[Pat]

http://consumerist.com/2012/04/congratulat...a-for-2012.html

QUOTE

Whether it's on a console, a PC, a smartphone or tablet, hundreds of millions of people play video games every day. Yet most mainstream media covers the industry the same way it treats adult dodge ball leagues and cat fashion shows (both noble ventures, but neither of them multi-billion dollar industries). And the only time you hear legislators discuss video games is when some politician decries them as the death knell for all things righteous in the world (hint: they're not). Now, after years of being ignored and relegated to steerage, game-players have voted to send a message to Electronic Arts and the gaming business as a whole: Stop treating your loyal customers like crap. After more than 250,000 votes, Consumerist readers ultimately decided that the type of greed exhibited by EA, which is supposed to be making the world a more fun place, is worse than Bank of America's avarice, which some would argue is the entire point of operating a bank. To those who might sneer at something as "non-essential" as a video game company winning the Worst Company In America vote: It's that exact kind of attitude that allows people to ignore the complaints as companies like EA to nickel and dime consumers to death. For years, while movies and music became more affordable and publishers piled on bonus content — or multiple modes of delivery — as added value to entice customers to buy, video games have continued to be priced like premium goods. There have even been numerous accusations that EA and its ilk deliberately hold back game content with the sole intent of charging a fee for it at a later date. It's one thing to support a game with new content that is worth the price. It's another to put out an inferior — and occasionally broken — product with the mindset of "ah, we'll fix it later and make some money for doing so." New, independent game companies do pop up all the time, but the cost of entering the market has historically been too expensive, making these indie innovators prime targets for acquisition by mega-publishers like EA. Our hope is that the growth of app-based gaming and downloadable games will continue to make it easier for developers to get their products out without the backing of companies that don't care a lick about the people who fork over their cash. Oh well, Worst Company In America 2012 is officially in the books. All that's left to do is send off the Golden Poo to EA. Traditionally, the Poo has been delivered on its little red pillow. But this year, we'll give EA three different color options for its pillow, though in the end it's still the same old Poo.

So, I'm interested in hearing how everyone here feels about this. As you can see from the comments, many people are upset about this, and believe that BofA should have won. And while I don't agree, I don't necessarily disagree either. BofA is undoubtedly a worse company than EA, but they have won this award before, and they completely brushed it off. EA, however, has been trying to hide their feelings and failing miserably - to put it simply, they're pissed.

I feel this victory was a good thing because even if EA isn't truly worse than BofA, this will have more of an impact upon their practices than a victory for BofA would have against their practices. Maybe the Consumerist visitors are right, though. Maybe this is all just "gamer entitlement." Or maybe they're passing judgement on an industry they don't understand - somehow, that seems more likely to me.

Anyway, what's everyone's thoughts?

[GTAvanja]

I'm glad they've won. I was rooting for them.

[TargetTango]

EA= Releases ridiculous DLC
Bank of America= Forecloses homes and almost destroyed the US economy.

Yeah, this result is stupid.

[DeeperRed]

The battlefield 3 "DLC" packs alone are enough for them to earn that award.

[Pat]

Erik Kain of Forbes has released an article pertaining to EA's response to this situation for anyone interested. Those who have been keeping up with the recent controversy over EA and Mass Effect 3 are probably already very familiar with Kain by now.

[Los Santos Pedestrian]

What I don't get about EA (and Activision) is how they just eliminate game series that is slightly falling out of style, and, almost always, the studio as well. Like the Tony Hawk series, that was going well and then it's stopped dead in its tracks in 2007 with almost no warning. What's with that? That's just one thing that makes those companies a bunch of assholes.

[Opiteilsm]

Shame Activision weren't on the list, their butchering of Spyro in my mind is reason enough for them to get this award. I don't hate EA like the rest of the world seem too, they release the majority of my favourite games, so I don't think they should've 'won' this at all.

[Whiskey]

I'm shocked that Activision aren't top of that list, or even included at-all. They just rape everyone in the gaming community. I haven't bought a single Acti game since MW2, never will either.

[oysterbarron]

QUOTE (Los Santos Pedestrian @ Wednesday, Apr 4 2012, 20:50)

What I don't get about EA (and Activision) is how they just eliminate game series that is slightly falling out of style, and, almost always, the studio as well. Like the Tony Hawk series, that was going well and then it's stopped dead in its tracks in 2007 with almost no warning. What's with that? That's just one thing that makes those companies a bunch of assholes.

this might help add to the picture abit! http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=505909

I would like to know the average age of voters in those polls! is there a breakdown of this anywhere? by the looks of it we can either support the hated DLC model or just pay double the price outright for games! i know what im going to prefere!

