Home Gaming EA shutting down old Free-to-play games

EA shutting down old Free-to-play games

1 min read
76

F2P

EA jumped on the free-to-play bandwagon in a big way, supporting the pay-nothing-to-start, pay-your ass-off-to-continue-to-play pricing model with microtransation—addled versions of its popular franchises. They’ve spawned things like Battlefield Heroes, FIFA world and other, similar f2P experiences. They’re now shutting them down.

Battlefield Heroes, Battlefield Play4Free, Need for Speed World and FIFA World are all getting the axe, with their servers being switched off in just three months. If you’ve played them, and have invested time and money in to these online, f2p titles, then you may want to get your last few kicks in before the servers go dark.

“In more than five years since most of these titles launched, how we play games has changed dramatically,” EA says. “These were pioneering experiences, and we’re humbled that, over the years, so many of you joined us to enjoy the games and the community.   While we say farewell to these free-to-play titles in the next few months, we are always exploring new concepts and ways to bring great games to more players around the world”

They’re quick to point out though, that they’re not abandoning the F2P model. In fact, it’s something that they say works rather well with The Old Republic.

“For instance, Star Wars: The Old Republic is a game that continues to have a very enthusiastic and growing player community,” asserts EA’s Patrcik Soderlund. ”We have plans to introduce more new story-driven game updates to our Star Wars: The Old Republic players this year.”

And from those earlier comments, it’s likely that they’re replace those older F2P games with brand new ones. Still, the news has some people up in arms. A great number of people apparently still play Need for Speed World, and they’re rather upset that their money and time investments will soon be lost in a digital abyss.

Last Updated: April 16, 2015

76 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief asked for this

    April 16, 2015 at 10:03

    I tried getting into SW TOR, but the constant other people running around reminding me that it is an MMO really sickens me

    Reply

    • Pariah

      April 16, 2015 at 10:14

      Kind of like going to a shopping mall. Only at least you don’t have to smell them. Or look them in the eye.

      Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        April 16, 2015 at 10:15

        Or have your fiance go “have you seen the gorgeous boobs on that one?” and me going “Whaa???”

        Reply

        • Pariah

          April 16, 2015 at 10:17

          Why women do this is beyond me. We all know it’s a trap. You agree you’re fucked. You don’t say anything you’re fucked. You disagree you’re fucked.

          Reply

          • RinceThis

            April 16, 2015 at 10:18

            And in all the wrongs ways…

          • Pariah

            April 16, 2015 at 10:18

            Sadly, yeah. :/

          • Captain JJ the flash noob

            April 16, 2015 at 10:21

            Pariah knows what’s up.
            Though there are exceptions.

          • Hammersteyn

            April 16, 2015 at 10:23

            Stay single, then you’re not fucked. In any way or form.

          • Pariah

            April 16, 2015 at 10:24

            I’m happy with my gf thanks. She doesn’t say shit like that. It’s awesome.

          • Hammersteyn

            April 16, 2015 at 10:26

            XD

          • Dutch Matrix

            April 16, 2015 at 10:24

            Unless you pay for it…

          • Hammersteyn

            April 16, 2015 at 10:26

            Yeah, but that’s just sad…

          • Dutch Matrix

            April 16, 2015 at 10:32

            I tend to agree with you. Sad thing is, once I was in Amsterdam, in the Red Light District. This one girl was simply stunning. Wife material I tell you…

          • Hammersteyn

            April 16, 2015 at 10:34

            She probably makes more than I do in a month…

          • Captain JJ the flash noob

            April 16, 2015 at 10:39

            She definitely makes more than I do

          • RinceThis

            April 16, 2015 at 10:28

            What you said! I mean 0_O

          • Mark Vincer

            April 16, 2015 at 10:24

            Correct answer: Quick visual comparison with partner’s fun bags. If bigger, say “Too big for my taste”. If smaller, say “Too small for my taste”

          • Pariah

            April 16, 2015 at 10:25

            Her response: “Why were you even looking? Aren’t mine good enough?”

          • Mark Vincer

            April 16, 2015 at 10:26

            “How can I decide that yours are unequivocally the best if I have no yardstick to compare to?”

          • Captain JJ the flash noob

            April 16, 2015 at 10:26

            That would imply you looked. I choose life.

