labelled Download Game Face. As long as you're signed in online with your EA account you'll be able to download and apply your Game Face directly into the game.

10. Where can I go to give my feedback on Game Face?
We have set up a forum here, or you can submit your feedback using the feedback submission link within the Game Face Creator to inform the development team directly.

11. I don't play FIFA 10. What can I do with my 3D Game Face?
As of now, not much in terms of games. However, you might see what you look like with a bigger nose, a beard, or maybe a buzz cut, and then share it with your friends on Facebook.

12. Can I still display my 2D avatar as my profile picture if I want?
The 2D Avatar picture is the current default. As we develop Game Face, we'll make sure you are provided with an option whilst the 2D Avatar continues to exist. Anyone who visits your profile page, including people who are not registered on the site, will be able to view your Game Face.

13. Can I display both my 2D and new 3D avatar?
Both avatars are displayed by default on your profile page for the time being. Only one will be displayed in FIFA 10.

14. What hardware/software do I need to operate Game Face?
Game Face is a fairly intensive program. On beginning the process, you will be asked to download a program to your computer. This program can take up to 30 minutes to install (if .NET needs to be installed with the package - see the details below). Once you have installed the client software and return to the Game Face widget, this web-based application is also quite resource intensive. It is generating full-3D effects, so is actually comparable to a full 3D game running on your computer. For this reason you should make sure your system meets the requirements listed below:

Minimum Recommended Hardware:

CPU: 2Ghz+
RAM: 2GB+
Internet: Broadband Internet connection
Graphics: Hardware shader level 2.0 or more, and OpenGl compatible graphics card
VRAM: 128MB or more

Required Software:

Operating System: Windows xp/vista
Windows update: Direct 9.0 (will be installed by Game Face package if missing)
Windows update: .NET 3.5+ (will be installed by Game Face package if missing)
Flash: Web plugin 9+
Web Browser: Firefox 2+, Internet Explorer 7+

15. I am having problems installing Game Face. What can I do?
Many issues with the Game Face application can be solved by restarting your browser. Otherwise, check out our help pages here, or see the forums.

16. Does Game Face require users to have an XBOX Live Gold Account in order to use it with their Virtual Pro?

Yes, for Virtual Pro, you must have an XBOX Gold account. All PS3/PC users are able to user Game Face for their Virtual Pro. The message you currently receive in console is an error and should read "Your account limitations prevent you from using this feature". There are currently no plans to allow access to Game Face for Silver members. We apologize that this was not made clear in our communications though it is standard practice for online features on XBOX 360 to be limited to Gold Members only and this feature is no different.