People love to hate EA, sometimes with good reason. It has a reputation for grabbing cash wherever and whenever possible. It has been trying to change that, though, continually pushing this “player first” ideology and trying to promote a “good guy” image. Just today we learned that EA won’t be remastering Mass Effect, even though it would probably make them easy money, because they want to move forward and not backwards. As sad as I am, that’s a pretty good reason. But there’s a lot more going on under the surface.
Speaking to Games Industry, Patrick Söderlund explained some recent phenomena in gaming – why is EA releasing fewer games lately? Why does it seem to take them longer? Well, part of that is cost – AAA gaming costs way more than it used to, so they simply can’t have so many games in development at the same time. But there’s more.
We’re developing our games in much closer collaboration with players, and we’re listening more to what they want. That, in itself, is driving longer engagement, where people want to stay with our games for a longer time. As a result of that we’re seeing larger player populations, and the games are becoming very successful.
At the same time, though, the beauty of game development – the beauty of any type of entertainment – is that people don’t know what they don’t know. For us, that’s what we need to think about. That’s a big portion of why we exist. If we just continue to build on what we already have – which is also a portion of what we do, because the company needs it, the players really want it – and we don’t push ourselves towards the unknown… A company the size of EA, and a development organisation of the size that I oversee, with more than 5,000 people, we have an obligation to push the industry forward. I feel obligated to give people something new to play.
Player engagement and community interact certainly takes time. And hopefully it means that games are better. But there’s also a lot going on that we don’t see at any given time.
But we’ve been very open about the fact that Bioware is working on a new IP, and we’ll get to talk about that in the not too distant future. We have other teams working on new IP as well. I think it’s about a balance, right? Making sure that we continue to push what great looks like for Battlefield or FIFA or Madden – or Star Wars, for that matter – while continuing to invest in something new.
What I would say is I think our industry in general has become better at analysing and understanding what’s gonna work and what’s not gonna work. Some of the IP you mentioned before may not have been built in today’s world, where the data analysis and the dialogue with the players might say that we shouldn’t build that, or that the game should be slightly different. We don’t want to design by committee, we don’t want to go out and let the players design the games for us – that’s not who we are – but we do want to make sure that we have touch points with players out there, so we can understand if we’re thinking about this in the right way.
I think this is a big deal. The games we are seeing now are very different from the games we saw ten years ago. The industry is changing, gamers are changing, and the experiences we seek and how we pay for them is all changing. EA were awful pioneers in the land of DLC and micro transactions, and yet those are both normal and accepted now. The way they are done has changed for the most part, and we see games that benefit from extended life cycles through continually releasing new content, continually supporting the community.
I hope that as EA continues to move forward and innovate the industry, they do so in ways that actually benefit us instead of it feeling like they are milking us for more cash. But mainly, I’m excited to see some of the new IP in the works, and how gaming continues to change and evolve. The industry is going to move forward no matter what; I’m keen to see what EA and other publishers and developers can do to make it an even better industry.
Last Updated: September 1, 2016
Mistake Not...
September 1, 2016 at 12:32
Just as long as Mass Effect: Andromeda’s endings aren’t just different colours again.
HairyEwok
September 1, 2016 at 12:51
Maybe they’ll make an ending like No Man’s Sky.
Mistake Not...
September 1, 2016 at 12:58
Don’t bring up that game. The pain is still too fresh.
Matthew Holliday
September 1, 2016 at 13:39
Get to the end and start again?
A never ending Mass Effect?
Where do I go to give them my money?
HairyEwok
September 1, 2016 at 13:54
Or you could just press the reset button and delete your previous save.
RinceThis
September 1, 2016 at 12:33
EArnest? Pah!
Ottokie
September 1, 2016 at 12:36
http://ci.memecdn.com/215/3606215.jpg
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
September 1, 2016 at 12:39
AAA publishers milks us, they aren’t our friends or our buddies. They want to make as much money of us as possible. DLC and micro transactions might be the norm but I never asked for it nor am I a supporter of the practice. I partially blame publishers for forcing DLC and micro transactions on us but mostly I blame the people that spent money it.
