EA 'destroying' gaming - Minecraft creator

richymcdermott

Markus Persson says indie games "saving" the industry, while FIFA, Battlefield publisher is "methodically" running it into the ground.

the man has a point ..


http://uk.gamespot.com/news/ea-destroying-gaming-minecraft-creator-6374907

imitation

Sigh, more of the same about EA. I have always played a couple of EA games that interest each year and they have generally been good. They probably put out more drivel than the average publisher, but not that much more. At the end of the day they are out to make money and that generally means some safe choices like the latest fifa, battfield etc. No different to the latest cod or Guitar Hero.

I fail to see how EA are killing indie games. Infact Indie games were all but dead in the late 90s when people lost interest in stuff like shareware, the internet help revitalise it. App markets are helping even more. How the EA boogie man is supposed to be destorying this is beyond me.

Sabre0001

EA is also publishing work from smaller studios though and tend to make good choices >> Loved Shank & Deathspank titles and Warp was decent but a little flawed. (haven't played Gatling Gears so can't comment on that).

No, this "indie bundle" isn't "indie" in the traditional sense of the word, but is that the issue he has with it? The statement of them "destroying gaming" is a little more than silly though...

johnny_ultimate

Stephen Fry supports EA.

Are you saying Stephen Fry is destroying gaming Richy?

Because that's all I'm hearing. Stop hating on Stephen Fry.

richymcdermott

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Stephen Fry supports EA.

Are you saying Stephen Fry is destroying gaming Richy?

Because that's all I'm hearing. Stop hating on Stephen Fry.

i laughed..fair play:P

SeantheMan

I hate EA anyways

super_furry

Ah Notch. He must get antsy if he's not in the gaming press at least once a week.

Duggy747

A guy I know who works with Criterion Games (owned by EA) told me recently that they have to keep resorting back to the Need For Speed franchise whenever a similiar competitor is due to be released. They've been told to keep this shìte up until the competition dies down and then they'll be allowed to make another Burnout game.

Completionist

imitation wrote: »

Sigh, more of the same about EA. I have always played a couple of EA games that interest each year and they have generally been good. They probably put out more drivel than the average publisher, but not that much more. At the end of the day they are out to make money and that generally means some safe choices like the latest fifa, battfield etc. No different to the latest cod or Guitar Hero.

I fail to see how EA are killing indie games. Infact Indie games were all but dead in the late 90s when people lost interest in stuff like shareware, the internet help revitalise it. App markets are helping even more. How the EA boogie man is supposed to be destorying this is beyond me.

No one is saying EA don't publicise good games, But they do stop creativity.

Here is a comment from the article above, It describes perfectly why EA are ****e.

Much like Sky TV, they buy out something that's innovative and possibly brilliant... Then they force the devs to make changes that will help profit rather than allow creativity to flow freely as it will have done to create the masterpiece... Once the cash stops flowing because they've killed off all the fun and milked the money dry, they fire a bunch of people and move onto the next company/franchise.

K.O.Kiki

SeantheMan wrote:

Surely there is more to the comment/interview than that...what was the question that was even posed.
It could be taken out of context, as we don't know what was said before or after.
There is a one line statement, and a whole article written around it.

I'd like to see the source it was taken from to see Notch's whole opinion.
__________________

SeantheMan wrote: »

I hate EA anyways

THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU SAID WHEN I ORIGINALLY QUOTED YOU

https://twitter.com/#!/notch/status/197992550144032768

Or in full:

EA releases an "indie bundle"? That's not how that works, EA. Stop attempting to ruin everything, you bunch of cynical bastards.

Fwiw, I don't even call Mojang inde any more. Vlambeer is indie. Polytron is indie. Stephen, Ed, Terry, Derek, Tommy and Chris are indie.

Indies are saving gaming. EA is methodically destroying it.

I got into trouble on the interwebs again! The games in the bundle are good, I'm not questioning them. I'm questioning EA.

Welease

Completionist wrote: »

No one is saying EA don't publicise good games, But they do stop creativity.

Here is a comment from the article above, It describes perfectly why EA are ****e.

One could equally argue that Indie Developer greed ruins creativity.. If you don't want to be told how to develop your game, then don't merge funding with EA..

