Analyst: EA Sports is underperforming and trend may continue
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jan 18th 2008 at 5:30PM }
Patel says that the underperformance of EA Sports titles represent two major issues: That an exclusive sports franchise is diminishing year after year, and whether future iterations can compete in a competitive market with many AAA titles available. He gives EA a "SELL" rating as its industry leadership is challenged along with the quality of its titles. We humbly present as anecdotal evidence: When the guys at this blogger's ultra-blue-collar barber shop spend the last three visits complaining about the quality of Madden games, that's definitely a sign straight from the "key demographic."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
bdup @ Feb 17th 2008 12:03PM
ea games are crap now madden 06 for the xbox was my favorite ea game but recently they have more problems from gameplay. I threw an interception because it went straight through my recievers body. i saw it when i slowed it down in replay mode. ea why did you kill a franchise
konajinx @ Jan 18th 2008 5:36PM
Being a dude who reviews games for an online publication, I can tell you myself how tired I get of opening a package excitedly only to see it's another damn EA sports game to review. These things are absically interchangeable; just change the ball that's being played with and there you have it. There's nothing remotely entertaining about most of these titles, and if ever there was a series of games that felt like mere product pumped out to make money, EA has the monopoly on it with their sports titles.
ThornedVenom @ Jan 18th 2008 6:44PM
Wow, I actually thought that you guys had one of the best jobs in the world.
Poisoned Al @ Jan 18th 2008 9:06PM
Well I used to think the same of games beta testers until I found out they are underpaid and treated like dog shit. The fact of the matter is, few people will pay you to have fun.
Geist @ Jan 18th 2008 9:16PM
ThornedVenom: A lot of my friends believe that, and while it's fun to review these games, some of them are just...bad. It's really a mixed bag.
seasidebaz @ Jan 19th 2008 4:57PM
i, too, thought you guys had the best job in the world..
until i realised you couldn't spell.
(surely the foundations of journalism?)
Zsavior @ Jan 18th 2008 5:44PM
Talk about Under performing they won over Washington the other day and I was about to just run outside and throw a ticker tape parade just for that. But of course that is what happens when nobody stops those filthy greedy bastards Knicks management have, and idiots who weren't fans and are not fans kept going just cause it was cool to be seen at a knick game. The Dolan's and EA a marriage made in FAIL!
Yes this rant had nothing to do with the EA I am a disgruntle Knick fan and just needed a reason to bitch and moan.
Shagittarius @ Jan 18th 2008 6:46PM
I like to think of EAs soundtracks as "ass-music".
B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Jan 19th 2008 2:50AM
wow you gotta be pretty bold to admit your a Knickerbocker fan right about now lol. im tellin you all they have to do is fire Thomas and get rid of Marbury. it's shown time after time that after a team gets rid of Marbury they get alot better, and the Knicks have nowhere to go but up at this point. thing will get better for you though man, i expect them to pull the trigger on some big trade before the deadline, they have to...
nxtiak @ Jan 18th 2008 5:46PM
With all the 'gangsta' rap in all those games targeted to a specific demographic, no one else is going to buy them.
A-Troll-Named-Slickback (Yes the A Troll Named part, and yes every time!) @ Jan 18th 2008 5:50PM
You must not have bought an EA Sports game recently, I am tired of 'punk rock'
sambadeamigo @ Jan 18th 2008 6:50PM
My favorite was in Fight Night 3, one song had to many cursewords in one verse it sounds................ li.....ke........ this
360's dash music player is a savior.
The1 @ Jan 18th 2008 7:55PM
Now thats not true. Do your research before you speak.
kbomb1upc @ Jan 21st 2008 12:14PM
What????? What does the music in a game has anything to do with it you buy it or not? So do you buy Madden, and then return it because you didn't appreciate the music selection? Can you please stop talking out of your butt…
Zon @ Jan 18th 2008 5:55PM
Maybe they should stop selling the same recycled game for full price every year.
Cal @ Jan 18th 2008 5:56PM
Well at least FIFA 08 was good and brought some nice innovations over 07. I for one, don't mind paying 30 quid for new graphics, updated teams and a new feature or two (especially with Be-a-pro online set to expand each year)
aaron_k7 @ Jan 18th 2008 5:57PM
EA's solution? Monopolize the market. This has already happened with the NFL and all signs point to "Monopoly" regarding NCAA basketball. Every time that EA Sports gets smoked by 2K Sports (NFL 2K5 and now College Hoops 2K8), they resort to anti-competitive tactics so that they continue to make and sell crap that people will buy just for the license.
