1st TW09 GamerNet Challenge Begins

The first EA Sports GamerNet challenge has begun for Tiger Woods 09.

Each day this week (Sept. 22 – Sept. 26), two challenges will be posted for players to either tie or beat.

The winners will be those gamers who rack up the most points by busting or defeating each challenge.

The top 3 winners on both Xbox 360 and the PLAYSTATION 3 console will win an autographed
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 09 framed 11 x 14’’ box art poster which includes a certificate of
authenticity from Upper Deck Authenticated, Tiger’s exclusive memorabilia partner.
Approximate retail value $1000.  For complete rules, click here (PDF).

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 News: Thoughts on New IGN Videos

IGN has posted four different videos for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09.  You can access them by clicking here. Below are my impressions for each video:

Video 1: “What a Putt”

This video shows Tiger with an approach to the green followed by a lengthy putt for birdie.  In watching the high-res video, I do notice that the course looks fairly vivid.  I also like the subtle in-game graphics for how your ball is lying and where you’re wanting to go with your next shot.  They seem to flow well, and color-wise do not detract from the course.  What disturbs me is the commentary though.  I have no problem with Kelly Tilghman in this clip, but Sam Torrance seems to be very dry and very boring.  And gone is the enjoyable banter that McCord and Feherty had.  Hopefully this is just one bad situation as we continue on through the clips.  I did notice in the top left corner for the putt preview that there is a 1x, so there may be a setting to let you select how often it can be used for a shot.  Other than that, there is not really anything earth shattering about the game play compared to past Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf games.

Tiger Woods 09 Feature List Revealed

The following is the official EA press release detailing the features in Tiger Woods 09:

Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09, the next installment of the world’s #1 selling golf video game franchise, will be available in retail stores this summer. The game will feature dynamic, personalized gameplay via Tiger Woods’ personal coach, Hank Haney. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 also features a more intuitive and customized EA SPORTS GamerNet experience as well as an all-new game engine powering online play.

“Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 is the most authentic golf video game on the market, and we’re excited to bring an immersive experience to the masses,” said Executive Producer Mike Taramykin. “Our partnership with Hank Haney provides fans immediate coaching from one of the top minds in golf. This year’s game brings unprecedented levels of customization and control, allowing seasoned vets and first time players ‘inside the ropes’ of TOUR golf.”

Looking to drive the ball long and straight? Trying to nail the pin with the approach shot? An all-new addition to this year’s game, Haney will assist gamers as they hit the links and try to advance their career to win the FedExCup. In Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09, a player’s skill level is dynamic, constantly adjusting throughout the round just as it would during a real afternoon out on the links. Following each round, Haney will deliver customized feedback on a player’s performance. This feedback system allows all gamers, rookies or PGA TOUR pros, to compete and enjoy the game at any level.

EA SPORTS GamerNet is a ground-breaking online innovation that features a refined, easy-to-use interface in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09. EA SPORTS GamerNet challenges, such as long drive, approach shots and putting will be delivered instantly throughout all game modes and players will have the ability to post their challenges from the fairways. EA SPORTS GamerNet also features an all-new daily leaderboard and challenges customized to fit an individual’s playing style.

Online play has also been enhanced with Simultaneous Play. This all-new online engine gives up to four players the ability to play each hole at the same time, allowing players to get in a rhythm, swing when they are ready and make one round of golf even faster and more competitive than ever before possible.

Developed in Orlando, Fla., by EA Tiburon, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 will be available on August 26 on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, the PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment systems, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and Wii.

The following is the feature list for the Wii and PS3/360 versions of TW 09:

Wii Features

- All-Play Controls -players of all levels can play together with the ability to set their controller to match their skill level.

- Wii Exclusive – All-New Party Game Mode – Challenge your friends and family in a multitude of mini-games.

- Performance Coach – Tiger’s coach Hank Haney is now your coach – helping you to improve your performance throughout your career.

- Club Tuner – Tune your clubs to maximize your swing.

- Performance Feedback – After every round your coach Hank Haney will provide feedback and customized training drills to help you improve your game.

- All-New Online Simultaneous Play – play an entire 4-person round in the same time it takes to play single player. With the all-new Simultaneous Play you’ll tee off at the same time as your opponents and see their ball flight in line with yours.

360 / PS3 Features

- Performance Coach – Tiger’s coach Hank Haney is now your coach – helping you to improve your performance throughout your career.

- Club Tuner – Tune your clubs to maximize your swing. With the all new Club Tuner you’ll be able to tune your individual wedges, irons, woods to customize your bag to get the most out of every club.

- Dynamic Skill – No longer do you have to build your character up from scratch. Skill are set at the beginning of your career based on your skill level and will go up and down based on your play just like real golf.

- Performance Feedback – After every round your coach Hank Haney will provide feedback and customized training drills to help you improve your game.

- Enhanced EA SPORTS GamerNet – Longest drive challenges, closest to the pin and more are all delivered directly to you with the all new Instant GamerNet Challenges available in all game modes. Post your own greatest moments with ease directly from the fairway and search recommend clips based on your personal play pattern.

- All-New Online Simultaneous Play – play an entire 4-person round in the same time it takes to play single player. With the all-new Simultaneous Play you’ll tee off at the same time as your opponents and see their ball flight in line with yours.

