EA Ranked The #7 Tech Company Young People Want To Work For

Ever wondered what it’s like to work at EA? You could compare employee experiences via our weekly interview series, “Breaking Into The Industry.” Or you could ask Universum, who just wrapped up a study asking young workers where they’d most like to punch the clock.

When Business Insider refers to “young workers,” they aren’t talking about aspiring summer interns. Universum’s study draws its data from a survey of 6,700 college graduates with one to eight years of professional experience, each of whom was asked to choose five ideal employers from a list of around 200 businesses. All workers consulted for the study were under the age of 40.

In the tech field, EA ranked as the seventh most desirable company to work for, coming out just behind major players like Apple and Facebook. Even when ranked among the full list of 200 companies, EA remained a crowd favorite, taking 15th in the "places I want to work" list. Other video game companies that made the list included Sony (#9) and Zynga (#63).

Vote For Mass Effect 3 In This Year’s VGAs

Jaunts through space. Late night pillow talk. Violent Reaper destruction. Mass Effect 3 gets our hearts pitter-pattering for all kinds of reasons – and if you’re looking for a way to let out the love, we’ve got just the right outlet.

Mass Effect 3 is in the official running for the VGAs' “Most Anticipated Game of the Year,” with just four other games gunning for the title. Compared to the massive Reaper threat looming on the horizon, Shepard’s chances look even better than usual! Of course, it’s ultimately up to you (isn’t it always?) to make sure everything turns up roses. Cast your vote today and help Mass Effect 3 beat out the competition. Shep (and Femshep) are sure to thank you.

Still need to secure your copy of Mass Effect 3? Pre-order now through Origin to unlock the N7 Arsenal Pack, Robotic Dog, and the Squadmate Alternate Outfit Pack.

DeMartini: Origin Expands To Offer Games From 3rd Party Publishers

Yesterday we hit a major milestone as we announced that Origin will soon feature third party content. We’re incredibly excited that Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, THQ, and Capcom will be the first publishers to offer their games via Origin. Beginning in November, Origin will feature top new releases including Batman: Arkham City, Saints Row: The Third, and more, ready for purchase and download. We’ll continue to add more games from these partners in the coming months, giving you even more choice for the latest and greatest gaming content.
As we welcome our new partners, we continue to make Origin better by adding new features such as our beta cloud storage, which allows you to save games and gameplay achievements online and then access them from any PC. We’ve also added live streaming demos, so you can try out hit titles like Crysis 2, Dragon Age 2, and The Sims Medieval. Finally, you can now play incredibly popular  and highly addictive browser games like Plants vs. Zombies and The Sims Social. All of this is built on a foundation of fast and safe game downloads, with social connectivity to your gaming friends.
Batman: Arkham City and Saints Row: The Third will be available on Origin for pre-order starting in early November, and this is just the beginning. As I’ve said before, we believe in choice, and adding great content from our partners means more choices for you on Origin.

Peter Moore: Battlefield 3 Begins

Welcome to the Battlefield!  Today we launched Battlefield 3, a groundbreaking game and more importantly, a game-changing service.

If you haven’t already played, you’re going to be stunned by Battlefield 3.  It’s the most authentic, gritty and yet mesmerizingly beautiful first person shooter that EA has ever delivered.  The Frostbite 2 engine resets the bar for what you should expect from a war simulation game in terms of stunning animation, massive scale, dramatic visuals, precise audio and intense destruction.   Our teams at DICE have put their heart and soul into this game for the past three years, so it’s incredibly exciting to finally see Battlefield 3 out and in the hands of gamers across the world.

But what really makes today so exciting is that we’re just getting started. 

I’ll let you in on a not-very-well-kept secret:  just because the game is now available, development doesn’t stop here.  Games with the scope and vision of a Battlefield 3 can’t be contained on just a disc or single download.  We now shift part of our organizational structure to focus on Battlefield 3 as a service – a Live team, supporting everything about Battlefield 3 from its patches, updates, and communities to the creation and delivery of new content on an ongoing basis.

Battlelog.  Data aggregation.  Live updates.  Cloud saves.  Expansion packs.  These are just some of the connected services that comprise the live Battlefield 3 experience, starting today.  And that won’t change as we go through the year, with new updates and services to make the game even richer. 

With Battlelog you’ve got anytime, anywhere access to an online information hub for everything you do inside Battlefield 3.  Your aggregated gameplay stats, your achievements, your platoon, your community, are all part of Battlelog.

Through Origin you are connected directly to our Live team, delivering updates, patches and new content faster and with fewer steps.  You can also take advantage of Cloud Storage for Battlefield 3 with game saves that you can access from multiple PCs.

New content will also be just around the corner, starting just one month after launch with the Back to Karkand Expansion Pack – four new maps, new vehicles and weapons just one month after launch.

All of this and more point to the fact that today is really a beginning.  So much more is on the way, and we’ll be there every step of the way to make sure that, for a long time to come, you’re enjoying every second of our masterpiece, Battlefield 3.

Battlefield 3 Launches With Record-Breaking Force

We hope you’ve got some MREs stashed away, because Battlefield 3 just began its assault. With three million in pre-sales and over 60 industry awards already under its belt, the third title in the Battlefield series is officially the biggest FPS launch in EA history.

Today’s launch isn’t the only milestone for Battlefield 3; the beta shot down past stats as well. Over nine million players experienced the game’s September beta, collectively setting new social online play records for EA. In FPS terms, that’s over 42 billion shots fired and 1.6 billion kills registered. Good thing virtual bullets are free.

While we’re sure many of you are already gunning your way to glory – maybe you’re even firing up your PC as we post this – it’s not too late for those who aren’t. Order your copy of Battlefield 3 on Origin and start climbing the leaderboards today.

Mass Effect 3 Demo Announced: Get Early Access

Good news, Shep-fans – you may get to scratch that itchy trigger finger sooner than expected. Last night, BioWare announced plans to release an official Mass Effect 3 demo for January, and Battlefield 3 players will be among the first to get access.

Each copy of Battlefield 3 going out on October 25 includes an insert with an invitation to the multi-player portion of the Mass Effect 3 demo. But if you didn’t pre-order a copy, don’t worry; BioWare will be announcing additional ways to get early access to the demo in November and December. The demo is also slated to include a single-player segment, packed with all the galaxy-saving goodness of the previous two titles.

Ready to pick up your rifle and put the hurt on some Reapers? Pre-order your copy of Mass Effect 3 on Origin to get the game and three free bonuses: an N7 Arsenal Pack, a Robotic Dog, and the Squadmate Alternate Outfit Pack.

The Sims 3 Pets Has Arrived

While adopting a pet usually means giving up some freedoms – like the freedom to wear something not covered in cat hair – The Sims 3 Pets is all about adding to them. Starting with today’s launch, Sims 3 players can choose their purr-fect companion from a brand new digital menagerie that includes dogs, cats, and even horses.

Whether you like them barking, meowing, or neighing, there’s a pet for every Sim. The Sims 3 Pets introduces a multitude of animal breeds and species to choose from, along with the ability to tailor every facet of your pet. Choose their traits, personalities, and wishes, and then unleash them on a world filled with brand new locations.

Ready to play fetch? Download The Sims 3 Pets from Origin and start training your pet

Go For A Ride With The Vehicles Of Battlefield 3

Forget the planes, trains, and automobiles of yesteryear. In the near-future setting of Battlefield 3, it's all about jets, tanks, and helicopters. By land or by air, there's no better way to tap into the destructive potential of the Frostbite 2 engine than in these vehicles.

