GDC09: EA quietly announces iPhone versions of major franchises

by Ben Gilbert { Mar 26th 2009 at 4:54PM }

Of the many GDC 2009 announcements taking place this week, we were most shocked to see EA sneakily introducing some of the company's most popular franchises to the Apple device some are calling the newest gaming platform -- the iPhone. Travis Boatman, VP of worldwide studios at EA Mobile, made the announcement at GDC Mobile, naming SSX, Wolfenstein RPG, Red Alert, FIFA 10, Madden 10, NBA Live 10, American Idol, Spore Creatures, Clue, Risk, Mystery Mania, Connect Four, Battleship, Tiger Woods and Star Trek, according to reports from Patrick Klepek (former MTV Multiplayer writer) and Shacknews.

While most of the titles are the to-be-expected EA mutliplatform titles like Madden 10 and NBA Live 10, the SSX series will be getting its first update in two years according to this announcement. Also of note, Wolfenstein RPG is of no relation to the just released Wolfenstein 3D for the iPhone; rather, it makes up half of the two iPhone games id Software is purportedly working on. Details are unfortunately scant at the moment but we've reached out to EA for comment.

On a personal note, we'd like to extend our personal "WHAT THE HELL?!" regarding Risk being announced for the iPhone and still not hearing a peep on it coming to XBLA/PSN. Seriously, EA. What the hell?!

[Via Shacknews]

Tags: american-idol, apple, battleship, clue, connect-four, EA, ea-mobile, fifa-10, gdc-2009, gdc-mobile, iphone, madden-10, mobile-gaming, mystery-mania, nba-live, nba-live-10, patrick-klepek, red-alert, risk, shacknews, spore-creatures, ssx, star-trek, tiger-woods, travis-boatman, wolfenstein, wolfenstein-3d, wolfenstein-rpg

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Cj @ Mar 26th 2009 5:03PM

I can see it now. EA buys the rights to that 2D Mirrors Edge and put it on the iPhone.

Lkr @ Mar 26th 2009 5:04PM

red alert actually sounds fun on iPhone

Erik Stroud @ Mar 26th 2009 7:16PM

I know, but I'm still a little bit skeptical about how it would control since the screen is rather small.

CzAr @ Mar 26th 2009 5:08PM

Only $100/month.

NaeemTHM @ Mar 26th 2009 5:21PM

...iPod Touch.

Jeff0 @ Mar 26th 2009 5:12PM

The iPhone is also getting it's own GTA like game!

http://appgamer.net/features/2009/mar/26/car-jack-streets-interview/

mike @ Mar 27th 2009 4:15AM

We already have "Payback"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlHFtWw4B1A

As for Red Alert, the most popular game on the platform is called Fieldrunners, essentially a strategy where you drop units and upgrade, etc. Red Alert is perfect for the iPhone, at the right price.

Jeff0 @ Mar 27th 2009 6:08AM

Yeah but Payback is a bit waff. Car Jack Streets looks significantly better, plus they claim the sequel will have Chinatown Wars levels of quality

murph @ Mar 26th 2009 5:13PM

WTF? Can we please get a next-gen SSX??

Toop @ Mar 26th 2009 6:44PM

YES. Above all, where is the next iteration. SSX games are so good and would be ridiculous on the new technology. It would be a must-buy for me, no question.

Cosmo @ Mar 26th 2009 5:13PM

With the Iphone and Ipod Touch's large userbase, of course developers are paying attention to this platform.

This may be the first Apple product I will ever buy. I have this PC fanboy mentality but the Ipod Touch sure looks tempting. I'm just waiting to see if a PSP2 will materialize later this year....

FightTheFuture @ Mar 26th 2009 5:56PM

you would love an iPod Touch - even if you take away the great games, applications and internet integration - it's a damn good mp3 player too.

mike @ Mar 27th 2009 4:15AM

Got one last year, best 300 bucks I ever spent.

Seriously, its 2009, you've never bought an iPod before? The fuck?

PSP won't do anything since Sony doesn't know anything about Software. Apple is the only company that can do the Software/Hardware integration.

You can see the DSi trying to incorporate the 'get your games online' model, but its a little kludgy compared to the iPod touch sync-ing.

I think there's already like 3000 games for the iPod touch, including a Golf game by Gameloft the kicks EA Sports' ass.."Let's Golf" it's pretty addictive.