Boycott EA? where do u stand?

[Nature Boy]

As far as sports games go, how do EA's Madden games stack up to EA's non-Madden sports games? The only sports games I care to play concern hockey, and I won't even touch NHL 200_ in favour of Sega's NHL 2K_ series.

None of EA's other sports games compares to Madden. Which isn't to say they're bad - they're not. But Madden is definitely the cream of the crop.

I can compare NHL 2002 and Madden 2002 because I own them both (one Xbox, one PS2) - and the differences in the franchise modes alone are embarassing. For NHL 2002 you have smiley faces to depict if a player is interested in you. Smiley faces!

I don't know if that's changed but there's a reason I have a newer Madden (2005) but no newer hockey game (AND I refuse to buy one while the lockout is happening).

[sabre2922]

how does the new news of the ESPN takover affect your opinion in this poll now?

[soniko_karuto]

i'm still boycotting those guys.

[Nature Boy]

how does the new news of the ESPN takover affect your opinion in this poll now?

I've decided that the only way I can stop the evil mega corporations like EA, Sony, and MicroSoft from dominating the world of video games is to stop buying games entirely. That way the market will shrink and they'll all lose interest and move on to the next fad...

[scooterb23]

It doesn't change my stance. If EA makes games I want to play, I'll still buy them.

People take video gaming too seriously...it's only a hobby (for all but the pro gamers).

[Oobgarm]

I'm the same as before. People who are like 'OMGBBQ BOYCOTT' need to understand that they aren't going to make a difference and need to leave it alone.

[buttasuperb]

It doesn't change my stance. If EA makes games I want to play, I'll still buy them.

People take video gaming too seriously...it's only a hobby (for all but the pro gamers).

Exactly.

[WanganRunner]

They've made some genuinely good games.

SSX was a genuinely good game, probably the best snowboarding game ever released with it first launched with the PS2.

They also make lots of crap, but I don't usually buy sports games, so I tend to "boycott" them sorta by default.

So long as they just stick to sports, I don't care. If they go doing something really dumb like trying to buy one of my more beloved developers (Working Designs, Koei), then I'll be pissed.

[scooterb23]

Oh come on now,you want to see Romance of the Three Maddens 2006 and you know it :P

*prepares for a string of puking smileys*

[Ed Oscuro]

By boycotting EA you might be denying yourself good games - and the kicker is, by disregarding a game because of the EA sticker you're helping to ensure that EA doesn't make good games.
There will always be plenty of other "good games" out there. Have some backbone and stand up for what you believe in. If enough people stick together and collectively stick it to EA with their wallets
So instead of giving EA postitive reinforcement for trying to make games we like, let's make sure all the casual gamers decide for us, instead. Great plan.

I don't see anybody saying "don't buy Luigi's Mansion, there's too many kiddie GameCube games" now that it's out; a lot of people who've tried it say that it's great. Boycotts only work if the issue at stake is known...EA is of course not going to radically alter their paradigm whether or not there's a paradigm shift because the course of action they've been taking has been in order to serve part of their customer base better! The only way to make sure there's some variety in the EA lineup and to keep them from doing only one thing is to give support for the good games they make.

So yup, I've got backbone and will continue to stand for what I believe in - supporting good games!

[Kamino]

I don't care enough to boycott anyone...If EA makes a game I want, I don't care, I'll buy it...


exactly. I don't care anymore. Although, I haven't bought a new nintendo product in months......did buy a used metroid prime for six bucks a while back.....But, I'm really not bothering to boycott anyone. too much work! :)
In any case, EA is no more evil than the big N themselves in my mind. At least EA has medal of honour and James Bond. :)

[Richter]

eh, buy it used

[evildead2099]

By boycotting EA you might be denying yourself good games - and the kicker is, by disregarding a game because of the EA sticker you're helping to ensure that EA doesn't make good games.
There will always be plenty of other "good games" out there. Have some backbone and stand up for what you believe in. If enough people stick together and collectively stick it to EA with their wallets
So instead of giving EA postitive reinforcement for trying to make games we like, let's make sure all the casual gamers decide for us, instead. Great plan.

I don't keep in touch with the gaming industry half as much as I used to, but to me, it seems as though casual gamers have largely been the ones responsible for EA's longevity. When I think of companies like Konami and Nintendo, I think of companies which tend to invest a lot of time into developing sequels. Conversely, when I think of EA, I think of a company whose definitive business practice (oligarchical status notwithstanding) has been to marginally improved rehashes of their sports games year after year. Of course, that's not to say that EA doesn't publish ANY original games (LOTR, James Bond, etc.), but EA seems to thrive primarily because its sports games cater to casual gamers. In essence, it's too late to let casual gamers "decide for us."


So yup, I've got backbone and will continue to stand for what I believe in - supporting good games!

My "have some backbone" remark was meant to encourage those who've considered boycotting EA but cop out because they aren't willing to do without a few of the thousands of fish that swim in the ocean that is the gaming industry.

[Rogmeister]

I guess you can put me in the camp of those who'll buy any good game...whether it's published by Satan or Santa Claus. I don't believe in boycotts anyway and MVP Baseball 2004 is one of my favorite baseball games ever so no one's going to tell me I can't buy the next edition...

[GarrettCRW]

Sega might-there's a rumor that they might buy the MLB license. ;)

[Rogmeister]

Note I said the "next" edition...and this year's editions of baseball games are obviously not going to be affected by anything that may happen this year...

[Berty]

I've never bought any EA games. Not becuase i don't like, but because nothing that they make appeals to me.

When NFS underground came out, i hired it but was so disgusted with it that i took it back within an hour and got another game. (I really wanted to like nfsu but it was a rushed job).