Since its inception, vehicles have been one of the signature hallmarks of the Battlefield series and Battlefield 3 is no exception. Get behind the wheel or flight stick of the most advanced combat vehicles out there in the newest video. You'll get a look at intense aerial dogfights, rolling tank assaults, and helicopters lighting up ground targets.
Battlefield 3 is the latest entry in the critically acclaimed first-person-shooter franchise, and combines intense infantry combat with a wide range of vehicles on sprawling maps filled with destructible environments. The award-winning game comes out October 28th, so pre-order your copy of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin today to receive the Physical Warfare pack and other awesome exclusives.

Order The Sims 3 Pets On Origin For Exclusive Animal Costumes

If you're starting to worry about what your Sim will wear for Halloween, Origin has the perfect solution to your dilemma. Two exclusive dog and cat themed costumes for The Sims 3 are yours, free, when you order The Sims 3 Pets on Origin.

The Paws and Whiskers Costume Set includes 1 cat and 1 dog costume for toddler, teen, and adult Sims for a grand total of 6 new outfits. They're all yours when you order either The Sims 3 Pets Expansion Pack or The Sims 3 Plus Pets on Origin.

So what are you waiting for? Head over to Origin and pre-order your copy of The Sims 3 Pets, today!

Special Edition Of Mass Effect Comic Book Released

Mass Effect fans attending New York Comic-Con have an exclusive comic they can look forward to getting their hands on. During the show (October 13th-16th) attendees will have the chance to pick up an exclusive special edition of Mass Effect: Invasion #1, signed by Mass Effect Lead Writer Mac Walters and featuring brand new cover art designed by the Mass Effect team!

The new comic series from BioWare and Dark Horse Comics unveils the harrowing events that follow the conclusion of Commander Shepard’s journey in Mass Effect 2. It tells the unforgettable story follows the merciless and self-appointed queen of Omega, Aria T’Loak. Omega is known as being the seedy underbelly of the galaxy, and Aria has no qualms about opening up the space station to organizations with questionable intentions, including pro-human Cerberus. But when Cerberus unleashes an unnerving new danger, Aria must defend against a menace that threatens the entire station.

Penned by Mass Effect lead writer Mac Walters with an original script by John Jackson Miller (Star Wars: Knight Errant) and stunning original art by Omar Francia (Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2), Mass Effect: Invasion is a comic series that fans of the Mass Effect universe won’t want to miss.

The special edition will is limited, so fans should hurry to pick up their copy during NYCC! If you aren’t one of the lucky ones attending NYCC, the regular edition of Mass Effect: Invasion #1 will be available at comic book retailers starting on October 19th. Revisiting the Mass Effect universe in this latest comic is sure to get you pumped for the continuation of Shepard's story. Pre-order your copy of Mass Effect 3 on Origin and get ready to continue the fight against the Reapers.

Crysis 1 Arrives on Consoles

In 2007, Crysis wowed PC gamers with its cutting-edge engine that pushed even top-tier gaming rigs to their very limits. Now console gamers have a chance to experience the white-knuckle action of this open world first-person shooter for themselves.

The critically acclaimed original has been remade in CryEngine 3, the same technology powering the stunning Crysis 2. The new engine provides a wealth of enhancements over the PC predecessor including a new lighting system, fine-tuned combat mechanics, and Nanosuit controls optimized for gamepads. In addition, you can enjoy all these improvements in jaw-dropping 3D thanks to full stereoscopic 3D support.

Crysis takes place in the year 2019, when United States scientists make an alarming discovery on an island in the South China Sea. The North Korean government suddenly shuts down the area and all communications are lost. In response, an elite team of US Delta Force Operators is sent in to investigate. You play as Nomad, a U.S. soldier equipped with a cutting-edge Nanosuit, which provides formidable combat capabilities. While fighting against the North Korean military, a far graver threat appears when a massive alien vessel reveals itself in the middle of the island. Forced to join forces with North Koreans, Nomad must engage the extraterrestrial threat in lush tropical jungles, frozen landscapes, and the heart of the alien ship itself.

Get ready to strap on your Nanosuit and fight for control of the island through the entire epic single-player campaign. Crysis is available now on PlayStation Network for $19.99 and Xbox Live for 1600 Microsoft Points.

Never Fight Alone With Battlefield 3 Platoons

Wars are fought by soldiers but are won by teamwork. Coordination and communication are critical to success on the field of battle. Battlefield 3's detailed Battlelog makes it easy to organize and track the progress of your closest in-game allies with the Platoon system.

Platoons are the evolution of gaming clans and allow you to monitor vital statistics of every member's progress. Accessible on console, web, and mobile platforms, it provides an array of useful features for improving your game. Track your Platoon's aggregated stats to see which weapons your teammates are most accurate with and monitor their vehicular performance across land, sea, and air.

In addition to fresh details on the Platoon system, the latest Battleblog post features a video with DICE Executive Producer Patrick Bach and Battlelog Producer Fredrik Löving in which they talk about how Battlelog will revolutionize the way you play. You can explore Battlelog and a selection of the Platoon features currently available right now by joining the Battlefield 3 open beta.

This latest entry in the critically acclaimed Battlefield franchise combines intense infantry combat with a wide range of vehicles on sprawling maps filled with destructible environments. Battlefield 3 comes out October 25th, so pre-order your copy of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin today to receive the Physical Warfare pack and other awesome exclusives.

Syndicate Is Coming Back On February 21

From satellite tracking to GPS to geocaching, the world is addicted to technology. Can a future be far off where external devices are replaced by those implanted internally? Syndicate imagines a future where having brain-implanted bio-chips become the standard of living. But would such technology be used for the greater good or corporate profit? Who will be left behind in this technological revolution? The cult classic game, Syndicate, dared to addressed these ethical and moral questions in 1993. On February 21st, 2012, a re-envisioned Syndicate will usher you back to the dystopian near future plagued by the same uncertainty.

It's the year 2069 and you are a one-man army caught in the midst of a global corporate struggle for control and influence. Surrounded by corruption and deceit, all you have to rely on are your wits and the cutting-edge bio-chip technology implanted in your brain. In this dark and treacherous time, everything and everyone is digitally connected and governments bow to the overwhelming power of multinational conglomerates. The brainwashed populace is victim to the Machiavellian machinations of these Syndicates, casualties of the war for market dominance.

As prototype agent Miles Kilo, you serve at the beck and call of Eurocorp — one of three major global corporations vying for control of America. Armed with the most advanced weaponry of the digital age, you can slow down time, breach the digital world around you, see through walls, and bring down enemies with sophisticated hacking abilities in a thrilling first-person experience combining action and espionage.

Explore the sinister cyberpunk future of Syndicate on February 21st and pre-order through Origin to receive The Executive Package. Usually reserved for the upper echelons of the corporate cabals, you can flaunt your superiority with unique perks for the game’s four-player co-op campaign, solid gold versions of all loadout guns, golden dart vision, and executive gold Syndicate logos during co-op missions.

You can also download an exclusive Syndicate track remixed by DJ Skrillex when you like the Syndicate Facebook page. Keep checking back here for all the latest intel as this sci-fi FPS gets closer to release.

