Electronic Arts Unveils 20 New Titles for Holiday 2006

[fitbabits]

Thread-derailer and member, niakori (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/member.php?u=2174\) sent me word that Electronic Arts has unveiled 20 new titles for the upcoming 2006 Holiday period.

Check them out here (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060712/20060712005520.html), courtesy of Yahoo! Finance (http://biz.yahoo.com).

Electronic Arts today revealed more than 20 game titles that round out its 2006 holiday line-up. With an unparalleled mix of action, adventure, sports and racing games. EA's summer showcase reflects the global appeal of games on 11 different platforms.

"This is an extraordinary time to be a gamer. Whether your passion is for sports or action, whether you play online or on a mobile phone, our development teams have created something special for you," said Paul Lee, President, EA Studios.

"Investments we've made in online, mobile, sports games and new intellectual properties are starting to pay off. In the year ahead, consumers will see ESPN content integrated into our sports games, they'll see innovative online experiences like Warhammer and Battlefield 2142 and console games like Need For Speed Carbon will pioneer new technologies on next generation and current gen systems," said Frank Gibeau, Executive Vice President, General Manager, North America Publishing.

[fitbabits]

Whether it is on the ice, the football field or the basketball court, the EA SPORTS(TM) line-up has never delivered a more authentic athletic performance. Featuring physics technology that allows for naturally moving player characters, perennial favorites from the FIFA, Madden NFL, NCAA® Football, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE, NASCAR® and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® Golf franchises deliver new levels of athletic excellence.

New titles from The Sims(TM), The Godfather(TM), Need for Speed(TM), Battlefield, and Half-Life® franchises join Warhammer® Online: Age of Reckoning(TM) in creating a diverse mix of gameplay experiences. For a whimsical romp, players can get their paws on the new game from The Sims franchise, but when seeking a more intense adventure, Need for Speed, Battlefield, Half-Life or The Godfather will hit the spot.

With nearly 1.5 billion mobile phone handsets circulating around the globe, the EA Mobile portfolio brings a unique mix of games to people of all tastes. Tetris, SimCity and Downtown Texas Hold'Em appeal to casual players while Orcs & Elves(TM) will send players on fantastic adventures and EA SPORTS(TM) Fight Night Round 3, Madden NFL 07, NBA LIVE 07, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07 will make virtual athletes out of every sports fan.

Pogo(TM) and Club Pogo(TM) will continue to dazzle casual game fans worldwide with Turbo 21, BattlePhlinx, Poppit!(TM) and Pogo Bowl.

EA SPORTS(TM)

Madden NFL 07

In Madden NFL 07, players take control of the running game like never before. Step up as the lead blocker to create a hole, and then take control of the tailback and smash through, overpower, or slash away from would-be tacklers as you fight for every yard. Innovative rushing controls give you a game-breaking ground attack featuring all-new jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct running styles of your favorite backs. In NFL Superstar, take a player from NFL Rookie to NFL Hall of Famer. Developed by EA Tiburon, Madden NFL 07 will launch in August on the Xbox 360(TM), Xbox, PlayStation®3, PlayStation®2 console, Nintendo GameCube, Wii(TM), PSP system, PC, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance.

NASCAR® 07

Take risks, be rewarded, and become a champion with NASCAR® 07. With all-new Adrenaline Moments, use your skill and instinct during the most intense situations and control the outcome by avoiding disastrous wrecks and flying debris. Maintain your focus on dangerous conditions ahead with the new RaceBreaker feature, which guides you through every treacherous moment of the race. With all-new speed blurring, realistic spark and smoke effects, and camera shakes, get your adrenaline pumping and experience the all-out drama and intensity of 190-mph racing with NASCAR 07. Developed by EA Tiburon, NASCAR 07 will be available for the Xbox and the PlayStation 2 console and as NASCAR on the PSP system in September.