          • Pariah

            April 16, 2015 at 10:26

            Yeah, you know what’s up too.

          • Hammersteyn

            April 16, 2015 at 10:26

            I chose something else

          • Pariah

            April 16, 2015 at 10:27

            OOH OOH LET ME GUESS!!!! It rhymes with tap. And Pringle. Right?

          • Hammersteyn

            April 16, 2015 at 10:28

            LOL sies….. if you mean what I think you mean.

          • Pariah

            April 16, 2015 at 10:29

            Fap, because you’re single. It’s not sies, it’s your only choice. DUM DUM DUMMMMM.

          • Hammersteyn

            April 16, 2015 at 10:31

            Yeah……
            *Closes bedroom door.

          • Mark Vincer

            April 16, 2015 at 10:28

            Actual correct answer: Shout “I’m blind! I devote my life to fighting crime!” Then jump over the bannister. And. Never. Look. Back

          • Pariah

            April 16, 2015 at 10:29

            I said those last 4 words in the batman voice in my head. It immediately became awesome.

          • Mark Vincer

            April 16, 2015 at 10:33

            Stare at her chest and say “These are the boobs the city deserves!”

          • Mossel

            April 16, 2015 at 10:47

            Grab the girlfriend/wifes boobs and exclaim: “Not as awesome as these babies!”
            If she doesn’t laugh at that then you need a new gf/wife!

          • Thats_how_I_Troll

            April 16, 2015 at 10:51

            I read it as Shatner…. Must have been all the full stops

          • Captain JJ the flash noob

            April 16, 2015 at 10:30

            What a daredevil 😉

          • Mark Vincer

            April 16, 2015 at 10:33

            I can’t help it, I’m hooked on that show.

          • Captain JJ the flash noob

            April 16, 2015 at 10:40

            I need to confess. I only heard about it Monday. Now my internet is dead (and that’s my tv) so now I can’t watch it.

          • Mark Vincer

            April 16, 2015 at 10:42

            I THINK it may be my new favourite superhero show. It’s serious and funny, true to comics, super awesome fight scenes and one other thing I can’t think of right now.

          • Ir0nseraph

            April 16, 2015 at 10:44

            I have to agree , it’s a brilliant show , my gaming time is suffering due to it.

          • Mark Vincer

            April 16, 2015 at 10:47

            One of those shows that distract me because all I want to do is watch but also draw him kicking ass. Episode 2. Fight scene. You know what I’m talking about. (No spoilers)

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            April 16, 2015 at 10:55

            Wait until 10 (I think) when Scorpion kicks his ass.

          • Mark Vincer

            April 16, 2015 at 10:58

            HUSH YOUR PRETTY MOUTH! I’m only on 6

          • HvR

            April 16, 2015 at 11:07

            Nah, yell out loud “woohoo threesome” and start doing a happy dance
            http://i.imgur.com/f7LhBX3.gif

          • Lord Chaos

            April 16, 2015 at 11:08

            You must have a really comfortable couch…

          • HvR

            April 16, 2015 at 11:14

            No win-win.

            Situation gets diffused by girlfriends public embarrassment; impress big tits with epic dance moves and there is always that 0.1% chance that everyone is game

            Option 2 yell at girl “my girlfriend thinks you have a nice rack” and give 2 thumbs up.

          • Mark Vincer

            April 16, 2015 at 11:18

            I’m glad that none of us are perpetuating the stereotype that male gamers don’t know their way around women

          • Mark Vincer

            April 16, 2015 at 11:13

            Or say “Are mine not good enough for you?!” Then cry until she buys you pretty things

          • Lord Chaos

            April 16, 2015 at 11:14

            *Buys herself pretty things for you

            Fixed it

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            April 16, 2015 at 10:25

            And, of course, it’s impossible you didn’t notice the person she’s talking about either, or care once it’s mentioned.

        • Admiral Chief asked for this

          April 16, 2015 at 10:18

          Luckily that never happens with my wife. I hate those awkward questions.

          And as our wise Admiral Ackbar once said “IT’S A TRAP”

          Reply

          • Dutch Matrix

            April 16, 2015 at 10:18

            Booby Trap!!!

          • Pariah

            April 16, 2015 at 10:18

            I see what you did there. 😛

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            April 16, 2015 at 10:20

            And if you answer you get the booby prize.