Step into The Sims Social and See What's Shaking

If you haven't had the chance to see why everyone from your roommate to your grandma loves The Sims, now's a great time. You can easily check out the newest exciting addition to the Sims series — The Sims Social — on your Facebook account today.

We know once you get a taste of The Sims, you'll be craving more. So to feed your need, we're offering 50% off The Sims 3 if you install The Sims Social between September 21th and September 27th. Check out The Sims Social Facebook app page for more information.

The Sims Social is a brand new social gaming experience integrating the worldwide success of The Sims with Facebook's massive community. Now, you can interact with your friends in a whole new way, living out a wacky parallel existence though the lives of your Sims. Create custom Sims and set them loose in the world to build relationships, have adventures, and maybe even fall in love — all with your real friends!

Burnout CRASH Is Now Available!

Burnout CRASH! is here and it’s everything you’d hoped it would be: nonstop smashing, bashing, and crashing in a hilarious new party game experience.

The game features three chaotic game modes. In Pile-Up, your goal is to cause a fire then use your precision-driving skills to keep it burning as long as possible. In Road Trip, ram full-speed into a busy intersection and try to trap traffic with the ensuing explosion. In Rush Hour, careen down the road and cause as much damage as you can in 90 seconds.

The award-winning Autolog technology lets you connect, compete, and compare high scores with friends to earn the Master of Disaster crown. Plus, the Xbox LIVE Arcade version of the game is the first from Electronic Arts to feature a game mode designed exclusively for Kinect, with two teams using gestural controls to crash and burn in a party battle!

Burnout CRASH! is available now for $9.99 on PlayStation Network and 800 MS Points on Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Battlefield 3 Brings Home Top Honor From Tokyo Game Show 2011

The Tokyo Game Show (TGS) is one of the marquee events of the videogames industry and this year over 200,000 attendees flocked to the show to see the best games of 2011. Publishers from all over the world displayed hundreds of games, all vying for the attention of the Japanese gaming public. One title stood out of the crowd; Battlefield 3. Already having won critical acclaim at E3 2011 (Best Online Multiplayer Game) and gamescom 2011 (Best of gamescom), reception for Battlefield 3 couldn’t have been better with long lines of gamers stretched around the Battlefield 3 kiosks all hoping to get a chance to experience the all-out warfare, massive destruction and epic scale provided by Battlefield 3’s Frostbite 2 engine.

By the close of TGS 2011, Battlefield 3 had made an indelible impression on the show-going public and the members of the Japan Game Award Committee. They casted their votes for the annual Japan Game Awards and gave Battlefield 3 top honors in the Japan Game Awards 2011 Future Division. The Japan Game Award is a major honor to receive for a western developed title, one that hasn’t been bestowed upon any western developed game in two years. This award is a testament to the vision and game development prowess of the DICE team and their unrelenting drive to constantly push their art to new heights. Congratulations to DICE and the EA Japan team for bringing home this great honor.

45 Distinct Multiplayer Experiences in Battlefield 3

Get your adrenaline pumping with new details about Battlefield 3’s dynamic multiplayer modes. Forget the same old multiplayer experience that you’re used to; EA DICE is bringing a level of customization that redefines what players expect from online play. With the abundance of options available, you can completely transform your multiplayer game the way you want it. Battlefield 3 offers nine expansive multiplayer maps that automatically reconfigure to adapt to the five game modes, resulting in 45 distinct multiplayer experiences for you to choose from.

The classic Team Deathmatch game mode is perfect for dropping into a match quickly if you're looking to tear through the other team, and work to reach the set number of kills without the aid of vehicles. Squad Deathmatch takes it to the next level, pitting four squads of four against each other as they vie for control of an Infantry Fighting Vehicle. This game-changer is capable of keeping your squad supplied and ready to go at all times during combat.

Rush and Squad Rush, the extremely popular objective-based modes from Battlefield: Bad Company 2, return, complete with fine-tuned tweaks based on player feedback. And of course the classic Battlefield game mode, Conquest, is back. Engage in a sprawling fight against another team for control of a set number of flags through careful strategy and tactics. Mastering land, sea, and air vehicles is the key to victory in this definitive game mode.

Want to elevate your multiplayer game even more? Raise the stakes and choose to play in Hardcore Mode to strip out the user interface for a greater degree of immersion. Not interested in vehicles? Click the Infantry Only box in the server browser to leave out vehicles when searching for a game. Check out all the in-depth details of the multiplayer game modes over on the official Battleblog.

This latest entry in the critically acclaimed franchise is due for release on October 25th. Pre-order your copy of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin today and get ready for the ultimate multiplayer experience.

Business is War in the Revival of Sci-Fi Cult Classic Syndicate

The year is 2069 and the world is dark and insidious. Without government oversight, syndicate competition has grown increasingly cutthroat as they compete for rule over the market place. In America, three major corporations are at the center of the brutal syndicate business — Eurocorp, Cayman Global, and Aspari. Welcome back to the sci-fi world of Syndicate.

In Syndicate, you take on the role of Eurocorp’s latest prototype agent, Miles Kilo. The usual weapons are used against competitors, but in this advanced digital future, everything and everyone are connected. DART 6 bio-chip technology has been implanted into agents' heads, enabling them to slow down time, breach the digital world around them, and bring down enemies with upgradable hacking mechanics.

Starbreeze Studios is creating this unique revival of Syndicate as a savage first-person action shooter. Fast-paced and challenging, the game will deliver an epic adventure to new gamers and fans of the original alike. Familiar weapons and environments return with fresh interpretations and a separate four-player co-op mode will feature missions from the original Syndicate.

Syndicate will be available in early 2012 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

The Sims Social Surges On Facebook

The Sims Social surpassed 9.3 million daily active users today, making it the second most popular game on  Facebook by daily active users – and growing! It’s a fantastic milestone for the Playfish London studio and The Sims franchise. And the fact that the title has helped EA become the #2 Social Game company in the world is also special – thanks to all our fans for making this possible!

When we founded Playfish in late 2007, well before anyone knew or talked about social games, our vision was to change how the world plays games by creating social and connected experiences between friends using social networks as our platform. We wanted to create experiences where what happens on screen is only part of the game, and where the real driver of game play is social interactions between friends. Two of our most enduring and popular games, Pet Society and Restaurant City, were early big successes with top rankings on the platform thanks to some pioneering early social play features – visiting friends, hiring friends as staff in your restaurant, and helping them - while at the same time competing with them.

The Sims Social has taken a huge leap forward in the evolution of Playfish and social games, not just in higher production values and in bringing one of the most loved game franchises to the platform, but in redefining the meaning of “social” in games and bridging the divide between the real world and the game world for our players.

The Sims Social is in lots of ways the culmination of Playfish’s original vision, and also our choice to partner with EA two years ago.  By combining our technology and passion for social play with the deep creative heritage of The Sims franchise and the insights of its creators, we feel we’ve brought something very special to life. And together with the social titles from our friends at PopCap (we’re huge fans!) and our upcoming launches, we’re really pleased with EA’s social game line-up, and we hope you are too!

So welcome to the world, The Sims Social, and a huge thanks to all those who contributed to making it at the Playfish London studio, EA Play, and the countless others who helped bring the game to life. We’re excited to work with all our fans to figure out how to evolve the game and its features and are thrilled to hear all your ideas of what you’d like to see in the game. Feel free to drop us a comment or contribute to The Sims Social forums. We look forward to hearing from you!

