Electronic Entertainment Expo - E3 2009

Today the Game Critics announced their awards for the Best of E3!  EA, BioWare and Valve, an EA Partner studio came away with awards as listed:

Best PC Game: Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/LucasArts)

Best Role Playing Game: Mass Effect 2 (BioWare/Electronic Arts for Xbox 360, PC)

Best Sports Game: Fight Night Round 4 (EA Canada/EA Sports for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

Best Online Multiplayer: Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve/EAP for Xbox 360, PC)

Check out the full list of winners on the Game Critics Awards site.

What games from E3 2009 are you most excited to get your hands on??

The Game Critics Best of E3 Awards Nominees were named today, an EA was the publisher with the most games nominated!  (18 nominations total!) Stay tuned, winners will be announced Tuesday June 23.

In the meantime take a closer look at EA's nominees for the Best of E3!

Mass Effect was one of the highest rated games when it was released on the Xbox 360 and the PC subsequently after.

Mass Effect 2 is the highly anticipated sequel that answers the question of what was the fate of Commander Shepherd and does so with a bang!

The demo itself was about fifteen minutes in length but did an amazing job showcasing the improved visuals, squad commands, weapons and classes and the real kicker in that if you played the first game, Mass Effect 2 will import your saved decisions from the game as an additional hook to continue you on the path you've already started.

The game has undergone a number of enhancements from the previous iteration including little nuances such as how conversations between characters is part of the in-game cinematic so as not to disrupt the gameplay experience.

Along with the visual upgrades to the game overall as well as player models, weapons have also enhanced with nine new weapons and a class system for heavy weapons which in combat can be used for the other new addition of location based damage such as targeting to arms, legs, etc.

The last last aspect of the game that was subtlety hinted at, but became very clear at the end of the demonstration is the element of building a strong, core team that can help you survive. As we've obviously seen in the first game, death is a very real possibility in the Mass Effect universe, so it's crucial that you build a team that you can trust as much as can kick @$$ and take names.

Mass Effect 2 releases early next year for the Xbox 360 and PC systems.  You can pre-order the game now at its official site.

EA's iPhone Lineup @ E3

This past year, the iPhone™/iPod® touch has exploded onto the scene and EA is right there, making some of the hottest titles the platform has to offer.

At this year's E3, we'll be showing off the newly released The Sims 3, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR, and Tetris (in celebration of the 25th anniversary), as well as previews of Mass Effect Galaxy and Command & Conquer.

Stop by the EA booth (#1501/South Hall) for a demo (and to say "Hi", of course!)

-John Riciitiello EA's CEO is on the stage 

-The Sims 3 Trailer.  The Sims 3 is in stores tomorrow!

-On Stage: Chip Lange GM of EA's Hasbro Division- Littlest Pet Shop!  Three new adventures to take your pets coming this fall, not to mention all new ---Littlest Pet Shop Online!

-Purchase a Littlest Pet Shop Plush Toy and get a code to activate the pey's online life, connect with friends in a safe online world!

-On Stage: Dyan Williams, Sr. Producer of The Charm Girls Club, for the Wii and NDS.  Four girls on stage to demo Charm Girls Club Pajama Party.

-On Stage: Pat Soderland on the Need for Speed team- Unveiling the all new Driver Profiles in NFS Shift.

-Driver Profiles give players a unique persona based on their performance.

-Brand New BMW M3 will be given away in the E3 booth at the end of the show on Thursday, NFS Shift Tournament will determine the winner.

-On Stage: Drs. Ray Muzyuka and Greg Zeschuk: Dragon Age Origins is going to be deeper, darker and lustier than anything BioWare has ever done before.

 -Will post the trailer here later, check back!  Dragon Age Origins out October 20th.

-On Stage: The Drs. are back.  Mass Effect 2 Trailer.  

The web is overrun with rumors, April Fools jokes and incorrectly labeled FIFA 10 Screenshots but we promise to bring you the official pics from the game next week, as FIFA 10 is unveiled at E3. From EA Canada, FIFA 10 will deliver what matters most to fans by refining the critical fundamentals in gameplay, responding to feedback from more than 250 million online games played and innovating player control.

Can't make E3? Check back here June 5th, when the screenshots will be unveiled or bookmark the FIFA 10 Game Details page to access the upcoming screenshots and videos.

Mass Effect 2 is the second act to the sci-fi trilogy. Another highly anticipated title, details have been scarce - up until E3. Expect to see screenshots and more videos. Can't make E3? Don't worry, you'll find all of the content here. In the meantime, check out the interview below with the Mass Effect 2 Producers.