B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Jan 19th 2008 2:59AM
yea it really makes me sad to know that they would rather "get rid of" the competition then actually "beat" them. instead of spending all that money on exclusivity contracts and hurting the legacy of your titles, why not use that money to hire some decent developers and make a game that is actually better than the competitions. i havent played an EA Sports game in forever cause they all suck now. and i used to have such fond memories of Madden and NBA Live matches with my friends.
Marty @ Jan 18th 2008 5:58PM
Underperforming? Do they mean in sales, quality, or both?
Granted, I like some EA games... but since they have such a large group of devs under their umbrella, it's not surprising that a lot of crap gets shipped with their brand on the box.
Follisimo @ Jan 18th 2008 6:05PM
They improved NHL 08 a ton over NHL 07. But as most of us know by now there is only so much you can improve from year to year on games. Especially sport games. Just minor tweaks and 1 or 2 new features a year. As long as the game is as close to real life games then I'm happy. Oh and online play is a must for me.
gregory mitchell @ Jan 18th 2008 7:06PM
2k basketball does it and so did 2k football at the time
evilkoala @ Jan 18th 2008 7:47PM
gregory mitchell: have you played a 2k basketball game recently? It's the same game, except without updated visuals. (not saying it's not a great basketball sim... but if you want to talk about recycled gameplay)
MechaZain @ Jan 18th 2008 6:06PM
Though I understand why people say that EA's sports games lack innovation and are basically roster updates, I don't understand why EA is specifically targeted. This seems to be just an element of the modern sports game in general where people don't buy for innovation, but moreso as just an upgrade. My favorite basketball games are the 2k titles, yet I didn't buy NBA 2k8 because it was nearly the same game with a new "foot-planting technology." Give me a year or so and I'll probably buy a copy of the latest
I guess it's because they're the big elephant in the room, but I think nearly all sports sims don't innovate on a yearly basis and yet people imply that it's only EA. There's a set of gamers that seem confused by this, and another set that feels perfectly content with the updates enough to warrant a purchase every 1-2 years.
Prince King @ Jan 18th 2008 6:39PM
why would you not get 2k8? it is by far the best one yet
sheppy2.0 @ Jan 18th 2008 7:05PM
I'd say it's an issue with EA in general. Look, most EA DEVELOPED games tend to be lackluster. They seem to lack a coherent thought process or even a way to think as individuals. I mean, we can mention games which seem like factory projects all the time, EA truly sells that point home. They have strict schedules, set tasks, and hell, even move their workers around like it is a lifeless production line. And at the end of the day, their tactics show. They just seem sooooo, generic in their endeavors.
Which is sad because I see the people they hire in before they work there. You see EA employees posting stuff on 3D forums everywhere and their stuff in their spare time is phenominal. It's just the "factory" mentality that drags their work down.
Also, majority of people who give EA credit for certain games really need to look at the publisher versus developer aspect of it. EA publishes decent games, but they sure as fuck don't make them.
gregory mitchell @ Jan 18th 2008 7:11PM
No you obviously didnt play the game or the demo. Its almost completely different. the Ai is waaay smarter and quicker to react. your teammates actually jump for boards. and they have that lock defense which evened the playing field and helps you play real defense not that chessy smother and intercept tactic everyone was using online. they also made everyone bigger and slowed it down a bit. theres more pass diving. better passing(most of the time). and they took out the inbound hail mary.
Ryan LN @ Jan 18th 2008 6:07PM
Absolutely, 100% not a shocker. I probably echo previous posts when I bemoan the lack of competition and the apparent complacency that comes from being the biggest, baddest dude on the block and not having to break a sweat to sell a million games. Unfortunately, EA is learning that when you're that big a million just won't do. As far as Madden is concerned, bringing back choice in the marketplace by opening up the licenses to competition would only spur the quality of games and push innovation in all areas. As far as EA is concerned, personally I think they've gotten to big to do anything but churn out half-decent stuff in order to meet deadlines and satisfy the demands of shareholders and Wall Street. I think that in 5-10 years they'll be looking at an Atari-sized correction.
sambadeamigo @ Jan 18th 2008 6:18PM
I have a good friend who's the same way, he goes on and on about Madden and Barbie's Adventure College Football. And over the years I've never been able to understand why year in and year out he buys that crap. You would think he would have learned by now. It's only until recently he's actually started playing actual video games. Through my persistence to change the conversation towards an upcoming or flavor of the month title.
Maybe that blogger could introduce these people to real video games. Makes for better conversation.
"May continue" LOL
DP @ Jan 18th 2008 6:23PM
So people DO have brains?
