Electronic Arts launches online version of Woods video game

text size

NEW YORK (AP) -- Electronic Arts says its Tiger Woods game franchise grew over the past year, and holiday sales didn't suffer even as the golfer's personal life did.

Woods' self-described "transgressions" led other companies to drop him.

EA, however, has stood by him. EA Sports president Peter Moore said on Thursday it would be "unimaginable" not to have Woods at the masthead of the company's "Tiger Woods PGA Tour" games.

Moore says there has been no softening in sales, but he did not give specifics.

EA is launching an online version of the game in an "open beta" test on Thursday for anyone to play. It's free, but added content comes at a cost.

"Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11" launches in June for game consoles and the iPhone.