It’s easy to accept defeat and go, well that’s the way it is. But that’s why I’m resigned to not support EA and to be very selective which games I buy day one. Ubisoft and WB are known to sell their games complete with all DLC a few months after the initial release for a lot less anyways
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
September 1, 2016 at 12:39
*fixed
Admiral Chief
September 1, 2016 at 12:40
Nice catch!
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
September 1, 2016 at 12:41
I should use gifs more, grammar doesn’t apply to gifs
Pariah ???
September 1, 2016 at 12:40
They fixes us precious.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
September 1, 2016 at 12:40
XD
BakedBagel
September 1, 2016 at 12:40
Dont you dare disrespect the supreme leader of Turkey like this
HairyEwok
September 1, 2016 at 12:52
I agree! I never asked for E-Tolls, wait what… What do you mean EA isn’t like our government.
RinceThis
September 1, 2016 at 12:58
Says the dude who buys ALL the AAA titles, tehehehe!
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
September 1, 2016 at 13:20
Not all, @ir0nseraph:disqus buys the other half 😛
Matthew Holliday
September 1, 2016 at 13:51
EA sales figures havent been looking as good as they expected, battlefront barely cracked into the top 20 in terms of sales last year, even with all the hype.
This “nice guy” approach that they want everyone to know about is just a different approach to sales.
I was honestly amazed when they announced that Premium wasnt going to cost R800
TheCellGames
September 1, 2016 at 14:45
What are you doing in gaming with this mentality, then? Even the indie scene is also known for screwing people over like Mighty No 9 and (the hell of a lot worse) No Man’s Sky. Why are you in gaming?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
September 1, 2016 at 15:11
I grew up with gaming so it’s become part of who I am. It’s true that gaming has changed even though I have resisted to change with it but I’ll never stop playing.
BakedBagel
September 1, 2016 at 15:26
WHY ARE YOU HERE STEYN????
WHY ARE YOU IN GAMING BRO???
ITS NOT LIKE…. YOU KNOW…. YOU ENJOY GAMES….
WHY YOU ERE???
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
September 1, 2016 at 15:35
rofl
HvR
September 1, 2016 at 15:38
Upvotes
BakedBagel
September 1, 2016 at 15:24
The fuck
“Why are you in gaming?”
I didnt realise there was a reason.
The fuck you go around asking people that seriously?
Greylingad[He Charges!]
September 1, 2016 at 15:30
Probably because the first game he played he had to pay to win the first skills match against a bossfight…
TheCellGames
September 1, 2016 at 16:27
Tha fuck are you doing not reading the whole argument?
BakedBagel
September 2, 2016 at 10:46
What argument?
“Why are you in gaming?” is not an argument.
TheCellGames
September 2, 2016 at 15:00
Let me dumb it down for you. Why are you in gaming if you hate the corporations that just want your money and will do anything to get it, you’re in the wrong part of the entertainment industries if you hate that. Was that too complicated or do I need to explain it like Dr. Seuss would?
BakedBagel
September 2, 2016 at 15:08
Okay so you are clearly 15.
The corporations you speak of, never “made” gaming.
Look at the earliest games. pong. tetris.
Made my guys in college testing the limits with the below average technology of the past.
Steyn is talking about a time before you. before this country had internet.
The amazing thing about games is, that it attracts many different people from different backgrounds. You dont need a reason to game. You dont need to spend your money on trash fucking products and schemes.. Games used to arrive at the store complete. No added extra’s needed.
Now you get half a game for the same price, and end up paying more for the other half.
Please. dont be retarded.
TheCellGames
September 2, 2016 at 15:30
Oh, so you’re a baby boomer that never saw the light of day. Buddy, if this were the 80s I’d give some validity to your arguments. We’re in 2016. You realized how huge the teams that work on these games are? You do realize that marketing these games cost a lot more? You do realize that these people gotta eat? You do realize that they need more money to produce other games? Companies need to turn a profit too, elsewise, what’s the bloody point? Being a slave to the consumers? How do you expect gaming to survive if they couldn’t get the money they make now and even then studios are closing left and right. I won’t be an advocate for EA with their DLC pricing. I think there’s other solutions to this problem. Games take years to make and millions of dollars. If you’re the type of uneducated consumer that’s stuck in the past then do some reading before you end up looking completely retarded on the internet.
BakedBagel
September 2, 2016 at 16:02
lmao.
Okay so, because people have to eat, you are obligated to purchase a shit product?
