Posted Aug 07, 2008 at 10:25PM by Glen D. Listed in: News Tags: MTV, Electronic Arts, Hasbro, John Riccitiello
Ó

EA logo - Image 1Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello was recently interviewed by MTV's multiplayer blog. In that particular session, he was asked how their company feels about their licensed games getting low review scores on Metacritic. The EA boss responded by denying that their releases are of poor quality and said what they're doing now is pretty innovative.

"Metacritic isn't always the best quality measure for some licensed games, but I know a good game when I see it," said Riccitiello. "My team and our developers know a good game when we see it. The products we're putting out this year from Hasbro - I don't know how they're going to do with Metacritic, but they're innovative, they're different."

The CEO added that his company isn't in the business of "exploiting other people's licenses with bad quality games." He said some of their competitors used to do that or are still doing that, but certainly not them.

"We've got the first E-rated shooter with our Nerf game," he adds. "What we're doing with our Family Game Night, what we're doing with Littlest Pet Shop - really cool stuff - what we’re doing with Sims really cool stuff."

Riccitiello concluded the session by reiterating that EA is not about taking advantage of licenses and selling games which appeal to consumers because of their brands. Do you agree? Tell us what you think.

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37 Comments


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   by Advertising -
   by death - 2008-08-07
 » the sims

awsome game.......... now its getting old , no real "innovation" whatsoever


   Re: Twenty-Se7en - 2008-08-07
 » well...

The sims hasn't had much more since the original was released... but Will Wright has put out a lot of amazing games in my opinion.

Wasn't the original released under Maxis still? Before the EA buyout?

   Re: death - 2008-08-07
 » yea thats my point

they killed the license

   Re: c74gta4smash - 2008-08-08
 » Seriously

When the first sims came out, it was the first of it's kind and everyone was buying the expansions one after the other. Sims 2 was poor a55ed and boring. every expansion adds some more ingame ads and a little more for around the house. It's just crap.
   by UltimaArmorX - 2008-08-07
 » No, thanks.

I'll most definitely pass, on the doll house simulator.

   by kupomogli - 2008-08-07
 » that's a load of bull*****

EA does nothing more than release the same ***** every year with a new a different number on the front. There's slight differences with graphics but it's mostly the same.

EA is by far the *****tiest company in video gaming business yet it's probably the biggest due to their *****ty rereleased sports titles or sims games every year.

-andrew- -kupomogli-


   Re: UltimaArmorX - 2008-08-07
 » Yeah, I disagree with EA, Glen, kupomogli.

I once knew a girl who liked the sims. There's EA's audience.

Also, everytime I see another sports title I say "omg not another one".
So obviously there is a difference between what is innovative and what is face-saving. They're just using big words to have something to stand on while they sell their repeated software and kids games. I gave up on them (EA) some time ago.

Though I suppose a doll house simulator (the sims) might of been innovative when it first came out. But like death said, its getting old, and for a reason. (I never liked it, though.)

   Re: CLOVE - 2008-08-10
 » u kno nothing

ok u have a point way back when they came out, they started with the sports and did better then 2k, but after they started getting big they came out with ea big, which as much as i love def jam game, it was over the top and un realistic, now there focused and working hard on there games, nhl08, and 09 look amazing, there pullin away now, so all the profanitty is unwise, grow up. keep doin wat u doin ea just be careful wit godfather 2 other then that ur doin a great job ps id CLUV164508 add me lol
   by Twenty-Se7en - 2008-08-07
 » licensed...

I think that "licensed" is the keyword here. It doesn't take a whole lot to think back to how many companies (EA very much included) have added to the pile of rubbish licensed games. Money is placed on the name, not the game.

In the future someone will have a brilliant idea and spend 2x as much on a licensed game creating a great game AND the name. It would sell like crazy, like current licensed game, plus quite a bit more to those looking for a quality game. Sometimes you need more than a name to sell a game. EA and quite a few others just haven't realized that. How would they, after all, the licensed games rule the market and little to no competition.

I don't even look at the box of some (read: most) the licensed games from EA - one sport feels just like the other with similar menus, and just about every other thing. I don't want my soccer game to feel like a hockey game and look like a basketball game.

I think most gamers that play games for the games haven't been satisfied by many of the games under these yearly licenses for quite some time now. It's no surprise.

   by mr_bigmouth_502 - 2008-08-07
 » I hate EA...

They killed Origin, they killed Bullfrog, and most of all, they killed Maxis! Even though I have a couple of their games (hey, we all do), I hate them with a passion. They were cool back when they were mostly just doing original titles, but once they got into the business of killing off perfectly good companies and pumping out crappy licensed games, they started to suck, HARD.

   by DigiTalDeaD - 2008-08-08
 » Battlefield

The new game mode for Bad Company has been released for anyone who didn't already know.


   Re: JaXeRiR - 2008-08-08
 » .

Everyone who cares probably knows, and what the heck does this have to do with the article?

   Re: Binary - 2008-08-08
 » and your point?

oh you want us to clap and cheer?


Who gives a ***** of that game. that game sucks and should of have better screen settings for people that owns a non-widescreen.

   Re: DigiTalDeaD - 2008-08-08
 » Well

The article is to do with EA, EA make battlefield you silly arse. What does people flaming the sims have to do with "licensed" games? Idiot.
   by kraft - 2008-08-08
 » lol

the title of this news update makes me laugh

however, i do admit EA have changed and are now trying to make more original games, but i have a feeling that when some of these games do well, they're just going to make sequels for the games like crazy and they're going to be in the same position all over again


   Re: c74gta4smash - 2008-08-08
 » Excuse me?!

