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NHL 16 added to the EA Access Vault
The second EA Sports game released in 2015 has reached the Vault in EA Access. Madden NFL 16 was added last month and now NHL 16 joins it and all other games from the publisher to have come out earlier this generation.
EA Access is currently exclusive to Xbox One with Sony declining to offer the service on PS4. For $30 a year or $5 month-to-month, members get unlimited access to the back library of EA games on the console which in addition to Madden 16 now includes 2014’s sports titles plus Battlefield Hardline, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Titanfall, and others. There’s also the 10 hour trials with every EA game that begin five days before release and 10% savings on all digital purchases whether it be the actual games or microtransactions within them.
NHL 16 enters the Vault at about the same time NHL 15 did last year. Madden NFL 16 was a month earlier. FIFA 16, NBA Live 16, and Rory McIlroy PGA Tour are likely to be added within the next few months.
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The new legends in MLB The Show 16
MLB The Show 16 will have a total of 30 new legends in addition to the 30 that debuted in the series last year. Only 25 of the new ones are available at launch however, with the remaining players being held in secret until unspecified dates in the future.
Here’s a look at those 25 new legends, their ratings, age, and contract demands for Franchise purposes. Cards for the legends will also be available within Diamond Dynasty. Read more
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The Line Drive for March 27
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦MLB The Show 16 can still be ordered at a 20% discount by Amazon Prime members.
♦EA Sports UFC 2 on sale for Amazon Prime members now $42 standard and $52 Deluxe.
♦A look at the six classic stadiums that have returned with MLB The Show 16.
♦Make sure to subscribe to the Hit The Pass Youtube for the latest MLB The Show 16 vids.
♦Over on Twitter I’ve been able to capture and post some very unique MLB 16 screenshots.
♦Review – Out of the Park Baseball 17 is a blast to the past.
♦Details on the first game update that has been released for Out of the Park Baseball 17.
♦Out of the Park Baseball 17 is being offered for 10% off on Steam through early Tuesday.
♦OOTP Developments is giving away Franchise Hockey Manager 2 on social media.
♦EA Sports released a patch to remove a religious celebration from EA Sports UFC 2.
♦Video breakdown of the grapple advantage aspect of EA Sports UFC 2.
♦A new season of Draft Champions Ranked has kicked off in Madden NFL 16.
♦AP did a story on how the FIFA video game is the organization’s only positive branding.
♦Details on the latest patch to release on Xbox One for Rocket League.
♦The MLB.com Home Run Derby mobile game has been updated for the new season.
♦Details on the latest system update to have gone out for the Xbox One.
♦Blu-ray releases this week include The Hateful Eight and Concussion. -
Both editions of EA Sports UFC 2 already available at a big discount
Though it hasn’t even been out for two weeks multiple retailers have already held promotions in which they’ve dropped the price of EA Sports UFC 2 considerably. Last weekend Best Buy offered the standard edition of the game for $40. Amazon is now matching that same deal and also have the Deluxe Edition for $50. Both are exclusive to Amazon Prime members.
These deals represent $20 off the regular price for both editions of the game and are available only for a limited time. Best Buy also now has the Deluxe for $50. The Deluxe Edition includes 30 Ultimate Team packs (said to be a $60 value) delivered over a period of 15 weeks.
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MLB Manager 2016 out now for mobile devices
The mobile version of Out of the Park Baseball has arrived for this year just in time for the start of the season! MLB Manager 2016 is now available to download for both iOS through iTunes and Android from Google Play. The game has an upfront price of $5 rather than going with the free-to-play model, however historical seasons are offered for an additional cost.
MLB Manager 2016 features rosters updated for the new season, the same simulation engine found in the Out of the Park Baseball series on PC, official licensing from MLB.com and MLBPA, and three primary modes of play:
Major League
Mobile managers guide their favorite MLB teams through the 2016 season and beyond.Fictional
A fresh customizable world full of fictional players, providing a unique challenge each time.Historical Major League
Three exciting past seasons to recreate — 1919, 1939, and 2012 — with the ability to buy more through in-app. (Historical seasons are $0.99 each, 10 for $4.99, or all seasons dating back to 1901 for $19.99.)Â In Historical Major League mode, real players show up in the draft when they made their actual major league debuts, assuming the user owns those seasons. -
First day MLB The Show 16 videos
MLB The Show 16 is only a matter of days from release, and with a a copy of the game in-hand I’ve been live streaming, posting details and screenshots to Twitter, and putting out some gameplay and informational videos. Check out all of those videos so far below.
Online servers will not be turned on until Monday so Diamond Dynasty and other online-connected features can not be accessed until then. Look for a full review of the game to post next Tuesday afternoon or early Wednesday. Read more
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UEFA Euro 2016 content now available in Pro Evolution Soccer 2016
After four releases over a 12 year span with EA Sports, the latest UEFA Euro game comes courtesy of Konami who announced the acquisition of the license last year. Rather than a standalone game, or even paid downloadable content, UEFA Euro 2016 content has been added to Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 as a free update.
Unfortunately only 15 of the nations involved in the tournament are officially licensed for the add-on. They are Albania, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, and Wales. The nine that will have fake uniforms and kits include one of the tournament favorites in Belgium plus Austria, Hungary, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland. There is also only one stadium introduced of the 10 being played in across France.
In addition to the UEFA Euro content the patch includes 199 new player faces “produced to ensure almost photo-realistic likenesses” and updated player ratings.
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NBA 2K community upset after company fails to live up to promise made on social media
NBA 2K’s social media accounts have always toyed with the emotions of the community, whether ignoring legitimate concerns about the products, taking shots at competitors, or pushing promotions that cost them nothing but force engagement ending with only a select few being rewarded. The latest controversy though relates to the a failure to live up to a promise and many are expressing frustration with the treatment they’ve received on social media. Read more
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