Sadly, I became a fan of the Mass Effect series.
Mass Effect 3 was strictly Origins only and not on Steam. I had no other choice and I was willing to ignore that claim in much hope that I could write good things about EA and the games they publish. I used to love EA and I used to feel joy when I saw that logo and I really want to feel that way again.
I had to write this blog after Peter Moore made several points on his blog. He admitted EA had made several mistakes but there was a list he wrote on there. A link will be provided below to the source but I'll quote them from his blog if you do not wish to go there.
Below:
- Many continue to claim the Always-On function in SimCity is a DRM scheme. It’s not. People still want to argue about it. We can’t be any clearer – it’s not. Period.
- Some claim there’s no room for Origin as a competitor to Steam. 45 million registered users are proving that wrong.
- Some people think that free-to-play games and micro-transactions are a pox on gaming. Tens of millions more are playing and loving those games.
- We’ve seen mailing lists that direct people to vote for EA because they disagree with the choice of the cover athlete on Madden NFL. Yes, really…
- In the past year, we have received thousands of emails and postcards protesting against EA for allowing players to create LGBT characters in our games. This week, we’re seeing posts on conservative web sites urging people to protest our LGBT policy by voting EA the Worst Company in America.
What is highlighted is what bothers me the most with his claim.
I have nothing to prove whether or not SimCity is a DRM scheme. I don't agree with the always online mechanics but that is what EA and Maxis chose to do. I believe in micro-transactions so long as it isn't pay to win with the free to play game since I do believe in giving people my hard earned cash if I wish to invest in their product. I remember the news reporting about the disagreement over who would appear on the EA's Madden NFL and I'm with them. Yes, that is silly. Very silly. If an athlete is good, he deserves to be on the box.
I am also for creating LGBT characters in games so long as it isn't thrown in people's faces and is done in good taste. I think the complaint from people is the fact it is not done in good taste and is done forcefully. Not everyone agrees with LGBTs. It is something a company will have to remember. If done with taste and not forced down their throat, the complaints wouldn't be so high.
... but that one claim that 'forty five million registered viewers say otherwise?'
You are a COO and I am just a currently unemployed woman who raises her nephew. I could never do your job but, as a consumer of your product, I'd like to know the full statistics of that number. How many of those 45 million people are legitimately using Origins as their service of choice and not because it is the only way they could be able to play their favorite game of choice?
I know I never wanted to use Origins. I was happy to purchase their product on Steam. I didn't want to install multiple services on my computer and wished to stick to one service... Steam. I had no choice but to install Origins because your company would not give me the choice otherwise.
I am not alone.
Even on their own forums, people have been crying out that they have no choice but to use Origins.
But we will clear the elephant in the room... I know Steam isn't perfect and some of the choices they've made wasn't very good. I know they had also changed their terms of service and forced companies to put their DLC as well as their product in the Steam store which was partially the reason why Origins was made in the first place.
I know some of their games are on Steam, as well... but not all of them are.
So if you want to end the debate now then please send out a full number of how many are legitimately using Origins as their server of choice and not forced to do so. I believe in competition. If Origins wants any ground to stand on, it needs to put all their products on all their services. Origins, Steam, and any other game sharing service out there. People deserve to choose where to purchase their product and what program they should feel comfortable in using. Nobody likes to be forced to use something just to play what they love.
If EA wants to really prove people wrong, they need to trust us... the consumer. If their product is selling more on Origins then it is on Steam and people are actually more happy to use it, then I can say that statement can be made with pride.
Now don't get me wrong... I am not attacking Peter Moore or the company of EA. I want to see some of their old tactics disappear and become the lovable gaming publisher I remember fondly as a kid. I want to see them make a come back and not be the pink elephant in the gaming room. We know EA is capable of doing better and we know it can perform great things.
... but you guys are still in my time out corner with the dunce hat. I never got the final battle I wanted against Harbinger in Mass Effect 3. And prove that one particular reaper wrong about humanity. I drew a frown face on that dunce hat too. I want my fight with Harbinger... and the same voice actor who voiced that cool voice of his. You bantha heads. :(
Now prove us wrong already!
(Peter Moore is the COO of EA and his blog with his statements can be found here: http://www.ea.com/news/we-can-do-better?websso=1 )
