It seems like the last year or two EA really has been trying to change, ever since this guy took over they've really made an effort to show they're different. Sure they'll always have the quick money grab titles, but they really seem to be focusing on new IPs.

I really do believe that, but I really don't care. I just want good games to play and I don't care who makes 'em.

omyard

@outforprophets: I like what EA is doing with there new titles, it's a great step forward and shows there development in new IP and innovative titles but I can't let them just get by having stolen Bioware. Bioware was an awesome company and unless I see them releasing there better titles then it's always a possibility EA had a say in making them not release them.

Llost

The list of things that will stop people hating EA:

Stop buying up studios.
Put back together the studios you ripped apart when you bought them.
Stop doing cheap yearly stat updates and actually make a game.
Stop making endless sequels to games
Stop making half finished games and releasing them hoping to patch them later.
Stop trying to buy take 2.
Stop getting exclusive licenses.
Start creating new and original IP's.

However even if EA did all that people would still hate them because they are a corporation but most people would hate them a little less then they do now.

dsmx

I'm tired of seeing the EA hate on Kotaku also. They earned my trust back with Skate but that doesn't mean I'll be buying Madden any time soon.

But you look at Dead Space and you look at Spore and Mirror's Edge and you guys STILL hate EA? Even the Rock Band fans?

Let go of your hate trolls, it will set you free. It's not healthy to be angry all the time.

outforprophets

Really? Remember that plastic disc I paid for? How about letting me use ALL the content on it EA, then we'll talk about "hating."

Klaymen

Release Madden without any game breaking glitches and then we'll talk...

NeVeRMoRe666

Wait and see.

Sniper_Zegai

And he sorta looks like Judd Nelson's dad.

Arklop

GIVE ME BACK BIOWARE!!! Damn corporations and there greed, they're gonna screw over bioware like a daughter they need to prostite to pay for her own upkeep. I like Mass effect and Bioshock but they don't appeal to me as much when they're not exclusive.

I'm not seeing any Jade empire or KOTOR yet and I'm tired of it. I want them now, KOTOR was awesome and I heard a new Jade empire was in the works a while ago yet we get mostly EA trash.

+ Watch video

Llost

"'Hating EA is so last year,'" he quoted immediately.

Why do I get the idea he even immediatelier followed with a whispered "That's what the kids are saying these days, right?" Doesn't look like he's very in-touch with the gaming audience to me...then again, so very few higher-ups are.

Arklop

@Pikadrew:
Um... He's not a fictional character man. He can talk to us... There's no "fourth wall", or even a third, second or first.

At any rate there are more reasons to hate EA than a mere lack of past quality, or the squashing thereof.
I've hated, and continue to hate, them for their business practices. Charging consumers for what used to be part of the game, monopolizing the NFL license, etc.

nomadder

He uhm. Looks almost identical to the last guy.

Anyway... I have hopes for the new EA. Who wouldn't want a shitty company to turn around and become a good one?

It means more entertainment for us, the consumers - off the message boards, that is.

sir_carrot

I have been burned by crappy games from EA, given them numerous second chances. Even in the past it was always we've changed, we have fixed alot of the problems that was in the last time, this time it will be better. And it wasn't.

So its nice that they are trying but why does EA deserve a 5th second chance?

What I have seen out of EA within the past year really hasn't convinced me yet, other than buying out developers I liked. Some things look alot like the same old EA to me with some of the things like the plans for DLC guns for BF: Bad Company. Releasing unfinished games like Hellgate London, and buying out popular developers.

I don't think hating EA was some kind of fad, as long as EA provides the ammunition they are going to get criticized. Everything counts, the best example was the DLC guns plan for bad company was canned shortly after it was announced. Stuff like that undermines what EA is doing in trying to build up their reputation. Especially something like that which is pretty obvious a bad idea.

NullsRevenge

EA has only done one thing right in my opinion and that's mirrors edge. Making more unique and interesting games like that is what would seperate them as innovators and great developers. Everyone hates EA (I do partially) for there lack of innovation for years and bad business practices.

Mirror's edge +1
Bioware purchase -20

They've got a bit to do to make up for that sh*t.

