Electronic Arts Unveils Project Gray Company

Electronic Arts has quietly opened up a website for a new RPG title in development called Project Gray Company (working title), offering brief info on the previously unannounced title, which is an example of EA's diversification into larger budget original IP titles, intended to run alongside established franchises and licensed titles. Executive producer Steve Gray reveals on the website that the game will offer an “expansive open world setting”, featuring the same simulation AI technology used in The Sims 2. Other projects Gray has worked on in the past include EA's The Lord of the Rings action RPG console titles, THQ's Evil Dead: Hail to the King for multiple formats, and Activision's MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat for the PC. “The story of the game is built around a series of Story Quests,” writes Gray. “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." This makes the new project sound similar to Bethesda's recently released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, wherein the players were not obligated to follow the main quest, and could instead simply explore the massive world at their leisure. The website includes an overview of the developers involved with the project, concept art, and a downloadable designer diary by creative director Chris Tremmel that introduces the game. The website also invites visitors to take a role in the development of the game by participating on the website's new messageboard. No platforms or release date for the title have been announced, although next month's E3 is expected to bring more information on the game.