As part of the reveal of the Microsoft Xbox One console, EA SPORTS took the opportunity to detail a “strategic partnership” with Microsoft and announce their EA SPORTS IGNITE game engine which will be used to create their next-gen sports games on Xbox One and Sony PlayStation 4.  The Under The Code staff gathers for a Roundtable discussion of what is known about this game engine so far and how they feel going into a console generation change after what happened the last time in sports gaming.

As part of the reveal of the Microsoft Xbox One console, EA SPORTS took the opportunity to detail a “strategic partnership” with Microsoft and announce their EA SPORTS IGNITE game engine which will be used to create their next-gen sports games on Xbox One and Sony PlayStation 4.  The Under The Code staff gathers for a Roundtable discussion of what is known about this game engine so far and how they feel going into a console generation change after what happened the last time in sports gaming.

1. The EA SPORTS IGNITE game engine has been announced, and we know that the Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One will be featuring next-gen versions of Madden NFL 25 and FIFA 14, as well as debuts of EA SPORTS UFC and NBA LIVE 14 on those consoles in the next 12 months.  With this in mind, how likely are you to make the move to next-gen consoles at launch?  Could you see a situation where you own Madden NFL 25 and FIFA 14 on both your current-gen console and on next-gen?  Do you have any concern that games like NCAA Football 14 and NHL 14 have been left out of this transition?

CoreySA: I was buying both systems at launch regardless. I’m a tech geek, so trying to wait is like torture to me. I will be buying both versions come this fall. I don’t think it’s possible for me to wait a few months for the new ones.

I’m not too concerned by the absence of NCAA or NHL. Obviously in both studios – Tiburon and EA Canada, Madden and FIFA take precedence. It’s better to go with the two top sellers and then allow each studio a newer IP to work with in UFC and NBA Live.

NatureBoy: I did that last generation but I’m not sure I want to do that again.

Oblong: I plan to have at least one of the new consoles at launch, leaning right now towards Xbox One from what I have heard thus far.   I am concerned with the feature sets of titles like Madden and FIFA.  UFC looked really nice and could be a must-buy considering it was developed solely for next-gen consoles.  The graphics on the NBA title looked like they still needed a lot of work.

Official Mole: I personally believe that having 4 EA SPORTS titles launch in the launch window for the next-gen gaming consoles is a great way to kick off the next generation of sports gaming. I will be moving on to next-gen when we get to the launch and will own Madden NFL 25 for both current and next-gen systems. I wish we could have NCAA Football 14 and NHL 14 for the launch, but Madden NFL and FIFA are the biggest sellers and will set the tone for next-gen EA SPORTS titles.

OneEighth: I am not concerned at this point with the fact NCAA and NHL have been left out of the launch of the next gen consoles. I will be sticking with the 360 versions for the upcoming year. I might give Madden NFL 25 a shot on next gen, but I will be running my career on the 360.

Paakaa10: In the last console generation, I picked up a Xbox 360 very shortly after launch primarily to get into the next generation of sports games.  I expect that I’ll be an early adopter in the new console run this time around as well, just so that I can stay on top of the latest experiences in sports video gaming.  Depending on the release timetable, there’s a possibility that I will end up having multiple copies of Madden NFL 25 and FIFA 14 on different consoles; hopefully the feature list on the next-gen versions aren’t trimmed the way that we saw in Madden NFL 06 when it made its debut on the Xbox 360.  As far as games like NCAA Football 14 and NHL 14, I’m not that concerned that they aren’t making the jump to next-gen this year; they’re less popular titles than the big ones that got bumped up, and I think it’ll give us a better chance to see fully-realized versions of the games in the first full year of the new consoles.  The only bummer for NCAA Football 14 is that it’ll be the second consecutive release where the game has been overshadowed by innovations in other EA SPORTS games.

SimFBallCritic: That’s a tough question. The gamer in me says yes, but the consumer says no. In my case this would apply to Madden and NCAA. Think about it this way, the new consoles are expected to drop Holiday Season 2013, which is really not that far away.  I’m expecting Madden NFL 25 to be available this year when the consoles drop, just my opinion. So, it’s going to come down to how bad people’s football itch will be.

SmittyD81: I still need to see what both consoles offer in depth before making so making that next-gen investment.  I don’t think that they’ll be left out.  I think that the more popular titles within the EA house are getting the most attention (except for UFC) to truly debut the newly implemented technologies.  They’ll all get that Ignite engine treatment accordingly and in due time.

ThatSportsGamer: I’m ready for something new, so I welcome the idea of getting some fresh consoles. I don’t see myself purchasing Madden NFL 25 on both consoles, but I could easily see a situation where, if I can’t get my friends to upgrade, that I’ll be picking up FIFA 14 on both my current Xbox 360 and whichever next gen system I get. Currently, I have no concern about NCAA Football 14 not coming out this year with it releasing so much earlier than the consoles, but I was a little surprised to hear NHL 14 has been left out in the cold.

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