NBA LIVE 07

Building upon the depth and authenticity that the NBA LIVE franchise has delivered for more than a decade, this season the game will once again revolutionize basketball gameplay. With new moves that are matched only by the game's stunning visuals, players will be given more control than they ever imagined with the all new EA SPORTS(TM) Total Freestyle Control. This year NBA LIVE 07 will partner with the worldwide leader in sports to deliver more ESPN content in-game while you play. Developed at EA Canada, NBA LIVE 07 will be available on the Xbox 360 and Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 2, and PSP handheld entertainment system and PC this fall.

NCAA® Football 07

Momentum changes everything -- now college football's most celebrated videogame lets you turn the tide with NCAA Football 07. Whether battling your biggest rival or playing for the first-ever BCS National Championship Game in Dynasty Mode(TM), success on the field depends on your ability to maintain momentum. Featuring unprecedented graphics that capture every moment in complete detail -- from the authenticity of the stadiums, mascots, and marching bands to the true-to-life look and feel of the players on the field. Developed by EA Tiburon, NCAA Football 07 will ship in July on the PlayStation 2 console Xbox, Xbox 360 and the PSP system.

NFL STREET 3

With NFL STREET 3 you can play your style of football both on the ground and in the air in this newest iteration of the popular NFL STREET franchise. Show off your style and boost your score by performing stunning aerial moves, jumping into the air and collecting special items and game modifiers that hover above the playing field. You will also have the ability to control your Gamebreaker and pull off new Power moves that are available to both the offense and the defense. Developed by EA Tiburon, NFL STREET 3 will be available for the PlayStation2 console and PSP system.

NHL® 07

EA SPORTS(TM) originally pioneered the Golden Age of hockey videogames in the 1990s, and this year heralds in the next generation with the most intuitive and authentic hockey experience to date. Powered by advanced gameplay, NHL 07 features new responsive controls and photo-realistic graphics. Players take complete command over every movement on the ice without ever taking their hands off the analog sticks. A revolutionary new Skill Stick system is an intuitive gameplay scheme that delivers an unparalleled sense of on-ice speed and control. Using the left stick to direct the lower body, and the right to control the upper, gamers will reach a level of fluidity only experienced on the ice. Skate into the zone and glide around your defenders while bringing your stick across your body and drawing it back to fire a slapshot -- all without touching a button. NHL 07 will be available in September for the PlayStation2 console, the PSP system, Xbox 360, Xbox and PC.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 07

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07 breaks new ground by offering more content, advanced features and breakthrough technology. In its latest installment, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 07 brings realism and emotion to the golf course like never before, while players see and hear the crowds around them with enhanced playing environments. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 07 is packed with new content, including 21 new courses and 50 golfers on current gen. Course content doubles on the next gen platforms and the all new UCAP technology makes Tiger more realistic than ever. The PSP version allows players to challenge the world's top golfers at home or on the go. Developed by Electronic Arts Redwood Shores, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07 will launch in October on the Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation2 console, PSP system and PC. A PlayStation 3 console version is scheduled to ship later this fall.

[fitbabits]

EA(TM)

The Godfather(TM) The Game

In The Godfather(TM) The Game, gamers will carry out orders, earn respect, rise through the ranks of the Corleone Family and make New York City their own. Custom-built for the Xbox 360, players will choose their path in this rough and tough world with enhanced BlackHand combat, enhanced graphics and HDTV support. On their way to the top, players will embark on missions to take down new compounds, take over new venues and contract high-risk hits. The Godfather(TM) Mob Wars is a new experience for the PSP system that will engage gamers in a turf war as you take over territory in the strategic Mob Wars mode unique to the PSP version of the game. Maneuver your mobsters and play the right cards to take control of NYC one territory at a time. Developed by EA Redwood Shores, the authentic The Godfather experience reaches a new level in September when it ships for the Xbox 360 and PSP system.