Llost

I think what he means is that people are going to shift hate from EA to Activision. Activision is clearly the worse of the two in terms of whoring out everything.

Sammo21

This guy is delucional. I would agree that quality has been higher than expected and they have some interesting titles in the pipeline but they are still nickel-and-diming people through downloadble content and they are continuing to force players to create unnecessary EA accounts in order to access the online features of pretty much all of their games. This latter annoyance is the biggest reason I'm not buying anything from these mother fuckers and it's painful to see people accepting EA's ways.

The fact that I'm avoiding their games may sound silly to some people but fuck it, I know I'm not alone in this and I'd rather support developers and publishers who aren't control freaks or as greedy as EA. Just my 2 cents.

qbix

"EA has a long way to go to convince me that they've become anything less than the Exxon of the gaming industry."

Exxon, the company who's evil by default because they supply a need we the people won't control, and do it at lower profit margins than most industries.

noisewar

EA definitely seems to be turning around, at least externally. Internally...well, that's a different matter entirely.

Atheist Jew

@Communist_Gamer: "the best gaming companies are mid sized"

Couldn't agree more. And I am slightly ashamed that my sarcasm meter didn't register anything on your last comment.

sarcasmOD

The shift is happening. I didn't notice it at first, but it caught me by surprise recently and [long-story-short] ended up with me buying BF: Bad Company. I still consider it a good purchase based on my expectations, too!

I think the best example I can give of "the shift" is Skate. That game was greater than I thought it would be in areas I wouldn't have even considered in the first place. EA is stepping up, but I think it took widespread hatred and ubiquitous gaming journalism to point out that a change needed to happen.

7ucky

For EA to redeem themselves for me I need a true blue next gen version of Future Cop L.A.P.D.

Finstern

@3DKnight: I'm having trouble seeing the English in what you're trying to do :/

sarcasmOD

@sarcasmOD:

There was a hint of sarcasm at my comment.

But its just that this is the product of what happens you said "faceless, publicly-traded corporation was more concerned with the products they make and not about exceeding profit expectations and increasing stock value". That is capitalism.

I did say you can't have your cake and eat it, and looking at it not from an individual perspective but gaming as a wholes perspective, the best gaming companies are mid sized, or those that don't specialise in gaming.

Communist_Gamer

Riccitiello can win me over by letting Criterion make a Road Rash revival.

twinturbo2

Valve is an EA partner, so obviously a company that most you love, see the credit in what EA is trying to do

3DKnight

EA started as a breeding ground for alot of great games Dessert Strike, Road Rage etc. So I am glad to see they may be getting back on track, now knock of the questionable DLC and we can be good.

Konchu

@Communist_Gamer: I don't want to be a communist, but I guess I was just born this way...

sarcasmOD

Here is my problem with EA, in a nutshell:

Battlefield 2 came out, and it quickly became my favorite game. On a 64 player server, it actually FELT like a warzone, with planes and choppers whizzing overhead, artillary blasting the countryside, the sound of your squad mates and, if you were a squad leader, the Commander, all flowing around you. If you got onto a good server that enforced teamplay, the game was a true treat.

Not but two months after release, they came out with an expansion. What did it have included? Something along the lines of two maps (the original game only shipped with a paltry five), a new rope-device for each class (sniper got a grappling hook, soldiers got a zip line, ect) and that's about it. They then released a patch a couple weeks later so that if you didn't have the expansion, you were no longer able to play on the few remaining servers that did not upgrade themselves to the expansion pack.

Now, seeing what small amount of additions that were included in this expansion pack, sold for more than half of the original games price ($40), and the fact it came out no less than nine weeks after initial release, I couldn't help but feel like they left these small features off for the sole purpose of having an expansion pack sold later to almost double their sales on the same dang product. The fact that their patch rendered those of us put off by the less than appealing expansion completely without game without going through a fan-made master server in order to play on legacy patch just completed that feeling.

This story is, of course, the tip if the iceberg. But it was the first time I remember feeling completely ripped off with a bait and switch from a game I enjoyed so much. I ended up giving away the game to someone who didn't mind buying the expansion (Best Buy had a "sale" for $35) and since then I have seen the gutting of Sierra, the attempted sale of online weapons to potentially unbalance a game in favor of those with the most cash, and the reworking of old franchises into mere shadows of themselves for quick payoffs amid horrible critical receptions.

