“Who would have thought that playing EA SPORTS FIFA would one day take me to the FIFA Ballon d’Or,” said reigning FIFA Interactive World Cup champion Francisco Cruz, sitting in Zurich, Switzerland just hours after having experienced the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2011 Gala.

With his victory at the FIWC11 Grand Final in Los Angeles, Cruz earned $20,000 in prize money and a priceless invitation to the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2011 Gala. At the Gala, Francisco talked tactics with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, played FIFA 12 against Wayne Rooney and Gerard Piqué on a nearby PS3 and shook hands with superstars such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, Ronaldo, Neymar and Dani Alves. The morning following Francisco’s incredible night at the Gala, the team at FIFA.com spoke with him as he reflected on the experience.

This must have been an amazing experience for you. Does any specific moment stand out?

Francisco: I can’t really say what my favourite moment was. All of it was incredible. Beating Wayne Rooney at FIFA 12 and talking to Sir Alex Ferguson were certainly highlights. And of course meeting Lionel Messi, my favourite player. There have been so many highlights, I have to watch out that I don’t forget anything!

What did you discuss with Sir Alex?

Francisco: For me he’s a true legend. He’s been with Manchester United for more than twenty years now so I was very happy that I had the opportunity to talk to him. We talked about the best ways to cope with mental pressure in tough games. This was really helpful for me and I’ll definitely try to apply his advice at this year’s Grand Final.

You mentioned your EA SPORTS FIFA 12 match with Wayne Rooney. What was it like to play against one of your idols?

Francisco: It’s a dream playing against one of my favourite players. It’s a new experience and I would like to do it again next year, he is a good player. He kept possession of the ball well with England but he could not transfer that into goal scoring opportunities. He said he was the best FIFA 12 player at Manchester United and I believe him as he was very good. I had some good chances and I scored, but he could have scored one or two goals.

You brought your cousin to the Gala. Why did you choose him to accompany you?

Francisco: My family is very important to me. For the 2009 Grand Final in Barcelona, where I placed third, I invited my sister. Last year, my father came with me to Los Angeles, so now it was my cousin’s turn. He’s just as crazy about football as I am, plus he’s a really good friend of mine.

Did you ever imagine that you would be part of such a special night when you first played the FIFA series?

Francisco: No, not at all. It is still unbelievable. I mean who would have thought that playing EA SPORTS FIFA would one day take me to the FIFA Ballon d’Or! And now, here I am, among stars like Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney!

Is this day at the FIFA Ballon d’Or a strong motivation for you to defend your title?

Francisco: I’m very competitive and I want to win every game. Of course, this day is very special for me and If I could be part of this once more it would be fantastic. I’ll definitely give my all and try to defend my title!

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EA’s first foray onto the PlayStation Vita is a strong one, as the EA Sports team in Vancouver isn’t just miniaturising the PS3 experience into a portable size, but refining the controls to take advantage of the new hardware. In this hands-on video, producer Matt Prior demonstrates what he calls “the most controllable version of FIFA ever.”

As is quickly becoming standard practice when console franchises debut on the Vita, these touchscreen controls are optional. Yet I think longtime video footballers will find themselves using at least some of these new tricks pretty quickly, as they feel right at home.

I spent some time with this demo version of FIFA after the event, and I found myself toying around with the playable menu screen for a long time, just taking shot after shot on goal. The accuracy of the rear touch shooting has won me over, and I look forward to hearing your impressions of it once it debuts in just a few short months.

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Coming this February, EA SPORTS FIFA on PS Vita will be the first true next generation sports experience…right in the palm of your hand. With console gameplay and HD graphics, FIFA delivers the largest feature set ever created by EA SPORTS for a handheld device.

The same physics-based, data driven technology that powers FIFA gameplay on PlayStation 3 drives FIFA on the Vita across eight different game modes, including authentic 11 versus 11, Be A Pro, Tournament Mode with over 50 real-world competitions, a full in-depth Career Mode, and head-to-head online. The game definitely looks and plays like the award-winning FIFA console game.

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Earlier today, I posted my interview with thatgamecompany about Journey, the upcoming PlayStation Network game that has an innovative approach to online play, allowing players to randomly encounter each other in-game, doing away with things like voice chat and player profiles in favour of the simpler pleasures of curiosity and human company.

It got me thinking about online play in general. While I don’t want to disparage gamers with stereotypes, I’m sure we’ve all encountered antisocial behaviour on our connected travels, whether is a foul-mouthed teen thinking he’s John McClaine in Call of Duty or a rage-quitter switching off their console after going 2-0 down in a game of FIFA.