Where's this innovation. In fact, just give me one title EA made that shows innovation.

   Re: mr_bigmouth_502 - 2008-08-08
 » ^

Road Rash was innovative for the time, then again, it was an old Sega Genesis game LOL.

   Re: c74gta4smash - 2008-08-08
 » Obvious

Not to offend but I meant "now" as in like you said, "EA have changed and are now trying to make more original games". I'm talking about innovation of 05, 06, 07or 08. Give me a title.

   Re: kraft - 2008-08-08
 » ..

these games are in development, wjen they're released has nothing to do with it

   Re: c74gta4smash - 2008-08-09
 » Well in that case

That's not innovation, that's rehashing titles over and over. The first Sonic was innovation. It was taking pinball to an all new level. But, was Sonic 2? I think not.
   by kraft - 2008-08-08
 » ..

i never said they're being innovative, all i meant is that they're trying harder to make new games

games like Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, Skate etc

Any game that isn't a sequel is very innovative for EA lol

I bet it won't take long for the new games they create to have about 5 sequels each


   Re: GW2 - 2008-08-08
 » um...

arent they just publishing those games? or is it a studio they recently bought thats making them?
   by cizzar - 2008-08-08
 » Of course

he won't say "Yes, we do make crappy licensed, but you idiots still buy the anyway, so we will continue" ...

   by dazmo - 2008-08-08
 » damn. . .

i just realized. . .
anytime ive played an EA game, that little voice-over to the logo "its in the game" sounds a lot like its saying "not again!"
lawl.
EA is just another one of those companies who have no idea what the value of fresh blood is.
and instead of focusing on searching out actual talent in the development market, they resort to blaming and firing their leaders. that ALWAYS happens in a company just before they take a massive s**t on themselves. mark my words.

   by izkjon - 2008-08-08
 » EA?

EA needs to work hard on their next NFS game, 'cause the last one that I Played "NFS: ProStreet" sucked big time and its the only one that I have finished, not because it was hard, its because I got bored pretty quick. All race, no fun!

Peace out!!


   Re: izkjon - 2008-08-08
 » Type-O

Meant to say "I haven't finished",
%u201CI Played "NFS: ProStreet" sucked big time and its the only one that I have finished%u201D,

   Re: GW2 - 2008-08-08
 » Hot Pursuit 2 baby!

best need for speed ever!

   Re: SikWitThiz - 2008-08-08
 » Most Wanted IMO was the best made

They need to return to the formula that made NFS Most Wanted their best version of that game. Hot Pursuit was good also but Most Wanted was addictive even though it had a shiznit load of glitches. Like crashing into walls that was not there. That game was fun period. The shiznit they need to step away from is buying sports licenses like the NFL license. They haven't made a good sports game since they ported from PS2/Xbox. They clearly need competition in order to step their game up. If they continue to buyout all the good lower level game companies we will continue to see trash titles from them.

   Re: Binary - 2008-08-08
 » ..

Last game i played was Carbon and that suck so much gayness.
   by BloodMachine - 2008-08-08
 » They're lying.

The fact that they work hard to produce a Need for Speed game every year. The fact that most of their games have some sort of *****ty rip-off on every console available. Their prized Sims series...has anyone played the PSP version? It freezes without warning, all of the time. I mean, they just don't try. Occasionally they do and we see something like Crysis, but mostly they're all about using a long-established brand-name to exploit owners of every console on the market.

Sure, they're changing...Or so they say....But at the moment they're a pretty ***** company.


   Re: GW2 - 2008-08-08
 » why do you even think that?

EA did NOT make crysis. ok? EA published crysis, EA didnt make burnout paradise, they published it, most of the games people think are good EA games arent theirs.
   by Fenix1186 - 2008-08-08
 » Yea

I've learned to NEVER buy licensed games due to EA's "innovative titles".

   by Beansta - 2008-08-08
 » ...Pffffffftttt

NFS prostreet


say no more

   by Binary - 2008-08-08
 » ..

They advertise huge on The Simpsons Game.

Kuristy dolls wearing EA shirts

Bulletin boards EA all over it.

   by EVILONECRASUANT - 2008-08-09
 » Def Jam Vendetta 2

I'm thinking a mix of ffny and vendetta. How about it guys? Maybe add all the fighters from previous Def Jam Titles? All of THEM! Return all the Specials. All of THEM!
Oh Yeah~ No More Fighting Styles. Those cut freedom, If your going to do a Create a Fighter don't assign me a bunch of crappy moves. I want to choose! Not to forget Create a Fighter(girl version). If I'm going to be champ I'll need a Beautiful woman(or women) by my side. With all of this include online mode, survival, and story for both sexes. IF BY SOME CHANCE YOU DO READ THIS KNOW THAT X.Z. INC. IS ON YOUR SIDE.

P.S. You lost a lot of loyal fans when you decided to make Def Jam Icon a PS3 and Xbox360 title. I bought and still have Vendetta and Fight For New York, unfortunatly my collection is incomplete until and I obtain one of the above systems. Which i would gladly buy no matter how terriblely sucky it is.

if someone could get this to e.a. 's CEO i would really appreciate it.


   Re: EVILONECRASUANT - 2008-08-09
 » woops

the game icon. i was talking about icon. being totally sucky!!!
   by Ben_darkpikachu02 - 2008-08-17
 » Licensed Games

Most licensed games suck, anyway. EA has only released 1 good licensed game and that was From Russia With Love. I was playing the PS2 version of Kung Fu Panda over at my cousin's house and the used a very poor quality Jack Black soundalike to voice the main character, Po the Panda and I heard that the same poor quality soundalike was used on every platform that the game was on except the DS.
Ben




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