Need For Speed Series Reboot Coming + Opinion

What we do now know are high-level points about the new Need for Speed game. First, the game (which is inspired by the Underground series but doesn't have a name yet) will be an open-world, day-to-night racer featuring "deep customization," car culture by way of a partnership with EA's own Speedhunters, and even an "immersive narrative" that Ghost says

Tony Hawk 5 Announcement Leaked On Instagram By Caterer

The new Tony Hawk skateboarding game under the working title of Tony Hawk 5, based on a photo posted from what appears to be an event for the game. Chef Joe Youkhan posted photos today to Instagram and Facebook from a brand summit that he's catering,

Star Wars Battlefront Trailer date announced! + My Opinion

 Star Wars Battlefront is going to have a trailer during Star Wars Celebration. Now we know exactly what time you’ll want to be at your computer, though.

EA's Origin service will stop selling disc-based games starting April

Battlefield publisher Electronic Art's Origin marketplace will stop selling disc-based games starting April 4, the company announced today on its website. Beginning one week from today, the Origin store will transition to an all-digital marketplace where it will only sell downloads for PC and Mac.

EA's "On The House" promotion starts with Dead Space free on Origin

Electronic Arts today made Visceral Games' 2008 horror-action game Dead Space free to download on Origin as part of its newly launched free game promotion called "On The House."

EA taking a Batman Arkham-style approach to its Star Wars games

Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson has said in a new interview that the challenge of working on a beloved IP like Star Wars is making sure you retain the spirit of the series. To that end, the publisher is looking to emulate the approach Warner Bros. took with its Batman Arkham games.

Electronic Arts in the running for "Worst Company in America"

Electronic Arts is yet again in the running for the title of "Worst Company in America" from the recently launched poll arranged by consumer affairs blog The Consumerist. EA was named "Worst Company in America" in 2012 and then again in 2013.

In the first round of this year's poll, EA is up against Time Warner Cable. The only other game-related company featured in the poll is Xbox maker Microsoft. However, EA is the only company on the list whose businesses operations are focused exclusively on gaming.

Companies featured in the poll were based on reader nominations. The Consumerist did not say what behavior warranted EA's nomination to the list, but there was significant controversy surrounding the release of Battlefield 4 in October over its widespread technical troubles.

Voting for this year's Worst Company in America begins tomorrow, March 19. The winner will take home the "Golden Poo" trophy. We've reached out to EA regarding their nomination to the poll and will update this story with anything we hear back.

via Gamespot

EA investing $80 million into next-gen this year

Electronic Arts is ramping up its investment in the next generation of consoles. The publisher revealed today that for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2013, it is investing $80 million "in development of games for Gen4 console systems."

EA has already made some next-gen commitments, as CEO John Riccitiello took the stage at Nintendo's last Electronic Entertainment Expo to confirm support for the Wii U, and suggest that Battlefield 3 could find its way to the system. Representatives with the company have also teased a Mass Effect game for the system, but squashed hopes of Crysis 3 for Nintendo's next console. The Wii U is set for release later this year, but both Microsoft and Sony have told gamers not to expect word of their next systems before 2013.

As for its present efforts, EA reported net sales of $4.14 billion for the full year, up from $3.59 billion for the previous fiscal year. The recently completed campaign also saw EA return to profitability, posting a net income of $76 million for the year, compared to a loss of $276 million for the year before. The publisher touted its digital business in particular, saying it brought in $1.2 billion for the year between its downloadable games, subscription fees, add-on content, and mobile and social platforms.

FIFA Soccer 12 did especially well, bringing in $108 million in digital revenues (largely through its FIFA Ultimate Team mode), with another $34 million expected for the current year. The company also has high hopes for Battlefield 3, saying the first-person shooter has generated $61 million in digital revenue, with another $97 million expected in the current fiscal year. Both series posted their best-ever years for digital sales.

EA also updated its Star Wars: The Old Republic subscription numbers, which have dropped off somewhat. In February, EA said the massively multiplayer online role-playing game had 1.7 million subscribers. Today, the publisher put the number at 1.3 million, down about 24 percent. Last month, a BioWare developer claimed The Old Republic wasn't losing subscribers at all, saying only that the peak concurrent user numbers were down.

The digital focus on EA is only going to grow, as the publisher told investors the sector will continue to drive its numbers for the coming year. For the full year ending March 31, 2013, EA expects net revenues to be $4.08 billion, with a loss per share between $0.36 and $0.16.

"In the coming year, we break away from the pack, with a very different profile than the traditional game companies and capabilities that none of our new digital competitors can match," Riccitiello said in a statement.

As for the quarter ended March 31, EA said it posted net revenues of $1.37 billion, up from $1.09 billion. The company's quarterly net income hit $400 million, up year-over-year from $151 million.
In a postearnings conference call, Electronic Arts executives also confirmed that a new Need for Speed game will arrive in the holiday quarter. The game's existence first leaked through UK retailer GAME earlier this year.

[gamespot.com]

Crysis dev backtracks on blocking used games comment

A Crytek developer courted fan outrage last week by saying that next-gen consoles that wouldn't play used games would be "absolutely awesome" from a business perspective. He has since changed his tune, as CVG today reports that the Crysis developer's director of creative development Rasmus Hojengaard is backtracking from those remarks.

"My comment made in the interview released on the 24th of April, touching upon 'blocking sales of used games,' was not intended to be taken seriously nor representative of the opinion of Crytek," Hojengaard told the site.

Rumors have been swirling concerning Microsoft and Sony implementing anti-used-game measures in their respective future-generation consoles. Specifics are not available, and news of next-generation consoles from the two companies is not expected this year.

