330°

Don’t Buy EA Games, Don’t Engage In Micro-Transactions – And Get Yourself A PC

Following Cliffy B’s rant to Kotaku, and EA continuing its general nefarious activities, disgruntled gamer Dave McConkey suggests how gamers everywhere can avoid being exploited by greedy mainstream publishers.

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fmvmagazine.com
mandf4060d ago (Edited 4060d ago )

LOL Pc gaming started micro-transactions.

The author really sounds threatened.

zeal0us4060d ago

Sad but true. Buying a PC won't help you escape microtransaction. Heck it will open it up to you even more, especially if you plan on playing some mmos.

If you think about it microtransaction on console platforms been here for quite a while, in the form of DLC.

At the end of the day there really isn't any way to escape it.

Zuperman4060d ago

How about I do whatever the FUCCCCCCCCC I wanna do.

Larry L4060d ago (Edited 4060d ago )

I truly can't understand this sudden movement against micro-transactions. I think it's a great business model when a F2P game launches with micro-transaction in a genre of game "you" love, or with a concept "you" can get into.

They're giving us free games to play, and we the gamer then decides if the experience is worth spending money on. And not only that but we get to decide EXACTLY how much the experience is worth from 10-25 cents up to however much you want.

It started for me with Home. Not only did Home make me a fan of the micro-transaction model, but it's actually the service that got me even comfortable spending real money on digital stuff to any degree. Before then I was 100% against digital, now I'm all for it for alot of gaming experiences I'm into (though not all).

More current examples of great micro transaction games I'm enjoying are DUST 514 and Ecolibrium on Vita, both of which I didn't have to spend a dime to enjoy, but they are good enough to get me to spend a couple bucks to add to the enjoyment because I felt they were wort it (and more). I've spent about 15 on Dust, and I've spent 5 in Ecolibrium and I'm comfortable spending more still on each if I feel I need to or really want something. It's so awesome imo as a consumer, to be able to put the EXACT price on a game I want to pay.

I'm not saying micro-transactions are for every game, but when done right they can be one of the greatest ways to game on a budget.

EA's model isn't micro-transactions as much as it's paid unlocks, that's a totally different thing. That's just taking advantage of lazy gamers with money to waste. People waste money on all kinds of things. I think it's stupid too,but don't be socialist/communist trying to tell people what they're allowed to enjoy or waste their own money on as they see fit.

DragonKnight4060d ago

Larry L: You're talking about Free to Play. Microtransactions are a necessity for those games as they are the ONLY means of income. But EA plans to put them in games that AREN'T Free to Play and already have.

Microtransactions on consoles started with thanks to Microsoft (gotta love the irony in the names) when they instituted them in Xbox Live, so if anyone's looking to point fingers, start with Microsoft, then work your way to EA.

Hitman07694059d ago (Edited 4059d ago )

word to @Larry L

P.S. This is the craziest gaming week in a while. Hope your fave company comes out looking decent lol. This is like Hell Week for the gaming corps. I'd hate to be a PR at one of these places talking to disgruntled gamers all day. Especially EA's customers.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4059d ago
JAMurida4060d ago

I was about to say. Micro-transaction F2P games are all over PC.

reznik_zerosum4060d ago

Game can be f2p only whit micro-transaction

Merrill4060d ago

I'm so tired of theses "Get a PC" for gaming articles.

You can't play Playstation exclusives on PC!, only Xbox ones. Getting a PC and Playstaion is the smart choice and whatever Nintendo system is out for the obvious classics.

Hassassin4060d ago

I'm waiting for a good Metroid game to buy from nintendo again... but "Xenoblade" X project looks tempting.

Merrill4060d ago

If only I could afford Xenoblade Chronicles...one can wish for a reprint.

TronEOL4060d ago

Especially given the fact that there are more PC games going F2P with tons of Micro-transactions. Valve does it with Team Fortress 2 and Dota 2, and almost all MMO developers are doing it now.

Consoles are the only systems still using the "full-price model".

The big issue here is not exactly micro-transactions. It's that Publishers like EA are trying to release full, $60 games with Micro-transactions included, and implemented the same way F2P games have them.

If they want to push M-T, they need to release all games designed with that in mind for free. If they slap it on at the end of the games' development (if it's done well and doesn't affect the original non-MT product), then I don't mind.

But DO NOT design a game with Micro-transactions being a part of it's design, and expect to get people to pay $60 for it.

