E3 – Liveblogging the EA Conference

2:05 PM PDT – Quick thank you to everyone, and EA is done, next up Ubisoft. So, what did everyone think?

2:01 PM PDT – Crysis 3 demo, everything is looking very shiny, like there’s too much bloom. Coming out February 2013.

1:56 PM PDT – Gameplay demo, it really looks like a Criterion game, take-downs and everything. Though I still wish that they’d make another Burnout title. Need of Speed: Most Wanted, launching October 30th.

1:53 PM PDT – Trailer for Criterion’s new game, with Firestarter for background music. Need for Speed: Most Wanted, with autolog.

1:50 PM PDT – Dana White on stage, president of the UFC, new multiple product partnership between EA and UFC.

1:49 PM PDT – EA sure are covering a lot, it’s clear that EA are insisting on making all their major titles into services, and pursuing different payment options.

1:47 PM PDT – Messi is the cover start, there is a lot of talk about new dribbling and AI. “Biggest change ever”

1:44 PM PDT – Fifa Football club, social football. Returning Fifa players keep their level, get additional gear. Connected to Facebook, iOS, no gameplay talk yet.

1:42 PM PDT – Madden NFL Social, on phone and Facebook. A lot of talk about keeping services consistent across multiple devices. Talking about persistent universes. EA Sports talk to come.

1:40 PM PDT – Turns out that’s how they’re separating teams, by world-wide security organisations.

1:38 PM PDT – Radio controlled turret, it does look really pretty. Really good use of shadow, must be new lighting tech. “Global Warfighters” was name dropped, I wonder what that is.

1:35 PM PDT – Actually, it does look a lot more entertaining that the previous MOH… and then they show a slow-mo-breach.

1:32 PM PDT – Medal of Honor talk now, Medal of Honor is going global. It looks very similar to COD from last year.

1:30 PM PDT -Talking about Star Wars, loads of extra content, more P vs P, everyone can play up to Level 15 for free.

1:25 PM PDT – Peter Moore is on stage, announcing Battlefield Premium – DLC early, 5 fully themed DLC packs, $75 of content for $49.99 with premium. 10 more vehicles, 20 more weapons. Loads of exclusive content.

1:24 PM PDT – They just said hello to the Respawn guys, so no game from them today, such a shame.

1:22 PM PDT – Yay, a “proper” Sim City, not with multiplayer, bigger choices, now affecting surrounding cities. And a gimicky competition to name a burger joint in game.

1:20 PM PDT – Sim City Social on Facebook, the music is sickly sweet, but kinda catchy.

1:18 PM PDT – Madden is becoming more of a service than a game.

1:17 PM PDT – Virtual twitter feed in Madden, oh gosh…

1:15 PM PDT – Micheal Irvin is on stage, Hall of Famer.

1:12 PM PDT – It look like NFL 13 is “leaving it’s mark”, “physics you can feel”. Talking about little details which affect the real game, no canned animation any longer.

1:11 PM PDT – “That was Dead Space 3, coming in February 2013″

1:08 PM PDT – They’re showing a sequence with a massive drill, no real necromorphs yet. Though it REALLY looks like a prettier Lost Planet.

1:06 PM PDT – They’re showing a demo, Dead Space is now co-op.

1:05 PM PDT – Dead Space looks a lot like Lost Planet

1:03 PM PDT – “10 spectacular games”, talking about the evolution of games.

1:00 PM PDT – It starts now, expect talk about EA’s “Digital Future”.

12:50 PM PDT – EA’s Conference is starting at 1PM, so just under 10 minutes time, presuming no delays.

12:43 PM PDT – Jason West and Vince Zampella are confirmed in the audience, expect something from the guys at Respawn Entertainment. Possible COD Killer?

12:33 PM PDT – You can watch the EA Conference on the EA Site.

12:30 PM PDT – If you want to join the conversation on Twitter follow @TheBitFix or keep up to date with #thebitfix

12:06 PM PDT – We’re officially into E3, next up Electronic Arts. There is a lot to expect, loads of EA Sports; FIFA, Madden, NHL, also new Cyrsis, Medal of Honor and Need for Speed (made by the Burnout developer Criterion). The conference should weigh in at a little over an hour, but while we’re waiting for things to kick off feel free to chat in the comments.