Burnout Paradise New Box Art Revealed

Rock Paradise City! EA today unveiled the stunning, sleek and new pack front for the latest installment of the hugely popular Burnout franchise. The pack art for Burnout Paradise breaks away from the traditional Burnout imagery of spectacular crashes to set gamers on a course into a new open world. While crashing is now and will always be at the heart of Burnout, this Paradise City experience introduces the franchise to all new open-world gameplay where you have the freedom to discover your own personal driving experience, whether you’re online or off.

Tear through the streets of Paradise City, filled with insane super jumps and hundreds of smashable targets, looking for shortcuts to give you that competitive edge! The action begins with you but it may not end, just pull up to a stoplight and spin your wheels to enter one of five types of high speed action challenges or jump online instantly with your friends. Burnout Paradise sets a new standard for online social gameplay with its EasyDrive online system.

All the cars in Burnout Paradise have been engineered from the ground up to look beautiful, whether they’re fresh out of the showroom or smashed into scrap. From exotics and muscle cars to hot rods and even supercharged SUVs, get ready to experience spectacular bone-crushing crashes and an unparalleled sense of speed! Welcome to Paradise: one city with infinite possibilities.

Labels: Burnout Paradise, EA

EA TO DISTRIBUTE RAIL SIMULATOR IN NORTH AMERICA

Train Enthusiasts Invited to Ride the Rails on the PC starting January 16 with all-new Content for North American Release

Redwood City, Calif. – November 15, 2007 – All aboard! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that it will distribute Rail Simulator for the PC in North America. The game was released in Europe in October and will now ship in North America, with a wealth of new content, on January 16, 2008.

Developed by Kuju Entertainment, Rail Simulator is the ultimate experience for train enthusiasts and gamers alike, allowing players to take the controls of historic and contemporary trains on more than 1,000 miles of real-life routes from around the world. New to the North American release is the highly popular Barstow to San Bernardino route alongside all-new Union Pacific locomotives and rolling stock.

Rail Simulator puts players in control of every aspect of the train’s operation and even gives players a track editor to create their own routes and share them with other gamers online. Varying difficultly levels tailor the game to players of all skill levels, from Easy to Full Simulation.

“We’re thrilled to extend our European relationship with EA Partners to include distribution of Rail Simulator in North America,” said Tim Gatland, managing director of Rail Simulator Developments Limited. “The team at Kuju Entertainment has created an incredible product for train enthusiasts of all ages, and the team at EA Partners is helping us reach the widest possible global audience.”

“Kuju Entertainment is the hands-down leader in this category and EA Partners is excited to be distributing Rail Simulator in North America this January,” said David DeMartini, vice president and general manager of EA Partners. “The team at EA Partners is committed to helping studios of all sizes take advantage of EA’s worldwide publishing infrastructure, and we can’t wait to help get Rail Simulator into the hands of North American gamers.”

Rail Simulator is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. More information about Rail Simulator is available at www.railsimulator.com.

Labels: EA, PC, Rail Simulator

EA SHIPS BOOGIE ON THE PLAYSTATION 2

Boogie on Nintendo DS to Ship Later this Month - Offering Gamers Unique 3D Gameplay and Original Game Modes

Montreal, Canada – November 15, 2007 – Shake it. Sing it. Create it. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Boogie™ for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system hit retail stores in North America. In Europe, gamers can pick up their copy on November 30. Boogie, which shipped for the Wii™ in August and was recently featured on NBC’s Today Show for a segment on keeping families fit, is bringing both its singing and dancing gameplay to one of the world’s most prevalent hardware systems. PlayStation 2 players will dance, sing and create music videos with this complete entertainment package.

Boogie features new versions of tracks made popular by hit bands such as The Jackson 5, Kool & The Gang, Black Eyed Peas and Britney Spears. Players can sing along to their favorite tunes or dance to the latest hit songs as well as catch their best dance moves, record their own voice and make music videos with the music video creator.

Boogie is also taking its dancing act on the road with a unique Nintendo DS™ version that features the first 3D gameplay on the handheld system. The game introduces new gameplay modes and mini-games not found in the Wii or PlayStation 2 version for easy gaming on the go. Boogie on the Nintendo DS will be on shelves on November 29 in North America and November 30 in Europe.

Developed at EA Montreal, Boogie is the perfect party game for gamers of all ages. Boogie on the Nintendo DS has a U.S. MSRP of $29.99, which includes 3D Glasses. Boogie on the PlayStation®2 has a U.S. MSRP of $49.99, and ships with a microphone. Boogie has been rated E10+ by the ESRB with descriptors for Lyrics and Suggestive Themes. For more information, please visit the website at www.boogie.ea.com.

Labels: Boogie, EA, Playstation 2

LOS ANGELES, Calif., November 14, 2007 – Take WWII action into your hands! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that Medal of Honor Heroes™ 2 is available at retailers nationwide for the Wii™ and the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system. Medal of Honor Heroes 2 for the PSP will be available in Europe on November 23 and in the following months for the Wii. Designed completely from the ground up for the Wii and the PSP, Medal of Honor Heroes 2 features 32-person online play for the Wii and PSP, support of the Wii™ Zapper, and a unique Arcade Mode that simplifies gameplay for players of all skill levels and plays like an old-school rail shooter.

“We’re excited to get Medal of Honor Heroes 2 into players’ hands and hope to see them online!” said Peter Choi, Group Producer at EA Canada. “We wanted to deliver the most full-featured FPS experience to date on both the PSP and the Wii while also customizing the experience for each specific platform. With intuitive controls, rich single player campaigns and huge 32-player multiplayer battles, we feel we’ve raised the bar for shooters on these platforms and can’t wait for people to play the game.”

It is June 6th, 1944 and you step into the boots of OSS Operative John Berg and infiltrate Normandy from behind enemy lines to undermine the Nazi regime. On both the Wii and PSP systems, players will choose to tackle missions in an all-new single player campaign or engage in massive, epic online multiplayer battles where they can jump into the battle at any time against anyone. On the PSP, Medal of Honor Heroes 2 will deliver the most comprehensive shooter experience to date, with a robust single player campaign and on-the-go 32-player multiplayer capability that allows you to battle it out, anytime and anywhere.

Developed at EA Canada, Medal of Honor Heroes 2 is rated Teen by the ESRB, 18+ by the USK, and 16+ by PEGI. The game has a MSRP $49.99 for Wii and $39.99 for PSP in North America. For more information, please visit the game’s official website at www.mohheroes2.ea.com.

Labels: EA, Medal of Honor Heroes 2

Vancouver, Canada – November 14, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced that Need for Speed™ ProStreet ships to retailers today in North America. The game will ship in Europe from November 22 onwards. To celebrate the launch of the game, EA is auctioning off a one-of-a-kind autographed Need for Speed ProStreet poster and will donate the proceeds to the non-profit organization, Save the Whales, founded 30 years ago. The poster was signed by over 40 celebrities including Hayden Panettiere from NBC’S Heroes. Proceeds from the auction will go to Save the Whales for their programs to educate children and adults about marine mammals and the importance of protecting them in their environment. The poster will be placed on eBay on Friday, November 16 at 9:00am PST.

“The development at team at Black Box is proud to be delivering an all-new experience in the Need for Speed franchise that ups the ante in the racing game genre,” Larry LaPierre, Executive Producer at EA Black Box. “We are equally proud to make this commitment to Save the Whales, especially in light of the recent oil spill in the San Francisco Bay.”

Need for Speed™ ProStreet delivers something completely new by taking gamers to the highest level of street racing where the competition is fierce, the cars are hot and the races span the world. Experience the thrill and intensity of driving the most anticipated street racing cars that have yet to hit the North American market including the 2009 Nissan GT-R, the 2008 Porsche 997 GT2 and the 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X. Need for Speed ProStreet is your ultimate taste of the chaos and unbridled adrenaline sweeping street racing culture.

In Need for Speed ProStreet, gamers must prove they have the racing mettle to dominate the competition. Design and customize cars, face-off in iconic locations and battle in four distinct racing styles – grip, drag, drift and the all-new speed challenge. The competitive play is further amplified online with the introduction of a unique social feature that allows gamers to compete against their friends and rivals across the world without the need to be online at the same time*.

Need for Speed ProStreet is an all-new racing experience. The atmosphere is electric – complete with energetic crowds, photo-realistic vehicles and billowing smoke – all designed to embody the pressure and intensity of the gladiatorial challenge known as Show Down. An all-new procedural damage system will have cars scratching, denting and crumpling differently with every driving mistake. Need for Speed ProStreet is the realization of the intense rivalry, raw power, and visceral aggression that embodies street racing culture.

Need for Speed ProStreet is developed by EA Black Box in Vancouver, British Columbia and will be available for Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the PC for a MSRP of $59.99. It will be available on the Wii™ for a MSRP of $49.99 and on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo DS™ for a MSRP of $29.99. For gamers on the go, they can download the mobile platform for a MSRP that starts at $2.99. The game will also ship for the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) handheld entertainment system early next year. The game is rated E10+ by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com.

*PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and PC versions only. INTERNET CONNECTION required. See product pack for additional details.

Labels: EA, Need For Speed ProStreet

EA AND ID SOFTWARE ANNOUNCE ORCS & ELVES SHIPS TODAY FOR THE NINTENDO DS

Fantasy Role Playing Game is One of the First Titles

to Cross Over to the Nintendo DS from Mobile Phones

Redwood City, Calif. – November 13, 2007 – It’s time to answer the call of the Hero! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and id Software today announced that Orcs & Elves® has begun shipping to retail locations worldwide for the Nintendo DSTM. Orcs & Elves is an award winning first-person fantasy role playing game created by id Software and developed exclusively for EA by Fountainhead Entertainment. Orcs & Elves is one of the first games developed specifically for the mobile platform that has crossed over to another game-specific device.

A breathtaking dungeon-crawling fantasy RPG, Orcs & Elves casts gamers as a young half-elf exploring a massive Dwarven fortress riddled with ancient treasure, powerful weapons, and waves of ruthless enemies, on a quest to expel the ultimate evil from the mountain’s core.

“Orcs & Elves is captivating on the Nintendo DS,” said Katherine Anna Kang, founder and president of Fountainhead Entertainment. “We were able to expand on the award winning original game by adding hours of new content and using the unique Nintendo DS touch screen to immerse the player into a magical world where they are the hero.”

Enhanced from the original to take full advantage of the Nintendo DS, Orcs & Elves features a new 3D engine, full 3D sound, more levels, new monsters, and much more. Players can utilize the DS touch screen to cast spells, move and attack enemies, make use of magic potions, enchanted rings, and armor, and bargain for goods.

In addition, Orcs & Elves II™ for mobile phones is scheduled to be released in late November on most wireless carriers, just in time for the holiday season. Orcs & Elves II for mobile continues the epic story from the original game and expands the Orcs & Elves universe. Players will encounter new creatures, allies and villains as they explore seven huge interactive environments including towns, collapsing caverns and haunted forests. As a novice thief who has stolen the legendary wand Ellon, the player must return to his under siege town before it's too late.

Orcs & Elves is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $29.95 for the Nintendo DS. Orcs & Elves II has an MSRP starting as low as $3.99 for all major North American carriers.

Labels: EA, iD, Nintendo DS, Orcs and Elves

EA AND CRYTEK USHER IN THE NEXT-GENERATION OF PC GAMING WITH CRYSIS

The Highly Anticipated First-Person Shooter Ships to Retailers Today

Redwood City, Calif. – November 13, 2007 – The wait is finally over! Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Crytek announced that Crysis® is now shipping to stores in North America and Europe. Featuring jaw-dropping visuals, industry leading technology and open-ended gameplay, Crysis is set to break new ground in the FPS genre and has already received a 98% from PC Gamer, the highest score ever awarded in the magazine’s 14-year history. Crysis is also setting the bar internationally, with a 94% from Gamestar in Germany – in its 10-year history no other game has earned a rating over 94%.

“Crysis is the culmination of the dedication and tenacity of everyone here at Crytek who shared the goal of creating a true next-generation FPS,” said Cevat Yerli, CEO and President of Crytek. “Our vision from the beginning was to deliver an immersive, open-ended single-player campaign, to innovate in multiplayer and to give our community a powerful, easy-to-use editor and we’re extremely proud of the end result.”

“Crysis is nothing short of amazing. It is an innovative, technical achievement that has blown us all away,” said David DeMartini, Vice President and Global General Manager, EA Partners. “EA Partners has a long history of working with the most talented independent studios in the world and helping them deliver their creative vision to a mass, global audience and our experience with Crytek is adding to that legacy.”


The complete Crysis package is composed of three primary components:

* An Epic Single Player Campaign – Players are thrust into the middle of a global conflict between the US and North Korea over a mysterious artifact that turns out to be extraterrestrial in nature. Fortunately, players are outfitted with a high tech Nanosuit that allows them to alter their strength, speed, armor and cloaking abilities and an arsenal of fully customizable weapons, helping to even the playing ground against a highly mysterious and intelligent enemy threat.
* Multiplayer Reinvented – Crytek has also focused much of their development efforts in creating two unique multiplayer experiences. PowerStruggle is a new, team-based multiplayer mode where players need to work together strategically to capture resource points throughout the map to win the ultimate arms race for nuclear technology. And for those who are looking for a more action-packed experience Crysis also features Instant Action, traditional deathmatch made even more frenetic as every player is outfitted with the revolutionary Nanosuit.
* CryENGINE 2TM Sandbox Editor – Also included with Crysis is the complete version of Crytek’s Sandbox Editor. Extremely powerful with a simple user interface, the editor will give the community full access to one of the most powerful design tools in the industry.


Crysis has been rated ‘M’ for Mature by the ESRB (Blood and Gore, Language, Violence) and 16+ by PEGI in Europe. Visit www.esrb.org and www.pegi.info for updated rating information. For more information about the game, the game’s official website at www.nanosuit.com.

Labels: Crysis, EA, PC

EA sent over a trailer for Burnout Paradise titled ' Ultimate Driving Playground,' showing you around Burnout's Paradise City, which has over 30 square kilometers of roads to travel across and crash around. Check it out!

Labels: Burnout Paradise, EA

ORCS & ELVES GOES GOLD!

Addictive Dungeon-Crawling RPG Hits Store Shelves on November 16th

It’s almost time to answer the call of the hero! id Software’s Orcs & Elves® has gone gold for the Nintendo DS!

The ultimate battle between good and evil will take place this holiday as Orcs & Elves will be available at stores around the world on November 16, 2007.

Orcs & Elves is a deep fantasy RPG from id Software and Fountainhead Entertainment, which has been enhanced from the award-winning original to take full advantage of the Nintendo DS. The game features a new 3D engine, full 3D sound, more levels, new monsters, and much more. Players can utilize the DS touch screen to cast spells, move and attack enemies, make use of magic potions, enchanted rings, and armor, and bargain for goods as they explore a massive Dwarven kingdom riddled with ancient treasures and fierce enemies.

"Orcs & Elves is an addictive, dungeon-crawling, hack-n-slash RPG that will keep players glued to the DS for hours," said Katherine Anna Kang, founder and president of Fountainhead Entertainment. “We're committed to bringing fun packed games to the DS and Orcs & Elves is definitely a great start."

Labels: EA, iD, Nintendo DS, Orcs and Elves

IT’S HELLGATE HALLOWEEN! EA AND NAMCO BANDAI GAMES UNLEASH HELLGATE: LONDON AT RETAILERS TODAY

Forget Trick-or-Treating Because the Hellgate is Officially Open

Redwood City, Calif. – October 31, 2007 – Remember the dead, but fight for the living! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that Hellgate™: London, the first title from Flagship Studios and one of the most anticipated PC games of the year, is now available at retail outlets in North America and Europe1. Combining the depth and addictive gameplay of traditional role-playing games with the visceral action of first-person shooters, the long-awaited action RPG from the creators of the global blockbuster Diablo franchise is poised to keep gamers hacking-and-slashing for many Halloweens to come.

“Today marks a major milestone for Flagship Studios,” said Bill Roper, CEO of Flagship Studios. “The greatest thrill any developer can have is to see their game actually in a player’s hands. We’ve put our all into making Hellgate: London a great gaming experience, and now we’re able to share what has been a huge part of the past four years of our lives with our friends, family, and the world.”

“The core of the EA Partners program is utilizing our strengths as a publishing organization to help world-class independent development studios like Flagship bring their games to market globally,” said David DeMartini, Vice President and Global General Manager, EA Partners. “Hellgate: London is a great achievement and we are excited to have had the opportunity to work with Flagship and NAMCO BANDAI in delivering a breakthrough action RPG.”

It’s 2038 and London lies in ruins, overrun by hordes of terrifying demons. Players begin their mission to save the once-great city by creating a hero, choosing among six character classes featuring distinct gameplay styles. Hellgate: London offers gamers a deep storyline campaign with over 35 hours of gameplay that is infinitely re-playable because of the game’s dynamically generated levels and random items, enemies and events. Hellgate’s robust, flexible skill and spell system, highly customizable appearances, and a massive variety of equipment ensures each player’s experience will be unique.

While some may prefer to save humanity on their own offline, gamers will also be able to fight online*, joining up with other survivors in a secure, client-server environment and playing through the entire story-driven campaign for free. For those players who want to extend their Hellgate: London experience, Flagship is offering an optional subscription service for $9.99/month2 which will give players access to tremendous amounts of ongoing content in the form of quests, character classes, demons, items, etc.

Hellgate: London has been rated M for Mature (Violence, Blood and Gore, Mild Language) by the ESRB. Visit www.esrb.org for updated rating information. For more information about Hellgate: London, log onto the game’s official website at www.hellgatelondon.com.


* Internet connection required.

1 In store dates vary by country and retail location. All stores will be in stock by November 2nd.
2 Pricing for the optional subscription service is €9.99/month in Europe and £7.99/month in the United Kingdom.

Labels: EA, Hellgate London, Namco-Bandai

EA’S COMMAND & CONQUER 3: KANE’S WRATH ENLISTS ALL-STAR CELEBRITY CAST

Expansion Pack in Award-winning Series to Include Natasha Henstridge and Carl Lumbly in Live Action Video Sequences

LOS ANGELES, Calif., October 30, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that Command & Conquer™ 3: Kane’s Wrath, the expansion pack to the critically-acclaimed and fan favorite, Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™, will feature Natasha Henstridge (Species trilogy) and Carl Lumbly (‘Alias’) in its all-new, high-definition, live action video sequences. Henstridge and Lumbly will be joined by veteran Command & Conquer™ actor Joe Kucan, who originated the role of Kane, the megalomaniacal leader of the Brotherhood of Nod. All three actors are at the epicentre of the Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath story which will span 20 years – from the rebirth of the Brotherhood after the Second Tiberium War through the dramatic events of the Third Tiberium War and beyond.

“Natasha and Carl are a perfect fit for the live-action video sequences that will bring our epic story to life,” said Mike Verdu, General Manager of EALA and Executive Producer on Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath. “We had great success with the cast and story for Command & Conquer 3, and I’m very excited to be working with such talented actors on the expansion pack. We’re doing something really unique with the campaign this time around – and I think fans will be thrilled to see how the story unfolds.”

