Forum: Games
Topic: EA beginning to split from Steam
started by: Leisher

Posted by Leisher on Jun. 15 2011,07:54
< Crysis 2 now "Origin" only. >

Before I even get into the issue at hand, let me start by saying that naming this service "Origin" is a huge loogie in the face of gamers. However, this is a rant that's been done, so I won't go into it. If you want to know more simply look at Origin's body of work, and then what happened once EA bought them.

Anyway, this is going to get annoying. I like having Best Buy around the corner from Target which is around the corner from Costco and so on. I also like that Amazon and other website are out there competing not only with each other, but with these brick and mortar stores.

What I don't like is the idea of Steam, Origin, Games for Windows, etc. all running on my PC. I've got no issue with one service running, but I don't need 10. I don't need my computer slowed down to a crawl just because the various distributors want to squeeze every nickel they can out of me.

This is not only going to be very annoying, but yet another thing that will turn off the casual gamer to PC gaming.

Posted by TPRJones on Jun. 15 2011,08:32
I find I've gotten to the point where I have no interest in purchasing a game until it's on Steam.

This just means I wont be buying anything from EA, I guess.

Posted by Leisher on Aug. 01 2011,10:13
< More proof EA is leaving Steam. >

Look, I get what EA is doing. They want to cut Valve out of their profits with their own service. They have that right.

However, there are already Steam competitors, which will keep prices down for both the consumer and those getting their software distributed through those services.

What we don't need is every developer creating their own distribution services.

The near future:
Guest: "Wow, you have a ton of game icons on your desktop! There must be 25 games on there."
PC Owner: "No, those are all distribution software icons. To launch my games I have to open the appropriate distribution software..."

This kind of shit is why consoles continue to dominate the gaming landscape. The fact that PCs should be winning hands down is a no brainer. The problem is the people behind PC gaming are all too stupid to get on the page.

Posted by TPRJones on Aug. 01 2011,13:11
Good riddance.

I looked over all the EA games I've bought recently, and it just comes down to a handful of games I found on sale on Steam.  If it weren't for those Steam sales I'd never have bought 'em.  So in the end it'll just save me some money.

I may still buy SWTOR, but only if I can get it individually like any other MMO.  If I have to purchase it through some crappy EA game downloading service then forget it.  I don't intend to install more unnecessary software.

All they're really doing is limiting their market and cutting out any casual purchasers from the big download clients.  It's like pulling your games from the shelves of GameStop and Target because you want people to buy them from your roadside cart.  It's a very good way to cut down on game sales if your revenues are just too darn high.

Posted by GORDON on Aug. 01 2011,13:16
And at this point why would any developer want to work under the EA umbrella, when your product will be sold from the roadside cart?
Posted by WSGrundy on Aug. 01 2011,16:19
What I read was that Valve kicked Dragon Age II off of Steam. That was a while ago so the story may have changed but Valve wasn't happy that DLC was purchased through dragon age II and not steam and then installed.
Posted by Leisher on Aug. 08 2011,07:19
< Battlefield 3 not coming to Steam. >

EA says Steam's rules are too restrictive.

Valve's restrictive policy? "If you sell a DLC for your game, and you sell that game on Steam, then that DLC must be available for Steam users."

It's an interesting fight.
-Valve, who does make money off these sales, is willing to throw that money away to fight for their customers' access to DLC. Of course, one could argue that in the long run, it's about them getting that money too.
-On the other side, EA can't hide that their stance in one purely based on profits.

I think a lot of folks are taking Valve's side for two reasons:
1. PC Gamers want a one stop shop, and Steam has established itself as that shop.
2. EA has a looooooong history of corporate creed and treating its consumers/employees like shit.

Posted by Malcolm on Aug. 09 2011,15:32
Fuck EA.  They deserve the same crash that Interplay got hit with.
Posted by Leisher on Aug. 12 2011,05:57
EA: "We aren't putting Battlefield 3 on Steam because they have draconian rules about DLC. That's it. We're not trying to compete with them. Oh, by the way, on a totally unrelated note, did we mention that < you'll need our distribution software, Origin, to run your EA game? >"

If there is an "evil empire" in gaming, it's EA, nobody else is even in the top 10.