I'm not too worried though. Gaming is still young and has TONS of growing to do. It still needs to find it's place with all these new business options/opportunities. EA and the like will test the waters with this. It's up to gamers to decide on whether or not it's worth their money.

reznik_zerosum4060d ago

TF2 and DOTA2 are using micro-transactions to be f2p games so all people can join in and play,you dont have to use it unless u wanna new hat or new mustache.

Flavor4060d ago

Yeha this, exactly.

You know what to expect with a free game, but with a $60 purchase you don't want to be nickeled and dimed.

Every time I see some mouth breather ranting about BF4 I remember the abhorrent drek of Bf3 Premium and its endless garbage DLC.

Temporary4060d ago

I wouldnt be able to transition from console gamer to PC gamer, i'd miss out on way too many games! Especially GOOD GoTY competitors from awesome console-only developers.

PC gaming would never fill that void.

TechnicianTed4060d ago (Edited 4060d ago )

If I had a choice between only having a gaming pc or a console I'd choose pc gaming every time. There are loads more games to play on pc than on console. I'd be starved with just a console.

awi59514060d ago

That was in MMO's that have hundreds of hours of gameplay not a 4 hour single player thats been cut down to sale you the rest of it later.

showtimefolks4060d ago

i understand the hate on micro transaction but do we really have to buy anything in dead space 3 to really enjoy it? is EA or any other publisher forcing us to buy anything in game? in dead space 3 you can buy ammo or there is plenty around in gaming world for you to pick up

but if someone wants to have unlimited amount and are willing to pay than why should i take issue with that?

JeromeNtheHouse4060d ago (Edited 4060d ago )

Both Larry L and DragonKnight make good points, and I agree with both of you guys. As far as console is concerned, Microsoft were kind of the pioneers with micro-transactions. When it comes to DLC however, a lot of times the developers actually wanna make it free, but Microsoft were the ones who wanted to charge and make money off of it.

I think now tho, DLC and Micro-Transactions are getting out of hand now that damn near EVERY developer is starting to go along with the trend cuz everyone else is doin it. I mean...It gets really annoying when a game JUS releases, and ALREADY there is DLC for it on the first day. Like, C'mon guys...fa real???

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4059d ago
GreenRanger4060d ago

"Don’t Buy EA Games, Don’t Engage In Micro-Transactions – And Get Yourself A PC"
I'll do all of that (except the last part).

MikeMyers4060d ago

The problem is it's not just EA. They may be one of the worst offenders but micro-transactions will become more and more common moving forward. Do you know how many items Little Big Planet has for sale? We are also seeing season passes for games like Gears of War where the DLC can all be bought upfront.

These are all tools to take the price shock away from the consumer. They know charging more than $60 for a game is pretty much suicide so they will use DLC as a tactical tool to get more money from you.

classic2004060d ago (Edited 4060d ago )

Get my self a DRM gaming system, lol nope I am a free gamer on the PS3 and love to collect game boxes.

If I was a PC gamer I would be a pirate to be honest I wont bow to DRM like the steam gamers.

ThreshStar4060d ago

"I am a free gamer on the PS3"

Which part? The part where you don't own the hardware that you bought? Or the part where you don't own any of the games you play? Or the part about if you don't agree with their terms of agreements you are null & voided from using said products?

Alos884060d ago

None of that made sense.

classic2004060d ago

LOOOOOOL

DRM made you lost touch with reality?

ThreshStar4060d ago

*sigh* I was commenting on the irony that people are raising their pitchforks against micro-transactions when they already allowed the gaming industry to enact rules stating you do NOT own your console and you do NOT own the games that you play.

...I guess people are still under the assumption that they're not "renting" their services for a fee.

aliengmr4060d ago

Free to play the games Sony wants you to play.

Consoles are DRM. That the point of a closed eco-system. Sony controls the content of its systems. Patch certification?

Never thought anyone would choose a console to escape the tyranny of Steam.

I have no problem with consoles, gamers have plenty of reasons to prefer them over a PC. This isn't an attack on your platform.

BanBrother4060d ago

Lol; "Following Cliffy B's rant to Kotaku". Wasit not in his own personal blog, and Kotaku decided to take parts out of it? Why does everyone think that everything is conducted in some hollywood interview. It isn't.

BrianC62344060d ago

I don't need to get myself a PC. I have three. But I don't use them for gaming. That's what my console is for. Thanks anyway.

Count4060d ago

Three PCs -> Doesn't play games on them.

What? At least play Baldur's Gate or something! You're not gonna see that on your console. Or Kotor.

Kurt Russell4060d ago

I work all day on a PC, and my home PC's are for further freelancing. They are plenty powerful enough to play games, but the thought makes me cringe. As sad as it sounds but sitting on my sofa and playing a console actually feels like a different environment to gaming exactly where I sat to work...

