Is Electronics Arts Really That Bad?

StormLiongStormLiong Join Date: 2002-12-27 Member: 11569Members
<div class="IPBDescription">just wondering</div> I've been wondering whats with all the hate with EA? Not that Im a big fan of EA because most of the games that they make Im not that interested like their sports games and the Sim series.

So whats with all the hate?

Just like everyone's reaction when EA is doing a hostile takeover bid on Ubisoft
<a href='http://pc.ign.com/articles/620/620630p1.html' target='_blank'>http://pc.ign.com/articles/620/620630p1.html</a>
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Comments

  • docchimpydocchimpy Join Date: 2003-07-19 Member: 18266Members
    I believe they work thewir workers like dogs or something.

    Also, the whole "we don't have to compete if we OWN THE MARKET" mentality is frowned upon by most people who support a free market.

    I think that's it.
  • ChronoChrono Local flyboy Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18989Members
    i dont like EA because they usualy release the same games over and over again with a slight update and they are usualy crappy games
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    the larger they become, the more formulaic their games, the more they control the pool of game programmers and artists, the less they care, etc.
  • DaJMastaDaJMasta Join Date: 2005-01-10 Member: 34750Members, Constellation
    Yea from what Ive heard they treat their workers like trash, several have quit and many stay away all together.

    They also have the endless supply of sports games which just annoy me. The 2004 and 2005 editions don't differ enough to charge full price again.
  • TommyVercettiTommyVercetti Join Date: 2003-02-10 Member: 13390Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    They pump out crappy, cookie-cutter games one after the other, treat their devs and coders like total crap, and bought part of Ubisoft, a relatively GOOD publisher (at least in the quality of their games).

    Also, they annoy the hell out of me with that retarded "challenge everything" startup movie that you can't ever bypass without a crack of some sort. I challenge them to kill themselves in the most painful way imaginable and then burn hell for eternity.
  • AlcapwnAlcapwn &quot;War is the science of destruction&quot; - John Abbot Join Date: 2003-06-21 Member: 17590Members
    Most of the games they put out are pumped out of some sort of mysterious machine, and are sometimes just downright crappy. Not just there games either, but there support for there games. Example: they released 7 patches for Command and Conquer Generals. <b>That's great, besides the fact that the game was so buggy it took them 7 patches to get it stable online, and SIX to fix the alt-f4 bug for online gaming...those of you who were around during its launch new what that was...</b> They then released its expansion, zero hour, with a mere 2 patches followed up on. (The second one doesent fix anything besides the stuff they broke in the first one...graphcial bugs) and left the community to die for a year before releasing any new patches. And the 1.03 and 1.04 patches were community made mods that were disguised as patches...no joke.


    That's just one example that puts a sour taste in gamers mouth whenever they hear the word EA. (PC gamers atleast). They do, however, have a couple of titles which they actually care about, like LOTR:BFME which, so far, has received <i>very</i> good support for its team.
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    EA is mostly a gaming company for non gamers. That's why they make The Sims and all the sports games, so they can make mony off the people who don't play games for any more entertainment value than pong has, they just make them fun enough for the people who really don't care/know about what good games are.

    Occationally, they come out with the odd good game, like Alice, or the Battlefield games. But mostly, games for the masses.
  • PulsePulse To create, to create and escape. Join Date: 2002-08-29 Member: 1248Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-StormLiong+Jun 1 2005, 03:47 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (StormLiong @ Jun 1 2005, 03:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Is Electronics Arts Really That Bad? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yes.
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    I actually can enjoy the sims...

    mainly because I like an open ended game so long as it has a smooth interface, which is why I'm really looking forward to spore.

    And the sims is maxis, a sub of EA but it has at least some autonomy.
  • AlcapwnAlcapwn &quot;War is the science of destruction&quot; - John Abbot Join Date: 2003-06-21 Member: 17590Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Gwahir+Jun 1 2005, 06:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Gwahir @ Jun 1 2005, 06:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I actually can enjoy the sims...

    mainly because I like an open ended game so long as it has a smooth interface, which is why I'm really looking forward to spore.

    And the sims is maxis, a sub of EA but it has at least some autonomy. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    You DO know how much wright (or whatever his name is who created all these sim games) had to fight upper EA to actually make the game, right? It sounded like there all scared to try something new, they just want to stick with what works. Which gets boring TBH.
  • DY357LXDY357LX Playing since day 1. Still can&#39;t Comm. England Join Date: 2002-10-27 Member: 1651Members, Constellation
    edited June 2005
    Last I checked, EA own the licenses to the following games:

    The Sims (Booooooring + expansion packs cash-in galore!)
    Harry Potter (Chamber Of Secrets title etc, = crap)
    Lord Of The Rings (Return of The King title = crap)
    James Bond (GoldenEye semi-sequel title = crap)
    Star Wars (Revenge Of The Sith title = god awful)
    Medal Of Honor Series (Most of the recent titles suck and DoD puts the mutli-player to shame.)
    FIFA series (pwned by the Pro Evo series. EA "update" their FIFA crap each year by adding 1 lame new feature and moving some names around and then slapping £30 on it.)
    Need For Speed series (pwned by Burnout series but they own that too!)
    Battlefield (YAY! A good title at last! Roll on Battlefield 2!)