Live action cinematics have become one of the hallmarks of the Command & Conquer series dating back to the original Command & Conquer in 1995. In addition to the trademark live action videos and multi-decade campaign, Kane’s Wrath introduces six new sub-factions and a wealth of new units, structures, and powers to the armies of the Global Defense Initiative, the Brotherhood of Nod, and the enigmatic alien Scrin.

The Xbox 360™ version of Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath will debut a revolutionary new radial interface designed specifically for console gamers. Taking RTS controls to a whole new level, players will utilize the command stick to build, deploy, and attack.

Developed at EALA, Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath will ship in Spring 2008 for Windows PC and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. This product is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information about Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath or the Command & Conquer series, please visit www.CommandAndConquer.com.

Labels: Command and Conquer 3 Kane's Wrath, EA

Crysis is Gold!
The Countdown Ends 11.16.07

The year’s biggest PC game has just gotten that much closer to hitting store shelves. Crysis, Crytek’s next-generation first person shooter for the PC has gone gold and will be on store shelves everywhere November 16, 2007.

“We are extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish with Crysis,” said Cevat Yerli, CEO of Crytek. “We wanted to push the boundaries both visually and with open-ended, non-linear gameplay and we believe the end result delivers that vision.”

The current single player demo, available in DX10 and DX9, has given gamers their first taste of the immersive, non-linear Crysis experience. Highlighted by Crytek’s open-ended level design and the game’s Nanosuit gameplay mechanic, which challenges gamers to analyze and approach every individual encounter before acting, Crysis delivers a completely new and refreshing FPS gameplay experience.

Of course, the single player demo also features the stunning, award-winning graphics powered by Crytek’s revolutionary CryENGINE 2. Assistance from key partners such as NVIDIA, Intel and Microsoft have helped make Crysis one of the most anticipated PC games of all time.

“Crytek and EA are rewarding PC gamers with the world’s most technologically advanced video game,” said Roy Taylor, vice president of content at NVIDIA. “Our programmers are intensely proud to have helped Crytek push the boundaries of interactivity and immersion. The game was developed and tested on NVIDIA, and we recommend GeForce 8800-Series graphics cards for the best experience.”

For more Crysis news, stay tuned to www.nanosuit.com.

Labels: Crysis, EA

The wait for the game based on everyone's favorite yellow, animted family has finally ended, as the Simpsons Game can now be found in stores! Maybe in need of a little extra push to pick the title up? Well, here's another video to whet your appeitite!

Labels: EA, The Simpsons Game

EA ANNOUNCES THAT “The Simpsons Game” HAS SHIPPED IN NORTH AMERICA

You’ve Watched the Show, You’ve Seen the Movie, Now Play Your Favorite Animated Family in their Best Videogame EVER!

Redwood Shores, Calif., – Oct. 30th, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that THE SIMPSONStm GAME has shipped in North America and will ship in Europe on November 2nd. Created in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising, Twentieth Century Fox Television and Gracie Films, THE SIMPSONS GAME is an original script created by the TV show’s Emmy Award-winning writers and voiced by the original cast from the TV show. The result is the funniest, most irreverent, exciting and authentic Simpsons video game experience ever. “Our hope is the number of solid jokes and the speed in which they come, set ourselves apart,” said James L. Brooks, Executive Producer.

In 2007, The Simpsons celebrated their historic 400th episode, as well as the release of their first animated film, The Simpsons Movie, which has grossed over $520 million worldwide at the box office, hitting the No.1 slot in the first week. Now fans of this multi-award-winning television series are ready for the next major milestone: THE SIMPSONS GAME.

With parodies of the video game industry, pop culture and current events, THE SIMPSONS GAME has the same subversive humor and delightfully smart wit as the critically acclaimed TV series. Play along as your favorite yellow, dysfunctional TV family members, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, battle to break free of the video game world and save Springfield. Each ‘Simpson’ has special abilities unique to his or her personality: smash as Homerball, zip-line as Bartman, rally Mobs as Marge, or unleash Lisa’s Hand of Buddha! With over 40 minutes of new animated scenes by the show's writers -- it's like getting two never-before-seen episodes of the Simpsons. Add that to over 8000 lines on in-game dialogue, and the Simpsons game is a must-have for any fan of the show.

"The story is the heart of the game," said Matt Selman, Simpsons Executive Producer and Head Writer of the Simpsons title. "The Simpson family realizes they're living in an actual video game. At first, it's fun having video game powers. But when life as a game character is harder then they thought, they must break out into the behind-the-scene world of video games. They must fight their way through parodies of other games in order to achieve their freedom."

“Playing THE SIMPSONS GAME is like choosing which donut to eat. The fun lies in the wide variety, but no matter which way you go it always brings a smile,” said Scot Amos, Executive Producer for the game. “The close collaboration among Gracie Films, Twentieth Century Fox and ‘The Simpsons’ creative team makes this game a sweet addition to ‘The Simpsons’ legacy.”

Elie Dekel, Executive Vice President, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising, added: “When you team up one of the best video game companies in the universe with one of the best television shows of all time, you know you’re going to get a game that delivers. THE SIMPSONS GAME is a completely original creation that adds to The Simpsons’ enduring legacy.”

Under development by EA’s Redwood Shores Studio, THE SIMPSONS GAME is scheduled for release on the PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system, Wii, and Nintendo DS. THE SIMPSON GAME has been rated “T” with descriptors of Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Animated Blood, Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor, Language, Suggestive Themes by the ESRB.

Labels: EA, The Simpsons Game

EA’s AWARD WINNING BURNOUT PARADISE HITS THE STREETS ON JANUARY 22ND

PLAYERS GET A TASTE OF PARADISE WITH THE DEMO RELEASE

THIS DECEMBER

Redwood City, CA – October 26, 2007 – Mark your calendars! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that Burnout™ Paradise will be in stores January 22, 2008 in North America. Experience a piece of Paradise City by downloading the demo this December on the PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace. Designed specifically for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360™ videogame system, Burnout Paradise delivers true open world freedom and sets a new standard for online* social gameplay. Brought to you by EA Criterion, Burnout Paradise is redefining the open world experience with Paradise City, a freshly designed playground filled with the most exciting jumps, gripping races and unrivalled excitement at every intersection. Players will have total freedom to explore and discover the world at their leisure, just pull up to any stoplight and spin your wheels to enter five high speed action challenges. Slam, shunt and wreck rivals in these cross-town driving challenges, where players decide the fastest route to the finish line.

Alex Ward, Creative Director at EA Criterion says, “The Burnout series has always been about reinvention. Burnout Paradise does exactly that. This is the definitive Burnout experience because Paradise removes all restrictions, breaks all the rules and puts the control in your hands. We’re taking risks with Paradise but we believe that every iteration of Burnout stands on its own and we feel Paradise is the best Burnout yet.”

Download your gift a little early this holiday season. From Motor City to Big Surf Beach pull off wicked stunts in the all-new Stunt mode and race through the streets in search of the fastest Burnout Route in the Hunter Cavalry car. Invite a friend into your game and connect with them instantly to complete three online challenges or simply smash each other up and grab your friend’s Burnout Mugshot. Available this December, the Burnout Paradise demo provides the ultimate driving playground for you and your friends to enjoy.

Earlier this year, EA unleashed a pre-order program for Burnout Paradise with GameStop, one of the biggest video game retailers in America. Early GameStop customers will receive an exclusive car, “Steel Wheels,” to smash the competition with two and a half tons of heavy-metal mayhem. The heavily modified Steel Wheels GT concept car was designed from the ground up specifically for the celebrity with style. Featuring armor-plating and a supercharged 6735cc V8, this car is sure to make a grand entrance at any premiere.

Burnout Paradise has been rated E10+ by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI. For more information about the Burnout franchise, please visit http://burnout.ea.com.

Labels: Burnout Paradise, EA

EA Ships The sims 2 castaway to retail shelves today

For the first time ever, your Sims can survive and thrive on an uncharted island

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – October 23, 2007 – Today Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced that the company has shipped The Sims™ 2 Castaway for the Wii™, the Nintendo DS™, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system to retail stores across North America and Europe. New and old fans of The Sims™ will now be able to leave the urban jungle for an uncharted island filled with sandy beaches, green lagoons, explosive volcanic mountains and more! Will your Sims choose to survive and thrive on a tropical island or begin planning their escape back to civilization? The choice is yours in The Sims 2 Castaway!

As The Sims 2 Castaway begins, players will have the opportunity to create a crew of Sims. And in true Sims fashion, each character brings a unique skill, humor and quirkiness to the crew, promising an entertaining adventure in this new island environment! Upon setting sail, a storm quickly approaches casting your Sims overboard on a beautiful beach all alone. Having no other items but the shirt on his back, your Sim will embark on a tropical journey, choosing to either subsist on the beautiful island or flee altogether. Will your Sim choose to reunite with the crew and enlist the help of clever monkeys to make a flourishing community with the Musician, Doctor, Park Ranger and more? Or will they follow the treasure map to the island in search of clues that will eventually lead them to freedom? How your Sims survive, or thrive, is up to you.

Studio Head of The Sims Label, Rod Humble said, “Whether you’re spending hours collecting resources to build the ultimate island hut, or passing time taming wild boars with your crew, there is a new adventure for all types of players this holiday season in The Sims 2 Castaway. The gameplay is magnificently tailored to each of the four platforms – we can’t wait to see how players are going to help their Sims survive and thrive on this beautiful, uncharted island.”

Regardless of their destiny, your Sims will explore a variety of new environments, from lush green jungles and dark spooky caves to forbidden plains and more! In addition to new environments, Nintendo DS players will also hone their Sims survival skills such as spear fishing, fire starting and bug squashing in one of the six fun mini-games. Whether your Sims are collecting unusual shells for crew members, crafting furniture out of palm leaves or creating dry shelter out of bamboo, what you build and collect makes all the difference!

The Sims 2 Castaway ships today on the Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation2 and the PSP to retail stores across North America and Europe. For more information – and to check out the hilarious, recently-launched webisodes – please visit The Sims 2 Castaway website at www.foundthesims.com.

Labels: EA, Nintendo DS, nintendo wii, Playstation 2, Playstation Portable, Sims 2 Castaway

EA PLAYGROUND SHIPS TO RETAILERS TODAY! GET READY FOR PLAY TIME!

Take on Your Friends and Family with EA’s Latest Must-Have Party Game for the Holidays

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – October 23, 2007 – Electronics Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that EA Playground™, an all-new intellectual property from EA Canada, is shipping to North American retailers today and will be released on November 9, 2007 in Europe. The game, developed specifically for the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™, will be available in the United States at a MSRP of $39.99 and $29.99 respectively. EA Playground captures the energy and magic of your neighborhood playground, and creates an intuitive and laugh-out-loud entertaining gaming experience that will excite kids and the kid inside everyone.

EA Playground is the ultimate party play experience, where bragging rights are at stake as you take on your friends and family in a variety of playground games ranging from the traditional classics to over-the-top fantasy games. Taking full advantage of the intuitive controls from both the Wii and Nintendo DS, the gameplay is customized to feel natural and physically engaging. Whether you are using the Wii Remote to time your toss in Dodgeball or blowing in the Nintendo DS mic to aim at wandering targets in Spitballs, every game is easy to pick-up and brings a new, fresh and exciting twist to playing videogames.

Young, old, male or female, hardcore gamer, casual or first time game player -- EA Playground has something for everyone. In addition to the fun multiplayer mode, you can also play by yourself in a rich single player experience. Explore the world, unlock new locations, uncover stickers, and challenge colorful in-game characters to a variety of playground games.

See below for all the games that will be included in EA Playground.


Featured playground games on the Wii:

· Dodgeball - Take on your opponents in an attempt to knock them out of the game in this fast paced multi round experience. Up to four players can dodge, catch and throw lightning fast balls just like in real life.

· Paper Racers - Throw and navigate your paper airplane through challenging playground courses, collecting power ups and other bonuses along the way in a race to the finish line.

· Kicks - Take on your opponents in this fresh new experience where Soccer meets volleyball and goals are the result of spectacular aerial kicks!

· Dart Shootout - Test your accuracy skills in this exciting game that has your shooting and blocking your way through the playground to the final boss battle.

· Wall Ball - Enjoy this fast paced game of wall ball where the speed of the ball increases with each powerful shot. Strategically choose where you want to hit the ball and watch it rapidly ricochet by your opponent!

· Slot Car Racing - Take on up to three opponents in this speedy slot car racing experience that has you flying through ramps, landing mega jumps and even getting a chance to zap your opponents off course!

· Tetherball - Go head to head against your opponents in this tension mounting experience. Try to wrap the tetherball around the pole before your opponent does.


Activity games for the Wii:

· Freethrows - While exploring the playground world, see how many baskets you can sink in 30 seconds and earn marbles.

· Bug Hunt - During your world exploration if you see a bug, take out your net and give chase. Successfully swat and catch the bug and earn some rewards.

· Dribbling – Pick up a basketball and bounce it in rhythm for a defined number of times before the clock runs out on you! If you’re successful you’ll earn yourself some more marbles.

Featured playground games on the Nintendo DS:


· Dodgeball - Knock all the other kids out of the game (by beaning them with a ball) before they do the same to your team.

· Hoops - Become the master of the basketball court while you try and score the most points.

· Hopscotch - Test your rhythm and timing with this musical game of Hopscotch.

· RC Racers - Race mini cars around an action-packed track, picking up valuable power-ups along the way.

· Bug Hunt - You’re on a mission to collect as many butterflies as you can but watch out for those nasty bees or you’ll get stung!

· Kicks - A free for all Soccer match where the objective is to score more points than your opponent

· Skate & Sketch - Master these wacky tricks by connecting the dots as fast as possible when you’re catching some serious airtime.

· Spitballs - Search the playground for your target and when you’ve found them blow into the microphone to hit them with a spitball!

· Trampoline - The sky’s the limit in this game of balloon popping! Jump as high as you can and pop as many balloons as possible before your opponent


EA Playground is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB with a descriptor for Mild Cartoon Violence in North America and is rated 3+ by PEGI in Europe.

Labels: EA, EA Playground, Nintendo DS, nintendo wii

Labels: EA, Hellgate London, Namco-Bandai, PC

.: EA PLAYGROUND WEBSITE GOES LIVE :.

Grab your dodgeballs, round up your spitballs, and make a trip to www.eaplayground.com. EA Playground, a brand new video game from Electronic Arts, captures the exuberance and nostalgia of your neighborhood playground. It turns your gaming space into an arena of interactive fun with immersive activities designed for kids and the kid inside all of us. The site is packed with the latest news, features, screenshots, and trailers from the game. Play mini-games like free throws and jacks, collect stickers to unlock exclusive content, and check out videos that show you how to play each of the exciting games on the Wii and Nintendo DS. Jump on the forums and tell us what you are hoping to see in EA Playground in the future, and don't forget to sign up for EA Playground updates to get in on exclusive opportunities and information on all things EA Playground.

EA Playground, the latest must-have party title, will be available for the Wii and Nintendo DS on October 23rd, 2007. Be sure to check out www.eaplayground.com for more details on the game!

Labels: EA, EA Playground, Nintendo DS, nintendo wii

EA has sent over a new video of their upcoming Simpsons video game! This one has shows Homer indulging his sweet tooth, so to speak!

Labels: EA, The Simpsons Game

Dev Diary #2: What's new for Orcs & Elves on the DS By Katherine Anna Kang

What's New?

Let me count the ways...
1). New 3D engine with 3D levels and 3D world objects
2). Full 3D sound with environmental, directional, and ambient sounds
3). 3 new levels
4). 4 new spells
5). 5 new usable items
6). 6 new monsters
7). 12 new interactive world objects
8). New player inventory management system
9). New bartering interface
10). New puzzles
11). New elixirs
12). New effects
13). New difficulty levels
14). Newly enhanced Dragon's Lair
15). Newly enhanced dialogue boxes for game characters
16). Rumble Pack ready

If we had to choose just one difference from the cell phone to the DS as the most significant, it would be the 3D engine. The original cell phone game had a very limited, tile-based 2.5D engine that could only render constrained sets of horizontal and vertical polygons with aligned textures. The DS's new 3D engine allowed our artists to use arbitrary geometry, texturing, and lighting for the levels using Maya. Though we were very limited due to the polygon limits of the DS graphics core, the changes have been significant. This new engine allowed us to re-create the levels in 3D with 3D world objects allowing an effect that is subtle and unobtrusive.

The Prison level is a good example of the visual improvements we were able to bring -- compare the cell phone version of Orcs & Elves to the DS and you will notice the lighting, the vaulted ceilings, the swinging cages and chains, the cavernous openings in ceilings, and the various 3D artifacts floating and bobbing in the flooded level. The fierce battle with the formidable Sonya now begins with her spinning a web down from high above, descending down to where you are, rather than crawling out of a hole in the wall. Unfortunately, one thing we were not able to convert to 3D were monsters. The choice to continue using 2D sprites for most of the monsters was mainly due to memory issues. Going with 3D models would have resulted in a severe reduction of monster types in any given battle and the creatures would have been forced to be extremely crude. There are several areas in the game where a mass of monsters -- a large number of unique monsters -- confront the player and are in constant view. Within the limits of the DS specs we had to work with, to be able to achieve this feeling of being mobbed and assaulted by all sorts of creatures, using sprites was a reasonable option.

Gamers who are serious about sound should appreciate the full 3D sound that has been implemented. Compared to the mono sound of the cell phones, the new 3D sounds for the DS is quite a significant upgrade. The new sound system helps give the player a feeling of truly being in an underground citadel. Levels have unique ambient and environmental sounds that enhance the feeling of crawling down a mountain. When you enter a flooded area, you hear the dripping water -- when you near an Orc army, you hear the shuffling of feet and the movement of enemy soldiers -- as you traverse the down the mountain, you hear wind, crumbling rocks, creaking wood and a variety of other sounds. Whether you're a sound geek or not, we suggest that you put on your headphones and enjoy the ride.

Some of the fun in bringing new things to the game is when that fun happens by accident and turns out better than expected. One of the many things we had to change to make the game "work" on the DS was the intimidation effect on the monsters. The way the intimidation effect works on the cell phone goes something like this: If you have an intimidation ring on there will be a high likelihood that monsters will get frightened and run away from you. To visually cue the player that a monster has been intimidated, the only thing that worked on the mobile phone (from high end phones to the low end phones with 300KB of space) were fright lines over the heads of the monsters. This crude application for an intimidation effect just wouldn't work on the DS so we had to come up with something better. We tried a variety of ideas and for quite a while, we just couldn't find a solution that worked. All of the neat ideas would have taken up too much media space causing problems both in heap and actual package size. Towards the last month of development we even considered bringing back the crude fright lines over the heads of monsters -- even that didn't work. I'm not certain exactly how this idea came about or even why we hadn't thought about it earlier but one of our artists had finally found the answer. It was in the eyes! One of our artists created a set of bulging eyeballs that could be used for all of the monsters (from Wraith to Mimic). When we all first saw its application on a few of the monsters, we were afraid that it was too good to be true. It worked great on a couple of monsters, but would it work for ALL monsters? The answer is yes and its application is quite hilarious.