Gtfo. If you produce a good game you will get money, regardless of marketing. Regardless of the “company”.
EA: In terms of the full fiscal year, however, things look better. EA posted net revenue of $4.319 billion, compared to $4.021 during the previous fiscal year.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-revenue-and-profit-climb-as-digital-continues-t/1100-6427113/
Ubisoft: amounted to a $192 million (€170 million) profit on the year.
http://www.recode.net/2015/5/12/11562576/ubisoft-reports-192-million-full-year-profit
Activison: Activision Blizzard delivered GAAP net revenues of $4.66 billion
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160211006451/en/Activision-Blizzard-Announces-Fourth-Quarter-Full-Year
These companies are in positions to deliver AMAZING content.
Voting with your wallet is the most powerful thing a consumer can do.
gtfo
TheCellGames
September 2, 2016 at 17:42
I’m not saying you have to give money for a shit product you pathetic moron. We’re arguing DLC and pricing of products, not quality. Quit changing the subject. And all of the companies that you’ve listed have delivered great games within the last year.
BakedBagel
September 2, 2016 at 18:17
bruh. im done explaining shit to you, when you change goalposts soo fucking often.
Surprising tho, that the quality of games have declined since dlc.
But whatever, carry on being a trash tier pleb
TheCellGames
September 2, 2016 at 18:58
God you’re retarded. Changing the subject and then blaming me. You’ve got zero idea of how to hold a proper discussion. Don’t waste people’s time if you have nothing to say, especially nothing intelligent as you’ve proven.
BakedBagel
September 3, 2016 at 00:17
Bro. You are the one that went on about publishers not being paid to eat. gtfo of here. Child.
I clearly explained to you that they have enough money. Enough not to justify DLC. But you are a child so i understand. Carry on man.
TheCellGames
September 3, 2016 at 00:36
Jesus Christ, you are an ape. If you could read properly you would see that I wrote they have to eat, not that they’re starved (although Konami would beg to differ) if you have any sense of culture you’d know that means that these people don’t work for free. You proved companies are making money from last year. How many games have had DLC since then too? Your info proves DLC turns a profit, it doesn’t justify anything about the world being ok without DLC. There are rules that make DLC unacceptable but we’re not arguing that are we. Point is, you’re flip flopping, finding ways to twist my words and I don’t appreciate that
Dungeon of JJ
September 1, 2016 at 15:05
And at least WB games on pc are exciting, like gambling, you never know if the port is actually going to work 😛
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
September 1, 2016 at 15:06
LOL!
Gareth Lagesse (eXCheez)
September 1, 2016 at 12:40
Their business model has killed Bullfrog and Westwood, and (what’s left of) Bioware is next. They can GITFS.
Admiral Chief
September 1, 2016 at 12:45
Will definitely do my first playthrough with a male shep.
Although, having done ME1-3 with male shep first, might do it the other way around this time
HairyEwok
September 1, 2016 at 12:53
Change is good… EA is trying it, you should as well 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 1, 2016 at 13:01
“EA were awful pioneers in the land of DLC and micro transactions, and yet those are both normal and accepted now.” Like cancer.
Dutch Matrix
September 1, 2016 at 13:12
Cancer is actually way worse than DLC. DLC has not killed anyone. Yet Cancer takes peoples minds, so that fathers cannot recognize their own sons, or keep track of who is calling them on their phones.
Sons see their father weep, as they know their lives are close to an end, and yet, they do not want to go, as they have quite a good few things to live for.
It’s called Perspective. And I think you, me and everyone should strive for that.
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 1, 2016 at 13:22
Perspective… by that you mean everyone must think the way you do, because only you see clearly? People can have vastly different perspectives in case you didn’t realise that. Maybe some perspective would’ve lead you to consider that I wasn’t being literal.
RinceThis
September 1, 2016 at 13:28
Objection!
RinceThis
September 1, 2016 at 13:35
http://i.makeagif.com/media/11-26-2015/dZr36V.gif
HairyEwok
September 1, 2016 at 14:05
Ubijection! XD oh wait this is EA… EAjection?
Ottokie
September 1, 2016 at 13:35
https://media.giphy.com/media/1Z02vuppxP1Pa/giphy.gif
Dungeon of JJ
September 1, 2016 at 14:58
^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias
RinceThis
September 1, 2016 at 13:32
Are you serious?