BNB’s Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 Question to Readers #2

What are your thoughts on one of EA’s most ambitious new features to ever hit the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series, GamerNet.  What did you like about it, what did you not like about it, and what would you like to see in future installments of this feature?  I will post my thoughts this weekend on it.

GamerNet Challenge #2 Details — Win A Buick Enclave!!!

UPDATE:

EA Sports has announced the winners of the two GamerNet contests:

Congratulations to the winners of the EA SPORTS Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08 TaylorMade GamerNet Contest.

First place XBOX 360 – STICKME4MYPAPER
Belos Marano

Second place XBOX 360- Baali
Ronald Zilinsky

First place PS3- ct213
Chris Tuggle

Second place PS3- badabigcards
Aaron Emerson

NOTE THIS IS XBOX 360 PLAYERS ONLY…

This Thursday, EA Sports will kick off its second tournament working with the GamerNet challenge. Below are the details…

Jan. 17, 2008

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08 Buick Enclave EA SPORTS GamerNet Contest Jan 24-Feb 6

Welcome to the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 08 EA SPORTS™ GamerNet contest page. Here you will find all of the latest information on our monthly EA SPORTS™ GamerNet online contests, taking place over the course of the next three months. Our latest contest is exclusive to XBOX 360™ and gives fans a chance to win a Buick Enclave!

How To Participate

Contest begins Thursday January 24th 7 pm PT / 10 pm ET Runs through 11:59 pm PT Wednesday February 6th. Each weekday during the contest period 2 clips will be posted at 7 pm PT / 10 pm ET

Players accumulate points for each clip matched/beaten. All players receive the same points for a given clip except the first person to meet/beat the clip who will receive double points.

In the event of a tie the tying gamers will be notified on February 7th, 2008 as to what the tie breaker will be. Gamers will have until 11:59 pm PST on February 9th, 2008 to post their specified tie breaker.

There are four (4) prizes.

One (1) 1st Place Prize: One (1) Buick “Enclave” Model CXL – Driven by Tiger Woods at the December 2007 Target World Challenge. The Vehicle shall include, but is not limited to the following features: cocoa metallic exterior, cocoa cashmere interior, front wheel drive, leather seats, chrome wheels, DVD player and navigation system remote start keyless entry, heated washer fluid; power adjustable mirrors, xenon headlamps, power tilt steering wheel, power sunroof. Any variation from the offered prize Buick Enclave model, color, equipment, accessories or other features, including any upgrades may be permitted by delivery dealer in dealer’s sole discretion and must be paid for by the prize Winner. The winner will also receive a year subscription to Golf Digest Magazine. Approximate retail value (ARV) $42,399.97

Three (3) Runners-up Prize Packages: Each prize package includes VIP Accessories Kit (vision camera, wireless controller, wireless adapter); Wireless Wheel; Three (3) EA SPORTS™ video games for the Xbox 360™ ; 1 year subscription to Golf Digest Magazine. ARV of each prize package is $704.97

THIS CONTEST IS OPEN ONLY TO PLAYERS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA EXCLUDING AZ, CO, HI, KY, MD, ME, ND, TN, AND VT, AND 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AT THE TIME OF ENTRY. VOID IN: AZ, CO, HI, KY, MD, ME, ND, TN, VT, AND WHERE PROHIBITED PLAYERS MUST HAVE ACCESS TO AN INTERNET CONNECTED XBOX 360 VIDEO GAME SYSTEM, AND TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 08 VIDEOGAME (FOR THE XBOX 360) IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE.

EA Sports Announces a Second GamerNet Contest

After the conclusion of the first GamerNet Contest, EA Sports has announced that another one will start this Thursday, January 24th. The first contest gave away prizes such as Taylor Made Burner iron and driver sets. More details will follow this week once EA Sports releases them.

BNB’s GamerNet Challenge #1

A new feature at the Back Nine Blog is our own GamerNet challenges. JBHuskers & CDJ will post some GamerNet challenges of our own for you to try to conquer. In the near future, we may be able to give out some prizes on the best posts. To prove your post, we will need a screenshot of you beating our challenge. And then to host that picture, just go to www.imageshack.us and then use the “direct link” at the bottom after you upload to post on the blog.

Our first challenge comes from JBHuskers at Carnoustie. It is a challenge of the back 9 holes which totalled 1041 GamerNet points.

• Birdie Streak – 9
• Eagles Streak – 2
• Score – -11

As of 10:45pm on 1/19, this challenge had not been busted yet, so if you beat it, you’ll get some good GamerNet points on it as well. Good luck!

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08 TaylorMade EA SPORTS GamerNet Contest

A new TW 08 GamerNet contest is underway in which winners can receive some awesome prizes from TaylorMade.

Here’s a brief run-down of the rules:

Contest begins tonight (1/7/08) at 7:00 p.m. PST, 10 pm EST Each day 2 clips will be posted at 7:00 p.m. (PST)/10 pm (EST) from Monday, January 7th through Friday, January 11th. Players accumulate points for each clip matched/beaten. All players receive the same points for a given clip except the first person to meet/beat the clip who will receive double points.

In the event of a tie the tying gamers will be notified on Monday, January 14, 2008 as to what the tie breaker will be. Gamers will have until 11:59 pm PST on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 to post their specified tie breaker.

Click here for more details.