A side story that we didn't have room to flesh out on the cell phone will finally make it's way onto the DS. Occasionally, a few people will ask me about that lone Vaettir stuck in prison. He originated from the idea that even vicious enemies have cowardly sycophants who brown-nose to the top. We had grander plans for him in the original version of Orcs & Elves but we simply ran out of space. I thought it would be funny to leave him trapped in jail. Well, he finally makes a break for it on the DS. Though we still have not given that character as much face-time as I had hoped, his brown-nosing, back-stabbing, scheming ways find an apt and just end on the DS. Perhaps if we get to make a Wii version of Orcs & Elves, we'll get to see more of him and maybe even see how he slithered to a position of power and why his own kind chose to leave him in a jail to rot.

From sheep that you can kill to make lamb chops to the different ales that vary in potency, we added quite a bit to Orcs & Elves DS to bring more life to the game characters and their world. Though many things have been added, improved, tweaked, massaged, and squeezed into that 16mb DS cartridge, the most important element of the game has stayed the same -- the game is fun.

Labels: EA, iD, Nintendo DS, Orcs and Elves

Dev Diary #1: Bringing a cell phone game to the DS By Katherine Anna Kang
Introduction

My name is Katherine Anna Kang and I'm CEO and Producer at Fountainhead Entertainment -- developers of id Software's Orcs & Elves.

Past Projects:

2003 - In The Waiting Line (Co-Producer and Designer)

2004 - Game Over (Co-Producer and Designer)

2005 - DoomRPG mobile (Producer, Writer and Designer)

2006 - Orcs & Elves mobile (Producer, Writer and Designer)

2007 - Orcs & Elves DS, Orcs & Elves II mobile (Producer, Writer and

Designer)


From Cell Phones to the DS:

Our first foray into the mobile gaming sector was DoomRPG. It was a great
title to work on -- the known IP, the beloved characters, and just working
on a Doom game is cool. It took us 4 months to develop. We were able to
learn about cell phone game creation and take that knowledge several notches
higher with Orcs & Elves. Orcs & Elves on the cell phone was probably the
most difficult game we have created to date. We had to come up with a brand
new universe with complex characters all the while giving those characters
life (even if dead). Unlike DoomRPG, we didn't have the privilege of taking
existing media and we didn't have an existing fan base to back up the game.

The Orcs & Elves universe had to be created from ground zero, the story, the
characters, the media, the sounds, the music... the only thing that stayed
was the core technology. All of this had to be done within 6 months. At
about month 5, we had completed the high-end BREW version of Orcs & Elves,
and though we were disappointed at how many ideas we had to omit, we were
thrilled with the final product. Orcs & Elves was hell of a fun game, looked great,
and even after hundreds of hours of combined play time, we still enjoyed the game.

The original Orcs & Elves cell phone game won numerous awards, including
IGN's Best of E3 2006, Leipzig Game Con's Best Mobile Game of 2006, and
AIAS's Best Mobile Game of 2006. We were extremely happy that people
embraced this new universe and we were raring to take it to the next level.

When talk of a DS version of Orcs & Elves came around, we were thrilled
about the prospect of bringing back all of the game ideas we had to leave
out on the cell phone version due to limitations. We were liking the
bottom-up approach -- take all of the things that we wanted to include in
the original game, save it, then implement it on another platform. The
initial high of knowing that we were bringing Orcs & Elves to the DS wore
off fairly quickly. When we found out about the DS's limitations, we
realized that all of the things we wanted to bring back would not make it.

On the high-end BREW cell phone version of Orcs & Elves, we had about 1.3 MB
of main memory for texture usage. On the DS, we had a total of 512 KB
actual texture memory which broke down to:

a. 128 KB for the bottom screen.

b. 128 KB for static 3D textures on the top screen.

c. 128 KB for streaming in dynamic textures for the current frame on the top
screen.

d. 128 KB for streaming in dynamic textures for the next frame on the top
screen


About 1.2 MB of the DS's main memory was used to cache textures that would
be streamed in as needed into the 128 KB of current frame dynamic texture
memory. This is how we were able to use as many textures as the high-end
BREW phone version while having less than half the memory. The total
texture count for the DS version is 1348 different images. By contrast, the
BREW high-end phone game had 758 total images. We had 6 months to learn to
develop on a new platform, recreate the media, add more content, and fit
"some" of the ideas that could not make it into original game into the DS
version.

As a designer, the look and feel of the game was extremely important but
above all else, the game had to be fun. I wanted the player to get into the
game for several hours straight and later realize that they had been playing
much longer than originally intended. One of the first things that we did
to help make this possible was make the interface player-friendly. I had
been disappointed at how many DS games were out there that did not allow
players to use keys only or touch-screen only. Some games were such finger
twisters that they gave carpal tunnel a new meaning. The first rule in
developing our game was to give the player the freedom to choose. As a
player, you should be able to use the keys if and when you want, the screen
if and when you want, and if you so choose, do a combination of both. It
was a bit of work to make sure that everything worked this way but it was
well worth the effort.

The visuals were an interesting challenge. With the severely limited
texture memory we had at our disposal, we were worried that the DS game
would look horrible. It then dawned on us why so many of the other DS games
were side-scrollers and why the real 3D games looked so poor. Many of the
3D games had extremely simplistic bottom screens and the top screen had
basic colors for walls and ceilings. The one thing that many of these games
had were gorgeous pre-rendered cinematics. Unfortunately, with all the
media we had to cram in, this just wasn't an option for us since we had to
work within the constraints of a 16mb cartridge. Our tried-and-true
solution for creating cinematics within a tight memory budget was Machinima. We had to use all of the art assets created for the game to make cinematics.

I was extremely jealous of the games that could afford the luxury of
pre-rendered CGI cinematics because they looked damned cool but when the
actual in-game media came up, there was no doubt in my mind that our game
was one of the best looking 3D DS games out there. There were several
things we did to improve the in-game look but I think the one I'm most proud
of is what we were able to do with the lower touch screen. I hated the idea
of a simplistic or ugly lower screen -- that screen would be the place
players would go to for inventory management and spell casting; it had to look good.

Our idea was to stay with a first person perspective feel. We created an
inventory management system where if the player was to look down, he would
see his belt and all the items available at a touch. The visuals on the
bottom screen had to match the top screen for better immersion.

In the end, though we couldn't go hog-wild with new media, the game has an
immense amount of new content for fans of the original version and newbies
alike. Things like sheep that you can kill to make lamb chops for food, air
vents that boost you to another place or just up in the air, spiral
staircases that lead you up and down the layers of the mountain citadel,
ladders that take you to secrets, and spell casting are but a small handful
of new items we were able to bring to the DS.

At the end of our 6 month development cycle, and despite the limitations, we
were really glad that Orcs & Elves made it to the DS. We think the fans of
the cell phone version will really have a great time with all the new
content we added and hope newbies will love it also.

Labels: EA, Nintendo DS, Orcs and Elves

EA TO ACQUIRE BIOWARE CORP. AND PANDEMIC STUDIOS

Leaders in RPG, Action and Adventure Genres

Ten Franchises in Development – Six Wholly Owned


REDWOOD CITY, Calif., October 11, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced an agreement with Elevation Partners to acquire VG Holding Corp. -- the owner of both BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios. This acquisition gives EA a strong competitive position in key genres in interactive entertainment: action, adventure and role-playing games. The two studios have been recognized for creating some of the highest-quality games in the industry.

BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios have ten franchises under development, including six wholly owned games. BioWare Corp. is currently developing the highly anticipated Mass Effect, which will be published by Microsoft in November, and is in the early development stages of a massively multiplayer online game. Pandemic Studios is redefining open-world games with its upcoming Mercenaries 2: World in Flames™ and Saboteur™, in addition to several unannounced projects.

Pandemic Studios and BioWare Corp. employ roughly 800 people across four studios located in Edmonton, Canada; Los Angeles; Austin; and Brisbane, Australia.

“These are two of the most respected studios in the industry and I’m glad to be working with them again. They’ll make a strong contribution to our strategic growth initiatives on quality, online gaming and developing new intellectual properties,” said John Riccitiello, EA’s Chief Executive Officer. “We also expect this will drive long-term value for our shareholders.”

Pandemic Studios is led by Andrew Goldman, Josh Resnick and Greg Borrud. BioWare Corp. is jointly led by Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka. These teams will join the EA™ Games Label run by Frank Gibeau, President of EA Games.

“Pandemic Studios remains focused on attracting the best talent and creating blockbuster action games,” said Josh Resnick, President and Co-founder of Pandemic Studios. “As a worldwide publishing leader, EA represents the ideal partner to bring our titles to market as global entertainment events.”

“We are truly excited by John Riccitiello’s new vision for EA,” said Ray Muzyka, Co-founder and CEO of BioWare Corp. “This vision is consistent with BioWare’s focus on crafting the highest quality story-driven games in the world. It will enable us to further the careers of the passionate, creative and hard working teams at BioWare Edmonton and BioWare Austin.”

EA will pay up to $620 million in cash to the stockholders of VG Holding Corp. and will issue up to an additional $155 million in equity to certain employees of VG Holding Corp., which will be subject to time-based or performance-based vesting criteria. EA will also assume outstanding VG Holding Corp. stock options. In addition, EA has agreed to lend VG Holding Corp. up to $35 million through the closing of the acquisition.


Transaction and Financial Information


· The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory

· approvals.

· The transaction is expected to close in January 2008.

· On a GAAP basis, the acquisition is expected to be dilutive to EA’s fiscal 2008 results by approximately $0.30 to $0.40 due to non-recurring acquisition-related charges, stock-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets. This amount is a preliminary estimate based on currently-available information and is subject to change.

· On a non-GAAP basis, the acquisition is expected to be dilutive to EA’s fiscal 2008 fourth quarter results by approximately $0.05. This amount is a preliminary estimate based on currently-available information and is subject to change.

Labels: Bioware, EA, Pandemic Studios

EA RINGS IN THE HOLIDAY WITH BLOCKBUSTER LINE-UP

EA Titles Hit North American Retail Outlets with Unique Pre-order Programs That Are Sure to Stuff Stockings and Bring Joy to Gamers of All Ages

Redwood City, Calif. – October 8, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) sings, skates, jumps and races into the holidays with 27 exciting titles that are sure to please North American gamers young and old. This year, gift-givers will thrill gamers with groundbreaking action titles from EA including; Army of Two™, Crysis™, Hellgate™: London, Orcs & Elves™, Orcs & Elves II™ (on mobile), Medal of Honor Airborne™, Medal of Honor Heroes™ 2, Need for Speed™ ProStreet, The Orange Box and SKATE. For sports fans, EA SPORTS™ hails in the holidays with the spectacular FIFA Soccer 08, Madden NFL 08, NCAA® Football 08, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 08, NHL® 08 and NBA LIVE 08. For families looking for fun-filled entertainment, EA will release The Simpsons™ Game, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™, MTV and Harmonix’s Rock Band™, EA Playground™, Boogie™, Smarty Pants™, The Sims™ DJ (on mobile), MySims™, SimCity™ Societies, and Pictionary® (on mobile). The EA line-up brings fun and excitement to all major game systems including the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft, Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PC and mobile.

Jeff Karp, Senior Vice President of North American Publishing commented, “EA will surprise and delight gamers with titles that are refreshingly fun and deliver on the depth of gameplay that the next-generation promises. Our stand-out pre-order programs such as the exclusive Need for Speed ProStreet unlockable Subaru Impreza WRX STi, the Army of Two insider’s dossier and graphic novel or The Orange Box’s $5 off with pre-order program plus access to the Team Fortress 2 PC beta, will entice gamers and enrich their entertainment experience this holiday.”


Army of TWO

Combat. Camaraderie. Cash. Master two-man combat with a live or AI partner to form the deadliest private military partnership a government can buy. Preorder Army of Two this holiday on the Xbox 360, and gamers will receive exclusive community created weapons. Pre-order Army of Two on the PLAYSTATION 3 and receive an exclusive dossier including hints and content from the graphic novel.

· Release date: November 13

· Platforms: Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3

· ESRB Rating: M for Mature

· MSRP: $59.99


Boogie

Shake it. Sing it. Create it. The ultimate party package for gamers of all ages, Boogie on the PlayStation 2 and Wii will have players dancing, singing and creating music videos to hit songs from over four decades. Players can even take their dancing act on the road with Boogie on the Nintendo DS. This version offers unique dancing modes including 3D gameplay using the 3D glasses packed in the retail box as well as mini-games not found on the consoles.

· Release date: November 15, 2007 (PlayStation 2/ Nintendo DS), August 2007 (Wii)

· Platforms: Wii, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo DS

· ESRB Rating: E10+

· MSRP: $59.99 (Wii) and $49.99 (PlayStation 2) – includes microphone; $29.99 (Nintendo DS) – includes 3D glasses


Command & conquer™ saga

Experience Command & ConquerÔ like never before with The Command & ConquerÔ Saga —thirteen Command & Conquer games spanning three generations of the series in a single package! This massive compilation spans over a dozen Command & Conquer games including the award-winning Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium WarsÔ and all the titles featured in Command & ConquerÔ The First Decade. Available in North America this October for the PC, The Command & Conquer Saga marks the largest PC franchise compilation to date.

· Release date: October

· Platform: PC

· ESRB Rating: T for Teen

· MSRP: $49.99


Crysis

Get ready to break out your Nanosuits! Powered by Crytek's CryENGINE™ 2, Crysis is a technical achievement featuring stunning visuals, cunning gameplay and an epic storyline. One of the year’s most anticipated first person shooters, Crysis is set to set a new bar for the way FPS’ look and play on November 16th. Fans should be sure to grab the Crysis Special Edition, featuring a 16-page book full of concept art, an exclusive in-game vehicle and a bonus disc with behind the scenes footage from Crytek.

· Release date: November 16

· Platform: PC

· ESRB Rating: Rating Pending

· MSRP: $49.99, $59.99 for the Special Edition


EA PLAYGROUND

EA Playground captures the exuberance and nostalgia of your neighborhood playground, turning your gaming space into an arena of interactive fun with immersive activities designed for kids, and the kid inside all of us. It smartly delivers all your playground favorites on the Wii and Nintendo DS. Every game is easy to pick-up-and-play and uniquely capitalizes on the control mechanics of both platforms.

· Release date: October 23

· Platforms: Wii and Nintendo DS

· ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

· MSRP: $39.99 (Wii) and $29.99 (Nintendo DS)


FIFA SOCCER 08

FIFA Soccer 08 challenges players to master the skills required to play like a pro soccer player by introducing a new mode called Be A Pro: Offline Training. Be A Pro locks you into the role of a single, fixed player the entire game and challenges you to master the same disciplines as a real soccer player—from positioning and tackling to reading the field and passing. Users receive real time feedback and analysis on the fly and a unique camera angle keeps both player and action in focus, zooming in when you’re on attack. Featuring new Pro Skills moves that enables you to combine tricks and skill moves together to recreate signature moves from the real-world superstars and the inclusion of 576 licensed teams, 30 leagues, and more than 15,000 players.

· Release date: October 9

· Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo DS, PC and mobile

· ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; no ESRB rating for mobile

· MSRP: $59.99 (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3), $49.99 (Wii), $39.99 (PC, PlayStation 2 and PSP); $29.99 for Nintendo DS


Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry is tasked to help fellow students in “Dumbledore’s Army” fight against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle which lies ahead. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

· Release date: Available now

· Platforms: PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Game Boy® Advance, PC, Mac and mobile

· ESRB Rating: E 10+ for the PSP, Mac, PlayStation 2, Wii, and Xbox 360; E for Everyone for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS; no ESRB rating for mobile

· MSRP: $39.99 for PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360, $29.95 for the Mac, $29.99 for PlayStation 2, Wii and PSP, $19.99 for Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance, $19.99 for the PC, and as low as $3.49 for mobile


HELLGATE: LONDON

It’s 2038 and London has been decimated by hordes of horrifying demons -- you are the only thing standing between them and the extinction of mankind. From the core team behind the global blockbuster Diablo comes Hellgate: London, the next benchmark for the action RPG genre coming to PCs this Halloween. Hardcore Hellgate fans can also pick up the Collector’s Edition featuring an exclusive in-game pet, the Dark Horse graphic novel, a bonus disc featuring a “Making of the Game” documentary and the complete game soundtrack!

· Release date: October 31

· Platforms: PC

· ESRB Rating: M for Mature

· MSRP: $49.99, $59.99 for the Collector’s Edition

· Subscription price (optional): $9.95/month


MADDEN NFL 08

Feel what it’s like to be a field general making key personnel decisions on both sides of the ball during the game’s biggest moments in Madden NFL 08. Quickly identify the strongest players on the field before every snap then move them into position to make game-changing, momentum-altering plays. Play to your team’s strengths by immediately reading your opponent’s schemes and reacting to the action as soon as the ball is snapped. Create mismatches and exploit weaknesses as you read and react with Madden NFL 08.

· Release date: Available now

· Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube™, PSP, Nintendo DS, PC, Mac and mobile

· ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; no ESRB rating for mobile

· MSRP: $59.99 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, $49.99 for Wii, $39.99 for PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox, PC and Mac; $29.99 for Nintendo DS


Medal of Honor AIRBORNE

Get ready to get airborne! For the first time in an FPS game, players airdrop into combat from a C-47 and land anywhere in an open battlefield. The first step is everything and the player’s landing spot can dramatically change the course of battle. Conflict on the ground offers unprecedented tactical choice in vertical, open battle spaces with a wealth of attack routes and flanking opportunities.

· Release date: Available now for Xbox 360 and PC; November for PLAYSTATION 3

· Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PC and mobile

· ESRB Rating: T for Teen; no ESRB rating for mobile

· MSRP: $59.99 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3; $49.99 for PC; As low as $3.49 for mobile


MEDAL OF HONOR HEROES 2

Designed from the ground up for the Wii and PSP, Medal of Honor Heroes 2 puts all the action of WWII into your hands. Battle enemies in a full-length single player campaign, or choose to jump online anytime, anywhere, for 32-player multiplayer action! Featuring innovative combat controls and gestures built specifically for the Wii, plus full support of Nintendo’s Wii Zapper.

· Release date: November 13

· Platforms: Wii and PSP

· ESRB Rating: T for Teen

· MSRP: $49.99 for Wii and $39.99 for PSP


MYSIMS

MySims is the first game in a revolutionary new product line from the developers of the blockbuster franchise The Sims that allows players to build a town, grow a community and discover a world of their own. Created especially for the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms MySims gives players to ability to unleash their creativity in every aspect of the game – from building furniture and one-of-a-kind homes to creating characters with crazy hairstyles and cool new clothing.

· Release date: September 20

· Platforms: Wii and Nintendo DS

· ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

· MSRP: $49.99 for Wii; $39.99 for Nintendo DS


NBA LIVE 08

When the game is on the line and the ball is in your hands, what will you do? Will you penetrate, drive the lane and rise above the rim for a monster dunk, or find an opening on the perimeter and sink a game-winning three? Take control of the game with a full arsenal to win the one-on-one match-up from every spot on the floor. Building upon a solid foundation of 5-on-5 gameplay, NBA LIVE 08 introduces a set of 4 all-new features – Quickstrike Ballhandling, own the paint, hot spots and signature go-to moves to increase user control, while providing an unrivaled level of authenticity to the sport of basketball. Now you can dominate with your Go-To Move with NBA LIVE 08.

