EA 2015 E3 press conference recap!

EA’s press conference is in the books, and they opened it with a bang.  First up was the teaser trailer for Mass Effect: Andromeda.  You will travel to the Andromeda galaxy and explore it.  That’s about all we know about Bioware’s next now, but expect to learn more about in the next year, as Mass Effect: Andromeda launches in Holiday 2016

Next up, EA revealed the new Need for Speed reboot.  It will launch on November 3rd, and looks just plain gorgeous.  Your car will have a new dynamic camera that follows your car in a way we haven’t seen in any racing game before.  Their is also a really weird live-action footage for the game’s cinematics.  It’s launching on PS4, Xbox One and PC on November 3rd.

Star Wars: The Old Republic was featured next, with Bioware Austin revealing their new expansion Knights of the Fallen Empire.  Bioware promised a return to Bioware style storytelling.  It will launch this October, and come free to all subscribers of The Old Republic.  Note that it is a free to play game, so non-subscribers will have to pay for it.  EA also promised more betas and early access for their game than ever before.

EA revealed a small surprising game next with Unravel.  Honestly, this game stole the show.  You play as a yarn doll that uses itself to traverse his environment.  The trailer really brought a tear to my eye.  I don’t know when it comes out, but I will be buying it day one.

Next up we got a big blowout for Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2.  GW2 will feature six new classes and EA revealed a new game mode called Graveyard Ops, that feature the Zombies on defense now.  They showcased the new classes including The Imp, Captain Dreadbeard, and Super Brainz.  Zombies will also have access to the Z-mech.  GW2 will have split screen co-op and A.I. battles.  Characters will be able to be transferred from GW1 to 2, and it will launch in Spring on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Next up was sports.  We got a look at Rory Mcilroy PGA Tour, NHL 16, NBA Live 16, FIFA 16, and Madden 16.  Each one is promising new features, but they felt like more of the same (not that that’s a bad thing.)

Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst was shown next, and promised to tell the origin story for Faith, Mirror’s Edge’s protagonist.  Player will take on Gabriel Kreuger, the leader of a city without personal freedom or privacy.  It will seemingly be an open-world game and have no “levels” but rather missions.  It is playable at E3, and launching on February 23rd, 2016.

Naturally, it closed with the biggest gun of them all: Star Wars: Battlefront.  The footage below was all captured on a PS4, and honestly looks incredible.  We got to witness “Walker Assault” on Hoth, and the footage was from both the Empire and Rebellion perspective.  Honestly, the gameplay speaks for itself, and it’s awesome.  We got to see normal gunfights, AT-ST combat, AT-AT walker control, Snowspeeders using tow cables, and even playable Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.  Just watch it.  Battlefront launches November 17th on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t bother to include EA’s talk of mobile, but that was there.  I didn’t care about any of it, and honestly you probably didn’t either.  What was your favorite part of the presser?  What are you looking forward to of all of EA’s offerings?  (It was Star Wars wasn’t it?)  Let me know in the comments!

by, Bobby Marquardt

Visceral gives us a 12 minute look at Battlefield: Hardline’s singleplayer mode

Battlefield: Hardline is being developed by Dead Space developer Visceral Games, but up until now, we’ve had only a very limited look at the game’s single-player mode.  That all changed with the release of the above twelve minute walkthrough of Hardline’s singleplayer.  We find our protagonist Nick Mendoza on the run from the police, as he and his partner were framed for a crime.  Mendoza and his partner find themselves in the southern portion of the United States (Texas?) where they are captured by a large group of Right-Wing Militia members who plan to receive the $250,000 bounty on their heads.  

What follows is Mendoza and his partner escaping in a long stealth portion of the game, followed by a wide-open battlefield where the player must regain their gear.  Visceral promises to allow players a multitude of ways to tackle an objective, including stealth and a front out assault.  The above walkthrough begins quite stealthily, but devolves into a shootout near the end.  We get to see plenty of lethal and non-lethal ways to subdue an enemy, including a tazer and merely flashing your badge at an enemy.  After you flash it, your enemies will lower their weapons and you can knock them down and place them under arrest.  Battlefield Hardline is slated to launch early next year, so look forward to information a plenty on it as the year rolls on.  

by, Bobby Marquardt

Mass Effect director Casey Hudson leaves Bioware

Mass Effect Creative Director Casey Hudson has announced he is leaving Bioware. In a joint statement with Bioware’s studio general manager Aaryn Flynn, Hudson revealed why he chose to leave the RPG giant.  “Though there’s never an easy time to make a change like this, I believe this is the best time for it. The foundation of our new IP in Edmonton is complete, and the team is ready to move forward into pre-production on a title that I think will redefine interactive entertainment. Development for the next Mass Effect game is well underway, with stunning assets and playable builds that prove the team is ready to deliver the best Mass Effect experience to date. And the Dragon Age: Inquisition team is putting the final touches on a truly ambitious title with some of the most beautiful visuals I’ve seen in a game.

