EA E3 2018 conference live report
Anthem! Battlefield! FUFU! That and more, as it happened.
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EA got this year's E3 off to a typically downbeat start, though there were some gems amidst the drudgery. Unravel 2 is out to play right now, as is Command & Conquer Rivals, while we got a fresh look at Anthem and an all-new EA Original in Sea of Solitude. You can probably skim through the rest, mind.
Our live coverage of this event has finished.
Well hello hello hello. Eurogamer's away team is just queuing up to get into the venue over in sunny LA.
Gooood morning from a sunny LA and the delightful parking lot of the Hollywood Palladium. The influencers are lining up and the bass music is already pumping ahead of EA's annual E3 shindig.
While here in sunny Lewisham I'm heading out to my shed with a couple of beers and a thirst for hot game announcements.
Wes and I have made it into the auditorium, despite the best efforts of EA's registration system. Chatter among the audience is about this morning's ESRB leak of Unravelled 2 - so I guess that's a thing.
Oh god I thought people were joking when they said Unravel 2. Even the indie games aren't safe from the EA sequel machine.
Unravel 2019. Hope it's more than just a roster change.
And that, if you're wondering, is what the venue looks like from inside.
Want to see more pics of the proscenium tbf.
Toaster05: Hello, my name is Toaster05 and I am an alcoho... wrong day.
No, no, this is the right day for that. Me too! I've got a glass of white wine to get me through this.
iemander: What's that image on the front page? It looks like Call of Duty infinite war
It is Anthem, which looks super generic to these eyes. Hoping it comes alive a bit when we see it in action today.
The banter has begun.
lblanime: how long is this press conference expecting to run? an hour?
I reckon 90 minutes, at a push.
lblanime: how long is this press conference expecting to run? an hour?
I reckon 90 minutes, at a push.
Toaster05: Anyone else really, really hoping that Pele is going to make a glorious return? I can't wait to hear another of his inappropriate ramblings.
It's the only reason I'm here.
So, quick form guide. EA's opened up the big show season the last few years.
It has been routinely *awful*.
Storytime with Pelé back in 2015 was a highlight, not just of EA's shows, but E3 in general.
Then there was the time Mourinho came on-stage for lord knows how much money to look a bit bemused.
Then there was those other years but honestly I tend to smash my head against the desk repeatedly once these things finish so I don't have memories of them haunting me in the future.
I can't forget watching a load of celebrities getting proper baked and then playing Battlefield 1 back in 2016, though.
Actually, who am I kidding. These things are awesome.
What will tonight bring?
Real talk, here's what we'll definitely get. FIFA 19, Anthem, Unravel 2, Battlefield 5, some other American sports games that'll utterly confuse most of us.
What we won't get - a new Dragon Age, a new Dead Space, a new Knights of the Old Republic.
Will we see anything of the Star Wars games? We know what was once Amy Hennig's project has 'pivoted' to something else, so that'll be a no-show for sure.
Could we see Respawn's Star Wars game? That'd be a lovely thing, surely.
Dream EA conference - Skate 4, a new Desert Strike, Populous and Road Rash.
None of which will happen, though I'd dearly love to be proven wrong.
liquidsoap89: Was Criterion Games' crazy multi-vehicle type game that was announced a couple years ago still around? I'd like to see that please.
It's dead dead dead. Criterion mainly does vehicle stuff for other projects, such as Battlefront 2.
Toaster05: Er, Martin I think you are forgetting Crusader
Oh I am! So yeah, Crusader: No Remorse HD on Switch, and a tease of an all-new one in the mixer as well. Come on EA!
Also everyone seems to be well into these Spyro and Crash Bandicoot revivals, so why don't EA get involved and give B.O.B another run out?
I've heard we're going to get a big chunk of Anthem gameplay - it feels like BioWare is in a pivotal place right now, and I really hope they can pull something special off today.
'What's your favourite Sims expansion so far?' Big question. Not sure I've got an answer myself.
Everyone in this media briefing is going on about Anthem but I'm legit about to burst over seeing FIFA 19. Just me?
Yes.
Oh yeah, this one.
EA's warm-up speaking directly to journalists in the crowd:
"I know there are lots of snarky people in the audience with tweets ready to go, but there are thousands of developers who've worked on what you're about to see, so if you can muster some energy on a Saturday morning..."
Oh god that's me they're talking about isn't it?
(also EA's devs are all awesome, hard-working and very talented people. The people elsewhere dumb enough to try and get those microtransactions into Battlefront 2? Not so sure about them).
jiveguy: Oooooh! :D I don't like this new layout for live events, have to scroll away from the video and EG updates to read the sarcastic comments.
