E3 2014 - EA Games Press Conference Trailers

For the millionth time... It's in the game!

Electronic Arts, the big boys. With deep pockets and a whole lot of opportunity to show it, EA was very invested in showing us just how good their games were going to look. Yes, we'll be looking at some sports games here, but I have to say that the next generation is going to be good to our professional athletes. They have enough to worry about, after all.

Dragon Age: Inquisition - E3 Strings Trailer

Do you think they pulled a Super Bowl for that cellist? Where she just has to look like she's playing while really selling the looks, and it's just a tape the whole time? What if we had another Ashlee Simpson SNL moment? All things I thought about watching this trailer. We get it, Bioware, it's gonna be big. 

Dragon Age: Inquisition - E3 Story Trailer

As an almost-immediate follow up to the strings trailer, we get a little story tossed our way. Our merry band of companions aren't so merry after all. In fact, they all have their own reasons to be pushed into battle with you, and none of them involve blindly following your cause. I find that as a refreshing story tactic, one that Bioware has proven themselves to be very good at in the past. Get your players invested in everyone around them, and it makes for a better game as a whole. 

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, PC

Release: 7 Oct 2014

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: Bioware

The Sims 4 - E3 Trailer

I once got into an argument with a friend about the "proper" way to play The Sims. I always played for financial success, while he would only try and create weird (and admittedly hilarious) situations for his people. The Sims 4 is looking to blur the lines between those two sides, interjecting as much weird into the normal day as possible. A lot of focus is being spent on the improved ways that the sims will interact with one another; this time, their attributes will play a large roll that aspect of the game. Each new addition of The Sims has pushed the brand further, and here's to hoping one of my favorite franchises can follow suit yet again.

The Sims 4

PC, OSX

Release: 2 Sept 2014

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: Maxis

NHL 15 - E3 Trailer

Actual in-game footage. I just want to make that super clear. Actual. In. Game. Footage. When I said that the next generation is going to be good to the athletes, I wasn't kidding. If EA can find an accessible way to set up their "Be a Player" and franchise modes, they're going to have a sleeper hit in NHL '15. The Kings did just win, so there have to be at least a ton of LA bandwagoners pretending they love hockey for a year. But still, this is a fantastic trailer that captures the essence of the sport very well; every hockey fan should be salivating over it.
*Top 5 Tuesday Nominee*

NHL 15

Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3

Release: 9 Sept 2014

Publisher: EA Sports

Developer: EA Canada

PGA Tour - E3 Battleships Trailer

If a golf course of exploding battleships is what it's going to take to sell more golf games, then I am on board times one million. Best way to combat boredom on the links? Make s**t explode around you while you play! Very Caddyshack of them. I like the move to cater to those who want to golf, but hate every ounce of etiquette and procedure that comes with it. Just give me a boat to hit it over, man. Wa-na-na-na-naaaaaa.

PGA Tour

Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3

Release: Spring 2015

Publisher: EA Sports

 Madden NFL 15 - E3 Trailer

NOT EVEN THAT VIRTUAL SAD-APPLE CRABTREE CAN CATCH A PASS WHEN I'M ON HIM. How perfect is it that the Madden featuring Richard Sherman is all about the improved defense? And the first shot they use with him is defending poor Michael Crabtree. Hasn't that guy been handed enough abuse? Aside from the extra focus on defense, Madden is having its camera work be done by the same people at NFL films in order to give cut scenes and other moments real "NFL authenticity". Am I crazy, or does everyone look like a gigantic gladiator?

Madden NFL 15
Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3
Release: 26 Aug 2014
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: EA Tiburon

FIFA 15 - E3 Trailer

This. Is. Football. With the world cup in full swing, my cup has runneth over with love for the beautiful game. FIFA 15 looks to bring all of the drama from the pitch into the living room, with a serious focus on how the players react to the game unfolding in front of them. Will you miss the frame by inches and collapse to the ground in defeat? Or will you lift your team (and fans) to glory? FIFA has always tried to sell their games as a true soccer experience, it's all about being a part of the game for them. It's high time they delivered on that.

FIFA 15
Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, PS Vita, 3DS, Wii, PC
Release: 23 Sept 2014
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada

Star Wars: Battlefront - E3 Teaser Trailer

This is early, early footage from the new Battlefront. That said, this video made me all kinds of tingly in the right ways. EA's Frostbite engine will make the new battlefront will look glorious (that early in-game footage is some of the best CG I've ever seen), and I can only imagine that the environments will react to the action in a similar way to the Battlefield series. Blasters and plasma grenades with destructible environment physics. THINK ABOUT THAT. 

And then remember that we won't be seeing more until early 2015, and get slammed back to reality. This game needs to come out. But I can rest easy on the fact that this team is (supposedly) pouring everything they have into the project; they want to make sure that everything done is as authentically "Star Wars" as it can be. That's a very good sign. 

*Top 5 Tuesday Nominee*

Star Wars: Battlefront

Xbox One, PS4, PC

Release: TBA 2015

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: EA Digital Illusions CE

In Conclusion: The sports games are going to look really good. The adventure games are going to look really good. And, you guessed it, everything that EA is doing with the new generation is going to be really pretty. The question is, how will these games play? Will they have the personality to go along with the looks? I'm looking especially at the sports games for this one, as they have tended to be a little light on new and innovative content over the last few years. Not the strongest presser for trailers, but there's still some stuff to love here.