E3 2018: Anthem Is BioWare’s Whole New World
Anthem is a smorgasbord of water cooler moments. At least, that’s how I felt when we were invited to BioWare Edmonton to spend a day with the development team, learning as much as we could about Anthem. I’ll be honest, I know pieces of what Anthem is going to become when it’s finally finished and released on February 22, 2019 for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. But like everyone outside of BioWare, the whole that all those parts amount to is still something of a mystery.
But here’s what I know. Anthem is an incredible buffet of stuff you know and love from the past decades of games and movies, realized in this cryptic, shared-world shooter. It’s part Iron Man, I thought, as I jetted around and barrel-rolled in a super-powered rig with the kind of locomotion that would make Insomniac Games (Sunset Overdrive, Marvel’s Spider-Man) give a knowing nod of approval. It’s part Halo -- a science-fantasy story about “the Gods” who started the planet and disappeared, leaving their mystifying and errant construction tools lying around to the welfare and woe of the inhabitants.
Anthem Release Date Announced
At EA Play today, BioWare revealed that Anthem will be released on PS4, Xbox One and PC (via Origin) on February 22, 2019.
A new gameplay demo shown during EA’s conference featured new footage of Iron Man-like flight in Anthem’s Javelin exosuits, including combat and traversal.
BioWare also confirmed Anthem will have no loot boxes and no ability to "pay for power." There is, however, a heavy emphasis on exosuit customization, which leaves plenty of room for cosmetic microtransactions.
Anthem was revealed at EA Play last year and EA previously teased an early 2019 release, though we didn’t have an official date until now.
EA Announces Origin Access Premier
During EA's press conference today at E3, the company announced Origin Access Premier, a new, premium tier for its existing PC subscription service.
Origin Access Premier subscribers will have full access to new EA games ahead of their scheduled release dates. This includes access to Anthem on February 15, 2019; Battlefield V on October 11; Madden NFL 19 on August 2; and FIFA 19 on September 20.
The new subscription tier launches this summer for $15 per month or $100 per year, compared to $5 per month or $30 per year for Origin Access Basic.
Origin Access Premier will also include the same benefits of Origin Access, which features a vault of over 100 games and a 10 percent discount on Origin purchases.
NBA Live 19 Release Date Announced
At EA Play today, EA announced that NBA Live will be released on PS4 and Xbox One on September 7, with a free demo coming on August 24th.
A trailer shown during the conference featured the return of The One, the career mode introduced in NBA Live 18. This time around, a trailer showed off new features including building a squad to take on the road.
The game seems to have a more international outlook, adding courts in Paris, Brazil and the Philippines, "offering unique rules and challenges specific to those courts."
A so-far unspecified new progression system will also be introduced, and there are now more choices of cosmetic customisation for your players, including clothes, shoes and gear.
EA’s Sea of Solitude Coming in Early 2019
At EA Play today, EA revealed that Sea of Solitude will be released in early 2019.
Sea of Solitude is developed by Jo-Mei and is the next title in the EA Originals lineup, which EA uses to publish smaller titles by independent developers. Previous EA Originals titles include Fe by Zoink Games and A Way Out from Hazelight.
EA first announced that Sea of Solitude would join the EA Originals lineup back in 2016, though today was our most significant look at gameplay in a new trailer.
For more, read about why you shouldn’t dismiss EA Originals as well as IGN’s Fe review and A Way Out review.
Unravel 2 Revealed, Available Today
At EA Play, EA revealed Unravel 2 and announced that it will be available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC today.
The sequel focuses on co-op mechanics (although it's playable by one or two players) with an additional blue Yarny and is once again developed by Coldwood Interactive and published by EA. There's also an evil turkey, which is pretty great.
According to EA, players can customize their own Yarnys by assisting others in Unravel 2. Players can explore the world of Unravel either alone (controlling both Yarnys) or with a friend, surviving natural and urban locales, as well as by solving environmental puzzles.
You can watch the first 24 minutes of Unravel 2 below if you're interested in checking out the sequel:
Star Wars Battlefront 2 Clone Wars Content Revealed
At EA Play today, EA revealed that the next content season for Star Wars Battlefront 2 will focus on Clone Wars.
A new Geonosis map will be added, including the largest level ever in Battlefront. Battlefront will also add playable heroes including Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Count Dooku, and General Grievous.
EA has been teasing a Clone Wars season for months. The next big update for Star Wars Battlefront 2 arrives next week, with new content focused on Solo as well as the return of Extraction mode. For much more, read all the details on Battlefront 2’s Solo content.
Respawn Teases Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Release Window
At EA Play today, Respawn CEO Vince Zampella teased its Star Wars game is titled Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Zampella teased that Jedi Fallen Order's title gives players some sense you'll be playing a Jedi. And that means, yes, you'll get to wield a lightsaber. It takes place during the "dark times" when Jedi are being hunted. Specifically, Jedi Fallen Order occurs between Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: A New Hope. Jedi Fallen Order is aimed for a holiday 2019 release.
Respawn first announced that it was working on a third-person Star Wars game back in 2016, simply calling it "an all-new 3rd person action adventure game set in the Star Wars universe.” The project is led by Stig Asmussen, the former God of War III creative director who joined Respawn back in 2014.
FIFA 19 Release Date Announced
At EA Play today, EA officially revealed FIFA 19 and confirmed that it will be released on September 28, 2018.
FIFA 19 will include a Champions League mode (a license recently lost by football game rival, Pro Evolution Soccer), and will also add the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup. All of these modes will be available in all versions of the game, including on Nintendo Switch.
The Champions League mode will include the real-world tournament and custom tournament options that let players take any European team into the competition.
A trailer was shown featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., who will be the game's cover stars:
Battlefield 5 Teases Battle Royale Mode
At EA Play today, EA teased a battle royale mode coming to Battlefield V after launch.
Not many details were revealed, but DICE promises more details will come later this year.
EA also teased the first War Story from Battlefield V, which DICE describes as experiences focusing on "real and relatable people facing the brutality of war." The first War story to be revealed -- Nordlys War Story -- got a quick teaser, with a full reveal is set to come tomorrow (Sunday, June 10) during Microsoft’s E3 briefing at 1:00 PM Pacific Time.
EA also showed off new multiplayer content for Battlefield V, including a quick look at gigantic multi-round multiplayer mode Grand Operations.