Gamescom 2015 EA Games: Mirror's Edge Catalyst, The Sims 4, Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2, Star Wars Battlefront, Fifa 16 updates

YouTube

EA Games began its Gamescom 2015 campaign with a set of announcements and gameplay demos on the first day of the biggest annual video game trade fair in the world. The short-but-sweet press briefing from the game publisher revealed several features of some of its upcoming releases. 

The first presentation was made by EA Games CEO Andrew Wilson, who thanked the audience through a short speech before he called Ghost Games' head Marcus Nilsson to discuss the new additions in "Need for Speed."

Marcus revealed a new gameplay trailer for the racing sim game. According to Nilsson, the improved "Need for Speed" will once again offer the customization mechanics that was supported by the previous titles under the franchise. He also revealed the Need for Speed Icons, which is a group of real car enthusiasts and professional drivers who each symbolize the different game pillars such as Speed, Style, Build, Crew, and Outlaw. 

Then the first gameplay demo for DICE's "Mirror's Edge Catalyst" was shown, featuring the impressive-looking story mission. It also displayed the title's exciting free-flow combat. 

After that, the latest updates for "The Sims 4" were announced through the unveiling of a lively trailer featuring the song titled "Beautiful Now" by Zedd feat. Jonn Bellion for the "Get Together" expansion pack that shows a European-inspired region called Windenburg. The new expansion pack that will be launched in November will allow players to control groups of Sims characters at the same time. 

The "Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2" announcements came up next, showing a new hub called Backyard Battleground where up to four players can interact with each other to face the dynamic new challenges of the upcoming game. It also revealed that those who pre-order the game before its launch in 2016 will get the Grass Effect Z7-Mech inspired by Bioware's "Mass Effect." 

Perhaps the most anticipated announcement from the briefing is about "Star Wars: Battlefront." DICE showcased the new 20-player flight simulation mode that will let gamers fly any spacecraft in the Star Wars universe, including the famous Millennium Falcon. 

Finally, details about the upcoming "FIFA 16" were discussed. It includes the all-new Ultimate Draft mode that lets two gamers draft their own dream team and play together in a single team. The game is slated for release on Sept. 22.