    • Mark Vincer

      April 16, 2015 at 10:43

      Like going to a party and then you realize that other people will be there

      Reply

    • Brady miaau

      April 16, 2015 at 12:18

      AND the levellling is slow unless you sub. That annoyed me.

      Neverwinter levels super fast, seems to be a lot more genuine ftp than TOR. My 2 cents

      Reply

  2. Blood Emperor Trevor

    April 16, 2015 at 10:09

    This is inevitable with F2P games – they’re online, they’ll close down. It’s even less your game than the one you bought believing you’d own it, it’s their game that you’re playing & occasionally throw money at.

    I’ve spent money on Warframe, if they announce a closure in 3 months I’d be upset… but I’d get over it pretty quickly. There’re plenty of fish in the sea, maybe I’d finally get around to Path of Exile.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      April 16, 2015 at 10:13

      I like Warframe. I don’t like to wait though. That’s what made me stop playing.

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        April 16, 2015 at 10:18

        It can be a bit irritating at times, lately when I was doing the Mirage quest & had to wait for each component to finish building before moving onto the next. Kubrows could be done faster too. Otherwise I’d just plan ahead, I’ve always got a couple of weapons or frames built & waiting for me.

        Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    April 16, 2015 at 10:13

    EAs like…. F2P can work if implemented correctly, except when it’s pay to win,pay to not wait and when they pull the plug obviously. Still saying Planetside 2 did it perfectly.
    http://replygif.net/i/964.gif

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief asked for this

      April 16, 2015 at 10:14

      Agreed, Planetside 2 ftw.

      We should play sometime!

      Reply

    • schitsophrenic-toothbrush

      April 16, 2015 at 10:57

      Sunny is the best show ever!

      Oh yeah….pay 2 win is a piece of sh1t it is the bane of gaming.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        April 16, 2015 at 11:03

        Binge watched that show over an over and over. One of my favourites.

        Reply

  4. Captain JJ the flash noob

    April 16, 2015 at 10:16

    I tried NFS World.
    I cried for days afterwards.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief asked for this

      April 16, 2015 at 10:17

      Is that not like your daily schedule?

      (Yes, we will continue to mock you until you get married, since no one of us was at your bachelor party to punish you accordingly with copious amounts of booze)

      Reply

      • Pariah

        April 16, 2015 at 10:17

        It’s more about smudging his makeup. He spends hours on that every day. Crying is bad.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the flash noob

          April 16, 2015 at 10:18

          Lies! Only amateurs need hours.

          Reply

      • Captain JJ the flash noob

        April 16, 2015 at 10:18

        It’s cool. I can take it.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief asked for this

          April 16, 2015 at 10:18

          The tears streaming down your face tell a different story…

          Reply

      • RinceThis

        April 16, 2015 at 10:19

        My invite is still in the post he says. He said that to Trev too, and Rocky, and Avo… Hang on 0_O

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the flash noob

          April 16, 2015 at 10:20

          I almost didn’t even have one. I had to remind the people about it actually.

          Reply

          • RinceThis

            April 16, 2015 at 10:22

            So… Still lost in the post then?!

          • Captain JJ the flash noob

            April 16, 2015 at 10:24

            Very lost. Blame the unofficial best man, he didn’t know who to invite.

          • Admiral Chief asked for this

            April 16, 2015 at 10:40

            Horrible best man!

            My offer still stands, I will MC your wedding wearing my Admiral uniform

      • Captain JJ the flash noob

        April 16, 2015 at 10:19

        Seriously though, that NFS World. You can’t even change the controls! And manual transmission? What’s that?

        Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        April 16, 2015 at 10:23

        He would’ve died

        Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      April 16, 2015 at 10:22

      Usually pressing the up arrow makes the car move forward 😛

      Reply

      • Captain JJ the flash noob

        April 16, 2015 at 10:25

        You’d think, but that little up arrow on the controller did nothing! 😉

        Reply

    • HvR

      April 16, 2015 at 11:10

  5. Ranting Raptor

    April 16, 2015 at 16:53

    Did I call it or did I call it?

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

The Division: Heartland is a free-to-play spin-off for everyone

For all those folks that looked at The Division and thought, “Sure, but I ain’t paying for…