The eagerly awaited Xbox 720 launch event will see console manufacturer Microsoft announce a new exclusive content partnership with EA, latest reports have suggested.
Tipped to follow hot on the heels of bitter rival Sony and the recent PS4 release date confirmation, Microsoft has been rumoured to host an Xbox 720 release date announcement on April 26, an event that will reportedly see the computer giant unveil a new EA partnership.
Whilst it is currently unclear what the terms of the exclusivity partnership will be, gaming outlet CVG has cited “two sources who wished to remain anonymous,” in suggesting that “EA has secured a partnership with the Xbox firm.” It is claimed that this partnership will see the leading developer take to the stage of the Xbox 720 unveiling next month.
Although EA was one of the few top tier publishers not to demonstrate new content alongside the recent unveiled PS4, the Activision, Ubisoft and Capcom rival will support Sony’s next-gen gamer with franchise hits such as FIFA, Madden and Tiger Woods expected to span both current and next-gen console to capitalise on both markets.
Offering speculative insight into the nature of the Xbox 720 EA exclusivity deal, one of the unnamed insider sources has suggested the deal could see the eagerly awaited Battlefield 4 release land solely for Microsoft’s next-generation console.
Adding further backing to the latest EA themed Xbox 720 rumours, Electronics Arts CFO Blake Jorgensen has spoken out on why the company did not showcase any next-gen content during Sony’s recent New York based PS4 launch event.
“It was more about timing of our own slate as well as trying to maintain a good balance of power will all the parties out there and choosing when to unveil certain pieces of software,” Jorgensen said at a recent Mogan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference.
He teasingly added: “I’d say, between now and E3, you are going to see a lot of stuff, and we are going to choose with our marketing teams when to announce.
“At the end of the day we are very excited about Sony’s platform. We feel there’s a huge opportunity there. The technical power on the platform is going to allow us to do a substantial amount of things that have never been done before.”
Speaking on next-gen content, he added: “I have seen the new Battlefield, and it is just stunning. It is amazing what the imagination of the game developers are allowed to do with that much power.”
Would exclusive EA content tempt you into splashing out on an Xbox 720 as opposed to the PS4? Let us know via the TrustedReviews Twitter and Facebook feeds or through the comment boxes below.
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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.
