Interview with Nick Pothmann

Nick Pothmann is a PR Manager at Electronic Arts Germany. He is responsible for all EA SPORTS games including FIFA and several other EA titles as e.g. Need for Speed or Def Jam.
How EA actually supports FIFA / FM Fansites? Nick Pothmann: We got lots of support activities e.g. we got a community representative for direct contact and questions on any issue (Sascha Gross)! Another chance to talk to us is on the fm07 message board which is managed by David Neumann our Online Marketing Manager. EA Germany also organizes preview days for selected community sites to get an early impression on the games. Furthermore we run the official FIFA online leagues. Our freelancers Hendrik, Sascha and Stefan are supporting all participating community sites for over six years. They also organize virtual tournaments.
Do you play FIFA or FIFA Manager at home? Nick Pothmann: I am an addicted FM player, playing around 20-30 hrs per week. I always choose Borussia M´gladbach to lift that club back to international glory.
Are you a football fan, what is your favourite club? Nick Pothmann: I am definitely. And my football heart belongs since 25 years to Borussia Mönchengladbach Not the most successful choice but the BEST ;-)
Which feature you would add to the next version of FIFA, if you were a FIFA executive producer? Nick Pothmann: I would probably extend the online features to a virtual online football world. Real & virtual world will grow together. We need to play, compete & communicate online to get the max of fun and live a virtual reality!
Which league is more necessary to be added in FIFA 08 on your opinion: Australian, Argentinean, Iranian or Russian? Nick Pothmann: That´s easy: Argentina. Definitely the strongest of that four leagues and very important for the transfer market. I´ve seen the game San Lorenzo vs. Boca in Buenos Aires and that enthusiasm is unique in the world – even Iranians would be impressed. It would be a challenge to catch that vibe!
Which band/music you think should be in EA Traxx for the next version of FIFA? Nick Pothmann: I would love to hear a song of the new Mando Diao album. We had a remix of “Down in the past� in the WC game but no song in FIFA 07. These guys do not only play powerful music they are absolutely crazy about FIFA as well. Their favourite activity on tour are FIFA and NHL tournaments on PSP and PS2… and they play really well!