Dutch Matrix
September 1, 2016 at 14:07
Yes Rince. I am serious.
Go and google what cancer does to the human body. Then go and read up about the suffering patients go through to get a “cure” for their disease.
Then go and read the effects cancer has on the person suffering from it. Then if you can, imagine what it is like for people living with someone that has cancer.
Then ask yourself, if comparing it to something as trivial as DLC is still correct.
Then go and look at the responses to my comment. Then ask yourself, is it not that maybe we have become decensitized to something as serious as cancer?
But hey. We are living in an era where we can have a Twitter melt down because somewhere some school principal took issue with a girl’s hair style.
But fuck the guy calling out a person to take cancer a bit more seriously, right?
Ottokie
September 1, 2016 at 14:30
https://media.giphy.com/media/xTiTndn9gUaxUa4xMs/giphy.gif
Snowlock2.0
September 1, 2016 at 14:33
Bet he’s a vegan and a crossfitter.
Dutch Matrix
September 1, 2016 at 14:46
I’ll try that attitude tonight when I am visiting my dad…
HvR
September 1, 2016 at 14:39
Snowflake you should contact Oxford Dictionary and tell them the 2nd definition of cancer offends you and invades your safe space.
RinceThis
September 1, 2016 at 14:49
Yes, fuck that guy for thinking he has to educate someone over the internet because he doesn’t get his perspective. Ironic.
BakedBagel
September 1, 2016 at 15:11
._. you cant actually be serious.
Im waiting for you to comment “LEL I WAS JUST TROLLING GOT YOU GUIZE”
Cancer is a disease, but its also a star sign. inb4 you want to change the name of a star sign.
Dane
September 1, 2016 at 14:10
You must be so much fun at parties.
Snowlock2.0
September 1, 2016 at 14:32
Would you like me to play a miniature violin while you tell this story to all the people who don’t give a $h1t?
BakedBagel
September 1, 2016 at 15:14
Flute instead
https://youtu.be/KolfEhV-KiA?t=17s
The Order of the Banana
September 1, 2016 at 13:06
Ugh EA….
HvR
September 1, 2016 at 14:10
Problem with AAA game development the last 10 years more is spent on marketing than the actual game.
For new IP and argument can maybe be made but for heaven’s sake do you need more than couple of YT trailers and couple of expo presentation for IP that sell it self for more than a decade on which the only complaint ever is that it wasn’t developed properly?
Dane
September 1, 2016 at 14:12
Agree. Like, we all know that there is going to be another CoD. Spend your money on making it not on telling us that it’s coming.
Dungeon of JJ
September 1, 2016 at 15:02
Yes. Completely.
And then they wonder why fans expected so much and ended up disappointed.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
September 1, 2016 at 15:05
You’ve said it man! I’m going to mention GTA V, because they set the example, some ridiculous amount in the region of 270 million dollars spent on the development of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game but when it came to the first bit of advertising, one video, nothing more, nothing less… and people went apeshit about it…
Dungeon of JJ
September 1, 2016 at 15:07
Well, to be fair, they did a ton of physical marketing later on…
http://i.imgur.com/RebKllJ.jpg
Greylingad[He Charges!]
September 1, 2016 at 15:10
That they did, but they didn’t do the hype train choo choo everyone on board thing like watchdogs or No man’s Sky, they went with the best route they know(pricing policies aside)
Dungeon of JJ
September 1, 2016 at 15:13
No. As little respect as I have for Rockstar, you knew exactly what you were getting and they delivered. Such a thing is rare. But that was 3 years ago, so we’ll have to wait and see if it’s still the same next time around.
BakedBagel
September 1, 2016 at 15:17
Rockstar’s silence on the PC version really pissed me off.
They stayed silent to milk every cent from people who had PC’s and consoles.
Cockstar lick my big toe.
Edit: They could have literally said “There will be a PC version, but no date as yet”
Matthew Holliday
September 1, 2016 at 15:18
I raged about the PC version.
That and all the cool new stuff I want is only for online.
BakedBagel
September 1, 2016 at 15:20
Before the re-release of GTAV was announced, they denied speaking to anyone, they ignored so many people asking if there was going to be a PC version.