It's something we're aware of - there'll be a fix on Monday morning. Sorry about the inconvenience!
TWO MINUTES TO GO.
Malek86: What are the chances that I'll give up Destiny, if Anthem looks really good? Feels difficult, man. Not even The Division could do that.
It's a tough one for BioWare. They're awesome, but for all Destiny's faults Bungie is really good at shooty guns and awesome looking worlds.
Oh shit they just showed Ronaldo. EA wins E3!
Holy crap it is loud.
Korlis: Don't fix it Martin! I don't have to position my browser window to hide the comments section now!
The comments are the best bit! Much better than my nonsense.
We. Are. Go.
And, despite my snark, I can't help but get a little bit excited. I love E3.
Korlis: Don't fix it Martin! I don't have to position my browser window to hide the comments section now!
We're definitely keeping the tabbed layout on mobile, so comment phobes can head there...
Kami: Sixty seconds in and I'm wishing I wasn't teetotal.
Eyeing up my second glass of wine already. Sorry.
First up, it's Battlefield 5.
This'll be our first proper look at it in action after the smoke and mirrors of the reveal trailer.
There's really strong Bad Company vibes from what I've seen of Battlefield 5. I think it's going to be awesome - a little bit more madness, and a lot more destruction.
We'll get our first look at single-player during the Xbox conference tomorrow.
No loot boxes, no premium pass.
The loot boxes thing they were kind of all over the place with during the reveal, nice to have it spelt out in black and white.
And - SURPRISE! - it's getting a battle royale mode.
That was, what, seven minutes into this year's show?
Wonder quite how many more times we'll get that announce for various other games this week.
My guess. LOADS.
Just wait for Unravel 2: Battle Royale Boogaloo
Malek86: This conference is going to get really awkward if Anthem ends up having loot boxes and season passes.
Haha, would actually have some weird respect if they did end with that.
A more sombre trailer after the slightly comic reveal of Battlefield 5.
Honestly, I don't get some people who play games. Ragging on Battlefield for losing its sense of humour, then when it has an awesome trailer with loads of mad things going on that's more than a bit Bad Company everyone's upset about it being too light.
Anyway here's FUFU.
And it has the Champion's League.
Wes just turned to me: "That's the actual trophy!!!"
No surprise, but poor PES.
Yeah yeah you've got the Champion's League, but have you got the Scottish League? Oh, you probably have.
Have you got the Southern Counties East League Division One? Can I play as my beloved Lewisham Borough FC at the hallowed Ladywell Arena.
(I'm seriously a fan, mostly because Lewisham Borough FC play in the same colour as the bins around here, and if you stand on top of the bridge going over the train tracks you can see most of the game and don't have to pay the fairly steep fiver for entry).
pelican_: So is nipplewatch a thing this year, or not?
I'm always keeping an eye out.
I actually started a World Cup campaign with England last night with the Switch version.
Don't want to spoil the tournament for you, but...
2-2 against Tunisia, 1-1 against Panama and then, inexplicably, 2-1 against Belgium. (I was England, for my sins).
So there you have it. Get down Ladbrokes, put some money on, make a mint.
Andrew Wilson has gone casual? As casual as he can get, anyway.
A sweater in the LA sunshine is a bold choice.
Even in jumper and pumps I still find him mildly terrifying. I know he wouldn't approve of my way of life. He's certainly never spilt pretzels over himself while drunkenly watching ITV4 at 1am.
Oh and here's Origin Access, which is kind of like Game Pass on Xbox.
Basically lots of games for not much money.
Here's Respawn. Let's see what you're working on please!
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order.
It's set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.
And it's coming out the end of next year.
Malek86: This makes Super Bombad Racing actually sound like a good title
Kind of agree.
This Battlefront guy picked the short straw.
MrTomFTW: WHATS BERTIE DOING ON THE STAGE???
BERTIE IS THERE SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT TELLING US.
Solo content coming to Battlefront next week, and Extraction.
And it sounds like a more traditional Conquest mode is coming, which I'm very much up for.
And the news we all kind of knew anyway - Clone Wars is coming to Battlefront 2, with a focus at first on Geonosis.
And General Grievious, and Obi Wan Kenobi.
Toaster05: Did anyone really want the Clone Wars?
*sheepishly raises hand*
Well that was nicely humble.
So now here's a boat.
Oh! It's Unravel 2. I'm going for a piss.
Sorry, I forgot to ask if anyone wanted anything from the kitchen.