Martez @ Jan 18th 2008 6:26PM
So we need an analyst to tell us sales are dropping? And anybody with brains knows the quality of EA Sports titles has been on the decline for years, with one or two exceptions.
Christ, what would we do without these guys?
Brian Fantana @ Jan 18th 2008 6:30PM
Too true. EA Sports games, the ones that usually sell no matter what, are declining in quality. Tiger, Madden, Live, NCAA. Whats there motivation to inovate and make a quality game when you know it will sell? Pretty sad. There games are sucking because there is no competition. I can't wait til these exclusive licenses are over and done with.
jimy @ Jan 18th 2008 6:30PM
Madden has been getting better every year. I'm satisfied. It is a shame that they lost the MLB titles though. Those were the best baseball games. The NBA games are pretty bad, besides Street.
If you don't like EA and their games, don't play them.
People who don't play EA games to begin with bitching about EA isn't going to do much to EA fans.
Jonah Falcon @ Jan 18th 2008 9:03PM
"If you don't like EA and their games, don't play them."
Okay, I'm a football fan and really want to play an NFL football game. I don't like EA and their games.
How am I going to play NFL football?
Please, think before you fucking talk. Do you understand the concept of MONOPOLY?
jimy @ Jan 18th 2008 11:58PM
EA a monopoly? Hardly. They can't even get the rights to Major League Baseball.
I want to play a GOOD Baseball game. EA can't make them because of licensing BS. The 2K series MLB games are alright. They aren't at the same level. So, I don't play them. Am I missing out on the game if I do not like it? Not to me, but fans of it will say I am. Madden 08 is the best football sim to date, so I say you are missing out on it.
There is no "MONOPOLY" in this industry. I'm not knocking them for making a buck. It is a business. You can't please everybody!
grapejoos @ Jan 19th 2008 12:11AM
You're right, Madden is getting better. NHL has also gotten way better. EA is actually making more incremental progress with their sports games the past few years than in those before. They still have two major problems though: one, they sell games that are unfinished pieces of crap sometimes (anyone play Madden 06 on the 360?), and they also don't play-test their games very well. I've had several EA Sports games that would allow you to change the settings for every game (such as turning announcer volume to 0), but every time you start a game, the setting you made does not take effect until you pause the game, go to the menu, and close out. That's just sloppy. Even in this year's Madden, there is an obvious over-fumbling issue and no setting to tweak it. Every time they release games with those problems, they lose goodwill with the customers, and rightly so. While I don't think the exclusive licenses help, EA Sports released crap even before that.
Eric @ Jan 18th 2008 6:37PM
I think the problem is competition, or more specifically lack thereof. I have continually detested their NHL series since it hit the 32bit era, but competition (2k) has forced them to up the ante and I think that EA's NHL 2008 is the best hockey sim I've ever played - I play the game for real and I want to be able to bring that to my videogame experience and you can in this years' NHL. I'd like to options to customize my breakout and regroup, but other than that the game is nearly perfect.
I cannot stand Madden, I prefered the 2K series since the Dreamcast and when people finally took notice of it (2K5) EA bought the license instead of pushing the product forward. And Live has never been good as a sim, it took a petition from its' fans to get the series back on track.
People get tired of the same old thing and the only reason EA has to innovate its' football products is a drop in sales beacuse there is no competition. I won't but those games until I know it's not Madden '02 with a prettier face.
DangerMouse @ Jan 18th 2008 6:51PM
Hell, i'm still playing NFL 2K1 on the ps2. But that's because i'm too damn cheap to buy another sports game.
Prince King @ Jan 18th 2008 9:01PM
it was more fun on dreamcast
ianp711 @ Jan 18th 2008 6:53PM
Although some games have sparked improvements big and small (FIFA & Hockey), some titles are utterly laughable piles of donkey poo. Madden is rehash over and over again, maybe a fan will buy it once over a consoles lifetime, only picking it up again when they get a new console. Then there's NBA Live, besides the roster changes, there's barely any difference from last years. On top of this, Madden's and NBA Live's AI are just plain awful. Oh yeah, have you tried the PC versions of these games, my friend gave me his copy of the latest NBA live. I loaded it up, played it for 5 minutes (2 minutes of actual play, the rest was going through menu's), un-installed it, then got mad at my friend for wasting my time... Oh yeah, I wouldn't ever buy a game from EA ever again because they are such a jack-hole of a company (was so tempted to buy C&C though...) Will Wright is one of the only redeeming features of EA< he should quick and find another company, then EA can die.
Jonah Falcon @ Jan 18th 2008 9:05PM
"Although some games have sparked improvements big and small (FIFA & Hockey), "
Funny, that, because they actually have competition in both areas (Konami and 2K Sports respectively.)
