With FIFA 10 now in the hands of gamers all around the world, the EA SPORTS Events team continues it’s US FIFA  10 Takeover Tour and will be out looking for fans to come join them for a chance to play the game and win cool prizes.

Check out the Off the Bench blog for exact locations, dates, and times for the next week:  FIFA 10 Takeover Tour

It's a bit of a landmark week for the weekly FIFA 10 podcast - episode 40. That's a lot of audio...

You can subscribe to the podcast in iTunes here, but you'd probably do best to just listen to the latest one!

This week's show features the first Live Season 2.0 weekly update of the FIFA 10 era - dominated as the team of the week is by Italians. That's joined by a Newcastle-related Fact of the Week in line with the news their venerable old Stadium is to be preposterously renamed the "sportsdirect.com @ St James's Park Stadium". And of course we have the Big Shout in which we ask you lot what's more valuable - the Champions League or the Premier League.

Have a listen to Episode 40 right here.

Everyone is a little bit competitive in their own way.  Whether you play real life sports or sports video games, competition is what determines the best above the rest.  For years EA SPORTS has set the benchmark in sports video games.  And year after year gamers around the world connect to settle differences between foes, team-up to defeat rivals, and play their favorite sports with as much passion as the athletes that grace the real-life stage.  This year is no different and with a stable of titles on the shelves, EA SPORTS fans are busier than ever competing FTW in their favorite sports games.  

EA SPORTS Challenge Hits Anaheim
Alongside the guys at the Major League of Gaming, we've got our next round of Live gaming battles in Anaheim, CA, where some of the best sports-gamers in the nation will put their PS3 skills to the test.  All the Madden Spectator passes have been sold out, though there still are some remaining for FIGHT NIGHT Round 4 and NBA LIVE 10 gamers for this weekend's live tournament.  With some serious prizing, the competition is tough and it's no wonder the best from the entire nation find their way to compete at these live events.

Title Update and DLC Brings New Battles to FIGHT NIGHT Round 4
On the topic of tough, there are none tougher than the chins on Brizzo and Mahar (the 'Mike' variety) as the FIGHT NIGHT Round 4 producers will be fielding community questions about the upcoming title update, with game adjustments that the fans have hoped would be changed and haven't been shy voicing about on the forums.  Well, just as they were critically vocal about what they wanted changed, it's these guys that have done a 180 themselves singing the praises as the team looks to deliver improvements that will enhance online play and further make the game even more realistic than it already  has been.  Check out what the title update consists of here. 

If you're on the Playstation Network, Brizzo and Mahar will be hanging out Club Fight Night in the EA SPORTS Complex wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving on November 25th between 3-4PM PST.  Catch the producers there if you have any questions or feedback for the guys.  Or even just challenge them to one of the games in the EA SPORTS Complex. 

For those that have a few bucks saved up come December, the next set of downloadable content will also include three new boxers and two new Game Modes, including Ring Rivalries and Old School Rules.  Community members are chompin' at the bit for a chance to box with Evander Holyfield, Sonny Liston, and Bernard Hopkins and I can't wait to see some of the battles that'll come out of these new additions to the game. 

If you haven't yet stepped into the ring, there's no better time than now as gamers can pick up the game for only 40 bucks.  Get your buddy a copy so you can get online and beat the s!@# out of each other this holiday season.  I wonder if I should copyright that...it could end up on a Hallmark card.

Compete and Chat with the Game Producers
Especially if you have an XBOX 360, you'll want to grab a copy as we'll be hosting another Community Playdate, FIGHT NIGHT style, after the title update and DLC drops.  Look for more details to come on the December 9th playdate and live chat soon.

NHL 10 fans had their chance to match up against me and some of the devs last week.  For about six hours members of the community got a chance to talk to the producers and give some game feedback while testing their stick-handling skills and going FTW against some the team's best.  Check out the recap of the NHL 10 Community Playdate here.

Compete for a Chance to Play the Best in the Gillette Champions of Gaming
Back to the topic of competitions while the PS3 gamers battle it out in Anaheim this weekend, you XBOX 360 owners better brush up on your online skills as the Gillette Champions of Gaming makes a return for another year.  Earn a shot at playing the world's best athletes including none other than Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, or even Rodger Federer.  The qualifying rounds start soon so if you play Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, FIFA Soccer 10, NHL 10, FIGHT NIGHT Round 4, or Madden NFL 10 bring your game online for a chance at some ultimate glory. 

So as I said, there's a lot of competition going on.  With all the competing going on though, the one thing that remains is the sportsmanship; the "Good-Game's" after the battles and the nods to your opponents for their nice play.  Let's not forget that even the pro's meet at the on the middle of the battle field for a handshake after a game. 

It is the competition, after all, that brings the best out of us and pushes us to be better every day. 

Now that, I did read on a greeting card. 

A huge thanks goes out to the devs and to the community who took part in last week's XBOX 360 NHL 10 Community Playdate.  For nearly six hours into the evening a number of fans had a chance to play their favourite hockey game with the game makers in versus and OTP matches. 

The evening started with some early one-on-one matches to get warmed up and in order to get more players in the game, not only did we invite some hockey fansite leaders to host some games, we also jumped into some team play games which was a lot of fun.

For the recap, check out the In the Crease blog:  Community Playdate Recap

This week you're getting your first taste of NCAA Basketball 10 with the demo that is now out for those with XBOX LIVE Gold accounts. Those with Silver accounts will get the demo next week and finally PS3 owners will get their demo on the 19th of November . In the demo you will be able to re-enact the greatest rivalry in college basketball by taking control of either the North Carolina Tarheels or the Duke Blue Devils.

The demo will be played in Cameron Indoor Arena and it will be one five-minute half with the CBS Broadcast team calling the game. You will get your first taste of what to expect with the new broadcast integration features going into NCAA Basketball 10. There's new commentary as well as broadcast-style overlays and graphics just like you would see when you watch college basketball on CBS. The demo will also allow you to try out our new motion offense feature. Simply by pressing one button your teammates will get initiated into whatever offense you decide to run. It's never been easier to run a play than it is in NCAA Basketball 10.

Once you get your hands on the demo let us know what you think as we're interested in your feedback. Be sure to check out EASPORTS.com for more info about NCAA Basketball 10.