Posted by Malcolm on Aug. 12 2011,15:01

(Leisher @ Aug. 12 2011,07:57)
QUOTE
If there is an "evil empire" in gaming, it's EA, nobody else is even in the top 10.

Activision.
Posted by Leisher on Aug. 18 2011,05:59
< Gabe Newell talks about EA's Origin. >

Nothing earth shattering, but interesting to see him speak on the situation.

Posted by Leisher on Aug. 23 2011,10:10
< Old Republic only on Origin. >

< EA admits they want Origin to rule the world. >

I'd honestly have no problem with Origin if they were the only game in town. I am NOT looking forward to multiple gaming platforms on my PC. That's not a criticism of EA, not am I saying they don't have a right to do this, I just hate that this "war" is coming, and my PC is going to be the battleground.

I do have a problem with Origin's name. Origin was a great gaming company who made classic games that stand the test of time, and in some cases are around even now. EA's handling of Origin, its properties, and its employees are exhibit A when people discuss why EA sucks.

EA is the evil empire of gaming. (Yes, they beat out Activision.) This is a company run by suits who know shit about gaming and don't care. They just want money. From a capitalist aspect, more power to them. From a consumer aspect, fuck them. If I'm buying their games, I want quality games. EA is very much hit or miss in that area. Most of their hits were started at other companies, so they themselves don't actually create much good stuff. They just ruin everything they touch. I guess EA is the Borg of the gaming world.

Posted by WSGrundy on Aug. 23 2011,11:21
While ea are dicks this really doesn't bother me. Origin is just where you will buy the game online. According to bioware you aren't going to need to log into an origin account and have it connected to play the game. This just like if they said you can only walk into the store and buy it from Target. Not sure why you would want to limit the places selling your game but I don't think this harms the gamer.
Posted by WSGrundy on Aug. 23 2011,12:54
Of course all of these little things that only bother a few people eventually adds up to a real crappy service.
Posted by Leisher on Aug. 23 2011,13:19
QUOTE
While ea are dicks this really doesn't bother me. Origin is just where you will buy the game online. According to bioware you aren't going to need to log into an origin account and have it connected to play the game. This just like if they said you can only walk into the store and buy it from Target. Not sure why you would want to limit the places selling your game but I don't think this harms the gamer.


Sorry, those two articles aren't meant to be "meshed".

Read the second article:
QUOTE
“But in general it’s not just a retail site, it’s a community, it’s a platform, it has traits much like you see with Steam or PSN or Xbox Live, but it’s unique to EA.”


Bioware's plans for how The Old Republic will be handled by Origin isn't the issue. EA's plans and concept for Origin is the issue.

EA doesn't plan to use Origin as just a digital distribution service, but as an actual platform...like Steam. Steam runs constantly when playing Steam purchased games or just games that require Steam to run for DRM, for updating, or for matchmaking. EA wants Origin to do the same.

And please don't fool yourself into thinking that EA can't jump in at any point and make Origin launch every time you launch Old Republic. They can release patches to dump DRM, they can release patches to add it.

To your other point, while more stores should good for gamers to drive prices down, go back and read the chain again. Apparently, EA took their games off Steam and actually raised prices once they were Origin exclusives. See, that's the problem with a distributor owning the only outlet for their game...they set the price to whatever they want and they have no competition to drive the price down.

The biggest concern of all, however, is EA's track record. It is a road littered with broken bridges, bodies of employees, franchises, and customers. The only reason they still exist has nothing to do with their ability to churn out good games, but rather their ability to buy folks who make good games. Not to mention that instead of competing in a fair market, they rather squash competition rather than boost their quality of work.

For example:
Back in...2000? 2K Sports released an awesome NFL game. What's more they did it at $19.99, while Madden was $49.99 (I think it was still that low, and not at the current $59.99). Needless to say, a LOT of people gave the game a shot and LOVED it. So what did EA do in response? They negotiated with the NFL (and other pro sports league) for the sole right of using stadium, team, and player names, logos, etc. This effectively killed their competition.

