NCAA Football 12 News Post

New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

09:13 AM - May 26, 2011 by Steve_OS

Kotaku's Owen Good chimes in with some of his thoughts surrounding the latest micro-transactions to make their way into NCAA Football 12.

Quote:


	There may not be any optimal time to tell gamers about all the microtransactions and DLC for which they can expect to pay extra in an upcoming release. But the official reveal of a game's main features -- the stuff folks expect to come with the $59.99 retail price -- would probably be the least optimal.

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# 21 coogrfan @ 05/26/11 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arobbi3


	It would be received much better by the community had EA labeled them as PDLC's from the beginning. I agree completely with you about the services being worth it. These two services and being able to commish 5 OD's for only $7.. Count me in. Add in the fact that they are allowing you a free 7 day trial of the online sim before you buy and they can please those that may not like the sim and just want to advance.

If memory serves, being a commisioner for 5 dynasties last year cost $15. So how come no one is griping about paying less for that this time around?

# 22 prowler @ 05/26/11 01:27 PM

It's really not a money issue, it's the mentality EA (and gaming companies in general) is setting. This year it's okay to charge extra for feature A, next year they'll charge extra for features A and B and the following year they'll charge extra for A, B and C all the while the community remains apathetic because they either feel it's not a lot of money or the pay feature is something they have no need for.

Both of those will change over time.

# 23 arobbi3 @ 05/26/11 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prowler


	It's really not a money issue, it's the mentality EA (and gaming companies in general) is setting. This year it's okay to charge extra for feature A, next year they'll charge extra for features A and B and the following year they'll charge extra for A, B and C all the while the community remains apathetic because they either feel it's not a lot of money or it's the pay feature is something they have no need for. EA will change both of those over time.

If they start charging for more than online services/dynasty boosters and get obnoxious with the extra purchases, I just won't buy the game. It's an entirely different concept when they charge for things they should not be charging for and additions that aren't even run on the disc itself.

# 24 mva5580 @ 05/26/11 01:34 PM

What bothers me about it is that now you can at least partially "play" this game from your PC, yet the PC doesn't actually have a port of the actual game. I want a new NCAA and Madden on the PC soooooooooooooo bad.

# 25 Pokes404 @ 05/26/11 01:48 PM

If they needed to charge for this, I guess I can understand that, but it shouldn't have been marketed as a "feature" in the game. They should have said something like, "Commissioners now have the option to add on additional web-based tools for their Online Dynasties for a small charge," and then list the super-sim and advance features.

That's not how this was marketed. It was marketed as something in the game, and the extra charge was intentionally announced at a later date in hopes that some people wouldn't find out about it. "In NCAA 12, you can Super-sim your Online Dynasty game right on your Computer! After an additional charge."

A $3 charge isn't that bad and this certainly isn't the worst or most misleading thing I've seen a company do; however, it seems like every time EA opens their mouth nowadays I have to wonder what they're really up to. Just be up front with me. I can take it.

# 26 SteelerSpartan @ 05/26/11 01:55 PM

I hate just about all DLC, and Ive seen very little thats worth the price of admission...

I'll admit that this particular instance is extremely far down the list of Top Offenders of these sleeze ball tactics.....but Im not going to stop or argue anyone who wants to debate it

I especially have started to hate these competitive balance type issues with boost packs/cheats in online play.... Im a pretty big boxing fan and was really hoping to enjoy Online this go around with Fight Night Champion...But the way EA setup the Online World Championship with these boost packs just completely intrudes into and punishes the non-buyers experience with the game

If theres one thing that could kill gaming for me, its the industry screwing the consumer over with tons of so called "DLC"

# 27 sikolec @ 05/26/11 01:58 PM

What has gaming come to? Remember the day when you paid the full price for a game and you got all the features it came with?

I'm not so upset with EA for this specific, but the entire gaming industry. We have all these DLC for extra costs and exclusives if you pre-order with "insert retailer here". Why can't I just pay the $59.99 plus tax and get everything the game includes. Yes that $59.99 should include pro-combat uniforms (even if I don't pre-order with GameStop) and it should include all features of the game. I'm fed up with this and worry about the future of gaming. Little charges like these lead to more and more exclusives and DLC. Pretty soon we are going to have a bare bones game that you have to pay for everything little thing.