My question is: if you were designing an online game, what would you do to prevent all this naughtiness?

I read an article recently about CAPCOM taking an interesting approach to rage-quitting with Marvel vs Capcom 3, in which they track which players are prone to quitting and tries to match them up against each other, essentially created a giant online naughty step, leaving the way clear for the better losers among us.

Or maybe you think that it’s not such a big deal, and that it’s a free world in which you can do whetever you want without the game trying to punish you. As for swearing, well, welcome to the Internet.

Let us know in the comments how you plan to change the world.

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Back in December 2009 Lionel Messi was named FIFA World Player of the Year 2009 at the FIFA World Player Gala. Along with the likes of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. Bruce Grannec, FIFA Interactive World Cup Champion 2009, attended the gala and we wanted to share his experience with all of you.

If you think you can beat Bruce and be the next FIFA Interactive World Cup Champion, grab a copy of EA SPORTS FIFA 10 and register for the On-line competition or attend any of the qualifier events. Visit fifa.com/interactiveworldcup to find out more.

At about 8:00 am, my guest and I took off on our flight from Paris to Zurich for what was going to be one of the best, if not the best, days of our lives.

About 2 hours later, we arrived in Zurich, where we were met by some people from FIFA and a television crew that would film every one of my movements throughout the day.

Once introduced, we took a taxi to the FIFA headquarters. The first thing I noticed when I entered was the display case containing all the FIFA trophies, with, in the foreground, the world cup. I took some photos and then got to meet Sepp Blatter. He was taking a little time out from his day to talk to me and ask me a few questions. I was very impressed.

It was now time to leave the headquarters and go to the hotel to get ready. It was almost time. Once we were dressed, we headed off to where the ceremony would take place, near the hotel. We got there and went through the lobby, with our FIFA guides, and through the press room, where all the journalists and cameramen were gathered, waiting for the 5 finalists: Messi, C-ron, Kaka, Iniesta and Xavi. We passed through room after room (quite a labyrinth), finally arriving in the waiting room, where there was a buffet table and a PS3 system to play FIFA. I waited for the players and played a few games against some women who weren’t bad at all. Then, the players arrived…

It’s so weird to suddenly have the world’s best players show up. Messi, C-ron, Iniesta and Xavi were actually in the room with me. Usually, they’re on-screen and I’ve got a joystick in my hand!

Once I’d gotten over the surprise, I went to see each one of them, got my picture taken with them and had them sign jerseys. They were just so great. Unfortunately, Kaka, who’s one of my favourite players, hadn’t arrived yet.

It was now time to go to the press room for the prize-giving ceremony. I found out along the way that Evra, himself, would be giving it to me. But first, I had to answer a few questions. After that, Evra went onstage and gave me the award, letting me know me that I was only the champion of the world because I’d never gone up against him. After he gave me the prize, I finally got to talk to him and it was really fun to use my French! Then, the 5 finalists, including Kaka, got to the press room. When the conference was over, I finally met him, had him sign my Milan jersey and took a few photos.

That night, at dinner, while waiting for the ceremony to begin, we got to see some of football’s great older stars, like Platini, Weah, Matthaus and many others…

After a very impressive ceremony, during which Messi was given an award, I went back to the hotel, full of emotions and dreams.

It’s so weird to suddenly have the world’s best players show up. Messi, C-ron, Iniesta and Xavi were actually in the room with me. Usually, they’re on-screen and I’ve got a joystick in my hand!

Once I’d gotten over the surprise, I went to see each one of them, got my picture taken with them and had them sign jerseys. They were just so great. Unfortunately, Kaka, who’s one of my favourite players, hadn’t arrived yet.

It was now time to go to the press room for the prize-giving ceremony. I found out along the way that Evra, himself, would be giving it to me. But first, I had to answer a few questions. After that, Evra went onstage and gave me the award, letting me know me that I was only the champion of the world because I’d never gone up against him. After he gave me the prize, I finally got to talk to him and it was really fun to use my French! Then, the 5 finalists, including Kaka, got to the press room. When the conference was over, I finally met him, had him sign my Milan jersey and took a few photos.

That night, at dinner, while waiting for the ceremony to begin, we got to see some of football’s great older stars, like Platini, Weah, Matthaus and many others…

After a very impressive ceremony, during which Messi was given an award, I went back to the hotel, full of emotions and dreams.

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