News and notes from around the world of sports video gaming:
• Dwight Howard ended—for this year, anyway—the drama surrounding his tenure in Orlando when he told the Magic he would waive the early termination option in his contract and remain with the team through at least next season. "I'm going home to play video games," he told reporters at a news conference yesterday. Earlier this year he gave out his Xbox Live Gamertag—WarriorDH12—to GamerLive.TV and bragged about his skills in Modern Warfare 3. As for playing in video games, Howard of course is in NBA 2K and NBA Jam; he also will cameo in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13. [GamerLive.tv]
• Another huge roster update went out today for NBA 2K12, capturing the frenzy at the league's trading deadline. It includes the Wizards-Nuggets swap of Nene and JaVale McGee; the Bucks-Warriors trade of Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut, and the utter devastation left by all the moves the Portland Trail Blazers made yesterday. See all the changes at OS. [Operation Sports]
• FIFA 12 featured Arabic commentary and menus for the first time. EA Sports appears to be going a step further this year, releasing a version of the game for Arab fans, reports Reuters. It sounds like that means a cover specifically for the Middle East region release of the global best seller.