Some people just want to seem like rebels. Whether it’s a supposed boycott of a company, or merely hating a company for the sake of hating it (of course the excuse is usually because that said company is “evil”), some people just need to hate something to love… well, something else. The logic doesn’t make sense to me either, but it does to those who follow it.
EA is one of those companies. There are people out there that refuse to acknowledge EA as a good publisher. People that hate EA are like the people that hate Britney Spears. They honestly have no good reason to hate her, they just do, and the same thing goes for EA. But honestly, it’s time to put an end to all the hatred towards EA.
Personally speaking, I figured everyone would stop putting them down when they published both Rock Band and The Orange Box last year, two of the best games released in 2007. But that isn’t the case — people will forget that EA put them out and go back to what they know, “What, NCAA Football is coming out? And then another Madden game? EA sucks, they don’t innovate and they don’t put out good games!”
I think some gamers fail to realize that gaming is a business and doesn’t revolve around them. Much like the way the internet nearly broke when Microsoft and Square-Enix showed off Final Fantasy XIII, people forgot that this is a business. These gaming companies need to do what’s necessary to stay in business. Are PS3 owners losing anything? Nope. More gamers get to enjoy a good game. You’ll hear fans of an exclusive franchise squeal about how more and more people should play their favorite game, but give it a chance on another platform and they sing a different tune. But back to the point here, will Square-Enix be making more money? Absolutely.
The same thing goes for EA. All of the yearly sports updates and film-based games; the Harry Potter’s, the Batman’s, the Lord of the Rings’, and more, they all sell because people buy them. Why should EA stop putting out games like that? They sell, they make the company money and there are people out there willing to play those games. What’s the problem with it?
But it’s because of film tie-ins and sports games that people will forget that EA still puts out some of the best games every year. Last year, what did more gamers prefer? Another Tony Hawk game or EA’s .skate? Did gamers complain when they got the quantity meets quality Orange Box? What about Rock Band, the most comprehensive music game to date?
But even more recently and far more significantly was what EA showed off this year at E3. We all knew the insanely innovative Spore for the PC was on the way from them as well as The Sims 3–and yes, EA put out The Sims, and yes, EA will publish Spore. But it’s everything about them this year; Mirror’s Edge has the potential to be one of the most innovative first-person action games ever. Looking at Dead Space, yes, it’s a very mature looking game, but again, it’s aimed at the hardcore gamer looking for wicked thrills. Take a look at Valve’s Left 4 Dead, one of the most innovative team-based games announced in recent years, being published by EA.
Of course, we’re all aware that EA bought up BioWare, one of the best independent developers around. Many were afraid that this might cripple the vision and talent of the studio, but looking at the new Dragon Age: Origins, and the rest of EA’s line-up, you have to wonder why people would think like that.
I can guarantee you that many people will be sitting around, playing these games and having an absolute blast. But at the same time, they’re going to neglect that EA put these games out and they’re going to go back to what they know and bash the company, even after the release of such quality products as .skate, Boom Blox, Rock Band and The Orange Box, as well as one of the best E3 showings this year by any company in a long, long time.
Loading ...
July 20, 2008
#1
loading...
Wow, I actually created an account here just to put a fanboy in his place. /shiver Anywho, on with the show:
First of all, the “hate” for EA iant unfounded, it has a long and sorted history. Granted, at this point, it is passe. I will try to bullet point this so you can easily understand.
-EA lost a settlement for poor work conditions from their employees
-EA has monopolized the NFL licence (blame NFL as well)
-EA has a habbit of buying smaller companies (that were in direct competition) and then disolving them or assimilating them into their larger fold to create less inspired titles
-EA releases yearly sports titles that have the same (sometimes game-breaking) bugs year after year proving they re-release the same product yearly with a new cover
-EA also has a habbit of ditching properties that dont generate excessive profit, Sims online, Earth & Beyond, Motor City Online. All titles that were self-sustaining according to their subscription numbers, but obviously not gushing enough profit to bother with.
The scary part of it all, I used to personal boycott EA, untill every major game I was interested in eventually became a part of the EA empire (Warhammer Online, Rock Band). Hopefully the new president or CEO or whatever that just took over, will change things for the better, but habbits are hard to break.
July 20, 2008
#2
loading...
I don’t know if I should feel honored that you created an account just for me or not, but hey, whatever.
I had no idea poor work conditions at a company had any effect on my enjoyment of a good game. You know what, though, last I checked, China has some pretty bad work conditions too, does that mean everyone should stop buying things that are made in China? Monopolizing the NFL license wouild be kind of lame, but the NFL put the license up for bids, whether it was EA or not, someone was going to own the license.
