E3-2017-Recap-EAs-Press-Conference.jpg

The EA showcase has been an E3 mainstay for generations now, but its conference always goes one way or the other. In recent years, it has been synonymous with the "worst conference of the show" award, whether that's thanks to factors outside of the games themselves, or a lacklustre showing in terms of reveals. These are its E3 highlights, and the moments it'd rather you forget.

388479-mer.jpg

Mirror's Edge makes a triumphant return

Fans had been clamouring for a sequel to 2008's excellent parkour-focused Mirror's Edge, and EA finally delivered at its 2013 show. Without any sort of official title, the trailer simply revealed that Faith would be making her return at some point in the future, but that was more than enough for fans. The reveal also debuted a new look for the lead girl, which became a small point of contention for the die-hards. Sporting a release date of "Coming...when it's ready", the project would go on to be known as Mirror's Edge Catalyst two years later.

365097-image.jpg

Battlefield Hardline isn't what the fans want

Coming off of the gritty, realism-focused experiences of Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4, Battlefield Hardline took quite a turn in its approach. Instead of a military basis, the title adopted a cops and robbers theme, with both the multiplayer and single player explored through the eyes of lawbreakers and law makers.

It was a controversial change, and with the multiplayer beta released there and then at the event for all players, hot takes from franchise veterans were aplenty. The pre-release beta didn't go too well, and so what was supposed to be a high point for EA turned into something it won't look back on with fondness.

masseffectandromedadlc.jpg

Mass Effect: Andromeda is announced, goes dark, and then releases

Oh god, Mass Effect: Andromeda. We all know the story by now, but EA must have really thought it was doing the series justice when it announced the spin-off at its 2015 showcase. Promising fans a new galaxy to explore, it was set to be the next big step for the Mass Effect series.

And then things went dark, for a long time, and we began to worry. It wasn't until well over a year later where we got a very brief glimpse at the progress it had made at Sony's PS4 Pro announcement event, and even that showing left a lot to be desired. And then of course, it released in that state. EA must have thought it had bagged a hole-in-one when Mass Effect: Andromeda first took to the stage, but proceeding events will tell you it was anything but that.

maxresdefault.jpg

The briefest glimpse of Visceral's Star Wars game, and then it gets cancelled

Another project where hindsight hasn't been so kind. After acquiring the Star Wars videogame license back in 2013, EA has been sitting on a gold mine ever since. Two sub-par Star Wars Battlefront releases have now come and gone, and so expectations were high for us to see something brand new in the universe. 

We already knew that multiple EA studios were working on Star Wars projects, and in 2016, we got the briefest of glimpses at one of them. Visceral Games, led by Amy Hennig, debuted its new project with a mammoth nine seconds of footage. 

And then a year later, it was cancelled. What could have been an excellent game is now gone forever, and all we have left is that nine second teaser that promised so much, and has delivered on so little.

079669.jpg

A Way Out puts EA Originals on the map

The EA Originals program was a neat little initiative prior to E3 2017, but it wasn't until A Way Out came along that people really started to recognise it and associate it with the quality and diversity it brings to the EA catalogue. A prison break played entirely through two player split-screen was its premise, and lead designer Josef Fares made the heartfelt pitch that kept people talking about his title long after the show's conclusion.

The final product may not have been quite as incredible as Fares thought it was, but it was an excellent debut for EA as it showcased something brand new for its portfolio.

anthem-1920x1080-e3-2017-hd-2018-8274.jpg

Anthem represents the next big step for Bioware

ANTHEM is set to be the next big thing from EA and Bioware, taking on the likes of Destiny and The Division in terms of its mechanics and loot-based nature. It made an impressive debut at last year's E3 with a trailer at EA's conference and gameplay at Microsoft's event, and we're sure to get even more details and footage this year too. We can't quite yet say whether ANTHEM will be a success or not, but its reveal was certainly a high point for a conference that can typically drag with little excitement.

Presenter mess ups will never go away

EA couldn't make it a hat trick at E3 2017, however, as presenter cock-ups plagued its show. We're all human, of course, these things happen, but on the grandest video game stage of them all, choking like Jesse Wellens did as part of his presentation for Need for Speed Payback was downright cringe-inducing.

The Youtuber posted a video after the fact explaining the reasons why it happened, stating that it wasn't entirely his fault, but it doesn't take away from the fact that this was an awkward moment for all.


What has been your favourite EA moment at E3 over the past five years? Try not to discuss a sports title in the comments below.