You wake up to it in the morning. You turn it on when you get into the car. You even listen to it on your computer at work. Music is everywhere -- on TV, in movies, in commercials, at the stores in the mall, it's even piped into elevators. Music is a part of our lives, and becomes more engrained in our everyday activities with every generation. This year, Electronic Arts is integrating this fundamental entertainment genre into some of its top game titles with the breakthrough innovation EA TRAX.
What exactly is EA TRAX?
In basic terms, EA TRAX is a soundtrack for the game, designed to enhance the playing experience. Starting with Madden NFL™ 2003, EA SPORTS™, EA SPORTS BIG™ and EA GAMES™ titles will include a selection of songs from established and emerging artists, picked specifically for each game, in keeping with the game's style and audience. Some songs will actually debut on EA TRAX, and appear in our game weeks and even months before the release of the artists own album. When the videogame disc is loaded into a console or PC, the gamer will see a set of options with new artists and music. Music will accompany menu screens, replays, and specific game modes, as well as pump from the sound systems in stadiums and arenas. An innovative graphic interface will also provide the player with information about the song, artist and album.
Why EA TRAX?
EA TRAX is a win-win-win situation, for gamers, developers and the artists. Game players will be the first to hear fresh music from some of the industry's hottest new artists. Game developers will have access to cutting edge music to enhance gameplay and build even more excitement into their games. And the artists get a new, unchartered platform for debuting their music to a powerful young audience. What games will feature EA TRAX?
Several titles from EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and EA GAMES titles will integrate the EA TRAX program this season, including the games listed below and other EA titles currently under consideration. Who are the artists on EA TRAX?
Some of the artists slated to appear include: Snoop Dog, (hed)p.e., Saliva, Method Man, Bon Jovi, Nappy Roots, Silverchair, Bush, Rush, Quarashi, Papa Roach, Jimmy Eat World, Good Charlotte, Ludacris, Uncle Kracker, Seether, Audiovent and Epidemic -- just to name a few. What about outside the game?
EA TRAX is not just limited to the in-game experience. Going forward there will be cross-promotions on game launches and record releases with the featured artists. EA is also exploring opportunities to release compilation discs (CDs with soundtracks) from popular games, and possibly host live concerts at EA sponsored events.