· Release date: October 2

· Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP, PC and mobile

· ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; no ESRB rating for mobile

· MSRP: $59.99 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3; $49.99 for Wii, $39.99 for PlayStation 2, PSP and PC; As low as $2.49 for mobile


NCAA FOOTBALL 08

Put your heart, hustle and toughness on the line and lead your program to the BCS National Championship Game in NCAA® Football 08. With all-new Leadership Control, boost the motivation level of your teammates by taking control and making big plays. Featuring an all-new Campus Legend mode and an even deeper Dynasty Mode, put your coaching prowess and integrity to the ultimate test. With all-new My Shrine, Home Field Advantage, and exciting new plays like the Statue of Liberty NCAA Football 08 is everything that’s great about college football. What kind of legacy will you leave?

· Release date: Available now

· Platforms: ?Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox

· ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

· MSRP: $59.99 (Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3), $39.99 (PlayStation 2 and Xbox)


NEED FOR SPEED PROSTREET

Need for Speed ProStreet is a racing experience like no other. For the first time, you're designing and building a car, competing in iconic locations from around the globe and battling in four distinct racing styles – grip, drag, drift and the all-new speed challenge. This holiday, preorder Need for Speed ProStreet to unlock the Subaru Impreza WRX STi; then using the all-new Blueprints demo, gamers can customize their ride at www.needforspeed.com (beginning October 15). Once Need for Speed ProStreet is released, upload the ultimate driving machine straight into the game and begin racing.

· Release date: November 14

· Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, PC and mobile

· ESRB Rating: Rating Pending; (E for Everyone confirmed for Nintendo DS); no ESRB rating for mobile

· MSRP: $59.99 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3; $49.99 for Wii, $39.99 for PlayStation 2 and PC, $29.99 for Nintendo DS; as low as $4.99 for mobile


NHL 08

EA SPORTS – pioneers in the Golden Age of hockey videogames – continues to lead the charge in the next gen era with advancements in AI intelligence, innovative controls, online depth and an unmatched level of authenticity to the sport. The revolutionary Skill Stick System evolves in NHL 08 and delivers an unparalleled level of control. An all-new deking system enables you to move the puck off your stick, to walk around a defender and give you space in front to challenge the goalie. Enhanced analog speed control and a new skating engine give you the precision and fluidity to play like you would on the ice. With unlimited control, unmatched depth and infinite possibilities, no game is ever the same with NHL 08.

· Release date: Available now

· Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation 2, PC

· ESRB Rating: E10+

· MSRP: $59.99 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3; $39.99 for PC; $29.99 for PlayStation 2


Orcs & Elves

The award-winning fantasy RPG mobile game, created by the legendary id Software™ and developed by Fountainhead Entertainment comes to the Nintendo DS. Enhanced with more levels, weapons and fierce foes, Orcs & Elves offers a breathtaking dungeon-crawling experience for any fantasy RPG gamer. As a young half-elf, a player will explore a massive Dwarven fortress riddled with ancient treasure, powerful weapons, and waves of ruthless enemies, on a quest to expel the ultimate evil from the mountain’s core.

· Release date: November 13

· Platforms: Nintendo DS

· ESRB Rating: T for Teen

· MSRP: $29.99


ORCS & ELVES ii

From the creators of DoomRPG™, Orcs & Elves II continues the epic story from the original game. Journey to a place filled with adventure, where heroes are born and legends are made! Explore foreign towns, mysterious caverns & haunted forests. Battle strange & mythical beasts with an arsenal of powerful and enchanted weapons. Orcs & Elves II combines the best of first-person action and fast-paced tactical RPG gameplay. The second mobile installment of the first-person adventure from id Software and Fountainhead Entertainment.

· Release date: November

· Platforms: Mobile

· ESRB Rating: no ESRB rating for mobile

· MSRP: As low as $3.49 for mobile


PICTIONARY®

Ready, set, draw! Enjoy the classic, beloved game of quick draw® on your phone. Play solo, and guess what your phone’s drawing, or enjoy the fun of networked multiplayer*, competing with up to four people in teams of two. Take turns playing as artist or guesser. Simple interface makes it easy for you to sketch with a pencil, paint bucket, shapes and stamps. Erase a portion, or delete the whole. Challenge your word imagination and your creativity. Pick up your phone for a rousing round of Mattel’s Pictionary®.

· Release date: December

· Platforms: Mobile

· ESRB Rating: no ESRB rating for mobile

· MSRP: As low as $3.49 for mobile


Rock Band

Awarded “Best of Show” at E3, Harmonix and MTV Games' Rock Band is an all-new platform for gamers and music lovers to interact with and experience music, giving players the chance to rock in the shoes of the biggest guitarists, bassists, drummers and singers of all time – as a solo superstar or as part of a hard rocking band, in person or online. Built on unprecedented deals with top record labels and music publishers, Rock Band spans all genres of rock and includes many master recordings from legendary artists ranging from Metallica to The Who. Rock Band is developed by Harmonix, published by MTV Games, distributed by EA Partners.

· Release date: November 20 for PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360, December 11 for PlayStation 2

· Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation 2

· ESRB Rating: T for Teen

· MSRP: Special Edition $169.99 (including software, guitar, drums, microphone) for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3; Special Edition $159.99 (including software, guitar, drums, microphone) for PlayStation 2


SIMCITY SOCIETIES

SimCity Societies allows players to construct not only the cities they desire, but create their cultures, societal behaviors and environments as well. Build an artistic city, green city, spiritual community or most any society you want! Using the accessible, innovative and versatile city-builder, players can create their own kind of city in SimCity Societies.

· Release date: November 13, 2007

· Platforms: PC and mobile

· ESRB Rating: E10+; no ESRB rating for mobile

· MSRP: $49.99 for PC, As low as $3.49 for mobile


Skate

EA’s critically acclaimed SKATE videogame is the closest thing to skateboarding without actually putting your feet on a board. With innovative Flickit controls that take advantage of the dual analog sticks, SKATE delivers a fresh, new and authentic boarding experience like no other videogame.

· Release date: Available now

· Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and mobile

· ESRB Rating: T for Teen; no ESRB rating for mobile

· MSRP: $59.99 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3; as low as $3.49 for mobile


SMARTY PANTS
How smart are you? Do you know more than your Grandma about world history? Does your little sister know more than your Dad about sports? Find out this holiday when Smarty Pants, the first Wii trivia game, ships to stores nationwide. Smarty Pants finally levels the playing field for people of all ages, allowing simultaneous play using age-targeted trivia plus action-based gestures, making it a truly trans-generational game made exclusively for the Wii. Tailoring questions to the contestant's age, gamers from eight to eighty can join in on the fun all at the same time. Exciting Wii gestures make everything a game, from spinning the category wheel and tug-of-wars over correct answers, to "dance-offs" for additional points. With both competitive and collaborative game modes and 20,000 questions in multiple categories, the fun is virtually endless!

· Release date: November 19

· Platforms: Wii

· ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

· MSRP: $49.99


The Orange Box

The Orange Box delivers five innovative action games from Valve – creators of the blockbuster Half-Life® franchise, in one box. The Orange Box includes Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal™ and Team Fortress® 2 in addition to full versions of award-winning Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One for the most complete first-person action experience anywhere. Gamers who pre-order The Orange Box from select retailers will receive $5 dollars off the game. In addition, gamers who pre-purchase the PC version from select retailers will be admitted into the Team Fortress 2 beta.

· Release date: October 9 for the PC and Xbox 360, Holiday 2007 for PLAYSTATION 3

· Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PC

· ESRB Rating: Teen to Mature

· MSRP: $59.99 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, $49.99 for PC


THE SIMS DJ

Get into the groove with The Sims™ DJ! Create your Sim, and make your own music by mixing a wide selection of samples. Compose unique songs in multiple genres like Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, and Dance. Lay down your rhythm tracks, hit the clubs and rock the house. Watch the Sims crowds dance to your best beats on your fun journey to DJ superstardom. Share your new tunes with your friends – create ringtones from your original songs and save to your phone!

· Release date: December

· Platforms: Mobile

· ESRB Rating: no ESRB rating for mobile

· MSRP: As low as $3.49


TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR® 08

Take on the world in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08. For the first time ever, every portion of your game is recorded—from the first tee box in Play Now mode to your final putt in a FedEx Cup tournament. Post your most amazing—and unthinkable—performances on EA SPORTS™ GamerNet, a revolutionary interactive gaming hub that hosts user-created content online. Set the bar high by posting your top moments or take on challenges set by others to determine who truly is the world’s greatest golfer. Whether you’re uploading an unbeatable round or the craziest shot, take the world by storm with Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08.

· Release date: Available now

· Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, PSP, PC, Mac

· ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

· MSRP: $59.99 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, $49.99 for Wii, $39.99 for PlayStation 2, PSP, PC and Mac; $29.99 for Nintendo DS


And of course…

The Simpsons Game

This year, The Simpsons celebrated their eighteenth season finale with the airing of their 400th episode followed in July with the long-awaited first feature film, which to-date has become a worldwide box office phenomenon. Now fans of this multi-award-winning TV show are ready for the next major milestone this year: THE SIMPSONS GAME. THE SIMPSONS GAME recently announced their pre-order campaign with exclusive parody posters and limited edition Homerball as well as their Xbox LIVE Demo of the in-game episode Shadow of the Colossal Donut.

· Release date: October 30

· Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, Wii, and Nintendo DS

· ESRB Rating: T for Teen

· MSRP: $59.99 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, $49.99 for Wii, $39.99 for PlayStation 2 and PSP, $29.99 for Nintendo DS

Labels: EA, EA Sports

Is Your Rig Ready for Crysis?
The Countdown to Crysis Continues – 11.16.07

Let the speculation come to an end! EA and Crytek are announcing today the minimum and recommended system specifications for the highly anticipated first person shooter Crysis.

Featuring some of the most jaw dropping visuals in a game on any platform, Crysis will not only be pushing the boundaries of all of the latest technologies like DX10, Nvidia’s GeForce 8800 series GPUs and Intel’s Core 2 CPUs, but will also be playable on gaming rigs up to 2-3 years old from the game’s November 16, 2007 ship date.

“Our vision for Crysis has always been to create the most stunning, immersive FPS experience ever, and we’ve been working hard not only to do that on the high end, but also in pushing current generation hardware so that everyone gets the maximum experience,” said Cevat Yerli, CEO of Crytek. “And while these specs affect how Crysis will perform now, we have also optimized Crysis so that the game scales forward 1-2 years --we want to make sure that Crysis’ gameplay, visuals and performance improves as technology does.”

Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements from Crytek and EA:

Minimum System Requirements

OS – Windows XP or Windows Vista

Processor – 2.8 GHz or faster (XP) or 3.2 GHz or faster* (Vista)

Memory – 1.0 GB RAM (XP) or 1.5 GB RAM (Vista)

Video Card –256 MB**

Hard Drive – 12GB

Sound Card – DirectX 9.0c compatible

* Supported Processors: Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz (3.2 GHz for Vista) or faster, Intel Core 2.0 GHz (2.2 GHz for Vista) or faster, AMD Athlon 2800+ (3200+ for Vista) or faster.

** Supported chipsets: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT or greater; ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (Radeon X800 Pro for Vista) or greater. Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Integrated chipsets are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required.

Recommended System Requirements

OS – Windows XP / Vista

Processor – Intel Core 2 DUO @ 2.2GHz or AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+

Memory – 2.0 GB RAM

GPU – NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS/640 or similar

The countdown to Crysis is almost over! Gamers are already flooding FilePlanet to participate in the beta for the exciting new multiplayer mode Power Struggle and the single player demo is hitting everywhere on October 26th, 2007. For the latest in Crysis news, please visit www.nanosuit.com.

Labels: Crysis, EA

Labels: EA, The Simpsons Game

EA ANNOUNCES THE COMMAND & CONQUER SAGA

AND CELEBRATES 12 YEARS OF THE POPULAR SERIES

Collection of Thirteen Command & Conquer Titles


LOS ANGELES, Calif., October 2, 2007 – Experience Command & Conquer™ like never before—thirteen Command & Conquer games spanning three generations of the series in a single package! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced The Command & Conquer™ Saga, a massive compilation of over a dozen Command & Conquer games including the award-winning Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™ and all the titles featured in Command & Conquer™ The First Decade. Available in North America this October for the PC, The Command & Conquer Saga marks the largest PC franchise compilation to date.

With over 25 million copies sold worldwide, the Command & Conquer franchise has defined the Real-time strategy (RTS) genre with fast and fluid gameplay, cutting-edge visuals, epic storylines, and rich campaign missions. The series has evolved over a decade, spawned over a dozen titles, and continues to be the genre benchmark by which all RTS games are measured. With its explosive style of warfare, the Command & Conquer franchise has grown over the years to span multiple fictional genres, including the science fiction Tiberium Universe, the revisionist history of the Command & Conquer Red Alert Universe, and a twist on modern warfare with Command & Conquer™ Generals.

The Command & Conquer Saga contains the following titles:

Command & Conquer™ (Aug. 1995)
Command & Conquer The Covert Operations™ (April 1996)
Command & Conquer Red Alert™ (Oct 1996)
Command & Conquer Red Alert Counterstrike™ (Mar. 1997)
Command & Conquer Red Alert™ The Aftermath™ (Sept. 1997)
Command & Conquer™ Tiberian Sun™ (Aug 1999)
Command & Conquer™ Tiberian Sun™ Firestorm (Feb. 2000)
Command & Conquer Red Alert™ 2 (Oct. 2000)
Command & Conquer™ Red Alert™ Yuri’s Revenge™ (Oct. 2001)
Command & Conquer Renegade™ (Feb. 2002)
Command & Conquer™ Generals (Feb. 2003)
Command & Conquer™ Generals Zero Hour (Sept. 2003)
Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™ (Mar 2007)

The Command & Conquer Saga has a US MSRP of $49.99. All games included in the compilation are rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB.

The development team at EA Los Angeles continues to give back to their community—one of the largest and most active fan communities in the world. To help celebrate the series’ twelfth anniversary, EA recently offered a free download of Command & Conquer Gold which garnered close to 3 million downloads to date. Over the next few months, fans can expect even more from the Command & Conquer team including exclusive content, video features, original programming through the Command & Conquer online network, and more. For up to date information on the anniversary activities or for more information about The Command & Conquer Saga or the Command & Conquer series, please visit http://www.commandandconquer.ea.com/.

Labels: Command and Conquer Saga, EA, PC

Are you ready to rock Paradise City with two and a half tons on heavy-metal mayhem?

The Steel Wheels promo car provides just that. The heavily modified Steel Wheel GT concept car was designed specifically for the celebrity with style. Featuring armor-plating and a supercharged 6735cc V8, this car is sure to make a grand entrance at any premiere. And, with 0-to-60 acceleration in 4.8 seconds and 195-mph top speed, you always have plenty of firepower to leave the paparazzi crushed in you wake.

Labels: Burnout Paradise, EA

Do you have the power to overthrow the forces of darkness?

Homer and Marge are up to the task in this latest trailer from The Simpsons Game!

Labels: EA, The Simpsons Game

EA sent over info and pictures of their upcoming DS title, Orcs & Elves - lean in and check out what the fuss is about!

Enter an ancient and magical world where good and evil collide in an epic adventure with Orcs & Elves™ for Nintendo DS™.

The award-winning fantasy RPG mobile game, created by id™ Software and developed by Fountainhead Entertainment comes to the Nintendo DS, with more levels, weapons and fierce foes.

Orcs & Elves offers a breathtaking dungeon-crawling experience for any fantasy RPG gamer, featuring an Award-winning storyline spanning twelve sprawling levels within an ancient Dwarven kingdom.

As a young half-elf, a player will explore the ancient mountain-citadel of Zharrharag, a massive Dwarven fortress riddled with ancient treasure, powerful weapons, and waves of ruthless enemies.

Gamers can use the DS touch screen to solve devious puzzles, overcome deadly traps and unleash magical powers with an arsenal of arcane items like magic potions, enchanted rings, dragon scale armor and an enchanted wand.

Gamers will find and master thirteen mystical weapons including magical swords, deadly crossbows, and a powerful war hammer as they fight through waves of legendary beasts each with their own tactics and powers. Along the way, players will also befriend unique characters such as an ancient dragon to help them fight their way into the deepest reaches of the mountain fortress on a quest to expel the ultimate evil from the mountain’s core.

Labels: EA, Orcs and Elves

EA AND NAMCO BANDAI ANNOUNCE A TRIFECTA OF PRE-ORDER TREATS FOR HELLGATE: LONDON

Here’s Your Exclusive Chance to Open the Hellgate Before Halloween

Redwood City, Calif. – September 14, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced three special pre-order promotions for the highly anticipated action RPG Hellgate™: London in North America. Gamers who pre-order either the regular or Collector’s Edition of Hellgate: London will receive:

*A key to an exclusive Beta starting next week and ending October 7, 2007.
*One of four exclusive dye-kits1 that will give your hero’s gear a cool color theme right off the bat when Hellgate: London officially opens on Halloween.
*Eligibility to take advantage of the Hellgate: London Founders Offer, giving hardcore players a chance to purchase a lifetime subscription2 to Hellgate’s premium service for $149.99.

“We’re excited to get our most passionate players into the early Beta test, and to reward them with a special look once the game goes live on Halloween,” said Bill Roper, CEO of Flagship Studios. “The Founder’s offer is designed for those die-hard fans that will have had time to really get to know the game during the Beta phase and plan on spending a lot of time with us online.”

From the core team behind the global blockbuster action RPG Diablo®, Hellgate: London represents the next leap in the evolution of the genre, combining the depth and addictive gameplay of traditional RPGs with the visceral action of first-person shooters. Featuring a deep, story-driven campaign with over 40 hours of gameplay, Hellgate: London can be played alone offline or online through the entire campaign experience for free in a safe, client-server environment. For those players who want to extend their Hellgate: London experience, Flagship is offering an optional subscription service which will give players access to huge amounts of content on an ongoing basis in the form of quests, character classes, demons, items, etc.

Hellgate: London has been rated ‘M’ for Mature by the ESRB and has been rated ‘18+’ by PEGI. Visit www.esrb.org or www.pegionline.eu for more ratings information. For more information about the game, log onto http://info.ea.com or the game’s official website at www.hellgatelondon.com.

1 A Dye Kit is an in-game item that lets you color your online character's armor set to a particular theme, determined by the retailer you purchased your pre-order from. Your specific Dye Kit information can be found on your pre-order card that contains the code. This item is linked to your account when you enter your pre-order code. However, it is not available for use in the Beta, but only in the Live (retail) version of the game.

