EA Sports has multiple reasons to be heavily motivated in developing new modes for their games that could beecome money-makers in the years to come. Following the explosion of Ultimate Team, the search for the next one is on, and the first attempt at that are the “draft” modes in Madden NFL 16 and FIFA 16.
Initial reaction to the announcements appeared tepid but those making up the crowd being targeted aren’t necessarily the ones who are most engaged in the products. Based on the poll posted last week, there does appear to be a level of interest in Draft Champions and Ultimate Team Draft, but there’s little in the way of enthusiasm.
40% of over 2300 respondents stated they’re not excited by the new concepts but will be giving one or both a shot, while 19% are excited for them and anticipate playing heavily. On the other end of the spectrum 37% don’t even feel the desire to try them out at all.
If nearly two thirds of those who buy Madden and FIFA actually go into the new modes, that would be a success for EA at least in the short-term. How well they’re received and how long people play them for will of course be critical to their future. In the video below Rich Grisham and I discuss the concept of the modes, what EA hopes they’ll become, who they hope they’ll appeal to, and how much potential they have to grow into something big.
The highly anticipated annual list of player ratings for the upcoming Madden went out earlier this week. It’s one thing to scan the list and look over the rankings at the top or from a favorite team, but there’s plenty of intriguing details to be dug out of all those numbers found in the full ratings spreadsheet.
In the latest piece put together for Sporting News some of the top players in particular attributes for Madden NFL 16 are highlighted, those that find themselves as the worst in certain categories are singled out, and then the focus shifts to the Speed Rating which has been a huge topic of conversation in the lead-up to the game’s release.
One of the best sports games last year was not licensed, nor was it a pure simulation. It was exclusive to the PS4 and it didn’t even release until December. Now that game, along with some new content, has made it over to the Xbox One.
Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings went out today on Xbox One and is being sold for $17 to Xbox Live Gold members or $20 otherwise. There is also a trial version for those who’d like to get a feel for the game before committing to a purchase. Read more
The Supersonic Fury DLC Pack for Rocket League is now available to download on PlayStation 4 and PC. It arrives shortly after the release of the game’s second patch which went out on Tuesday. It goes for $3.99 and includes two new cars and new paint types, boosts and wheels. It can be purchased directly from the game’s main menu. Read more
The demo for Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 is now available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PS3, and 360. It arrives over a month in advance of the game’s release, which means it gets to cement a first impression in the minds of consumers, heading into a very busy window where it will be competing with a multitude of games for attention and sales.
Featured in the demo are two different stadiums and seven clubs: Brazil, France, Juventus F.C., A.S. Roma, FC Bayern München, SC Corinthians, and Palmeiras. The only form of play is with standard exhibition games limited to 7-10 minutes in length with adjustable difficulty.
In the video below, Rich Grisham and I discussed how Pro Evolution Soccer is on the comeback trail, adding significant features and licenses to already stellar gameplay.
It may be coming one year too late to take full advantage of an opening presented by the competition, which will now be offering up a similar mode by the very same name late next month, but the announcement of Live Pro-Am for NBA Live 16 is a significant one. The Pro-Am encompasses two different modes: Live Run and Summer Circuit.
EA Sports had been hinting at Live Run making a comeback since June. It returns six years after it was a popular mode of play in NBA Live 10. Unlike adidas Live Run, which used pros, this new Live Run utilizes everyone’s created players. The Summer Circuit is an online co-op mode with up to five user-controlled players taking on the CPU.
The Live Pro-Am will be available to try out in a demo September 15. The demo will also include six teams for standard exhibition games (Warriors, Cavs, Thunder, Bulls, Rockets, Wizards) and tutorials. The EA Access trial period on Xbox One begins September 24. Read more
EA Sports spent over three weeks trickling out various player ratings for Madden NFL 16. Those were, for the most part, limited to the Overall Ratings however outside of some select attributes for those at the head of the class with each respective position.
Now though, with the game going out a week from tomorrow for those with EA Access, the company has provided all the ratings for every player in the league and that includes their numbers in all the different individual attribute categories. Read more
Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane remains the subject of an ongoing rape investigation, putting EA Sports in a tough spot where they had no choice but to make a dramatic change to their promotional plans for NHL 16 even in these late stages as it nears release in just a month. The company today made an announcement on the matter.
In light of the ongoing investigation involving Patrick Kane, he will no longer be a spokesperson for the launch of EA Sports NHL 16. He will not appear on the NHL 16 cover nor participate in other EA Sports NHL 16 promotional activities.
Kane, who had been on the cover of NHL 10 and set to return to it for NHL 16, could not remain the face of the game – even if it were to mean a delay was in order. Luckily the news broke before that would have to become a reality. The new cover will feature Jonathan Toews, on his own, skating with the Cup.