Is that a good business move? For EA, yes. However, is that good for gamers? No way.

Back to Origin, it joins Steam as a digital platform (software that's more than just distribution), and Microsoft's Games for Windows, and according to reports, MS is going to refocus it so it's more like Steam too.

Fucking Hooray. I'm sure all of these digital platforms running on your PC will significantly help performance...

I'm all for progress, I'm just not thrilled with EA being one of the options, and again, I'm certainly not thrilled about my PC being the battlefield. This will be yet another reason given when people argue that consoles are better for gaming.

Posted by TPRJones on Aug. 23 2011,16:31
QUOTE
Is that a good business move? For EA, yes.

I disagree.  It's stupid and shortsighted.

Make a list of all the games that will only be available on Origin.  There's a list of games I will never be buying.  And I was already committed to playing Old Republic, but not anymore.  I've got enough shit on my computer.  I don't need more shit.

And I don't think I'm alone in that.  They're limiting their potential sales.  Maybe not a whole lot, but enough to hit their bottom line.  So, no, I don't think it's a good business move at all.

Posted by TheCatt on Aug. 23 2011,16:58
Question is...what % of revenue they lose to Steam, and what % they lose by not using steam at all.

If they lost 30% of each sale (standard digital distribution cut on other products)... then a 10% loss of sales on their own platform only is nothing.



Posted by TPRJones on Aug. 23 2011,17:06
It would also depend on what percentage of their sales was through Steam in the first place.  If it's, say, 20%, then that's only 6% of their bottom line paid to Steam so losing 10% of sales would be worse.
Posted by GORDON on Aug. 23 2011,18:59
And, what did it cost them to create their own platform?
Posted by Leisher on Sep. 09 2011,09:47
In related news, < Valve and Blizzard want a single online platform. >
Posted by Leisher on Sep. 12 2011,07:06
< Origin has 4 million subscribers and will release third party content soon. >

Let's talk about that word, "subscribers."

First look at this:
QUOTE
All EA games now force users to set up the client as part of the standard installation process.


Is that really a subscriber?

Anyway, oh fucking hooray, the multiple digital distribution, forced install wars have begun. Let the PC crashing commence.

Posted by Leisher on Sep. 14 2011,12:12
Based on news < in another thread, > Microsoft is now throwing their hat into the ring.

I wonder if they'll "accidentally" put code into their OS that breaks their competition.  :D

Oh, and there are now rumors swirling that Steam will soon be on X-Box...

Posted by Leisher on Oct. 21 2011,13:38
< EA claims 5 million daily users. >

Seems like most agree that's a BS number.

Posted by Cakedaddy on Oct. 21 2011,17:41
Well, aren't they forcing you to load it when you buy their games off the shelf?  So, if I buy Battlefield 3 from Best Buy, I still have to load their Origin client.  If this is true, they could easily hit the '5 million users' mark.  Users in the sense that their games are calling home, not actually buying software from Origin and using it.
Posted by Leisher on Oct. 21 2011,19:11

(Cakedaddy @ Oct. 21 2011,20:41)
QUOTE
Well, aren't they forcing you to load it when you buy their games off the shelf?  So, if I buy Battlefield 3 from Best Buy, I still have to load their Origin client.  If this is true, they could easily hit the '5 million users' mark.  Users in the sense that their games are calling home, not actually buying software from Origin and using it.

Yes, and that's why people are calling bullshit.

"Daily" users is where their critics are crying foul. EA is trying to convince people that their service is like Steam, when in fact it's nothing more than a sales portal...at the moment.

Posted by Leisher on Apr. 23 2012,11:04
< Newell rips Origin. >


Posted by TPRJones on Apr. 23 2012,11:29
I refuse to install Origin for any reason.  I bought some DLC for ME2, and it wasn't until AFTER they had my money that it specified I would need to install Origin to download it, even though it specifically stated in the description that I would not need Origin installed to play it.  

So, instead I pirated the content.  Because fuck EA.