2 "Lifetime Subscription" refers to the lifetime of the online subscription component for Hellgate: London, not the user's lifetime. Lifetime Subscription memberships are limited to the first 125,000 pre-order purchasers of Hellgate: London from participating retailers who upgrade prior to November 30, 2007. Prior to purchasing a Lifetime Subscription, the purchasers of the Hellgate: London must complete their purchase of the Hellgate: London software and create a Hellgate: London online subscription account. The user acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Hellgate: London online component, including, but not limited to the online subscription component may be cancelled at any time, without any refunds or other compensation to the user; (b) the Lifetime Subscription does not automatically grant access to expansions of Hellgate: London which are sold as individual products, as such products must be purchased separately; (c) the user must accept and abide by the End User License Agreement for Hellgate: London and the Terms of Service, Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy for the Hellgate: London online component, as each are modified from time to time, at all times prior to the purchase of a Lifetime Subscription; and (d) in addition to the foregoing, Ping0, LLC retains the right to cancel a Lifetime Subscription as set forth in the Terms of Service to the Hellgate: London online component.

Labels: EA, Hellgate London, Namco-Bandai

EA GOES FULL-THROTTLE WITH

NEED FOR SPEED PROSTREET SOUNDTRACK

New Installment of Top-Selling Race Game Fueled By Explosive International Styles Plus Original Score By Junkie XL

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – September 20, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today the complete soundtrack for Need for Speed™ ProStreet, which is set for North American release November 14, 2007 on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ as well as the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™, PC and mobile. The soundtrack features over 35 songs from artists representing a volatile range of styles, along with an original score by internationally renowned DJ/Producer/Musician Junkie XL that captures the skill, risk and velocity of pro street racing culture.

“The Need for Speed franchise has set the worldwide standard for not only racing games, but their soundtracks as well,” said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Music Marketing at EA. “Now for the first time, Need for Speed ProStreet takes street racing from the underground to pro level with a music mix to match. We've brought together an unprecedented collection of artists that represents an international convergence of emerging Rock, aggressive Electro, UK Grime and much more, including a truly dangerous original score by our Artwerk artist Junkie XL. In a still-outlaw culture that demands complete authenticity, we have blended the ultimate audio racing fuel.”

In addition to the explosive lead track “More” from Junkie XL, the Need for Speed ProStreet soundtrack also features premiere songs from Artwerk artists Datarock and Airbourne. Additional highlights include tracks from the most recent albums by Avenged Sevenfold, the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, TV on the Radio, and UNKLE, featuring Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age. The new rave scene is represented by Mercury Prize winners Klaxons, electronica by Peaches and MSTRKRFT, dance punk by Bloc Party, and dubstep by UK sensations Wiley.

The complete soundtrack includes the songs listed below. To hear samplings of each song please visit www.ea.com/eatrax/


ARTIST
SONG

Airbourne
Blackjack

Avenged Sevenfold
Almost Easy

Bloc Party
Prayer (Does It Offend You, Yeah? Remix)

Chromeo
Fancy Footwork (Guns ‘N Bombs Remix)

Clutch
Power Player

CSS
Odio Odio Odio Sorry C

Datarock
I Used To Dance With My Daddy (Karma Harvest Mix)

Digitalism
Pogo

Dude 'N Nem
Watch My Feet

DÚNÉ
A Blast Beat

Foreign Islands
We Know You Know It

Junkie XL feat. Lauren Rocket
More (Junk O Flamenco Remix)

Junkie XL feat. Lauren Rocket
More (Junk O Rock Remix)

Junkie XL feat. Lauren Rocket
More (Junk O Punk Remix)

Junkie XL feat. Lauren Rocket
More

Klaxons
Atlantis To Interzone

MSTRKRFT
Neon Knights

Neon Plastix
On Fire

Peaches
Boys Wanna Be Her (Tommie Sunshine’s Brooklyn Fire Retouch)

Plan B
More Is Enough feat. Epic Man

Plan B
No Good (Chase & Status and Benni G Remix)

Smallwhitelight
Spite

The Faint
Dropkick The Punks

The Horrors
Draw Japan

The Rapture
The Sound

The Toxic Avenger
Escape (Bloody Beetroots Remix)

TV On The Radio
Wolf Like Me

UNKLE
Restless feat. Josh Homme

We Are Wolves
Fight And Kiss

Wiley
Bow E3

Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Kiss Kiss

Year Long Disaster
Leda Atomica

Yelle
A Cause Des Garcons (Riot In Belgium Remix)


The soundtrack completes a racing experience like no other. In Need for Speed ProStreet, gamers can design and build a car to compete in iconic locations from around the globe and battle in four distinct racing styles- grip, drag, drift and the all-new speed challenge. The atmosphere is electric - complete with energetic crowds, photo-realistic vehicles and billowing smoke - all designed to embody the pressure and intensity of the gladiatorial challenge known as Show Down.

Need for Speed ProStreet also continues the tradition of featuring the most desirable street racing cars. This November, Need for Speed ProStreet is the first full packaged videogame where gamers can test drive the Nissan GTR before its launch in Spring of 2008.

Need for Speed ProStreet is scheduled to ship in Europe on November 16 for the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION®3 and Wii™ as well as the PlayStation®2, Nintendo DS™, PC and mobile.

Labels: EA, Need For Speed ProStreet

Also at participating chains, a limited number of customers will receive the rare Homerball! Based on Homer’s special in game powers, Homerball is Homer’s dream come true; turning into a giant, rolling ball that can eat and eat and eat without ever getting full. As an added bonus, Homerball can smash walls, burst over ramps, and knock back enemies. Behold the ball!

• Four Different Limited Edition The Simpsons Game Parody Posters
• Limited Homerball Figure

Parody Posters Available from: GameStop, Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy

Homerball Available from Participating Retailers While Supplies Last

Beginning September 19th, 2007!

Labels: EA, The Simpsons Game

EA Ships MySims to Retail Shelves

Created Especially for the Wii and Nintendo DS Platforms, MySims Allows Players to Build a Town, Grow a Community and Discover a World of their Own

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — September 18, 2007 — Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that MySims™, the first game in a revolutionary new product line from the developers of the blockbuster franchise, The Sims™, has shipped to retails shelves across North America. Designed especially for the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ platforms, MySims allows players to build a town, grow a community and discover a world of their own!

“MySims gives players the ability to unleash their creativity in every aspect of the game –from characters with wacky hairstyles and cool new clothing to the entire town including houses and everything within them,” said Studio Head of The Sims Label, Rod Humble. “MySims is a wonderful little world that people can enter, enjoy, and explore at their own pace changing it to their own desires.”

MySims introduces a charming cast of whimsical characters while delivering the creativity, customization and classic open-ended gameplay that has enchanted The Sims players worldwide. Players begin by creating their own toy-like MySims character that reflects their personal style and attitudes. From bow-ties and baseball caps to sunglasses and braces, the options are endless and the style is unlike any The Sims game to date. By unlocking the latest trends, hairstyles and accessories, players explore the game’s incredible depth of customization and expression… and the characters are just the beginning!

After creating a unique MySims character, players will help turn a rundown town into a thriving one by building and customizing objects with the easy and fun-to-use Wii and Nintendo DS controls. From one-of-a-kind homes and thriving businesses to amusing furniture and more, fans can personalize their creations with customizable skins, patterns, and unique themes. Each completed task will help the town thrive, so what each player makes… makes all the difference!

As fans explore and build up their town, they’ll begin to attract new characters, like DJ Candy Supergroove—the town’s hippest disc jockey who likes to spin music and deck out her home in the coolest new fashions. Or cook up a slice with the famous Italian chef – Gino Delicioso – the best pizza maker in town! Each of the 60 unique characters bring knowledge and a fresh new experience to the town, and, it’s up to each player who moves in and who moves out, proving there’s never a dull moment in the MySims community!

MySims is rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB with descriptors for Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence, and Gambling and will ship the Wii and Nintendo DS versions in North America on September 18th and in Europe on September 14th . The Wii version ships in Japan on September 27th, Nintendo DS version in Winter 2007. For more information on MySims, or to check out the brand-new Sushi Chef Minigame, please visit: http://mysims.ea.com/.

Labels: EA, MySims, Nintendo DS, nintendo wii

EA CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF ULTIMA ONLINE

A Decade of Groundbreaking MMO Gaming Celebrated with In-Game Activities, Special Items and “Return to Britannia” Campaign for Past Players

Redwood City, CA, September 25, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), the world’s leading interactive entertainment company, today celebrated the 10th anniversary of the classic massively-multiplayer online game (MMO), Ultima Online™. Launched on September 25, 1997, Ultima Online broke new ground in the multiplayer game space and ushered in the modern MMO era. Anniversary celebrations include special in-game activities and rewards, plus a new amnesty program that invites former players back to experience the major game update, Ultima Online Kingdom Reborn, for free.

“Ultima Online has thrived for 10 years and achieved the status of an MMO classic, thanks in large part to the devoted player community,” said Mark Jacobs, VP and general manager, EA Mythic. “We are very excited to celebrate this special anniversary with players.”

In celebration of the 10th anniversary, EA is kicking off the “Return to Brittania” campaign, an amnesty program that welcomes former players to discover the gameplay and graphics upgrades implemented in Kingdom Reborn. Past subscribers in good standing will be able to play for free through October 9, 2007 by visiting www.uo.com/kingdomreborn/gamefiles, downloading Ultima Online Kingdom Reborn and logging in using their former account name and password.

During the in-game 10th anniversary celebration, players will be able to take part in a monster hunt with special prizes including an ankh pendant necklace, map of Brittania, Ultima Online commemorative sculpture and virtue armor set. Additionally, all players will receive 10 décor tokens and a wand of fireworks in their characters’ inventory.

For more information on the 10th anniversary celebration, please visit www.uoherald.com/tenth.

Labels: EA, Ultima Online

EA REVS UP BURNOUT PARADISE WITH

INNOVATION AND STYLE

PLAYSTATION®3 version to feature Rumble Controls, 3-Button EasyDrive & PLAYSTATION®Eye for Instant Mugshots that Capture the Fun of the Moment

Redwood City, CA - September 21, 2007 – Paradise City awaits. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today revealed the unique feature set that will define Burnout™ Paradise – the next-generation of Burnout. With true open world freedom, seamless ‘EasyDrive’ online multiplayer, four unique single-player events, and hundreds of online Freeburn challenges, Burnout Paradise thrusts gamers into an incredibly vivid HD world that pushes the limits of the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360™ videogame system. The white knuckle action explodes as players pull up at any stoplight and spin their wheels to jumpstart the action.

Spectacular bone-crushing crashes and an unparalleled sense of speed will always be a hallmark of Burnout games but Burnout Paradise ups the ante with an all new game design that expands the experience into a deeper, ever more immersive driving dream. Some of the key features that set Burnout Paradise apart include:

*True Open World Freedom – The entire city will be available from the outset, giving players the freedom to explore this immersive world known as Paradise City. Experience open world driving Burnout style as the action begins with you, but it doesn’t have to end.

*EasyDrive Online Social Gaming – See your friends online with the EasyDrive Friends List and connect with them instantly without having to wait or exit your game. Burnout Paradise is revolutionizing the way players jump on and offline, making it as simple and quick as possible.

*Single-player Events – Choose from Race, Marked Man, Road Rage, and Stunt by pulling up to the numerous stoplights in the game to initiate the event. The action isn’t forced any longer, as players have the freedom to start and even end a challenge at their leisure.

“This is the true beginning of next generation racing. On PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360, we are delivering a game that brings brilliant graphics into HD at 60 frames per second. Burnout Paradise does something that no other Burnout game has ever done – it gives the player full control on how to play the game,” said Alex Ward, Creative Director at EA Criterion. “At Criterion, we have a long history of delivering stand-out software on the PlayStation consoles. The entire team is fired up about the opportunity to carry that heritage into the PLAYSTATION 3 generation.”

Burnout Paradise will have you feeling every bump, crash, scrape, and collision using Sony’s new DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controller with rumble feature for the PLAYSTATION 3 . The EasyDrive online Friends List keeps the action flowing on the PLAYSTATION 3, as players get into a challenge with three easy taps of a button. Once the competition heats up, players can grab snapshots as they rip through opponents and collect candid Mugshots of friends and foes alike using the PLAYSTATION Eye. The Xbox 360 version of the game features Mugshots using Xbox LIVE® Vision.

Burnout Paradise has not yet been rated by the ESRB and PEGI. Developed by the award-winning team at EA Criterion in Guildford, the game will ship under the EA™ brand this Winter. For more information about the Burnout franchise, please visit http://burnout.ea.com/ or the EA press website at http://info.ea.com/.

Labels: Burnout Paradise, EA, PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360

EA LAUNCHES CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SKATE VIDEOGAME FOR PLAYSTATION 3

SKATE is Rolling off the Retail Shelves and is One of

EA’s Fastest-Selling, Wholly-Owned Intellectual Properties

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – September 25, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced that SKATE for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system hits retail stores today. Recently released for the Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system in North America, the game has already received high marks from the top videogame media including a five out of five on GameSpy.com and nine out of 10 on 1up.com, IGN, Yahoo! Games and GamesRadar.com.

“The buzz around SKATE has been through the roof this month; everyone’s talking about it,” said Bob McKenzie, Senior Vice President Merchandising, GameStop. “Based on the exceptional demand from gamers the first week, we clearly have a new contender in the skate videogame genre that will be at the top of everyone’s must-have list for this holiday.”

SKATE delivers an authentic skateboarding experience like no other videogame. The game features innovative Flickit controls that take advantage of the dual analog sticks and a unique and easy-to-use skate.reel feature that allows gamers to capture video footage of their skate session at any time during the game and share the footage online at www.skate.ea.com for other players to view, rate and comment on.

SKATE is also shipping in Europe on October 5 for PLAYSTATION 3 and is currently available for purchase and download from most major mobile operators in North America and Europe. SKATE is developed by EA Black Box in Vancouver, British Columbia and is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB and 12+ by PEGI.

Labels: EA, PLAYSTATION 3, SKATE

CRYSIS SINGLE PLAYER DEMO MOVES TO OCTOBER 26, 2007

EA and Crytek are announcing today that the single player demo for Crysis is moving to October 26, 2007. The demo will also be released with Crytek’s CryEngine 2 – Sandbox 2 game editor, giving the community a great amount of hands on time with the powerful mod tools coming with Crysis before the November 16th release date.

Please see Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli’s note to the community for more details.

_______________________________________________________________

Hi everyone,

We have some news to announce.

First, I am sorry for the bad news - the Crysis single player demo will now be available everywhere on October 26th, 2007.

We are taking some extra time to make sure you that you have an amazing experience but also we did not want to risk the release date of Crysis at this stage. To get the game into your hands by November the 16th, we had to make this call.

Now the good news - the big surprise. The SP demo will be released with our CryEngine 2 - Sandbox 2 game editor, giving the community the opportunity to get familiar with the vast amount of tools they will have at their disposal four weeks before we ship, something we have always wanted to do.

This is an exciting time for us at the studio as the development of Crysis comes to an end and we are only a few weeks from Gold Master. We appreciate your patience and are looking forward to getting Crysis into your hands on November 16th.


Thanks

Cevat Yerli

CEO & Crytek

Labels: Crysis, EA

Redwood City, CA. – September 24, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that the award-winning EA Redwood Shores Studio has been developing an original intellectual property that will introduce a new experience to the sci-fi horror genre. In the brilliant, bold and often-bloody Dead Space™ gamers will step into a third-person sci-fi survival horror experience that promises to deliver the ultimate in psychological thrills and gruesome action.

Set in the cold blackness of deep space, the atmosphere is soaked with a feeling of tension, dread and sheer terror. In Dead Space, players step into the role of engineer Isaac Clarke – an ordinary man on a seemingly routine mission to fix the communications systems aboard a deep space mining ship. It is not long before Isaac awakes to a living nightmare when he learns that the ship’s crew has been ravaged by a vicious alien infestation. He must fight through the dead silence and darkness of deep space to stay alive.

Executive Producer Glen Schofield commented, “This team has worked on some tremendous properties but we have always wanted to work on something that was darker and creepier. We are all such huge fans of the horror and sci-fi genres; we wanted to create the most terrifying game we could, and keep the player on the edge of his seat the entire time.”

Under development at EA Redwood Shores, Dead Space is expected to ship in late 2008 for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system. This product is not yet rated by PEGI or ESRB. More information about Dead Space is available at www.deadspacegame.com.

Labels: Dead Space, EA

EA sent over a new Battlefield Bad Company trailer - check it out!

Labels: Battlefield Bad Company, EA

Grateful Dead Join Super Group Line-up Coming to Rock Band™

Harmonix and MTV Games Partner with Rhino Entertainment
to bring 18 Classic Grateful Dead Master Recordings to the Rock Band Videogame Platform

New York, NY – September 5, 2007– Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, MTV Games, a division of MTV Networks within Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), and Rhino Entertainment, a division of Warner Music Group (NYSE:WMG), announced a deal that will bring the legendary band Grateful Dead to the highly anticipated music videogame Rock Band. The iconic group is making 18 master recordings from its diverse catalog available as digitally distributed game levels following Rock Band’s release this holiday season. Among the songs available will be the classic Dead tracks “Truckin’,” “Uncle John’s Band,” “Touch of Grey,” “Sugar Magnolia,” and “Casey Jones.”

“Grateful Dead’s unique fusion of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, and jazz challenged traditional musical boundaries and pushed the limits of creativity to produce a signature sound that is undeniably their own,” stated Paul DeGooyer, MTV's Senior Vice President of Audio, Home Video and Electronic Games. “With an enormous legion of fans all over the world, Rock Band will give players a chance to interact with the music of these beloved rock pioneers and experience what Grateful Dead did best - jam from the depths of their souls.”

Distributed by Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), Rock Band is an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune – all while learning to master lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals. Built on an unprecedented partnership with artists, record labels and music publishers, the music featured in Rock Band will span the full range of rock music and include original master recordings from the greatest songs and artists of all time.

“Grateful Dead, with their 30 year career and their timeless music, are the perfect addition to Rock Band,” says Mark Pinkus, Rhino’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing, Custom Product & Sync Licensing. “It’s going to be a blast playing along to songs ranging from the Dead’s earliest hit ‘Truckin’’ to their final hit ‘Touch of Grey.’ I’m confident that Rock Band will be instrumental in introducing kids to the magical music of Grateful Dead.”

Grateful Dead’s journey ignited in San Francisco’s Haight and Ashbury district during the psychedelic ‘60s. The band, well known for constantly touring, continued to spread their message of peace and love for another three decades with a devoted community of fans known as Dead Heads, many of whom traveled the country with them. Earlier this year, the Recording Academy awarded Grateful Dead a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for its contribution to the evolution of rock music.

Grateful Dead is the latest artist to join the vast musical downloadable multi-track master offerings of Rock Band, joining the list of epic artists such as Metallica and The Who’s iconic Who’s Next album, the first full album scheduled for downloadable content, in addition to the dozens of on-disc tracks spanning every genre of rock from alternative to classic to heavy metal.
Rock Band is slated for release on Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system this Holiday 2007 in North America. For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

Labels: EA, Harmonix, Rock Band

EA’S BOOGIE SHAKES ITS WAY ONTO THE NINTENDO DS AND PLAYSTATION 2 THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Boogie on Nintendo DS Offers Players New Features Including 3D Gameplay

Montreal, Canada – September 5, 2007 – Shake it. Sing it. Create it. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Boogie™, which shipped for the Wii™ in August, is taking its dancing act on the road with a unique Nintendo DS™ version that features the first 3D gameplay on the handheld system. All the new modes in the game can be experienced in full 3D using special glasses packed in to the retail box. Boogie is also shipping on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and brings both singing and dancing gameplay to one of the world’s most prevalent hardware systems. Both titles will ship to retail stores this holiday 2007.

