Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

Spinogrizz — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:44:08 GMT

Ooops, they did it again.

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

Jim Todd — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 04:01:43 GMT

Actually, boycotting EA would seemingly do little alone. I would like to suggest that the most vocal and most annoyed of us make it clear to MICROSOFT that we don't like the way their service is being sullied, by boycotting the purchase of Live points for ANYTHING until they make some form of formal statement as to what is acceptable, and what (like this) is horse pucky.

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

RidinSlow — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 17:34:42 GMT

The saddest part of this all is the fact that we all are gamers who come on this website, as well as, many other gaming websites.

We have all read up on the content and what it actually provides and what it doesn't.

And why is that the saddest part? Because there is a very large part of the general public that doesn't get online or read up on this type of content. And those people are the ones paying for and downloading this content.

There are so many people that go to a store. They know what type of game they want and what system they want it for. When they get there, they see titles like "Madden" and "Need For Speed" and "Tony Hawk" and that's all they know about the game. They don't know that Madden is full of bugs and lacks game modes available on Xbox and PS2. They don't know that Need for Speed Carbon is the crappiest outting of the series. And they certainly don't know that when they are purchasing these marketplace items, that they are getting ripped off.

To me, all of the numbers that Chip and other "EA-holes" throw out are from these people who are simply clueless.

I can continue MY boycott and many of you can continue yours as well, but we will never be able to stop the average Shmoe from purchasing this content.

So, the question I raise to the community is:

How do we make the general public aware of this thievery? How do we get the word out to everyone outside of our community to wake up and realize that thier money is being wasted and going to an evil corporation.

Microsoft is the same way. They know they have the lockdown on the computer market with all their software. The general public hates MS, but they have no choice, but to stick with them because of business and personal reasons.

If the general public continues to purchase this content, we WILL see other publishers pushing this method. We WILL see games losing content in the intial store-bought package. We WILL see the decline of the industry.

EA is the largest publisher IN THE WORLD. They hold the rights to the largest percentage of high-profile titles than any other publisher. They own the rights to the motha****in NFL for the time being!

The only resolution is to get the advertising out on TV, radio, podcasts, billboards, magazines, newspapers, and any other form of public media in order to make the general public realize what is going on and what they are spending their money on. So, since most of us aren't millionairs, it seems like the gaming industry is going to go down the hole with EA as the leader.

Thank you EA for ruining my favorite down time pleasure.

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

niNjaAkuma — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:35:53 GMT

Quick History lesson:

Back in the Spectrum days you had two levels of software fullprice + budget. The fullprice were often movie conversions where the game was often awful + not worth the £10 or so paid out. The budget titles on the other hand usually had quite simplistic graphics + sound but offered great games that would last you a long time. These budget (games were £1.99 or £2.99) titles were produced by companies like Codemasters + Ultimate (now called Rare). If we want the focus to be on games which are great rather than on great graphics/advertising campaigns then we must support only the best + spread the word about the rest.

"Those who do not remember History are doomed to repeat it"

from wikipedia

"EA is also notorious for the practice of rushing out products, setting extremely short deadlines and emphasizing good graphics to compensate for the lack of gameplay aspects originally intended by many developers, not implemented due to lack of time.

After releasing many semi-finished products, the lack of support is notable in many games, assured by the fact that EA declared openly that they would no longer support relatively new but still buggy titles, like Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Need for Speed: Underground and some of the latest Command and Conquer games.

Electronic Arts announced it would not support the Sega Dreamcast unless it sold 1 million units. When this happened within a record 90 days, EA went back on their word and declined to support the Dreamcast in favour of Sony's PlayStation 2."

My support of EA (rip everyone) ended at the same time I realised the support for Battlefield: MC was over (after they had your cash).

Multiple people posted on their boards trying to help find the array of bugs (audio glitch,fire through walls etc etc) so that DICE + EA could repair whatever was possible.

Gamers gave their time + effort to try to help a company better itself + it was thrown back in their faces.

Good/Great companies (IMHO)

Epic, Bungie, Rare, Team Ninja

Why? because they listen to their fans and usually provide reasonable priced or free content. Any issues are usually patched within a decent timeline (except for Bungie's H2 worldwide matchmaking problems) + use fan concerns/findings to do this.

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

JuanoTejano — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:29:08 GMT

Once again what the *** does "MANY of the items in this bundle can be achieved without purchase." mean!?!? If you expect us to buy this crap at least tell us EXACTLY what we are buying and let us know what parts can be got in game with out paying. THIS IS BULL *** AND CHARGE PEOPLE FOR *** THAT THEY DON"T NEED OR WANT. microsoft customer satisfaction FTL.