EA has a long way to go to convince me that they've become anything less than the Exxon of the gaming industry.

PapaBear434

@NKato: Because I love driving around a circle for 300 laps.

However, if that's your cup of tea...

EA can never be liked. The best they can hope for is tolerated, and that's only because of the studios that associate with them - Valve, for one.

vanderblade

"'Hating EA is so last year,'"

That qoute obviously hasnt come from somone who brought Kanes Wrath on the PC and had the pleasure of being left with a broken game courtesy of EALA.

kenjara

@sarcasmOD:

Comrade, how goes the battle at the Wall?

Communist_Gamer

It would be nice if a faceless, publicly-traded corporation was more concerned with the products they make and not about exceeding profit expectations and increasing stock value. EA is making some good games right now, and I hope that continues AND that quality games continue to be profitable for them. However, I still think the temptation to just make money (with shovelware, rushed titles, etc) is too great.

sarcasmOD

@chorx: At least they're getting better and letting some developers take time to release a quality game.

Hating Activision is the new black.

idkmybffgreg

@Heliophage: That's the bit I was going to quote too. It's nice to see them talking the talk, even if they're not quite walking the walk yet.

He's right. Hating EA is soooo last year. Activision are the ones copping the wet lettuce leaf of Internet hatred now...

freakout

I said it before. I'll say it again.

The worst two publishers in the videogame world are the two worth the most. That is no coincidence.

EA can say they have good games like Rock Band all they like - at the end of the day, for every Rock Band there are 10 cashcow EA titles.

Welcome to capitalist gaming. Hey where'd my Soviet text adventure games go...

Ah the bin. You can't have your cake and eat it then.

Communist_Gamer

I've played EA games like the NBA Street series and the SSX series.With the exception of EA Trax and their horrible selection of songs they seem to put on their games, I've got no hate towards the super big corporate entity.

Xideo

I'm sorry, but hating EA is like wearing jeans - it never goes out of style.

sonofnone

@Kanik: Quote of the week?

I think so!

Tyber_Zann

Would've preferred that someone ask him when EA Tiburon is gonna stop slacking on the NASCAR franchise and make it a true-blue simulation instead of a pee-wee go-kart game with lousy controls.

NKato

EA has been destroying classic franchises for a long time now.

Just fix the bugs, please.

Providence

John Riccitiello can start by not letting the producers, who know little to nothing about playing games, let along actually making games, have so much influence over how games get made.

He can also try putting more trust in the game devs than in his jagoff focus groups.

wanion

The man speaks truth. I haven't bought a game with EA branded on it since the Westwood shenanigans years back. Last year I wanted a Soccer game for PS3 but because Pro Evo sucked that year and Fifa was made by EA I just decided not to buy a soccer game at all.

But with stuff like Spore and Mirror's Edge things are looking up. I dare say I will buy those games.

GregoriusH

50-50 Anti-EA commenters? Looks like they need to start posting more.

In all seriousness, while I agree with his message, I hate this sort of corporate dick waving.

Medicine Seller [ZTF]

Drop the Securerom then we'll talk.

You know, it really does feel like a hostage situation come to think of it.

lonkley

If they say 'Hate Activision instead' I will make love to Riccitiello.

Adrock4

EA's definitely won me back over; I had been frustrated with their products for years, lackluster hockey releases, complete waste of the bond license, the terribly linear Medal of Honor games, which seemed to get released every 8 months.

But IT IS turning around, the next gen hockey has been fantastic, I'm loving the Burnout series, they bought my favorite company (Bioware), and I work for them indirectly now haha

ShadowFFVI

EA rock.

Deise

I'm going to have to let him down with a 'I'm still deciding on you guys' vote from my little corner of the world. They're doing some good things, and, while not really Vader-esque, I can totally see a very Sith Lord thing from him.

We'll see how this year goes.

Jayl3w

You know, I know it's his job to say stuff like this, but I think he's right on the money.

