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A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the EA Sports Opener from GDC
Mike Rohde, Executive Editor
March 10, 2010
Many of you might be wondering what exactly goes on at the special events at conferences such as GDC. Are there cool games? Is there great food? Are there drinks? Are there celebrities? The answer my friends, is Yes. All of that is there and more. Much, much more. The Executive Editor of GoozerNation takes you on a tour of the EA Sports Season Opener. This was the first time EA Sports has made an appearance at GDC and they did it in style.
I was expecting chicken wings, pizza and nachos at a sports-themed press event. What I got instead was crab puffs, brie, hummus and pita chips. Hoity Toity for sure. After all, this is San Francisco and the event was at the Yerba Buena Press Club, which is also a wine bar. I didn't have much to worry about though as it got better. Let me start from the beginning.
As I approached the building, I see a sign on the door that reads, "Closed for a Private Event." That usually means I turn around and find the nearest pub. But this time I'm on the list. Or at least I'm supposed to be on the list. I open the door and feel several sets of eyes land on me. I approach the man behind the desk and tell him my name and then hold my breath. He scans the list, tells me to sign my name, hands me an assets CD and asks me to sign a release. I exhale slowly. I'm in the Yerba Buena Press Club in San Francisco. I walk down the steps and enter a dark and barely lit wine bar. The room is full. I know not a soul. I'm here representing GoozerNation while GameSpot and AP have film crews present. I want to run.
Thankfully, over the years I've developed a high degree of skill in hiding my self-consciousness. And I'm hungry. I resist the temptation to turn and flee and hold out for the prospect of food. And beer. It wasn't long before I see the doors to the kitchen open and out came the servers. What do they have? I'm a little disappointed in that cheese sauce and BBQ won't be coating my fingers. But the crab puffs were hot and fresh and if given the opportunity I'd snarf down the plate. Instead, I take one graciously and head towards the bar. I see no money exchanging hands so I continue my approach. I see no beer. I do see wine. I ask the bartender if she's pouring a Cab. And she abides.
I decide to sit down with my half-full belly and complimentary wine, which was actually pretty good, and start writing this article on my iPhone. I wanted to look busy. Like I belonged. Everyone here seems to know everyone else. This is a social engagement. The event started at 6. It's now 6:30. I start to think there won't be a presentation. Thoughts of fleeing start entering my mind again. And then a waitress walks by with a plate of shrimp. I decide to hang a little while longer.
Are there games here? Sure, they have some Wii's and 360's set up with 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 and MMA. But it's a mad house over there. And the film crews take up a lot of space. And their lights are bright. They amuse me for a bit and I wonder if I'll be filmed in the background as I meander. I do a lot of meandering. I watched one guy from the press fumble through the controls trying to kick a free shot. The EA rep showed impressive patience as he repeatedly instructed him to hit the B button. I turn around and look for a seat.
I'm slowly surrounded by people happily engaging in social activity. God, I wish I knew someone here. And then a waitress walks by with chicken skewers. I think to myself, this ain't so bad.
My battery is at 20% now. Should I socialize or make a break for it? Maybe I'll do some more meandering. I wonder what the waitress will bring next? My wait yielded a pastry puff with brie, carmelized onions and something else; I think it was a mushroom. It was good but I would have preferred another chicken skewer. It's time to head home. But I make one more pass at the bar as my wine glass has been empty for awhile now.
It was then that I noticed they did have beer. Score. While I waited for the bartender to crack the cold one, I overheard a PR person tell someone the presentation will start in five minutes. Turns out I was standing next to the lead presenter. Go figure. Here are my notes from the presentation:
EA listens to the fans, reads the reviews and NCAA is graphically looking great (random, I know).
EA does get some feedback from John Madden for Madden NFL (imagine that). They are using game data to improve the game. Such as how the hit stick works, if stiff arming needs to be fixed, etc. The slogan for this year's Madden is "Simpler. Quicker. Deeper." People on average use 13 plays per team while over 300 are available. They are going to tone the game down and remove some of the realism. I think they are starting to realize that Madden is a video game and not real, actual football.
MMA uses the Fight Night control scheme with the sticks. Or you can use the buttons. Each fighter has a unique fighting style. Looks like it might give the UFC games a run for the money.
There was no mention of Tiger Woods during the presentation. Kinda too bad. I was hoping they were going to announce you could play as Tiger off the course as well as on the course. But I'm sure that's a whole different game...
The assets CD that EA provided is full of trailers and screenshots. Tiger Woods does look absolutely amazing in the trailers and this year they are offering the Ryder Cup Challenge on The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.
Here are the release dates for some of the games:
- 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa: April 27, 2010
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11: June 8, 2010
- EA Sports MMA: No official release date, except it's slated for 2010
On tap for tonight is the Rock Band and Green Day event at the Rockit Room. Stay tuned.