Boogie on Nintendo DS introduces new gameplay modes and mini-games not found in the Wii version for easy gaming on the go. The game’s unique modes include DS Download Play and Multi-Card Play, three main dancing gamplay modes including Copycat, Freestyle and Choreography as well as more than 10 mini-games. Players can also dive into the career mode for a deeper experience as they embark on a quest to become the Boogie Master.

Boogie on the PlayStation®2 showcases the game’s signature dancing and singing gameplay. Players can sing along to their favorite tunes or dance to the latest hit songs as well as catch their best dance moves, record their own voice and make music videos with the music video creator.

Boogie features new versions of tracks made popular by hit bands such as The Jackson 5, Kool & The Gang, Black Eyed Peas and Britney Spears. An all-new intellectual property developed at EA Montreal, Boogie is the perfect party game for gamers of all ages. For more information on the game, please visit the website at http://www.boogie.ea.com.

Labels: Boogie, EA, Nintendo DS, Playstation 2

EA’S MEDAL OF HONOR AIRBORNE SHIPS TO STORE SHELVES NATIONWIDE

As a Member of the 82nd Airborne Division the First Step is Everything

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., September 4, 2007 – Get ready to get airborne! Medal of Honor Airborne™, the latest installment from EA’s critically-acclaimed Medal of Honor™ franchise has shipped to store shelves across North America and the UK for the PC and Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system. The game will ship to retailers throughout Europe on September 7. Medal of Honor Airborne is set to redefine the series and will change the way shooters are played. Medal of Honor Airborne offers a dramatically different approach to FPS games with its unprecedented non-linear gameplay.

“In recreating the largest airdrops in history, Medal of Honor Airborne brings a dramatic change and opens up the FPS genre with the innovative airdrop experience," explained Patrick Gilmore, VP and Executive Producer at EALA. “Players have the ability to land anywhere on the battlefield, and choose their own tactics to achieve victory, delivering unprecedented variety and freedom to the combat experience.”

For the first time in a FPS game, players airdrop into combat from a C-47 and land anywhere in an open battlefield. The first step is everything and the player’s landing spot can dramatically change the course of battle. Conflict on the ground offers unprecedented tactical choice in vertical, open battle spaces with a wealth of attack routes and flanking opportunities.

The Medal of Honor Airborne development team continues to ensure that the ideals and integrity of the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor are accurately reflected in the game. The producers sought counsel from numerous expert sources to make certain the game is historically accurate and as true to the WWII Airborne experience as possible.

Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino has scored the music for Medal of Honor Airborne. An esteemed composer for numerous film and TV projects such as “Lost”, “Alias,” M:i:III (2007), The Incredibles (2004), and most recently Ratatouille (2007), Giacchino has been repeatedly recognized for his contributions to theatrical composition and score. As the original composer and creator of the memorable theme music for the Medal of Honor series, he helped set the bar for using music to bring emotion into gaming. Giacchino’s extraordinary talents and musical sensibility have been utilized once again to bring a new dimension to the WWII FPS experience of Medal of Honor Airborne.

Developed at EA Los Angeles under the EA™ brand, Medal of Honor Airborne is rated ‘T’ for Teen by the ESRB, 16+ by PEGI, and 18+ by USK. The Xbox 360 version has a US MSRP of $59.99 and the PC version has a US MSRP of $49.99. Medal of Honor Airborne for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system will ship in November. For more information on Medal of Honor Airborne and the Medal of Honor franchise, please visit: www.moha.ea.com.

Labels: EA, Medal of Honor Airborne, PC, Xbox 360

SIMS FANS EMBARK ON VACATION AS EA SHIPS THE SIMS 2 BON VOYAGE

Fans of the Popular Video Game Series Travel to Exotic Destinations with their Sims

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — September 4, 2007 — Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that fans of the critically-acclaimed PC game – The Sims™ 2 – can now experience all-new exotic destinations as they travel with their Sims! The Sims™ 2 Bon Voyage, which ships to store shelves today, is available as a PC expansion pack* building on the celebrated The Sims 2 experience. Fans can now whisk their Sims away on a variety of exciting trips to three exotic locations including the Far East, Mountain Getaway, and even a Tropical Paradise!

Whether your Sims are meditating in a pristine Zen garden in the Far East, enjoying an adventurous helicopter tour through the mountains, or relaxing in a luxury suite in the Tropics, they’ll enjoy a myriad of all-new activities to unwind and rejuvenate. From exploring ancient ruins and building sand castles to catching some rays after a boardwalk shopping spree, players can quickly transform their Sims from bumbling tourists to savvy international travelers. Sims will also learn new customs including local greetings and dances to take home and teach to their friends. With The Sims 2 Bon Voyage, players can send their Sims packing for the trip of a lifetime!

As your Sims travel, they’ll interact and learn from a variety of real and mythical locals including the wise old hermit, fire dancers -- even Big Foot! Like all true tourists, your Sims will be able to decorate their homes with unique souvenirs from their trips that are available only at destinations within The Sims 2 Bon Voyage. They can even buy unique jewelry to wear or take home as gifts! Fall in love with the hula dance lei from your Sims’ tropical beach vacation? Bring it back and flaunt to the neighbors! Love the moves your Sim mastered doing the Slap Dance at the rustic lodge? Teach fellow Sims the tricks of the trade back at home. What your Sims learn and collect is up to you!

“The Sims 2 players will be amazed by the amount of environments and activities that are offered in Bon Voyage. We have opened up a world of opportunity for your Sims to travel and expand their cultural horizons as well as relax and escape from their hectic everyday routines,” Studio Head of The Sims Label, Rod Humble states, “Whether your Sims are enjoying local treats on white sandy beaches, learning Tai Chi from experts in the Far East or honing their log-rolling skills at a rustic mountain camp– there’s always a new fun way to stay entertained in The Sims 2 Bon Voyage!”

The Sims 2 Bon Voyage will ship under the EA brand and is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. The game will ship August 31st in Europe and across the US as a PC expansion pack* that builds on the original The Sims 2 PC game experience.

For more information on The Sims 2 and The Sims 2 Bon Voyage, visit http://www.thesims2.com.

KEY FEATURES

· Travel to Three Exotic Destinations: Each location offers unique landscapes and local residents, such as the Fire Dancer and Ninja, for your Sims to meet and learn from. Try local cuisine and admire cultural landmarks as your Sims explore these new locales.

· Send Your Sims on Tours: Glass bottom boat rides, adventurous van tours, and other excursions are fun new activities for your Sims, but there may be some surprises in store!

· Buy or Find Unique Items: Shop for rare items found only on your Sims’ travels, including unique jewelry they can wear or take home as gifts. Stumble upon hidden locations, collect shells on the beach, or dig up treasure.

· Stay at New Travel Accommodations: Splurge on a luxury suite for your Sims or choose a cozy cabin. Your Sims will enjoy the comfort of room service, get pampered at the spa, and more.

Labels: EA, PC, Sims 2 Bon Voyage

EA AND BL PUBLISHING ANNOUNCE NOVEL BASED ON HIGHLY ANTICIPATED WARHAMMER ONLINE: AGE OF RECKONING

First Novel in New Series Explores Depth of the Fantasy MMORPG Game World

Fairfax, VA, – August 30, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and BL Publishing, a division of Games Workshop, announced today that BL Publishing will release an original novel based on the highly anticipated MMORPG, Warhammer® Online: Age of Reckoning™ (WAR). The first book in the new series of novels set in the Age of Reckoning, EMPIRE IN CHAOS will be available in all major bookstores and on the BL Publishing website in early 2008.

In EMPIRE IN CHAOS, by noted Games Workshop author Anthony Reynolds, the lands of the Empire are being ravaged by a terrible plague. When Annaliese Jaeger's village is overrun and destroyed by mutants, she and an injured Elf captive are the only survivors. As the two unlikely companions fight their way towards Black Fire Pass, Annaliese discovers within herself powers of courage and faith that inspire all around her. With a grizzled Witch Hunter and a Dwarf Ironbreaker, the heroes battle alongside the armies of the Empire and the Dwarfs, above and below the earth, against greenskin tribes and the hordes of Chaos. Together, they must find their courage and help turn back the tides of darkness, lest all of the Empire be lost.

Mark Jacobs, VP and General Manager at EA Mythic commented, “We’re excited to be working with BL Publishing and Anthony Reynolds to bring our game to life and explore the rich depth of WAR’s epic story. BL Publishing has released many great novels set in Games Workshop’s Warhammer world and we are proud to have a book based on our game join the ranks of such notable works.”

Anthony Reynolds, the author of the novel remarked, “The Warhammer world is a grim place, full of horror, violence and dark humor, and the EA Mythic team have really brought that to life - faithfully creating a living, breathing, bellicose world being torn apart by constant warfare. It's the perfect backdrop for a novel. I'd been following the progress of the game for some time and it was easy to see that Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning was going to be something special.”

For further information about the novel, EMPIRE IN CHAOS, visit www.blacklibrary.com.

Based on Games Workshop’s epic tabletop fantasy war game, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm™ (RvR) game play and is scheduled for release on the PC in the first quarter of 2008. More than 400,000 players have signed up for the closed beta test in Europe and North America, making it one of the most popular beta tests in massively multiplayer gaming history. The Beta Center is still open and accepting applications at: https://betacenter.eamythic.com/signup.php.

For more information about Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, please visit www.warhammeronline.com.

Labels: EA, Warhammer Online

GET READY TO HIT THE PLAYGROUND WITH EA THIS OCTOBER

It’s Play Time! EA’s New Intellectual Property Ships This Fall With An Exciting Variety of Games For All-Ages

Burnaby, Canada – August 29, 2007 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that EA Playground™, an all new intellectual property in development at EA Canada, will be released for the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ on October 23, 2007 in North America and on November 2, 2007 in Europe. The game, which will be available at an MSRP of $39.99 in the United States, will ship to retail stores packed with a fun assortment of playground games including classics like Dodgeball and Tetherball, as well as some over-the-top, fantasy games like Kicks and Dart Shootout.

“EA Playground has been designed to be accessible and fun, making it the perfect game to enjoy by yourself or with your friends and family,“ said Executive Producer, David McCarthy. “Young, old, male or female, this is a game that expands the appeal of videogames to a market of non-traditional gamers. For kids it’s about indulging in the energy and magic of the playground; for parents or even grandparents, it’s about re-experiencing childhood thrills.”

EA Playground offers endless hours of entertainment for all-ages. It is the ultimate party play experience, where bragging rights are at stake as you take on your friends and family in fun and immersive playground games. There’s also a deep single player campaign that has you in pursuit of the coveted Playground King title, where you’re exploring the world, unlocking new locations and challenging colorful in-game characters in a variety of activities.

EA Playground features games that are easy to pick-up-and-play by fully capitalizing on the unique control mechanics of both the Wii and the Nintendo DS. Included are featured games that can be enjoyed in both the single player and multiplayer mode. There are also activity games that are played throughout the single player campaign to earn power-ups and collectables. Every game brings its own twist to the controls for the definitive, all-ages, gaming experience. See below for all the games that will be included in EA Playground.

Featured playground games on the Wii:

· Dodgeball - Take on your opponents in an attempt to knock them out of the game in this fast paced multi round experience. Up to four players can dodge, catch and throw lighting fast balls just like in real life.

· Paper Racers - Throw and navigate your paper airplane through challenging Playground courses, collecting power ups and other bonuses along the way in a race to the finish line.

· Kicks - Take on your opponents in this fresh new experience where Soccer meets volleyball and goals are the result of spectacular aerial kicks!

· Dart Shootout - Test your accuracy skills in this exciting game that has your shooting and ducking your way through the playground to the final boss battle.

· Wall Ball - Enjoy this fast paced game of wall ball where the speed of the ball increases with each powerful shot. Strategically choose where you want to hit the ball and watch it rapidly ricochet by your opponent!

· Slot Car Racing - Take on up to three opponents in this speedy slot car racing experience that has you flying through ramps, landing mega jumps and even getting a chance to zap your opponents off course!

· Tetherball - Go head to head against your opponents in this tension mounting experience. Try to wrap the tetherball around the pole before your opponent does.

Activity games for the Wii:

· Freethrows - While exploring the playground world, take some time out to shoot around and earn marbles.

· Bug Hunt - During your world exploration if you see a bug, take out your net and give chase. Successfully swat and catch the bug and earn some rewards.

· Dribbling – Pick up a basketball and bounce it in rhythm for a defined number of times before the clock runs out on you! If you’re successful you’ll earn yourself some more marbles.

Featured playground games on the Nintendo DS:

· Dodgeball - Knock all the other kids out of the game (by beaning them with a ball) before they do the same to your team.

· Hoops - Become the master of the basketball court while you try and score the most points.

· Hopscotch - Test your rhythm and timing with this musical game of Hopscotch.

· RC Racers - Race mini cars around an action-packed track, picking up valuable power-ups along the way.

· Bug Hunt - You’re on a mission to collect as many butterflies as you can but watch out for those nasty bees or you’ll get stung!

· Kicks - A free for all Soccer match where the objective is to score more points than your opponent

· Skate & Sketch - Master these wacky tricks by connecting the dots as fast as possible.

· Spitballs - Search the playground for your target and when you’ve found them blow into the microphone to hit them with a spitball!

· Trampoline - The sky’s the limit in this game of balloon popping! Jump as high as you can and pop as many balloons as possible before your opponent

EA Playground is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB with a descriptor for Mild Cartoon Violence in North America and is rated 3+ by PEGI in Europe.

Labels: EA, EA Playground

EA’S BLOCKBUSTER RACING FRANCHISE SPEEDS INTO STORES THIS OCTOBER

Prove Yourself On the Highest Level of Street Racing Competition Against the World’s Best Racers

Vancouver, Canada – August 29, 2007 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Need for Speed™ ProStreet, the latest version of the blockbuster franchise, will hit stores in North America on October 31 and across Europe on November 1, 2007. In Need for Speed ProStreet, you have to build the ultimate battle machine, take it to multi-disciplinary showdowns and pit your skills and reputation against the world’s best street racers. This is your chance to prove that you have what it takes to be crowned the next street king.

“The Need for Speed franchise has always been on the cutting edge of car culture,” said Executive Producer, Larry LaPierre. “Street racing is getting more organized and Need for Speed ProStreet is our interpretation of where we anticipate the culture to be in three to five years. We’re delivering on the ultimate proving ground, bringing you out of your neighborhood back alleys and on to the world stage. This is a next-gen game, packed with the raw intensity and visceral aggression that defines street racing at the highest level.”

Need for Speed ProStreet is a racing experience like no other. For the first time, you’re designing and building a car, competing in iconic locations from around the globe and battling in four distinct racing styles– grip, drag, drift and the all-new speed challenge. The atmosphere is electric – complete with energetic crowds, photo-realistic vehicles and billowing smoke – all designed to embody the pressure and intensity of the gladiatorial challenge known as Show Down. Need for Speed ProStreet is the realization of the power, aggression and rivalry that embodies street racing culture.

Need for Speed ProStreet will be available for Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and Wii™ as well as the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™, PC and mobile. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com.

Labels: EA, Need For Speed ProStreet

The Countdown to Crysis Continues:
Single Player Demo - 9.25.07

PC gamers now have a reason to mark a big circle around September 25th on their calendars as the single player demo for Crysis will be lighting up rigs worldwide in just 30 days.

Consisting of the entire first level in Crysis’ epic single player campaign, “Contact,” gamers will get to finally experience first-hand the stunning visuals, revolutionary Nanosuit gameplay and open-ended level design that make Crysis one of the most anticipated shooters and PC games of all time. The demo is also poised to include a huge surprise from Crytek, but for now you’ll just have to wait and check out the latest Crysis Nanosuit trailer by following the link below.

Crysis is coming off award-winning showings at the German Games Convention, picking up Best PC Game of GC honors from the panel of experts judging the show and from E3, where it also won the Game Critics Awards Best PC Game of E3 2007. The countdown to Crysis ends on November 16, 2007.

For more Crysis news, stay tuned to http://www.nanosuit.com/.

Labels: Crysis, EA

Check out this new trailer for The Simpsons Game titled "Medal of Homer!"

Labels: EA, The Simpsons Game

EA sent over their most recent screens and fact sheet for their upcoming game based The Simpsons. Check them out!

Labels: EA, The Simpsons Game

MTV Games, Harmonix and EA Bringing Rock Band™ to Europe Featuring Localized Content For the PlayStation®2 System, Xbox 360™ and PLAYSTATION®3 System

In Early 2008

Rolling Stones, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and More Deepen the Catalog of On-Disc

Master Tracks Featured in Rock Band

Leipzig, Germany – August 22, 2007- Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a division of MTV Networks which is a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced today plans to release the highly anticipated music videogame Rock Band™ on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system in Europe in early 2008. As previously announced, Rock Band for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 system will be released in the U.S. this Holiday 2007.

Rock Band for the PlayStation 2 system will showcase many of the same challenging modes featured in the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system versions, but will also debut new game elements specific to the platform. In addition, European versions of Rock Band will feature extensive localized music content for multiple territories, both on-disc and through downloadable content.

“The European continent’s rich and diverse musical pedigree transcends culture and language, which is why we are extremely pleased to announce Rock Band in Europe for early 2008,” stated Jeff Yapp, EVP, MTV Program Enterprises. “It was imperative that we have significant on-disc and downloadable localized music content for multiple European territories on the PlayStation 2 system, Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system in order for Europeans to truly get the full Rock Band experience and interact with the music they love.”

In addition, ten new songs were revealed today at the Leipzig Games Convention, bringing the total of officially announced Rock Band on-disc songs to 26, including some of the greatest rock music ever created. The new songs, all original master recordings, are as follows: Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter,” Deep Purple "Highway Star," The Clash “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” Faith No More "Epic,” Smashing Pumpkins “Cherub Rock,” Radiohead “Creep,” Beastie Boys “Sabotage,” Jet “Are You Gonna Be My Girl,” OK Go “Here It Goes Again,” and Nine Inch Nails “The Hand That Feeds.”