Kristian Segerstrale
GM and Co-Founder of Playfish

Porsche 911 Carrera S To Appear In Need for Speed The Run

If you entered an underground cross-country race with your life on the line, wouldn't you want to race it in a Porsche 911 Carrera S? The most anticipated car of the year has just been revealed in new Need for Speed The Run in-game footage.

Intimidating, elegant, and possibly the most beautiful car of the 2012 series, the Porsche 911 Carrera S is in a class of its own. Built with a longer and wider stance than pervious models, the 911 has a 3.8L flat-six that pumps 400hp out remodeled dual-exhaust tips. This ride is perfect for the most demanding race this country has ever seen, and it's exclusive to the Need for Speed The Run Limited Edition. To ensure you'll be behind the wheel of this beauty on day one, pre-order your copy of the game on Origin.

In Need for Speed The Run you race across the country as Jack, a desperate, debt-ridden driver as you speed through cities like San Francisco and New York City with enemies hot on your heels. Leave the competition in the dust as you race for your life in one of the most exclusive rides out there when the game releases on November 15th.

SSX WANTS YOUR PERSONALIZED BOARD IN-GAME

Do you have a creative flair, an eye for design, and a love of custom snowboards? If so, SSX has an awesome contest for you! They are looking for passionate fans to create their own original board designs with the possibility of them being included in the final game. All you need are some Photoshop skills and a brilliant idea.

To enter the contest, head to the SSX Facebook page, download the instructions and PSD file, create your board, and then upload the completed design after agreeing to the Terms of Service. Pay close attention to the instructional PDF that comes with the PSD file; it has all the info you need to work on your design.

SSX marks the long-awaited return of the pre-eminent snowboarding franchise to consoles. In addition to the over-the-top, exhilarating action the series is known for, players can conquer real-world mountains — courtesy NASA geotagging data — to create an amazing open world experience. The title has also added sweeping social additions like ghosts, Ridernet, and global events supporting up to 100,000 simultaneous players live. And who knows, maybe your custom board will be what everyone is riding. Pre-order your copy on Origin, today!

Release Date For Burnout CRASH! Announced

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines and prime your explosives! Criterion Games’ newest title, Burnout CRASH!, is bringing a bevy of arcade style smash-em-up vehicle action to Xbox LIVE Arcade and PSN on September 20th!

In Burnout CRASH!, the goal is to cause as much traffic chaos as possible by triggering explosions and destroying everything in sight. Take on three game modes, 18 crash junctions, and loads of unlockables in this reinvention of the fan-favorite crash mode. The game also uses Autolog, which helps you keep up with your friends and rivals with personalized Autolog Challenges. For Kinect owners, there's also an exclusive game mode with 2- to 14-player competition where players use their bodies to steer, explode, and smash their way to high scores.

Do you have what it takes to be the crash master? Find out on September 20th, when Burnout CRASH! arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 800 Microsoft Points and on PSN for $9.99 USD.

BATTLEFIELD 3 REDEFINES VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER

An astounding array of vehicles has always been the hallmark of the Battlefield series, and Battlefield 3 is no exception. It boasts 20 vehicles across 12 classes, each one fully customizable. In the latest installment of Battleblog, the DICE team reveals new details of just how expansive the vehicular component of Battlefield 3 is.

Tweaking the performance of your vehicle of choice is simple in execution and complex in options. There are 80 unlockable specialization upgrades that can be equipped to vehicles in one of three customization slots: secondary weapon, gadget, and upgrade. These specializations are unlocked by vehicle class based on the number of kills you score using any vehicle of that class.

In addition to offering the deepest vehicle customization to date in the series, DICE has overhauled vehicular combat to make it a more balanced, intense experience. Too often in the past, tank drivers barreled headlong into combat zones only to abandon their tanks when the going gets tough.

Finally, Battlefield 3 will also introduces armor recovery for vehicles that are only lightly damaged, but fending off the enemy until Engineer support can arrive is sure to result in some truly nail-biting moments. To learn more, be sure to check out the full blog post on the Battlefield site.

Battlefield 3 will release on October 25th in North America. Pre-order your copy on Origin today to receive early access to the open beta in September and other awesome exclusives.

Eternity Vault Mission in Star Wars: The Old Republic

An ancient prison on the remote planet Belsavis has been discovered after being sealed for 20,000 years. Deep inside the prison is the Eternity Vault, which contains a danger powerful enough to threaten both the Republic and the Empire. Your group of players and their companions are sent to remove the danger, a fearsome being known only as the Infernal One.

This is the setting for the Star Wars: The Old Republic Eternity Vault mission, a multi-party task given to both Imperial and Republic players when they reach level 50. Dallas Dickinson, Director of Productions, is pleased to present the opening minutes of this epic mission from the Imperial perspective in a developer walkthrough.

High-level group combat is on full display as a team of eight Imperial classes work together to bring down the prison's outer defense. After the walkthrough of the mission's opening minutes, Dickinson presents a teaser of what the Infernal One has in store for the group once they reach the prison interior.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is the new groundbreaking MMORPG from BioWare that combines their expertise in role-playing games with the expansive Star Wars universe. Create your own character from a wealth of customizable options and prepare to do battle for the fate of the galaxy. Pre-order your copy on Origin today to get early game access and an in-game Color Stone.

The Art Of Mass Effect

The Mass Effect universe is vast, stretching across the Milky Way and filled with a multitude of races, beliefs, and conflicts. The landscapes Commander Shepard and the Normandy crew see on their journey to eliminate the Reaper threat are just as diverse as the galaxy. Now fans can get an in-depth view of the universe that hosts their favorite series.

Dark Horse proudly announces The Art of the Mass Effect Universe. This hardcover art book features the expansive and stunning imagery used to create the newest addition to the series, Mass Effect 3. In addition to the beautiful art pieces, the book will include commentary from the series' creators. The Art of the Mass Effect Universe will be available for purchase in February 2012.

Commander Shepard and his team of handpicked combat specialists are faced with a near impossible task in Mass Effect 3, the latest installment in the sci-fi action adventure series. An ancient alien race, known only as the Reapers, has launched an all-out invasion of the galaxy, leaving nothing but a trail of destruction in their wake. Earth has been taken, the universe is on the verge of total annihilation, and Shepard must lead the counter assault to take it back. The price of failure is extinction.

Only you, as Shepard, can determine how events will play out. Pre-order your copy of Mass Effect 3 on Origin and prepare for galactic war.

YOUR WEAPON IS CHOICE IN BATTLEFIELD 3

With over 50 weapons in Battlefield 3, you could have a new loadout once a week for a full year. But the wealth of options doesn't end there — the amazingly deep customization features allow for firearm permutations numbering in the thousands.

The latest Battleblog entry at the Battlefield Blog goes into greater detail on how players will be able to tweak their weapons' performance to fit their playing style. Each armament has three accessory slots that cover optics, suppressors, bipods, barrels, underslung grenade launchers, underslung shotguns, foregrips, flashlights, laser sights, and more.

Additional options for the accessory slots are unlocked as you spend more time with your weapon of choice. As you get more familiar with your firearm's strengths and weaknesses, you can fine-tune it to accommodate the map, objective, or enemy you face. Head over to the Battlefield Blog where two specific weapon customizations focusing on different combat roles are detailed.