Posted by Leisher on Jun. 06 2012,12:14
< EA VP shoves his foot straight down his throat and through his asshole. >

To sum up: EA hates Valve because they give gamers good prices via sales. EA thinks the price should always be as high as possible.

He also said, "Gamers are fucking losers and should get on their knees and thank God that we let them buy our games at the prices we do. I wish they'd all go fuck themselves and die after spending every cent they have on EA games."

EA wants to sell us their hastily thrown together crappy annual sequels at full marked up prices. They want to kill all innovation. They think THIS is the model the industry should be run upon while Valve breaks sales records via Steam, encourages innovation and independence from publishers like EA, and Kickstarter is rapidly becoming a new way to get funding for games.

EA reminds me of the recording industry assholes. Same story, different industry. Old, fat, cock suckers who don't understand technology and abhor their customers. While they're doing everything in their power to maintain the only status quo they know, the rest of the world is moving on without them.

Posted by Leisher on Nov. 14 2012,10:54
< Origin hacked. >
Posted by Malcolm on Nov. 14 2012,14:06
QUOTE
"I just think it cheapens your intellectual property."

Wow.

QUOTE
"...and we’re not trying to be Target. We’re trying to be Nordstrom. When I say that, I mean good value – we’re trying to give you a fair price point, and occasionally there will be things that are on sale you could look for a discount, just don’t look for 75 percent off going-out-of-business sales.”

WOW.

Posted by TPRJones on Nov. 14 2012,14:14
Some games I'll buy full price.  Not many at all, maybe four or five a year max.  But I'll buy almost anything and try it at 75% off.

The question is not how can they get me to pay full price as that's a very rarefied group of games.  The question is would they prefer to sell me something at 75% off or not sell it to me at all.

Clearly Valve has a smarter answer to that question than EA.

Posted by Malcolm on Nov. 14 2012,14:23
The second someone comes up with a professional sports video game franchise that beats EA or can break the exclusivity bullshit they have, I will positively laugh my ass off.

< Someone did >, then EA bought their ass when they hit bankruptcy.

Posted by Malcolm on Nov. 16 2012,13:25
< From the PA Report > -- why the standard video game product model kills indie development, creativity in general.

EDIT: In this thread because the author specifically mentions Valve and how it's staying near the top.
QUOTE
I've come to the conclusion that long term, the hit-driven model found in disposable, packaged games is an anti-developer business model.

You can almost hear him prefacing that sentence with, "Hey, fuckwits from EA, listen up."



Posted by Leisher on Dec. 07 2012,07:27
< Former EA developer says EA sucks. >

The writer of the article makes things interesting by proving a counter point. I know, wild that a "journalist" wouldn't just report something, right?

This asshat feels the need to comment on a company he's never worked for, and an industry he doesn't work in, but rather reports on.

Seriously, who makes the argument that a corporate culture actually encourages creativity?

Posted by TheCatt on Dec. 07 2012,10:23
QUOTE
But he also had a lot to say about EA’s “corporate culture,” saying “any corporate involvement in a creative business is doomed to fail.”

Lost all credence right there.

Yeah, all artists are full of wonder, joy, and enlightenment, it's just this damned focus on money that ruins everything all the time.

Posted by Leisher on Dec. 07 2012,10:54
Yeah, I hear you. I mean there's a business that needs to run, and if you let the artists run the place nothing would ever be completed and you'll go out of business. (See: Duke Nukem Forever)

However, for someone who writes about and reports on this industry to defend EA in any way shape or form is also inexcusable. No company has smashed more creative companies, ideas, teams, people, or existing franchises than EA>

Posted by Malcolm on Dec. 07 2012,11:38
Unfortunately, creativity is not something that you can summon on command.
Posted by Leisher on Dec. 13 2012,06:28
< EA changes the name of it's free games and moves them to Origin. >

Love the tone of the article.

EA names their free to play games with a different banner, and when it fails they change it to what everyone else calls them, and declare it a brilliant move on their part.

Fuck you EA.

If it wasn't for moronic console players who don't realize that FPSs are better on PCs or who have to buy a new version of Madden every year, this planet would be rid of the hive of scum and villainy known as EA.

