-
More on Madden NFL 25 Connected Franchise
Though somewhat overshadowed by all the next-gen news the week started off with details on Connected Franchise for Madden NFL 25 on the Xbox 360 and PS3. Improvements to the mode that debuted last year will be accompanied by the return of several features including Owner mode, transaction logs, importing of draft classes, and 32 team offline control.
Now EA Sports has followed up with a blog post laying out the new features of Connected Franchise. In addition to those already mentioned it confirms that Fantasy Drafts can be completed for offline franchises (it was only for the “online” ones after a patch last year) and that player positions can be changed. Adam Schefter will be offering draft story lines in addition to Trey Wingo (his involvement was discovered a few weeks ago). While there still hasn’t been mention of much in the way of presentation at least now it’s known the commentary will include references to things like current standings and stats – something that was desperately needed after the complete disconnect with ongoing events when playing games last year.
-
NCAA Football 10 Included Tim Tebow’s Name; Could Impact Player Likeness Lawsuit
Though EA may still be attempting to argue that players in NCAA video games don’t exactly represent the likenesses of the real athletes (they even filed a study that only about 15% of in-game characters match height, weight, home state, and position) ultimately that will be a tough sell to a jury in the monumental lawsuit ahead. Instead what they have been producing being protected as artistic works appeared to be the far stronger point to be made but the hits keep on coming for the NCAA, CLC, and EA who appear to be in big trouble. Read more
-
One Player Likeness Lawsuit From Years Ago Resurfaces After Appeals Process
Back in 2011 – when there were several individual former athletes challenging the NCAA, CLC, and EA as opposed to the consolidated and potentially monumental class action one the trio faces now – Ryan Hart had his own attempt at litigation shot down. The case had been filed in 2009 with Hart claiming his appearance in the NCAA Football series when he was a QB at Rutgers from 2004-2005 should have resulted in compensation. Read more
-
EA Sports Tempting Fate by Revisiting Huge Mistake of 2005
One of the biggest surprises out of the Xbox One reveal event yesterday was EA Sports taking the stage to show off a pre-rendered trailer rather than actual in-game footage for their upcoming sports games. Given that such a tactic laid the foundation for being underwhelmed this entire last generation few would have predicted they’d go back to that well again. Read more
-
Additional Videos Showcase the Just Announced EA Sports Ignite Next-Gen Engine
Earlier today the announcement of the “EA Sports Ignite” engine was accompanied by a trailer featuring pre-rendered footage reminiscent of the infamous one years back for Madden that laid the table for disappointment throughout the entirety of the Xbox 360/PS3 generation. Now the company has added a series of additional videos spotlighting the three central areas of focus: Human Intelligence, True Player Motion, and Living Worlds. Read more
-
EA Sports Ignite Engine Trailer and Details
The trailer showing off the upcoming Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14, NBA Live 14, and UFC releases for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 has made it online after debuting at the Microsoft event earlier today alongside other news. The video highlights the new “EA Sports Ignite” engine which is said to deliver true player motion, advanced AI, and living worlds taking advantage of the advanced specs of the systems. Read more
-
EA Sports Announces Ignite Engine; Strategic Partnership with Microsoft
As expected EA Sports held a prominent role at the Microsoft event to reveal the new Xbox One. Andrew Wilson appeared to discuss the next generation confirming Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14, NBA Live 14, and UFC for the Xbox One.
The company also announced the “EA Sports Ignite” engine which will provide true player motion and living worlds. EA will also be discussing a “new broad, strategic partnership with Microsoft” in the near future – probably more on that at E3. FIFA 14 will be getting exclusive Ultimate Team content on Microsoft consoles but obviously the partnership will be going beyond that. Other potential exclusivity arrangements were not discussed.
A full trailer showed off the four upcoming sports games. As soon as that is available online it will be posted. Hopefully that won’t be the trailer that sets EA up for failure in the same way the Madden next-gen trailer in 2004 did. More on everything as the day progresses!
-
Microsoft Announces Xbox One
Microsoft has just announced the Xbox One. The console includes quick switching between gaming, television, and other programs with voice control along with utilizing multiple applications at once. A partnership with the NFL will deliver games, fantasy experiences, social elements, and more. EA has a new “broad, strategic partnership with Microsoft” to discuss going forward. The system will release “later this year” and no price was announced. You can now sign up on Amazon to be notified when the Xbox One goes up for pre-order. The One will not be backwards compatible with Xbox 360 games. Used games will require a purchased code in order to work on the One. Kinect will need to be plugged in for the system to operate. As additional info surfaces it will be added. Follow on Twitter for the latest.
-
Madden NFL 25 Connected Franchise Detailed; Owner Mode and Requested Features Return
The transition from a standard Franchise mode to Connected Careers with Madden NFL 13 was widely enjoyed but also loudly opposed. Omitting features that segments of consumers were passionate about – many were patched in later but the damage had been done – and not being able to easily communicate the evolution of Franchise concepts made it a contentious situation for EA Sports to handle. Now with Madden NFL 25 the mode has been renamed Connected Franchise and a number of additions and improvements made with the hopes of satisfying those who took issue with the mode last year. Read more
-
EA Sports UFC May Also Show Up at Microsoft Event
Earlier this morning FIFA 14 was confirmed to be shown at the Microsoft console reveal event tomorrow. Though it comes in less specific terms EA Sports seems to be confirming UFC to appear there as well. No word however has come on Madden or NBA Live yet.
The social media accounts for EA UFC are teasing the first news on the game – which we know won’t be releasing before April 2014 and likely to be only for the next generation consoles – to be out tomorrow. There is no way they’d be doing something independently which would be completely overshadowed by the Microsoft press event. It’s safe to say then it’ll also be shown or talked about to some extent along with FIFA.
That now multiple EA games will be at the Microsoft press conference will add even more fuel to the fire of exclusivity. There is clearly a strong relationship being cultivated heading into the next generation. The extent of what that means will be realized tomorrow.
by 