Battlefield 3 is the upcoming first-person shooter from EA DICE that combines intense infantry combat with a wide range of vehicles on sprawling maps filled with destructible environments. This latest entry in the critically acclaimed franchise will be released October 25th.

Pre-order your copy of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin today and receive early access to the open beta in September and other awesome exclusives.

ROUND 2 OF MASS EFFECT 3 FEMALE SHEPARD VOTING

Every Mass Effect fan knows the face of Male Shepard, but what about Female Shepard? Last month's first round of voting narrowed the field of five concepts down to one badass female commander. Now that the people have spoken, Bioware's official Mass Effect 3 Female Shepard is coming into focus. Starting today, you can vote on the winning FemShep's complexion details (blonde, light brown, red, and black hair) to further mold her image.

In Mass Effect 3 Commander Shepard continues her quest to put an end to the Reaper threat. Set on total galactic domination, the Reapers have left nothing but a trail of destruction in their wake, and Earth is their next target. Shepard must lead the counter assault to take her back her race's home planet in this sci-fi action adventure. The price of failure is extinction.

Only you, as Shepard, can determine how events will play out. Pre-order your copy of Mass Effect 3 on Origin and prepare for galactic war.

BATTLEFIELD 3 LIMITED EDITION DETAILS RELEASED

Battlefield fans, we know you’re anxiously awaiting the release of Battlefield 3 this fall, and today we’ve got some good news for you. EA and DICE announced two editions of Battlefield 3 and the unique pre-order items available at participating retailers in North America today! Soldiers and squads looking to claim battlefield superiority this Oct. 25, 2011 have an array of options available when pre-ordering the game.

Battlefield 3 is proving to be one of the most anticipated games of 2011, having already earned over 50 awards including ‘Best Action Game’ and ‘Best Online Multiplayer Game.’ With the beautiful Frostbite 2 engine powering the game and the celebrated Battlefield feel, anybody can see why people are so excited for this one.

The standard edition of the game includes the single-player campaign, all 10 massive co-op maps and multiple multiplayer modes. The Limited Edition comes with a ton of extras to make your experience even better and you can get it at no extra cost.

Gamers who pre-order Battlefield 3 are assured a copy of the Limited Edition, which includes the Back to Karkand post-launch digital expansion pack at no extra charge. With Back to Karkand, players can wage all-out war on four of the most celebrated maps from Battlefield 2 including Strike at Karkand, Gulf of Oman and the Sharqi Peninsula, all stunningly re-created using the power of Frostbite 2.

Select retailers are also offering Battlefield 3 pre-order customers the following promotional items:

Physical Warfare Pack --Storm the battlefield armed with a set of three exclusive weapons in the Physical Warfare Pack including: 1) the Type 88 light machine gun with bipod for deadly firepower and total zone control; 2) the SKS sniper rifle flash suppressor that provides increased stealth abilities for Recon soldiers; and 3) the lethal armor-piercing flechette ammo for the DAO-12 semi-automatic shotgun that will tear through anything in its path. Each weapon will be available for a limited time in-game, and will later become available to all players. Also unlocked is instant access to the highly versatile DAO-12 semi-automatic shotgun.
SPECACT Kit -- Players can expand their customizable options in Battlefield 3 with a set of eight unique multiplayer skins, one for each class in Battlefield 3.
Dog Tag Pack-- In Battlefield 3, dog tags serve as the player’s in-game signature, allowing gamers to customize their soldiers. Dog tags are displayed on screen every time a player takes down an enemy or claims an opponent’s dog tags. This pre-order exclusive item comes with five new, unique dog tags.
As an added bonus, players who pre-order the game from Origin will be granted early access to the Open Beta for Battlefield 3 when it goes live in September. Early Beta access is for US PC Download customers only.

Battlefield 3 will be available Oct. 25, 2011 in North America for the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360 and the PC. PC gamers will be able to download the Battlefield 3 Limited Edition at Origin as well as over 100 digital retailers worldwide. For a complete list of worldwide digital download partners, please visit www.battlefield.com/digitaldownload.

BATTLEFIELD 3 NOVEL COMING

If you’re looking to dive deeper into the story of Battlefield 3 or if you’re a gamer who just likes to read, then we have some exciting news for you! DICE announced the publication of a novel based on the game that will propel the story in new directions.

The novel, titled Battlefield 3: The Russian, is written by the highly decorated ex-SAS operator and best-selling author of Bravo Two Zero, Andy McNab, with co-author Peter Grimsdale. The book tells the back-story of RU Special Forces operator Dima, one of the soldiers featured in the Battlefield 3 single-player campaign. Having first-hand experience of the drama and trauma of war, McNab brings an authentic voice and heart-wrenching perspective to the story.

In 1984 McNab was 'badged' as a member of 22 SAS Regiment and was involved in both covert and overt special operations worldwide. During the Gulf War he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that, in the words of his commanding officer, 'will remain in regimental history for ever.' Awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Medal during his military career, McNab was the British Army's most highly decorated serving soldier when he finally left the SAS in February 1993.

In the game, the single-player storyline is revealed through a series of flashbacks as Marine Staff Sergeant Henry Blackburn races to prevent an attack on New York City by a deadly force known as the PLR. As Blackburn recalls key events leading up to the attack, players take control of several characters in heart-pounding missions across land, sea and air. One of these characters is Dmitri “Dima” Mayakovsky, a legendary and pragmatic GRU operator in the twilight of his Special Forces career. Known as a “cleaner,” Dima is the sort of person who does whatever it takes to get the job done. The book picks up where the game leaves off, allowing McNab and Grimsdale to give a thrilling new perspective into Dima’s own personal quest as well as the events of Battlefield 3.

Like the game, the novel is charged with documentary intensity, high octane action, and ripped-from-the-headlines incursions. Battlefield 3: The Russian paints a picture of a soldier struggling to do whatever it takes to keep himself and his platoon alive.

This modern military novel will be released alongside the game on Oct. 25, 2011 and you can pre-order Battlefield 3 on Origin today!

NEW NEED FOR SPEED: THE RUN TRAILER

What's life without a little risk? In this worldwide debut of the latest trailer for Need for Speed: The Run, you’ll see what happens when you go for a spin through the hills of California. The trailer features actual in-game footage, giving you a taste of what it's like to get behind the wheel in Need For Speed: The Run. Keep an eye out for the realistic effect of sunlight on your view and the intense racing action as the driver attempts to pass ten opponents on the way to the finish line in first place.

No speed limits. No rules. No allies. All you have are your driving skills and sheer determination as you battle hundreds of the world’s most notorious drivers on the country’s most dangerous roads while you tear through precarious mountain passes and treacherous deserts.

You’ll race across the United States of America as you speed through cities like San Francisco and New York City with enemies hot on your heels. And for the first time in a Need for Speed game, you’ll have the chance to go on foot as you desperately escape those who would like nothing more than to bring you down.

Need for Speed: The Run is set to come out November 15th. Pre-order your copy today on Origin and get ready for blistering speed and hot cars.

PETER MOORE: EA SPORTS IS GROWING!

It’s an exciting time for us at EA SPORTS as we continue the radical transformation of our business.  There is now more opportunity than ever to bring connected sports experiences to our fans in a multitude of ways, on a multitude of platforms.  Success is no longer measured on the results of packaged goods, but rather in how we engage with our community and build a persistent, online world that is with you anytime and anywhere.