Reuptake

He's talking directly to us! He's breaking the fourth wall! BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL!!!

but yeah. He sounds alright and what he says makes sense. Let's see if his actions back it up. You get...what? let's say.. an 18month grace period.

Pikadrew

Hating EA is SOOOOOO last year doll

What's in this year is saying "EA IS AWESOME"
...followed by "HAH JK!"

Covert_Knight

As long as they continue in the direction they are moving right now, they'll eventually get to a 90-10 pro-EA vote. The best move they made was allowing external studios they purchased to remain autonomous in their game creation.

SpishackCola

At this point, I'd be fine if they bought out Take Two.

Like others have said, they're boasting the best lineup of any publisher atm.

Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, Spore, meh, too much to list.

Gitaroo_Dude

At least someone at EA realises one of the main reasons for the amount of hate they get.

Emiat

Hating EA is pretty last year, the guy's got a reason to be smug: their lineup kicks everyone else's ass. Whoever simultaneously publishes id and Valve games has my vote.

Plus they seemed to have quashed that whole sweat-shop image pretty quick and released a stream of quality games last year (but who didn't)

Absent Blue

No, he doesn't look like Darth Vader.

But he does have the look of Imperial scum though!

Kanik

@Heliophage: I think technically any kind of relating to the public is a form of Public Relations. We've been had!

nick.soapdish

He looks like he's going to sic thugs on me at any moment.

Grahamunculus

I like the cut of his jib.

And those smouldering eyes, he's like a young Ric Flair.

Mazen

I'm fine with EA as long as they don't get to kill 2K Sports. They do that, they're evil incarnate.

hodayathink: I like neo-noir lesbians

Tell EA they need to hop inboard with Steam, then I can stop being annoyed with them.

Yoshiro

@Heliophage:

Unless this is PR, and I've already been tricked D:

Heliophage

There is an inherit lack of trust in certain circles, and even a few of my friends have a distaste for anything with the EA logo attached to it. There has been a bit of a shift, at least I've seen, in the kind of titles they've produced and the amount of work that goes into it. Alongside the whole EASpouse thing, the concept of their lack of quality is being gradually pushed aside as we're seeing some potential great titles coming down the pipes.

That said, they still release some broken games and never quite fix them. I'm looking at you NHL 08.

nick.soapdish

That picture is the very manifestation of "smug".

Toasticus

EA will earn its way back in the eyes of the gaming audience, said Riccitiello, "not through PR or advertising, but through better games and doing the right things.

I hope so. I like his attitude, at least.

Heliophage

"Hating EA is so last year"

Are you kidding me? Does he know how dirty and low EA is? They can burn in hell for all I care.

chorx

@chorx: Funniest first comment ever. Anyway... I've usually been a hater of EA for their rushed ports and constant sequel spewing without taking decent time to smooth those sequels out... I'm not ready to declare all is well and go dancing in a field of sunflowers whilst chanting that I love EA, but I will say they are bringing in a few titles this year that look highly compelling and very innovative. For instance, Dead Space has been in the works for, apparently, two-and-a-half years. By the time it's out, it'll have been in creation for 3 years. In all my years of experience gaming, the best, most standout titles usually have development cycles of around that much time. Also, Mirror's Edge looks kickass. Can't wait to play that one.

So anyway, this year looks really good for EA (I'd even say far better than Ubisoft and they usually usher in a lot of unique stuff), but I'll have to wait to see next year's lineup before I'm all too confident about them.

tehflyingwombat

Hating EA is last year, this year and probably next year as well if they don't clean up their act. Treat your devs with respect and just maybe they'll start making games that work properly and aren't full of bugs. Sort it out.

iLov3

@Arklop: I've seen someone say that on Kotaku more than once, maybe you're not in touch with your peers.

Libo

@sarcasmOD: I think part of the reason EA's making these changes is that this is HOW to keep stock prices high. This is an entertainment industry without glitzy, glamorous celebs to distract people from the quality of the title. The fact is that during the time they were destroying developers, their stock prices rose when Madden came out and sank after Madden stopped selling huge numbers, kind of like what we see with Take Two and GTA. More quality games = more bestsellers = more money.

