After months of speculation, BioWare finally lifted the lid on its next IP during Microsoft’s E3 2017 press conference yesterday evening. Published by Electronic Arts, Anthem looks set to follow in the sci-fi footsteps of BioWare stablemate Mass Effect, and looks set to rival Bungie’s Destiny in the shared-world department.
Anthem release date
There’s been a bit of confusion as to when we’ll see Anthem on shelves. Prior to E3, EA said in its financial call that Anthem (listed then as a new, untitled IP) would be released in FY2019, meaning it would ship at some point after March 2018, possibly April or May. However, the publishing giant said in a press release after Microsoft’s presser that Anthem would hit shelves in fall 2018, meaning it’s over a year away from launch. Still, there’s a chance it may get pushed into 2019 as delays for BioWare games aren’t unheard of, although hopefully it’ll make its target window.
Anthem gameplay details
Anthem looks set to dip its toes into the shared-world universe made popular by recent titles such as Destiny and Tom Clancy’s The Division, with players immersing themselves in a massive world ripe with large-scale events, dynamic animal attacks, and all-important looting opportunities. The game is in development at BioWare Edmonton, the same company behind the highly successful Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and takes place in a “vast open-world” setting.
Players hop into the boots of a group of warriors known as freelancers, who are tasked with exploring uncharted planets and protecting humanity. Each freelancer is kitted out in full customisable eco-suits known as Javelins, which can be upgraded with numerous gear that you craft yourself or find out in the wilderness.
EA has confirmed that Anthem will have a heavy emphasis on cooperative play, with up to four players able to experience the game together by tackling missions. Check out the Anthem gameplay trailer from E3 2017 below.
Is Anthem an Xbox One-exclusive?
While it was shown in detail at Microsoft’s E3 conference, Anthem is not an exclusive to the system. EA confirmed that the title will ship for PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One when it launches in fall 2018.
Stay tuned for more details on the Anthem release date as we get them, and keep it tuned to PSU for all the latest E3 news straight from the show floor.