Need For Speed Carbon

Delivering the next generation of adrenaline-filled street racing, Need for Speed Carbon will challenge players to face the ultimate driving test on treacherous canyon roads. What starts in the city is settled in the canyons as Need for Speed Carbon immerses you into the world's most dangerous and action-packed style of street racing. You and your crew must take on your opponent in an all-out war for the city -- risking everything to take over your rivals' neighborhoods, one block at a time. As the police turn up the heat, the battle ultimately shifts to Carbon Canyon, where territories and reputations can be lost on every perilous curve. Need for Speed Carbon delivers the next generation of customization giving you the power to design and tweak your crew's cars in every way using the ground-breaking new Autosculpt(TM) technology. Represent your car class, your crew, and your turf in Need for Speed Carbon, a revolution in racing games. Developed by EA Black Box in Vancouver, Need for Speed Carbon will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation3, and Wii as well as the PlayStation2 console, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, PSP system, PC, and mobile this fall.

Battlefield 2142(TM)

The year is 2142 and the dawn of a new Ice age has thrown the world into a panic. The soil not covered by ice can only feed a fraction of the Earth's population. The math is simple and brutal: Some will live, most will die. In Battlefield 2142, players choose to fight for one of two military superpowers in an epic battle for survival. Armed with a devastating arsenal of hi-tech weaponry, including assault rifles, cloaking devices, EMP grenades and sentry guns, players can level the playing field against massive Battle Walkers that control the ground and futuristic aircraft that rule the skies. Massive online* battles for up to 64 players drop gamers on the front lines as part of a formal squad, or behind the scenes in Commander Mode to direct the strategic assaults of their team-mates. Battlefield 2142 also introduces an all-new game type for the first time in franchise history: "Titan" mode, which challenges gamers to control the battlefield and destroy their opponent's Titan -- a massive flying warship -- while defending their own. Battlefield 2142 is developed by Digital Illusions/DICE Sweden and is slated to ship for PC this fall.

SUPERMAN RETURNS(TM): THE VIDEOGAME

SUPERMAN RETURNS(TM): THE VIDEOGAME challenges players to master Superman's unrivaled powers to save Metropolis. Based on 60 years of DC Comics and the hit motion picture, SUPERMAN RETURNS(TM): THE VIDEOGAME creates the ultimate open-world super hero experience. As the Man of Steel(TM), you'll hone your unworldly super powers such as Flight, X-Ray Vision and Freeze Breath to fight villains that only Superman(TM) can defeat. SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME will be available on the Xbox 360, the PlayStation 2 console, Xbox, the PSP system, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance this fall.

[bKangy]

20 titles? EA are blitzing it.

[askheaves]

Wow... they know their franchises, gotta give 'em that.

[niakori]

I was more than a little disappointed by not seeing Simcity 5 on that list. If they make me wait any longer, stupid metaphors will be used.

[NonSoft]

20 titles and only one new IP, and it is a cellphone game...

Only EA...

[EternalGamer]

Seriously, it takes some talent to come up with 20 games and have all of them be so completely uninspiring.

[dr_wily]

even with all those developers slaving in their crunch mode 80 hour work weeks, 20 titles for one company across 900 platforms, theres gonna be some serious mediocrity and watered downness..

[Returner]

I'm only interested in two.
Need For Speed Carbon
Battlefield 2142

[MasterEvilAce]

Bah. I agree with Returner.

Honestly, I don't see how sports games are getting any better to play other than new players or better graphics

[TrackZero]

fitbabits cut the list off early!

Apparently "mobile" games don't count. ;)

[antoniogaud]

Wow lots of X360 titles - not so many PS3. X360 is the next-gen sports platform!

[Royal Fool]

The only game I'm interested in on that list is NFS Carbon. The Underground and Most Wanted games surprised me a lot, so I'm holding out for this one as well.

Other than that, the list is full of turd.

[Eggplant!]

That list is mind-numbingly dull. No wonder everyone is worried about the video game industry. Shovelware as far as the eye can see.

[Doctor Setebos]

fitbabits cut the list off early!

Apparently "mobile" games don't count. ;)They don't. This list of 20 titles is actually 11 actual games, and 9 worthless wastes of code for the cellphone.

Returner is right: only 2 titles worth mentioning: BF2142 and NfS:C.

[thecrazyd]

<troll>Do they call it Need For Speed Carbon because it is a carbon copy of the other Need For Speeds?</troll>

[Kamalot]

I was in my local EB games tonight and the manager gave me a list of upcoming DS games. The lineup is killer compared to this drivel.