And their “habbit” of buying up small companies and dissolving them or even of ditching properties that don’t sell makes sense. Why? And yes, people like you will think I’m evil for it, but I’ll explain it you: Gaming is a business. These companies need money to stay in business. If that small studio isn’t making them enough money, or if that one IP isn’t making them money then they can’t afford to keep making more of it. Game Studios cost money to maintain, games cost money to make. Not everything is black and white, these are simply business decisions.
The same, again, can be said about their sports titles. They sell. They make the company money. If they sell and the company benefits from it, then what’s the problem? You say they have game crashing bugs, but these are problems I haven’t even heard of or seen, and I wouldn’t expect someone who personally boycotted their products to know about them either.
July 20, 2008
#3
loading...
“You know what, though, last I checked, China has some pretty bad work conditions too, does that mean everyone should stop buying things that are made in China?”
YES!
Free thinking and morality are human traits that define who we are. I can bet that there are quite a few people that boycott Chinese goods on principle.
“If that small studio isn’t making them enough money, or if that one IP isn’t making them money then they can’t afford to keep making more of it”
The truth of the matter is that these IPs were making enough to sustain themselves, but EA didnt see ENOUGH profit (NOT that there wasnt any). Keeping these franchises going would have made for some happy gamers that were having fun with them, then they would not be afraid to touch another EA property in fear of it dissapearing if it isnt making Billions upon Billions (looking at you Warhammer).
“The same, again, can be said about their sports titles. They sell. They make the company money. If they sell and the company benefits from it, then what’s the problem? You say they have game crashing bugs, but these are problems I haven’t even heard of or seen, and I wouldn’t expect someone who personally boycotted their products to know about them either”
I could give you a boatload of links, but Im sure you know how to work the interwebz. Hint: start with Kotaku for the latest on NCAA09
Also I did indeed blame the NFL for their desicion, but I can bet dollars to doughnuts EA had a heavy persuation on the NFL even thinking about exclusivity.
EA is doing what big companies do; and thats all fine and good for a brokerage firm, or a shoe manufacturer. Big problem here is they have a large chokehold on a very creativity driven industry, and are squeezing the life out of gaming. Need more examples of proof?: Look at the Music industry you aforementioned.
July 20, 2008
#4
loading...
Hey Aram,
You make some good points and I totally agree with you. I’ve felt the same for quite some time. I don’t think it makes sense to hate a company that makes good business decisions. I think if you delved deeply on any large corporation you’d find they do the same thing, and would do the same thing given the opportunity. You can bet your ass that (insert publisher/developer here) would have gotten an exclusive on the NFL if they could have afforded it.
In truth though, I created my account just so I could respond to Star Scream.
I just wanted to say this.
How lame are you that you boycott EA UNTIL THEY MAKE A PRODUCT YOU LIKE!?
Haha, thats no boycott at all. It’s not a boycott if you drop it as soon as they make a product you really want. Grow up man. If you’re gonna boycott something, have the resolve to see it through. Otherwise, all your bullet points above come across as completely hollow and you sound like a poseur.
I mean, if you’re not willing to stand up for something you seem to believe so strongly, why the heck would we listen to you about it? SRSLY.
July 20, 2008
#5
loading...
“How lame are you that you boycott EA UNTIL THEY MAKE A PRODUCT YOU LIKE!?”
Listen up you sycophantic brass polisher: I was makeing the point that I would have to stop playing games alltogether if I were to try to aviod EA’s steamroller. Try to understand what you read and keep your comprehension skills tighter. I feel saddened that I had to even explain that out like talking to a 9 year old.
Also, the specific games I reffered to were NOT under the EA umbrella when they were concieved. Warhammer, Rock Band, Burnout, Mercenaries, anything Bioware now, are all perfect examples of games that started out having nothing to do with EA. All are games I was interested in and/or playing.
You come off like a child, Used Cisco, and I hope your future schooling proves to yield better results. (full assumption, by your post, that you are still in school of course)
July 20, 2008
#6
loading...
People who hate on EA make me laugh actually. One of the main reasons they do so is because it’s the cool thing to do, just like hating on John Cena in the WWE.
It’s rather impossible to avoid playing an EA-branded game these days, so why not just go with the flow and enjoy what they have to offer?
July 20, 2008
#7
loading...
@Starscream
Keep it respectful, please…
July 20, 2008
#8
loading...