    Don't even get me started on the EA "Big" titles such as the 100% average SSX.
    And this just in; EA are doing the Batman Begins game! It's gonna sell by the wagon load because it's another film cash-in. And it's gonna suck like all the other film cash-in games that EA make.

    And the list goes on. EA.... in my opinion, suck. A couple of good titles in a flood of crappy ones.

    </rant>
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    yes I do know how much wright had to fight EA, that's why I like him.
  • RenegadeRenegade Old school Join Date: 2002-03-29 Member: 361Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Pulse+Jun 1 2005, 03:32 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Pulse @ Jun 1 2005, 03:32 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-StormLiong+Jun 1 2005, 03:47 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (StormLiong @ Jun 1 2005, 03:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Is Electronics Arts Really That Bad? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yes. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    QFT.
  • Ho_Chi_MizzleHo_Chi_Mizzle Join Date: 2005-05-02 Member: 50709Members, Constellation
    Well yeah, big developers have to make generic games so that the "average joe" can enjoy them. the big companies have to do this to cut a profit. And come now, all of the NFS games arn't that bad! In fact, I think a few of them got decent ratings from respectable sources such as PC Gamer.

    Sure, they're gonna make some "crappy" games also, but remember, just because you don't like them, doesnt mean that everyone else feels the same way. I don't think The Sims games are boring. I like my good ol Need For Speed titles. Sure the "Challenge Everything" intro sucks, but o well.

    And think about it this way. What if you controlled EA? You had to turn a profit, or you'd be out on the street. There's a time to try something new, and theres a time to stick to what's proven. Perhaps, in this very dangerous market, EA has decide to play it safe, and just stick to what's proven to sell. As I stated before, the big developers don't always have much room to move around in.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-WaterBoy+Jun 1 2005, 03:40 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (WaterBoy @ Jun 1 2005, 03:40 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Gwahir+Jun 1 2005, 06:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Gwahir @ Jun 1 2005, 06:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I actually can enjoy the sims...

    mainly because I like an open ended game so long as it has a  smooth interface, which is why I'm really looking forward to spore.

    And the sims is maxis, a sub of EA but it has at least some autonomy. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    You DO know how much wright (or whatever his name is who created all these sim games) had to fight upper EA to actually make the game, right? It sounded like there all scared to try something new, they just want to stick with what works. Which gets boring TBH. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yeah. Try to tell me that his original plans for The Sims 2 looked like this:

    1. Make The Sims, only in 3d. Add a whole bunch of new stuff.
    2. Take out most of the new stuff so it can go in later expansions.
    3. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
    4. Profit.
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    I wouldn't mind EA being so big, if they would only stop gobbeling up other companies...

    Or if they insist on eating them up, at least let those ideas of originality survive, instead of forcing them to work on the next 'proven game' let them be orriginal.
  • Invader_ScootInvader_Scoot Join Date: 2003-10-13 Member: 21669Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    I hated them once I discovered how crappy and lame <b>every single</b> James Bond game was after the original Goldeneye 007 for N64. I learned to hate them EVEN MORE once they bought the rights to NFL games and released a shameful new "Goldeneye".
  • Ho_Chi_MizzleHo_Chi_Mizzle Join Date: 2005-05-02 Member: 50709Members, Constellation
    lol, this is silly

    EA takes over other companies inorder to make MORE MONEY (which happens to grease the wheels of commerce)

    Once taken over, EA can do whatever the hell they want with em. They own them now. Full stop. Why have a bunch of sub companies make a bunch of small scale games, when you can have everyone work together to make a product that will sell and turn a large profit.

    Profit, isnt that waht all big companies are about? Its not the quality of the games. Only small developers can really focus on a certian core fanbase and turn out "specialized" games. take a look around. only indie developers can develop specialized games like that.
  • docchimpydocchimpy Join Date: 2003-07-19 Member: 18266Members
    edited June 2005
    <!--QuoteBegin-Ho Chi Mizzle+Jun 1 2005, 07:29 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ho Chi Mizzle @ Jun 1 2005, 07:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> lol, this is silly

    EA takes over other companies inorder to make MORE MONEY (which happens to grease the wheels of commerce)

    Once taken over, EA can do whatever the hell they want with em.  They own them now. Full stop.  Why have a bunch of sub companies make a bunch of small scale games, when you can have everyone work together to make a product that will sell and turn a large profit. 

