EA posts (Subscribe to this feed)
Games on Demand adds Bolt & Trivial Pursuit
by David Hinkle 
{ Dec 8th 2009 at 6:15PM } 
Shortcut: Add Bolt to your download queue [via Xbox.com]
Shortcut: Add Trivial Pursuit to your download queue [via Xbox.com]
See Faith, See Faith Jump in Mirror's Edge iPhone trailer
by Griffin McElroy { Dec 8th 2009 at 3:40PM } 
If you were wondering what the world of Mirror's Edge would look like from a side-scrolling, out-of-body perspective, your answer can be found in the above trailer for the platformer's iPhone port. Though the handheld obviously lacks the processing power of the 360 and PS3, the game still manages to retain the first installment's crisp visual aesthetic. Also, there's a lot of roof-jumping, which we remember being pretty prevalent in the home console version of the game.
However, the video still doesn't clarify how the original game's fairly complex control scheme will port over to the iPhone. "See, to scale this wall, you do a quick tap, then a tappity-tap, and then half a tap, and then you shake your iPhone violently. No, no, half a tap. How are you not getting this?"
However, the video still doesn't clarify how the original game's fairly complex control scheme will port over to the iPhone. "See, to scale this wall, you do a quick tap, then a tappity-tap, and then half a tap, and then you shake your iPhone violently. No, no, half a tap. How are you not getting this?"
Gallery: Mirror's Edge (iPhone)
Game Informer cover reveals redesigned Isaac for Dead Space 2
by Justin McElroy { Dec 8th 2009 at 3:00PM } 
Game Informer's next issue is going to shed some eerie, bluish-greenish light on the just-announced Dead Space 2, but they're already showing off a new look for lead miner/Necromorph killer Isaac Clark. While we question the wisdom of worrying about fashion in the middle of Necromorph onslaught, we can't argue it's not a snappy look.
While we're thinking of it, is anybody else getting a total Guyver vibe from the new duds? No? Just us? Fair enough.
New Mass Effect 2 trailer showcases the Engineer class and its killer robot
by Ben Gilbert { Dec 7th 2009 at 1:20PM }
Lead gameplay designer Christina Norman guides us through some combat-heavy gameplay, which depicts the aforementioned android aggressor along with some cool abilities, like freezing enemies on the spot and hacking mechanized enemies. Oh, Mass Effect 2, you had us at killer 'bot.
Gallery: Mass Effect 2 (Engineer class)
Dead Space 2 announced for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360
by Justin McElroy { Dec 7th 2009 at 9:20AM } 
Not official art, actually
Do us a favor and read the following sentence really slowly -- seriously, savor it. It's been hinted and teased at enough to give the world's remaining necromorphs a heart attack, but Dead Space 2 has finally been officially announced for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Now, you might be wondering why you had to take your time with that easily understandable sentence. Well ... we don't really have anything else to tell you. It's still Visceral, it's still Isaac Clark, it's still the necromorph invasion. We don't even have a release window. The best thing EA has to say is, "Survival isn't the only thing on Isaac's mind in Dead Space 2 – this time, he calls the shots," which makes it sound like our engineer protagonist dumped his abusive boyfriend and moved to the big city to work in an office pool with Dolly Parton and Morgan Fairchild.
... Actually, that sounds pretty good.
Mass Effect 2 ditching elevators for ... load screens
by Ben Gilbert { Dec 6th 2009 at 9:00PM }
Though the game will still ask players to walk into an elevator, it will apparently cue up a loading screen that offers "interesting visuals and information." We'd like to point out that before Mr. Roy explains any of this, he says that the first game used elevators "so we [BioWare] didn't have to show boring loading screens" and they only made it into the second due to "a lot of complaints."
We're so broken up here -- on one hand, the developer is caving to the demands of the fans and critics. Score! On the other hand, Mr. Roy is telling us that loading screens are totally boring. If we demanded it, does that mean we're boring? Great, now we've got a total complex.
[Via Kotaku]
Gallery: Mass Effect 2
Fight Night Round 4 DLC pulled due to freezing issues
by Griffin McElroy { Dec 6th 2009 at 4:30PM }
EA Sports commented on the error on its official forums, stating that the DLC has been pulled from the Marketplace until a non-glitched version can be rolled out, hopefully "before the Christmas holidays." People who managed to download the DLC without freezing can still play the game, but won't be able to access the pack's locked content until the revised DLC is released. People who managed to download half of the DLC pack before freezing can play as Evander Holyfield's torso.
Dead Space 2 possibly teased by Necromorphic ink blot
by Griffin McElroy { Dec 6th 2009 at 1:30PM }
There's also a few Necromorphs hidden in the ink blot, including Mr. "I'm going to stab you with these sharp tentacles" and Mr. "I'm just a baby but I'll bite your face off." (Disclaimer: Those probably aren't their Christian names.) We feel we can confidently add this to the growing pile of evidence for an upcoming announcement for the follow-up to last year's dismemberment simulator.