RawSteelUT

@glamnesia: You haven't been paying attention to the way EA Mythic has been developing Warhammer Online. Oh, sorry, they just had their name changed to remove the EA label. They're now "Mythic Entertainment" again, but still wholly-owned. Anyway, EA has taken a very hands-off approach to the studio there, to hear Mark Jacobs and Paul Barnett tell it.

Sounds like a change in the business model to me.

antialias02

EA started making some decent games again (starting with Skate I believe) so I'm through hating them.

I hate whoever pumps mass amounts of shit into the market..
Right now, that's Activision.

thegreatseal

I think Electronic Arts just don't get it, in the same way Microsoft or the Hollywood film industry doesn't get it. For everyone positive action there's a bunch of negative actions that persistently damage the brand. Possibly it stems from having such a high volume of output.
But how can a knowledgeable gamer put complete faith in an Electronics Arts product after being dudded by the omission of online multiplayer in the Aust release of Medal of Honor on the Wii, or the deterioration of once feted developed Free Radical after coming into the EA fold?
I would not be the first to point out EA has made these assurances before, but looking at a shelf of EA games now and from ten years ago, it's hard to detect any real change in their business model.

glamnesia

so no new future cop?

Finstern is sad :(

Finstern

Seriously, all this "EA SUCKS" nonsense is getting old. People - and companies - make mistakes, and in this case EA is doing its best to correct them. So far we've been given no reason to think otherwise.

@dsmx: Your list is silly, if only because EA is primarily a publisher. Its studios make the games - and although EA has a stake in it, a company can't be blamed for, I dunno, wanting to make money. Furthermore, I am curious to know what you think of the Activision/Blizzard merger if you're so against EA buying studios and wanting Take Two. Or if you're so against sequels to games. Maybe we need to tell Blizz that D3 isn't such a good idea after all, and they should get back to making original IP?

Furthermore, if Mirror's Edge and Spore aren't original, then you will never be pleased, I think.

antialias02

@Kanik: imperial scum eh?.......do you doubt the ways of the empire?

ejpal

I'll stop hating on EA when they give us back football.

Last_Raven

Shit, I'll live in last year if that's the case. I'm sorry but EA is crap. They will be crap until they actually pick up a controller and play one of their games. Yes, I love their babies, but I don't like the family. The only reason EA has some decent games under their feet is because they ate up the creative developers like DICE and Maxis and call it their own.

Battlefield, Burnout, and SimCity are way too complex for EA developers.

macr0planet

Fix Orange Box (yea I got it)for the PS3 and maybe (I say that loosely), I'll put my shield down and buy some so-called quality EA games (I mean made by EA). Are you READING THIS JOHN! Patch TF2!

Jun581 won't give you tree fiddy!!

Yeah I remember one of the first products of this new EA vision.. I think it was called 'skate.' if I recall correctly, not that anyone still plays that game.

It was a unique game to be sure.. but it didn't stray too far from the typical EA business model of rushing out a broken and incomplete game and then never addressing those issues, let alone patching them.

Riccitiello needs to have a chat with Incognito's Dylan Jobe so he can better understand the concept of fostering and supporting a fan community. They can make all the changes they want and make new and high quality games.. but each time they burn and entire fanbase they lose the faith of a huge bunch of consumers.

Point is this Riccitiello, if you really do read these comments, you can attract people to your brand with every trick in the book but it isn't worth the effort if you are still sending them away seething just as fast.

Bastard11

Three letters: D-R-M. That and their lame "download manager" prevents some other games from playing (Software Emulator error, anyone?). I want to see a fair and non-draconian copy protection method (or go without a la Stardock) before I buy another EA game; none of this bait-and-switch-then-back-to-bait crap like Mass Effect had. (Read: That every 10 calendar day check? It's still there; amongst other things.)

Rctdaemon

@Gitaroo_Dude: No, I'm not ready for that yet. If they buy Take-Two, they'll never need to make good games again, they'll just need to whore the GTA series like mad... like i said, they haven't quite won me over forever.