“But while I feel that the time has come, this is without a doubt the most difficult decision of my career. BioWare is as magical a place today as it was when I started. The projects we are working on are some of the most exciting and prestigious in the world. The talent in our teams is second to none. And the people here are some of my closest friends. I’ve spent more time with many of you than my own family, and I have enjoyed every day of it.”  Hudson did not reveal where he would be heading next, but did reveal he will be taking “A much needed break.”

Hudson has worked at Bioware for over 16 years, where he worked on the incredibly well loved MD2K & NeverWinter Nights as Technical Director.  Hudson moved on to work on the classic RPG Star Wars: Knight’s of the Old Republic as project director, and served as Creative Director on the Mass Effect series.   “Casey’s focus on production quality, digital acting technology, and emotionally engaging narrative has made a substantial impact on BioWare and the video game industry as a whole.” Said Flynn. “We thank Casey for his hard work and dedication as we look back on his time with Bioware.”

By, Bobby Marquardt

30 minutes of gameplay from Dragon Age: Inquisition

Bioware is charging forward with development of Dragon Age: Inquisition ahead of it’s Fall release date.  Over the past few days, Bioware has released two slices of Dragon Age Inquisition gameplay, with over 30 minutes total released.  If you are curious as exactly what Dragon Age: Inquisition will actually look like, this is your best opportunity yet.  You get a good look at the game’s updated combat system (including a tactical shield), story, and learn how your actions will effect every region in the game.

As you may have noticed, the tactical camera looks to give players an almost XCom-esc view of the battlefield, and that will certainly change how all players go into battle.  The above gameplay is running on the Xbox One.  Bioware is promising to release even more looks at Dragon Age before it launches on October 7th, so keep it locked here for even more footage of this promising looking RPG.

by, Bobby Marquardt

Play Titanfall on PC for free as part of Origin’s new Game Time program

EA is introducing another great program to Origin called Game Time.  This program will give gamers a 48 hour free trial of a major AAA title, with the first being Respawn Entertainment’s Titanfall.  Gamers will have access to Titanfall for a full 48 hours once they start the game.    “The Origin Game Time clock begins the moment you start the game for the first time, and ticks down in realtime.” EA’s Craig Harris writes “Whether you’re fighting your friends or taking a break, the Game Time clock will continue to run.”

The program starts this weekend, with Harris saying the weekend will be great for old and new players alike. “Origin Game Time will bring new Pilots into the fight – help your teammates or swoop in for some easy points.”  Those who play on this trial will also be able to carry forward their progress into the full game, should they choose to purchase it once the trial runs out.  No word on how long Titanfall will be the featured game for this program, so get in on this now.  Titanfall is easily the best multiplayer game out this year, with crisp and fine-tuned gameplay that I raved over in my review.  Simply put, give Titanfall a try.

by, Bobby Marquardt

New Dragon Age: Inquistion trailer showcases four of the members of the Inquisition

EA has been showing off plenty of Dragon Age: Inquisition at E3 this week, and debuted quite a few new trailers and gameplay demos for it.  In the trailer above, we are introduced to four new members of the Inquisition.  First shown was Blackwall, a dwarven Grey Warden who brandishes a Great Sword, next was Sera, an elf described as “a wildcard”, followed by The Iron Bull, a Quanari mercenary, and closed with Vivian, a mage of incredible ambition and power.

The game looks to have 12 party members, including Varric, Cassandra Pentaghast, and Leliana, as well as the four new members introduced in the trailer.  Naturally, as we get closer to release, expect to learn more about the remaining five characters.  Dragon Age: Inquisition arrives on PS4, Xbox One, PS3, PC and Xbox 360 on October 7th.

by, Bobby Marquardt

Full recap of EA’s 2014 E3 press conference

EA came into E3 this year to show off games that are coming in the far future, and next week.  They chose to forgo the trailer route, and showed behind the scenes footage of many of their upcoming games, and had some cool new announcements as well.  EA opened the show with two massive words, Star Wars.  We got a behind the scenes journey into DICE’s development on the upcoming Battlefront title.  DICE has captured actual models and props used on the original trilogy, as well as traveled to the locations the movies were filmed to ensure the proper feel of the game.  Early concept footage was shown, but they promised more in Spring 2015.

Dragon Age Inquisition was shown off next, starting with another trailer featuring live cello music that was just plain breathtaking.  Bioware Studio manager Aaron Flynn took to the stage to introduce a massive battle against a High Dragon, the “Apex Predator” of the Dragon Age world.  You have to damage the dragon’s limbs first, and world your way inward.  Dragon Age: Inquisition arrives October 7th.

Bioware teased two more games coming in the future.  The first is the next installment in the Mass Effect franchise, which is being developed by Bioware Montreal.  Casey Hudson, director of the Mass Effect franchise, is working on a new IP with the Bioware Edmenton studio, which was the main studio behind the Mass Effect franchise.  No real footage was shown, but the confirmed that exploring the galaxy and it’s planets will return.

The Sims 4 was showcased next, promising smarter sims then ever before in a “deep simulation”.  For the first time in the franchise, you will be able to control your Sims heart, with highly detailed emotions.  What type of personality you chose for your Sim will effect their future, their loves and their interest.  Your Sim can also laugh to death, so there’s that.  It will arrive on PC December 2nd.

