FIFA Online moves into open beta

EA’s FIFA Online, a free-to-play version of its globally popular football series, has entered an open beta phase and is inviting players to sign up.

The launch is part of EA’s wider strategy of bringing its most popular brands to a wider market, as well as tapping into the booming social gaming space and tacking the issue of increased pressure on premium priced titles.

Details of the game are still fairly thin on the ground, though it is said to boast a similar feature set to the console games including a wide range of licenses and online play. It has also been designed to run directly through a browser on average-spec PCs and laptops.

It all follows in the footsteps of the similarly-modelled Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online which went fully live in April. That game is free-to-play at the point of entry but in monetized through the additional sale of in-game content.

The FIFA Online Beta is expected to run for several months, punctuated by occasional downtime for maintenance. You can register here.