Mr Bloat

super_furry wrote: »

Ah Notch. He must get antsy if he's not in the gaming press at least once a week.

I wish that the gaming press didn't fawn over every thing that the likes of Notch and the Angry Birds lad say. These guys are only playing to the gallery.

Gunmonkey

Welease wrote: »

One could equally argue that Indie Developer greed ruins creativity.

Too true, how many millions has Notch made from Minecraft? Something around the likes of €70million last I heard. Now, even with Swedens high tax rate, he is still sitting on a s***ton of cash and yet his next game will now require a monthly sub

johnny_ultimate

Here's a list of great things EA have done in the last decade:

• Published We Love Katamari (candidate for best game of all time) relatively anonymously when no-one else would.
• Have proven themselves a vocal opponent of homophobia in gaming.
• Granted Harmonix the creative freedom to create several Rock Band games and spin-offs. Only pulled the plug when the series became a massive financial burden, and even then granted Harmonix the license to continue the series.
• Published niche, creatively ambitious titles like Mirror's Edge, Stranger's Wrath and Brutal Legend.
• Granted Dead Space a sequel despite mediocre commercial performance.
• Have made a vocal stand on quality vs quantity of output in recent years.
• Have turned FIFA from a lazy cash cow into the most commercially and critically successful football sim.
• Published the games of several independent studios, such as the ones in this bundle (semantically speaking, they still are independent).
• Published Valve's retail games (although also responsible for the shoddy port of The Orange Box on PS3, truth be told).
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, and everything awesome that that suggests.
• Published various high-quality third party titles, from Shadow of the Damned to Bulletstorm.

So yes, they have been assholes in numerous regards. But they've also made gaming a richer, more interesting place.

imitation

Completionist wrote: »

No one is saying EA don't publicise good games, But they do stop creativity.

Here is a comment from the article above, It describes perfectly why EA are ****e.

Its been leveled before, but I think to be fair EA have probably put a bit of work into expanding there portfolio into something more interesting with the likes of Dead Space and acquiring Bioware. Biowares stuff has improved imo since EA got it, although it has become more "mainstream" in some aspects, I know many people were frothing at the mouth about DA2, but I liked it at least.

I think EA gets singled out dispute the fact lack of originality is an industry wide problem (Call of duty one million anybody ?), at the end of the day if your investing millions into the game, its little solace if the masses shun it and it generates a huge loss, even if it does turn into a cult classic. Thats just business sadly

Helix

EA's problem is that the biggest will always be seen as the most hated, and they're definitely the biggest. it doesn't help that the company's reputation from about a decade ago precedes it either, but a lot has changed since the company were (quite rightly) hated for releasing a continual stream of garbage

for the amount of titles they put out from so many different studios, IMO they have a better track record for quality these days than anyone else

Overheal

Helix wrote: »

for the amount of titles they put out from so many different studios, IMO they have a better track record for quality these days than anyone else

I watched a redneck down a hog past night on sons of guns using a quad mounted auto shotgun... It took him 4 damn shots at close range. You know what he said? "accuracy by volume!"

Helix

Overheal wrote: »

I watched a redneck down a hog past night on sons of guns using a quad mounted auto shotgun... It took him 4 damn shots at close range. You know what he said? "accuracy by volume!"

nah i dont think that's the case with EA. they put out a lot, but most of them are better than most games put out elsewhere, with the odd clanger

gizmo

Some day I'm going to form my own company and release a couple of great games. Then when EA come knocking to buy my company I'll take the money and run. Some time later, from my deck chair on some beach in some faraway tropical country, I'll read various websites about how EA are killing creativity as they change the direction of the company I founded.

It's great how life is so simple.

Odaise Gaelach

gizmo wrote: »

Some day I'm going to form my own company and release a couple of great games. Then when EA come knocking to buy my company I'll take the money and run. Some time later, from my deck chair on some beach in some faraway tropical country, I'll read various websites about how EA are killing creativity as they change the direction of the company I founded.

It's great how life is so simple.

Alternatively, take their money and use it to form a new company and make more great games.

super_furry

Overheal wrote: »

I watched a redneck down a hog past night on sons of guns using a quad mounted auto shotgun... It took him 4 damn shots at close range. You know what he said? "accuracy by volume!"

