Headlines

Despite the NCAA's requests to delay or redefine the Ed O'Bannon antitrust trial, a US District Judge has kept the scheduled trial date of June 9. Judge Claudia Wilken also separated the O'Bannon antitrust case from the Sam Keller right-of-publicity case - which focuses on video games - setting a March 2015 date for that case.

The NCAA had requested that all evidence and claims related to video games be removed, however that was denied meaning that evidence involving the NCAA, Electronic Arts and the Collegiate Licensing Company can be used.

As the NCAA works to give increased autonomy to the five power conferences allowing them to provide student-athletes with unprecedented resources and benefits, the ongoing lawsuits delay any reform efforts in regards to players likeness/licensing which continues to prevent any possibility of college sports video games returning. ...

EA SPORTS FIFA World - a free-to-play PC game - has entered a Global Open Beta. The game features HD console gameplay, FIFA Ultimate Team, and a bevy of other features.

FIFA World is authentic, with over 16,000 real players from 600 real clubs and 31 fully licensed leagues. This summer all eyes will be on Brazil and you can lead your nation to victory in FIFA World with over 45 national teams to choose from.

There are three control options to choose from – traditional keyboard and gamepad controls for experienced FIFA and PC gamers are complimented by new, simple to use, mouse based controls which offer first time FIFA players an easy way to play.

FIFA World gameplay 3Events from the real world of football drive live content in FIFA World. New tournaments, limited time accomplishments, special versions of players, promotions and happy hours – there is something new in FIFA World almost every day.

Continue on to see the full list of key features and if you play, share your thoughts on the game. ...

In a recent article evaluating how next-gen sports titles fared in their first edition, Polygon's Owen Good included some previously unknown information on a game feature being worked on for the now cancelled EA SPORTS College Football 15.

Designers he chatted with indicated plans for a new MMO-like feature within Road to Glory & Online Dynasty mode. Upon completion of RTG, users would see their recruits, as well as those of others in the OD and around the country, now in the pool of recruits to pursue. Users would then be able to see how their recruit fared in the 50 or so Online Dynasties where the player was seeded.

Continue on to read more of the excerpt from Good's article and what could have been in College Football 15. ...

On Tuesday, May 6 Electronic Arts announced preliminary financial results for the fiscal quarter/year ending March 31. The full report can be viewed here.

Continue on to see some of the more noteworthy items from the report, including final FY 2014 numbers for the college football settlement, the success of Ultimate Team, and upcoming EA titles. ...

When the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One launched in the fall of 2013, many hockey fans found themselves disappointed that EA SPORTS NHL 14 would only be available for the PS3 and Xbox 360. However, with the first next-gen edition of EA SPORTS NHL coming in fall of 2014 - giving the dev team a full development cycle - NHL 15 appears (visually, at least) to be worth the wait.

A teaser trailer from EA SPORTS shows off the improved visuals and textures, while the official press release discloses some of the upcoming gameplay and presentation improvements. Some of the highlights include 12-player collision physics, three distinct layers to player models, and a new commentary team of Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick and Eddie Olczyk.

Continue on to see the teaser trailer and full press release. ...

"Madden Season" is upon us with the first game info and details being released by EA SPORTS and retailers. The initial Madden NFL 15 teaser trailer features Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly and his transformation into his digital Madden self. With the tagline "See the transformation this June," speculation has been that the first major game reveals will come then with one of the major initial points being the improved face scanning technology. That same tech will be employed by both Madden NFL 15 (release date of August 26) and NBA Live 15 (available later this fall).

Continue on to see the teaser trailer as well as additional game information, news on the M15 cover vote, and the first pre-order bonus. ...

The NBA Playoffs are in full swing and alongside will be playoff content for NBA Live 14, most notably in Ultimate Team.

In a blog posted Saturday before the start of the post-season, EA SPORTS announced new content including: playoff rosters, a new Ultimate Team Playoff Pack, and Playoff-themed Fantasy Challenges. The Playoff Pack contains eight cards featuring players and items from the 16 playoff squads. Users are guaranteed four player cards with at least two being gold. The Playoff Pack costs 5,000 coins or 150 NBA points.

Also available is a free Playoff Gift Pack containing one new Playoff Player card. Continue on to see video of our free Playoff Gift Pack opening along with several Playoff Packs and a look at the Round One Playoff-themed Fantasy Challenges. ...

- The standard for Ubisoft and other major gaming titles, Watch Dogs will have its own Season Pass, allowing customers to save money by pre-paying for DLC. Thanks to an early posting at Gamestop, new characters, missions, and weapons will be available for $19.99. This represents a savings of 30% over purchasing DLC individually.

- A website that provides both an alternate reality experience and a creepy look into your Facebook account has launched at digitalshadow.com. Digital Shadow will use your Facebook friends and information to show how much can be gleaned about your life just through social media. If you use Digital Shadow, let us know your thoughts on the results. ...

Back in December of 2011, we were teased with a new game that from the onset promised to be special. We were shown viral videos of something abnormal growing on Earth. Then at the VGA's we saw a great first trailer to the game. Once that trailer ended, it was revealed that this was coming from Naughty Dog; which lead to a rousing ovation at the awards show (and around the world). Finally last June, we were able to get our hands on The Last Of Us, and our minds were blown.

From Metacritic, a brief summary of the game states: Twenty years after a pandemic radically transformed known civilization, infected humans run amuck and survivors kill one another for sustenance and weapons - literally whatever they can get their hands on. Joel, a salty survivor, is hired to smuggle a fourteen-year-old girl, Ellie, out of a rough military quarantine, but what begins as a simple job quickly turns into a brutal journey across the country.…

News has surfaced this week that this great game will now be heading to PS4 in the summer. Continue on to read the official release from Sony and click here for the direct product link at Amazon. ...