Building this digital playground is not a flip of the switch.  We must craft the proper infrastructure with talent that upholds the EA SPORTS strategic pillars: Innovate for the core, create value through live services, and develop new experiences for new consumers.  The expertise required means new jobs, many in functions that didn’t previously exist.  Our business is changing and so are our needs for talent.

I’m happy to confirm the expansion of EA SPORTS to the bustling development community of Austin, Texas.  As we’ve seen through the current EA studios based in Austin, the area provides a thriving talent pool of game developers, and their passion for sports (especially football - Hook ‘Em Horns!) is unmatched.  Combined with a political leadership that is dedicated to growing the digital media industry, Austin became the perfect location to begin our expansion.  Within the next year, we’ll be building a small team that will be focused on development on HD platforms.  

This expansion won’t be limited to Austin, as we’re continuing to strengthen our talent pipeline within our core studios at EA Canada and Tiburon as they continue to build towards the next-generation of sports experiences.  Once again, welcome Austin, Texas to the EA SPORTS family!

EA RELEASES THE SIMS SOCIAL FIRST SCREENSHOTS

The very first The Sims Social screenshots have been posted, showing off some new skills your Sims can use! You’ll be able to play instruments and cook – and much more!

The Sims Social is an upcoming Facebook game where you can create unique Sims and live out their dreams or stir up trouble by pulling pranks. Develop deep relationships to unlock new features and advance. Play with life in a whole new way—with your real friends, for free!

Even if you’re away from your home computer and can’t play The Sims 3, The Sims Social will be there as long as you can get on Facebook. Stay tuned for more updates as this game gets closer to release. In the meantime, be sure to like us on Facebook!

BATTLEFIELD HEROES PREPARES FOR WAR WITH EXCLUSIVE FREEBIES

When the hot summer months roll around, sometimes you just want to hide inside, close the blinds, and try to ignore the oppressive heat and miserable humidity with a game or two. It’s the perfect time to celebrate Battlefield Heroes’ second anniversary and the surpassing of 8 million players worldwide! EA has something special in store for all Battlefield Heroes fans.

Wake Island,one ofthe Battlefield franchise’s most popular maps, is coming to Battlefield Heroes laterthis month. But that’s not all - players can log in between June 30, 2011, 3:00 PM PT and July 7, 2011, 11:59 PM PT to receive two free Party Packs, one Royal and one National. Each Party Pack will include 77 Battlefunds, 25 Festive Flares, a permanent exclusive Party Hat, and a seven day rental to play in a Birthday Suit! To claim their free Party Packs, players can log in and look in the “My Stuff” menu and select “Rewards.”

Battlefield Heroes is a Play4Free third-person shooter that brings classic Battlefield gameplay to everybody. The game features cartoon-style graphics and gameplay that caters to players of all skill levels. Battlefield Heroes is easy to pick up and play but has robust character customization and engaging online features so gamers can spend hours building up their characters and conquering the world. With a variety of classes, vehicles, and avenues of attack, no match plays the same way. Sign up today and join the fight!

Return to New York in New Crysis 2 Maps

Start spreading the news--you now have even more of New York to explore in the Crysis 2 Retaliation map pack. That’s four new levels of Crysis 2’s fun, fast-paced, critically acclaimed gameplay.

The new Retaliation maps are “Park Avenue,” “Transit,” “Shipyard,” and “Compound.” Each map introduces a new iconic New York City location and gives you more opportunities to deploy the Nanosuit 2’s armor, strength and cloak modes against a terrifying alien invasion that threatens humanity.

 The Retaliation map pack is now available for download on the Xbox 360 for 800 Microsoft points or on PC for $9.99. The map pack is also coming soon to the PlayStation Network.

For more information on Crysis 2 and the Retaliation map pack, please visit the official game website. Also check out the official Crysis community web site, and follow the development team on Twitter or on Facebook.

Portal 2

 

The highly anticipated sequel to 2007's Game of the Year, Portal 2 is a hilariously mind-bending adventure that challenges you to use wits over weaponry in a funhouse of diabolical science.

Using a highly experimental portal device, you’ll once again face off against a lethally inventive, power-mad A.I. named GLaDOS. And this time you won’t be alone. Meet an expanded cast of characters as you think your way through dangerous, never-before-seen areas of Aperture Laboratories.

Break the laws of spatial physics in ways you never thought possible, with a wider variety of portal puzzles and an expansive story that spans a single player and co-operative game mode.

Darkspore Open Beta Launches

If you didn’t get a chance to play Darkspore during to the closed beta, now’s your chance! The FREE open beta for Darkspore is now available for a limited time. In this new breed of action-RPG, you awake from a hypersleep to discover that the entire galaxy is under siege by hordes of mutated creatures known as the Darkspore. Assemble your arsenal of customized living weapons and prepare to confront the menace that has terrorized earth for so many eons. Instead of playing a single hero character, you'll collect and control many heroes, each with their own unique set of special abilities.

Battlefield 3 Launches Facebook Community Challenge

Can’t get enough Battlefield 3? Curious what goes on behind the scenes in the making of Battlefield’s next big installment? Starting right now, EA is running a Community Challenge for our fans to push 1 million “likes” on the Battlefield 3 Facebook Page.

The full-length, 12-minute Fault Line trailer will be released to the web on April 17th. Discover the thrilling conclusion to Staff Sgt. Black and team’s foray into enemy territory, and see what it takes to survive in the war torn Middle East. And of course, watch in awe as BF3’s Frostbite 2 engine is displayed in full glory.

If you just can’t wait until then, we’re giving you the chance to get an early look. Upon reaching 1 MM Facebook fans, EA will release the complete Fault Line series for download in striking 1080p, as well as an exclusive version with producer commentary for special insight behind the game.

Tell your friends, tell your family, and help us unlock this amazing video early. Head over now to Facebook now!

Live Life To The Fullest With The Sims 3 Generations

If you’ve always wanted to throw a lavish wedding for your favorite Sims couple or drop a year’s salary on a shiny new sports car and thunder down the road with the top down as you navigate your first midlife crisis, you’re in luck. Today EA announced that The Sims 3 Generations Expansion pack is in development and will hit store shelves this spring. Players will be able to act out life’s memorable moments from childhood to teenage years to adulthood in this new expansion pack.

“The Sims 3 Generations includes new gameplay experiences and content that our community has been requesting for years including bunk beds, expansive weddings, midlife crises and more,” said Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio at EA. “Imagine booby trapping a friend’s toilet or turning your imaginary friend into a real person, throwing bachelor or bachelorette parties, all to spend your elder Sims years reminiscing about the past.”

You will be able to keep track of your Sims’ life moments with in-game cameras and upload and share their memories on the Official Website. Start off in the imagination-fuelled world of childhood, where you can take dance classes, misbehave with their imaginary friend or goof around in a tree house. Then you move on to embrace the drama of the teen years by pulling elaborate pranks such as exploding toilets, color dye in the shower or ding dong ditch, become prom king or queen, or forget the school dance and throw a raging party instead. As adult Sims, you’ll ride the wave of freedom. Attend or plan bachelor and bachelorette parties, throw lavish weddings, and even go through your own mid-life crisis. Whatever you choose, your Sims’ lives are sure to be more interesting in The Sims 3 Generations.

Battlefield Play4Free Now Open to Players Worldwide

The wait is over! The Battlefield experience is now available to anyone, anytime, anywhere – for free.

