Battlefield Heroes
EA
DICE
U.S. Release Date: TBA
U.K. Release Date: TBA

While the amiable Battlefield Heroes could prove to be a boisterous shooter in its own right, the fact that EA and DICE are using it as an example, or rather experiment, of the free-to-play business model makes it an even more noteworthy subject. If EA can find success with the ad- micropayment-supported business model, it could mark the beginnings of a paradigm shift for the megapublisher. But hopefully the business experiment doesn’t subtract from the enjoyment of this cartoon-inspired shooter.



The Sims 3
EA
Maxis
U.S. Release Date: February 20, 2009
U.K. Release Date: February 20, 2009

The Sims is the only franchise at EA that has been so successful that it warranted an entire division within the company. Nearly four years after The Sims 2 (and its slew of spin-offs and expansions), we’ll see The Sims 3, which takes Sims outdoors for neighborly interactions. Even with 100 million Sims units sold worldwide so far, the mass market appetite for this series is still grand.



Alpha Protocol
Sega
Obsidian Entertainment
U.S. Release Date: Q2 2009
U.K. Release Date: Q2 2009

RPG developer Obsidian is stepping out of the shadows cast by BioWare franchises with the original spy-themed property Alpha Protocol. The studio has etched its name into industry psyche by developing games like Knights of the Old Republic 2 and Neverwinter Nights 2. But while both were generally well-received, Alpha Protocol lead designer Chris Avellone, in a dangerous bout of honesty, has said those games weren’t “A”-grade pieces of work by Obsidian’s own meticulous standards. He played a key role leading development on those titles, but now has a convincing feeling that this action-focused venture into the world of espionage will exhibit Obsidian’s true A-game.