Matt Eyre Who: Matt Eyre Works for: EA SPORTS UK Position: European Product Manager Euro 2000 Questions: 17 Interview by: Bjorn Date posted: 29 July 2000 The great European football (soccer) event, namely EURO 2000 is over and France (after winning the World-Cup back in '98) now won the Euro Cup as well. Still the event is over, we know who the European champion is but that doesn't mean that the football mania has ended. No, because just before the start of Euro 2000, software publisher "Electronic Arts" (EA Sports) decided to release their new football game as well ... titled ... Euro 2000. Is it better then their previous best-selling soccer game, Fifa 2000? Only a gamer knows but when we got invited by EA for the Euro 2000-press-conference, we couldn't refuse because it was also in the 'Arena' stadium in The Netherlands (one of the biggest stadiums of The Netherlands). There we met the "European Product Manager" of EA Sports for the Euro 2000 game, namely Matt Eyre. So Matt is basically the ideal person to shoot questions too. And that is just what we did. 1- PlayDevil.com: Could you give us a bit more information about yourself? Who are you and what do you exactly do for EA UK?    Matt: My name is Matt Eyre, I'm the European Product Manager for EURO 2000 from EA SPORTS. 2- PlayDevil.com: What is your experience with software publisher Electronic Arts? What were your past projects?    Matt: I've done lots of jobs for EA, including being the Customer Services Manager in EA Germany. I now work for the European office as a Product Manager. Previous products have been our STARS games last year, and Football Manager 2000 and 1999. I've also helped out on FIFA 99 and FIFA 2000. 3- PlayDevil.com: You are now the Product Manager of EA's newest soccer game, Euro 2000. How do you prepare on being one and convince people (journalists) that this game is the best that is available now?    Matt: I believe in letting the software talk for itself. The great thing about working for EA SPORTS is that the software we produce is always very high quality, especially when the FIFA team are involved (as they were with this product). They are one of the most effective and professional groups in the industry. When people see that EA SPORTS will release a football game, they know that it is going to be a good game because of our track record in producing number one titles. 4- PlayDevil.com: We saw in the intro that Paul Oakenfold is there the main big star. Paul is one of the most talented DJ's out there but why did you exactly aproach him? Any particular reason or just liked his music?    Matt: I am a big Paul Oakenfold fan and have been for several years. I was delighted when he agreed to work with us on the EURO 2000 game. He was our first choice to do the music for the game, once we'd identified that we wanted something fairly "upbeat" and exciting. We'd done some work with him before and he told us that he is a massive football fan and would love to help us with a football game. So really, it was just a matter of talking to him and explaining what would be involved. 5- PlayDevil.com: Paul's music is great and he also worked out exclusive music only for the game. Is music that important that a big DJ has to make it to be successful?    Matt: I think that it definitely helps to have great music, although it doesn't have to be from a big name DJ or band. As long as the tunes are right then thats what is important. Having said that, when you have someone with the profile of Paul working on a game, it is very helpful as it generates interest in the game and makes the atmosphere in the game a little bit more special. The fact that we got to include Paul in our intro video gave us a great "party" feel as well. 6- PlayDevil.com: Were there any other DJ's approached as well? For example 4Paul Van Dyk4 or others?    Matt: Not for this product - we've worked with others inculding 'Paul Van Dyk' and 'ATB' before, but for this project we just asked Paul and he said yes - that simple! 7- PlayDevil.com: Now back to soccer, what's your favorite team and who will win Euro 2000?    Matt: Well, my favourite team are a team in the English second division called 'Luton Town' - they were in the top division in England in the late 80's but have been going downhill ever since....they still produce great young players and play good football though. I support them as I was born there and grew up there. For EURO 2000 I will obviously be supporting England (I'm English!). If you want an honest opinion of who will win, thats a difficult question. I think that Holland and Belgium have a great chance as host nations, although they both have difficult groups to get out of. France will play like World Champions when they get onto a big stage, and Spain have some fantastic players that are winning things right now. 'update': France has won the Euro 2000 event :-) 8- PlayDevil.com: Can you tell us a bit more of the development of the game? How long did your team took to make it?    Matt: The game took just over 1 year to complete. It was developed in the UK and produced by our FIFA team based in EA Canada so it was a joint effort, and the total number of people that worked on the development was over 50. More Q&A on the next Page Up Previous Page Any problems and/or suggestions are always appreciated on webmaster@playdevil.com Nothing of this entire Site, animation & logo's included, may be reproduced, stored, saved, transmitted, in any form or means, electronic, written or otherwise without the prior permission of PlayDevil. Other Logos & Names are Copyrighted Material of its respectful owners. All Rights Reserved. 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