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Become a student of football in Madden 15
The "overhaul" to Madden 15's defensive controls announced in June is intended to make players more successful on that side of the ball, yet that won't help those new to the sport itself. For that, the development team at EA Tiburon is turning to the game's Skills Trainer mode to help players become better students of the game. "In Skills Trainer for Madden NFL 15, we are attempting to do something we have not done in the past, which is teach players basic football concepts in addition to stick skills," Madden 15 Assistant Producer Danny Doeberling told Joystiq. "When we playtest Madden year in and year out, we found out that a good chunk of players are not familiar with some of the terminology and some of the intricacies of the game, and football in general."
EA names Bruins' Bergeron as NHL 15 cover athlete
Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron was named the cover athlete of NHL 15 this week, EA Sports announced. Bergeron's claim to the front of the box was earned after winning a cover vote that started back in early May and eventually garnered 10 million total votes from fans. Bergeron defeated Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban in the contest's final round. The vote, in which fans were able to participate by using hashtags on Twitter, drew ire from the community when it was revealed that small-print language in the contest's terms allowed EA and the NHL to pick an athlete other than the winner of the vote. EA told SB Nation last month that the language in the terms is standard for contests like the NHL 15 vote and used only to protect "the integrity of the fan vote" from those that might auto-generate votes for their favorite player. NHL 15 will launch September 9 for Xbox One, PS4, PS3 and Xbox 360. While the game will include some flashy new features for the next-gen consoles, those versions will not receive the 94 Anniversary mode. [Image: EA Sports]
Madden 15 cover art wants a high-five
Madden NFL 15's cover art, which features Seattle Seahawks cornerback and Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman, appeared on Amazon's listing for the game today. EA Sports confirmed to Joystiq that the box art is legitimate, though we're not entirely sure what Sherman's pose is supposed to indicate. As a rare defensive player on the cover of a game that emphasizes an "overhaul" on that side of the ball, perhaps Sherman is posing to tell the offense to stop in their tracks? Or he's about to shout "Jumanji" at a stampeding herd of exotic animals? Maybe Sherman is directing traffic at a crosswalk or is in need of a high-five? The star defender's pose on the cover is lost on us, though one thing is certain: Madden 15 will launch August 26 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Check out larger versions of the box art in our gallery below. [Image: EA Sports]
FIFA 15 heading to 3DS and Wii, not Wii U
FIFA 15 is coming to Xbox One, PS4 and PC, and a version of the game is headed to Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, 3DS and Vita, EA writes in a press release. The major system missing from that list is Wii U. There's no specific breakdown of the differences between the first FIFA 15 batch and the second, but EA says, "Not all game features are available on all gaming platforms." The Xbox One, PS4 and PC version is due out on September 23, while the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, 3DS and Vita versions should drop in the fall. [Image: EA]
PSA: Fake EA Sports Instagram account phishing for Xbox, Origin logins
It's World Cup season; reigning champions Spain lost in spectacular fashion and FIFA soccer fans may be interested in rectifying that loss to Chile in FIFA 14's Ultimate Team World Cup mode. Unfortunately, Instagram accounts posing as official EA Sports channels are popping up during this period of piqued interest, posting tempting offers for free in-game currency in order to obtain players' Xbox Live and Origin account details.
NHL 15 missing '94 Anniversary mode' on Xbox One, PS4
The '94 Anniversary Mode' featured in EA's NHL 14 will return in the sports title's next installment, but not on the newest generation of consoles. NHL 14's '94 Anniversary Mode' re-envisioned the classic speedy gameplay of the EA Sports hit NHL '94, presenting matches in the game's modern engine. Speaking with Joystiq, EA Canada Producer Sean Ramjagsingh confirmed the bonus mode would not make the transition to the Xbox One and PS4 versions of NHL 15, but would return on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
In Madden 15, defense wins championships
It's commonly agreed that Richard Sherman is the best cornerback in the NFL. The Seattle Seahawks player was voted by fans as the star of Madden NFL 15 late last week, making him one of a few rare exceptions in a long line of offensive players like quarterbacks and running backs to grace the game's cover. He also may wind up being one of the most fitting cover stars. Madden is typically an offensive player's game. The football sim traditionally favors bold spins and jukes or strong-armed throws over the understated defensive player's actions, and Creative Director of Gameplay Rex Dickson knows that well. In a phone conversation with Joystiq, Dickson recalled choice quotes from fans on how playing defense in Madden was previously "boring," or that players would opt to simulate their snaps on that side of the ball.
FIFA 15 kicks off September 23
EA's next soccer sim FIFA 15 will hit store shelves in North America September 23, with a European release following on September 26. The game will launch across the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PS3, Xbox 360, and PC platforms. The PC version of the game will use the publisher's Ignite Engine, unlike FIFA 14. Those that pre-order the game's Ultimate Team Edition will receive roughly $40, (£30) in FIFA Ultimate Team goods. That includes items and game celebrations from the publisher's catalog of digital perks, EA Sports Football Club. [Image: EA Sports]
Watch EA's E3 2014 press conference right here [Update: It's over!]