Today, EA launched Battlefield Play4Free, a deep, rich, adrenaline-filled Battlefield all-out war experience. Battlefield Play4Free delivers an endlessly entertaining experience that combines the most popular maps from Battlefield 2 with the popular classes and powerful weapons of Battlefield: Bad Company 2, all rendered with stunning visuals.

Progress through the game to learn new combat skills and earn in-game currency to spend on an array of devastating weapons that will help propel you to victory in epic 32-player online battles. At every level you’ll be creating a more unique, more customized soldier and creating your own, personal playing style to take to the battlefield.

Battlefield Play4Free raises the bar in the free-to-play space even further with 16 different vehicles including the Mil Mi-28 attack helicopter, its nemesis the F35 VTOL jet fighter, the massive Russian T-90 main battle tank, and the hard to catch LSV light strike vehicle.

IGN has already proclaimed that the game “...has all the components of what someone would expect from a Battlefield game, for free.” What are you waiting for? Play Battlefield Play4Free today!

Need for Speed SHIFT 2 Unleashed

Shift 2 Unleashed takes the driver’s experience to the next level with an all-new rendering engine and graphics overhaul, innovative helmet camera, night racing, and perhaps most exciting, authentic degradation of both tracks and cars. This game-changing new sequel is already being heralded by critics worldwide receiving nine out of ten from both PlayStation: The Official Magazine and Official Xbox Magazine. Official Xbox Magazine even said that Shift 2 Unleashed is, “the real deal” while Game Informer says, “Shift 2 defines the franchise.”

“Our goal with Shift 2 Unleashed is to put the series at the head of the racing simulation genre by injecting some much needed energy into it,” said Marcus Nilsson, Executive Producer on SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED. “Working with the aid of Team Need for Speed drivers, we incorporated real-world race driving insights to make key improvements and enhancements to the game, while also innovating at the very core of the racing experience. Our introduction of game changing features like helmet cam further blurs the lines between real racing and the in-game experience.”

And fear not, the Autolog technology pioneered by Need for Speed Hot Pursuit is standard in Shift 2 so you can connect with your friends and vanquish your foes in exhilarating head-to-head races.

Get ready to experience all the violence, energy and excitement of race day in this groundbreaking authentic racing experience.

BioWare in Final Round of Developers' Showdown

We’re thrilled to report that EA’s BioWare studio has reached the final round of The Escapist’s March Mayhem Developers’ Showdown. Thanks to all of our fans who helped propel BioWare to the final round.

The Developers' Showdown is an exclusive event hosted by The Escapist Magazine where the top 64 game developers go head-to-head in an elimination style tournament to see who comes out on top. BioWare has already sailed through the Sweet 16, the Elite 8 and the Final 4. Now it is up to you to see who will take home the crown.

Best of luck to our worthy opponents at Mojang. Independent developers have always helped to foster and drive creativity and innovation in our industry. We have a lot of Minecraft fans here at EA -- two BioWare employees even got engaged in the game.

Make sure you vote in the finals before it's too late – voting closes on Tuesday, April 5^th.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters In Stores Now

Golf fans, we hope you’re not too rusty from the long winter, because Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters arrives in stores today. For the first time in franchise history, players can experience the rich history and tradition of the Masters Tournament and Augusta National Golf Club. An exciting development this year: Not only is the game available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and Wii, but it also supports the new PlayStation Move and Wii Balance Board functionality that allows players to earn “Balance Points” to activate a power shot.

Also new this year are a series of enhanced features, including a completely revamped career mode, all-new caddie system, fresh broadcast presentation, new courses and PGA TOUR golfers. For the first time ever, EA SPORTS laser-scanned every hole at Augusta National Golf Club to provide players with the most authentic digital representation of the Masters Tournament. Every tree, every azalea, and every undulation in every green was recreated down to the smallest detail.

“We’re excited to bring our fans the immersive and authentic Masters experience that they’ve been anxiously waiting for,” said Nick Wlodyka, Executive Producer for EA SPORTS. “This has long been the number one feature our fans have requested, so we’ve pulled out all the stops for this year’s game to ensure that our players feel as though they’re actually stepping foot onto the historic grounds of Augusta National Golf Club.”

Sixteen beautiful championship courses are featured on the Xbox and PS3, while 25 courses are featured on the Wii edition. Additionally, 19 courses plus Augusta National Golf Club will be included in the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12 Collector’s Edition, developed exclusively for PlayStation 3 .

Mini-golf, a family-friendly mode which originally debuted in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11, is available again on all platforms with the inclusion of five courses, including a new Boardwalk style layout.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters retails for $59.99 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and $49.99 on the Wii. The exclusive PS3 Collector’s Edition is available for $69.99. Order Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters today.

Crysis 2

Crysis 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Crytek and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows, Playstation 3, and Xbox 360, that was released on March 22, 2011 (US). It is the sequel to the 2007 video game Crysis and its parallel expansion game, Crysis Warhead. The story was written by author Richard Morgan. Another science fiction author, Peter Watts, was also consulted and wrote a novel adaptation of the game. It is the first game to showcase the CryEngine 3 game engine.

The Sims 3 for Nintendo 3DS Handheld System Launches Worldwide This Week

Get ready to play in 3D! The EA Play Label of EA today announced that The Sims 3 for 3DS will be available for purchase for the Nintendo 3DS beginning this week. As a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS,The Sims 3 is in stores March 25^th across Europe and Australia and in North America on March 27^th.

“We’ve created a game for the Nintendo 3DS platform that includes everything players love about The Sims like build and buy mode, Create a Sim and more in order for them to have the richest experience possible in a 3D environment,” said Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio. “The Nintendo 3DS system is a highly anticipated launch for players across the globe, and we’re ecstatic that The Sims 3 will be one of the first games available for people to play.”

From the critically-acclaimed studio behind The Sims 3, The Sims 3 for the 3DS has features created specifically for the Nintendo 3DS system. Fans of The Sims will no doubt have endless hours of fun in a 3D world. Tools such as the facial recognition technology allow players to create a 3D version of themselves or their friends and then place their likeness into the game as playable Sims, characters unique to The Sims. They can change their looks including different hairstyles, facial features, and outfits all using the Nintendo 3DS stylus. Additionally, The Sims 3 will use Nintendo’s StreetPass™ system that allows anyone to share characters within a range**. For the first time on a handheld system for The Sims 3, players will be able to go visit new areas away from their lot. The zones are areas that give players different destinations to explore like a gym, library and museum and each one has full buildable lots and community features to go along with them.

Karma Powers, new to The Sims 3, enable players to create beauty or be devious with their Sims’ lives. By tilting their systems, players can be mischievous and cause their Sims challenges or they can watch bags of money fall from the sky that will give their Sims all the material items they could desire. Using the handheld, players will love the ability to either cause a stink storm or release a bevy of butterflies merely by blowing into it.

The Sims 3 is also available for PC, Mac, Playstation 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, Nintendo DS, Wii, iPhone, iPod touch, and mobile devices.

The Sims 3 for the Nintendo 3DS was developed by The Sims Studio and has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB. For more information about The Sims 3 games, please visit the Official Website.

