Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games was apparently just the tip of the iceberg for Sega’s production of Olympics-based videogames. This week, Sega has inked an exclusive partnership with International Sports Multimedia to enter development on Beijing 2008 – the Official Video Game of the Olympic Games. In development by Eurocom for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC (a mobile phone version is in the works too), Beijing 2008 will feature more than 35 authentic Olympic sporting events, official stadium venues like the Beijing National Stadium the National Aquatics Center, and for the first time in any Olympics videogame, full online competition on all three platforms. Beijing 2008 is due out this summer. Hit the jump for the first screenshots.
“Beijing 2008™ will set a new standard for sports games in this genre,” commented Hugh Binns, Director of Eurocom. “With a huge number of events, innovative control schemes to benefit new and experienced gamers, online multiplayer modes providing hours of entertainment and stunning high definition graphics, Beijing 2008™ will be a fantastic experience.”
“SEGA has truly embraced the spirit of the Olympic Games first with the launch of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games™ and now with the official video game for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games,” said Don Mesa, Marketing Director of SEGA of America. “The addition of online play in an Olympic title revolutionizes the franchise and has brought the scope of international competition to the gamer at home for the first time.”
“Extending our relationship with SEGA to include the Official Video Game of Beijing 2008 strengthens the opportunity to build upon the success of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. We feel certain that SEGA will further the success of Athens 2004™, thereby delivering what will be an outstanding, quality gaming experience”, stated Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman and CEO of International Sports Multimedia.
Matt Litten is the full-time editor and owner of VGBlogger.com. He is responsible for maintaining the day to day operation of the site, editing all staff content before it is published, and contributing regular news, reviews, previews and other articles.
Matt landed his first gig in the video game review business writing for the now-defunct website BonusStage.com. After the sad and untimely close of BonusStage, the former staff went on to found VGBlogger.com. After a short stint as US Site Manager for AceGamez, Matt assumed full ownership over VGBlogger, and to this day he is dedicated to making it one of the top video game blogs in all the blogosphere.
Matt is a fair-minded reviewer and lover of games of all platforms and types, big or small, hyped or niche, big-budget or indie. But that doesn't mean he will let poor games slide without a good thrashing when necessary! 