Posted by Leisher on Feb. 27 2013,13:23
< EA: "We're going to put microtransactions into all of our games." >

The executive might have also said, "Our ATMs...I mean consumers...LOVE paying us full price for our games, and then, paying us even more for stupid aesthetics. Fuck do I hate our customers, but I love to stick it up their ass and force more money out."

I might be paraphrasing.

Posted by Malcolm on Feb. 27 2013,13:48
Madden NFL 2014 online...

Did you wish to replay the previous down?  $1.

Posted by Malcolm on Mar. 01 2013,11:26
< Psychopath defends EA >.
QUOTE
To produce a high quality game it takes tens of millions of dollars, and when you add in marketing that can get up to 100+ million.

Wrong.  Just fucking wrong on every single level that matters.  I can Google and rattle off a list of a thousand games that would be labeled "quality" that cost under $1M.

QUOTE
Another factor to consider is the fact that many game development studios are in places like the San Francisco bay area, where the cost of living is extraordinarily high.

Because no other programmers live anywhere else in the world and game development can only be done in the the most expensive cities.

QUOTE
I’m going to come right out and say it. I’m tired of EA being seen as “the bad guy.” I think it’s bullshit that EA has the “scumbag EA” memes on Reddit and that Good Guy Valve can Do No Wrong.

You're pissed that EA's got a bad rep or that Valve has a good one?  Which is it?  Is it Valve's fault that EA's biz decisions and PR surrounding them make Valve look positively genius by comparison?  

QUOTE
If you don’t like EA, don’t buy their games. If you don’t like their microtransactions, don’t spend money on them. It’s that simple. EA has many smart people working for them (Hi, Frank, JR, and Patrick!) and they wouldn’t attempt these things if they didn’t work. Turns out, they do. I assure you there are teams of analysts studying the numbers behind consumer behavior over there that are studying how you, the gamer, spends his hard earned cash.

So if microtransactions let other people twink in a competitive multiplayer environment and I take offense to that, your response is, "Go fuck yourself and play another game."  Do you let people get an extra card in draw poker if they chip in another $10 to the pot?  Once you start letting cash compensate for skill, you turn off lots of players that jump in the game world specifically to test their skill, not their fucking credit limit.

QUOTE
No one seemed too upset at Blizzard when you could buy a pet in World of Warcraft – a game that you had to buy that was charging a monthly fee. (How dare console games have steady cycles of buyable DLC!)

This analogy isn't even in the fucking ballpark.  WoW is a MMOG.  It's hard to prevent "cash for twinks" when your in-game currency has exchange rates comparable to real, physical bank notes from actual countries.  Shit like Madden NFL 20XX doesn't need "pay $5 to access the premium teams" feature.

QUOTE
People like to act like we should go back to “the good ol’ days” before microtransactions but they forget that arcades were the original change munchers. Those games were designed to make you lose so that you had to keep spending money on them. Ask any of the old Midway vets about their design techniques. The second to last boss in Mortal Kombat 2 was harder than the last boss, because when you see the last boss that’s sometimes enough for a gamer.

When I talk about nostalgia for the "good ol' days," the act of pumping quarters into a machine is not included.  My living room != video arcade.

Posted by Leisher on Mar. 01 2013,12:24
I completely disagree with him.

EA has publicly shit on their consumers. That doesn't merit "don't buy their stuff". They are getting the reputation and treatment they deserve. Their products are shit, they pulled their games off Steam because (in their own words) they feel like people should always pay full price, and they want to add more squeeze to those games with microtransactions, which destroy competitive nature in games.

Not to mention all the great companies and franchises they've run into the ground.

Fuck EA.

Posted by Trooper on Mar. 02 2013,10:52
QUOTE
Not to mention all the great companies and franchises they've run into the ground.



Posted by Leisher on Mar. 07 2013,10:15
< Have you heard about the pains EA is having with the new SimCity and it's Always On DRM? Apparently nobody can actually play the game. >

< Well, Valve is taking a massive shot at EA >, AND giving us a sale!



