Here's everything that was announced at EA Play 2020 - from FIFA 21 to Skate 4

Star Wars: Squadrons (Image: EA Games)Star Wars: Squadrons (Image: EA Games)
Star Wars: Squadrons (Image: EA Games)

On 18 June, EA – one of the world’s biggest video game publishing companies – hosted their annual EA Play livestream.

These yearly streams are a chance for the publisher to announce big new titles, and give fans updates on games already in the works; this year’s presentation was no different.

Here’s everything that was shown off during the presentation:

Star Wars: Squadrons

Star Wars dogfighting game Squadrons was announced earlier in the week with a teaser trailer, but EA gave fans of the galaxy far, far away a more in depth look at the new game with an extended ‘gameplay reveal’.

In Star Wars: Squadrons, you’ll step into the boots of a starfighter pilot, climbing into the cockpits of iconic ships from the Star Wars canon.

The story mode will bring to life events following the Battle of Endor, after the Rebel Alliance has successfully destroyed the second Death Star, with a narrative told from the alternating perspectives of two customisable pilots.

And in multiplayer, you’ll plan skirmishes with your squadron in the briefing room before taking off for space battles across the galaxy, engaging in strategic 5v5 space battles.

It’s out on Friday 2 October Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC – those playing on the latter two platforms can experience the whole game in VR if they have the right kit.

Apex Legends

Apex Legends is one of the world’s most popular ‘Battle Royale’ games – the only real challenger to Fortnite’s crown we’ve seen thus far.

EA announced that the free-to-play game will be coming to the Nintendo Switch later this year.

Not only that, but they’re introducing ‘cross-play', which means players on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch will all be able to play with/against one another, regardless of their platform of choice.

Skate 4

For years, fans have been clamouring so hard for a fourth entry in the Skate franchise, it’s become a bit of a running joke.

Well, now it seems EA have beaten us to the punchline, as they announced that Skate 4 is indeed in the works.

That’s all they had to tell us right now; “You commented this into existence,” said a developer.

It Takes Two

It Takes Two is the third game from Hazelight, the Swedish studio headed up by charismatic/overbearing director Josef Fares that makes narrative driven, co-op games designed to be played by two people.

Their next project is no different, and though no gameplay was shown, we know the story will follow a girl whose doll versions of her divorcing parents come to life.

Expect this one to be interesting, if a little heavy-handed with its heart-string pulling.

Lost In Random

Lost In Random (Image: EA Games)Lost In Random (Image: EA Games)
Lost In Random (Image: EA Games)

A few years ago, EA launched its ‘Originals’ series, designed to showcase games from smaller development teams and give players a slightly more considered change of pace from the usual blockbuster gaming fare.

Lost In Random is the latest game to be released under that banner, a Tim Burton-inspired tale described as “a blend of strategy and action that explores the notion of chance and possibility, set within a beautifully dark and vivid world.”

Rocket Arena

EA announced they are to publish this colourful looking, 3v3 competitive shooter in which a cast of diverse characters use rocket launchers to blast rival teammates off the map.

It’s obviously hoping to muscle in on similar cartoonish multiplayer games like Fortnite and Overwatch, but in an increasingly crowded marketplace, will it be able to knock those titans off the top?

It launches for PC, PS4 and Xbox one on 14 July.

EA support for Nintendo Switch

The publisher – who have tended to shun Nintendo’s recent consoles – announced that seven of its games will be coming to the Switch within the next year.

That includes Apex Legends, and the long-awaited port of Burnout Paradise, which released on 18 June.

EA Sports

FIFA 21 (Image: EA Sports)FIFA 21 (Image: EA Sports)
FIFA 21 (Image: EA Sports)

Rather than take up too much time gloating about how many blades of grass can be rendered in their next-gen sports games, EA smashed together the trailers of both the next Madden and FIFA 21 for an easily digestible montage.

Next-gen games are coming!

Alongside the sizzle reel of EA’s sports offerings, they offered up another hinting at what their developers are working on for next-gen consoles.

No games were named directly – although fans are certain they spotted Dragon Age 4 in there as footage from a next-gen work in progress from BioWare was shown – but high-profile studios were confirmed to be working on new games.

Other projects shown included a racing game from Criterion, Dice’s next Battlefield and an original game from Motive.

The Sims 4

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