Electronic Arts CEO Facing Trouble
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
- Start date
There's whispers about DIsney buying out EA. Look, I'm no fan of Disney: I reguarlly call them the Evil Empire. I do have to admit, however, that Disney has a relatively hands-off approach to its studios which it does not want its name associated with on the grounds that it would contradict their family-freindly image: See Mirimax or even Marvel.
This might be the smartest move Riccitiello can make right now, if only to save face.
On the other hand, I'd like to point out that he did make the stupid decision in buying Playfish for $300 mil. That was probably the nail in the coffin. It's one thing to greenlight new IP's that don't gain traction, it's another to buy up studios for umpteen millions in the hopes of cashing in on just another fad.
But seriously, we're rallying for you Riccitiello.
This might be the smartest move Riccitiello can make right now, if only to save face.
On the other hand, I'd like to point out that he did make the stupid decision in buying Playfish for $300 mil. That was probably the nail in the coffin. It's one thing to greenlight new IP's that don't gain traction, it's another to buy up studios for umpteen millions in the hopes of cashing in on just another fad.
But seriously, we're rallying for you Riccitiello.
EA has not redeemed itself. Activision is the new Big Bad. Ubisoft is a disciple of Chaos.
There is only one solution in this situation. "Burn the house down. Burn them all."
There is only one solution in this situation. "Burn the house down. Burn them all."
I know. That's why a lot of gamers are seen as hypocrites. They ask for something fresh and new, then when it comes, they buy a sequel, because it's a safe buy.The Rogue Wolf said:
In other words, they want something fresh and new, but they also want something guaranteed, which usually requires it to be taking stuff from an established franchise. I mean, here is the NPD list of the top 10 selling games of 2009:
1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360) -- 4,200,000
2. Wii Fit w/ balance board (Wii) -- 3,500,000
3. Wii Sports Resort w/ MotionPlus (Wii) -- 2,400,000
4. Mario Kart Wii w/ wheel (Wii) -- 2,200,000
5. Wii Play w/ remote (Wii) -- 2,100,000
6. Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360) -- 2,000,000
7. Pokemon Platinum (DS) -- 1,900,000
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3)-- 1,900,000
9. Madden NFL 10 (Xbox 360) -- 1,500,000
10. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii) -- 1,400,000
Wow, lots of sequels were bought, considering how many gamers want "originality".
It's not even new IP's. Some of the existing IP's are getting overhauls redos, and proper fucking sequels. NHL 08, 09, and 10 added enough content to warrant a purchase every year, something that NEVER happens; NCAA 10 is a massive improvement over 09; the Sims, yes the fucking Sims, the franchise notorious for reskins labeled as expansions, had an expansion pack that added an entire new play mode; and Bad Company 2 looks like it might keep my interest for more than 3 hours of gameplay this time.The Rockerfly said:
I <3 new EA, and I'd be really sad if they go back to the jack boots and swastikas.
I think the lesson here is that EA pretty much handed Activision/Blizzard/Vivendi the keys to the money vault this year. They tried to take over too many companies in a time when a financial crunch was coming followed by a reluctance to put up any heavy competition to Activision's blockbuster titles at the time of year when most of the gaming coin is spent. When you have games like The Saboteur and Brutal Legend competing with Guitar Hero fluff and Infinity Ward titles what can you expect. They even released Dragon Age (which is frankly amazing) with the most amazingly confusing ad campaign ever. If there was anything this year needed it was Mass Effect 2 and Bad Company 2 along with Sims 3 releasing [in Oct/Nov].Andy Chalk said:
Granted I think that EA will rule the school when it comes to selling Jan through March. Sadly it puts them in the same boat as 2009. Selling mega titles in the first 8 months of a year will only net you a chunk of 25% of all money spent on games. It's the 75% holiday season they need to step up a big game in. Even if it doesn't do quite as well because it's competing at least they aren't giving away the farm and looking bad when Activision rolls in it's 15% share increase.
I hope Kotick chokes on his caviar and accidentally stabs his hand with a fork.
I used to despise EA...
They made bland games and were a souless sequal machine. Then they implemented retarded DRM's and honestly if things had remained that way i would be sitting here grinning at thier demise.
But, EA's turned it around for me. I love EA... I can say that now, now that they're not top dog anymore. They're creating new IP's... they gave Tim Schaffer (spelling) another game...he makes some awesome interesting games... buy them... and Brutal Legend came out damned good despite an appearantly hectic work atmosphere.
The main thing for me is they are taking risk on new games... that deserves some respect and they're chilling out with the whole 3 installs and your game wont work anymore sucker DRM... even though that only hurts legit consumers and not pirates who just D/L a new copy (That was a f'ing retarded plan whoever came up with that.)
They made bland games and were a souless sequal machine. Then they implemented retarded DRM's and honestly if things had remained that way i would be sitting here grinning at thier demise.
But, EA's turned it around for me. I love EA... I can say that now, now that they're not top dog anymore. They're creating new IP's... they gave Tim Schaffer (spelling) another game...he makes some awesome interesting games... buy them... and Brutal Legend came out damned good despite an appearantly hectic work atmosphere.
The main thing for me is they are taking risk on new games... that deserves some respect and they're chilling out with the whole 3 installs and your game wont work anymore sucker DRM... even though that only hurts legit consumers and not pirates who just D/L a new copy (That was a f'ing retarded plan whoever came up with that.)
The question is, could the old ways of EA work today?
I think times have changed and Riccitiello's actually on the right track.
The drop in stock value is just a side effect to the transition.
I think times have changed and Riccitiello's actually on the right track.
The drop in stock value is just a side effect to the transition.
You are totally tight but yet you forget one thing:Plinglebob said:
Innovation is not beloved by as many as you would think.It is not the evil investors or greedy CEOs but the gamers who buy the 15th identical release of FIFA or Madden. Gamers support this business model. Beyond Good & Evil and Psychonauts, two outstanding games, were financial disasters.
Do anybody think they get away with releasing bland and monotonous games if nobody were to by this kind of games?
A bit shorter:
THIS!The Rogue Wolf said:
Sad but true. It'll be a shame if he leaves, I quite like Riccitiello, even if I can't pronounce his name or spell it properly without double checking it.The Rogue Wolf said:
*Didn't buy Modern Warfare 2*
*Did buy Torchlight*
*Wanted to buy Mirror's Edge but the day I went in I got carded for a 16+ and didn't have my ID on me and now I have no money.*