Posted by GORDON on Mar. 07 2013,10:17
Yes, I even chimed in on PC Gamer's facebook post about it.  Said EA doesn't care, they already got suckers to buy the game and any work done at this point cuts into their profits.

And Valve is funny.

Posted by Leisher on Mar. 07 2013,10:34
I'm going to buy a game tonight just to show my appreciate for Valve's sense of humor and gift to their customers.
Posted by Leisher on Mar. 08 2013,07:07
< EA is backpedaling on microtransactions. >

I think it would be impossible to argue that any game company is run worse than EA.

Posted by GORDON on Mar. 08 2013,07:42

(Leisher @ Mar. 08 2013,10:07)
QUOTE
< EA is backpedaling on microtransactions. >

I think it would be impossible to argue that any game company is run worse than EA.

QUOTE
CFO Blake Jorgensen shared that original statement during the Morgan Stanley Technology conference last week, but he’s now used another conference—the Wedbush Transformational Technology conference—to redact that statement.


And their CFO can't understand at all why customers wouldn't like EA doing anything and everything possible to give the customers less product for more money.  It just doesn't compute in his world.

As I have said before, as soon as the accountants get in charge of an entertainment company, the company is fucked.  EA has the C fucking FO making business announcements.  The accountants are definitely in charge.

But hey Madden 2013, yo.

Posted by Leisher on Mar. 08 2013,09:52
QUOTE
But hey Madden 2013, yo.


The sports genre is what tricked EA into becoming the company they are today.

Posted by Malcolm on Apr. 07 2013,08:52
< EA may repeat > as Worst Company in America.
Posted by GORDON on Apr. 07 2013,14:08

(Malcolm @ Apr. 07 2013,11:52)
QUOTE
< EA may repeat > as Worst Company in America.

EA CEO is a real prick.  He spends his press release whining about the things he says the company gets blamed for but doesn't, ignoring the real issues people have with EA.
Posted by TPRJones on Apr. 08 2013,06:43
QUOTE
"The complaints against us last year were our support of SOPA (not true), and that they didn't like the ending to Mass Effect 3."

Is this a pathetic attempt at spin, or does he really not understand why EA is so universally loathed?



Posted by Leisher on Apr. 08 2013,07:27
That's a great question TPR.

Is he this incompetent or are they trying to spin things for investors?

Posted by Malcolm on Apr. 08 2013,10:36
< PA Report weighs in >.

QUOTE
Can you remember the last EA title that you truly loved? Can you remember the last interview you read about that game where a developer was allowed to explain their passion for the game? Bonus points will be awarded if it wasn't a Bioware-developed game.

EA has become a company that releases mediocre products created by faceless teams.



Posted by Leisher on Apr. 09 2013,13:06
< And there was much rejoicing!!!!! >

I'm sure the board members at EA are livid that all the racists and homophobes voted them the worst company...

Posted by Malcolm on Apr. 09 2013,13:21
Board members won't give a fuck until their bottom line starts suffering.  Even then, they'll just cut their staff before they cut the execs costing them cash.
Posted by Leisher on Apr. 09 2013,13:50
From the article on their win:
QUOTE
When we live in an era marked by massive oil spills, faulty foreclosures by bad banks, and rampant consolidation in the airline and telecom industry, what does it say about EA’s business practices that so many people have — for the second year in a row — come out to hand it the title of Worst Company In America?


That's fantastic.

Also, look at the bracket. Apple lost to Microsoft in round 1. Ha!

Posted by Malcolm on Apr. 09 2013,13:57
QUOTE
When we live in an era marked by massive oil spills, faulty foreclosures by bad banks, and rampant consolidation in the airline and telecom industry, what does it say about EA’s business practices that so many people have — for the second year in a row — come out to hand it the title of Worst Company In America?

It says, "Don't piss off consumers when they're trying to relax."  All those other industries are concerned with work.  EA should be concerned with recreation, although their products inspire the opposite.  Bank of America might suck, but at least when they roll out a new type of checking account, I can usually get the cash I deposited within a week.