ComicShaman @ Jan 18th 2008 6:57PM
Maybe they're just not very good at innovation these days. I'm not into the main EA Sports titles, but I can't tell you how disappointed I was with SSX On Tour. Here was a game that had three outstanding iterations before. Then in the fourth installment, they tried a bunch of new ideas -- and every single one of them made the game worse.
Maybe they had a creative drain lost a bunch of people. Maybe designers who had done so well in the first three games started doing crack and destroyed their brains. I don't know.
But I took it as a sign that EA's skill at innovation has taken a major nose dive somewhere along the way.
KushielsScion007 @ Jan 18th 2008 8:37PM
Personally I don't see why people bitch about EA all the time and why it gets singled out every year when basically all companies do the same stuff. I love most of their games and if you're realistic about it you'd see that sports really don't change much from year to year. Rosters change sure...but the same times remain strong for the most part, certain players are still the best, and certain teams remain horrible from year to year.
Theres really only so much "innovation" I think one can put in a videogame based on sports thats made year after year after year.
Bottom line is if you don't like their games then don't buy them. But even if you chose that route I doubt that it will kill EA or cause them to suffer horrible.
Ryan LN @ Jan 19th 2008 2:16AM
People bitch about EA all of the time because they are pretty much singlehandedly responsible for the death of the NFL franchise as a viable console gaming option. Having played every iteration of Madden since the SNES, I can tell you that- for ME- it's just not fun anymore, and I can also tell you that since '06 for the 360 I haven't even come close to being interested in actually *buying* a copy. Why is this bad? Why should EA care? Because as a multibillion dollar publicly traded company they are surprisingly sensitive to trends in their marketplace, and history would suggest that this is the way things go: first a few people think you're irrelevant, then a few hundred, then a few thousand, then a few hundred thousand and pretty soon you gotta close those sweatshops in Tekrit. I am glad that you find them so awesome, but for the most part my friends and I who were weened on Intellivision and Tecmo Bowl could really give a shit, and new generations spring forth interested in fresh[er] franchises like Bioshock, Gears of War and Asassin's Creed. As far as sports not changing much throughout the years, I'm kinda dumbfounded at that statement- if game designers as a species adhered to that logic we'd all still be that shitty old Mattel electronic football where your running back is a red dash.
You are right about one thing- as a single individual my not buying EA games won't mean a good goddamn to their bottom line. But when you extend that to my friends, and the friends that my friends know, and to their friends... well, all of a sudden you're talking about real numbers, real dollars and really negative trends that aren't so easily turned around. As a big, fat, bloated corporate whale they are neither nimble enough to roll with the the changes nor are they equipped with the institutional capacity and hunger to innovate that seems to fuel other gaming companies, who often have to take risks just to be noticed. EA hurting- shedding corporate fat, NOT gobbling up good smaller independent studios who still know how to make a good game- can only be a good thing.
Jonah Falcon @ Jan 18th 2008 9:04PM
Missed the point, have we?
This has nothing to do with yearly releases. This has to do with the fact that there's only one ice cream flavor available in this parlor, and if you don't like, say, raspberry, FUCK YOU.
Iridium @ Jan 18th 2008 9:29PM
EA should never been allowed to purchase an exclusive license for any sports league, period. It created a monopoly and restricts the free market.
If the license was opened back up and other companies were allowed to make licensed games the conpetition would be brought back.
A market monopoly only leads to stagnation.
Kspraydad @ Jan 18th 2008 10:29PM
Just bought a PS3...
Played Skate Demo/Fifa Street/NFL Tour Demos...
Very underwhelmed.
I'll wait.
jimy @ Jan 19th 2008 12:03AM
Fifa Street and Tour I will agree with you.
But you gotta buy the full Skate. It is so much deeper than the demo leads on.
DCBlack @ Jan 19th 2008 12:20AM
skate is worth the buy, IMO, if you're really into skateboarding and/or skating games. The demo is just a short tutorial which doesn't do it justice. I got sick of the Tony Hawk games. I'd at least buy it when the price drops.
Fudui2 @ Jan 18th 2008 11:54PM
Yea, I think it sucks! Why is that when I want to play a
Lego Star Wars games I have to play that one made by Lucas Arts(TT)? That damn Lucas Arts has a monopoly on those Star Wars games. -- I hate Madden and I'm getting tired of EA, but I don't think we should be calling it a monopoly. Stop watching the NFL their the ones that stopped 2k from making NFL titled games. Not EA. Go "TV Sports Football"
grapejoos @ Jan 19th 2008 12:16AM
I'm going mutant league. Reggie Fright rules.