Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Microsoft Cancelled Game Pass Family Plan Due to Objection From EA – Rumor
Microsoft has reportedly cancelled its plans for a Game Pass Family Plan due to objections from partners, primarily Electronic Arts. The proposed plan would have allowed up to four users to share a single subscription. This decision comes despite the family plan being a highly requested feature by Xbox players.
This indie dev's dungeon crawling 'descent into madness' was inspired by motherly love
Indie developer Christopher Yabsley is creating Heathen, a dark fantasy dungeon crawler inspired by a cherished childhood memory of playing Diablo with his mother. The game will feature first-person combat, randomized loot, and online co-op, with an early access release planned for Steam.
F1 25: 2026 Season Pack DLC launches in June – will you go mad for MADRING?
Electronic Arts and Codemasters have announced the F1 25: 2026 Season Pack DLC, set to launch on June 3, 2026. This DLC will update F1 25 with the 2026 season's teams, liveries, and new car regulations, including the addition of Audi and Cadillac as new teams and the Madring street circuit in Madrid. The pack introduces significant changes to car aerodynamics and engine mechanics, reflecting real-world Formula 1 advancements.
Pokémon Go 2 is out, but Niantic has big plans under new owner Scopely
Scopely president of games Ed Wu and head of M&A Heather Tacskovics discussed the company's $3.5 billion acquisition of Niantic Games one year ago. They clarified that a direct sequel to Pokémon Go is unlikely, emphasizing a focus on community and exploration. The acquisition integrated Niantic's game portfolio, including Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, into Scopely's operations, while Niantic's tech division was spun out.
From Vancouver Studios to Xbox Consoles: Why British Columbia Is a Global Gaming Development Powerhouse
British Columbia, particularly Vancouver, has emerged as a significant global hub for game development, driven by talent, strategic government incentives like tax credits, and the influence of established companies like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft. The region benefits from strong educational programs and a crossover of skills from its robust film and visual effects industry, contributing to innovation in areas like live-service design and online multiplayer. Despite challenges such as rising living costs and competition, BC's gaming industry continues to adapt and thrive, with a promising outlook for indie development and emerging technologies like VR and cloud gaming.
What happened when one game writer tried making a game in 30 days with Godot
A game writer details their 30-day journey creating a game using the Godot engine, aiming to assess its approachability for solo developers. Despite encountering common development hurdles and bugs, the author found Godot to be a more accessible tool compared to larger engines, ultimately fostering a sense of accomplishment for a solo creator.
The Sims 4 Producer Addresses Recent Update And Marketplace Complaints
The Sims 4 producer Morgan Henry discussed the latest base game update, which includes hundreds of bug fixes, a new clothing category, and significant improvements to Infant and Toddler interactions. Henry addressed player concerns about the 'Black Photo' bug, explaining the complexity of fixes and the new detailed patch notes. The team is also focusing on improving Sim autonomy and reducing in-game notifications in future updates.
Madden NFL 27 – Beta Sign Up (PC & Consoles) | Alpha Beta Gamer
Sign-ups are now open for the Madden NFL 27 beta, which promises enhanced gameplay mechanics and AI-driven coaching scenarios. The latest installment in the football simulation franchise aims to deliver an immersive experience with responsive controls and strategic depth for all players. Interested individuals can wishlist the game on Steam or sign up for the beta through EA SPORTS.
F1 25’s 2026 Season Pack Cover Athletes Revealed, Trailer Coming May 20th
Electronic Arts has revealed that Lewis Hamilton, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Valtteri Bottas will be the cover athletes for the upcoming 2026 Season Pack DLC for F1 25. The pack will introduce new cars, drivers, and regulations reflecting the current Formula 1 season, with a trailer set to release on May 20th. This expansion replaces a full F1 26 title, with developer Codemasters focusing on a larger new entry for 2027.