That doesn't stack up really when it comes to EA though.

http://www.metacritic.com/company/electronic-arts?dist=positive

MOH

But they are destroying gaming. One game at a time.

JohnMarston

EA Games ruined the Command and Conquer franchise when they took over Westwood studios, so the hell with 'em

aN.Droid

JohnMarston wrote: »

EA Games ruined the Command and Conquer franchise when they took over Westwood studios, so the hell with 'em

This

gizmo

Odaise Gaelach wrote: »

Alternatively, take their money and use it to form a new company and make more great games.

But what about the future of the studio and IP I'm leaving behind? What's to stop the publisher "realigning corporate interests" and sacking a bunch of my (former) staff after I leave? Or "dumbing down" my once great hardcore IP in order to appeal to a wider audience?

Maybe I could do what Louis Castle (co-founder of Westwood Studios) did when EA bought the company? Stay on and watch the franchise crumble around me and then become so incensed at what happens when the studio is closed that I become Vice President of Creative Development at EA LA for another 6 years before eventually ending up at Zynga as their VP of studios.

But yea, it's all EA's fault.

wyrn

I have a chip on my shoulders since 2003 - when they closed down Westwood Studios. Red Alert hasn't been the same. Not even Tim Curry could save RA3. Also I really really really want Mirror's Edge 2. I loved Mirror's Edge, it's a nice change from all the FPS and MP games out there.

I know I shouldn't be this irrational and I ought to get over it, but I can't see past it. Although I have mellowed a little bit in my old age.

That said, each studio has it's own hangups, like Valve and their timing issues.

JohnMarston

Consistant Mediocrity, reskinning old sports titles year after year.

EA, it's in the game.

ShiverinEskimo

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Here's a list of great things EA have done in the last decade:.

...

So yes, they have been assholes in numerous regards. But they've also made gaming a richer, more interesting place.

Made a stand against Tim Landell and his shameless trademark trolling.

johnny_ultimate

JohnMarston wrote: »

Consistant Mediocrity, reskinning old sports titles year after year.

EA, it's in the game.

Sports titles that sell millions upon millions of copies annually and have been widely accepted as games that genuinely improve from year to year. While I don't play any of them, I know from my many friends and relatives who are obsessed with FIFA that EA upped their self-proclaimed game and mercilessly trashed Pro Evolution when it posed a genuine quality and commercial threat. Can't really begrudge hard-earned success of that type, TBH: a situation where pretty much everyone benefits. Except Konami.

JohnMarston

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Sports titles that sell millions upon millions of copies annually and have been widely accepted as games that genuinely improve from year to year. While I don't play any of them, I know from my many friends and relatives who are obsessed with FIFA that EA upped their self-proclaimed game and mercilessly trashed Pro Evolution when it posed a genuine quality and commercial threat. Can't really begrudge hard-earned success of that type, TBH: a situation where pretty much everyone benefits. Except Konami.

I was playing a copy of fifa '09 with some lads back in february. My little nephew owns fifa '11 now and was playing some matches with him last week to keep him occupied. I was blown away by the different soundtrack and slightly different roster

TheDoc

Gaming "news" websites will continue to publish such bollox.

There was absolutely no clarification or justification as to why how or when.

EA release indie game bndle.
Your man says EA are bollox.
Yor man says the games are good
Still says EA is bollox

It is not EA's fault there is a massive market for yearly updates to sports games and yearly updates to first person shooters.

And people shouldnt feelbelittled for enjoying them either

Massive Battlefield fan
Enjoy Fifa aswell

If people had their way Fifa yearly updates would be free and new maps and equipment in Battlefield would be free

Get a grip

johnny_ultimate

JohnMarston wrote: »

I was playing a copy of fifa '09 with some lads back in february. My little nephew owns fifa '11 now and was playing some matches with him last week to keep him occupied. I was blown away by the different soundtrack and slightly different roster

This is in sharp contrast to the hardcore FIFA fans to whom a minor variation in mechanics can provide months of discovery and readjustment. I'll be the first to admit I have absolutely no knowledge of FIFA, and don't 'understand' the appeal of yearly updates, but I know fans love the changes that come with every subsequent installment. Explains how it sells millions of copies every holiday season to huge commercial and critical acclaim.