    Profit, isnt that waht all big companies are about?  Its not the quality of the games.  Only small developers can really focus on a certian core fanbase and turn out "specialized" games.  take a look around.  only indie developers can develop specialized games like that. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Right, and everyone hates EA because they are saying "LOL INDIE PUBLISHERS TASTE LIKE PORK" *gobbles up the industry*.

    Also monopolies are bad.
  • Ho_Chi_MizzleHo_Chi_Mizzle Join Date: 2005-05-02 Member: 50709Members, Constellation
    nothing is stopping from employees from quitting tho. if they dont want to join the "EVIL EA ARMY", can't they just quit? from what i hear, many have...and they've gone on to do their own thing very well.

    just like these devs who are making Guild Wars. they dropped away from some company, and went indie by themselves, and look where they are now.

    sure, i'll agree, ea is just a cookiecutter game factory, but its a cookiecutter game factory that knows how to turn a profit, and thats what matters.

    plus, there will always be indie devs out there, who wil make great games. look at NS, or any of the bajillion other small time games that are totally original.

    EA can't eat them all.

    Also, monopolies are illegal. and EA wouldnt be a monopoly unless no one else could make videogames.
  • NeonSpyderNeonSpyder &quot;Das est NTLDR?&quot; Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17913Members
    edited June 2005
    profit is not what matters to gamers however, that may be all well and good for EA, but what do us, the people who do not find amusement in the tripe churned out on a bi-monthly basis from EA studios *cough* labor camps *cough*

    while EA gobbles up good game publishers and melts their creative output into the massive boiling pot of the latest "2006" series of crap we the intelligent gamer suffer, as do hundres of bright and talented people crushed by the sodomization EA gives them.

    EA is going with what gets them the most profit with the least amount of costs, low wages, high prices, high workloads = crappy game after crappy game consumed by John Q Public.

    I vote nay on EA.
  • Ho_Chi_MizzleHo_Chi_Mizzle Join Date: 2005-05-02 Member: 50709Members, Constellation
    props, me 2

    then dont buy their products lol

    no arguments necessary

    tho i must admit, i do like my sims from time to time, tho the exanision buisness does get tiring...but o well

    thats why we have ppl who make games HL, and people who make mods like NS.
  • UKchaosUKchaos Join Date: 2002-08-10 Member: 1132Members
    edited June 2005
    The way i look at it, EA dont suck - we just have very refined tastes. If i was just starting out playing games, id love the sims.
  • DrSuredeathDrSuredeath Join Date: 2002-11-11 Member: 8217Members
    *Get his flame suit*

    Hi, My internet alias is Dr.Suredeath. I played Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodline, City of Heroes, Call of Duty, Half-Life 2, Civilization series, Empire Earth, Everquest, Rise of Nation, etc..

    and I... I... really really like The Sims 2.

    *Dodge the rocks, cabbages, acids, rotten tomatoes*

    It's fun, and I don't care what you guys think. But I don't understand how is it EA manage to release the same damn sport games years after years, and people are still buying them though.
  • NeonSpyderNeonSpyder &quot;Das est NTLDR?&quot; Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17913Members
    i agree with you suredeath, well to an extent, i quite enjoyed the sims the original, i never purchased any expension packs because it was an insidious plot to steal my money, and my money is valuable to me. though you must admit sure death The Sims was Will Wright's idea... not EA's, they even fought him on the idea of making it, so in reality EA is still a corporate monster whom has a pet Will Wright who manages to draw in a few damsels now and then.

    will wright i'm sure is simply using EA for their vast, vast, vast, vast, vast, vast, vast, vast, pit of money.
  • Ho_Chi_MizzleHo_Chi_Mizzle Join Date: 2005-05-02 Member: 50709Members, Constellation
    edited June 2005
    lol i'm sure both are doing very well right now

    both = wright and EA
  • NeonSpyderNeonSpyder &quot;Das est NTLDR?&quot; Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17913Members
    we know that Ho Chi, but that's not the point, the point is that they are doing it in a very dark-side kind of way.
  • Black_ViperBlack_Viper Join Date: 2003-12-08 Member: 24157Members
    I heardabout that, i cant belive them frenchies stood up against them like that... No offence, but that was pretty cool.
  • VenmochVenmoch Join Date: 2002-08-07 Member: 1093Members
    Pffft Sims 2 University rocks.

    Although my Sim Alter Ego gets more action than I do at Uni.









    CURSES!
  • BulletHeadBulletHead Join Date: 2004-07-22 Member: 30049Members
    Valve has EA's talent in a single cell of it's body

    And that's being generous to EA
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