EA unveils Project Gray Company

Web site for mysterious next-gen role-playing game goes live with scant details, concept sketches, and a designer diary.

Electronic Arts has some experience with epic, open-ended role-playing games from publishing the last few installments of the classic Ultima series, and it appears the company is getting back into the field. A Web site went up today revealing the existence of EA's Project Gray Company (working title), a "next generation" role-playing game that has already been in development for more than a year.

Concrete details about the game were few and far between on the site (which also features pictures of the development team, concept art, and a short designer diary feature), but Steve Gray, the game's executive producer, mentioned the following in a note to the site's visitors:

"The action takes place in a massive open world where you can go anywhere you want, and the characters in this world are powered by an incredible simulation [artificial intelligence] based on the same technology used by the makers of The Sims 2. The story of the game is built around a series of Story Quests. You can choose to follow specific Story Quests, embark on a range of other types of quests, or set off on your own adventures in the massive open world environment."

No platform, price, or release date was announced for the game.

122 Comments

  • AnnoyedDragon

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 4:59 pm PT

    As odd as this sounds; I'm actually routing for this game, especially because EA is making it.

    Maybe if Bethesda got a little competition they will actually put some effort into the next Elder Scrolls game and stop cutting content to save money.

  • quietguy

    Posted May 6, 2006 9:19 am PT

    *Taking a wait & see position*

  • duckcleric

    Posted May 4, 2006 6:00 pm PT

    Does sound like they wanted to make another Oblivion...

    I dunno know, though. This could be a good one...

  • Octagon

    Posted May 2, 2006 12:42 pm PT

    take their time and they'll have a system seller on their hands

  • Mobius007

    Posted May 1, 2006 1:42 pm PT

    seeing success of WOW, its normal for others to want in... espicially when you can lockin customers.. WOW players will keep playing WOW and the next big thing that comes out from the same publisher.

    It would only be wize for others like EA to do the same and grab hold of a portion of the market share.

  • Ghost_Warrior

    Posted Apr 28, 2006 10:29 pm PT

    It sounds good but I have a big fear it could end like all of EA's other "good but not great" games.

  • peon123

    Posted Apr 26, 2006 11:04 pm PT

    the music sounds like arx fatalis music

  • electro234

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 9:07 pm PT

    Looks good, of course there going to reveal everything at E3....

  • AjTDawg

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 11:26 am PT

    i read one of the other comments someone left before and he said that he hopes its not in some old time world like lord of the rings or oblivion, i sort of agree with that, i would like to see one based in a modern world or future world. i would also like o see one for the next gen consoles that takes place in a city, and you can go anywhere and do anything, almost like gta but more to it.

  • shazanarkand

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 7:51 am PT

    this game is going to be tight

  • Solidesnake2004

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 10:51 pm PT

    My Response:Concrete details about the game were few and far between on the site (which also features pictures of the development team, concept art, and a short designer diary feature), but Steve Gray, the game's executive producer, mentioned the following in a note to the site's visitors:

    They got this on project work for over a year now? where does the time go?

  • 7_armageddon_7

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 7:18 pm PT

    I almost know it's gonna be a LOTR RPG. Just look at all the art! I recognize a Rohirrim village, a troll, an Uruk-Hai, and a Barad-Dur-like structure. And in the video diary, you can see some blurry shape that resembles a Nazgul's fellbeast. Looks great!

  • MCPresident

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 5:09 pm PT

    Fanboy fever! Wow.....so many flop comments, so little space.

    No one should be that unnacepting of another console.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 3:14 pm PT

    looks cool

  • DevKaz

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 1:01 pm PT

    EA should make this game for the true next gen, if EA doesn't want to FLOP their games.

  • pacers7isback

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 12:57 pm PT

    "I just hope they don't use the story of the books but instead make up something new in the wonderful universe Tolkien created. If they do that and manage to pull this off good it could become a really really good game in the end."

    I really dont like that idea. the stories in the books are plenty big enough to keep EA's ruining of the series lower.

  • mickel_darmawan

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 12:54 pm PT

    CRAP. they should make this game for PS3 instead, or they will be wasting their money.

  • DevJin

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 12:50 pm PT

    If they make that game for PS3 they will sell a lot, but if they make it for that money $oft's lunch box, well they will FLOP just like that rubbish console. POOR.

  • Plays_4_Pants

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 10:20 am PT

    Hey stupid gamespot! THis isn't news. They're making games! so are 1000 other companies. And hey EA, stop ripping off popular games. Get a clue ea.

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 9:50 am PT

    Sounds good.........

  • DMTyndareus

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 9:45 am PT

    I found 3rd age to be far too linear a story with too many contrived path-crossing points with the Fellowship. If EA can produce an open ended RPG set in the LotR universe and give it some compelling events that don't necessarily have you involved in the quest to destroy the ring then maybe this will be a great game.