How did this become such a huge mess
Anyway, I personally agree with Aram. EA’s is a business and they still run a business. THey blew it in the past and learned from that and that’s it. It is hard for the fanboys over there to understand that because they are gamers. If you notice… sports and movies are exactly the same way…
July 20, 2008
#9
loading...
Am I a sycophant because I agree with Aram? Hmmm, I guess all the other comments are sycophantic as well? Sure.
“I was makeing the point that I would have to stop playing games alltogether if I were to try to aviod EA’s steamroller. ”
That’s hyperbolic nonsense and you know it. There are plenty of good games out there, in all the genres you mention, that have nothing to do with EA. Please try harder.
“Try to understand what you read”
Oh, I understand just fine. I understand that you can’t handle it when someone points out your hypocrisy and you throw a tantrum at them for doing so (SEE: Above). I understand that you were all up in arms and boycotting EA when said boycott was EASY. Then a few games you like came under the EA umbrella and all of a sudden, boycott goes poof.
“I feel saddened that I had to even explain that out like talking to a 9 year old.”
That’s convenient because even a 9 year old would realize that your boycott was a farce.
The funny thing is, I’m not even saying your “bullet points” about EA are wrong. I’m just pointing out that your tirades sound hollow when you openly admit that you lack the courage of your own convictions. And they do. No need to get angry at me for pointing out the obvious. But yeah, thanks for the name calling, it was very effective.
July 21, 2008
#10
loading...
Thank you Starscream much respect,
EA are all about making a quick buck.
Look at them trying a Hostile Takeover on TakeTwo so they can get some of the GTA Pie. Prime example of a companys pure greed. I dont support companys that are in that mindstate plenty of other great games out there that offer much more.
July 21, 2008
#11
loading...
It’s hard to hate EA when half of the games that come out into the market are published by them. There is no doubt that EA has published some great games in the past,and it is due to them that many formerly-less known franchises got boosted by tying up with EA.
I think a particular reason why many people hate EA is due to it’s recent “buying-spree” or takeovers in real sense. Fans of BioWare/Pandemic would be fuming to realise that their company is no longer independant,thanks to EA. They keep complaining that EA will start milking the franchise and make it appear on all the possible platforms. That’s a common complaint fanboys have against EA.What they fail to realise in this process,is that EA despite taking away the independence of the developer,as well as putting the games on different platforms,is making the developer’s games more accessible to the common public. It was same with MS and FFXIII on 360. Sony fanboys who called themselves Final Fantasy fans,cried foul. But,they fail to realise that the business venture between MS and Square,on bringing FFXIII on 360 as well,will only promote the series popularity. Then,shouldn’t be the fans happy to see their series getting famous,instead of sobbing that they lost their exclusive?
EA recently got more haters when they started pursuing Take-Two. T2 is currently holding some of the biggest developers within themselves. 2K games (along with it’s subsidiaries) as well as Rockstar Games,are developers of some of the biggest franchises today. I think T2 is financially unstable,and despite the mega-success of GTA IV,they are bound to suffer losses in the future as well. EA would give these developers,a solid financial security.
One of the big games from last year,which EA published is Crysis,you forgot that.
July 21, 2008
#12
loading...
I’m with Denis on this one (and thanks for the note about John, btw
)…Why people get so up in arms about video game companies is beyond me.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m into gaming to play the games, not because I agree with Company A’s values and morals more than I do Company B’s… I could care less what developer / publisher is behind the game… as long as it’s fun to play, what does that even matter? It’s not like my playing a game that YOU happen to hate is hurting you in any way. If you don’t like a video game (or anything for that matter – song, movie, etc.) than ignore it. Simple as that…
EA haters bash on people who play EA games, but then become incredibly rude when the people who play the games return fire. It’s all about opinions, in the end, and what one person thinks about a game shouldn’t matter to anyone else.
I guess I just can’t understand why people seem to get so offended by other people’s opinions.
If I listened to every recommendation out there about what games TO play and what games to avoid, my collection would be much smaller and I’d have missed out on some incredible gameplay experiences (see: Barrow Hill for the PC, which received a 2. something or other on GS but offered a dark and moody adventure that I am glad to have experienced).
It all comes down to the cliché phrase of “everyone is entitled to their own opinion.” I know that removes the possibility of there being a winner or a loser in this debate, so many people will probably ignore this entirely, but I digress…I thought the common goal of gaming was to have a good time and not to make enemies out of complete strangers. Maybe I’m wrong…