EA's Press Conference


EA had a good number of things to show off at their E3 2012 press conference. Here's a summary of what we saw:

Dead Space 3

While Dead Space has traditionally come with a sense of isolation in the deep wastes of space, Deep Space 3 introduces a drop in/drop out co-op feature with a new character, John Carver. They showed some live gameplay of this co-op feature in which our heroes get a very large drill to activate so they can get past it, but end up in the path of the now active drill. They fight their way out, taking on enemies and the huge, deadly drill. Then, they come up against a giant Necromorph enemy and get swallowed alive. They're not getting out the way they came in, so they'll need to find a new way out...

Dead Space 3 is slated for release in February of 2013.

Madden 13

As ever, the newest Madden is turning up the realism, with a new game mechanic called the Infinity Engine. The Infinity Engine takes players' mass, speed and momentum into consideration and provides extra realism, giving players the ability to recover from hits and gain a few extra yards or, if you're lucky, get loose for a break-away touchdown. "Pre-determined outcomes are history."

A new Connected Careers Mode combines Franchise, Online Franchise and Superstar Modes, delivering deep gameplay progression, a dynamic storyline and connectivity. You can create or join a league with up to 32 players, be a legend or a coach.

Story Mode even features a virtual Twitter feed to give you a feeling of what people are thinking about your players and what is happening around you and your league.

You'll be able to stay connected to your league, by managing your game on a tablet, PC or smartphone and posting your accomplishments on Facebook for all of your friends to see.

Sim City Social

This looks to be the goodness of Sim City, with the added social aspects of Facebook social games, such as Farmville. As the tagline put it, "More City. Less Ville." In just a few weeks, you'll get to play this one.

Sim City

The newest version of Sim City will introduce multiplayer gameplay; the choices you make will affect not only your cities, but those around you. It will also feature dynamic challenges to keep things fresh, so there are always new goals for which to strive to achieve.

Battlefield 3 Premium

Premium will provide exclusive in-game items, unique events, unique customizations (such as customized dogtags), 20 new weapons, 10 new vehicles and 4 new massive themed expansion packs: Armored Kill (all-out vehicle warfare), Close Quarters (infantry combat), Aftermath (fight for survival), End Game (debut of motorcycles). You also get more modes, more assignments and server queue priority.

Battlefield 3 Premium is available NOW for $49.99.

Old Republic

For Old Republic gamers looking for a little more challenge, there is a new "Nightmare" difficulty mode. There is also a new playable species (Cathar) and increased level caps for every class. There are also a new companion (an HK-Assasin droid), a new planet (Makeb), a new Flashpoint, "Terror from Beyond" and a new warzone, "Ancient Hypergates."

Oh, and this July... everyone can play up to level 15 for free.

Medal of Honor: WarFighter

Medal of Honor is keeping with the modern feel and features a large world-encompassing map, where every fight location is tied to an actual event or a military hotspot. Multiplayer is supported, with ten different Tier-1 units from around the world, including OGA, Spetznaz Alpha Group, GROM, SEAL, SAS and SFOD-D.

Medal of Honor: WarFighter is slated for release on October 23, 2012.

Madden NFL Social

A Free social application which works as a persistant experience across multiple platforms; you can start on Facebook, then pick it up on your phone.

NHL

Features a new skating engine for more realistic skating movement.

NBA Live

The game will change all season long, providing a powerful connection to the real world of sports.

FIFA 13

FIFA is footballs' social network. 11 million people are already in Football Club. All returning FIFA 12 players will carry over their experience. Returning FIFA players will receive the Football Club catalog and can use currency to get special items. Portable versions of FIFA 13 will also be connected to Football Club. FIFA 13's Cover will feature Lionel Messi.

Some game-changing features included in FIFA 13 include an upgraded A.I. that thinks two plays ahead, a new way for players to handle the ball that delivers freedom and creativity in their attacks and a new arsenal of dribble moves.

UFC

EA has secured the rights to make UFC games, in a multi-year, multi-product contract between EA Sports and UFC. Now this sport, which is already huge and is growing in popularity around the world, can target a market of 175 countries in 22 languages.

Need For Speed: Most Wanted

Criterion presents an open world racing game, where your goal is to become... the most wanted. Comparison and rivalry with your friends has been incorporated as a heavily integrated feature. The entire goal is to become the most wanted; no longer does this simply mean out-running and out-gunning the A.I. characters in the story; now you're trying to out-score all of your friends... and, perhaps, the world. Most Wanted tracks various stats from the game, such as who has the fastest race times, who scored big in pursuits, who jumped the furthest and best for the day. Everything you do earns you speed points and drives you up the most wanted list.

Need For Speed: Most Wanted is slated for release on October 30th.

Crysis 3

Post apacolyptic city with nature starting to reclaim the land, featuring high-rise canyons, raging rivers and deadly swamps, in what Criterion refers to as an Urban Rainforest.


Check back for additional in-depth coverage of these titles in the coming days...