OFFICIAL ROCK BAND SONG LIST TO DATE:

1960s

Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter”


1970s

The Who "Won't Get Fooled Again"
Mountain "Mississippi Queen"*
David Bowie "Suffragette City"
Black Sabbath "Paranoid"*
Blue Oyster Cult "Don't Fear the Reaper"
The Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop”

Deep Purple "Highway Star"


1980s
Rush "Tom Sawyer"*
Bon Jovi "Wanted Dead or Alive"
The Clash “Should I Stay or Should I Go”

Faith No More "Epic”


1990s

Foo Fighters “Learn to Fly”
Metallica “Enter Sandman”
Nirvana “In Bloom”
Stone Temple Pilots “Vasoline”
Weezer “Say It Ain’t So”
Smashing Pumpkins “Cherub Rock”
Radiohead “Creep”
Beastie Boys “Sabotage”


2000s

The Hives “Main Offender”
Queens of the Stone Age “Go With the Flow”
The Strokes “Reptilia”
Jet “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”
OK Go “Here It Goes Again”
Nine Inch Nails “The Hand That Feeds”

*Indicates a cover song, all other songs are original master recordings

Rock Band is a new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before, challenging users to master the lead/bass guitar, drums, and vocals as solo artists or cooperatively as part of their own band. Built on unprecedented deals with the world’s biggest record labels and music publishers, the music featured in Rock Band will span all genres of rock and will include many master recordings from the greatest songs and artists of all time. Rock Band garnered the most nominations (five) and awards (three) at this year’s Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2007 including Best of Show.

EA will serve as the exclusive distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band, managing distribution for the game in US, Europe and Australia. For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit http://www.rockband.com/ and http://www.harmonixmusic.com/.

Labels: EA, Harmonix, MTV Games, Rock Band

EA sent over the boxart they are using for their upcoming Simpsons video game - check it out and watch as it only makes the wait for what looks to be funny-as-hell movie tie-ins!

Labels: EA, The Simpsons Game

EA ANNOUNCES COMMAND & CONQUER 3: KANE’S WRATH

New Expansion Pack Revealed for Award-winning Title
LOS ANGELES, Calif., August 15, 2007 – In the name of Kane! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that the Command & Conquer™ series continues to thrive with Command & Conquer™ 3: Kane’s Wrath. As the expansion pack to the critically-acclaimed and fan favorite, Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™, this Real-time Strategy (RTS) game returns to the Tiberium universe with Kane at the center of an epic new single player campaign.

“The reaction to Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars has been tremendous. Fans and critics alike appreciated the combination of fast, fluid, and fun RTS game play with a deep story and the classic full-motion video sequences that are a hallmark of the Command & Conquer series,” said Mike Verdu, VP and Executive Producer at EA Los Angeles (EALA). “I’m excited that we’re able to go back to the Tiberium universe with Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath. This expansion has an impressive new single player campaign, a new global strategic layer that adds depth to the familiar Command & Conquer style gameplay, and several fun, all-new toys that range from versatile combat soldiers to giant armored walkers.”

The single player campaign will allow players to experience a new story that spans 20 years – from the rebirth of the Brotherhood of Nod after the Second Tiberium War through the dramatic events of the Third Tiberium War and beyond. The story is told through a new set of high-definition live action video sequences starring a celebrity cast. Joe Kucan, the original actor who portrayed the character Kane in Command & Conquer games over the last decade, will reprise his role as the megalomaniacal leader of the Brotherhood of Nod. Other details of the cast have yet to be announced.

Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath also features a new strategic layer to gameplay that allows players to establish bases, build customized armies, and attack their enemies on a global scale – and then dive into the frenzied tactical combat where their skills as a commander will make the difference in battle. The game introduces six new sub-factions and a wealth of new units, structures, and powers to the armies of the Global Defense Initiative, the Brotherhood of Nod, and the enigmatic alien Scrin.

The Xbox 360™ version of Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath will debut a revolutionary new radial interface designed specifically for console gamers. Taking RTS controls to a whole new level, players will utilize the command stick to build, deploy, and attack.

Developed at EALA, Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath will ship in Spring 2008 for Windows PC and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. This product is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information about Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath or the Command & Conquer series, please visit http://www.commandandconquer.ea.com/.

Labels: Command and Conquer 3, Command and Conquer 3 Kane's Wrath, EA, Xbox 360

EA AND NAMCO BANDAI GAMES ANNOUNCE OCTOBER 31st

RELEASE DATE FOR HELLGATE: LONDON

The Next Benchmark in Action Role Playing Games will Start Lighting Up PCs this Halloween

Redwood City, Calif. – August 6, 2007 – Get ready to hack, slash, and shoot your way through a demon-infested London this Halloween! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that Hellgate™: London, the premier title from Flagship Studios, will start hitting retail stores in North America on October 31, 2007 and in Europe on November 2, 2007 for the PC. Hellgate: London represents the next leap in the evolution of the action RPG genre, combining the depth and addictive gameplay of traditional RPGs with the visceral action of first-person shooters.

“We wanted to hit the sweet-spot for release in terms of the development schedule and delivering the highest-quality game to our players,” said Bill Roper, CEO of Flagship Studios. “Halloween was the perfect fit as it ensures that Hellgate: London will have an appropriate amount of beta testing, while also being an incredibly fun time to unleash the game.”

One of the most anticipated PC games and RPGs of the year, Hellgate: London offers infinite re-playability with dynamically generated levels, items, enemies and events. The player creates a heroic character, completes quests, and battles through an innumerable amount of demons to advance through a deep, rich story-driven campaign. A robust, flexible skill and spell system, highly customizable appearances, and a massive variety of randomly generated equipment allow each player to create his or her own unique hero.

While some may prefer to slay demons solo, players will also be able to take the fight online*, teaming up with friends to save London in a secure, client-server environment and playing through the entire story-driven campaign for free. For those players who want to extend their Hellgate: London experience, Flagship is offering an optional subscription service which will give players access to huge amounts of content on an ongoing basis in the form of quests, character classes, demons, items, etc. More details about Hellgate: London’s online options are coming soon.

Labels: EA, Hellgate London, Namco-Bandai, PC

EA AND POPCAP INTRODUCE ALL-NEW VERSION OF BEJEWELED FOR MOBILE PHONES

Top-Selling Gem-Swapping Puzzle Game Gets New Look and Gameplay Features, Including Over-the-Air Multiplayer

LOS ANGELES – August 9, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and PopCap™ Games today announced the availability of an all-new version of Bejeweled®, the popular gem-swapping puzzle game, for play on mobile phones. Already a best-seller on the mobile platform, the all-new Bejeweled delivers innovative features including enhanced graphics, advanced audio and a unique multiplayer game mode. Now mobile gamers from any location in the U.S., and on most wireless carrier networks, can battle in head-to-head competitions.

The multiplayer capabilities work cross-platform and users can choose to play against a friend or be matched up against an unknown opponent.

Mobile Bejeweled players can now get their fix with three different game modes – Normal (untimed), Time Trial and Multiplayer – each presented with dynamic graphics effects. Users can also now feel the game move, shake, and explode during the action with the addition of enhanced sounds and handset vibrations. High scores rankings let players keep track of best game performances, while advanced social networking features, including post-game chat, add to the fun and competition of connected play.

"We’ve taken the time to improve one of the best selling mobile games of all time, by improving the look, feel and playability, while adding new connected features,” said Travis Boatman, VP Worldwide Studios at EA Mobile™." The innovative features of the platform allow for a whole range of interesting interactions between players that was not available before – like the opportunity to chat with other opponents.”

Bejeweled is currently available on all major mobile carriers in North America and Europe. For more information on carrier availability and pricing, visit www.eamobile.com

Labels: Bejeweled, EA, Popcap

EA SHIPS BOOGIE - THE ULTIMATE PARTY PACKAGE FOR THE Wii

Boogie's Fun and Unique Singing and Dancing Gameplay Features 39 Hit Party Songs from the Past Four Decades

Montreal, Canada - August 7, 2007 - Shake it. Sing it. Create it. Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Boogie™ for the Wii™ has shipped to retail stores in North America and will be released on August 31 in Europe. Players will dance, sing and create music videos with this complete entertainment package that takes advantage of the innovative controls of the Wii, as well as the game’s packed-in karaoke microphone.

Boogie features new versions of tracks made popular by hit bands such as The Jackson 5, Kool & The Gang, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cyndi Lauper, Black Eyed Peas and Britney Spears. While belting out their favorite tunes or dancing to the latest hit songs, players can catch their best dance moves, record their own voice and make music videos with the easy-to-use music video creator. Gamers can also customize one of five lovable Boog characters for the videos or take them on the road to fame in the story mode.

An all-new intellectual property developed at EA Montreal, Boogie is the perfect party game for gamers of all ages. Boogie has a U.S. MSRP of $59.99 and has been rated E10+ by the ESRB with descriptors for Lyrics and Suggestive Themes) and 3+ by PEGI Europe. For more information, videos and screens on the game, please visit the website at http://www.boogie.ea.com/.

Labels: Boogie, EA, nintendo wii

EA AND CRYTEK ANNOUNCE NOVEMBER 16TH RELEASE DATE FOR CRYSIS

Start Counting Down to One of the Year’s Most Highly Anticipated First Person Shooters

Redwood City, Calif. – August 2, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Crytek, award-winning developers of Far Cry, today announced that CrysisTM, will be hitting retail stores in North America and Europe on November 16, 2007 exclusively for the PC. A technical achievement featuring stunning DirectX 10 and DirectX 9 visuals, cunning gameplay, and an epic story, Crysis is recognized as one of the most anticipated PC games and first person shooters of 2007, recently winning Best PC game from the Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2007.

"Crytek is constantly striving to push the boundaries of both game design and technology, while maintaining quality at the highest bar," said Cevat Yerli, CEO and President of Crytek. "We’re thankful to our fans for their support and patience, and we’re excited to bring them Crysis this year. It’s going to be worth the wait."

Offering true, open-ended gameplay, Crysis gives gamers an unparalleled amount of freedom that fosters completely unique gaming experiences. Players are outfitted with a revolutionary Nanosuit and an arsenal of fully customizable weapons, giving them a wide array of options not only in approaching the entire game, but every single objective or individual encounter. And they will need every advantage they can get going head to head against a menacing and highly intelligent alien threat amid dynamic, hostile battlefields that range from lush, tropical jungles, flash-frozen landscapes and a horrifying zero gravity environment.

Crysis also breaks new ground in multiplayer with the introduction of PowerStruggle – a unique team-based strategic mode for up to 32 players, where opposing sides battle for control of advanced weaponry and vehicles to overcome their enemies. For those who prefer the pulse-pounding action of deathmatch, Crysis will also feature an Instant Action mode, with the highly adaptive Nanosuit serving as the ultimate tool to outwit your opponents.

Labels: Crysis, EA

EA’S AWARD-WINNING SKATE VIDEO GAME ROLLS ONTO RETAIL SHELVES IN SEPTEMBER

Download the Demo on Xbox Live Marketplace on August 15 to Experience True Skateboarding Action Before It Hits Stores

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – August 3, 2007 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced that its award-winning SKATE video game will ship to retail stores on September 12 in the U.S. and September 14 in Europe for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system. The PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system version will ship to stores on September 24 in the U.S. and October 5 in Europe. For players eager to get their hands on the game pre-launch, EA will release a SKATE demo on Xbox Live Marketplace on August 15 so players can experience first-hand the title’s groundbreaking new gameplay style – a new way of playing skateboarding games that will invigorate the genre.

The downloadable demo features tutorials and gameplay challenges in San Vanelona’s community center skatepark to introduce gamers to SKATE’s revolutionary Flickit controls. The demo also includes the innovative skate.reel feature where gamers can capture video footage of their skate session at any time during the demo and share the footage online at www.skate.ea.com for other players to view, rate and comment on.

In the game, everything you do works towards getting you coverage in two of skateboarding's premiere magazines - Thrasher and The Skateboard Mag. Coverage also means sponsors, product, money and fame. Become a legend by getting the covers and you'll earn a coveted invitation to skate in the X Games – the world’s top skateboarding competition. You’ll be able to throw down on the street course and go huge in the Skateboard Big Air event, innovated and dominated by two time gold medalist Danny Way.

SKATE recently received the "Best Sports Game of E3 - IGN Xbox 360" award at the E3 tradeshow in Santa Monica. SKATE was also one of only four games nominated for Best Sports game for the "Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2007". The judges for this award included editors from the 36 leading videogame publications in the industry.

With innovative Flickit controls that take advantage of the dual analog sticks and the ability to sculpt tricks that define your own style, SKATE delivers an authentic boarding mecca like no other videogame. SKATE is developed by EA Black Box in Vancouver, British Columbia and is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB and 12+ by PEGI.

Labels: EA, PLAYSTATION 3, SKATE, Xbox 360

EA ANNOUNCES ARMY OF TWO HITTING RETAIL STORES WORLDWIDE THIS NOVEMBER 2007

EA Montreal’s Highly Anticipated New Intellectual Property and Unique Two-Man Gameplay Set to Redefine the Co-op Action/Shooter Genre

Montréal, Canada, July 24, 2007– Never go into battle alone! The deadliest two-man military outfit a government can buy is hitting retail stores this holiday. Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that ARMY OF TWO™ will be on retail shelves starting November 15, 2007 in North America and Europe. Launching on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, ARMY OF TWO gameplay focuses on two-man missions, two-man strategies, two-man tactics and a two-man advantage to bring a new and groundbreaking gaming experience to players worldwide, online and offline. Co-op is no longer a mode, it’s the game.

ARMY OF TWO will captivate gamers with a politically charged storyline, centering on the impact and ethical issues of Private Military Corporations. EA Montreal has also enlisted world renowned composer, Trevor Morris, to bring all aspects of the storyline and epic two-man gameplay to life through a powerful soundtrack. Morris has worked on numerous Hollywood blockbuster titles including Black Hawk Down, Bad Boys II, The Last Samurai and Pirates of the Caribbean 1 and 2.

ARMY OF TWO is developed by EA Montreal and has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI. Visit http://www.esrb.org/ or http://www.pegionline.eu/ for updated rating information. For more information on the game, please visit the official game website at www.armyoftwo.com.

Labels: Army of Two, EA

EA ANNOUNCES SOUNDTRACK FOR BOOGIE

Highly Anticipated Dancing and Singing Game Hits Retail Stores this August With Music Made Popular By Hit Bands Including The Jackson 5, Britney Spears, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cyndi Lauper and Black Eyed Peas

Montreal, Canada – July 10, 2007 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today the complete soundtrack for Boogie™, which will be released for the Wii™ on August 7, 2007 in North America and August 31, 2007 in Europe. The game features more than 35 hit songs from over four decades including Celebration, Dancing Machine, Groove Is In The Heart, and We Are Family. Boogie ships with a packed-in karaoke microphone peripheral and includes new versions of tracks made popular by the hit bands listed below. The game has a U.S. MSRP of $59.99.

”This is a breakthrough game with a landmark soundtrack,” said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing at EA. “We’ve brought together generations of the biggest hits in pop music history for a game that takes Wii innovation to a whole new level. Boogie is truly the ultimate family fun experience.”

Players will dance, sing and create music videos with this ultimate videogame party package that takes advantage of the innovative Wii controls. Gamers can sing their favorite tunes or dance to the latest hit songs as well as catch their best dance moves, record their own voice and make music videos with the easy-to-use music video creator.

SONG MADE - POPULAR BY
ABC - The Jackson 5
Baila Me - Gypsy Kings
Boogie Oogie Oogie - Taste Of Honey
Brick House - The Commodores
Canned Heat - Jamiroquai
Celebration - Kool & The Gang
Dancing in the Street - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Dancing Machine - Jackson 5
Don't Cha - Pussycat Dolls / Busta Rhymes
Fergalicious - Fergie
Get Right - Jennifer Lopez
Get The Party Started - Pink
Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
Groove Is In The Heart - Dee-Lite
I Want You Back - Jackson 5
I’m A Slave 4 U - Britney Spears
It's Raining Men - The Weather Girls
Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas
Le Freak - Chic
Let's Get It Started - Black Eyed Peas
Love Rollercoaster - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Love Shack - The B-52's
Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of…) - Lou Bega
Milkshake - Kelis
One More Time - Daft Punk
One Way Or Another - Blondie
Oops I Did It Again - Britney Spears
Pop Muzik - M
S.O.S. - Rihanna
Stars - Simply Red
That's The Way (I Like It) - KC And The Sunshine
Tu Y Yo - Thalia
U Can't Touch This - M.C. Hammer
Virtual Insanity - Jamiroquai
Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
We Are Family - Sister Sledge
Y.M.C.A. - The Village People

To see the full song list and purchase the music from the soundtrack, please visit www.ea.com/eatrax/.

Boogie is the perfect party game and a complete entertainment package for gamers of all ages. This game is been rated E10+ by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI Europe. For updated rating information visit http://www.esrb.org/.

Labels: Boogie, EA

EA’s DICE Studio Announces A New Reflection in Gaming with “Mirror’s Edge”

A Revolutionary First Person Action Adventure for Next Generation Consoles and PCs from the Makers of Battlefield

Redwood City, CA. – July 10th 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) today confirmed that it has a new game in development for next generation consoles and the PC at its EA DICE studio in Stockholm. Mirror’s Edge™ is a revolutionary new take on the First Person Action Adventure category.

Patrick Soderlund, General Manager of EA DICE, commented: “We are a studio that believes in taking risks and taking games in new directions. We made the sandbox experience viable and enjoyable in Battlefield and now, we are looking to do something radical with the traditional established mechanics of first person movement.”

Senior producer, Owen O’Brien, commented: “We want to change the way that players are able to move in first person. No more restrictions, no more being blocked by simple barriers such as walls and fences. We want to enable the player to move like a real person, with the ability to run, jump, vault and slide in a way that has never been seen before in a first person game."

Mirror’s Edge will ship in calendar year 2008 for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system and for the PC and is being developed at EA DICE in Stockholm, Sweden. This product is not yet rated by PEGI or ESRB. For more information on EA DICE, please visit http://www.dice.se or www.ea.com.

Labels: EA, Mirror's Edge

EA UNVEILS FINAL DESIGN THEMES FOR THE SIMS 2 H&M FASHION RUNWAY

Players Invited to Create Eveningwear, Beachwear and Red Carpet Fashions Inspired by H&M and blockbuster video game franchise, The Sims 2

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.—July 10, 2007— Today Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company, announced the final three design themes for The Sims™ 2 H&M® Fashion Runway, including “Night Out,” “Let’s Go to the Beach” and “Red Carpet”. The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Runway provides The Sims fans, designers and fashionistas alike the tools to create their very own fashions using The Sims 2 and the summer-themed collection The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff pack. One lucky participant will have the opportunity to have their design produced by H&M and sold in stores worldwide!

The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Runway offers a unique opportunity for budding designers, fashion aficionados and The Sims fans to express their infinite creativity and personal fashion style. Using The Sims 2 for PC, players can create their own fashion designs, submit them online and enjoy the chance to see Sims wearing their creations in a virtual runway show broadcast on Yahoo!, www.TheSims2FashionRunway.com and www.hm.com. Whether designing the latest fashions, viewing them on the virtual runway or voting on what should be the next hot design, anyone can participate The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Runway!

For each design theme, 12 designs will be selected and featured in a virtual runway show that to be broadcast online all summer long. Voting will then open up to The Sims 2 community (www.thesims2.com), H&M Fans, and fashion enthusiasts everywhere, with top picks featured in a Grand Finale Fashion Runway Showcase. From Milan to Montreal, Miami to Madrid, fans around the world are encouraged to vote for their favorite design in The Sims 2 Fashion Runway Showcase beginning mid-July www.TheSims2FashionRunway.com. Submissions for the themes are as follows: eveningwear “Night Out” (July 7-13), swimwear “Let’s Go to the Beach” (July 14-20) and lastly, glamorous couture “Red Carpet” submissions (July 21-27).

