| N4G | VGReleases | BADJoystick | GameNews24 | ZTGD | Price Comparison |

Read

280°

Gamers Forcing EA To Return To Old Ways

OXCGN:

"Remember the bad old EA so many of us gamers spent oodles of time criticising?

EA was the big time publisher that made huge amounts of cash off only releasing games from their pre-existing IPs (Intellectual Properties) like Medal Of Honor, Battlefield, and Burnout, their yearly sports 'updates', and off movie licenses like James Bond and Lord Of The Rings...

Then they changed. But now huge financial losses and a layoff of 1,500 staff may herald the end of their positive experiment into new IPs and innovation and a return to the old EA business model.

And it's our fault."

Read Full Article >>

oxcgn.com

BadCircuit - contributor
Published: 40 days 6 hours ago | Article | Gaming | Industry News

Save | Email | Info | Report | Add Alt Source

Comment Settings

Showing: 1 - 40 of 40 Comments

Shut this user up

Let user speak

BadCircuit - 40 days 6 hours ago

1 -

I have to admit I didn't buy Mirror's Edge or Dead Space...but yes I got Halo: ODST.

Agree(2) | Disagree(7) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

edwineverready - 40 days 6 hours ago

1.1 - So you are

the corporate. lol

Agree(5) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

dchalfont - 40 days 5 hours ago

1.2 - What a bull**** title

I bought Mirrors Edge and Dead Space, they are two of my favourite games this gen, I would recommend them to anyone, and tell anyone who will listen about what they missed out on, good games have a lasting effect. But if EA are aspiring to be more like Activision currently is then they have no one to blame but their own greed, and may god have mercy on us all.

Agree(8) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

hobokiller - 40 days 5 hours ago

1.3 -

EA really took some chances that paid off for us gamers...but not so much for them. I hope Brutal Legend's sales aftermath doesn't turn off Tim Schafer from making any more games.

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Saaking - 40 days 4 hours ago

1.4 -

EA is trying and we should support them. It's just casuals are the ones that run the market and only extremely hyped games sell to that crowd. They're happy playing Madden, CoD, Halo, and GH over and over. Unfortunate, but true.

Agree(8) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Chubear - 40 days 4 hours ago

1.5 -

I hope newage gamers start understanding this concept real quick. When every new IP Sony brings forth is dissed to oblivion cause of some peeing contest for console supremacy regardless of how good it may seem.

Most gamers diss Too Human but have never even played it themselves and the game is no where as bad as it is portrayed. This game has potential to really deliver great Nordic mythological story telling for us gamers in the future, the likes of GoW did, but we diss it and try to kill it cause editorial reviewers tell us so. Who loses out? not the gaming sites but WE do.

I say this all the time, Lair was not a bad game at all. If it had launched on the Wii using the same exact motion controls it would have had 9s&10s like crazy with the same gaming sites labeling it the most innovative game of 2007 but because it was on the PS3 it had to be dogged. Well, how many Dragon games do we have now? who does that hurt in the long run? US that's who. All we get is zombie zombie zombie. Zombie racer, zombie sims, zombie DoA.. dont' be surprised to see some zombie gaming in Halo reach & Fable3 too.

After seeing sequels to the likes of Uncharted, Motorstorm, MW2 etc, can you imagine what a Lair 2 would have been like? Better controls, crazy online MP with thousands of Dragons flying everywhere etc etc but no, we hail Forza3 as teh definitive when we know it's not pushing jack s* for our experiences in that sub-genre.

Look at MAG, pushing more than ANY shooter has ever done on a console but many want it to fail never thinking of the benefits we could have if/when it succeeds. Can you imagine playing an Action RPG or Hack 'n Slash game with 256 players with swords and arrows and axes etc? Well, keep dissing MAG throwing FUD it's way and find out if we'll ever get to see a game like that. We'll be stuck with 8v8 forever.

KZ2 presents the very best in graphical fidelity and physics on any FPS on consoles and instead of that being praised and encouraged we rather have ODST (an exact blue print of a game 2 yrs ago that wasn't even an impressive bench mark back then) as the game WE want developers to give us.

WE are the ones screwing over our own selves. Sure gaming sites and PR groups aid in it heavily but we need to start looking at our own selves.