We're taking this one step at a time, EA.

tehflyingwombat

It's kinda last year. There are still a high number of reasons you should hate them, but the reasons to.. hmm.. don't hate them that much are growing. for every Spore and Mirror's Edge, there are a ton of Sims expansion being released or craptastic jobs such as Mass Effect PC, so I just hope they really keep working on it.

salaminizer

@Llost: First of all, Bioshock isn't made by Bioware. Second of all, why the hell will you not enjoy a game as much if it isn't exclusive? Perhaps you don't actually like games, you just like console bragging rights. Third of all, I don't think the first Mass Effect can go multiplat (not to PS3)... but maybe the second.

tehflyingwombat

I'm just going to wait and see, personally.

SecureRom, though, has got to go.

pastepunkjames

+ Watch video

qbix

I'll carry on hating EA and not buying their products for as long as they continue their Borg like expansion. They didn't seem particularly interested in what anyone else thought of the Take-2 buyout. They were quite happy to spam corporate doublespeak on that one no matter how many people were screaming about it.

Competition is good for any industry. EA kills competition.

Additionally, they're all cuddly and friendly now... wait till they're firmly back on top again, then see if they give a shit about how many people hate them.

Tarislar

"For"

nlyonssmith

I couldn't help but give my two-cents into this whole matter.

Point 1:
EA is a large conglomerate publisher in the business of making money.
Point 2:
They are very good at point 1.

For those of you complaining about buyouts etc. This issue is really ridiculous for you to be upset about. EA trying to expand its repertoire (see point 1) by buying your favorite developers (see point 2) is something that should be expected. You can't really put a company at fault for seeing quality, respecting it, and deciding to purchase it for eventual profit(see point 2).

Where the problem inherently lies in this is buyouts don't always go so well. Sometimes our favorite developers don't work so well in more structured and accountable environments and leave or perform poorly. Classic example of this is EA's buyout of Bullfrog and the eventual loss of Molinuex or the buyout of Westwood (Who in my opinion deteriorated long before EA) and the eventual execution of Westwood as we knew it. If a developer isn't putting out good games they need to be restructured whether they like it or not because it is in gamer's best interest and ultimately EA's best interest (See point 2).

People upset over the 2k sports/NFL exclusivity issue, get over it. I know this is a very unfortunate event and I have been just as upset as anyone else, but from everything I have read or researched, this wasn't a choice. Instead this was an eat or be eaten situation. The NFL approached EA about this not the other way around. This more than likely has to do with the NFL's new President/CEO (whatever his title actually is) who wanted to clean up the NFL's image and wanted more direct control of games and very strict guidelines. More of you should be upset at the NFL over allowing such a proposal than EA for making a logical choice (Point 1). Even if it was in EA's hands what developer wouldn't want to completely eliminate their competition (Point 1)? Although many of us still believe 2k makes better titles the mass purchases of Madden have proven most people think otherwise (point 2).

EA has made some great games and they have also made some horrible ones. Overall I'd say on average their efforts are a bit above average but no where near the quality of some of the more innovative third parties. This is mostly because EA has investors to respond to, ones that see known IP as more profitable than unknown (Point 1). Ultimately, for the size EA is I think they really do try and do a good job. It just doesn't always pan out because of stricter deadlines and general issues that come when responding to profit deadlines and corporate investors (Point 1).

My biggest issue with EA at this point is its view on downloadable content and expansions. I come from an old school pc mentality where you release a game and if it does well at retail you make an expansion. When downloadable content was released on console platforms most of us were excited (much of the original stuff was free) at the prospect of expanding our favorite games. We bit, hook, line, and sinker into the idea of expanding our favorite franchises and didn't mind paying to do so. Instead, what has been implemented instead is on the day of release or within a few weeks we see the release of materials that more or less feel like they should have been included in the game anyway and EA (in my opinion) is the largest culprit. Largely this seems as just an easy way to increase prices without as much backlash. And to myself and this point all I can say is, "See point 1".

pROvIs

@qbix: Perfect. lol

Jayl3w

You all realize that the only reason EA was on top was... um... that you guys were all kinda buying their games right?

Your money in your wallet speaks louder than your words on the tubes.

Wolfrider31

@Libo: What? The "higher-ups are out of touch" comment or the "Look! It's Judd Nelson's dad" one? Anyway, how would me saying something that's being said by others here (peers, if you will) make me out of touch with them?