They said nothing. Only once the next gen consoles were on the market did they say “Hey, incase you were wondering we making a PC version Xd”
I literally bought a xbox360 console and the game just to make sure i wasnt missing out. I would have waited for a PC version.
Fuck em.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
September 1, 2016 at 15:27
Well I got a PS3 for the game and yes…sorry, I did buy it on PC again, when it released with no regrets so… Thing is, when they released the PC version it was polished, and that was something that I think they took to heart, rather produce a game that performs stable on all platforms than rush it and get burnt…for a second time about the same exact issue…
Them being quiet about the PC version was something we all expected, but were unsure of, I stepped in that same strangely flowery scented turd…
Dungeon of JJ
September 1, 2016 at 15:28
I only got it a few weeks ago. Have only put about 6 hours in, but once I’ve scratched my ARK itch I’m settling into it for sure.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
September 1, 2016 at 15:32
I might sound like a fanboy now, but GTA V was, pre The Witcher 3, one of the best games I’d ever played, whether that was on PC or PS3, it was absolutely brilliant, the amount of detail….
Matthew Holliday
September 1, 2016 at 15:33
Still taking a break from the ARKing, havent played since befor the redwood update on the centre.
My tribe was unreliable, so solo play pretty much killed it for me, got my super argies all bred up, think they hit 330 by the time I called it quits on that server and uploaded them, but so few servers allow dino downloads, so it feels like its all gone to waste.
Also, need some fresh ideas for base building.
new patch SHOULD be coming out today though, ceiling doors baby!
What server are you playing on?
Dungeon of JJ
September 1, 2016 at 15:50
Oh nice. I took a break and now I’m playing on a PvE server, just chilling it out and building big bases.
Matthew Holliday
September 1, 2016 at 15:54
yeah, pvp isnt for me, its the building that I enjoy.
Dungeon of JJ
September 1, 2016 at 15:56
The last group I was with insisted on PvP and it soured the experience for me. Not again.
Matthew Holliday
September 1, 2016 at 16:07
Server? Now Im looking for an excuse to start up again.
you not playing with mods or anything?
Dungeon of JJ
September 2, 2016 at 09:24
No, but our server isn’t up very often, since it’s only a few guys, so makes things difficult sometimes. So it’s not ideal.
BakedBagel
September 1, 2016 at 15:33
Okay. This comes straight from the top
“PRIVATE YOU PLAY THAT GAME IN ITS ENTIRETY AND YOU DO THAT RIGHT NOW”
Dungeon of JJ
September 1, 2016 at 15:49
😀
I will for sure. Looking forward to it, but it needs my full attention.
BakedBagel
September 1, 2016 at 15:31
Look i cannot agree more. I also purchased it again for the PC. It was honestly too polished not too.
I honestly feel that that purchase was justified. It was not the same game as the old gen release.
I would have prefered if they just said “PC version is being internally considered and we will get back with more information” or something along those lines. Alas. The re-release was a great thing.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
September 1, 2016 at 15:33
Yeah man, I know exactly where you’re coming from, but sometimes I wonder what the influence from a publisher could be on that exact same announcement…
Dungeon of JJ
September 1, 2016 at 15:20
That’s one of the things that made me lose respect for them. They were so damn evasive and unclear about it, and then releases it nearly a year later and expect everyone to pay R800 for an old game. Screw that.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
September 1, 2016 at 15:19
Well, GTA V (and it’s inherent secrecy) was a product from the lesson they learnt when they released GTA IV, upon release it was great on the PS3 and Xbox 360, albeit the darker mood of the game, they managed to stuff up the PC launch and were crucified for it. In all honesty, I don’t think they’ll have problems pulling the next one off, but we’ll have to see…
BakedBagel
September 1, 2016 at 15:22
RDR never came to PC because it would have been more work to make an entirely new game. (lol i dunno)
But apparently the way RDR was coded made it really difficult to take it to PC. and from RDR, GTAIV the fear became a real reality.
Matthew Holliday
September 1, 2016 at 15:17
“hey look at our game, its GTA, you know what that means, its awesome, you should buy it”
Good marketing.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
September 1, 2016 at 15:21
Hmmm…. If the shoe fits?
chimera_85
September 2, 2016 at 13:42
I love EA, no jokes- I really do 🙂