There’s always talk about the virtual worlds of videogames encroaching upon what we know and love/hate as reality, but EA may have missed the philosophical hypotheticals and has decided to run in a more business-y direction with the idea. Today, they announced an upcoming line of sporting goods which they will manufacture in collaboration with Toy Island. These aren’t your typical shin guards or helmets, though. First out the door are going to be tools for kids in age groups 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 meant to improve their skill and increase their fun factor. The announcement lists four examples, three of which are pretty vague:
- a line of interactive training tools featuring voice commands and instructional coaching elements designed to take budding stars to the next level;
- a complete game-in-a-box containing all the equipment necessary for kids to practice and play a sport;
- a line of sports toys that will utilize electronics to reward young athletes with cheers when they use proper techniques;
- a basic line of high density-foam balls to help kids develop throwing and kicking motor skills at an early age.
Peter Moore states that this is an effort to “take the EA SPORTS brand deeper into the fabric of sports,” and some stuff about “[allowing] more people to unleash their inner spirit of sports and competition.” While little three-year-old Johnny needs that kind of unleashing is debatable, it’s no doubt going to be a little weird to see EA’s logo on products that are not videogames.