Who even says "so last year" anymore? And who even said it to begin with? Sounds like something from the Disney bucket of fleeting slang. Talk to the hand, mouseketeers!

Arklop

@pROvIs: Great post.

I'll add a few things. First:
[kotaku.com]

Just compare EA with other mega-publishers based on average metacritic. This is for the last year John Riccitello is talking about. You'll be surprised.

EA makes good games. EA makes bad games. EA wants to make money.

You can exchange "EA" with any mega-publisher in these three sentences. There is no other way and I really think people should get over it.

I'm psyched about the recent prospect of new IPs and quality products. But if you expect EA not to make a Madden game, you are clueless about how business works. And just so you know, it's not very easy to make innovations in a one year development cycle for a game that simulates a real sport with a certain ruleset.

What happened to Origin, Bullfrog and Westwood is bad. But it's been almost 10 years now. I haven't seen that happen with any other acquisition. DICE, Criterion, Bioware, Pandemic, Maxis, Mythic, Black Box all look good and have a promising lineup for the future.

sailingtonorway

The quality of games EA has been producing lately has definitely put the gaming giant into a much better light. Also, the fact that their rival, Activision, has now become the embodiment of everything we were afraid EA was going to be, it's much easier to like them now.

psychobaka

I dont mind you too much EA - just stop region locking games and you'll get my vote.

Crab_Botherer

EA bought Bioware and DIDN'T cancel Dragon Age. Just for that, I don't hate EA anymore.

SicariusIV

I used to distrust EA but to be honest, i havnt seen much bad apart from the DRM crap lately and have been playing some great games from them.

They have Mythic and BioWare making a couple of huge MMOs (we still dont know what BioWare is doing!!) and they are keeping their hands off and same goes with so many other projects too.

They've said EA is moving more towards an umbrella company now where EA parent acts as a cover to shelter all the studios under them, protecting them and giving them what they want. It seems spot on if we take things currently.

Hopefully they will stick with it because they are really doing a great job at the minute. They key is to keep their hands of approach otherwise the wrath of the gamers will come back.

Some will never be convinced EA has changed ways. And thats down to the bad things EA has done in the past.

Owen-Lars

I just did some rough math on this thread, and his numbers add up...

also there are about a dozen Activision haters. He may be on to something...

Canuckssleepinthenude

these days activision is a lot more evil

bhlaab

@Toasticus: ooo..yes it is

chaos_isnt_here

@Llost: lol for "Mirror's Edge +1" "Bioware Acquisition -20" I believe it is time for a website dedicated to handing out points and penalties for the major publisher's successes and failures. Rather than using meta critic results to track overall game quality, track overall public satisfaction for the companies.

Ubisoft:
Assasin's Creed - Hmm, not going to penalize them, but they don't get a star.
Imagine Cooking: Ack! -200
Imagine Babies: Ack! -200
Imagine Etc: Ack! -200

EA:
SO MANY SHOVELWARE SIMS GAMES! -30

And so forth.
Who's with me?

Kyall

As soon as they remove all this DRM bulls**t from their PC games we can talk. Otherwise they can go skinny dip in hot lava.

GigglesWithCrabs

I think by winning us over he means buying all the competition so the only choice we have is buying EA products. I don't trust them. Never will. Companies like Bioware have always made good games. And guess what? if Bioware keeps making good games it will have nothing to do with EA. Will Wright was a genius before EA came into the picture. It's easy when you have money. You can buy stuff and say look what I just did.
Selling Rock Band in Europe for as much as a 360 and online region locked Army of Two are still fresh in my memory. I know for sure that Mass Effect 2 will be region locked.

Shinryoma

EA still has a ways to go.

Theyre starting to have some fresh new concepts, but they always fall short. Its hard to trust a company that just spits out sequel after sequel of the same thing with little change.

Altima NEO

I will never buy another EA published or produced title new again so they will never see any money from me. The only thing they MAY get money from me for is Mass Effect or if they release a Wing Commander collection on PC like they did for C&C last year.

Other than that they WILL NEVER SEE A DIME FROM ME AGAIN! Send that to them from this person who had been an EA customer since 1988 (Dr. J vs. Bird and Madden on the Apple II.)