STOP OVERLY SUPPORTING RUN OF THE MILL OLD STALE GAMING AND START HELPING PUSH GAMING FORWARD! It won't hurt you to do something new with gaming or give Kudos to developers that bring new fresh vibes to tried and true gaming concepts

Agree(5) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

tplarkin7 - 40 days 4 hours ago

1.6 - EA made mistakes.

Mirror's Edge was Half-Life without guns. They also wasted precious resources on the Wii. The golden rule of Nintendo is that 3rd party games fail.

Agree(1) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Dark General - 40 days 3 hours ago

1.7 -

My current game collection is split down the middle for current gen games with 8 new ip's and 7 sequels with 2 series reboots (Warhawk/PoP). I would say it's a pretty acute observation by the author of this article. EA is probably more inclined to lean back again on their proven franchises once again but I don't believe they'll full rely on them. I think they have to find a good balance of new IP's with sequels. Last year If I'm not mistaken they released about 3 or 4 new IP's and lowered their sequel count.

If they can find a good balance of peppering the new IP's with the established brands they posses we'll get what we want and they'll get what they want. I think a key to that will be Riccitiello spearheading the campaign of new titles will fortifying the old titles.

Edit: And well said Chubear, I couldn't agree with you more. Maybe not about everything you said about those titles specifically. But the message you convey is a great and strong one. Hopefully these newer gamers will "get it".

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Perkel - 40 days 2 hours ago

1.8 -

loleveryone think that this is a problem with mirrors edge and dead space is idiot.

BOTH GAMES MADE PROFIT

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

nix - 40 days 2 hours ago

1.9 - @Chubear

my sentiments exactly. i couldn't have said it better.

i've been trying to get the same exact message for awhile. if we and the freaking media keeps supporting mediocre games then that's all we are going to get - sucky games.

i am definitely missing Heavenly Sword 2.

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

sikbeta - 39 days 22 hours ago

1.10 -

Is time to start to teach casual how to be gamers, then they'll understand what is good for the gaming community

Agree(0) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

edwineverready - 40 days 6 hours ago

2 - I agree

I made this point in a different ea article. They tried the new ip thing did not make money and now they will go back to there old ways. it's a pity people don't buy what they don't know. I take mirror's edge over mw2 any time.

Agree(9) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

XboxOZ360 - 40 days 5 hours ago

2.1 -

New-generation gamers are an exceptionally picky group. They want, no, demand new IP's from developers. They demand new innovation into older existing IP's, they demand more content . .

Yet when given it, they leave it like a dying dog - why?

Because it's not like the other games they made before and they (new-gen-gamers) don't or won't spend the time, effort and energy required to learn new skill-sets required for new IP's

So developers then loose BIG TIME on the IP's, that by themselves are excellent innovations, and are forced to go back to a model that works and pays bills.

THEN the new-gen-gamers criticize the developers for dare going back and creating stocking-filler games, because they DO SELL, and want to know why those same developers are not coming out with new innovations.

So in the end, the developer simply can NOT win.

Ubisoft's James Cameron's Avatar: The Game in both 2d and 3d will suffer the same fate I'm afraid. While at a huge gaming event last night, which saw several Ubi games, as well as many other developers games, Avatar 3d was on showcase, with the great 3D glasses, and the number on that game compared to the rack-em-stack-em football, soccer,racer-trash was pitiful to the extreme.

You wonder why DICE spend all that money on their Frostbite engine in DICE, come up with something unlike anything else, that is excellent and challenging. And because gamers "found it difficult" they just didn't bother getting it.

Well shock news ppl . . . all new things are difficult - at first. So do this amazing thing called - "Learning new skill sets" ppl.

The current 2 gens of gamers are their own worst enemies . . and will be the death of innovation in games by developers.

Agree(9) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Chubear - 40 days 4 hours ago

2.2 - ^^

Hear hear

Agree(3) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Ravage27 - 40 days 3 hours ago

2.3 - i couldn't agree more

however...there are 7 million+ fools who don't think the same way. I'm losing faith in the industry, because judging by the current trend, there is absolutely nothing positive about the future of gaming.

Established franchises are selling millions at the expense of more deserving titles when they are taking near-zero risk and innovation, and time and time again, the majority of the gaming population shows their stupidity by supporting it. They are sending a message to the industry that all we want are endless sequels with new skins and maps.
I wouldn't expect EA to create another new IP like Mirror Edge anytime soon.

I'm going to enjoy this gen as much as i can, for it could very well be my last. The thought of browsing the shelves of gamestores and seeing nothing but endless COD-clones is depressing to say the least.

Agree(3) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

nix - 40 days 1 hour ago

2.4 - i like this...

finally a group of people who share the same sentiments.

we GAMERS need to do something collectively if we want to see the future head in the right direction.

and the media should also tell the gamers that they need to buy the certain games if they want to see better future. be one to show the light.

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Skizelli - 35 days 3 hours ago

2.5 - @2.4

"we GAMERS need to do something collectively if we want to see the future head in the right direction."

We gamers? Based on your comments on N4G, you're a fanboy, not a gamer. Gamers embrace all platforms because they love games. You call Xbots idiots, but what does that say about you?

Agree(0) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

gaminoz - 40 days 5 hours ago

3 -

I guess gamers vote with their cash. But then there are some movie tie-ins that don't deserve what sales they get...

Games like Little Big Planet and Scribblenauts show that innovation in gaming can come from the odd game or downloadable XBLA, PSN, or portable DS experiences. Don't know how well LBP sold though?

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

swiftshot93 - 40 days 5 hours ago

3.1 -

Scribblenauts will have long legs, LBP sold around 2.3 million copies.

Agree(3) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

swiftshot93 - 40 days 5 hours ago

4 -

Man, I'd be pissed if they won't publish a Dead Space 2.

Agree(5) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Godem - 40 days 5 hours ago

5 -

Burn EA! Burn it!!! Burrrn iiit!!!!

Agree(0) | Disagree(7) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

gaminoz - 40 days 5 hours ago

5.1 -

lol...deja vu.

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

MajestieBeast - 40 days 5 hours ago

6 -

I bought dead space didn't buy mirros's edge it just wasn't my kind of game bought brutal legend all though it was a little disappointing and short. Hope for ea that dante's inferno sells well same for dragon age which is a brilliant game so i think i supported ea enough but ea was stupid to release dead space in the same timeframe as Resistance 2,Gears 2,Lbp fable 2 they should have shipped it in January 2009.

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

HDgamer - 40 days 5 hours ago

7 -

I bought Mirrors edge and Dead Space, don't regret either purchase. they were just fun games, the real next gen games from EA.

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Pandamobile - 40 days 5 hours ago

8 -

Looking at my game collection now, more than 60% of my games are EA games. I own every game in the Battlefield series, Crysis and Warhead, Mirror's Edge, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, The Sims, and tons more.

Judging from the 2010 release calender, there'll be a lot more EA games in my collection. BFBC2 and Crysis 2 I want my hands on so badly D:

Agree(3) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

KnaveX - 40 days 5 hours ago

8.1 -

i feel you man, i feel you. :)

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

gaminoz - 40 days 1 hour ago

8.2 -

I've just had a look through my game collection for 360 and PS3 and sure enough, 75% of the games I've kept (and there are quite a few) are sequels or movie tie-ins.

Anyone out there actually have more new IPs than sequel/movie tie-ins?

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

dreamhunk - 40 days 5 hours ago

9 -

it's no EA is fault it's the consoles as whole. I mean come they invested in the wii. they made C&C4 multiplat there are meny reasons.

As whole they are getting better look at ffifa some their games don't have wow factor.

Agree(0) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Vegas - 40 days 4 hours ago

9.1 -

Your comment makes my head hurt.

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Sarcasm - 40 days 4 hours ago

9.2 -

"Your comment makes my head hurt. "

Maybe english isn't his first language. Nonetheless I agree, my head when into a bind trying to read that comment.

I not understand much look comment head hurt mind boggle is it no?

:)

Agree(2) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

LastDays - 40 days 5 hours ago

10 -

I bought both mirrors edge and dead space.

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

cornfedgamer - 40 days 4 hours ago

11 - It's the economy, stupid

I think the primary reason is the economy. These types of layoffs are happening everywhere, across all industries. It just finally caught up to the video game industry.