We sat there with the highlighter and marked up the page for games we were interested in. Here's what we came up with:

Tenchu Dark Secret -WiFi-
Star Fox Command (http://www.nintendo.com/gamemini?gameid=oEP0uQm8Lx4vir8Zw3jfJ7GEnnjLlmAJ) -WiFi-
Mech Assult: Shadow War (http://blogs.ign.com/MechAssaultDS/2006/06/29/23260/)
Mario Hoops: 3 on 3 (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ab3j/)
Lego Star Wars: Original Trilogy
Mega Man ZX (http://www.capcom.co.jp/rockman_zx/)
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
Contact (http://www.armchairempire.com/Previews/ds/contact.htm) -WiFi-
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime
Mario vs Donkey Kong

:October:
Final Fantasy III
Star Trek: Tactical Assult
Children of Mana
Pokemon Ranger
Steel Horizon

:November:
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Lunar Knights

Electronic Arts isn't working very hard to get my gaming dollars. It looks like business as usual, just milking their dull franchises with huge marketing.

[TDiddy]

I'm not a NASCAR fan, but how hard would it be to put a NASCAR game on the 360? Is EA really that lazy that they don't want the extra cash brought on by a different platform, even if it's just a port, like Need for Speed was?

[dena miscreant]

Wow lots of X360 titles - not so many PS3. X360 is the next-gen sports platform of 2006!

I corrected that for you. ;)

EDIT: While I'm editing :p , I might as well add that I am not even planning on picking up a PS3 until MGS4 or even later.

NFS: Carbon is kinda meh to me, although much less meh than any of the sports titles being released. The Godfather on 360 should be fun! I hope Battlefield 2142 is as cool as I think it could be. That is all. Thank you.

[Skjef]

Holy shit! A Mechassault game for the DS? Thanks Kamalot, I haven't heard a peep about that before now.

As for EA... meh. Orcs & Elves sounds neat, but I don't have a cellphone. I do, however, have a DS. :p

[Norse]

Strange, I didn't see a Fifa game on that list. IMHO it would be good news if they skipped it this year to concentrate on making a better Fifa '08. I guess that is just wishful thinking....

[Bydo_Empire]

I'm not a NASCAR fan, but how hard would it be to put a NASCAR game on the 360? Is EA really that lazy that they don't want the extra cash brought on by a different platform, even if it's just a port, like Need for Speed was?
See, that's the problem. If you do that, everyone will bitch that it's "just a port" or it's "NFS with different cars." You can't win either way. Sorry, calling developers "lazy" is one of my pet peaves. And I think EA *always* wants the extra cash - they support pretty much every platform (DC notwithstanding).

[jeffbax]

Yawn.

Sadly enough, the'll probably be the top selling games :(

[Roc Ingersol]

20 titles and only one new IP, and it is a cellphone game...

Only EA...
QfT



here's yer extra fuckin characters!

[Metal Jesus]

Out of all of these games, Orcs & Elves is the one I will DEFINITELY pick up! Why? Cuz Doom RPG for my Razr is so goddamn fun!! It's amazing how well made that cell phone game is...and this is also created by John Carmack of Id Software.

[TDiddy]

I had no problems with their port of Need for Speed, so I would have no problems with a port of a NASCAR game. I liked other ports, too. As long as you give it decent enough graphics, like Need for Speed and Tomb Raider, being a port isn't that bad. The ports that give porting a bad name are Tony Hawk and Gun, both of which I liked, but needed better graphics.

[Kamalot]

I had no problems with their port of Need for Speed, so I would have no problems with a port of a NASCAR game. I liked other ports, too. As long as you give it decent enough graphics, like Need for Speed and Tomb Raider, being a port isn't that bad. The ports that give porting a bad name are Tony Hawk and Gun, both of which I liked, but needed better graphics.
*sigh*

Not to single you out, but this mentality is the exact problem with Electronic Arts.

Why on earth would you continue to buy the same game with better graphics?!