For complete rules and more information on how to participate in this original, creative experience, go to www.TheSims2FashionRunway.com.

The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff is available now on retail shelves across Europe and North American.

Labels: EA, Sims 2

Back again! Its been a few hours since I posted last and a whole lot has gone down in that short amount of time. I sat in on a few more press conferences and enjoyed a private showing of SEGA's upcoming titles not shown at the no appointment necessary Barker Hanger.

I know some of these are vague and missing detail, but I only have 20 minutes of computer time so I gotta go fast!

First off, EA. The EA press conference focused not on the entire lineup but nearly exclusively on casual games. Which is no surprise considering their newly formed division, EA Casual Games, was only just announced to the public. As is no surprise, the majority of the games shown off from their casual divisions were for the Wii. We were treated to live demonstrations of Boogie (Wii), EA Playground (Wii), Smarty Pants (Wii - working title) and blocks title coming out of EA's partnership with famed director, Steven Spielberg.

Boogie is shaping up quite nicely, with very slick visuals that do not give off that PS2/XB/GC stench and fun, if not goofy and embarrassing, gameplay. We were given a live demonstration, showing off not only the dancing - which involves flailing around like a bird having a seizure - and singing - a man with a thick accent is the perfect singer for the Pussycat Girls' "Don't Cha" - but also the replay ability of the game. Our demonstrator showed off a video he had made earlier in the day, which included his dance moves and voice, using a 3D effect. I wasn't sure this title was going to show any appeal outside of the younger set, but if the final game is as solid as what was shown off, Boogie could quickly become a sleeper hit.

EA Playground, announced a couple weeks before E3, was finally shown off to the public. On its surface, it is a Wii compilation of many of the games kids play at school, such as dodgeball and tetherball. But dig a little deeper and you will find new games such as Kicks - the odd combo of soccer and volleyball. The two games shown off - dodgeball and tetherball - were completely controlled with the Wiimote with only the most necessary of controls. I'm not sure how much depth and lasting appeal one may be able to pull from this game, but again, the younger and casual set should have a ball.

Smarty Pants is a quiz show game that brings in gesture controls for things such as ringing in - done by raising your hand, spinning the wheel - you actually have to crank it up, and tug of war of two players tie when ringing in. Not much else is known about this title, but if the questions are plentiful and the quick, gesture-based mini-games interesting, Mario Party may have some competition for the ultimate Wii party title.

Finally, the block title (I can't remember if this actually had a name or not) is an interesting puzzler that can be bested described as Jenga on crack (or Jenga meets dominoes if you don't like crack). You have your Jenga-style towers and blocks, but along with those are special blocks that explode, shoot goo or are cows. Yep, you read that right - cows. There will be around 20 character blocks once the game is finished, along with many, many puzzles, multiplayer and a puzzle editor so you can make all the crazy levels you want!

After EA, I went over to the Loews Hotel to check out SEGA's games. I wasn't allowed to touch anything, so no hands-on any games, but I was given a thorough walkthrough for the titles I saw. First off was Sonic and Mario at the Olympics. I was shown the 100 meter dash, long jump and shotput. Each event using the Wiimote and/or nunchuck to control your characters, such as pumping your arms like mad to run and swinging the Wiimote much like in Rayman Raving Rabbids to throw the shotput. The game is being developed to not be over-the-top, but as realistic as possible - despite the obvious irony. Single player and multiplayer are in the works, as well as an online leaderboard (sorry, no true online multiplayer). Unfortunately, SEGA wasn't privy to details about the WiiFit board, as it would be an obvious addition to the gameplay, but alas, it seems for too late to implement it at this point.

Damn - my time is nearly all spent and I still have some much to talk about. Okay, fast recap for now:

Condemned 2 - the best game I have seen in action so far. Looks to be a complete blast.

Iron Man - looks nice but not quite sure if the gameplay will translate into fun over multiple hours.

Stranglehold - definitely worthy of the the hype.

Blacksite Area 51 - big bosses look awesome, squad gameplay appears simple yet effective.

Silent Hill 5 - for real, though not really graphics were shown, just a teaser trailer.

Metal Gear Solid 4 - new trailer is so bad ass it hurts.

And I'm out of time! More tomorrow (or tonight if I can)!

Labels: E3 2007, EA, SEGA

Nissan GT-R PROTO Headlines Need for Speed ProStreet’s Car List


Need for Speed ProStreet boasts an impressive and unique car list that spans over 40 years of the automotive spectrum. Today, EA unveils the first set of vehicles to be featured in the game with the Nissan GT-R PROTO leading the pack. This will mark the first time that the Nissan GT-R PROTO, which was unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, is available in a full packaged video game.

Every car in Need for Speed ProStreet is selected for a reason – it is either unique, aspirational, memorable or highly desirable. The first list of cars to be revealed in Need for Speed ProStreet is:


* Nissan GT-R PROTO
* 1970 Plymouth® Hemi® Cuda
* 1995 Mazda RX-7
* 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse
* 2006 Audi S4
* 1986 Toyota Corolla GTS AE86
* 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer EVOLUTION IX MR-edition
* 2006 Volkswagen Golf GTI
* 2008 BMW M3


Need for Speed ProStreet is about building the ultimate performance-tuned battle machine, taking it to multi-disciplinary showdowns all over the world and pitting your skills and reputation against the very best street racers. The game is slated to ship in Fall 2007. It will be available for the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, and Wii as well as the PlayStation 2 Nintendo DS, PSP, PC and mobile. More information can be found at http://www.needforspeed.com/.

Labels: Blockbuster Xbox 360, EA, Need For Speend ProStreet, Nintendo DS, PC, Playstation 2, PLAYSTATION 3, PSP

EA and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Videogame Ships Today!

Redwood Shores, CA. – June 26th 2007 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ videogame ships across North America and will be in-store in Europe from June 28th. Available on multiple platforms, the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix videogame allows players to explore the many key locations within Hogwarts, each one a visual match to its film equivalent, while being engrossed in the thrilling adventures described in the rich narrative of the books and films.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’s non-linear gameplay allows the player to explore an interactive Hogwarts, discovering dark corridors and secret rooms along the way. Choose where you go, what you do and when you do it, using the innovative gesture-based spell casting system. In addition, attend a number of classes as side-missions and compete in wizard Mini-Games throughout Hogwarts to compete against the best from each house. Experience the most authentic-to-the-movie game experience in Harry Potter history, with authentic characters and locales that give the look, feel and sound of the movie!

With the ability to play multiple characters, including Harry Potter, Dumbledore and Sirius Black, the videogame of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix offers fans an opportunity to experience one of the most exciting and dangerous years in the life of the Boy Who Lived.

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts and finds himself meeting in secret with a small group of students who name themselves Dumbledore’s Army. Hermione convinces Harry to teach them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead.

Developed by EA’s UK Studio, the team behind the worldwide success of the Harry Potter library of games, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has been rated E 10+ by the ESRB and is available for the Nintendo Wii with an MSRP of $49.99, PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360™ with an MSRP of $59.99, PlayStation®2 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) for $39.99, as well as Nintendo DS, Game Boy® Advance, Windows PC, [Apple Macintosh] with an MSRP of $29.99 and Mobile Phone.

More information about the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix videogame is available at http://www.masterthemagic.com/.

Labels: Apple Macintosh, EA, Game Boy Advance, Gaming PC, Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix, Nintendo DS, nintendo wii, Playstation 2, PLAYSTATION 3, Playstation Portable

The team at DICE has created a brand new map for Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 2142. Highway Tampa will be made available to players for free courtesy of Intel, in Battlefield 2 in June. The map for BF2142 will follow in the coming months.

Highway Tampa: The war in current and future times wages on. The most direct path for supplies and re-enforcements for both sides across the expanse of the Arabian Peninsula has been dubbed Highway Tampa. In order to ensure safe passage of critical new technological equipment, both coalitions wage fierce battles to take control over the land. The new Battlefield 2142 map features Titan mode and introduces the new Double Assault Lines game mode. For Battlefield 2 the map features the Conquest game mode. Highway Tampa is the most vehicle intensive map released to date, taking the famous Battlefield sandbox gameplay to the extreme!

The Open Beta for Highway Tampa for Battlefield 2 started on June 5. The Open Beta for Battlefield 2142 will start very soon. Find out more at http://battlefield.ea.com.

Labels: Battlefield 2, Battlefield 2142, EA

TOKYO, Japan – June 19, 2007 – Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS) ships SimCity™ DS, the first highly anticipated SimCity game developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS platform, to stores worldwide today. With all-new controls and game modes leveraging unique functionalities of the Nintendo DS system, SimCity DS realizes the most accessible SimCity gameplay to date. The product will be available in stores throughout North America, Europe and Asia this week.

SimCity DS brings all the excitement of building and managing your own city into the palm of your hands. From the highly intuitive city-building experience of using the stylus on the touch screen like a drawing board to exciting mini-games occurring every few minutes, the game is perfectly suited for gameplay on-the-go. For those players who are new to the franchise, the newly introduced advisor characters will guide them throughout the game, offering helpful tips on how to keep citizens happy or manage tax rates, while entertaining players along the way. The game is also open-ended enough for the hardcore fans of the franchise to test their creativity, freely building unique cities with the stylus.

"The game offers everything that consumer’s love about the SimCity franchise in the most light-hearted and easy to pick-up-and-play manner," said Takahiro Murakami, Producer at Electronic Arts. "Our goal is to create a SimCity game on the Nintendo DS platform that offers quick gameplay, satisfies players on-the-go and is engaging enough to keep playing in bed all night... SimCity DS offers just that!"

SimCity DS on Nintendo DS is rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $29.99.

Labels: EA, SimCity DS

Montreal, Canada – June 15, 2007 – Shake it. Sing it. Create it. Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Boogie™ – an all new intellectual property in development at EA Montreal will be released for the Wii™ on August 7, 2007 in North America and August 31, 2007 in Europe. The game will ship to retail stores with a packed-in karaoke microphone peripheral and will feature new versions of tracks made popular by hit bands including The Jackson 5, Kool & The Gang, M.C. Hammer, The Village People, Cyndi Lauper and Britney Spears.

“We have assembled a great selection of music for the game that will appeal to players of all ages, making this dancing and karaoke game the ultimate party package for the entire family,” said Alain Tascan, Vice President and General Manager, EA Montreal. “Wii is expanding videogames to untapped markets pulling in a new audience of gamers that typically did not play games in the past; Boogie will give these diverse players something new to enjoy as well as share with their friends and family.”

Players will dance, sing and create music videos with this ultimate videogame party package that takes advantage of the innovative Wii controls getting gamers off their couch and playing to a new beat. Not only will gamers be belting out their favorite tunes or dancing to the latest hit songs, players will catch their best dance moves, record their own voice and make music videos with the easy-to-use music video creator..

Fun mini-games, co-op gameplay, head-to-head dance battles and karaoke party make Boogie the perfect party game and a complete entertainment package for gamers of all ages. This game is not yet rated by the ESRB. For updated rating information visit www.esrb.org. This game has been rated 3+ by PEGI Europe. For updated rating information visit www.pegionline.com. For more information, videos and screens on the game, please visit the website at www.boogie.ea.com.

Labels: Boogie, EA

Labels: EA, Sims Life Stories, Sims Pet Stories

Labels: EA, Warhammer Online

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — June 12, 2007 — The return of one of PC gaming’s most popular series – SimCity™ – is here! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that SimCity™ Societies™ is in development and is scheduled to hit retail stores this holiday season. Featuring an all-new, revolutionary feature set, SimCity Societies allows players to construct not only the cities they desire, but create their cultures, societal behaviors and environments as well. Build an artistic city, haunted town, green city, spiritual community or most any society you want! Using the accessible, innovative and versatile city-builder, players can create their own kind of city in SimCity Societies.

"SimCity Societies allows players to create a variety of cities with the unique societies they desire," said Vice President and Studio Head of The Sims Division, Rod Humble. "There is such a variety of cities to build from in SimCity Societies – and they’re all such a blast to play. Sometimes I build an aggressive police state where stragglers are dragged off to re-conditioning centers and emerge ready for work. Other times, I build a green community in the tropics, where the citizens grow their own food and have a small environmental footprint. With so many options to choose from, SimCity Societies is the most flexible city building game ever!"

Players start by choosing from a variety of more than 350 building types, each of which allows them to combine, connect and re-arrange structures freely. Players can challenge authority and experiment with what happens when citizens flagrantly disobey power in an unruly Orwellian society. Or if players are feeling happy, they can build a Fun City filled with Ferris Wheels, Gingerbread Houses and Chocolate Factories! Inspiration can come from a wide range of architectural periods ranging from the realistic to the fanciful; from the industrial age to futuristic designs, with each structure reflecting its name and nature, many offering a click-on action for fans to play upon! As each city evolves, players will be able to unlock new buildings that can help advance – or regress – their society.

SimCity Societies introduces an all-new, revolutionary feature set for players to combine buildings that will produce or consume new kinds of resources called "social energies." How you mix and match these resources – industry, wealth, obedience, knowledge, devotion, or creativity—determines the social energy of your city. Will your city be happy and creative, spiritual and knowledgeable, will it be wealthy and powerful or obedient and fearful? Its fate is in your hands!

Not only will players be able to build from any or all energies, but the cities will look and behave differently depending on the energy combinations the player makes. From futuristic metropolises and fantastical haunted cities to obedient Orwellian states and devout contemplative towns – what to combine and connect is up to the creator.

The SimCity franchise is one of the most popular PC gaming franchises in history, having sold more than 17 million games worldwide to date since the SimCity launch in 1989. Subsequent base game releases include SimCity 2000™ (1993), SimCity 3000™ (1999) and SimCity 4™ (2003).

SimCity Societies is being published by Electronic Arts and developed by Tilted Mill Entertainment. It is scheduled to be available in retails stores across North America and Europe in November 2007.

Labels: EA, SimCity Societies

Redwood Shores, Calif., – June 11, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced a commitment to bring its portfolio of hit games to Mac OS X. The first EA Mac titles slated to ship this summer include the wizarding adventure Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™, racing sensation Need for Speed™ Carbon, military action thriller Battlefield 2142 and the real-time strategy hit Command &Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™. Being the first Mac OS X games published by EA, these blockbuster titles are being ported to take advantage of the Mac’s performance to run with stunning visuals and signature gameplay at blistering speeds. Later this year, EA will ship Madden NFL 08 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08 in sync with their worldwide launches.

Frank Gibeau, EA’s Executive Vice President of Publishing commented, “These four games are just the beginning. We’re excited to deliver key EA franchises such as Harry Potter, Madden Football and Need for Speed to Mac gamers.”

"We're thrilled that the world's number one games company is making this major commitment to the Mac," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "Game fans are going to love playing these new EA titles on a Mac."

The four Mac games set for release this summer include:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts only to discover that much of the wizarding community has been led to believe that the story of the teenager’s recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort is a lie, putting Harry’s integrity in question. Worse, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, has appointed a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, the duplicitous Professor Dolores Umbridge. But Professor Umbridge’s “Ministry-approved” course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared to defend themselves against the Dark Forces threatening them, so at the prompting of his friends Hermione and Ron, Harry is convinced to take matters into his own hands. Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves “Dumbledore’s Army,” Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead. With the ability to play multiple characters, including Harry Potter, Dumbledore and Sirius Black, the videogame of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix offers fans the opportunity to wield a wand, explore all around Hogwarts, and experience one of the most exciting and dangerous years in the life of the Boy Who Lived.

Need for Speed Carbon – The battle for the city is won in the canyon as Need for Speed Carbon immerses you in the world's most dangerous and adrenaline-filled form of street racing. As the police turn up the heat and force the races to the outskirts of the city, the battle ultimately shifts to Carbon Canyon, where territories and reputations can be lost on every perilous curve. Racing has never felt so dangerous where every turn is a matter of life or death. For the first time in a Need for Speed game, build a crew and race in an all-out war for your city against rival crews and opposing car classes. You'll risk everything to take over rival neighborhoods one street at a time. With online racing and the most advanced graphics and car customization tools ever, Need for Speed Carbon is the ultimate Mac racing game.

Battlefield 2142 – The year is 2142, and the dawn of a new Ice age has thrown the world into a panic. The math is simple and brutal: The soil not covered by ice can only feed a fraction of the Earth's population. Some will live, most will die. In Battlefield 2142, players will choose to fight for one of two military superpowers in an epic battle for survival, the European Union or the newly formed Pan Asian Coalition. Armed with a devastating arsenal of hi-tech assault rifles, cloaking devices and sentry guns, players will also do battle using some of the most imposing vehicles known to man. Massive battle Mechs wage fierce combat on the ground, while futuristic aircraft rule the skies. When facing one of these new behemoths, players will need to use their wits and an arsenal of new countermeasures like EMP grenades to level the playing field. Team play features allow up to 64 players to enter the action on the front lines as part of a formal squad, or work behind the scenes in Commander Mode to direct the strategic assaults of their teammates.

Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars – The critically-acclaimed Command & Conquer™ series returns with Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars. This highly-anticipated next chapter takes the popular series back to its roots in the Tiberium Universe and features the fast, fluid gameplay that Command & Conquer is known for and an epic story that will redefine storytelling and set the standard for the single player experience for Real-time Strategy games. It is 2047 and the stakes could not be higher. Tiberium-a self-replicating alien substance that has infected the Earth-is spreading like a radioactive ice age. The Global Defense Initiative, a high-tech alliance of the world's most advanced nations, is fighting to contain Tiberium, but Kane, the megalomaniacal leader of the Brotherhood of Nod has other plans for Earth. Kane's secret society turned superpower is bent on using Tiberium to take control and transform humanity into his twisted vision of the future. All-out war rages over Tiberium and the fate of the planet rests in the balance.

I think its safe to say EA is not pussyfooting around this leap into the world of Apple. Who needs outdoor activities when you have all these wonderful games to play?!

Labels: Apple, EA

With Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix debut on the big and little screen apporaching, EA has sent out a new batch of screens from the Nintendo DS and Wii systems (click to enlarge):

Nintendo DS


Nintendo Wii


In case you are living under a rock, here is a quick rundown of the game taken straight from the horse's mouth:

"In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts and discovers that much of the wizarding community is in denial about the teenager’s recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort, preferring to turn a blind eye to the news that Voldemort has returned. Fearing that Hogwarts’ venerable Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, is lying about Voldemort’s return in order to undermine his power and take his job, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, appoints a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to keep watch over Dumbledore and the Hogwarts students. But Professor Dolores Umbridge’s Ministry-approved course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared to defend themselves against the dark forces threatening them and the entire wizarding community, so at the prompting of his friends Hermione and Ron, Harry takes matters into his own hands. Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves 'Dumbledore’s Army,' Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead.

With the ability to play multiple characters, including Harry Potter, Dumbledore and Sirius Black, the videogame of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix offers fans the opportunity to wield a wand, explore all around Hogwarts, and experience one of the most exciting and dangerous years in the life of the Boy Who Lived."

Labels: EA, Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix