Electronic Arts has done a great job of shaking up the status quo of E3 with its EA Play events, which it hosts at a separate location in LA.
This year’s showcase saw plenty of new information for big and small games alike. On the AAA side we had announcements and trailers from Battlefield 5, FIFA 19 and Madden NFL 19, while indie games like Unravel 2 and Sea of Solitude also impressed. However it was Bioware’s Anthem that arguably stole the show with a spectacular demo and roundtable interview.
Trusted Reviews has compiled everything you need to know about EA Play 2018 including all the latest news, announcements and more.
EA Play 2018 Summary – What happened?
Electronic Arts showcased a number of titles during its E3 2018 conference, although it was surprising to see only a small glimpse of Battlefield 5 and FIFA 19. DICE confirmed that Battle Royale is coming to Battlefield 5, although it appears to be in the early stages of development and won’t be here at launch. The UEFA Champion’s League is coming to FIFA 19, and will be available as part of The Journey and traditional Career Modes.
A greater focus was placed on indie titles like Sea of Solitude and Unravel 2, the latter of which saw a surprise launch and is available right now. Command and Conquer: Rivals, a new mobile strategy experience was also announced with an on-stage presentation. NBA Live 19 and Madden NFL 19 received new trailers alongside release details, as expected from EA’s yearly sports catalogue.
Anthem received a huge amount of new information through a cinematic trailer and developer insight into gameplay, story and how monetization will work in the upcoming RPG. Bioware also provided us with plenty of new footage of Anthem in action. It looks fantastic, and could really be something special.
EA Play 2018 Video — Watch the conference for yourself
Although the main conference has now concluded, EA is continuing its livestream with a FIFA tournament. You can watch the stream using the embedded video below:
Related: Best Xbox One Games
EA Play 2018 Liveblog – All the news as it happened
1900: EA Play has begun! The show has started with a spectacular augmented reality showcase of Bioware’s Anthem. We’ll see more of it later in the show.
1903: Time for our first look at Battlefield 5’s online multiplayer. A pair of developers have taken to the stage to chat about the upcoming shooter and how it’s the “deepest and most immersive” entry in the series yet. Large weapons previously stationery can now be moved around the battlefield while destructibility has also been greatly improved. Customisation also possess a more cosmetic element, as well as providing a gameplay advantage.
1906: Battle Royale is coming to Battlefield, although its re-imagined for the franchise with all the team-play and vehicles you’d expect from EA’s blockbuster. It’s still in its early stages, though. The solo campaign will receive an extensive look at Microsoft’s briefing tomorrow.
1910: The UEFA Champions League has been confirmed for FIFA 19 after Konami lost the license earlier this year. You’ll be able to chase Champion’s League glory in The Journey and through the traditional Career Mode. The release date has also been confirmed for September 28, 2019. For a limited time, FIFA 18 is getting a free trial spanning all platforms including the newly implemented World Cup content update.
1918: EA has announced Origin Access Premiere, a new subscription service, an improved version of its subscription service which will provide PC players with new titles available at launch for a monthly price. Madden NFL 19 is also coming to PC for the first time in a decade.
1920: Respawn Entertainment’s Vince Zampella has been spotted in the crowd and has spilt a few details on the studio’s upcoming Star Wars title. Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order will take place following the events of Revenge of the Sith when the remaining Jedi are being hunted by the Empire. The current release is planned for Holiday 2019.
1923: Time for an update on Star Wars Battlefront 2 with some more details on upcoming content based on Solo: A Star Wars Story. Good news is it’ll all be free, too. A new era is coming to Battlefront 2 in the form of Clone Wars. New heroes and villains include General Grievious and Obi-Wan Kenobi. EA and Dice have acknowledged the game’s rough start, but believe it has a bright future ahead of it.
1926: Unravel 2, a sequel to the adorable indie hit, has been announced with a brief yet emotional trailer. This time you’ll be playing alongside a friend, either controlled by another player or AI. According to the developer, “it’s both friendlier and more challenging” depending on how you decide to approach it. Now it’s time for a live demo. In a shock announcement, Unravel 2 is out right now!
1936: A Way Out has proven a huge success as one of EA’s original titles, and now a new title has been announced in the line-up: Sea of Solitude. It looks beautiful, and sports a bright, colourful style in a journey based heavily on the themes of loneliness. Sea of Solitude is about a young woman named Kaye who is dealing with terrible feelings of loneliness, so much so she’s transformed into a monster. The game follows her as she tries to transform back into a human.
1941: NBA Live 19 has been announced and will be available on September 7. Little information was shared beyond a stylish trailer. Now we’re moving immediately onto Madden NFL 19 with a stunning new trailer which reveals our first look at the upcoming football sim.
1950: The conference has taken a slow turn as a couple of shout casters and professional players have emerged to showcase a new mobile strategy title. The game in question is Command and Conquer: Rivals, a title that hopes to reimagine the beloved series on mobile.
1958: The show is closing with a detailed look at Bioware’s Anthem. Easily EA’s biggest title of the coming year, it’s an epic sci-fi experience with plenty of ambition behind it. Check out the new trailer below:
2004: Three members of Bioware have taken to the stage to discuss some of the inspirations behind Anthem alongside gameplay mechanics you can expect to see. The plan for Anthem is to add new content and expansions for years to come in the form of missions, equipment and nuggets of narrative that shape the world in unpredictable ways.
2014: After a hefty slate of interviews it’s time for a gameplay presentation for Anthem. Much like Destiny, Anthem can be played alone or with a group of friends as you embark on missions across a sprawling world. Tasks will normally involve taking out a bunch of enemies and seeking objects in exchange for loot and rewards.
2018: It’s over! You can play Anthem on February 22, 2019 when it will launch on PS4, Xbox One and PC.
What did you think of Electronic Arts at E3 2018? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter @TrustedReviews
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