But I agree that innovation will come from independent developers who get a platform via Xbox Live Arcade and PSN.

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

BaschPS3 - 40 days 4 hours ago

12 -

EA is better now than then. They stand for much more than sports titles now, and I will always appreciate their new IPs like Dead Space and Mirror's Edge. I hope more enjoy what they have to offer.

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Bloodshoteyz - 40 days 3 hours ago

13 -

I loved dead space...it was actually my 1st experience on the ps3 and made me appreciate my new investment in to the ps3 slim. Please have faith in us EA cause some of us love your games :)

Agree(2) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Magna Farta - 40 days 2 hours ago

14 - It's a really bad time to be experimenting too...

...Unfortunately the development of most of these new IPs started just before the recession collectively kicked everyone square in the balls.

And by the time it hit game sales, most of the games coming out now were too far in development to just shut down. I'm willing to bet that if Brutal legend and Mirror's Edge started development one year late, they would've never seen the light of day.

And this doesn't only hurt us, it also hurts visionaries in the game industry who have the skill to make a gaming dream become reality, only to have it shot down by the almighty dollar.

I would've loved to see a new Road Rash, and maybe on the heels of Mass Effect we'd see a reboot of Starflight (only the BEST space exploration game in existence) But nevermore I suppose :(

Agree(3) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

gaminoz - 40 days 1 hour ago

14.1 -

Just look at all the smaller game studios that have canned/ put on hold their interesting new IPs or gone under.

Theseis, Faith & a 45, The Crossing, Dead Island, Rainy Woods, Salvation, To End All Wars, The Outsider, 2 Days 2 Vegas are all games that have gone missing.

If the biggies can't sell their new IPs, what chance do they have?

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

chak_ - 39 days 22 hours ago

15 -

I don't know how to feel about it.

I bought (all pc version) dead space, which was great for a new IP's first game, mirror's edge, which i couldn't play because it made me puke, and lastly dragon age.

I think all of them are considered as risks for EA, and I'd be really sad if they stopped producing those, especially dragon age, which is a masterpiece.

But at the same time I'm really really glad EA is now considering PC gamers again, giving us bad company 2 or even annoucing BF3, realsing mass effect 2 at the same time as xbox and all.

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Syaz1 - 39 days 21 hours ago

16 - while it's true gamers, including me, don't support them enough...

the fault lies in them too. they didn't market their game enough, i don't much hype for mirror's edge. dead space was released at the wrong time (near cod waw's release, bloody game). not many new ip's can survive when being released alongside a big hit. then another mistake with a dead space game, extraction was released for the wrong crowd.

although it might be a tough thing to do, i guess gamers should be less demanding. it's the recession, it's not as easy to make money, so as long as the game is quality enough, and the price stays the same, i don't mind if it's somerandomgame 39 or whatever sequel, i wont demand for innovative game unnecessarily, and i won't complain about the existence of casual games.

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

NeloRisi - 39 days 21 hours ago

17 - Bought and loved

Mirrors Edge and Brutal Legend.
Didnt get Dead Space since horror games really arent my forte but still...

Anyway, I put this blame squarely on the Wii. The Wii version of Dead Space sold *9000* copies in its first MONTH. Thats just abysmal... I cant see 3rd party support remaining for the Wii if Nintendo dont try anything to keep it.

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

BadCircuit - 39 days 9 hours ago

17.1 -

Good point.

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) |

Showing: 1 - 40 of 40 Comments

Add Comment (Gamer Zone)

Gamer Zone Posting Guidelines
The Gamer Zone is for members who want a more friendly and civilized discussion. This section is heavily moderated by the N4G staff, so leave your fanboyism at the door please. Members who are unable to behave in a mature and respectful manner will be temporarily or permanently restricted from posting in the Gamer Zone. Using words such as Xbots and Sony droids, or other words from the console war vocabulary, is strictly prohibited in this Zone.
Read More...

You must log in to post comments.

Username:

Password:

Remember

Join N4G

Login

About N4G

N4G is a social game news site that covers the game industry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
More Info... | Submit News

- Site Menu
  
  Game Index
  Help & Info
  
  RSS Feed
  Feedback
  
  Full Menu...
  Webmaster Tools