Sports agency Infront Sports & Media and French video game developer F4 has thrown open its ambitious MMORPG, Empire of Sports, to a select number of virtual athletes for closed testing.

Running from today until the game’s full launch early in 2008, the Empire of Sports closed beta will, for the first time, offer members of the public a glimpse into the future of massively multiplayer online games, with unrestricted access to Empire of Sports’ "staggering" world.

Successful applicants to this beta version will be able to experience for themselves the game’s fresh take on the genre, which sees a persistent world populated by virtual athletes who train, exercise and compete in single-player and team-based sports.

Available to play from the off are five sports, each of which will pit player against player for the ultimate competition. Tennis, basketball, skiing, bobsleigh, track & field and some training games are all available immediately, with soccer – featuring 11 players on each team – launching shortly. In addition, players will be able to compete in in-game tournaments, customise their avatars and property with in-game items, travel to other sporting cities, meet virtual coaches, and even join virtual societies.

“Forget fighting against orcs, elves and wizards; Empire of Sports delivers the most exciting player versus player action of any massively multiplayer online game,” says Christian Mueller, managing director, Empire of Sports. “With team and individual sports to take part in, advanced social networking and a delicate exercise and nutritional balance, Empire of Sports is the game which will redefine how players interact, offering some the chance to be recognised as the very best virtual athletes in the world.”

Full details on the game will be unveiled just before the game is launched fully in early 2008, but a limited number of gamers can gain access now by heading over to the game’s official website at empireofsports.com.