Game Description

Played by a number of countries throughout the world, EA Sports has released the first digital re-creation of the sport on the PlayStation 2, simply entitled Rugby. The official licenses from many of the sport's leading nations have been secured, allowing for over 600 real-life players and 23 stadiums to be included in the title. The objective is simple: two teams of 15 men attempt to score points by crossing the other's goal line with the ball, or by kicking the ball through the opposing team's posts. Players can only pass the ball backwards, and only the ball carrier may be tackled, impeding any other player will concede a penalty. Five points are awarded for a "try" (scored by placing the ball behind the opponent's goal line) and two for a conversion. Three points are awarded for any kick that bisects the goal posts during open play or from a penalty kick.

A range of moves can be performed, such as dummies, hand-offs, up-and-under kicks, grubber kicks, as well as punt or drop kicks. When the ball rolls out of the field of play, a lineout (two rows of men from each team) is called to contest possession of the ball. The Training mode allows players to learn the nuances of the sport and the control scheme, after which they can take part in four different forms of competition: The Tri-Nations, played by South Africa, New Zealand and Australia; the Six Nations, contested by Wales, Ireland, Italy, France, England, and Scotland; the EA Sports World Championship; and an Exhibition match.

Weather conditions and time of day can be altered, providing for games during the day, at dusk and at night, with conditions ranging from incessant rain to clear skies. Bill McLaren and Jamie Salmon provide the in-game color commentary. ~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide

Production Credits

THE CREATIVE ASSEMBLY LTD

Lead Programmer: Clive Gratto

Programming: Lee Cowen, J. Guy Davidson, Scott Pitkethly, Melvyn Quek, Jerome Grasdyk, Dan Laviers, Mark Milton, Dan Parkes

Lead Artist: Alistair Hope

Graphics: Jude Bond, Joel Smith

Technology & Libraries: Tim Ansell, Jerome Grasdyk

Motion Capture: Alan Ansell, Greg Alston

CA QA: Graham Axford, Jeff Woods, James Buckole, Chris Morphew

Production Assistant: Ross Manton

Propducer: Luci "Loki" Black

Commentators: Bill McLaren, Jamie Salmon, Jean Paul Cazeneuve, Daniel Herrero

Celebrity Talent: Australian Wallabies, South African Springboks, England Rugby Team, Scottish Rugby Team, New Zealand Al Blacks, XV France, Clive Woodward

Music & Effects: Jeff Van Dyck, DNA Multimedia

Additional Music: Psychonaut Productions

ELECTRONIC ARTS

Producers: Edward Larrosa, Derek Proud

Business Development & Worldwide Product Manager: Andrew Wilson

Speech Production: Angela Sommerville, DNA Multimedia

Sound Engineer: Bill Lusty

European Product Manager: Gareth Gower

French Product Manager: Raphaele Martinon

Web Design: Liam McCallum

Online: Jana Stewart, Lloyd Sharp

French Localization Manager: Sandra Picaper

QA: Pete Samuels, Andy Bussell, Dan MacDonald, John Brunton, Dermot Rawson, Chris McBride, Nick Sewell, Jean Gouin, Sam Roberts, Jordan Nigrelli, Matt Whayman

Manual & Documentation: John Featherstone

Manual Design & Layout: Abdul Oshodi

Manual Localization: Dan Davis

Package Design & Layout: Jenny Whittle

CQC: Paul Richards, Graham Boulton

UK Public: Lidia Stojanovic

Studio Oz General Manager & VP Development: Steve Dauterman

Australia General Manager: Bob Katz

Australia Marketing: Brendan Geraghty, Peter Pembroke

New Zealand General Manager: Michale Wynands

New Zealand Public Relations: Donna Kerrison

South Africa General Manager: Ryan Jones

South Africa Marketing Managers: Wayne Parkinson, Bronwyn Watson

US Product Manager: Amy Bartlett

US Public Relations: Wendy Spander

US Director of Marketing: Jillian Goldberg

EARS CQC: Ben Smith, Dave Knudson, Darryl Jenkins, Andrew Young, Tony Alexander, Tony Barbagallo

Thanks to: Nigel Sandiford, Jackie Fromion, Paul Jackson, Steve Fitton, Ian Law, Hannah Ward, Al King, Eric Moayedi, Sean Ratcliffe, Matt Bilbey, Nicholas Zarigian, Nick Laviers, Erik Whiteford, Munir Haddad, Cameron Lake

Special Thanks: Adidas, Ellis Park, Vodafone, James Gilbert Ltd., Daniel Herbert, Tony Gatsby-Peet, IMG, Juliet Payne, MG, Scott Munn, IMG, Tina Mathieson, NZRFU, Brian Thorburn, ARU, Gary Grant, SARFU, Jack Jackson, NZRFU, Alex Cotchobos, Signet Licensing, Michel da Cruz, FFR, Sean McAullife, Copyright Promotions Ltd., James Kennedy, SRU, Laura Laidlaw, SRU, Greg Lines RFU, Chris Hornbuckle, RFU, Scott Compton, USA Rugby, Allsprot UK, "PA" Sports ~ Rolando Eccleston, All Game Guide