there all greedy not just Electronic Arts. BUt they are in the business to make money so I understand the in game ads but the charging for every little thing in franchise and superstar is ridiculous. How are they going to charge you for jerseys? Come on

Coachlenny, they did charge for uni's, it's called the AFL Pack. And this is not just a one year thing, I believe in Madden & NCAA 07 or 08 EA charged customers for alternate uniforms.

Business 101..... Figure out a way to make even more money off your existing customer base. From a customer's view point, I don't believe this would be that big of an issue if games sold retail at 49.99. But games msrp is 59.99 and even more expensive if you purchase the special edition. This is my friend is just one of the new nuiances in video gaming growth. The consultants are running video gaming. Thank god for Nintendo.

Nice writeup--but I think you veered off into your discontent for the pop-up ads as opposed to sticking to EA charging for 'standard' features.

As we all are, you're entitled to your own opinion. But at times, I personally think you overstate the whole pop-up ad thing. Of course I'm not telling you to get over it LOL. However, I'm seeing you call it a disrespect for their (EA) customers or you say that EA is not listening. But from what I see, the discontent for the pop-ups is not as widespread as you suggest.

I'd rather they not be there every play--or at least use that pop-up area as a place to show stats sometimes. I just don't think that a handful of people complaining about the pop-ups qualifies as EA not listening to their customers. Just my 2 cents boss .

You can't use OS as a good source for players discontent as it's promptly shut down. If you view some of the other forums where they allow folks to rant, you'll see that a lot of customers are in an uproar.

Should have veered into EA Sports respecting their customer base. They have a pattern of behavior showcasing that they constantly put EA Sports interests over their customers (and even retired NFL Players). The irony is that this only hurts them, which leads them to do it again, which in turn only hurts them again. Seems to be a continuing cycle that they have yet to break.

They need money!!! It's a recession. Without these pop-up ads and DLCs they wouldn't get enough money from Madden. EA is having massive lay-offs, so they need all the advertising and DLCs they can get. And none of those things are core features, bringing a player back isn't needed in a football game. While they could possibly change the way they bring up the advertisements, the advertisements are no where near the game. They do not block any players, routes, and are off to the side! And they dissapear once you hike the ball! EA isn't amazingly rich like everyone makes them out to be. They are a company, which means money is first! Obviously they'd rather make more money than create the greatest football game ever, and not make enough money. Same with 2k, they want money over quality. Although, usually with good quality you get better money.

One dollar aint all that bad.But in the grand scheme of things I do think they should put back some of the many features that have been stripped from previous Madden titles.I still play Madden 05,just so I can run franchise and play with my legends teams.

I just dont understand why people direct this at EA. For instance: did you know in order to play some basic ranked online modes in Halo you are forced to buy not 1, but TWO map-packs?

And honestly, these arent core features and the ads are a massive overrection and no where near as bad as MLB2K changing the stadium sizes in order to put in ads. that actually does change the game, unlike this blog's examples.

Who should it be directed towards IceNHL? Sony, M$, other?

The ability to entice a player back isn't a core feature? You mean that's something that coaches aren't able to do in the NFL? It's not something that was part of 2K5 at less of a cost nearly half a decade ago?

I don't play MLB, but I agree they shouldn't have done that, I don't agree that it disrupts the gameplay in the same manner at the overlay / popup Ad though. Something that's stationary does not detract from gameplay in the same manner as something that actually popups and then overlays the actual gameplay.

It should be directed at consumers who made DLC a viable market and bought the stuff. Primarily those consumers of shooters who demand the options for map-packs. The success of this model puts pressure from their shareholders on companies like EA to explore additional revenue streams. And here we are. I'm sure Sony and MS also apply pressure since DLC adds value to their online services and draws people into the XBL Marketplace and PSN Store, respectively.

No its not a core feature. Franchise is a core feature. You're describing a 'perk'

And as far as MLB, it disrupts the gameplay much more egregiously than Madden does. They changed the size of the homerun walls for crying out loud. Does that ads in Madden get your attention? Good, then they are doing their job. But if you actually cant run your plays as effectively because of them then thats a you problem. Fact is that the plays dont overlay the gameplay. They dont get in the way of calling a play or changing your play or seeing your play. They are just there. Big deal.

@IceNHL

C'mon, nitpicking terminology? Actually it's a 'capability' if you want to get technical. There is no concept of 'perk' from a software development standpoint. I used feature as it's a word that will be more familiar with readers. Regardless of the label assigned, the ability to entice a player back for another year or two is something that should be provided as part of the original game, especially if a game 5 years ago had the capability available (on a game that sold at 1/3rd the price).

That overlay Ad sure enough disrupts gameplay. It draws the players eyes away from reading the defense affecting their ability to setup their plays properly and know where to throw the ball. This is why gamers are frustrated with the Ad.

If you think simply 'getting someones attention' equates to doing their job, then you'd have a hard time succeeding in the tech industry. There's a lot of ways to get people's attention, most of them are bad.

One of my favorite Dilbert cartoons has Dilbert and Dogbert standing together. Dilbert states 'I significantly increased my visibility at work today', to which Dogbert replies 'You messed up huh.'. Dilbert then says 'Ohhh yeah... BIG time!'. heh

I acknowledged the MLB issue you mentioned in your previous comment. Keep in mind that it's never acceptable to point to one bad behavior as justification for another.

To clarify, i was being specific when differentiating between a perk and a core feature. A perk is an add-on and more of a cheat than a core, authentic feature. If there is one thing EA commits to more than anything is authenticity. They won't pull any strings that are unauthentic to the sport and throw them in. Thats why the 'convince feature' is prevalent in NCAA but not Madden. because thats how it is in real life.

Honestly, how authentic is convincing players to not retire with any regularity?? Brett Favre and Junior Seau are exceptions to say the least. Other than that, players retire when they can no longer play and thats just part of life. If you want a way around this and want to convince players time after time to not retire, thats not authentic and so if EA wants to offer a cheat for it, then that sounds right.

Core features should be designated as anything that is authentic to the sport. Arcade modes and cheats belong being add-ons.

And if the ads really distract you too much from reading the defense which are on the opposite side of the screen form the defense...well...i cant help you. Learn to use your eyes better, i guess. What are you going to tell me next? That you cant drive by billboards since you cant keep your eyes on the road?

And yes if your job is advertising and you get someone to look at your ad, its doing your job. And the MLB thing i brought back up because you said it wasnt the same. My point is that youre right, what 2k did was worse.

banned in 3.. 2..

It's a recession, sales are down, poor EA needs money. They are laying off workers too. And the whole time this is happening they are dishing out huge sums of cash for exclusive rights for every football league in existance and ESPN.

Forgive me if I don't feel sorry for Uncle Scrooge this time of the year.

It's EA, come on man. Nothing EA does surprises me anymore. It seems they went micro transaction crazy in 2009.