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EA Sports UFC 3 has been confirmed for early 2018 release
Late Tuesday the full financial results for fiscal year 2017 were reported by Electronic Arts and in the process of doing so the company again laid out its release schedule for the year ahead with one new addition to the slate. EA Sports UFC 3 has been confirmed for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, which means it will arrive in the January-March 2018 window. Most likely that means early-mid March which is also when the last game in the series released in 2016.
A consumer survey that went out shortly after EA Sports UFC 2 released provided some insight into the direction and features the company may be considering with the third game in the franchise. Virtual Reality, a Draft Champions type mode, more spectating and streaming options, and greater reliance on earning and spending in-game currency are the highlights there.
EA stock has been trading at record-high levels for months but shot up more than $12 (over 12%) yesterday in reaction to the better than expected results and bullish projections for the quarters ahead. The company largely credited the digital revenues from FIFA 17 and Battlefield 1 for the recent success. The upcoming release schedule through the end of the summer includes Madden NFL 18, FIFA 18, NHL 18, and NBA Live 18.
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Mobile version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 releasing later this month
Konami today announced it’s bringing the highly-regarded Pro Evolution Soccer franchise to mobile devices with a free-to-play game in part based off its MyClub team-building mode. PES 2017 will feature the same game engine found on consoles but optimized for mobile devices and includes all of its partnered club, league, and tournament licenses.  Read more
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Hot Wheels expansion to Forza Horizon 3 is available now
The second major expansion to Forza Horizon 3 released today on Xbox One and for Windows 10. Joining Blizzard Mountain – which itself was a great addition to Forza Horizon 3 when it released in late 2016 – is the new licensed Hot Wheels expansion pack. Hot Wheels includes six themed mountains connected by the iconic orange tracks and 10 new vehicles. Check out the full list of new cars that are included here.
The Forza Horizon 3 Hot Wheels expansion is the ultimate playground for cars! Located off the coast of Australia, this chain of islands is here to make your Hot Wheels fantasies come to life with loops, corkscrews, boost pads, high bank turns, half-pipes, insane jumps – and even mechanical dinosaurs! Race ten new cars including Hot Wheels icons like the Twin Mill and Boneshaker. Create custom Hot Wheels events by swapping out stunt track sections and dare your friends to try them. Also included is a new hidden barn find car to discover, new Xbox Live Achievements, new Bucket Lists, Rivals, new multiplayer arenas and more.
The Hot Wheels DLC is priced at $20 on its own or is included in the Expansion Pass which is currently being sold for $35Â and would include Blizzard Mountain. Look for a review of the new Hot Wheels expansion early next week!
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Details on fourth patch for MLB The Show 17
Six weeks to the day after release and MLB The Show 17 has received its fourth patch. Online and server related issues are still plaguing it but developers continue to drill down on improving other areas of the game. Earlier updates to MLB 17 delivered some improvements to gameplay, miscellaneous adjustments, plus a few online and uniform fixes. This latest update to the game provides some more gameplay and presentation fixes. Read more
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Special editions and pre-order bonuses revealed for NBA 2K18
Shaquille O’Neal will be featured on the cover of two special editions for NBA 2K18. The “Legend Edition” will go for $100 and the “Legend Edition Gold” for $150. Whether it will be worth shelling out the extra cash for those will depend on whether one plans to purchase VC during the year and their love of Shaq. 2K18 will be releasing on September 15 for all those who pre-order.
Legend Edition ($100)
100,000 in VC ($25 worth), 20 total MyTeam Packs (digital), Shaq Attaq shoes (digital), Shaq jerseys and apparel (digital), championship ring (digital), Shaq MyTeam stickers (physical), Shaq trading cards (physical), Shaq poster (physical)Legend Edition Gold ($150)
250,000 VC ($62.50 worth), all digital items from the Legend Edition, 20 extra MyTeam Packs, Shaq’s jersey collection (digital), extra Shaq trading cards and Lenticular cover (physical)Any items designated ‘physical’ will only be included with boxed versions of the game. Those who purchase 2K18 as a digital download will not receive them. The $60 standard edition of the game will come with 5,000 VC ($2 worth), 10 MyTeam packs, and undefined MyPlayer gear.
NBA 2K18 now will become the second earliest a licensed NBA video game has ever released, beating out 2K17 by a day, over six weeks ahead of the start of the season.
Those with Amazon Prime will be able to get the game for 20% off when the physical editions get listed, taking the prices down to a more reasonable $48, $80, and $120.
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Press Row Podcast: Mission Control
Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 17 is loaded with more content than ever, and while that’s great for those who are familiar with all the features and avenues to success it makes the mode more difficult to navigate for everyone else. With so many different ways to play, to earn cards, and spend Stubs, where does one even begin?
In this episode of the Press Row Podcast, host Bryan Wiedey is joined by T.J. Lauerman, Paul Sporer, and Kris Jardine to discuss Diamond Dynasty in depth, analyzing what’s been done best this year, where some trouble is being had, and providing insight on how to build teams in the most effective and efficient ways possible.
Check out the podcast through iTunes for iOS, on Android with the Stitcher app, or with Pocket Casts on iOS, Android, and Windows. The show can also now be found on the recently launched Google Play Music for podcasts. Subscribe and review to help support the show! You can also listen with the streaming player below.
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The Line Drive for May 7
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦If you haven’t already get your free VC and pack for NBA 2K17 through Amazon Prime.
♦Here are the 17 teams participating in the first season of the NBA 2K eLeague.
♦The first Madden 18 news (cover/teaser trailer) may drop this week or next.
♦Reviews coming this week for NBA Playgrounds and FH3 Hot Wheels expansion.
♦This week’s podcast focused on Diamond Dynasty can also now be found on Youtube.
♦Jim Rice is the latest player to be reviewed for Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 17.
♦Check out my gameplay video featuring a big comeback with NBA Playgrounds.
♦Online play won’t be ready for launch with Nintendo Switch version of NBA Playgrounds.
♦Green releases were made easier in the latest of the shooting changes for NBA 2K17.
♦Ultimate Tickets have been introduced to Ultimate Team mode in Madden NFL 17.
♦Achievements were revealed for this week’s Hot Wheels expansion to Forza Horizon 3.
♦Creator of Sociable Soccer answered questions submitted on Twitter in a new video.
♦The Winterfest DLC that costs $12 is now available for mountain sports game Steep. -
More ratings changes and new Diamond Dynasty card series in MLB The Show 17
Last week brought about the first ratings changes for MLB The Show 17 and now they’re expected weekly going forward. Today’s roster update includes more adjustments to ratings and a greater number of players moving up or down a card tier. Read more
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