EA Games
Latest
Warhammer Online brings 1.3.4 to test server
A test server patch isn't quite as good as live, but it means that the patch is only a couple of weeks away, barring unusual circumstances. We recently heard a bit about the upcoming 1.3.4 patch for Warhammer Online, and true to forecasting, the patch is scheduled to hit the test realm right about... well, now. That means that we're that much closer to live weapons obtainable via RvR, a welcome change for the people who came for PvP to begin with. Of course, patches on the test server invariably mean a set of patch notes, which helps to give more detail on what's en route for the game. As promised for buying weapons, there are new currencies awarded -- Emblems, which go in ascending ranks from Recruit to Officer. These can be traded for a variety of items and are rewarded for Scenario participation, which goes hand-in-hand with the extensive scenario restructuring also present. The emblems can also convert up and down, so characters taking part in low-level content can hold on to their rewards if they so desire. Mixed with extensive balance tweaks and bug fixes, this looks to be a good patch for Warhammer Online players, so head on over to Warpstone and get in on the testing.
The Digital Continuum: The 'Next Big Thing' in MMOs
Is All Points Bulletin the "Next Big Thing" in MMOs? While I'm fully aware that Realtime Worlds doesn't specifically prefer to associate the game with this genre, it's very much a part of it -- but it also orbits the fringes of what we commonly refer to as a massively multiplayer online game. Guild Wars, Guild Wars 2 and All Points Bulletin come from a different school of business models. These games hinge on the idea that most people dislike coughing up 15 bucks a month to keep playing their favorite title. Just look to the success of the original Guild Wars, having a year ago passed six million copies sold. That's a pretty great start for non-subscription MMOs, and because of that success we now have GW's sequel and APB on the way.
EA concerned by casual game price wars, but doesn't think it will undermine industry
EA Casual VP Harvey Elliott admits that the current price wars going on in the casual market is a concern, but feels that there will always be games customers will pay for more than others. CasualGaming.biz reports on Elliott's keynote at the Casual Games Forum, where the executive said he doesn't think that the gaming price wars incited by low-cost system's like Apple's App Store will go on forever.Elliott believes there are "certain games for certain markets, and sometimes free games will feel and fit right, but the same is true for low-priced games." He thinks there will always be a place for "paid-for games of all price ranges" -- we hope that's what he thinks, because his job depends upon it.
EA, Ubisoft execs applaud PS3 price cut, also like things that are good
Well, this one doesn't exactly come out of left field, but it looks like gaming industry execs are starting to sing a decidedly different tune now that Sony has finally cut the price of the PS3. Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Ubisoft bigwig Yves Guillemot said that "it's exceptional news, actually," adding that "I think the machine is a great machine, with the Blu-ray." EA Games president Frank Gibeau was also apparently more than happy to back up that praise, saying that, "I think it's awesome," and that "it's an old line, but it still rings true for us: 'We make the ammunition for the hardware wars.' So the lowest priced hardware possible is a good thing for us." Still noticeably mum on the matter, however, is Activision's CEO, who once threatened to pick up his ball and go home if Sony didn't drop its prices. [Via Joystiq]
EA, Ubisoft pleased as punch post-PS3 price plummet
As happy as you might have been to read about the PS3's price being slashed to $299 in the US, trust us: Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot and EA Games president Frank Gibeau were much, much happier. Not only will, theoretically, more systems fly off shelves but buyers will have a little extra cash in their pockets for the companies' games. "It's exceptional news, actually. I think the machine is a great machine, with the Blu-ray," said Guillemot, who was having kind of a rough day with English it would appear. Gibeau shared his enthusiasm, telling GamesIndustry.biz, "It's an old line, but it still rings true for us: 'We make the ammunition for the hardware wars.' So the lowest priced hardware possible is a good thing for us." Also, we never noticed how much Gibeau looks like Radar O'Reilly.
Video: Beatles Rock Band trailer, screenshots, Ludwig drums unveiled at E3
Today at E3 some seriously awesome Beatles Rock Band awesomeness was unloaded upon the world. In addition to getting a look at the full band set-up, confirming that you will, in fact be able to perform multiple vocals (read: harmonies), Harmonix also showed off the general in-game madness we can expect. We're filled with glee to see that no corners were cut here, and we agree with Ringo's estimation: the game is good. The Beatles: Rock Band will be released simultaneously for XBox 360, PS3 and Wii in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories. Check out the totally rad trailer, our first shot of the Ludwig drums and another screenshot after the break and in the gallery below.
Engadget's recession antidote: win a copy of Need for Speed Undercover for Xbox 360!
This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff or companies stop sending things. Today we've got a copy of Need for Speed Undercover for Xbox 360 on offer. Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting! The rules: Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) copy of Need for Speed Undercover for Xbox 360. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Thursday, May, 14th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.
