EA made a host of announcements during its annual EA Play Live event. We got updates on Apex Legends, new games under the EA Originals label were shown, more games announced for Steam and Nintendo Switch, we saw more of Madden NFL 21 and FIFA 21, some info on games for next gen consoles, and a brand-new Skate game was announced. Phew!
Without further ado, let’s take a look at everything that was announced today at EA Play Live 2020.
Apex Legends launches on Steam and Nintendo Switch
EA acknowledged that Apex Legends’ Season 5 has seen its highest level of per-play engagement to date. In fact, Apex Legends Season 5 has had the highest daily retention of any season and the largest number of new players since Season 1.
Perhaps the biggest Apex Legends news is that the game is coming to Steam and Nintendo Switch with full cross-play support this fall. We also learned that the Lost Treasures Collection Event will begin in just a few days on June 23, 2020.
More EA games are coming to more platforms
EA announced that even more games are coming to Steam, including hits such as The Sims 4, Titanfall 2, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order—to name a few. Furthermore, EA Access will make its way to Steam later this summer as the services’ first subscription on the platform.
Moreover, EA is stepping up its support for the Nintendo Switch by releasing 7 games over the next 12 months. Of those 7 we already know of 4: Burnout Paradise: Remastered, Apex Legends, FIFA 21 and Lost in Random.
Three brand-new EA Originals games announced
Three exciting looking games were announced by independent studios that will be released under the EA Originals label. Let’s take a brief look at each of them.
Rocket Arena
The first new EA Originals game shown is developed by Final Strike Games. Titled Rocket Arena, this arena shooter is centred around, you guessed it, rockets. You choose your hero in this 3v3 shooter as you attempt to master the art of the rocket through a variety of play styles, roster of heroes and highly competitive action.
Each hero is equipped with a powerful rocket launcher that can be used to propel yourself around the map and to take out your opponents. We learned that Rocket Arena is coming with cross-play on July 14, 2020 to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Origin and Steam.
It Takes Two
From the critically acclaimed studio behind A Way Out comes It Takes Two. Launching in 2021, It Takes Two is a co-op, action-adventure, platformer that is unlike any other game before. The story starts out with a small family, Cody, May and their young daughter Rose. Cody and May are on the verge of divorce and Rose doesn’t want her parents to separate.
To help cope with the stress and fear, Rose creates two dolls in her parents likeness out of wood and clay. These dolls come to life and you play as them and play out their emotions. Judging by the trailer below, this is a game I am going to keep my eye out for.
Lost in Random
Out of the 3 EA Originals games shown today at EA Play Live 2020, Lost in Random is the game I am most excited for. It’s a gothic fairytale action-adventure game that follows a young girl named Even and her living dice companion known as Dicey. Even, along with Dicey, embarks on a journey in a land of unknown in an attempt to break the curse of Random.
Lost in Random is currently slated for a 2021 release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, Origin and Steam.
Star Wars: Squadrons gameplay
Earlier this week, EA officially announced Star Wars: Squadrons. And, today, at EA Play Live 2020 we got our first look at actual gameplay footage. Take a look at the official 6 minutes gameplay trailer below. Be prepared to be blown away!
Star Wars: Squadrons is launching October 2, 2020 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Origin, Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Madden NFL 21
On Tuesday, we learned new details in the first look at Madden NFL 21. And, today we got another look at the game. Fans can expect new features and innovative gameplay enhancements on current and next generation platforms.
Madden NFL 21 launches August 28, 2020 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Origin and Steam. Stadia fans can expect to see Madden NFL 21 this winter.
FIFA 21
We learned that FIFA 21 is launching October 9, 2020 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Steam and Origin. It is also slated to come to Stadia this winter. Additionally, much like Madden NFL 21, EA is allowing gamers to upgrade their copies of FIFA 21 from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5, or from Xbox One to Xbox Series X at no cost.
Owners of next generation consoles can expect super fast load times, enhanced animation, and improved graphics.
Games powered by next generation technology
While nothing in particular was mentioned, EA revealed that its best-in-class studios are working on games for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Criterion, best known for their racing games in the Burnout and Need for Speed series are hard at work. Canada’s own BioWare is hard at work at using next generation technology to make fantasy worlds your reality.
Dice, known for setting the bar or visual and audio standards, is currently working on creating epic battles at a scale and fidelity unlike anything we have experienced before. Finally, another Canadian studio, Motive is working on a highly ambitious and innovative new game that puts power and creativity in your hands, only possible with next generation technology.
Skate is back!
EA saved quite possibly the best announcement for last at EA Play Live 2020 today. After nearly a decade of fans asking for a new Skate game, we finally got confirmation that Skate is back! While it’s in the early stages, we can expect great things in the next evolution in the Skate franchise.
Play at Best Buy
Make sure to bookmark and visit the Best Buy Blog as well as our Play at Best Buy gaming hub frequently all summer long. Here we will have special offers, including pre-order links to new games, contests, and the latest news. And, don’t forget to check out my Twitter feed as well as Best Buy Canada’s.
Here’s are the social media links for you to bookmark:
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Lost in Random does look really cool. I will definitely keep this in mind when it launches on Switch next year! Action Adventure is among my favourite gaming genres.
I hope that with Fifa 21 on Switch that EA actually puts more effort into the game this year. According to the reviews I read Fifa 20 on Switch was basically just the Fifa 19 version with a roster update.
I understand that the Switch is not among the most powerful of consoles, but I wish that EA would try to bring games like Star Wars: Squadrons to the Switch. I’d love to be able to take this with me anywhere on my Switch!
Thanks for the wrap up Jon! It looks like there are a lot of great games to get excited for!
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