The used-game market has been a contentious issue, with several noted developers making clear their stance against secondhand sales. Those who spoke out against used sales recently include ex-THQ executive Richard Browne, Elite creator David Braben, Volition design director Jameson Durall, and Silicon Knights founder Denis Dyack.

Not all voices are against used games. Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch said in February that blocking used games is unfair. Also during that month, Witcher developer CD Projekt Red's managing director, Adam Badowski, took a populist gamer stance, saying systems that block used games "can be a bad thing."

[gamespot.com]

Electronic Arts Files Trademark For SimOcean

Electronic Arts recently announced an update to the SimCity series, a franchise that hadn't been touched since 2003, and it looks like it may want to continue with the Sim series.

Electronic Arts filed a trademark for the word SimOcean. It doesn't necessarily mean a SimOcean is in development. Electronic Arts could be making sure it owns the name before anybody else tries to grab it.

We recently compiled a list of all the Sims games and the ocean was one of the few areas of the globe not simulated when Sims were at the height of their popularity.

[gameinformer.com]

Need for Speed movie in the works

Electronic Arts is reportedly working on a pitch to turn its Need for Speed franchise into a Hollywood film.

A Variety report states that EA has hired writer John Gatins (Real Steel, Coach Carter) and producer George Gatins (She's Out of My League) to create a pitch for the film to show potential movie studios.
According to Variety, United Talent Agency (UTA) assembled the pitch for EA, which has already received interest from studios about it, including from Warner Bros, Sony, and Paramount. EA has been with UTA since 2008, when it first contracted the agency to expand its presence in the film and TV space. Since then, EA titles like The Sims and Mass Effect have reportedly been targeted for film adaptations.
The latest entry in the Need for Speed franchise, Need for Speed: The Run, was released in November last year. The series has been annualised since 2002, with a new entry rumored to be planned for later this year.

In 2009, EA announced that the franchise had sold more than 100 million units worldwide.

[source gamespot.com ]

EA exploring Battlefield subscription service

The Battlefield series may one day offer a subscription service. EA Games executive vice president Patrick Soderlund told Venturebeat that the company is exploring such a model for its marquee shooter franchise.

"I think it's fair to say that we're looking at that," he said. "Like all other companies, we're looking at how we can maximize our investment in this and get the most out of our investment, and get more people playing this product. That may take us to different places, but we're not really talking about where that is yet."

EA competitor Activision launched a Call of Duty subscription service, called Call of Duty Elite, last year. A $50 premium annual subscription gives gamers access to all Modern Warfare 3 downloadable content, as well as other perks.

Asked if EA is aiming to take the Call of Duty franchise down with Battlefield, Soderlund said the markets for both games are different, and focusing on quality will lead to greater sales for the publisher.

"When it comes to taking Call of Duty down, you know what? I don't look at it like that. We are in this business because we want to make the best possible products," he said. "Call of Duty is a shooter, but it's a different shooter. And I think they have a market; we have a market. I'm fine with what I'm doing. I'm going to continue innovating and doing as best as I can with my teams. Hopefully that's going to lead us to more units [sold] and more happy consumers."

[source gamespot.com ]

SimCity returns in 2013

The reports have proven correct: SimCity will return to the PC in 2013. At a Game Developers Conference event tonight, Electronic Arts confirmed that its Maxis studio is at work on a new installment in the city-building franchise for release next year.

According to EA, Maxis is building the new SimCity on its new GlassBox game engine. Among other features, this engine will allow the studio to introduce curved roads to the franchise. The game will also be fully 3D, a first for the series.

EA also noted that the game will emphasize a dynamic struggle for limited resources as a player's city develops. The company said that this feature will play into the game's cooperative and competitive online component.

EA's Origin online storefront is already offering preorders for downloads of SimCity in a $60 limited edition and $80 "digital deluxe" package. The limited edition will introduce superheroes and villains to the game, as well as unspecified "mystery items." The digital deluxe version will have all of that, as well as new British, French, and German-themed city sets.

The first trailer for the new SimCity can be seen below. EA has more information on the game through its official website.

[source gamespot.com ]

SimCity 5 due in 2013

Gamers will have a new SimCity title to play from series creator Maxis in 2013, if a new report proves accurate.

German gaming magazine GameStar (via Spanish games site Jimdo) spoke with Maxis developer Lucy Bradshaw, who confirmed SimCity 5 is in development at Maxis. She also noted that work on the Spore and Sims franchises kept the developer from revealing SimCity 5 sooner.

The magazine suggests that the new entry will run on an all-new game engine called Glassbox and will feature multiplayer support, updatable buildings, and nonlinear road patterns.

As of press time, EA had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment on the matter.

EA and Maxis are holding an event at the 2012 Game Developers Conference next week, with the companies calling it "huge." The event's website was recently updated with word that Academy Award-winner Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth, Deadwood) and Charity Water founder and CEO Scott Harrison will speak during the proceedings.

[source gamespot.com]

Court Says Activision Can Go Ahead With Lawsuit Against EA

A Los Angeles superior court has ruled that Activision Blizzard can go ahead in its lawsuit against rival Electronic Arts relating to the departure of Jason West and Vince Zampella's from Activision-owned developer Infinity Ward.

Judge Elihu Berle ruled against an Electronic Arts' motion and a similar one filed by West and Zampella, saying that the jury trial against West and Zampella (and involving EA) can go forward on May 7, 2012. Activision claims that EA interfered with its employment contract with West and Zampella and "aided and abetted" the pair in what the company says is the "breach of [their] fiduciary duties."

West and Zampella were fired from Activision and its internal studio Infinity Ward (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2) in 2010, with Activision citing breaches of contract and insubordination. The pair are, in turn, also suing Activision for withholding royalties among other things


[source gameinformer.com]