Vancouver PSA: Playtest EA games, get free stuff
Calling all video game enthusiasts who live in or around the Vancouver, Canada area and are interested in playtesting for EA.Right this moment, the EA Vancouver branch is in search for playtesters who would be tickled by the notion of being able to get a "sneak peak at unreleased EA games" and be able to talk to developers as well as give constructive feedback. If you fit that gelatinous mold, then bunny hop your way over to Playtest EA Games and sign up. If selected for playtesting, you'll not only receive the experience of your life (depending how eventful your life is), but you'll also be compensated with a free game. Sign up here.[Via CPaladino Twitter]
Global Online Games Awards honors multiple MMORPGs
The recently held Global Online Games Awards in Seoul, South Korea, just handed out awards to World of Warcraft, City of Heroes, and EVE Online for excellence in their respective genres. World of Warcraft took the top spot in the roleplaying game category, City of Heroes took the award home for the adventure/action game, and EVE Online found an award in the strategic simulation category.The judges were formed from an international panel of game experts, including Simon Carless from Gamasutra and Game Developer magazine. Each game was rated on scenario/planning (content), graphics, music and sound, included technology, and creativity. Other winning titles included Counter-Strike Source in the first-person shooter category, FIFA '09 in the sports category, and Nexon's KartRider for best racing/casual game.Gamasutra has the whole write-up, so head on over there if you want to check out the full article.
EA vs EA: Will Star Wars hurt Warhammer Online?
Not according to EA Games president Frank Gibeau, who has been understandably diplomatic about the potential success of the company's upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, he discusses his views on the different virtual space occupied by SWTOR and Warhammer Online, after being specifically asked about it at a recent event in San Francisco."Well, as much as Need for Speed is a competitor for FIFA," Gibeau stated in the GamesIndustry.biz interview. "They compete in the same genre of videogames but they're very diverse customer bases. The Warhammer customer base will overlap to a degree with Star Wars, but obviously you're bringing in millions of new customers with the Star Wars universe."
EA plans a Wii Fit-slaying exercise game?
The Wii Fit might have some competition brewing, if Men's Fitness magazine is a publication worthy of the public's trust, that is. The details are vague, to say the very least but, here's what we "know": Dave Kushner, executive producer at EA Sports, told the magazine that the company is planning an 'unnamed fitness game' with a 'new peripheral' which will connect the Wiimote to the player's body, enabling all sorts of newfangled measurements, movements, and exercises barely dreamed of before. Sounds totally awesome, right? Well, if and when it materializes, we'll be sure to rush to the store, buy one, then sadly rue its unused, guilt-inducing existence every day thereafter.[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]
Will SWTOR be bigger than WoW? LucasArts thinks so
Here we go again. While recent triple-A MMOs have shied away from a downright challenge to competing with World of Warcraft's behemoth subscription numbers, EA Games president Frank Gibeau and LucasArts' online chief Tom Nichols have come right out and said that Star Wars: The Old Republic has the potential to be bigger than WoW.According to a recent interview with videogaming247, BioWare's newly announced MMO has very high expectations. Both Nichols and Gibeau seem very confident in the power of the Star Wars brand to take the game higher than any other MMO has gone before. "This is going to be a powerful category and there's lots of ways to compete in this category," Gibeau stated. "[Blizzard] created a much larger opportunity for everybody else, but that doesn't mean it's going to stay that way."
EA publishing new action horror 'franchise' from Suda51, Shinji Mikami
EA has just announced a publishing agreement with eccentric No More Heroes developer, Grasshopper Manufacture. The deal concerns an "all-new action horror game" produced by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and directed by the master of self-referential weirdness, Goichi "Suda51" Suda. The mysterious title, which also boasts the involvement of Q Entertainment, is slated for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and Wii. Goichi Suda has nothing but good things to say about EA Partners in the press release, praising the group for sharing Grasshopper's "commitment to quality and innovation," all the while respecting its "independence as a studio, which is very empowering." EA Games' Frank Gibeau is equally polite, saying, "It is an honor for EA to sign Grasshopper Manufacture and help bring their new franchise to gamers worldwide. Franchise, you say? Of course, neither of them say anything about the actual game. Way to leave us hanging, guys!
OPM: EA developing Left 4 Dead for PS3
It's no secret that Valve's Gabe Newell isn't a staunch supporter of the PlayStation 3 -- well, that's putting it lightly. The Half-Life creator actually referred to the system as "a waste of everyone's time". PS3 owners were likely disappointed (though not surprised) to learn that Turtle Rock Studios' (a recent addition to the Valve family) upcoming zombocalypse survival sim Left 4 Dead would be console exclusive to the Xbox 360 -- though a recent blurb in the latest issue of Official Playstation Magazine contradicts this oft-repeated claim.The one-sentence newsbrief reads, "Valve's survival horror game Left 4 Dead is coming to PS3, but EA will be taking on development duties in-house." That's it -- no attribution for the report or timetable for the title's release. We expect that EA will soon deliver more info about the project -- until then, we wait with bated breath, hoping that we don't have another Orange Box fiasco on our hands.
