Poll: Most "evil" video game publisher?

[remnant_phoenix]

The big two "evils" are, in my opinion, EA and Activision, and the poll results tell me I'm not alone thinking that those are the top two. I personally voted Activision as more evil than EA because they seem to be more opposed to creativity. EA TRIED to get some new IP out this generation (Mirror's Edge and Dead Space), and at least one of those became a viable franchise. While EA gets their dirty mits on their developer teams, they seem to allow at least some level of freedom for the devs some of the time.

Activision, on the other hand, forced Bizarre Creations to make a James Bond (even though James Bond is currently not a successful gaming franchise) game, and then closed the studio when the game tanked. Every time I see the Activision logo when I boot up Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 I get angry.

I'm sure there are similar stories surrounding EA that I just don't know yet. And if we're talking about marketing, EA wears the shit-crown of unqualified evil.

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

I'm gonna have to say EA, because their actions are actually effecting games I like.

Also, their marketing strategy seems to be "Make gamers look like childish douchebags as often and publicly as possible", and I don't like that.

 

[Zen Toombs]

Poll: Most "evil" video game publisher?

E. A. Sports. It's in the game.

Well, EA in general, but I like abducting their motto. ;p

 

[0p3rati0n]

I'm stuck between EA and Activision. I voted Activision because they just personally get on my nerves. The drove Guitar Hero into the ground because they got too greedy with it and the same with Call of Duty. Seriously I've taken a few programing classes and such and it's a pain in the ass. I can only imagine how hard it is to produce a "new" game each year under a year for development. it's insane. I don't care if Call of Duty brings is a ton of money and has a huge fan base. There will always be a game like that no matter what. what I care about is that a franchise that had so much potential was crushed because activation said "We want a new Call of Duty every year."

 

[Vern]

id, because they have refused to make a good game since Quake. I mean really, it's been 16 years. Can you please give the futuristic biomechanical and post-apocalyptic shit a break and get back to making demons and Eldritch beings? Just send John Carmack a cookie gram and make some games with outstanding engines, great level design, and interesting demonic enemies that aren't just crap ass cyborgs.

 

[Zing]

Evil doesn't seem like a very good word. I guess the only thing that would come close to that would be Activision treatment of Infinity Ward so I'll go with Activision.

But if i'm choosing based on bad publishers who make bad decisions I'll go with EA.

 

[SwagLordYoloson]

Its so hard to choose they are all so darn evil!

But EA defiantly takes the cake, killing off so many smaller gaming studios by eating them up. Taking franchises off others and ruining them. There is no end to what they will do.

 

[Wolfy2447]

Wheres blizzard? The title says evil and blizzard is the most evil and cunning capitalistic company out there... Those companies you wrote are just bad

 

[SidingWithTheEnemy]

This whole poll is like the Axis of Evil anyway, remember what EA said, did and wanted in the 80s
They were the good guys once...
Just like Darth Vader, TwoFace and any other half way decent supervillain.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

EA; For destroying Command & Conquer. Origin. SOPA. Dumbing down of Mass Effect, and RPGs in general.

 

[Mr. Sparzy]

Although I hate EA so much for closing my second favorite game studio, Pandemic Studios, I'm going to have to say Activision. Mainly because EA was started by people who wanted to change the game medium, but then became corrupted. Activision also had a good cause when they started, too. The creators left Atari after Atari wouldn't give them decent pay and had bad working conditions, but I think I'm going to choose Activision, just because for some reason, I hate them more. In high sight, their both pretty much equally, evil publishers. Pick your poison.

Also, why is Take 2 games on the list? What have they done bad? They published Rockstar's games and two of Bungie's old games, Myth and Oni. Also, their hockey games are awesome. So far, their the only company I know who can make sports games actually fun. I kinda wish Bungie signed a publishing contract with them instead of Activision (but mostly because Take 2 games own the rights to both Oni and the Myth series).

So what have they done bad? Besides Bioshock 2?

 

[Sizzle Montyjing]

Good too see a chorus of 'EA!'
Yeah, those guys.
Steam my have a money-from-wallet draining sort of deal going on, but at least it comforts you while it does.
EA's Origin on the other hand... 'GIVE ME ALL YOUR FUCKING MONEY, I DON'T HAVE TO GIVE YOU ANYTHING! YOU BETTER BE GRATEFUL, OR I'LL TAKE IT AWAY! BANBANBANBAN!'

Plus they support SOTA, so y'know... fuck them.

 

[Mr. Sparzy]

Wheres blizzard? The title says evil and blizzard is the most evil and cunning capitalistic company out there... Those companies you wrote are just bad

Blizzard and Activision are one company now. They're Activision Blizzard now. So basically, if you say Activision, it can count for both.

 

[Killspre]

EA for releasing the same sports game with one thing different and people still buying it for the 60 dollar price despite they have 5 copies already.

 

[Tommeh Brownleh]

Dammit Namco, I'll never forgive you for ruining my childhood with Pac Man World 2!!!

The Pac Man World games were pretty good. Besides, Namco has points with me for Star Fox Assault.

EA for SOPA support, Origin, the AWFUL AWFUL marketing, online passes, all of that awful stuff.

 

[Tyrant T100]

EA but just slightly over Activision.
EA have personally fucked with 2 of my favourite devs: Free Radical and Oddworld Inhabitants.
EA also do that online pass bullshit for second hand games.
Activision are still bad though and fucked over Troika games and spoilt Vampire the Masquerade.

 

[The Wykydtron]

Activision, cuz whatever you say about EA, at least the games they publish are, for the most part good and original (to an extent at least, as nothing is truly original).

[sub]Even if their marketing department seems to be running on failsauce[/sub]

Maybe it's just the Business Certificate talking though, since every time they do something anti-consumer I immediately think "Hey it works from a business perspective" so i don't get pissed off about it.

 

[DracoSuave]

Valve, for making near the entirety of PC gaming dependent on both DRM and digital downloads, while single handedly creating a monopoly on digital download systems and eliminating the PC used games market.

Also, the insidious, money-sucking fiend that is... hats. Damn them...

This.

They aren't the type of evil that plans supervillainy and gets defeated by the heroes during their long monologue of 'How you are going to die, mr Bond.'

No, Valve is the sort of evil that makes an empire of fervent followers screaming their names to rhe sky while carrying out obscene acts of worship.

Both want to take over the world, but Valve's evil methods have an actual chance of success.

Stupid Evil vs Affable Evil.

 

[SnakeoilSage]

Squareenix. For obvious reasons.