Posted by Malcolm on Apr. 12 2013,10:56
< Former BioWare dude talks about BioWare before, during, after EA >.
QUOTE
Dr. Greg Zeschuk will likely never make a video game again - that's what he told GamesIndustry International in a recent phone interview. Let that sink in for a moment.

The man who co-founded BioWare with Dr. Ray Muzyka and brought gamers numerous top RPGs like Mass Effect, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Baldur's Gate, Dragon Age, and more has unfortunately lost the passion he once had for game development.

Posted by Leisher on Apr. 18 2013,09:36
Solitaire presented by EA:


Posted by GORDON on Apr. 18 2013,09:51
That's unfair, they had to move all of the solitaire calculations server-side because reasons
Posted by Cakedaddy on Apr. 18 2013,16:54
I figured a micro transaction would be required to buy the next three cards.
Posted by TheCatt on Apr. 25 2013,17:48
< EA layoffs >
Posted by TPRJones on Apr. 26 2013,06:05
That's how you know Spring has come each year.
Posted by Leisher on Apr. 30 2013,12:00
< Madden developer suing EA. >

The judge is allowing the case to go forward.

Posted by Malcolm on Apr. 30 2013,12:30
Some dude is claiming EA lifted the Madden source code from his work?  $20 says this is settled out of court.
Posted by TPRJones on Apr. 30 2013,13:09
Nah, the guy shouldn't settle for less than $150,000,000 (5% of Madden's total sales).  The merits of the case are unimportant: if he can get even just two or three gamers on the jury then he's guaranteed a nice fat "screw those EA bastards" check out of it.
Posted by Malcolm on Apr. 30 2013,17:35
EA's lawyers will bury this dude unless he has an unlimited legal fund.  Not that I'm cheering for them, but statistics says so.


Posted by WSGrundy on May 06 2013,15:01
< Damn. >

Well if they then turn around and put bioware in charge of everything then it could be a good move.

Posted by TPRJones on May 06 2013,17:05
Well, shit, now Sim City: Coruscant will have always-on internet connection for DRM.
Posted by TPRJones on May 07 2013,10:42

Posted by Malcolm on May 07 2013,10:54
QUOTE
"We can't be any clearer."

Yes, you can.  Tell me what the fuck you think "clearer" and "DRM" mean.

Posted by Leisher on May 07 2013,12:06
At some point, microtransactions are going to go away. I'd bet on sooner rather than later.

It's the same as Zynga's "email every person you know every day" AND "pay for more stuff to get you ahead" business model and how it has completely fallen apart.

Now everyone's trying to do the same thing with mobile games, and moving similar models onto consoles. It's just bullshit. It will fail. A small percentage of folks will pay to be king of the hill, and everyone else will be interested for a second, but will quit once they realize they can't compete with assholes who are shelling out hundreds of dollars just so they can pretend to be the best.

Not to mention the new businesses popping up to help people NOT pay by doing tasks for them, like installing other apps and such.



Posted by Malcolm on May 07 2013,12:08
QUOTE
At some point, microtransactions are going to go away. I'd bet on sooner rather than later.

Maybe for multiplayer purposes.  In a single player game, I can't think of any reason to say, "No, don't pay me more money."

Posted by Leisher on Aug. 12 2014,09:04
< EA launches their version of MS Live. >

In the name of all that is holy, if you know someone who only plays console games, slap them until they switch to PC.

Posted by Malcolm on Aug. 12 2014,09:14
Wow.  A mere $30 for a whole year.
Posted by GORDON on Aug. 12 2014,10:26
QUOTE
If you’re wondering when EA Access will hit PlayStation 4, well you’re gonna have a long wait ahead of you. Sony said no to the service as it felt it didn’t “represent good value to the PlayStation gamer.”

Posted by Leisher on Aug. 26 2014,12:07
Sim City 4 addon mod maker says < "Don't buy that game on Origin." >

Apparently, they changed out the existing DRM with Origin DRM, and it breaks the game's ability to be patched or modded.

That's some good work they're doing over there at EA.

Posted by Malcolm on Aug. 26 2014,12:34
QUOTE
Apparently, they changed out the existing DRM with Origin DRM, and it breaks the game's ability to be patched or modded.

... hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Dude, it's not DRM, we can't be any clearer.



Posted by GORDON on Aug. 26 2014,12:41
When reached for comment about this situation, the CEO of EA was quoted as saying, "Fuck you, pay me."
Posted by Leisher on Aug. 28 2014,10:24
< EA is hoping to hit $1,000,000,000 in DLC sales this year. >

This is shitty, and we're to blame. DLC typically SUCKS. WTF do people waste their money on it? Because they non-interactive horse that doesn't do shit in the game needs a new outfit?

Posted by Malcolm on Aug. 28 2014,10:45
QUOTE
Videogame sales at retail don't actually have very good profit margins...

I feel like slapping the fuck out of whoever thinks this is a given.

Posted by GORDON on Dec. 30 2014,18:34
Origin apparently hacked, peeps reporting unauthorized charges against their Origin-tied credit cards.

< http://www.pcgamer.com/origin-....ccounts >

Posted by Malcolm on Dec. 30 2014,20:06

(GORDON @ Dec. 30 2014,20:34)
QUOTE
Origin apparently hacked, peeps reporting unauthorized charges against their Origin-tied credit cards.

< http://www.pcgamer.com/origin-....ccounts >

Must've been some ultimate privateer hackers.  Karma, bitches.
Posted by Leisher on Jan. 28 2015,09:42
< EA is still being EA. >
Posted by Malcolm on Jan. 28 2015,09:51

(Leisher @ Jan. 28 2015,11:42)
QUOTE
< EA is still being EA. >

Doesn't that make it an unofficial Mad Max game?
Posted by Leisher on Feb. 06 2015,08:42
< Creative Officer thinks gamers are too advanced for most gamers. >

Eh...I kind of get what he's saying. Some games are ridiculously complex, but I think that's where game companies need to stop worrying about making games for everyone, and instead make games for a target audience.

Not every game has to appeal to everyone, and in fact, it won't. Accept that and design games with that in mind.

Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 06 2015,08:46
As something more than a casual gamer, but less than hardcore, I'd appreciate a moderately involved game.

I don't want match-3s or endless runners... but i dont really have time for skyrim and stuff.

Posted by Leisher on Feb. 06 2015,11:42
QUOTE
I don't want match-3s or endless runners...


Mobile gaming sucks.

They're so limited by the technology. On screen controls are complete shit.

That being said, they should be porting old Nintendo RPGs (I know they've done a couple here and there).

Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 26 2016,17:11

Posted by TPRJones on Feb. 26 2016,17:22
One of these days you people need to learn the width attribute.  >.<


Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 26 2016,17:56

(TPRJones @ Feb. 26 2016,20:22)
QUOTE
One of these days you people need to learn the width attribute.  >.<

Looks fine to me.

#ihavea27"monitor

Posted by Malcolm on Feb. 27 2016,11:25
QUOTE
#ihavea27"monitor

Someone's compensating.

Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 27 2016,12:27

(Malcolm @ Feb. 27 2016,14:25)
QUOTE
QUOTE
#ihavea27"monitor

Someone's compensating.

For my 10" penis?

Technically, I have 3 screens.  27", 24" and 17" (the laptop screen itself) at home.

Posted by Malcolm on Feb. 29 2016,13:23

(TheCatt @ Feb. 27 2016,14:27)
QUOTE

(Malcolm @ Feb. 27 2016,14:25)
QUOTE
QUOTE
#ihavea27"monitor

Someone's compensating.

For my 10" penis?

Preserved in a jar that sits on your mantle?  I guess buying it at a swap meet makes it yours.



Posted by GORDON on Feb. 29 2016,16:55

(TheCatt @ Feb. 27 2016,15:27)
QUOTE

(Malcolm @ Feb. 27 2016,14:25)
QUOTE
QUOTE
#ihavea27"monitor

Someone's compensating.

For my 10" penis?

Yeah, the one in your mouth.

Someone zinged me with that one once.

Powered by Ikonboard 3.1.5 © 2006 Ikonboard