ea-games posts

You had better have a good internet connection at home, at least according to what an Electronic Arts exec stated in a recent interview. Develop chatted with Frank Gibeau, the head of the publisher's EA Games label who stated, "Online is where the innovation, and the action, is at."

So does that mean there's no room for a big single player only RPG like, say, the games in the Fallout series? Not according to Gibeau who states that all of EA's studio heads feel there should be some kind of online component, He states, "They're very comfortable moving the discussion towards how we make connected gameplay – be it co-operative or multiplayer or online services – as opposed to fire-and-forget, packaged goods only, single-player, 25-hours-and you're out. I think that model is finished."

Sometimes you just need to sit down, slide a floppy into your A: drive, and enjoy gaming retro style. We know this all too well! That's why we have a list of the best and brightest from days long gone. These are some of our favorite games of all time, and we're sure that you'll love them as much as we do, if not more. Welcome to Boot Disk, and enjoy the retro ride!

If you are an avid PC gamer, chances are you have played the 2007 underwater epic BioShock. If you are an avid, ancient gamer, though, you probably have more fond memories of its spiritual predecessor, the incomparable and influential System Shock 2. Whether or not you are old enough to remember the first game makes no difference, as System Shock 2 stands on its own, explains all of the backstory you need, and innovates in ways that the FPS genre rarely saw. Its critical (although not commercial) success paved the way for other hybrid games like Deus Ex and the aforementioned BioShock. And while the graphics certainly haven't aged perfectly, the gameplay is as robust as ever, and serves to inspire games for generations to come.

The Godfather II teaser trailer reveals what the next game look like. The art and narration stay true to the classic 1970's movie's style. Ultimately, the goal will be to think and act like a mobsters in the true Godfather tradition. Being a Don requires a lot more smarts than being an average thug, but all that power and prestige generally brings a shortened lifespan with it.

Download the Godfather II HD Teaser Trailer (79 MB)

The second in a series of Need for Speed Undercover trailers takes on the style of a documentary interview with a police officer and why he joined the Tri-City police. It looks like Undercover might use a stronger story element than seen in previous releases of the racing game. Need for Speed Undercover is currently scheduled to release November 18, 2008.

Download the Need for Speed Undercover HD Teaser Trailer #1 (4 MB)
Download the Need for Speed Undercover HD Teaser Trailer #2 (31 MB)

Download Mass Effect Patch 1.01a

Mass Effect 1.01a Patch Notes:

• added some infrastructure support for additional downloadable content
• updated the image of the Batarian race in the codex
• fixed an issue where the center channel for hardware audio wouldn't play correctly sometimes
• fixed an issue where the hardware mouse pointer would disappear when first selected
• fixed an issue where Shepard did not auto-crouch when entering cover in some places
• fixed a tool-tip indicating a game restart is needed before enabling hardware or software audio if the option was changed
• fixed an issue where ambient conversation would not be heard from rear speakers sometimes
• fixed a text string to make it clearer on how to exit a vehicle
• fixed a text string so the tool top for dragging the map is clearer in French languages builds

Mass Effect Configuration Utility

• fixed a crash running on certain multi-core AMD systems
• fixed an issue where video RAM was not being reported properly on certain cards

Unfortunately for those looking forward to Bioware's new Dragon Age IP, you wont be seeing it before next year. Speaking to an analyst at the William Blair & Company Growth Stock Conference in Chicago, John Riccitiello let slip that Bioware's western RPG won't hit stores until Q1 2009. From the mouth of the man himself:

"[Saboteur and Dragon Age] won't make the calendar year because they're coming in fiscal Q4."

Sorry folks. We're sure that you can tend your wounds with the excellent Neverwinter Nights, though. Especially considering the amount of modules for players to delve into, given the game's massive lifespan.

Finally, EA is beginning to learn. Tired of a torturing single team doing monthly installments, they have put into place two teams working on 24-month development cycles. What does this mean? It means that while the iterations will continue to be annual, they will be much higher quality than previously seen. Speaking to an investor's meeting, John Riccitiello had this to say:

"We were torturing a very talented group of people up in Vancouver, which makes it harder to be as innovative every year. So, I think we are going to get better from here."

He also announced the newest game in the series, Need For Speed Undercover, with a TBA release date. Stay tuned in for more information as we get it!

For those into the whole RTS scene, two games have usually been considered the classics of the genre: Starcraft and Red Alert. EA's latest continuation of the latter's legacy, Red Alert 3, just recently received a trailer showing off some of the gameplay elements. Not content with just releasing it on GameTrailers, EA has given it to the general populace to download.

The movie requires QuickTime and weighs in at a hefty 646 mb. It shows off some of the new graphics features introduced, such as awesome water effects and vastly improved explosions. There's also appearances by fan-favorites such as the Tesla coil, Tesla trooper, aircraft carrier, and the newly redesigned nuke (the very last clip of the video). If this trailer doesn't pump you up about the game, nothing will. And for those who want early access, remember: Kane's Wrath (the C&C3 expansion) comes with a guaranteed RA3 beta key. Sweet.

Download the Red Alert 3 trailer on Big Download!