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220°

EA Hopes to Use Generative AI to Drive Monetization and Make Development 30% More Efficient

Today Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson provided a look into his ideas for the use of generative AI in the company's development processes.

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techraptor.net
thorstein42d ago

I wonder what the next buzz word they'll slap in front of AI to make it sound exciting next? "Generative" as if it's creating its own content. Lol.

Cacabunga41d ago

EA is already dying a painful death..

peppeaccardo41d ago

i have a better idea .. why the whole exec team doesn't get replaced by chat bots ?

just_looken42d ago

Though i agree the ai thing is already in other forms of media there have been ai translations/scripts/voice over and even full ai commercials aired on tv. Ubisoft has created a ai game creator story/vo/music except the building of the game

The new unreal engine has auto terrain creation tools

In the world of greed in which it is winning without any major blow back ai is our future.

everyone want's biden dead on the mic or a criminal instead of a woman and now we are getting ai everything because no one will stop watching/playing ai created media.

GamerRN41d ago

Maybe they should just focus on making good games?

Just a thought...

Kiryu199241d ago

Exactly EA are just pure evil. When they are beating Bank of America to be voted the worst company to work for that’s saying a lot

Good thing I don’t buy their games day one and wait for deep deep sale years after launch (the select few games I am actually interested in)

Gaming is making so much money yet the greed of these companies is never ending

CEO’s and people on board making millions yet cutting jobs to those who are actually making the products

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 41d ago
Knightofelemia42d ago (Edited 42d ago )

EA is still a shady shitty company even with or without the help of Skynet. All they will use AI for is new ways to milk loot boxes and come up with the same sports title with a different year on the label. They are one company I truly do hate with a passion. They single handedly ruined some great franchise with their death touch. ME, Dead Space, Alice Returns, Dante's Inferno.

Stuart575642d ago

EA layoffs followed by 'Generative AI to Drive Monetization'

I knew it. Wonder what AI salary looks like? Nothing.

ChasterMies41d ago

I having a feeling that most of the layoffs in the industry are based on the idea that AI will do the same job for less.

DarXyde41d ago

Very likely, yes.

Made worse by the fact that the execs aren't changing their compensations.

My deepest fear at this point is that we are now in the capitalism endgame.

At this point, we really should just burn AI to the ground. Executives cannot be trusted to do the right thing.
How are those people expected to support families if everything gets automated?

Barlos42d ago (Edited 42d ago )

And take away creativity, and people's jobs as we've been seeing. Got it.

No thanks. I want my games created by people, not AI.

CobraKai42d ago

Exactly. If or when games start becoming more AI than people, im done with gaming. AI and companies like EA can suck donkey d***k.

just_looken42d ago

Though i agree remember this is no ps3/360 era were we got up to 3 games in one generation from on developer like gears/halo/bioware/sony/ms

The people today are pro esg/sweet baby for the most part AAA gaming is imploding right now.

We should be stepping back re evaluate everything as a whole this year xmen 97 written/directed by a woman that is nuts and its also being made by a group reshaping bodies to be less sexual like wtf. A dam famous cartoon from the 90's is being rebuilt with millions spent to be worse in everyway.

Gaming/movies/tv shows made today are worse than what we had 7years ago ai won't change this but that ai is also being made by these groups so either way we are screwed.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Eonjay41d ago

Don't be of afraid of women. Sexy characters in games and movies still exist. Got my Stellar Blade on preorder!!! Everything all the time doesn't need to be sexual...that's stupid, childish and dull.

Chocoburger41d ago (Edited 41d ago )

EA doesn't want to lose their title of worst gaming company ever, always trying their best to remain the champs!
What's sad is that they have so much potential to be a decent publisher.

SSX Tricky / SSX 3
Def Jam Vendetta / Fight for New York
NBA Street
NFL Steet
Mirror's Edge
Bad Company
Burnout 3 / 4 / 5

Remember when EA used to be awesome? It's all over with now. Unpolished, if not out-right broken games these days. Endless monetization and gambling in their sports games, and let's not forget wasting hours of your life trying to unlock characters or equipment using "surprise boxes!"

Show all comments (37)
80°

EA And Sony Layoffs, Entertainment News And More Skewedcast

Gareth, Justin, and JoeyZ look at Layoff news for EA and Sony and reasons behind the downturn in the industry and more.

