Phil Frazier is Leaving EA Sports Tiburon

[Pared]

Back to the topic...

The red flag that raises here for me is that we are quickly losing our direct contact with important members of the development teams at EA. First the NBA Live/Elite drama, now the multiple leavings at EA.

It seems to me that EA's Sports division is in disarray. Despite solid outings from FIFA and NHL, I get the feeling that the once tried and true franchises are moving over for the "upstarts." Considering the sales and revenue discrepancy this is just another blow in the long line of community involvement in the games we all enjoy (or at least claim we want to ).

[DaveDQ]

Quote: Originally Posted by adembroski

Madden 13 and going forward are going to be awesome games, and it's unfortunate that Ian and Phil are going to be seen as the people who were holding us back simply because of the timing of their departure. The truth, however, is that where we go from here owes a lot to the path they put is on. It bares pointing out that Madden 12 is really "Year 2" in Ian's 3 year plan, as Madden 11 ran into unforeseen difficulties in production that kept it from being the YoY leap from M10 that it was supposed to be. Still, some of the technological improvements on M11 are going to be central to the overall push we make for the next few years. Again, Loco and RAI are both huge advances in Madden in general, and both need continual improvement, but they're a foundation to work from and, more importantly, an example of a new thinking at EA that hasn't changed with Ian and Phil's departure.

As for how the internet community views Phil and Ian's role in all of this, I think for the most part, over the course of time, they will be looked upon in a positive way. These are the guys that took a risk with Pro-Tak, Online Franchise and then what we see now in M12. The overall issue though is that the internet forum culture is crude at times. Like Ian mentioned, google his name and you will see a lot of anger and hate towards him. Seriously though, how would many feel if your real name was attached to such things? It's no wonder some of his post-developer posts lead me to believe he is borderline jaded.

So really, you take a small percentage of people that literally can't celebrate anything Madden does and compare it to those who don't go digging in their spare time and actually choose to enjoy what the game is. It's my guess those outweigh the naysayers and in time I think Phil and Ian will be seen as two developers that steered Madden in the right direction and then let others take the wheel.

[SageInfinite]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkrich83

Yo Sage. Are you ready for our tour?

No question. I definitely see you are, lol.

[BrianFifaFan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

Back to the topic... The red flag that raises here for me is that we are quickly losing our direct contact with important members of the development teams at EA. First the NBA Live/Elite drama, now the multiple leavings at EA. It seems to me that EA's Sports division is in disarray. Despite solid outings from FIFA and NHL, I get the feeling that the once tried and true franchises are moving over for the "upstarts." Considering the sales and revenue discrepancy this is just another blow in the long line of community involvement in the games we all enjoy (or at least claim we want to ).

I'm not so worried. We still have AJ, unless he gets a gag order thrown on himas things change. Funny thing is, even if that happened it might be a blessing in disguise. Fifa has never gone past the normal interview Q&A format and look at it. David Rutter did answer some community questions, but never had the day to day that Ian did with us. Maybe it is good to keep a little distance, for sanity's sake. I'm just wondering how much Beluba will get involved in the boards once it's full 2k12 time. I think that maybe the final lesson learned out of the whole Ian interction deal is that it can get waaay too personal, way too quick.

Even so, OS will still be the place for sports gamers. Maybe a few will stop coming without the celeb factor, but it was a great site before all of this. It will be after. I'm just hoping that Phil doesn't go the Zynga route. Everything I've seen says Dot.Com bust all over again. I haven't read any analyst saying that their business model is sustainable. Id hate to see these guys go from something as sure as looking for some lovin in a bordello to a possible job loss in the future in something as fadish as "social gaming.". Their choice. I'm just wondering what really went on with all of this. And join you in wondering what all of this means for the future of EA Sports....

[Pared]

You can't compare EA's interactions with 2k's. I'm sorry, you just can't. It's not a knock on either company but they obviously have different levels of impact throughout their development teams.

With the "community involvement" being all but squashed for the NBA series and more and more mystery surrounding what EA is doing with Madden, you're telling me there is no cause for concern at all? None at all?

I would say you're either being a bit naive or optimistic without reason. No disrespect meant or intended.

I didn't like the direction Madden went in last year. Some nice news this year but I'm still not sold. I just don't see the same interaction among the Madden team NOW as I expected to with Ian as a face. This was always a concern when I would see new and old user alike making stupid comments toward the developers that frequented here... but their departures can be seen as nothing but a blow to our involvement. Maybe I'm being selfish in that aspect but I'm not trying to be.

And that doesn't mean the game can't get better - I'm just saying I foresee us going backwards to the way it was during Madden 07/8/9 where people would be frustrated on the boards with no developer outlet for intelligent discussion. I think people took it for granted the last few years and unless someone steps in that is OBVIOUSLY in a position to impact the game, I just see a very silly forum experience by those that want their voice heard in the worst way possible.

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by SageInfinite

No question. I definitely see you are, lol.

Lol. Indeed.

[nabootheenigma]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scottdau

Click the thumb.

I used to see it now I can't see any thumbs





EDIT: I CAN SEE THEM NOW LOL OS 2.0 DEFAULT CAN SEE THEM OS SCI FI U CANT

[BrianFifaFan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

You can't compare EA's interactions with 2k's. I'm sorry, you just can't. It's not a knock on either company but they obviously have different levels of impact throughout their development teams. With the "community involvement" being all but squashed for the NBA series and more and more mystery surrounding what EA is doing with Madden, you're telling me there is no cause for concern at all? None at all? I would say you're either being a bit naive or optimistic without reason. No disrespect meant or intended. I didn't like the direction Madden went in last year. Some nice news this year but I'm still not sold. I just don't see the same interaction among the Madden team NOW as I expected to with Ian as a face. This was always a concern when I would see new and old user alike making stupid comments toward the developers that frequented here... but their departures can be seen as nothing but a blow to our involvement. Maybe I'm being selfish in that aspect but I'm not trying to be. And that doesn't mean the game can't get better - I'm just saying I foresee us going backwards to the way it was during Madden 07/8/9 where people would be frustrated on the boards with no developer outlet for intelligent discussion. I think people took it for granted the last few years and unless someone steps in that is OBVIOUSLY in a position to impact the game, I just see a very silly forum experience by those that want their voice heard in the worst way possible.

What didn't you like about last year's direction, Pared? I'm loving that bit by bit we seem to be headed toward Madden becoming a better game. I'll say that I don't like the pace of things in regards to improvements and it would be nice for a single focus year to year, as opposed to "well that didn't fly, back to the drawing board..." But, as I stated beofre, we still have AJ, and it seems that Cam is big on community feedback. It might not be as cozy as beofre with the higher-ranking folk, (sorry AJ, you aren't chopped liver, just not a department head ) but we still have access.

I did bring up Fifa, as well as 2k Sports. The EA Canada team doesn't interact at the grass roots level that Ian and Phil did, but they do hear us through feedback. I just feel that "different is not deficient." It's just a different way than before, a bit more traditional. I'm gonna miss the virtual rubbing elbows with "greatness," sure. But I'm not convinced, that in the long run, that it won't actually end up better. We're on the map now, just because our direct line to the inner sanctum of Tiburon brass is severed, it doesn't mean we won't get heard. We just might not get the one on one feedback that we're accustomed to. Once again, after all of the problems that came with, maybe not such a bad thing.....

P.S. Remember that back in the day this was my headache.... I was Ian's personal cheerleader and stooge...As was Countryboy. Been there, done that...... I don't miss the green name at all!