Summer Storms: The NCAA Release Story

[JRod]

Quote: Originally Posted by DarkleafGoJays

Great points. To say you dont know who Adam and OMT are, how in touch are you with OS in general? Hard to find a thread where they are not saying something not to mention the pair of stickys.

He said he doesn't know them personally.

[Darkleaf]

Quote: Originally Posted by JRod

He said he doesn't know them personally.

My mistake, Sorry! did seem odd everyone knows of EA being here...

[vegaas]

Quote: Originally Posted by ChaseB

OK, I'm back and these are well written responses so obviously I'll comment. PS Pixel Junk Eden is good stuff, DL it if you're into new experiences. OK so the first thing is what EA does as its site, we don't control obviously. As for the part about being neutral and fair, obviously we still strive for that at every turn. As the content and the site has evolved over the past few months there's been some growing pains, and this is one right here. We're definitely still learning how to handle the extra content and relationships as we continue to grow and become more involved in terms of covering various games and pursuing more content. Seldom are things perfect and that's never truer. Perhaps in the future we'll start to put op-ed in somewhere so people know what they're getting in for. I definitely see this more as the tipping point like you said as well. This is the first time I've noticed the unrest because of what I was doing previously, but I'm aware now and I think we'll straighten this stuff out moving forward. If we talk about you guys in a general sense within an article we'll try to make sure it doesn't misrepresent you all. So I think while people are reading way too far into the article still, it's still a valid complaint in the overall sense. Also the moderation thing is not something I deal with, but I assume the mods are noticing all this as well and can only assume they might pow-wow and decide if they're handling this correctly or not -- I'm not going to say if they are or aren't doing this the right way because it's not my job to do that, that's their job. I don't like to compare reviews because it's apples and oranges to me. Like I said before it's not the job of a reviewer to make sure the masses are happy: he has an opinion and he'll try to back it up etc. I didn't really like College Hoops 2K8 (so I guess I don't represent the general consensus on OS) all that much, but I loved NBA 2K8 -- the point is it's still opinions and I hate to say one opinion is wrong but another is right. The article itself is an opinion piece once again, but he even says in the article that the outrage was even greater than usual. Patrick states he's been through many releases, and once again I think it's important to mention that he factors MM into his thoughts because it's the same network after all. Sales and all that I won't get into because it doesn't have much to do with what we're doing here, plus you're not really analyzing them to a deep extent (for example your 48% number wasn't a final total and only accounts for PS2 sales). I know Madden had huge sales figures for the 2007 version. Then for the 2008 version Riccitiello came out and said the game shouldn't have launched at $50 on last gen, which hurt overall sales. But again I don't have the exact final overall numbers since I'm not looking at NPD numbers (and VGChartz doesn't count for obvious reasons). But bottom line is there's nothing fishy going on between us and EA -- this just seems to be bad timing and us not realizing there was an issue quickly enough. And I know some like to say, "well you're partially owned by someone who works for EA!" While I'm not going to throw anyone's business completely out there -- Matt (bronco92) can talk about it when he wants to -- I know I can say that Matt doesn't work for EA anymore and therefore we have no direct ties at all, though even when he was working for them we didn't have ties either. Matt can talk about his business when he wants to though, so that's all I'll say on that subject. And I think the people who write football content realize this now and will be more focused on how they handle things. If they genuinely like the game though I can't make them hate it, you know. If in their op-ed pieces they talk about why they like the game despite flaws, that's their doing -- but maybe it just needs to be more spaced out etc. in terms of the flow of content. I don't think this article tried to say people just can't be satisfied with '09 though, so I don't think the insinuation point has much merit.

The problem is Chase that OS has not posted one article that has been critical of NCAA, Madden or EA.

[Pared]

Quote: Originally Posted by JRod

I think the solution is simple. Columnists/Writers shouldn't have mod abilities. And mod shouldn't write articles. The reason is simple, when I did a few reviews for OS back in the day, I would get ripped apart for a few. I also had mod powers. Like anything, sometimes it gets personal, when someone writes a post saying you didn't play the game, you don't understand a sport, or you a fanboy. How can you not get defensive?

As far as I know they are separate "entities" right now as well. I don't believe any coincide with the other.

Quote: Originally Posted by vegaas

The problem is Chase that OS has not posted one article that has been critical of NCAA, Madden or EA.

Which brings up a good point. Perhaps no one has taken the time to write one? If that's the case, I still think it's up to the site to decide to hold off on positive or light-hearted articles until you find a sense of balance. I agree with you... but if no one wants to write a negative article but simply post in the forums... what can you do?

[aholbert32]

Quote: Originally Posted by vickhalloffame

the thread is in the ncaa football section.

Just saw that. My bad.

[ColumbusKilled]

I'll write 5 articles right now if they will publish them. I've been to graduate school, I'd like to think I can produce a pretty swell article.

[ChaseB]

Quote: Originally Posted by ColumbusKilled

I'll write 5 articles right now if they will publish them. I've been to graduate school, I'd like to think I can produce a pretty swell article.

I worked with Pared on an article before, so there's nothing saying you can't. At this time we just don't have a proper outlet to push all user generated stuff, but I think we'll be able to do it in the coming months.

But if you have ideas, much like with any writing, go to the editors (aka PM me) and discuss your idea for an article, lay it out there, then write it up for editing etc. -- assuming the editor thinks the idea is solid and all that. That's what I did with Pared.

[janglar]

If anyone here is done having their grudge-fu*k with EA on par with Marsha getting smashed in the nose by a football, could they provide the latest up to the minute expert scoop on the release date of the roster patch?
Thanks everyone!
"My Nooosssse!!!!!!!"