During EA Play Live this week, Electronic Arts revealed three new EA Originals games, and confirmed a new partnership with Final Strike Games. Hazelight Studios’ It Takes Two, Zoink’s Lost in Random and Final Strike Games’ Rocket Arena will be published under the EA Originals Label, which was established to work with the best, boldest and most passionate independent studios across the world. EA also revealed that an upcoming team-based action game from NY based Velan Studios will be built using the developer’s new game engine under the EA Originals banner.
“We recognized the inspiring vision, talent and innovation coming from these independent studios and how that will become amazing game experiences for our players across the world, wherever they choose to play”, said Steve Pointon, SVP 3rd Party Content & Development at Electronic Arts. “The EA Originals label is all about delighting all of our players with stunning and diverse games coming from the very best and boldest independent studios across the world and supporting that talent to help realize their vision.”
Rocket Arena
Developed by Seattle based Final Strike Games, a veteran-led multiplayer specialist studio, Rocket Arena is a newly evolved cross-play hero arena shooter where players and teams master the art of the rocket through a roster of diverse heroes, customizable play styles and highly competitive action. Set in the vibrant World of Crater, Rocket Arena introduces new blast and recovery mechanics, powerful rocket launchers that can be used in combat or to propel heroes around the map and signature character abilities to create a completely new shooter experience. The game will also feature regular seasonal events packed with free content, including new heroes, maps and in-game events. The first season kicks off July 28, just two weeks after launch. Players can experience Rocket Arena on July 14, 2020 when the game launches with cross-play on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Origin and Steam.
“Rocket Arena is a celebration of our team’s experience and love of working on multiplayer shooters. We’re excited to have our uncompromised vision for the game be realized with the support of EA Partners and for everyone to start playing it next month.” – Kevin Franklin, Co-Founder of Final Strike Games
It Takes Two
It Takes Two is the next IP from the critically-acclaimed Stockholm based studio behind A Way Out, which was also published under the EA Originals label. Under the leadership of multi BAFTA award-winning game director Josef Fares, Hazelight Studios is setting out to deliver a visionary game that reinvents the genre, taking players on a wild and wondrous adventure together. Launching in 2021, Josef Fares outlines his vision for the title as a uniquely varied co-op game that takes audiences through an emotional journey in a fantastical world.
“It Takes Two is a crazy beautiful world, unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. We can’t wait for everyone to experience the magic of our co-op gameplay that disrupts everything gamers typically expect from a platformer game.” – Josef Fares, Founder of Hazelight
Lost in Random
Gothenburg based studio Zoink’s Lost in Random is a gothic fairytale action-adventure, with a very modern message. As another new IP set in a twisted dystopia where uncertainty and chaos are feared, the game follows Even, a courageous young girl, and her living dice companion, Dicey. Together, the two embark on a perilous journey where they must learn to embrace the unknown and play the hand they’ve been dealt, in a bid to break the curse of Random. Players can play Lost in Random in 2021 when the game releases on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Origin and Steam.
“Everyone can relate to feeling helpless about juggling all the randomness and chaos that occurs in their life. With Lost in Random, we hope to transport our players to an alternate world where they can find power in that randomness.” – Klaus Lyngeled, CEO & Game Director of Zoink
Visit the next page to read about other projects at EA.
Apex Legends
Apex Legends’ Season 5 has the highest level of per-play engagement seen to date, the highest daily retention of any season and the largest number of new players since Season 1. When Apex Legends launches on Steam and Switch with cross-play support later this year, the game will welcome even more new players to the battle.
During EA Play Live, the team at Respawn also unveiled that the Lost Treasures Collection Event will start on 23 June. The event features a new mode, limited time exclusives and a new Town Takeover — Crypto’s Map Room. Players can see the return of the game’s sniper and shotgun only mode – Armed and Dangerous – with a few twists such as Evo Armor and an all-new piece of loot, Mobile Respawn Beacons.
The Sims 4
The Sims, created by Maxis, has always empowered players to express themselves through the Sims they create, the stories they tell, and the worlds they design. The Sims 4 plus all its post-launch packs are now available to even more players via Steam.
The life simulation game has seen more than 2.5 million new players join the community in the past two months and has also seen a peak high of nearly 10 million playing the game monthly in the past quarter. The team has been humbled that the game has served as a source of great fun and joy for so many players, who are celebrating life’s biggest moments with their loved ones virtually, recreating their friends and family, and special events like birthdays, graduations, and weddings.
More Games; More Platforms
This year, players can expect to see more EA on more platforms. Joining the critically acclaimed titles Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Command & Conquer Remastered Collection are dozens of other titles such as The Sims 4, Titanfall 2, A Way Out and Dead Space 3 which are also available today. Later this year, EA Access, powered by great games and member benefits, will be making its way to Steam – the first subscription to arrive on the platform.
Seven new games will also be releasing on Nintendo Switch over the next 12 months. Burnout Paradise: Remastered will be available tomorrow, June 19th, followed by Apex Legends and FIFA 21 in the fall.
Cross-play support will also be available on Apex Legends, Rocket Arena and Star Wars: Squadrons, joining the already supported Need for Speed Heat.