It's a football game anyway: what massive changes do you actually expect? I think after twelve years, they'll have got the formula pretty consistent and can rely on tinkering, as they can't really rely on new enemy types, dual wielding or setpieces to keep things fresh.

TheDoc

Completionist wrote: »

No one is saying EA don't publicise good games, But they do stop creativity.

Here is a comment from the article above, It describes perfectly why EA are ****e.

And fromthat

On one side you have the more intuitive consumer ( and i call it intuitive because there is plenty of bandwagon jumpers who try to be snobs with the ooh i play indie games Aruin everything) who understands and becomes frustrated that there is a lack of innovation.

Then they are those who will actually appreciate the approach EA hav taken in terms of generating massive profit, providing game developers massive budgets and in fairness pushing gaming in some aspects to the virtual and visual limits.

I wouldnt be suprised if EA approach to business bcomes a case study in universities in years to come.

They have essentially done in the video games industry what Microsoft did with computers and what Volkswagen did with cars.

TheDoc

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

It's a football game anyway: what massive changes do you actually expect? I think after twelve years, they'll have got the formula pretty consistent and can rely on tinkering, as they can't really rely on new enemy types, dual wielding or setpieces to keep things fresh.

They dont get enugh credit for essentially winning what was an epic tussle beteween Fifa and Pro Evo.

Fifa got stale and rigid while Pro Evo was fluid and pacey.

FIFA took a new direction and is undoubtably king of the football games , has been for some time and looks to be for some time.

Shiminay

I'm a *very* casual FIFA player, but I have noticed genuine game-play and handling differences between 9 - 10, 10 - 11 and 11 - 12. All stuff I believe could still have been rolled out with a software update along with the new teams, but differences none-the-less.

JohnMarston

TheDoc wrote: »

It is not EA's fault there is a massive market for yearly updates to sports games and yearly updates to first person shooters.

And people shouldnt feelbelittled for enjoying them either

Massive Battlefield fan
Enjoy Fifa aswell

If people had their way Fifa yearly updates would be free and new maps and equipment in Battlefield would be free

Get a grip

I have absolutely no problem buying a new installment in a game franchise, and i have. I have bought and played the Infamous, Uncharted, Mass Effect, Elder Scrolls and Fallout game series'
I paid for them because they offered improved gameplay mechanics and new storylines.
I wouldnt demand yearly updates for free for those games, because they are entirely new games even though they are in a series

Otacon

Don't the FIFAs and Maddens and other such franchises basically fund more out-there projects like Mirror's Edge?

ShiverinEskimo

Otacon wrote: »

Don't the FIFAs and Maddens and other such franchises basically fund more out-there projects like Mirror's Edge?

They fund shareholder's lavish lifestyles.

Whatever is left over goes to Mirror's Edge and the like.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

They fund shareholder's lavish lifestyles.

Whatever is left over goes to Mirror's Edge and the like.

yes yes, you are the 99%

ShiverinEskimo

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

yes yes, you are the 99%

No i'm not. I'm minted me. Light cigars with paintings me.

johnny_ultimate

JohnMarston wrote: »

I have absolutely no problem buying a new installment in a game franchise, and i have. I have bought and played the Infamous, Uncharted, Mass Effect, Elder Scrolls and Fallout game series'
I paid for them because they offered improved gameplay mechanics and new storylines.

FIFA offers improved gameplay mechanics from game to game.

It doesn't offer new storylines because it's a frickin' football simulator.

ShiverinEskimo

The differences between the last 3 are actually pretty large.

The defending was completely overhauled with the latest incarnation for a start. And was it the season before that they introduded be-a-pro mode? That was new. No arguing with that.

Krusader

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

FIFA offers improved gameplay mechanics from game to game.

It doesn't offer new storylines because it's a frickin' football simulator.

The €50 price tag on FIFA every year though is a bit ridiculous, €30 would be more apt for what is minor tickering with the mechanics, the new thing in FIFA 12 was that players would fall over better with the new collision engine which actually makes them more clumsy with them falling over the ball when you'd want them to stay on their feet, that sort of thing isnt worth €50 imo.

johnners2981

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

FIFA offers improved gameplay mechanics from game to game.

