I am sick and tired of EA Sports games, specifically the online part. The concept of being forced to pay for the service, the horrible amount of lag in relation to other games, and the amount of people who would rather use a broken team or player instead of playing to the true nature of the games makes them unbearable to play over the internet.
When it comes to pure gaming fun, you would be hard pressed to think of a company who is more synonymous with the word than Electronic Arts. As the distributers of some of the most successful titles of all time, EA is clearly a dominating force in the industry.
For all of their success, however, I find it hard to overlook their numerous shortcomings. The biggest, and most egregious, is them now charging players who buy their games to play online - unless you purchase the game new. I would never have thought twice about buying an EA game before, but now I feel like if I do, I not only have to buy it used but also enjoy the online play for an amount equal to $10. If I don't do this, I start to feel like I haven't fully gotten the most out of my purchase. This ruins my enjoyment of the game.
Next, the damn lagging that has been going on with sports titles since online gaming became an option. I will never understand why EA games, no matter the system or actual title that is being played, will be a minimum of a half second behind. This might not seem like a big deal except for when you are actually trying to do something and then having to sit and wait. Sometimes, that half second delay can be the difference between an interception and a touchdown.
Article comments
1 - Jordan Richardson
I've never had any problems playing any EA Sports games online, although I just started recently. I mainly play FIFA, though, and there may be less issues with that game? Not sure.
2 - Ryan Sullivan
With FIFA, it is a bit different given the variety of playing styles that have been built into the game. Not only am I referring to the teams themselves, but also to the types of online gaming available. I will admit that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with my created player in that type of environment, however when I went into "team" style games where you pick a team, I ran into the same issue where a few dominant teams seemed to be picked all of the time and it was more or less how quickly you could get the ball into the feet of a few select strikers. Also, the lag for that series doesn't seem to be as bad, but there are times when it is still slower then is necessary given current technology. Finally, this year's game, FIFA 2011, will be the first to require the online pass from what I have been reading. Last year's game didn't require it.
3 - Jordan Richardson
Yeah, pretty much everyone picks Manchester United or FC Barcelona but that's just life. Play against any kid in an arcade back in the day and you'll run into the same problems - people want to use the "best" characters.
4 - Jordan Richardson
And even you've got to admit that your tag-line - "How EA Sports is single-handedly ruining the video game experience" - is a little overblown.
5 - John David
You say: "buying an EA game before, but now I feel like if I do, I not only have to buy it used but also enjoy the online play for an amount equal to $10. If I don't do this, I start to feel like I haven't fully gotten the most out of my purchase."
If you buy a game used, EA (or any other video game company) gets NOTHING. And you expect them to provide their servers to you for free?
If you only buy used games, EA (and others) have never made a dime off of you. Time to stop whining that they aren't doing enough for you... for free.