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

MCKLEIN — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 02:10:07 GMT

This is really pathetic EA, let them go down like ENRON DO NOT BUY IT!

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

BDazzler — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 01:50:02 GMT

Hey Chip,

Thanks for the 'Choice' to NOT get raped by EA-Holes. I won't by ANY EA-Hole game.

Join the EA-Hole BOYCOTT NOW. Vote with your wallet and refuse to get raped by the greedy, mother-less EA-Holes.

Chip will only listen when nothing sells! No rants will change what they do. Don't buy ANYTHING from EA-Holes!

We all just can't wait for the 800point superman cape! Maybe a 200 point superman logo to add to chest of the charter. What's our next 'Choice', Chip? How about making your boat payment via MS points?

I guess 'Gr8fulded' doesn't answer messages either. I guess I can't blame you too much. I bet you get a few messages. No answer to mine though.

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

Pottej — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 23:52:44 GMT

No one should put up with this ***... why does MS let EA rape their marketplace?

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

i hate EA — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 22:51:00 GMT

i will never buy an EA game again. but keep putting this junk out, every time you do you just dig your hole a little bit deeper....

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

reconSkunk — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:09:57 GMT

i just though of some thing sell a cheat for 50 cents or idk 30-50 mp and 100 time more people would buy it... charge 5-10 dollars your a A$$-h0l3

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

Chairman7 — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:06:11 GMT

To paraphrase Chip, 'A completed game is determined by what the market will bear'

Don't let the market bear it -

Spare a thought too for 'international' gamers. Gamer points are determined by exchange rates, so this content is twice as expensive in place like Australia and New Zealand than it is in the United States.

I don't have the exact figure in front of me but 500 points is $8 (AU) - which is not chump change.

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

RockMeister — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:02:57 GMT

Maynard,

I see your points, and you've given some good examples, too. I even agree that EA doesn't seem to care anything about the feedback of hardcore game fans, based on some of their products.

One of my main thoughts on this whole idea of extra content is that these are't taxes we're being forced to pay. No one HAS to buy this stuff.

And many of the people who complain the loudest are the ones who are avowed EA boycotters, anyway. Should EA (or anyone else) have to listen to what they have to say?

For the record, I'm no EA lover, but I do buy some of their products. I will be much louder about my disagreement when it hits home for me.

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

oqwarrior — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:01:58 GMT

When is this going to end? EA is simply running amok on the Marketplace, nickel-and-dimeing its customers to death. This needs to stop.

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

I m3thod I — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 20:49:08 GMT

@ RockMeister

We have to remember, that it's the publishers that really dictate whether content is free or not. The developers usually don't have a choice.

But looking at Halo 2, Bungie was a company that gave a damn. They offered map packs for a price on release then after a month of two the download became free. This plan works for me. People that want it right away can pay, if you don't mind waiting you get it for free. But Bungie has always been a community listening development shop. Halo 3 might be something different since Microsoft is the publisher and they want money ;)

Epic is another company that listens to the community and also gives back. At least on the PC for now. Gears of War will be the true test of how much they really love their fans on the console when the first downloadable content comes out.

I agree with Maynard, Atari, and Ubisoft have been very good about giving a damn. Mad Doc too gives off the potiental of really caring we'll see when Star Trek: Legacy is released.

EA needs to learn. But more importantly the Live community needs to learn that the more people pay for over priced content the more publishers will continue to take our money out of our pocket books.

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

chinaman — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 20:10:48 GMT

@ lowestformofwit

You don't need a flame proof shield you just threw your body in the way. Good job thats what sheep are for.

re: Need for Speed Carbon:In game content

Maynard — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 19:23:28 GMT

@ Rockmeister

Could you imagine a company who didn't give a crap about their customers? EA and Sony are as close as it gets. They don't listen to their fans... they don't care what anyone has to say but the stockholders. When's the last time something someone said on the EA forums made any sort of a difference? You're telling me 2k doesn't make any changes based on their fans' requests? I've seen the changes happen. But... EA? Hell no. Like Sony, EA will tell you that the debilitating bug in their game is good for you and that you like it.

Don't mistake "trying to make a dollar" with "not caring." Very different things. The problem with EA is their exploitation of each and every game they release and how they take their dirty, grubby fingers and try to shove them into your pockets, trying to extract every penny you own.

Look at how Atari handled Test Drive Unlimited as an example of a company who gives a damn. They don't have a choice BUT to give a damn or they're out of business. They released almost as much free content with the game as what you had to pay for and the stuff you had to pay for was limited and a good price. Ubisoft isn't bad, either. There are a number of companies I can rattle off that "seem" to give a damn. Where would they be without us, anyway? Don't sell yourself short.