    I mean, come on. The film soundtrack is great game music. The art direction and assets from the films are beautiful and the characters are interesting. As long as I can create a character that I want and have him follow his own story that I create through playing, this title might even make me buy a 360.

  • abelmaestro

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 8:47 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • abelmaestro

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 8:46 am PT

    ok let me guess,there are like 6 races,and there are little humans called dwarves,green guys called orcs,the humans of course,elves and other ugly races.Question,why do they always make the same races over and over again,is it becouse of Lord of the rings?.I`m tired of elves ,I want something new.

  • seraph_jim

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 8:44 am PT

    I'll guess this will be Lord of the Rings related, seeing as how it's the same developer as Third Age, that and the Grey Company plays an important part in that story.

  • frankeyser

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 8:11 am PT

    i would not call the AI in sims 2 next gen hahahaha

  • skitzocyko

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 5:41 am PT

    EA=???

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 5:26 am PT

    ea....copying a current game? doesn't shock me.

  • PrototipuX

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 5:13 am PT

    Every one likes to hear about new games (expecially good games)

  • danmp18

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 4:56 am PT

    Not enough info to determine if this sounds good or not. On one hand it's an RPG, but on the other hand it's from EA. It will probably be an MMO and will most like just be a cash in game.

  • K1LLSWITCH

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 4:07 am PT

    It's about time that game ideas like Elder Scroll games like Morrowind and Oblivion, are being noticed. As a gamer, I'm tired of playing in a linear setting. I'd like to do whatever I want, kill whomever I chose. "Project Gray Company" is something to keep track of.

  • hellknight40000

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 10:45 pm PT

    To Dench and mack 10: Thank you!!!!! My god! I'm happy to see some intelligent people here that don't follow the crowd and actually have something more to say than "OMFG EA Sux!!!!! This game is big Oblivion rIp oFF!!!!!" I love Oblivion and still look forward to this game. : )

  • deadcannotdance

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 10:17 pm PT

    Ack...the problem with that would be the whole thing about Interplay still owning the license to any/all Fallout MMOs -,- And I was so HAPPY for a moment!

  • deadcannotdance

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 10:15 pm PT

    I'm just hoping this has something to do with Fallout.

  • Dench

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 9:50 pm PT

    I hope this game tops Oblivion by 200% just to shut you EA haters up.

  • Kwiksilva

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 9:22 pm PT

    great game in the making

  • PSdual_wielder

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 8:33 pm PT

    ea sucks.

  • mack10

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 6:35 pm PT

    Oblivion rip off? what is up with some of you people? just because the game is open ended and lets you "choose your path" doesn't make it a rip off. If anything, we should all be excited about this; first good thing I heard from EA in a long time and it's looking pretty damn sweet (from art alone). If EA can pull this off and can manage to top Oblivion, I'll be one happy customer.

  • eddy7

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 6:22 pm PT

    sounds good

  • dethtouch

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 5:30 pm PT

    It will be released in typical EA fashion on the following platforms:
    xbox360, ps3, pc, revolution, xbox, ps2, ds, psp, gamecube, dreamcast, mobile, gba, psx, n64, saturn, snes, genesis, nes, and even gizmondo.

  • Dench

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 4:08 pm PT

    Yes, EA sucks, blah blah blah! You people are just a bunch of whiny babies with nothing better to do than judge a game based on the reputation of a company that brought you Battlefield and Fight Night. And worst of all, a game without any gameplay information, movies, or screenshots.

  • Greatwasabi

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 4:00 pm PT

    Oblivion rip off..

  • jono128

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 3:52 pm PT

    It'll probably end up being for the PS3 or Xbox 360.

  • YEPEE00

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 2:04 pm PT

    nevermind, looks yuggy! bleh!

  • YEPEE00

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 2:01 pm PT

    Mornin', gonna' take 30 proto's an' 5 years to make too. ^.^; ehehehe

  • SoralinkGS

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 12:33 pm PT

    story should be called "EA prepares a new LOTR series to take on Bethesda's Elder Scrolls; shows that EA want to take over the world"

  • codeegg

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 11:57 am PT

    YAY more RPG's......

  • ryokinshin

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 11:37 am PT

    ok even if this is a wanna be game, i want more games that are based on gameplay types that are proven, also hoping they innovate it with new features. leading to other companies like bethesda looking at competition and adding even more content

    also that wallpaper they hav on the website looks like its from lotr

  • kaziechameleon

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 10:31 am PT

    wow, alot of people think emulating a great game is a bad thing, it's only bad if it isn't as good. and since EA has a history of letting me down, i won't hold my breath. but hears to hopeing that EA will surpase oblivion.

  • thekey

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 10:09 am PT

    Definately a wana-be Oblivion (EA) has no originality.

  • krs_bg

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 9:03 am PT

    yawn

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