Furtado to star in EA's 'Celebrity Sports'

Electronic Arts has announced it is developing a new sports game with a twist for the Nintendo Wii.

Celebrity Sports Showdown, which will include 12 outdoor sports games such as Beach Volleyball, Smash Badminton and Slalom Showdown, will allow players to compete with a lineup of built-in celebrities.

Stars including Fergie, Avril Lavigne, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban and Nelly Furtado, as well as sporting heroes Sugar Ray Leonard, Paul Pierce and Mia Hamm, will compete in what EA describes as a "great Wii party game".

Other sports featured in the game include Inner-Tubing, Wild Water Canoeing, Hurdle Derby, Cliff Hangers, Rapid Fire Archery, Joust Duel, Curling, Arena Dodgeball and Air Racers.

“We feel that this game is the EA Sports Freestyle answer to a great Wii party game. It explores the lighter side of sports and pulls inspiration from the entertainment spectacles that are so prevalent in pop culture today,” said EA's Dave McCarthy.

“Celebrity Sports Showdown will bring people to the party with a collection of games and celebrities that appeal to everyone.”

Celebrity Sports Showdown is scheduled for release this winter.