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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Comments 17
What about when Pele came out and was interviewed for a good 5 to 10 minutes? I mean, on the one hand, Pele! On the other hand, Pele?
@get2sammyb I was just about to say Pele, that was one of the worst things I ever watched, poor Pele, but I wanted to check it was EA and not some other company first.
So how did Pele not make the article?
All time worst E3 moments In order, worst on top -
Wii Music
Wonderbook
Pele
Worst for Reggie - SSBB "Not next year, not next spring, SSBB will release this year in November". That was back before every released game was required to have 1 delay. It might have actually been the game that started all the delays.
@rjejr I think Liam's just blocked out all mentions of sport.
The Pele bit was great for me cos I knew the Americans will be losing their minds about having to watch an old man talking Soccer instead of showing Battlefront.
What about the artwork E3 presser? :')
@rjejr Still remember the Powers tv show part at Sony's?
@Kidfried Was that the E3 live presentation that was really good for 30 minutes, then some suit guy came out and talked for 15 minutes about who knows what, then they spent 15 minutes talking about a cartoon TV show nobody cared about, then they finished w/ U4 or something good? That whole show was a mess.
You know its' bad when you have to apologize for it afterward.
http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2014/06/30/shuhei-admits-sony-spent-too-much-time-talking-about-powers-at-e3-2014/
I would have put that segment on the list if it occurred during the E3 w/ Shemue 3, FF7R and TLG, but for me that whole show was bad so that segment didn't stand out as much to me as it did to others. Still not above this though.
@rjej But in the end, it looks like both companies learned from these failures!
Any mention of EA Sports is a low point for me. They spend too much time every year on it.
Still glad we got a sequel to Mirror's Edge and it wasn't cancelled like the Star Wars game.
I somehow hope EA fails this E3. They did too many bad things the past year. I want them to fall on their face really hard, so they learn.
I think BF Hardline could have been cool. But that singleplayer how can you **** that up.
EA? More like E-eh.
I’m here all week.
@get2sammyb I only came in here to see if Pele was mentioned. That time he came out and to talk, and then by the time he finished E3 was over.
@RevengeFan any time spent on sports games is too much. It should have its own event. Like a nintendo treehouse. They could call it "sports trough" and make it all nice and brightly coloured so the people who only play FIFA can keep up.
@Clutch_Nixon lol. I agree.
Ahah that Jesse moment last year <3 My skin crawled away and came back after the cringe was gone...love it!
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