E308: EA's EA'cellent press conference photos
Our homies over at Joystiq were snap happy, posting a pretty nifty photo gallery of all the pics they (some would say obsessivly) took from EA's press conference that went down yesterday afternoon. Among the photo gallery goodies are pictures of Gabe Newell showcasing some Left 4 Dead, some SimAnimals and (of course) Mirror's Edge. Browse a bit, only because we totally know you want to. Gallery: EA E3 Press Conference 2008
EA Games aiming to bundle peripherals with games
Oh, brother. Let the onslaught begin. Now that games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero have proven to be huge money makers, not to mention how profitable those ridiculous shells for the Wiimote are, we're betting that EA Games is just the next of many that will soon bundle peripherals with games. According to EA's David McCarthy, his firm will be "using a peripheral strategy to some extent, even over the course of the next 12 months." Thankfully, he did note that extras would only be bundled "if it really does enrich the experience of gameplay and doesn't create a barrier to entry for consumers." We can see it now: $80 sports titles that create all sorts of relationship problems with the partner who actually values a kempt living room.[Via Joystiq, image courtesy of HouseOfNintendo]Read - McCarthy speaksRead - McCarthy elaborates
Take this, animal-hating landlord
We've already seen The Sims get portable with pets, but now it's time to move those animal-loving sensibilities into trendy, high-rise apartments. Getting very specific with Sim titles these days, EA has announced The Sims 2: Apartment Pets for the DS. Don't leave the penthouse window open for Fido to go barrelling out.Apartment Pets features a bunch of different animals, including cats, dogs, hamsters, rabbits and snakes. Question - can you let the snake loose in the loft with all the other furry critters? Can the snake be a King Cobra? Funny if possible, but highly unlikely.You can run your own pet spa, and interact with fellow upstart professionals who fill their lives with a bunch of wildlife. It'll be just like Seinfeld, only Jerry is a nonchalant house cat while Kramer is the wacky next-door macaw.Apartment Pets is scheduled for an August 28 release, and you can check out the first images in the gallery. We urge you to pay attention to your real pets for a while before this one comes along. They don't want some hot-shot hamster stealing the limelight. %Gallery-24370%
Five Army of Two videos to get your blood pumping
So Army of Two is already out in stores. Haven't picked it up yet? Perhaps these five videos can persuade you otherwise, and get you into the mood for blowing stuff up. Just remember though, make sure you play with a buddy. Why? As if "Army of Two" wasn't enough of a hint. In the videos, you'll get to see the skull-masked duo tear it up merc-stlye on a train, on the highway, in the jungle, or just about anywhere these vagrants are getting paid to go to. The co-op gameplay is a welcomed spin on the usual shooter experience, and we can't say we don't love all the funny remarks shared between these two characters. Check out the rest of the clips right after the break.
Burnout Paradise DLC explained
We've been told that Criterion had a darn good reason for requiring the hard disk drive in online modes of Burnout Paradise, but we haven't exactly been told what that darn good reason is. Thankfully, MTV newcomer Patrick Klepek did a bit of investigative journalism, and figured out the full story. In short, blame the downloadable content.When downloadable content for Paradise begins to drop -- both in free and micro-transaction form -- Criterion thought it incredibly important that players not be limited to playing online with people who matched their exact purchasing decisions. The result is a somewhat innovative arrangement where even without buying certain content (like additional cars), you'll still be able to encounter players who might have that content.Of course, the ability to see content you haven't purchased or downloaded means that content needs to be temporarily moved to your console, which is where the hard drive requirement comes in. We have to admit that it sounds like a pretty good system to us, but we're not the ones without hard disk drives, so ...
Burnout Paradise 360 requires HDD for online play
Xbox 360 Arcade owners will be saddened to learn that the online mode of Criterion's Burnout Paradise requires the Xbox 360 hard drive, leaving HDD-less console owners to explore the streets of Paradise City by their lonesomes. Reports that this information was not presented on Paradise's box are false, as the back of the box lists the hard drive requirement for online multiplayer under the game's features (as seen above). EA support representatives state that the temporary storage space required for online play exceeds that available on the Arcade's included memory card, making the hard drive necessary.Of course, this isn't new information by any means. Several already-released games require the 360's hard disk drive for online play, including Crackdown and Final Fantasy XI. The problem is that while this information is presented on these games' boxes, it's not presented as clearly as it could be. And for online shoppers, the hard drive requirement isn't listed at all. Sites like Amazon.com and EBGames.com fail to list the hard drive requirement in their product descriptions of Burnout Paradise, and never include images of the back of the box as part of their product pages.While EA can likely not be held accountable for the hard drive issue, online retailers should be responsible for sharing all relevant information about products. That Amazon and GameStop/EB fail to mention the hard drive requirement is a serious problem, and while consumers should be more careful about researching before purchasing, this process should be made easier by sellers, and not more difficult.