Find out what new games are coming from EA with us on our liveblog and in video form on this page. The action begins at 12:00 p.m. PT (3:00 p.m. ET). The publisher's E3 2014 press conference in Los Angeles will feature games like Dragon Age: Inquisition and Battlefield Hardline, spotlight the latest entries in the Madden, FIFA and NHL series, and maybe dish out some fresh information on the next Mass Effect game from BioWare or Mirror's Edge 2. Update: Show's over, folks! Feel free to check out all of EA's big announcements and rewatch the press event above. [Image: Electronic Arts]
FIFA 15 PC engine, features on par with consoles
The PC version of the next entry in EA Sports' soccer series, FIFA 15, will be powered by the publisher's Ignite Engine. The engine was announced for next-gen versions of EA's sports games just over one year ago at Microsoft's pre-E3 2013 Xbox One event, though it was left out of FIFA 14's PC version. The tech is reportedly used by the publisher to enhance the intelligence and motion of athletes in its games thanks to "four times more calculations per second" than past efforts. The results were apparent in games like FIFA 14 (seen above) and Madden 25 on PS4 and Xbox One, and now it seems PC devotees will get a version of FIFA that "will include all the same core features" on Sony and Microsoft's latest consoles. EA will have more news on FIFA 15 at its E3 2014 press event on Monday, June 9. Head past the break for the minimum and recommended PC specs for the game.
EA spoils World Cup, tells us Germany's going to win it
EA turned its crystal gaze to the other kind of football by offering predictions for the 2014 World Cup, which begins next week. Using the 2014 FIFA World Cup engine, EA simulated the sportsballs and came up with a win for Germany against tournament holders Brazil. As for Team USA, the boys didn't even make it out of the group stage. The Germans ran out 2-1 winners to put a dampener on Brazi's samba, with 35-year old sub Miroslav Klose scoring the crucial goal. If that sounds unlikely, EA genuinely has good form for this kind of thing. Madden sims predicted 8 of the last 11 Super Bowl winners and the 2010 World Cup game correctly picked Spain as eventual champions. On the other hand, EA did predict a close 31-28 win for the Denver Broncos in this year's Bowl, with reality proving just a little different. Also, it thought England would reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2010. Speaking as an Englishman, I could've told you that was a mission so laughably impossible Tom Cruise would've shirked it. [Image: EA]
NHL 15 checks first screenshot, pre-order bonuses
EA Sports offered a first still image of the next entry in its hockey series today, NHL 15, spotlighting San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton in striking detail. The game was announced near the beginning of May as the first in the series for next-gen systems, and will include character models with three layers that behave independently: the athlete's body, their equipment and their jerseys. Thornton's jersey certainly seems to be wrapping well to his pads in the screenshot. EA also recently announced the game's retailer-specific pre-order bonuses. Those heavily invested in the game's Ultimate Team mode will want to pre-order their copy through either EB Games or GameStop, as they will receive $24 in Hockey Ultimate Team gold-level card packs, amounting to one pack per week for 24 weeks. All other retailers will include a similar offer, though limited to $15 in Ultimate Team card packs instead. NHL 15 will launch this fall for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360 and PS3. [Image: EA Sports]
EA may pay almost $1,000 per college athlete for sports game settlement
Student athletes whose likenesses were used in EA's NCAA football and basketball games will receive up to $951 for each year they were featured in the games, according to a proposed settlement being put forth for approval by a judge. While EA proposed a $40 million settlement in September 2013 for its ongoing litigation with student athletes over its college sports series stemming back to May 2009, it hasn't been clear how that money would divide among the parties in the lawsuit until now. More than 100,000 current and former college athletes will have the potential to claim part of the settlement, according to CBS Sports. Of those athletes, roughly 7,000 of them are current players, based on estimates from Rob Carey, an attorney for former Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller. EA tacked on an extra $8 million in expenses related to the settlement in its fiscal 2014 financial results in May. Its proposed settlement followed the cancellation of its 2014 college football game, which would have been without the NCAA's logos and marks after the two parted ways in July 2013. [Image: EA Sports]
EA Sports UFC clinches June 3 demo, submits new gameplay video
EA Sports UFC is just a few weeks from entering the digital octagon on June 17 for PS4 and Xbox One, but those looking to get a few practice rounds in can download its demo next week. The demo, which features co-cover athletes Alexander Gustafsson and reigning light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones, will be available June 3 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4. EA also offered a new entry in its gameplay video series this week, detailing the game's strategic submission system. The trailer shows Ronda Rousey getting the upper hand on Miesha Tate and ultimately submitting her via her popular armbar move. As detailed in a developer blog, the submission mechanic in the game features a HUD similar to that of THQ's final MMA game, UFC Undisputed 3, in which players must flick the right stick in one of four directions to either advance their submission attempt or defend against the attacker. Past videos showed off EA Sports UFC's career mode, which starts players out in its owner version of The Ultimate Fighter reality show, gave players a glimpse at the playable legend Bruce Lee in action and also showed a full round of fighting between Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis. [Image: EA Sports]