But to be honest I'm fresh out of snacks and I'm saving those Lotus biscuits for a cup of tea a bit later.
I've got like two jars of it at the moment.
I'm making a speculoos milkshake tomorrow with some Lotus biscuits, the spread and some ice cream. I'll save you all some.
Also Unravel 2 looks nice.
Let's plan a heist?
Mister_Vimes: 30 min in and this the only gameplay footage shown.
Yeah, as lovely as Unravel 2 looks that is a slightly wrong-headed choice.
And Unravel 2 is out now.
And it looks like the lovely Patrick Soderlund is about to reveal a new EA Original.
Sea of Solitude, from a small Berlin studio called Jo-Mei.
Oh my god that *is* a Kraftwerk Autobahn t-shirt.
Not sure what this game will entail, but so so into her pronunciation of 'ultimately'.
On closer inspection it's about boats and goths.
Out early next year.
Hi it's the bit with the American sports if you're going to the kitchen top me up will you, thanks?
Carpetfluff: You sure? sounded like your back teeth were floating already.
I'd never heard that turn of phrase before. I'm both disgusted and delighted.
Deadite: Seems like EA already lost E3
They tend to set the bar fairly low. It's up to others to then try and limbo under it afterwards.
ThatThereTim: This is a bit cringey - I'm retreating to the Kitchen. Anyone want *glances over* oh hey I have some Double Deckers!
Yeah I'll take one.
Also here's the Madden 19 trailer.
MrTomFTW: PRESS X TO KNEEL DURING ANTHEM
Topical!
Well, you're not getting a new Crusader or Urban Strike, though you are getting a new Command & Conquer.
But...
So yes, Command & Conquer on mobile.
Which does look grand. But know your audience, EA? Know that showing this, and not Battlefield, might be a bit of a mistake?
They're not the brightest bunch, are they.
Bring back Madden kid.
MadJack1812: I can't tell if that noise I hear is the bottom of the barrel being scraped, or my own teeth grinding together.
Could be my back teeth floating, too.
jonbwfc: To be fair, they've played for three minutes without being bugged buy a micro transaction. For EA, that's got to be a record.
This is labelled pre-alpha, plenty of time to add that in.
This may well be a new low for EA.
Anyway, Command & Conquer is back everyone!
At least Anthem is going to end on a banger. I hope.
Andrew Wilson is, I think, apologising for the loot box controversy last year.
In his own inhuman way.
jiveguy: This man has only ever played the easter egg games in Excel.
tbf they're all bangers.
So here's Anthem.
Yes yes yes, I know it looks an awful lot like Destiny. But it's different.
Seeing as it was likely greenlit when Destiny was still a big thing and not the weird husk it is now it had better be.
We're getting a 'deep dive' into Anthem. So settle in for a long one.
It's out on February 22nd.
I'm not sure when these buzzword-led, super lengthy Q&As became an acceptable format for shows like this, but I hope they're not around for much longer.
(I kind of fear Sony's show will be the same this week).
Right, so it's Saturday night.
You've got better things to do than sitting through this.
All the gameplay, all the good stuff, will be online tomorrow, or when you get back, or when you've got some time.
Anthem will probably look great.
But that can wait. You'll see that whenever you want. For now run, go away, be free. Live your lives.
I'm here because I have to be. You all have better things to do than this.
Also, no loot boxes, all cosmetics that are purchasable you'll know before investing.
And here's some gameplay, about 15 minutes in.
Hang on no they're still talking.
HERE IT IS!
NoTheMama: Let the game do the talking ffs
ikr
Looks kind of like Gundam Versus had a baby with Destiny.
MrFlay: Journos earning their fees this evening.
I get paid in Lotus biscuits. I'm not sure if I've earned even a single one yet.
Is that actually Paul Bettany doing the voiceover?
And there's the release date again - February 22nd.
Not wholly convinced by the demo, though the low energy thanks to the numbing lead-up might have just soured it.
That is a wrap.
Things can only get better, right?
On the plus side! Unravel 2 is out now, as is Command & Conquer Rivals, Sea of Solitude looks interesting and there'll be a FIFA game this year.
Also on the plus side, it's another year before we have to sit through that. Hopefully EA's spirit of learning extends to its conferences, which have been routinely awful in recent years.
We're back tomorrow night for a big one - and, I reckon, what's going to be the biggest show of this year's E3, as Microsoft comes out all guns blazing at 9pm BST.
Go and be free, enjoy your Saturday nights, and if you are going to enjoy some Lotus spread tonight please do so responsibly (and I'd also advise spreading it on some crumpets because it's really quite lovely like that).