More Green Day headed to Rock Band
by Richard Mitchell { Dec 5th 2009 at 6:30AM } 
In simple terms, Green Day and Rock Band are friends. There have already been several Green Day tracks released for Harmonix's musically inclined baby and it was announced today that even more are on their way later this month. Starting December 15 on the Wii and Xbox 360 – and December 17 on the Playstation 3 – players will be able to grab three new Green Day tracks from the band's 21st Century Breakdown album: "Christian's Inferno," "Last of the American Girls," and "¡Viva La Gloria!". The tracks will be available individually for $1.99 / 160
/ 200 Wii points. The full track pack will be available on PS3 and Xbox 360 for $5.49 / 440.BioWare's Facebook game gives to charity, takes $10 off Dragon Age for PC
by Randy Nelson { Dec 4th 2009 at 6:28PM }
BioWare has launched a browser-based game on Facebook that benefits charity ... and gamers looking to save some scratch on the PC version of Dragon Age: Origins. Called Gift of the Yeti, it's a simple yet surprisingly fun arcade-style dash to deliver presents ... as a yeti subbing for Santa Clause.
Outside of the game, BioWare is playing the part of old St. Nick for hospitalized children, donating $10,000 to the Child's Play charity. And by simply loading up the game, players are presented with a link to the EA Store, where they're automagically given a $10 discount off of Dragon Age for Windows.
The press release announcing the game indicates that it's just the tip of the iceberg for the company's foray into social gaming. BioWare co-founder, Dr. Ray Mazuyka, said of the endeavor, "Gift of the Yeti is a fun, engaging holiday present from BioWare to our fans, the first in a series of compelling social experiences from BioWare Labs." Sure, they likely won't be for consoles -- but who are we to look a gift yeti in the mouth?
Outside of the game, BioWare is playing the part of old St. Nick for hospitalized children, donating $10,000 to the Child's Play charity. And by simply loading up the game, players are presented with a link to the EA Store, where they're automagically given a $10 discount off of Dragon Age for Windows.
The press release announcing the game indicates that it's just the tip of the iceberg for the company's foray into social gaming. BioWare co-founder, Dr. Ray Mazuyka, said of the endeavor, "Gift of the Yeti is a fun, engaging holiday present from BioWare to our fans, the first in a series of compelling social experiences from BioWare Labs." Sure, they likely won't be for consoles -- but who are we to look a gift yeti in the mouth?
Mass Effect 2 goes for challenge and sophistication, not pampering
by Xav de Matos { Dec 4th 2009 at 5:30PM }
Using the brutally difficult From Software title Demon's Souls as an example, Cho says hardcore players today want to earn progress in games. "I think gamers want a more sophisticated game, they don't want a breezy game where you see all the cinematics and just put in your hours and play it through." According to Cho, Mass Effect 2 aims to give players a healthy dose of challenge and sophistication when it launches early next year. We're all for hard work and challenge, but our idea of sophistication doesn't include the ancient mechanic of trial and error.
EA: Pandemic's California location 'significant' in decision to close studio
by Xav de Matos { Dec 4th 2009 at 4:30PM }
Another factor in the decision is the rapid growth of digitally delivered titles and browser-based games, leading Riccitiello to believe that the industry is quickly moving away from a focus on "packaged" software. "In a world that used to be all PC, then used to be all console, now it's neither." Riccitiello's comments echo those of Square Enix boss Yoichi Wada, who recently advised publishers to prepare for the "exponential growth" of digital delivery and server-based games following the announcement the studio would restructure its Eidos London offices, resulting in layoffs.
Pandemic Studios' closure comes at an interesting time, as the announcement was made just weeks before the studio's final title: The Saboteur. However, Riccitiello reiterated that the company's brand and franchises will live on.
Review: The Saboteur
by Justin McElroy { Dec 4th 2009 at 10:20AM } 
It's a solid open-world action title, but it's one that hits just enough amazing, explosive crescendos to leave you wishing you could have seen it in an alternate reality, where developer Pandemic hadn't been shuttered and was able to give its swan song just a few more months of polish.
Gallery: The Saboteur
Riccitiello: Mirror's Edge deserves second chance, EA still pushing new IP
by JC Fletcher { Dec 4th 2009 at 9:47AM }
EA faces a difficult task now: finding room in EA's now-reduced slate for the new content Riccitiello promises and the sequels the company must produce. But it's a task Riccitiello seems to believe is worth undertaking. "I believe there are publishers out there that are milking franchises at their peril," he said. "I do think you can sort of stop innovating and do well while you coast for a couple of editions before a product starts to fall apart or a sector starts to fall apart."
The juggle involves sequels like Mirror's Edge 2, perhaps. "There are some things we learned about that [first] game," Riccitiello told Kotaku. "It was, I think, a massively innovative product. To be honest with you, I think it's a game that deserves to come back." The CEO said he's "had several very lively debates" with the dev team about the design of a future game. "And they are working on it."
It's in the debt: Introducing the EA Sports prepaid debit card
by David Hinkle { Dec 3rd 2009 at 8:15PM }
EA marketing VP Todd Sitrin calls the program "a perfect marriage of encouraging responsible spending while providing a unique reward program." History teaches us otherwise, so if you'll excuse us, we'll just be sitting in the corner, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