It doesn't offer new storylines because it's a frickin' football simulator.

Quit talking about fifa will you, you've admitted yourself that you don't play it so how can you know anything about improved gameplay mechanics?

Fifa is ok, it's less crap than pro evo at the minute but that doesn't mean it's a fantastic game.

Some of the 'improved gameplay' additions in 2012 are ok, a patch could of achieved the same, definitely nothing worthy of a new game. 09, 10 and 11 are nearly the same.

The game is far from perfect so yes there are a lot of things that could be changed.

johnny_ultimate

johnners2981 wrote: »

Quit talking about fifa will you, you've admitted yourself that you don't play it so how can you know anything about improved gameplay mechanics?

I've been a long term cynic towards the FIFA series, but seeing how so many people I know are literally obsessed with it I've grown to learn there is a place for it. I've seen their reactions to new games: how the slightest shift in mechanics can provoke months of practice. Most of these wouldn't be considered 'gamers' in the traditional sense, but their mastery and dedication to the game is something I've learned to begrudgingly accept. Critics seem to agree: the lowest score for FIFA 12 on metacritics is an 80. I wouldn't have held the same opinion a year ago, when I just would have told people to play better games. But now I accept that these fans are more than happy with the yearly updates.

So now, I can't explain to you exactly why it's better, but I've heard from people who know better than me that it is better annually. Of course it would be great if the games were released cheaper, but why would they release a patch when they can release a game that is a guaranteed seller (although the recent Euro 2012 add-on rather than full release is a wise decision)?

There's only so much complaining one can do until you realise it doesn't make any sense for EA not to release a FIFA game every year, and that they've hit a stride of tweaks and adjustments the fans seem happy with. And, as others have said, it's helping fund the games we - the niche, the hardcore, the hobbyist - want to play.

Sarky

Football games reached perfection with Sensible World Of Soccer on the Amiga anyway, so all this fifa talk is pointless.

WildCardDoW

FIFA costs are more in the licensing department, they have to pay to license the leagues, unsurprisingly this costs a lot.

Since 08 I've been very impressed by the series, they beat Pro Evo and have kept the series fresh, don't think some of you realise that with sport simulators it's not a simple case of a new physics engine and a lick of paint, they have to try to reach perfection, they've had some weak moments but it sells for a reason.

EA have produced some of my favourite games of this generation: Dragon Age, Dark Space, Crysis 2 etc.

Also I'ld point out they moved away from generic licensing on games and instead seek orginal ideas, whereas Activision publish crap games with a license!

johnners2981

WildCardDoW wrote: »

FIFA costs are more in the licensing department, they have to pay to license the leagues, unsurprisingly this costs a lot.

Since 08 I've been very impressed by the series, they beat Pro Evo and have kept the series fresh, don't think some of you realise that with sport simulators it's not a simple case of a new physics engine and a lick of paint, they have to try to reach perfection, they've had some weak moments but it sells for a reason.

EA have produced some of my favourite games of this generation: Dragon Age, Dark Space, Crysis 2 etc.

Also I'ld point out they moved away from generic licensing on games and instead seek orginal ideas, whereas Activision publish crap games with a license!

Crytek produced crysis 2.

And I don't see how they keep fifa fresh, it was the same from 2009 - 2011 and changed a few things in 2012.

I think why people dislike EA is because they seem to tarnish each developer it buys like bioware, dice and westwood studios and of course their stupid online pass crap.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

it was not the same from 2009-2011
i loved 2009, was kinda fond of 10 and I gave '11 to a friend of mine after 2 weeks as I just couldn't warm to it

they might seem the same if you dont play the game much but there are loads of subtle and important differences in each version

calex71

Ah the way i see it if they rake in the profits on Fifa and their other big titles then they can afford to release and take a chance and likely a loss on some other gems, not sure how successful it was but the most recent one I played was shadows of the damned, what a game.

And Dice where the hell is Mirrors Edge 2????? Surely you have made EA enough $$$$$ to have had this out by now in Frostbite 2 glory :mad:

hooradiation

So....guy with raging neckbeard and shitty taste in hats laments the existence of EA on the Internet.

And this is different to any other day, how?