EA Extends a Blockbuster Franchise to Facebook with Dragon Age Legends

EA today announced that Dragon Age Legends, the ground-breaking Play4Free online RPG is now available to all Facebook users worldwide. Dragon Age Legends, a collaboration between BioWare and EA’s Play4Free studio EA2D, expands on the award-winning action RPG franchise and introduces deep, high-quality gaming to Facebook. Dragon Age Legends also ties directly into Dragon Age II, currently available in stores. Players who complete specific quests in Dragon Age Legends can earn up to five exclusive items for use in Dragon Age II*.

“We built Dragon Age Legends with one goal in mind: to bring the AAA quality gameplay BioWare is famous for to the social space,” said Mark Spenner, General Manager of EA2D. “Dragon Age Legends brings true RPG combat and style to this massive social platform and delivers it at BioWare blockbuster quality, raising the bar for social games.”

Set in the Free Marches, the primary setting of Dragon Age II, Dragon Age Legends combines accessible and engaging turn-based tactical combat with gripping co-operative gameplay. By simply logging in Facebook, players can jump in to the online RPG to recruit their friends and embark on a battle-rich journey filled with challenging quests. Like all classic RPGs, players will earn loot and share rewards with their friends to grow their hero’s might and their kingdom’s power. The game includes a gratifying character-customization and upgrade system that allows players to tackle demons and darkspawn to become a legendary hero within the Dragon Age universe.

For more information, play Dragon Age Legends on Facebook, visit the Official Website, or follow along on Twitter at da_legends. Dragon Age II is now available on PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, the PC and Mac. For more information on Dragon Age II, please visit the Dragon Age Official Website. For more information on EA2D, please visit ea2d.ccom.

* Offer expires March 31, 2012. Requires Internet connection, EA account, access to Dragon Age Legends on Facebook, ownership of or access to Dragon Age II game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or PC. EA online Privacy Policy and Terms of Service are available at www.ea.com. Must be 13+. Valid everywhere Dragon Age II is sold. Code may not be substituted, exchanged, sold or redeemed for cash or other goods or services. To access items in Dragon Age II, you must register on Dragon Age Legends using the same EA Account that you used to register your Dragon Age II game. Items are nontransferable. May not be combined with any other offer, gift card, rebate or discount coupon. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.

The Champ Has Arrived! Fight Night Champion in Stores Now

Fight Night Champion is an intense and deep new mature experience that builds on the rich legacy of the Fight Night series, which is one of the most critically acclaimed sports franchises of the past five years.

Fight Night Champion features new gameplay innovation that delivers the rawness and brutality of the most realistic boxing simulation ever created. The title is packed with a deep menu of new modes and features, including: the all-new cinematic, narrative-driven Champion Mode; more than 50 licensed boxers including Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao; Full Spectrum Punch Control; the deepest career mode yet, Online Gyms, and much more.

“The EA SPORTS Fight Night franchise has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation in sports videogames, from ushering in the new console generation in 2006 with Fight Night Round 3, to Fight Night Round 4 which introduced real world physics to the franchise two years ago,” said Dale Jackson, General Manager, Fighting, EA SPORTS. “Fight Night Champion advances the critically-acclaimed series with genre-defining new gameplay innovation, a deep feature set and an all new type of experience for the EA SPORTS gamer.”

Champion Mode brings cinematic storytelling to the Fight Night franchise and is the first such story mode in EA SPORTS history. Written by Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter Will Rokos, Champion Mode allows players to step into the shoes of up-and-coming middleweight prospect, Andre Bishop, as he discovers that the road to becoming a champion in professional boxing is one that is filled with corruption, personal struggle and more than just what happens between the ropes.

Fight Night Champion also introduces a host of gameplay improvements. The refined punching system, dubbed “Full Spectrum Punch Control”, brings the most accessible and responsive controls ever to a Fight Night title. A new anaerobic stamina system tracks individual muscle groups separately, punishing a player’s overdependence on a single punch and encourages combination punching and diligent stamina management. In addition, improved visuals, multiple control schemes, realistic damage, boxer-specific animations and multiple stun states round out the key gameplay improvements players will experience in Fight Night Champion.

Fight Night Champion is available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and the Playstation 3 computer entertainment system. The game has been rated M by the ESRB, and 16+ by PEGI. The Fight Night Champion demo is currently available on Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network.

The Rise to Power Begins Now With Dragon Age II

EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leading video game developer BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), announced today that Dragon Age™ II is now available at retail stores in North America and will be available in Europe on March 11. Featuring a gripping new storyline, stunning visuals and what PC Gamer magazine has proclaimed to be "the best RPG combat ever," Dragon Age II has already been hailed as a success by critics around the world. The game has received a 94 percent from PC Gamer magazine (US and UK), a 9/10 from Official Xbox Magazine and a 9/10 from PlayStation: The Official Magazine, which also said, "Fueled by its brains, a likeable cast, and a sprawling storyline, Dragon Age II delivers."

"I am very proud of the bold, ambitious direction our team took with Dragon Age II, which I think is some of the best work yet from BioWare," said Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder and Group General Manager of BioWare and Senior Vice President of Electronic Arts. "The Dragon Age team built on their success with Dragon Age: Origins and also focused on innovation for our players, delivering better combat, creating an incredible new art style and introducing a dynamic storytelling technique to really raise the bar for both the franchise and the genre."

Dragon Age II allows gamers to experience the rise to power of Hawke, a refugee who survives the destruction of his homeland, to become the Champion of Kirkwall. Hawke's rise to power is shrouded in myth and rumor, with these mysteries being the driving force behind a story that spans an entire decade. Players will experience how the legend unfolds by gathering the deadliest of allies, making tough moral choices, and amassing fame and fortune as they seal their place in history and change the face of the Dragon Age universe forever.

Also available today is "The Exiled Prince," the first downloadable content pack for Dragon Age II. "The Exiled Prince" introduces the noble archer, Sebastian Vael, with players joining him in the middle of his quest to avenge the horrific murder of his family. Sworn to the priesthood as a boy, Sebastian is forced to re-enter the viper's nest of princely politics when his family is brutally murdered, leaving him as the sole-surviving heir. Banding together with Sebastian and his unshakable loyalty and excellent aim, players will choose to either avenge Sebastian's murdered family to reclaim his title or direct his holy vengeance on their own enemies in Kirkwall. In addition to this action-packed storyline, players will also be able to enlist Sebastian as a follower throughout a majority of Dragon Age II. "The Exiled Prince" will be available for purchase separately for $6.99 or 560 Microsoft Points.

Dragon Age II is available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the PC and Mac®. The game is rated ‘M' for Mature by the ESRB and ‘18+' by PEGI. For more information on Dragon Age II, please visit http://dragonage.bioware.com/, follow the game at http://twitter.com/dragonage and "like" the game on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/dragonage.

About BioWare

BioWare develops high quality console, PC and online role-playing games, focused on rich stories, unforgettable characters and vast worlds to discover. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world's most critically acclaimed titles, including Baldur's Gate™, Neverwinter Nights™, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™, Jade Empire™, Mass Effect™ and Dragon Age^™. BioWare operates in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montreal (Quebec), Austin (Texas), Fairfax (Virginia) and Galway (Ireland). Currently announced projects at BioWare include Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age II, and the story-driven massively multiplayer online game, Star Wars®: The Old Republic™. In 2008, BioWare was acquired by Electronic Arts, a leading global interactive entertainment publisher. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/biofeed. To join the millions of fans already registered on our community, go to http://social.bioware.com.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA Mobile™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2010, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.7 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million units. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks of EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Mac is a trademark of Apple Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.