Electronic Arts aired their digital version of EA Play yesterday. And although it didn’t deliver everything that fans wanted (sorry, still no remaster of Mass Effect Trilogy), it did have some exciting news in store – particularly with a franchise that we thought you’d never see again.
Skate On, Skaters
The latest chapter of the sim skateboarding series Skate is official. The announcement was saved for the very end of the EA Play broadcast. Creative director Cuz Parry confirmed the news
alongside fellow series lead Deran Chung with an enthusiastic, “We’re back, we’re rolling!” Though a title wasn’t given for the game yet, many fans can only assume this is the long- awaited Skate 4, which would be the first new entry in the series since Skate 3 debuted way back in 2009. Its popularity on Xbox One backward compatibility could be a huge factor as to why EA greenlit the sequel.
It’ll be awhile before we see the new Skate roll its way off the assembly line, as it’s still in the works. But, hey, it’s coming, fans. And with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 due this September, that means skateboarding games are back in a big way. Time to work on those combos. Check out the announcement below!
Suit Up For Star Wars: Squadrons
Earlier this week, Electronic Arts confirmed the next game in the Star Wars universe – the action-packed flight sim Star Wars: Squadrons . And today, during EA Play, we got a first look atthe first-person gameplay that will go with it, as well as some details about its new multiplayer modes, including Dogfight and Fleets.
What’s the difference between the two? In Fleets, you’ll be able to take down some big ships while dealing with the opposition. So, you should practice up in Dogfights first. The game will also feature a single player mode that dabbles in both lore for the Rebels and Empire alike, so you can see both sides of the story as you head into battle. It’s promising some neat touches with customization as well. Check out the footage below to get a closer look – and, wait, is that an Ewok Bobblehead?!
A Peek At Next-Gen
EA didn’t have too many titles to confirm for next-gen just yet, aside from sports favorites like Madden NFL 21 and FIFA 21. However, it did provide a look at what its developers are doing with the technology, including a hint at what BioWare, the developers of Mass Effect, are working on next. It’s not an over-the-top presentation, but it does show how devoted these teams are to making some of the best experiences for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Fingers crossed EA Play 2021 has some explosive announcements in store. Check out part of the demo reel below.
Apex Legends Is Going Places
Things are picking up for Respawn’s free-to-play Battle Royale hit Apex Legends. During today’s presentation, the team announced that a new event, Lost Treasures, is set to kick off next week, bringing some big rewards with it. And the future looks bright for Apex to boot.
It’s set to debut on Steam later this year, and Respawn will also introduce full-on Crossplay into the mix at no extra charge. Oh, and it’s coming to Nintendo Switch as well, though there’s no release date just yet. (Only “fall 2020.”) That’s a lot of good news coming our way, Apex fans.
Check out the Lost Treasures reveal below.
More New Games, Anyone?
A few new titles were also introduced during EA Play. Hazelight Studios, the team behind A Way Out, is hard at work on a new cooperative effort called It Takes Two, set to launch in 2021. You can check out the sneak peek below.
Zoink Games also has its hands full with Lost In Random, a quirky new adventure game that’s set to arrive sometime next year. You can roll the dice and check out its debut trailer below.
And for those of you that want a more impactful multiplayer experience, there’s Rocket Arena from Final Strike Games. It features characters going at it in wild combat using nothing but specialized rocket launchers. It looks like fun, and it’s set to launch on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on July 14. Check out the world premiere trailer below.
And the Rest!
There wasn’t too much information with EA Play, but some interesting tidbits did emerge.
– Nintendo Switch will see seven new games from EA over the next year, including tomorrow’s release of Burnout Paradise Remastered and Need For Speed Heat later down the road. We have the new trailer to get you revved up for Burnout with the trailer below.
The Sims 4 is finally making its way to Steam starting today, and it’s really opened up when it comes to its LGBT, black and disabled community with playable Sim characters. Fans should be thrilled with playing this on a new platform. No word yet on Switch, though.
Several EA classics have debuted on the Steam platform today, and for some great prices. Fans can get Dead Space 3, Titanfall 2 and a handful of others for just under $10 apiece. It’s an ideal way to build up your library if you don’t have these gems. We’ve included the trailer for Titanfall 2, just because!
And that’s about it, really. The EA Play presentation was short and sweet, but EA Play 2020 came out swinging with a new Skate, some excellent Star Wars gameplay and a few more tidbits. The new year has got some good news ahead for gamers of all persuasions!