With E3 just around the corner, it is once again time for the Player 2 crew to get their crystal balls out of the attic and make some wildly inaccurate predictions as to what will appear at the world’s biggest games show. It is now time to check out the house of FIFA, Can EA manage to excite us this year?
E3 2018 Predictions – EA
Shaun Nicholls
Safe Bet
We know that the next Battlefield will be set in WWII. Why V instead of Battlefield 5 though? Battlefield: Volkswagen perhaps? Since all we have seen is a trailer we should get some solid info on the new game modes already announced and the campaign content, which is going to be in the same vein as BF1’s storied content from different soldiers in different parts of the war. I’m sure they will show off the Female cover character that has so many fanboys crying and show just how bad-ass the women were in WWII.
Fairly Likely
Bioware just loves making big expansive worlds that feel like your actions have meaning and I’m sure Anthem will be no exception. While we have not seen much of the game so far the release window is slated for early 2019, so I think we will be getting a big dose of info to start the hype train rolling towards release.
Wishful Thinking
Call me crazy but I would love to hear about Dragon Age 4. I sunk a lot of time into Inquisition and it is one of the games I have never traded in, just in case I want to go back and play it through again. There are obviously story threads that were woven into Inquisition anticipating a sequel and I do believe they are working on it. Whether they have anything even ready to show yet is a whole different story though.
Jenn Christodoulou
Safe Bet
Normally I bang on about how EA focuses on sports ball, but this year for a change I’m not going to do that. Instead, my Safe Bet for EA is their upcoming IP; Anthem. I’m really interested to see how this plays out and would love to see more of it this year. Also sports. There’s gonna be sports. You just know it.
Fairly Likely
With The Sims 4 Seasons announced for a June release, it’s a pretty sure thing that EA will showcase some of that. The Sims is one of their iconic franchises, and Seasons is arguably one of the most sought-after expansions for the game. Make it rain EA!
Wishful Thinking
I know I said this year would be different, and that I wouldn’t bang on about the same stuff I do every year, but I swear to god if I don’t get some news on a new Dragon Age title soon I’m gonna… ok so Matt said I couldn’t write down what I wanted to do, but rest assured it wouldn’t be pretty.
Matt Hewson
Safe Bet
This year is going to be an interesting one for the Sports department at E3, with the changes to some European laws regarding loot boxes and the backlash that EA copped for Battlefront, so I expect EA to put a big focus on their sports titles to alleviate the fears of fans regarding the direction of the games. FIFA, NBA, Madden and NHL will all get mentioned and will all talk about new systems to replace the card packs in the Ultimate Team modes.
Fairly Likely
Star Wars. Look EA has totally ballsed up the Star Wars licence. What should have been an excuse to print money has turned into a massive hole for EA so they need to turn that around fast. I expect to see more of Respawn’s Star Wars title which is hopefully more Dark Forces and less Battlefront.
Wishful Thinking
Speaking of Star Wars, X-wing vs Tie Fighter returns. A remake, re-release or a new game, I’d take any or all of those options. Space sims have made a bit of a comeback lately but none of them features that brilliant combat that the X-wing series nailed all those years ago. Space dogfighting needs to return, come on EA you know you want too.
Paul James
Sure Thing
EA and Bioware both need good press, and there’s nothing in the EA stable at the moment more capable of generating that for them than Anthem. This will be EA’s tentpole release of the first half of 2019, likely going head-to-head with Ubisoft’s The Division 2, but with the Bioware name attached, Anthem has an added X-Factor about it. Expect EA to lean heavily into it this EA with a fairly sizeable showing that will include at least 10 minutes of gameplay, a new trailer, potentially something resembling a release window… and no mention of micro-transactions.
Fairly Likely
Since 2015, EA has done a fantastic job of giving back to the little guy. In 2015 they showcased Unravel for the first time, and in the years since we’ve seen the unveiling of Fe, and A Way Out. Each of these EA Originals have released to critical acclaim, and in 2018 we’re due to see something else. The long-dormant Sea of Solitude? The previously discussed sequel to Unravel? Both are quite possible, but I’d love to see something new. Cmon EA, give me something new to fuss over.
Wishful Thinking
Isaac Clarke, I miss you. We didn’t go out on the best of terms thanks to the less than stellar Dead Space 3, but the time is right to bring the IP back. Visceral for obvious reasons can no longer be at the helm, but EA has money. Throw it at the right team, give them time and watch the IP return to its former gory glory, but I doubt 2018 is the year for it.
Stevie McDonald
Safe Bet
It’s not Bad Company 3, but it is a new Battlefield game and, what’s more, it’s got ladies! Battlefield V has been confirmed and if the internet weren’t already a trash fire I’d say it’s been set alight. EA will definitely be adding more fuel to the Battlefield fire at E3.
Fairly Likely
Anthem was first presented at E2 2017, but as the rumoured release date nears it seems likely we’ll see more of it at this year’s conference.
Wishful Thinking
Burnout Paradise remastered has me razzed up something fierce – is a proper Burnout Paradise sequel too much to ask for?
Stephen del Prado
Safe Bet
Sports titles are always the safest bet from EA, aside from sub-par Star Wars titles. Will they address the most recent social media firestorms regarding ‘historical accuracy/art design’? Let’s hope so.
Fairly Likely
Anthem gets some airtime demonstrating that EA do what Bungie don’t. With the tepid reception Sea of Thieves received, EA might choose to highlight the differences in Sea of Solitude or keep it on the backburner for a bit longer.
Wishful Thinking
Dragon Age, or KotOR, or Skate 4, or Burnout, or Wing Commander, or a Dead Space reboot – take your pick, I’d be happy to see any of them show up on the day.
Hope Corrigan
Safe Bet
More about the recently announced Battlefield V – it’s definitely pronounced ‘Vee’ and not ‘Five’ and all the promoters will try to emphasise this but the celebrity they get to show it off will inevitably call it ‘five’ every time despite being corrected. Half an hour will be dedicated to sports games which I’m sure many people will love but I probably won’t pay any attention to or remember what is included in this content. Public apology for Battlefront 2 fiasco with some announcement on how they’re making it right. The game is still totally a thing and now it’s having a free to play month Please play the game. Please. Footage from Anthem but not playable yet.
Fairly Likely
New Need for Speed is announced for 2019. A cute indie title is rolled out in a desperate attempt to appeal to the crowd’s humanity.
Wishful thinking
Titanfall 3 is announced. Bioware makes a sequel to Jade Empire.
James Swinbanks
Thankfully for EA, robotics have come a long way in recent years, and there’s perhaps no one better to show this off than EA’s most famous Android, CEO Andrew Wilson. In addition to robotically shuffling about on stage and occasionally mentioning the word ‘play’, it’s expected Wilson will announce an all-new game mode for FIFA 19, where players will take control of their favourite players, except entirely in ‘real-life’. It’ll be called FIFA IRL and it’ll be announced exclusively for the Switch version of FIFA 19. Oh, they’ll probably show the new Battlefield and some other sports stuff, too.
