EA SPORTS Enlists a Trio of Peripheral Makers

In an effort to broaden the reach of the EA SPORTS brand, Electronic Arts has announced its entry into multi-year licensing agreements with a triumvirate of companies that manufacture consumer electronic accessories.

Sakar International Inc., Sunflex Europe, and ACCESSORIES 4 TECHNOLOGY Ltd. (A4T) will all be working collaboratively on a series of EA SPORTS-branded gaming peripherals for use with, "...multiple titles for gaming consoles, PCs and mobile platforms," including fitness title EA SPORTS Active.

Sakar International Inc. is slated to work on accessories for both the Nintendo DS and the Wii, which will include, "...new gaming controls and a full range of EA SPORTS-branded multi-media and computer accessories." The first products are due out in Spring of this year. Sunflex will bring peripherals to Europe, with more than 20 already in production under the agreement with EA. The final partner, A4T, will be working on accessories for EA SPORTS titles across all platforms, including the iPod, and has the exclusive distribution rights for Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Glenn Chin, VP of Brand Marketing at EA SPORTS asserts that, "Each of these new partnerships offers EA SPORTS new ways to improve our consumers' experience and deepen their connection to the fabric of sport."

Neither pricing details nor the games that will take advantage of the new accessories have been revealed yet, though it seems likely that at least some of the peripherals will come bundled with upcoming titles. The rumored "NFL Trainer" project also seems like it'd be a perfect fit for this particular game plan, though it's a mystery as to whether any of these plastic gaming garnishes will be compatible with existing EA SPORTS offerings.