The news of the moment is an announcement from EA Executive Vice President Patrick Soderlund stating that being voted, by The Consumerist magazine, the Worst Company for the second year running is a prompt for a turn around. A turn around of the massive variety as Soderlund intents on being voted the BEST company.
It's a massive task considering the laundry list of mistakes EA have made, namly:
o Swallowing up studios like Bioware and Westwood,
o Mandatory usage of Origin
o Removal of games on Steam
o Mandatory always online-functionally
o Methods of drawing more from the wallet of many a gamer,
o Mandatory Digital Rights Management
o Releasing many games that were barely playable,
o Mishandling of DLC
o Milking franchise’s for all it’s worth
o Kowtowing to shareholders knowing little about games beyond making a profit
o And treating customers poorly with absolutely zero concern to their needs.
Still I'll give EA credit: At least they're acknowledging that there is a lot of contempt for them and they're taking steps to correct it - which is more than can be said for the other despised companies. It may be massive task to be sure, one involving hard effort and sacrifices, but the removal of the Online Pass is a start at least.
But what i find most fascinating is the reaction to this news. There are many gamers outraged by EA, not without good reason of course, and their response has been loud and varied. Many are killing themselves with laughter, others are insisting it will never happen and others still seem intent on making sure it will never happen. I guess when one takes away a gaming geek's punchline, the vengeance is ruthless (Duke Nukem Forever anyone?).
Mind you I honestly would like to see EA turn things around. Yes I have no love for EA having burnt by them before, Yes it would be a near impossible feat to accomplish and yes it could do with more action than talk. But to wipe the smiles off the faces of all the nay-sayers? Now THAT would be hilarious.
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