PSA: FIFA 14's World Cup update delayed until tomorrow
For those sitting idly by their consoles, waiting for FIFA 14's Ultimate Team World Cup update, expect it to arrive tomorrow, according to an update on EA's official forums. The update adds a special World Cup mode within FIFA Ultimate Team, the series' card-collecting, squad-building mode. It also offers an offline World Cup kick-off game option for those playing on PS4 or Xbox One, which allows players to use the 32 national teams participating in the tournament this summer. While running its final phase of testing, the developer "encountered unforeseen issues that would affect all users who downloaded the update," and opted to "address them first before release." It anticipated that the World Cup kick-off mode will likely launch "earlier in the day." [Image: EA Sports]
FIFA 14 jets to Brazil with Ultimate Team World Cup mode on May 29
EA Sports announced a free update for FIFA 14 that adds a unique World Cup tournament mode to Ultimate Team, slated to arrive on May 29. The mode offers a separate card-collecting excursion within FIFA 14's Ultimate Team mode in which players gather their World Cup squad to participate in both the online and single-player global tournament. While players won't be able to transfer their current set of Ultimate Team cards to the World Cup mode, all card packs purchased within the tournament set grant players a separate gold-level card pack for their usual FIFA 14 Ultimate Teams. Chemistry for players' World Cup teams is boosted within the mode by each athlete's nationality and confederation affiliation. Additionally, Xbox One and PS4 players will receive an offline FIFA World Cup kick-off mode to play with the 32 national teams participating in the tournament this summer. The Ultimate Team add-on for FIFA 14 is the only way for players to enjoy the World Cup with the correct national team kits, crests and the Estadio do Marcana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on PC and next-gen consoles. EA Sports' other effort to celebrate the global sporting event was with 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, which launched in April for Xbox 360 and PS3. [Image: EA Sports]
One round in the cage with EA Sports UFC's gameplay trailer
This trailer for EA Sports UFC shows a punchy five-minute round between Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis in the game. EA's mixed martial arts game will launch June 17 for Xbox One and PS4, and includes a career mode that kicks off with The Ultimate Fighter and Bruce Lee as an unlockable fighter.
EA Sports FIFA World plays footsie with PC in open beta
EA Sports has kicked off the open beta of EA Sports FIFA World, the publisher's free-to-play soccer game for PC. The PC version of the popular sports brand went through four closed beta phases and one limited open beta before launching globally. The game includes familiar Seasons and Ultimate Team modes as well as 600 clubs from 30 licensed leagues. EA Sports FIFA World uses three different methods of control: keyboard, mouse and gamepad. It also offers access to the Football Club social hub, in-game rewards for gameplay accomplishments and weekly featured tournaments for Ultimate Team, erm, teams. It requires a persistent Internet connection and an Origin account to play, though EA claims the game was "built to be enjoyed on average spec laptop computer or desktop personal computers." [Image: EA Sports]
'EA Sports UFC' looks to bring out the mixed martial arts fighter in you
Given the success of franchises like FIFA and Madden, it's easy to see why EA would want to commit valuable resources to developing an MMA title, a sport that's been getting bigger and bigger over the past few years. But the road for creating this new game, dubbed EA Sports UFC, wasn't an easy one. The relationship between UFC President Dana White and EA had its complications a few years ago. Back then, the developer reportedly wasn't interested in making a title for the mixed martial arts company, which is what started the kerfuffle between them. Because of this, UFC eventually hooked up with THQ to create a game, while EA Sports went on to develop its own MMA series. Still, neither of these things lasted too long. And after the unfortunate demise of THQ, EA Sports eventually reached a deal with UFC, granting it licensing rights for the popular MMA league. The by-product? EA Sports UFC.
EA Sports UFC trailer empties its mind with Bruce Lee
This trailer for EA Sports UFC discusses Bruce Lee's impact on the sport of mixed martial arts and shows snippets of Lee in action within the digital octagon. Lee was revealed as an unlockable character for the game in April, available to those that beat the game's career mode on pro difficulty or higher. EA Sports UFC's career mode was detailed at the end of April, and offers players the chance to fight their way out of the reality show competition The Ultimate Fighter while improving their fighter's skills and attracting money-making sponsors. Career mode players will need to balance "longevity" and "popularity" gauges by finishing their battles in spectacular fashion while also staying healthy to prolong their time in the UFC. Players will want to extend the amount of time they spend with the game, as EA CEO Andrew Wilson contemplated a bi-annual release schedule for games in the series in late March. That may free up the publisher's Fight Night team to develop a new boxing game, as the series is currently on hold while the team works on EA Sports UFC. The MMA game is due out June 17 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and a demo for the game is expected either before or shortly after it launches. [Image: EA Sports]