[papanesta]

It's good if it inspires any kind of change, but I doubt it will. Obviously living in the UK, BofA doesn't mean much to me as a company, but I do buy a lot of EA games, so global change there would be nice. I imagine EA won't lose much (if any) money because of this, but it might make higher-ups consider a change in their image and practices.

[Pat]

I wouldn't say Activision is as bad as EA, honestly. They're both bad, yeah, but Activision is the lesser of two evils. They're pretty bad about DLC, but they aren't doing what EA is doing, which basically amounts to seeing how far they can push their customers before they stop being customers. The Prothean DLC and the Mass Effect 3 endings have been referred to as "experiments," attempts to see just what their customers will take, and they were both successful because the fans - while they have spoken out against them - still bought them anyway. And honestly, EA doesn't care if you don't like them as long as they have your money in their pocket. Hell, the CEO of EA even told customers to "f*ck off" at one point. That is word-for-word, not implied. Let us also not forget the attempted hostile takeover of Rockstar Games in 2008. For those of you who weren't here, EA attempted to purchase Rockstar before the release of GTA IV and only failed because less than 10% of shareholders sold to them, even when offered double the price of the shares.

It's also interesting to watch EA's stocks fall as we speak. They never really recovered from the recent market crash anyway.

[YankeesPwnMets]

EA Origin is sh*t.

[MinnieMan121249]

Finally. Can't stand them releasing the same sort of shooter with a different title all the time. Everything they release feels exactly the same as their previous game from the same genre.

[finn4life]

QUOTE (TargetTango @ Thursday, Apr 5 2012, 06:54)

EA= Releases ridiculous DLC Bank of America= Forecloses homes and almost destroyed the US economy. Yeah, this result is stupid.

It is kinda stupid, but banks aren't charities pal.

[Slamman]

That's just the court of public opinion. EA has a lot of history to be proud of, one year won't kill them! haha

[agent17]

QUOTE (finn4life @ Wednesday, Apr 4 2012, 17:33)

QUOTE (TargetTango @ Thursday, Apr 5 2012, 06:54) EA= Releases ridiculous DLC Bank of America= Forecloses homes and almost destroyed the US economy. Yeah, this result is stupid. It is kinda stupid, but banks aren't charities pal.

BoA has a history of mistakenly foreclosing people's homes that are payed off, and generally f*cking up people's bank accounts.

However, Bank of America already knows they are sh*t, winning "Worst Company In America 2012" wouldn't change a thing. At least with EA there is some hope in change, and if nothing else it gives EA a chance to see the public's opinion.

[meta187]

QUOTE (Pat @ Wednesday, Apr 4 2012, 19:31)

Traditionally, the Poo has been delivered on its little red pillow. But this year, we'll give EA three different color options for its pillow, though in the end it's still the same old Poo.

And there's the money shot.

[Slamman]

John R. still CEO?, maybe his tenure will change?

[trip]

QUOTE (Slamman @ Wednesday, Apr 4 2012, 19:52)

That's just the court of public opinion. EA has a lot of history to be proud of, one year won't kill them! haha

Yes.

People seem to forget how vital EA was in the early days. They were the first company that recognized video games as an art form. Oh and Activision was the first publisher to actually recognize and honor the developers. Before Activision, a game developer would have gotten more respect if they were running the fryer at McDonalds. They very well might be the only 2 companies to revive themselves after the video game crash of the 80s - for that they should be commended.

Sure, we all may not agree on their current business practices, but they are still businesses that are actually still in business and turning a profit while putting out quality entertainment.

I wholeheartedly think we need to stop trashing them. You don't need to buy all of their games or DLC maps and whatnot... but I honestly fee that they pioneered the attitude of game development that we are lucky enough to be living with today.

I think the really big issue now is publishers and their power/money. Gone are the days of the small firms - the small developers either pushing their own stuff, or working with a small publisher. It's just the like old days when there were local and small town banks. All the banking is run by a handful of big companies that can run large operations. Just like there are no longer small independent game developers(with small publishers) there are no longer small town unnamed banks.

Look...if I am old and cranky and willing to accept change you all need to just stop bitching and enjoy the fun that is in front of you.

[Pat]

QUOTE (trip @ Wednesday, Apr 4 2012, 19:48)

People seem to forget how vital EA was in the early days. They were the first company that recognized video games as an art form.

But defending them from the standpoint of "well, they were good back then!" is flawed logic. That's like defending a burglar because he was a Boy Scout when he was a teenager.