EA UFC was showcased next, with Bruce Lee fighting BJ Penn.  Bruce Lee has long been considered the godfather of MMA, and his inclusion in the game felt like a no brainer.  It showcased a large section of a fight, which ended in Bruce Lee winning via super kick to the jaw.  EA UFC launches next week, on June 17th.  This was followed by EA NHL being demonstrated for the first time.  Calling it the “Next generation of hockey”, all 12 players will have a physics system, as will the puck.  It will arrive on September 9th.

Criterion, developers of the Burnout and Need for Speed franchise, are working on a new IP, and show off some very, very very early footage after EA joked that they “can’t keep anything secret”.  It’s a game all about speed, with vehicles like atvs, boats, helicopters, planes and wingsuits all included.  It will be in first person, and was heavily influenced by athletes first person footage taken via first person cameras like Go-Pros.

EA will return to the golf world next Spring with EA Sports PGA Tour.  The new game is being developed exclusively for next-gen, and will run on the Frostbyte 3 engine.  It promises the world’s greatest courses, and the greatest extreme fantasy course.  The trailer below showcases golfing over a battleship crashing from Battlefield 4.  It’s insanity that I’m going to have to try.

Madden 15 was showcased next, with EA Sports promising improvements to the defensive side of the ball.  The first improvement will shift the camera to behind the defense, as opposed to the camera angle being constantly from the offensive’s perspective.  Tackle cones are coming to the game, which will improve open field tackling.  An Emmy award winning cinematographer from NFL films was brought in to film hundreds of new player emotions as well.

Waystone Games then spoke about their MOBA, Dawngate.  It launched in alpha last year, and has in players hands ever since.  Waystone spoke about the importance of the game’s dialoge with it’s players and why that will create a better MOBA then ever before.  The team also showed off how all of Dawngate’s proceedings are based around an over-arching story, a first a major MOBA.

Mirror’s Edge was on display next, with only early and conceptual footage shown.  DICE wanted to stress how they are working to utilize movement in combat, and present Faith’s attack moves better with the combat.  They also spoke about the movement, allowing more skilled players to move through the environment faster where less skilled players can take less complex routes.  No release date was given.

FIFA will continue it’s juggernaut run this Fall with FIFA 15.  EA is promising that “You will feel the game”.  Players will show emotion based on what happens in the match.  It will feature a new ball physics engine as well.

Battlefield Hardline closed the show with a six minute multiplayer demo.  Featuring insanity like a tanker truck being used as a car bomb, shooting out supports to bring down a bridge, ziplines, and bringing down a massive crane to traverse the environment.  Visceral also announced that the Battlefield Hardline closed beta will launch today on PS4 and PC.  You can sign up now at battlefield.com/hardline

What did you think of the presser?  Let me know in the comments below!

by, Bobby Marquadt

New Battlefield Hardline leak includes trailer and release date

After a leak earlier today, EA and Visceral have released the E3 trailer for Battlefield Hardline.  The new trailer seems to be all in-engine footage, showcasing the game’s cops vs robbers setting.  We get a new look at protagonist Nick Mendoza, as he works to stop criminals all across Miami.  The trailer closes with Hardline’s release date of October 21st of this year.

Hardline is being developed by Visceral, devs of the Dead Space franchise, and Ghost Games UK, developers of Need for Speed: Rivals.  For more on Hardline, check out the game’s announcement that took place after massive leaks.  EA promises we will see even more at E3 next week during it’s press conference this Monday at 2pm Central time.

by, Bobby Marquardt

EA shuts down Mythic Entertainment

EA has closed long standing game studio Mythic Entertainment today.  Mythic opened in 1995, releasing many games including Warhammer Online, Dark Age of Camelot, and the recent reviled mobile reboot of Dungeon Keeper.  The movement to mobile occurred after Warhammer Online was not nearly as successful as expected for both EA and Mythic.

EA told Kotaku the following “We are closing the EA Mythic location in Fairfax, Virginia, as we concentrate mobile development in our other studio locations. We are working with all impacted employees to provide assistance in finding new opportunities, either within EA or with other companies via an upcoming job fair.” 

by, Bobby Marquardt

Battlefield 3 is free on Origin through June 3rd!

Do you like free games?  Do you like free, great games?  Well EA has you covered.  As part of their On the House program, they have made Battlefield 3 free for all Origin users.  This promotion runs through June 3rd, so get on that quickly!  Players who want to get even more Battlefield 3 can purchase the game’s Premium expansion for $29.99, but that doesn’t sound quite as good as free.

Battlefield 3 is the third game to be free from Origin’s On the House program.  Currently, Plants vs Zombies, last month’s free game, can also be downloaded for free.  The program began with Dead Space, Visceral’s acclaimed horror title, being free from late March through most of April.  It’s odd that Battlefield 3 has such a dramatically shorter “On the House” availability, but maybe EA is planning to give away a bigger game around E3.  Probably not, but I can dream.

by, Bobby Marquardt