220°

EA - Continuing to evolve our business and teams

EA CEO Andrew Wilson writes: "In this time of change, we expect these decisions to impact approximately 5 percent of our workforce. I understand this will create uncertainty and be challenging for many who have worked with such dedication and passion and have made important contributions to our company. While not every team will be impacted, this is the hardest part of these changes, and we have deeply considered every option to try and limit impacts to our teams. Our primary goal is to provide team members with opportunities to find new roles and paths to transition onto other projects. Where that’s not possible, we will support and work with each colleague with the utmost attention, care, and respect. Communicating these impacts has already begun and will be largely completed by early next quarter."

LG_Fox_Brazil49d ago

All the big ones doing the same stuff. Terrible. I just hope that all these people are able to get a new job as soon as possible, God know that it is horrible to be left jobless when you have your kids or your parents depending on your financial help

Jin_Sakai49d ago (Edited 49d ago )

2024 so far.

Feb ’28 Electronic Arts (EA) 670 (5%)
Feb ’24 PlayStation 900 (8%)
Feb ’24 Vice Media Group Several hundred
Feb ’24 Buzzfeed 16%
Feb ’24 NowThis 26 (50%)
Feb ’24 Paramount Global 800 (3%)
Feb ’24 SiriusXM 160 (3%)
Feb ’24 Snapchat 10%
Jan ’24 TechCrunch 8 + subscription product
Jan ’24 U.K.’s Channel 4 200
Jan ’24 Business Insider 8%
Jan ’24 Microsoft Gaming 1,900
Jan ’24 Riot Games 530
Jan ’24 Sports Illustrated Possibly all
Jan ’24 YouTube 100
Jan ’24 Pitchfork (Conde Nast) Undisclosed
Jan ’24 Universal Music Group Hundreds
Jan ’24 Discord 17%
Jan ’24 NBC News 50-100
Jan ’24 Audible 5%
Jan ’24 Google Hundreds
Jan ’24 Amazon Hundreds
Jan ’24 Duolingo 10%
Jan ’24 VideoAmp 20%

DATA AS OF FEB. 28, 2024

outsider162449d ago

Is it possible maybe this whole ai thing is in play?

just_looken49d ago

Another long list that skips over UPS cutting 12,000 jobs those workers as we know work without ac low pay and old box trucks but that company had to cut 12k jobs do too loosing billions of dollars year 2 year.

https://edition.cnn.com/202...

The greed and lack of transparency/oversight is disgusting.

Ups are still making bang but not enough for a golden boat fleet.

Remember we all use ups at some time even stuff in our stores this is going to be a huge issue gong forward i know in my area they removed half the state ups stores northern half least population got some 3rd party running packages now from minivans.

Sonic188148d ago

When I explan this I get called a troll 🤔 like wtf

thorstein48d ago

@just_looken

UPS is a different story altogether.

They are paying the people doing the actual work/ earning the money more and eliminating management.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 48d ago
CrimsonWing6949d ago (Edited 49d ago )

You do realize around this time this happens all throughout many industries (not just the game industry), right? It has to do with taxes for these major companies, like tax subsidies for downsizing. You want to know a little secret? Around May or so you’ll see a spike in hiring…

It blows my mind that people are oblivious to corporate workings.

Andrew33649d ago

So over 25 huge companies cut jobs every year like this and it only got noticed this time?

CrimsonWing6949d ago (Edited 49d ago )

@Andrew336

Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Google it up if you’re uninformed of how corporations work. Only gamers seem to live in a bubble and when they see things like crunch, acquisitions, and lay-offs they act like this is the only industry it happens to and how shocked they are about it.

Welcome to the real world, kid.

thorstein48d ago (Edited 48d ago )

EA CEO Wilson's total compensation was 20 million. Let's take away 19 million (I'm sure he can survive on 1 million.... somehow).

1 million is the salary of an in the chair developer @100,000 for 10 years.

He could earn 1 million a year.

And save the jobs of 15 in the chair devs for A DECADE (plus benefits) with ONE YEAR'S compensation.

RhinoGamer8849d ago

No Executive accountability or firings I see...

just_looken49d ago

Do not worry they will take over 40mill say sorry then get hired by playstation or xbox

blackblades48d ago

I heard Japan does it better, they do layoffs like what's happening with companies in the west. The higher ups also being agreeing to to lower there own salary. These MFs like jim and Phil isnt gonna do that they want that $

Sonic188149d ago

Like I said earlier, this is happening all around the gaming industry.

Petebloodyonion49d ago

The point I feel is problematic about all of this is that focusing on Owned Ip means more sequels, remasters and more of what was selling last year.

TheColbertinator49d ago

EA is certainly among the worst,if not the worst

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