EA Sports Plans To Digitize Madden 11 Consumer (IGN)

[Valdarez]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheWatcher

This will go one of two ways: 1. They offer downloads that improve the product in real ways over the course of the season. 2. They hold back features that would've otherwise shipped with the game under normal circumstances, and make them DLC only in an effort to do nothing more than increase revenue and keep that stream going over the course of the season. IF... IF #2 is what this is, then we're about to get taken for a ride. It's good business for them if #2 is the case, but for the consumer it's a bad deal.

Seriously, based on their track record, why'd you even take the time to write #1?

[bigjake62505]

Quote: Originally Posted by Valdarez

Agreed. Best thing that could happen to the image of EA Sports is #1 drop exclusive license deal, and #2, drop Peter Moore.

This whole "digital" crap people are pushing is not going to catch on very well. I am not paying for some digital copy of anything. Sorry but it is not happening. I want a case and a CD that I can buy. Honestly, I am so tired of EA and ALL its games. I will not buy another ea sports game at release day ever again. I went 4 years with out playing madden and have no problem doing it again, NCAA is just terrible and I will not buy that game again either. There is nothing special about their releases, no innovation, no direction, no pride. You cant make the investors happy without customers and they are loosing them by the truck load.

[killgod]

Quote: Originally Posted by marktg30

I think I just made my decision on Madden 11 based on those comments. Pretty much tells me that EA has been holding back on anything truly groundbreaking in order to squeeze every dime out of the consumer. It truly speaks volumes of what 'corporate' is doing to the devs. It seems to me that Ian and his team have the desire to make leaps and bounds with their game but Moore is probably the guy saying, "Lets hold back on all those Franchise Features and include one or two. We can hold off on Online Franchise updates, they will pay extra for those next year. etc etc etc.".

I was told directly (in private, so sorry man) from someone who went to community day for Madden 10 that Ian and Co wanted to release Online Franchise after release date as DLC so they could complete the feature.

The suits said no, this is our back of the box feature and release it as is.


I'll let the man who told me this choose whether or not he wants to confirm, if not take it as random forum BS then.

[Tito78]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crimsontide27

Mark my words on this... A company I used to work for has looked into this practice and its heading this way wether we like it or not. While you are thinking of just $1 here, or $5 there.....you are missing the bigger picture. Video games in general are seeing a ton of 2nd and 3rd owners these days due to gamefly and gamestop. At the end of the day, the companies that produce these games are not making the money they feel they should be and are losing money due to people buying them used elsewhere = no money in the game companies pockets. The problem is so widespread that we are about to see the dawn of a new era...and its one we will not like. Full games and movies that you download to a drive will be the next push. This way , even though you pay full retail price, you will not be able to take it somewhere and trade it in and let it be resold. Its coming sooner that you expect..

At the pace that technology improves these days, that will happen anyway. This could actually benefit the consumer: it would cut out the middle men, which are the retailers. Cutting out the middle man will reduce the price.

Taking away the option to trade in games, especially in this economy, will deter many gamers from purchasing certain games in the first place. I'm more likely to purchase a game if I know I can trade it in when I'm bored of it.

Take NCAA football for example: there are many, like me, who purchase NCAA merely to hold them over until Madden drops. They then trade the game in and purchase Madden. Take away trade ins, and none of those consumers are buying NCAA.

[Zealous Dissent]

If they really don't want people to trade in the game - eliminate the game disc. Make the game a DLC game (ala Steam). The majoirty of the population that plays Madden - plays online. You may off-set revenue loss of the few who don't have internet connections, by eliminating the trade-in capability of the consumer. But then again, I would bet that there would be a nasty round-table discussion between Game Stop Execs, and EA Execs if that was the case...

If I am a young up-and-comer with Game Stop - I would be working night and day to come up with some kind of "steam-like" service for console games, because like one poster said early, "it's moving into the digital direction". People didn't think it would happen with CDs, but take a look at the CD section at a Best Buy, pretty slim pickins.

[RedZoneD25]

WOW.


As a guy who hasn't missed a Madden since 94....I'm done. I am officially waiting on this game...Unless it gets The Show-like reviews, I'm not buying and I'll get BB

[djordan]

You guys will be in line for Madden 11...Mark my words lol.

[HitDoctor]

Quote: Originally Posted by marktg30

I think I just made my decision on Madden 11 based on those comments. Pretty much tells me that EA has been holding back on anything truly groundbreaking in order to squeeze every dime out of the consumer. It truly speaks volumes of what 'corporate' is doing to the devs. It seems to me that Ian and his team have the desire to make leaps and bounds with their game but Moore is probably the guy saying, "Lets hold back on all those Franchise Features and include one or two. We can hold off on Online Franchise updates, they will pay extra for those next year. etc etc etc.".

True. I for the life of me can't understand why they couldn't implement the franchise model from HC '09. This read and your comments really clears this up. Really have to think long and hard. I didn't crack the game open for days after I bought so I think I can do a boycott, especially since backbreaker is coming out.