Rugby World Cup 2011 adds third commentary team; focusing on multi-lingual capabilities.

by: Sean Cahill - posted: 8/1/2011 5:04:00 PM

In sports games, we usually look at the commentary team and make a determination at how serious a developer is when it comes to having the best.  If a group does well, then you usually see that group stick around.  505 Games announced today that they will have not one, not two, but three commentary squads for their upcoming title Rugby World Cup 2011.  Announced already were the teams of Philippe Sella and Eric Bayle, who will provide French commentary, and Greg Clark and Sean Fitzpatrick, who will provide the UK commentary.  Deciding to go much farther south, the developers have added in Aussies Miles Harrison and Stuart Barnes to provide the Australian commentary.  You don't see this very often, if at all, and it's a great addition to a game that certainly will need spot-on commentary.

Rugby World Cup 2011 Official Videogame Set to Offer Three Separate Commentary Teams

Sky Sports Commentators Miles Harrison and Stuart Barnes join Philippe Sella and Eric Bayle, and Greg Clark and Sean Fitzpatrick.

Woodland Hills, CA–August 1, 2011–Rugby fans should prepare for a multilingual treat - global videogame publisher 505 Games and developer HB Studios today announced that not only UK and French commentary teams, but also a team from the Southern hemisphere will grace the forthcoming Rugby World Cup 2011 official videogame.

Naturally, Stuart Barnes and Miles Harrison head up the UK team. Well-known for their Sky Sports rugby commentary, they have been the voice of Sky’s Rugby coverage for the past two decades, covering all major Rugby matches and tournaments including previous Rugby World Cup matches. Barnes is a former English Rugby Union fly-half for Newport RFC, Bristol, Bath; and represented England and the British Lions at international level, while Harrison is the lead Rugby Union commentator for Sky Sports.  

Along with the HD broadcast quality gameplay – covering each pass, kick, tackle and try – Rugby World Cup 2011 will offer an unrivalled level of officialdom, capturing the game of Rugby like never before. Players wanting a bit of Gallic flair on the commentary wings can opt for the French partnership of Philippe Sella and Eric Bayle.

Sella, who once held the record for most international rugby union appearances, was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 1999 and the IRB Hall of Fame in 2008. Bayle is lead Rugby Union commentator for Canal+.

Fitzpatrick, is considered one of the finest players ever to wear an All Blacks shirt and was captain of the New Zealand international side for five years (from ’92-’97). Rather appropriately, he was a prodigious product of the Auckland provincial side whose home stadium, Eden Park, will play host to the Tournament this year. Clark is FOX Sports’ host of ‘INSIDE RUGBY’ and is a well respected journalist with 27 years broadcasting experience. He is considered one of the best ‘callers’ in Australian sports television.

The addition of an unprecedented third commentary team adds yet another dimension of officialdom. The Rugby World Cup 2011 Official Videogame already promises to deliver every pass, kick, tackle and try to gamers fingertips - each of those will now be accompanied by the players choice of commentary from six of the most well known voices in rugby.