Live to Play; EA's E3 Press Conference Wrap-Up
EA believes the world is a better place when we make time to play and, well, we don't disagree. Andrew Wilson certainly knows how to talk but did the EA press conference live up to his words? Here's what you missed;
- To kick-off the show, we're treated to the classic Willie Nelson track 'Ghost Riders in the Sky' as an armoured hand swipes through images of planets. Soon after, we take a step into war and before we know it, Mass Effect: Andromeda has been announced for Holiday 2016.
- Andrew Wilson loves cars and, as such, the next game to be shown is Need For Speed. In this new entry to the series, EA is bringing together 20 years of history together. You'll need to earn the respect of five icons to become the ultimate driver; this will require mastering the five types of gameplay which are named speed, style, build, crew, and outlaw. Along with the five icons, five overlapping stories will occur where every minute brings the story forward.
- After a short talk, we're treated to some extended gameplay where we see each act netting the player more and more reputation with successive madness adding multipliers to your score. Soon after, the game was confirmed for a November 3rd release.
- Jeff Hickman followed, appearing on stage to talk about the first Star Wars property of the night: Star Wars: The Old Republic. Something new is on the way for those still interested in the title, something very BioWare where your choices will make an impact on the game itself. Pulling back to its roots, Star Wars: The Old Republic: Knights of the Fallen Empire will release October 27 and it will be free to all subscribers.
- The story trailer details two brothers who are heirs to an empire. United by ambition and destined to conquer, they train and are taken to battle when ready. Unfortunately, one brother falls and must be repaired with droid pieces. Seemingly feeling disgraced, the robotic brother attacks his father, only to be stopped by his sibling.
- Next, we see the first original IP of the night: Unravel. The game follows a tiny woollen creature named Yarny which was first created during a developer's family camping trip. The creature, who unravels with each movement, represents love as it takes on the puzzle-platforming world. The game is physics-based and has a lovely, fairly realistic style to it. It is, of course, accompanied by some delightful music and looks like something straight out of a child's imagination, we love it.
- After somebody dressed as a Super Zombie appears on stage rocking out to 'Highway to the Danger Zone', we begin to learn more about Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2. In a quick demonstration, we see several new zombies in action including the Imp (who can summon a Titan to climb into), Super Brainz (a new melee class), and Captain Deadbeard (a new sniper class).
- For the first time, Garden Warfare 2 will have a solo experience where you can play all the game modes alone with the AI or with local split-screen co-op. All players of the original game will be able to transfer their unlocked characters to the game at launch. The game will be available Spring 2016 and free content updates will be continually dripped through the title long after release.
- Is it talent or teamwork which makes you do well? You'll find out in NHL 2K16 when it arrives later this year. It seems EA Sports is putting specific attention on the notion of teamwork as new modes in upcoming games such as Madden and Fifa will give you textual feedback to help you become the best player you can be with your team.
- NBA will be focusing on customisation with a new face-scanning app called Game Face HD. Along with plastering your face onto your character, you can express yourself on the pitch by upgrading your personal skill set with global experience earned in the game. New 'live motion' technology allows for physics based animation systems resulting in contextual, free-flowing movements from players and a new shot system is revealed to give you complete control over your movements.
- Mobile is next to step up onto the plate with a new Star Wars CCG roleplaying game on the way and Minions Paradise, a building game which introduces the most unfortunate Minion so far, Phil.
- After a lovely tribute to Pele, the legend himself is invited onto the stage for a quick interview before Fifa 16 is revealed. It will be the most balanced game in the series and will have you competing at a higher level.
- What would the world look like with no government and only corporations? Mirrors Edge: Catalyst will show you that reality as you take control of a much younger Faith in this prequel to the original game. Catalyst is built on the latest Frostbite Engine and will have no levels or loading screens, just a large open world with story missions, time trials, and environmental puzzles. The game has been scheduled for a February 23rd release date.
- Madden 2K16 is introduced as being the best game so far for Fantasy Football players as new mode Draft Champions keeps the concept fresh and exciting each time.
- Finally, Star Wars Battlefront is revealed! Thanks to photogrammerty, when you fly an X-Wing, you're flying a real X-Wing. This is truly a game made by fans for the fans and the attention to detail really shows in the long-awaited gameplay footage. Shown from both sides of the war, we see the Rebels and the Empire duke it out for supremacy. The huge walkers are sufficiently threatening and flying combat appears to be satisfying but we'll have to wait until we try it ourselves. It's all going so well until Vader appears on the battleground although Luke soon steps into the battle himself. The game is expected to land November 17.