Voice Chat Safety: The Practical Guide for Online Gamers (2026) | TAG
This guide provides practical advice for online gamers on managing voice chat safety in 2026, addressing the uneven implementation of AI monitoring across various games. It details different voice chat configurations like 'Voice Off,' 'Party-Only Voice,' 'Push-to-Talk,' and 'Open Mic, Active Muting,' and offers specific settings for popular titles such as Call of Duty, Valorant, and Fortnite. The article also discusses the privacy implications of voice chat and recommends using platforms like Discord as a safer alternative for communication.
A former SWTOR lead once proposed a top-down revamp that was shot down by EA
Former Star Wars: The Old Republic lead designer James Ohlen proposed a significant reboot of the MMORPG, titled Star Wars: The New Republic, which would have shifted the game's timeline. The proposal was ultimately rejected by Electronic Arts' board of directors, who were hesitant to invest further after the initial $300 million development cost.
Is the World Cup Coming to FC 26? - Licensing & Leaks Explained
Despite the split with FIFA, FC 26 is rumored to receive a dedicated summer content update called "The World's Game" to celebrate the upcoming World Cup. This update is expected to include licensed national teams like Brazil, Canada, and Uruguay, with Neymar confirmed to return. While the official FIFA branding will be absent, EA Sports is still planning to incorporate the tournament's spirit into the game.
UK software sales chart for the week ending May 16, 2026 – Tomodachi Life at #1, Indiana Jones gets Nintendo Switch 2 bump
The UK software sales chart for the week ending May 16, 2026, sees Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream return to the number one spot. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle re-entered the top 40 at second place following the release of its Nintendo Switch 2 version.
The 5 Best James Bond 007 Games I’ve Played
This article ranks the top five James Bond 007 video games played by the author, highlighting their personal experiences and the consoles they were played on. The list includes "007: Nightfire," "From Russia with Love," "The World Is Not Enough" (N64 version), "Everything or Nothing," and "GoldenEye" (N64), with "GoldenEye" taking the top spot for its groundbreaking impact on the first-person shooter genre.
Debate: What truly is the easiest character to cosplay?
This article discusses the concept of the easiest character to cosplay, focusing on characters that require minimal effort and readily available clothing. The Sims is highlighted as a prime example due to the iconic Plumbob, while The Last of Us and Life is Strange are also mentioned as potentially simpler options. The author invites readers to share their own experiences with low-effort cosplays.
Business and Finance
GOG has introduced support for Czech Crowns and regional pricing. Additionally, Nexon has extended its publishing partnerships for the FC Franchise in Korea with Electronic Arts and for Dungeon&Fighter with Tencent.
I'm about to spend another 100 hours playing The Sims 4 because of this new Bridgerton DLC
Electronic Arts has released a new limited-time DLC bundle for The Sims 4, inspired by the Netflix series Bridgerton. The Masquerade Ball Bundle includes fashion and ballroom kits, featuring items themed after specific characters. A free login event with additional rewards is also available for a limited time across all platforms.
BioWare had a plan to reboot Star Wars: The Old Republic and make it more KOTOR like, but EA's board of directors shut it down
Former BioWare lead designer James Ohlen revealed a plan to reboot Star Wars: The Old Republic into a more KOTOR-like experience called 'The New Republic'. Despite convincing Lucasfilm executives Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni, as well as EA's Patrick Söderlund, the project was ultimately rejected by EA's board of directors due to concerns over the original game's high budget.
Star Wars: The Old Republic Director James Ohlen Discusses BioWare Exit After EA Killed New Republic Reboot
James Ohlen, former director of Star Wars: The Old Republic, discussed his departure from BioWare in 2018. His exit followed the cancellation of a new reboot for the game by publisher Electronic Arts.
Nintendo Is Beating EA At Its Own (Cozy) Game
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream offers a surprisingly deep and engaging life simulation experience, surpassing The Sims 4 in its ability to make Mii characters feel alive through extensive customization and external personality displays. While simpler than The Sims 4, its polished features, seamless autonomous behavior, and charming world provide a refreshing alternative in the life-sim genre. The game's success highlights a potential learning opportunity for Electronic Arts, as players express dissatisfaction with The Sims 4's monetization and bugs.