MSUHitman

"hating ea is SOooo last year, homeguuurl, wiki-wiki-wow, can you dig it, homy?"

gutta admit tho, givin it to fox news was cool.

CGVega

The Evil Empire says: Trust Me.
I trust EA as far as I could run with their stolen money.

Xtreme_Hindu_Cow

Sorry, just the fact EA has been adding 'NEW' things to it's Madden games each year little by little to milk the deluded fans means EA will NEVER, EVER, FUCKING EVER, win me over.

I mean, when they first made Madden all of the rules were in place in football just as they are today. Why has it taken so long to add so much stuff?

Milk the customers!

And year after year the idiots who buy Madden keep drinking the Kool-Aid, and plunking down $60 plus for a roster update.

Vanguarde

I will only like EA if EA Sports will get off that crack and start churning out XBOX360 ports for PC. I hate it when I play NHL on my PC and discover it's a PS2 port. GET WITH THE DAMN PROGRAM!

michaelleung

90-10 is pretty generous. I can remember an anti-EA thread where I was the first person who wasn't anti-EA and that was about 70 comments in. I guess I am just a trendsetter. Since that is the case, the new trend is to be laid off and sit around in your underwear all day. I can hardly wait until Paris Hilton rips that off.

kingofallcosmos

Ever since I've finished MGS 4, MIRROR'S EDGE has become the new titleholder for "the only game in the world that even remotely interests me".

Leave DICE alone EA, don't screw this game up. And don't scew its inevitable 8 sequels that will be released over the next 11 years.

Serdur

"Companies like Bioware have always made good games. And guess what? if Bioware keeps making good games it will have nothing to do with EA."

What do you expect? Almost every studio EA has (with a few exceptions) comes from an acquisition. They were acquired because they were decent. You can say this for every EA studio, every EA game. If it's good it's because of the talent that was already there, if it's bad it's because of EA.

I don't understand you people.

And in terms of endless sequels and "milking" customers... I just don't buy them. But people do. Imagine you had the Madden franchise. You are guaranteed to sell millions and make hundreds of millions in revenue, even if you make very few changes from the previous game. Would you or would you not do it?

Face it people, this is business. Every single company out there is trying to "milk" you. EA's stuff is no different at all than Guitar Hero: Whatever or a COD game each year.

sailingtonorway

I think this is the first year in a long-long time that I've been interested in some EA titles, so recently they must be doing something right. Dead Space and Mirror's Edge look promising. If they deliver on their promise, than yes, I will say that EA is starting to learn from their past mistakes. Also don't forget their stand for Mass Effect with the clowns of Fox News.

gencid

Maybe he mistakes game enthusiasm with brand approval? I sure want to see Spore, and Mirror's Edge. Orange Box was... cool I guess. At least it was a way to get Portal physically.

They have a lot of really awesome looking games. They also have a bad habit of kneecapping them and selling the rest as DLC. I will give them big props though for never yet making me authenticate a game online, or crapping my PC up with spyware, spoofed driver wrappers, or other dealbreaker copy protection though. When I play Skate on PS3 it says "Connecting to EA Nation..." or whatever, and I cancel, but all it does is say "ok, you can't do online stuff then. Have fun!" and lets me play normally. So on that point, they wipe the floor with T2.

fuchikoma

@Llost
"I like Mass effect and Bioshock but they don't appeal to me as much when they're not exclusive."
lol wut?

Dr_Love

Oh shit! He says hating him is outdated! I'd better get with the times! HAHAHA

Really, I didn't hate them for a long time. They abused coders - everyone else did too, and they've apparently shaped up now. They ruined other franchises supposedly, but none I was into. I love their in-house and published racing games, and since Ridge Racer is so rare, NFS is my favorite arcade racer series.

...but then they were absolute, total, single-minded obsessive harrassing dicks to Take Two, who I also feel no great affinity for. The T2 offer has gone so far beyond reasonable it isn't even funny, and IMO has tainted their whole brand.

Yeah, John, people love your developers and hate the publisher/owner EA. You should look at why that is and try to stop being hated so much. 90-10 against up to 50-50? Really? On this Kotaku? I thought it was more like 70-30 against, rising to 95-5?

fuchikoma