EA joins the fantasy ranks

Electronic Arts today announced the new online EA Sports Fantasy Football service. The game will play like other fantasy football games, allowing players to both pick and choose a roster from real NFL players and compete against their friends in various scoring systems.

The service features the EA Sports Edge analyzer tool, which lets gamers optimize their starting lineups, and MaddenView, which is described as "an all-new prediction tool." The service also links up to Madden NFL 06, allowing team owners to check scores, get up-to-date fantasy information, and earn in-game trophies. EA did not specify if all versions of Madden NFL 06 will be able to link up to the service.

Winners of each league will receive an EA game of their choice, and the top overall scorer wins a VIP trip to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Would-be commissioners can start a league for $49.99, and teams can play for $9.99.

Madden NFL 06 will be released in August on the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, PC, DS, and Game Boy Advance. For more information, tackle Game Spot's previous coverage.