# 28 aliefallstar @ 05/26/11 01:59 PM

my post from a different thread.....

have you ever noticed that nobody ever complains about the price of BMWs? nobody ever says "that car costs 45 grand and is unfair to the consumer!!!" when you cant afford it, you dont buy it. Video games, just like cars are luxury items. The makers don't owe you any kind of break because you may or may not be able to afford their product. If you can justify buying it, do it. If not, don't. I don't play polo or go on expensive hunting trips because those hobbies are out of my budget. Its not "unfair" that I miss out on those kinds of things.

If you can afford it (or want it bad enough) then buy it. If you can't, find another hobby.This is how capitalism works. If you think the pricetag is too much for the product/services offered, then you dont purchase it. The industry doesnt owe you anything.

# 29 Brandwin @ 05/26/11 02:00 PM

I guess charging for "features" is the thing of the future. I don't like it, but I guess I can either pay or not get the feature.

# 30 Chardon @ 05/26/11 02:10 PM

After this news, i think i may have to go look at Madden. I might have to reconsider the purchase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliefallstar


	my post from a different thread..... have you ever noticed that nobody ever complains about the price of BMWs? nobody ever says "that car costs 45 grand and is unfair to the consumer!!!" when you cant afford it, you dont buy it. Video games, just like cars are luxury items. The makers don't owe you any kind of break because you may or may not be able to afford their product. If you can justify buying it, do it. If not, don't. I don't play polo or go on expensive hunting trips because those hobbies are out of my budget. Its not "unfair" that I miss out on those kinds of things. If you can afford it (or want it bad enough) then buy it. If you can't, find another hobby.This is how capitalism works. If you think the pricetag is too much for the product/services offered, then you dont purchase it. The industry doesnt owe you anything.

One cost 45,000 dollars, and the other costs 60. Awful comparison.

# 31 blkrptnt819 @ 05/26/11 02:14 PM

Map Packs are more expensive and this is an optional feature. After a while if u don't have a nap pack u can't even get in a game in matchmaker.

# 32 blkrptnt819 @ 05/26/11 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giants4Natic


	People do not realize this day in age that DLC is going to be prominent in most games going forward. Why? Because companies are tired of people trading in games and having most people get it cheaper used then paying retail price. This will put a hamper on buying used games if you want to get the full affect of what the game offers. Those buying it used will have to pay $10 for online pass and extra to get the perks which then comes out to companies not losing money to those buying it used.

I agree with this because a Gamestop employee told me this out their own mouth. Trading games shrink profit margins. If everyone bought new games this would disappear. But that's not gonna happen. That's why they starting putting the codes on the back of games.

# 33 Pokes404 @ 05/26/11 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerseySuave4


	this stuff doesnt bother me because i'm not paying any extra money since i don't use those features. But its like any other thing, add ons cost more money. if you buy a car and want the basic version it costs "x" but if you want the deluxe version with the satellite radio, gps, nicer sound system, heated seats it costs "x" + "y". If you buy a cell phone and get the basic plan it costs you one thing but once you add on internet, text messaging, pictures, games, etc. it costs you extra. They aren't charging any more for the game. The game comes with everything you need. Its the extra stuff like simming from your PC (which is not something standard and therefore shouldn't necessarily come with the game) or controlling multiple online dynastys or whatever, those things are what costs extra. When it comes to video games you see so many people on these boards act like they are entitled to everything and anything they want. That companies are required to include every uniform ever worn and design the game as we see fit. The truth is they make a product and you can choose whether to buy it or not, nobody is forcing you to. They do however try to meet the demands of the consumers to make them happier but that doesnt mean we are entitled to these things.

