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4:20 PM

Riccitello informs everyone that EA is awesome, then lists the games that weren't shown here, like Madden, Skate It and Mercenaries 2.  The end. 

4:16 PM

Riccitello comes back to talk about the synergy between different EA brands, then announces that EA and id software are entering a partnership.  John Carmack comes out, and announces that id is not a subsidiary of EA, but a partner.  He also talks about a new IP called Rage, then shows a video of it. It looks like a crazy cross-up of Mad Max, Mass Effect, Fable and The Goonies.

4:10 PM

Gabe Newell from Valve is here now, talking about Left 4 Dead.  He explains that your skills and actions determine the path your character will take.  He also announces that there will be split-screen 2-player multiplayer (corrected from 4-player)  There's also apparently an incredibly deep and impactful "director" program running that decides what you'll encounter.  A pseudo-in-game video shows how the better you play, the tougher your enemies and the better the payoff.  Previously unseen character designs are shown, and another in-game video is shown.  Bad-ass doesn't begin to describe it. 

4:07 PM

Greg Zeschuk from the new kid on the block, BioWare, shows up to discuss Dragon Age: Origins, a spiritual successor to Balder's Gate.  Zeschuk announces the PC title will eventually show up on consoles, then shows a fairly underwhelming trailer.

4:04 PM

Travis Boatman from EA Mobile arrives, talking about iPhones.  He shows how the touch screen and accelerometer will help with games like Tetris, Spore Origins, and even Scrabble.  Wi-fi capabilities are also highlighted for games like, well, Scrabble again. Tiger Woods '09 and a surprisingly good looking version of Monopoly are also shown.

3:58 PM

John Pleasants from EA Redwood Shores comes up to talk about some non-gaming stuff.  Pretty much everyone tunes out.  He announces Nanea Reeves from the EA Online Group.  She discusses the new Nucleus program, a new form of EA player profile that will cross platforms and genres.  She announces that microtransactions will be a major aspect of Sims 3 and Battlefield Heroes, and that they will soon be a major part of games like Battlefield: Bad Company and Skate It.  A guy from Rupture, an EA-centric social network (yeah, like that will work!) who talks about social achievements, which are customizable and can be issued as challenges to friends.  It's a little strange, but sounds like it could be cool.  Some semi-cool back end stuff is shown. 

3:50 PM

Peter Moore takes over again to talk bout the Wii-specific "All-Play" titles. LPGA Star Natalie Gulbis shows up to talk about Tiger Woods All-Play.  Peter and Natalie square off, with Peter utilizing the All-Play handicap. He hits a nice shot, then  Natalie hits without the aid of All-Play, and barely stays out of the water, but that's okay because she's lovely and charming.  Peter wins the hole, Natalie has some trouble using the Wii controls.  EA Sports is clearly pushing accessibility.

3:46 PM 

For the first time, actual Live '09 gameplay is shown, and it looks really nice.  Much more fluid animations than last year's offering.  It illustrates the "Hot Zone" mechanic, which shows where you're most likely to hit shots. 

3:43 PM

Peter Moore talks about "Dynamic DNA," an integration of scouting reports, analytics and player and team tendencies.  It's much cooler than it sounds, and when they show it in action it makes more sense.  Bill Walton is funny.

3:40 PM

Peter states that NBA Live 09 will revolutionize sport games and online play.  Then, HOLY CRAP, BILL WALTON is here! He's quite tall, and quite a hippie, mentioning a different type of "spore" that he's had experiences with. 

3:39 PM

Peter Moore comes out (in short sleeves...tattoo?)   

3:35 PM

Spore trailer.  Looks fantastic, showing the full evolution of a species from amoeba to galactic empire.  Hopefully we'll be able to post it later today. 

3:28 PM 

Some guy named WILL WRIGHT shows up to talk about Spore.  He stated that Spore represents the fusion of science and creativity.  He also announces huge success so far for the character Creator. The community produced its first million unique creatures in a week, and that there are actually more unique creatures in Spore than there are on Earth, and does a funny bit about comparing the community to another great creature creator, GOD!  Lots of pics of created creatures, including some made by celebrities.

3:19 PM 

Patrick Soderlund from EA Games Europe comes on to show the highly anticipated Mirror's Edge.  Actual gameplay is shown, and it looks as crisp and pretty as we'd hoped.  The mechanic that turns key environmental elements in red is called "Runnervision."  In the crowd, complaints of motion sickness can be heard, but I don't feel it.  "reaction Time" is demonstrated, and it's basically bullet time, which is fine.  Soderlund explains that the game can be completed without firing a single bullet, and that doing so will gain you an achievement.  The escape sequence we're treated to is action-packed and cinematic. Zero complaints.  A cleverly-edited trailer is shown, and is met with lots of oooohs and ahhhhs.

3:14 PM

Dead Space will drop October 21 for PS3, 360 and PC.  Then an entirely creepy trailer is shown.

3:12 PM

Glen Schofield comes on to talk about Dead Space, referring to it as a very mature game with lots of zero-G elements and no HUD.  Dismemberment is highlighted, and a bit of gameplay is shown.  It looks gorgeous, bloody, intense and fun as hell, and it's INCREDIBLY LOUD.  We'll get the video to you ASAP. 

3:09 PM

Th Sims 3 is coming in 2009, and Humble talks about the detailed personality traits of the Sims, such as fear of commitment.  The video is shown, and it plays on the limitations of the first two games, and the new freedom to be found in 3.  Lots of talking on cell phones (still in Simglish) and dancing.  Visually, it looks....okay.

3:05 PM

SimAnimals is announced, and a trailer is shown.  It's adorable, and it shows elements of both Black & White and Animal Crossing.  According to Humble, there are no buttons or sliders to change, and it will be available for the Wii and DS

 
3:04 PM

John Riccitello takes the stage, announces that this conference will be all about the "people who make the games showing you the games."  No sales numbers, very little PowerPoint.  He then intros Rod Humble from The Sims. 

 
3:01 PM

Big-ass intro video showing some great footage from just about every title EA will be releasing over the coming year.  Some really impressive stuff from Mirror's Edge,

2:55 PM

We've been told to turn off our cell phones and PDAs.  We're close.  I can feel it...

2:48 PM

Still waiting for the presser to start, but in the meantime, we're treated to music by Franz Ferdinand, and a repeating display of all of EA's many imprints.  Man, they've got a lot of them.  Mythic, Criterion, EA LA, DICE, EA Canada, Tiburon, EA Bright Light, EA Neptune.  It just goes on and on...

2:42 PM, PST

Coop and I sit inside the storied and majestic Orpheum Theatre, awaiting the start of what's sure to be one of E3's biggest events.  The room is almost completely full at this point, and let me tell you; it's close quarters, especially when you're 6'4", 240 lbs. and the guy next to you is even bigger than that!  Knee room is at a premium.  Technical snags have been the order of the day, with lost wireless signals and low batteries, so if there's a sudden lull, it just means we have some scrambling around to do, so be patient with us.  We'll be shooting some video of the event as well, so it'll be just like you're here.  The festivities should begin in a few minutes, and we'll be updating every few minutes over the next hour or so, so stay tuned.

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