Then don't try to hide the fact that these are add-ons and will cost extra. These additional costs should have been announced when the feature was announced. Don't boast about the player's ability to super-sim on their PC, wait a period of time, and then quietly slip out that you'll have to pay extra to do this. It's not so much the cost, it's the feeling that we're being worked and/or manipulated. Be honest and up front. Lord knows we get enough double-talk and manipulation from our politicians, we don't need it out of our entertainment industry too.

# 34 Bullet Sponge @ 05/26/11 02:35 PM

It's pure and simple greed. "Why should it be free?" someone asked. Free? I just paid $60 for the game. I don't expect it free, I expect it to be included in the game I PAID for. A huge add-on pack I could maybe understand. For instance I'd plop down some extra dough for a disc that contained all the FCS teams and a version of the game where I simulate that (playoff etc). But more money so I can push a button to advance my dynasty? Comon.

# 35 noplace @ 05/26/11 02:43 PM

As long as its not something gameplay related or something that's part of football i'm good. All that extra stuff is what it is... extra! Just dont make me pay for my game to play better or to get an new helmet or stadium updates etc... Thats BS to me... Extra unis or throwbacks are fine because as long as they get some in I'm good.

# 36 Cardot @ 05/26/11 03:00 PM

People love to whine. Every company looks to maximize profits. That is Capitalism which many like to tout....until it is actually at work.

If you think the cost of the game plus the add-ons that you "need" aren't worth it, then don't buy it. If enough people feel the same, then EA will have to change. Economics at work. But you aren't as entitled as you think you are, and EA doesn't owe you Jack.

# 37 slingblade73 @ 05/26/11 03:05 PM

Custom playbooks not being available in the PC super sim will make for an easy decision for most people.

# 38 Pokes404 @ 05/26/11 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerseySuave4


	i dont think they are really hiding it too much i mean they said it themselves that some of these things would cost extra. Just like other businesses they might not mention it on the package that there is additional costs or maybe they do just in really small print. Go look at a magazine and look at car advertisements or phone advertisements. You'll see some small print at the bottom of the page that might have specific dates that the thing being advertised is good for or something else. Maybe its because i took marketing classes that i pick up on these things or understand the companies side a little more but i feel like too many people on here hold video games to a different standard than everything else. To me this is nothing new or strange for companies to be doing.

I understand this is how businesses operate. I graduated with a Media degree and rubbed elbows with the marketing majors every day. But in this case, we're not talking about a written advertisement where people simply didn't read the fine print. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't see any fine print explaining the additional charges on the promotional video when they talked about the super sim tools. There was no way for us to know when they were talking about this that it would require an extra charge. They talked about it as though it was included in the game, and then quietly released information about the additional charge at a later date. Again, not so much the cost, as it is these deceptive tactics that is such a slap in the face.

# 39 kingkilla56 @ 05/26/11 03:08 PM

Not a fan of paying more than 60 bucks for a release day ready product(s). If this 5 commish dynasties became available weeks after I could understand. With that said, I couldn't care any less about this. If im not interested in what theyre nickel and diming me for, than Im good to go. When they start charging for offline dynasty, I'll grab my handy dandy pitchfork and torch.

# 40 pietasterp @ 05/26/11 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkrptnt819


	I agree with this because a Gamestop employee told me this out their own mouth. Trading games shrink profit margins. If everyone bought new games this would disappear. But that's not gonna happen. That's why they starting putting the codes on the back of games.

This may or may not be true...the economics of this sub-economy aren't exactly that clear-cut. For example, there are situations where the ability to re-sell a product actually adds value from the consumer's standpoint, and therefore increases new sales - i.e. certain individuals may be more likely to purchase a new game if they know they can subsequently turn it around and re-sell it for some value if they get tired of it/don't like it/complete it, or whatever. Contrast that with a luxury entertainment item which has zero after-market value, and therefore prevents some from buying it in the first place (because they know they're stuck with it for good after buying it).

Of course, there's no question that after-market sales also cut into publisher's bottom line to some extent (although to what extent I'm not sure anyone really knows). So it's a question of which of the multiple economic pressures at play are really winning out in aggregate.

But yeah, paying to advance a week online is BS...

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