EA did not play a part in last week’s big PlayStation 4 unveiling. There was no sign of John Riccitiello, no quips from Peter Moore, and not even a logo for FIFA, Battlefield, or Madden. Considering the cosy relationship between the third-party and Sony in the past, the company’s complete absence was odd to say the least.
However, the publisher doesn’t believe that we should be reading into it at all. Asked whether its minimal presence was indicative of the company’s diminished interest in Sony’s next generation platform, chief financial officer Blake Jorgensen offered a fairly reassuring response.
"I think [our absence was] more about [the] timing of our own slate, as well as trying to maintain a good balance of power with all of the parties out there and choosing when to unveil certain pieces of software,” he said. "I can say between now and E3 you're going to see a lot of stuff from us and we'll just choose our marketing cadence as to when to start to announce stuff.”
Jorgensen added that EA is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the PS4. “At the end of the day we're very excited about Sony's platform, we think there's a huge opportunity, it's great,” he beamed. “The technical power on the platform is going to allow us to do a substantial amount of things that we've never done before."
But despite the executive’s comforting comments, there have been rumours that the publisher is lining up some kind of exclusive partnership with Microsoft. Apparently, the details are set to be announced during the next Xbox’s reveal event, which is supposedly set to take place in April. Exactly what the deal will entail is unknown, but given the current landscape of third-party development, it’s unlikely to be anything more than DLC.
Last week, rival publisher Activision announced that it will be bringing exclusive Destiny add-on content to the PS3 and PS4. Seeing as the company has worked closely with Microsoft on the Call of Duty franchise over the past few years, it seems like everyone really is switching sides.
[source complex.com, via computerandvideogames.com]
Comments 20
I wonder if Sony have struck a deal to get COD DLC first next generation so Microsoft are seeking EA DLC. Would make sense.
@rastamadeus It's a weird one, isn't it? You can't imagine Activision would be too happy if Microsoft started pushing Battlefield DLC as hard as it has Call of Duty DLC. But, on the other hand, I can't see Microsoft giving up on CoD.
I think if Sony had snapped up some kind of Call of Duty exclusive, we would have heard about it last week.
@get2sammyb If Sony did have the COD DLC then if I were them I wouldn't have shown it last week. I'd wait until the day before Microsoft's April show for 720, maybe even the day of it, and do a big public show in a America announcing that all DLC content would be coming to PS4 (PS3 too?) first. Pulls the rug right out from under Microsoft's feet and gets the American public (who love their COD) on their side.
Regardless of whether they have it or not though, Sony has to have something big to show in the few days before the 720 reveal. Especially in America.
EA is heading down a dark path with the talk of raising game prices and increase DLC usage. They are going to regret it long term, and no one is going to miss them.
I hope it happens sooner rather than later, I want someone else to make NFL football games.
everyone has a side, personally I think Xbox is a waste of time My money is with Nintendo and Sony EA is a very shady company like Microsoft, so it's like a match made in heaven lol
@hydeks Wouldn't say it's a waste of time. It just doesn't appeal to me at all. Take Left4Dead away and there ain't one exclusive I would want. Personally I have gone from a Nintendo-only fanboy into loving my PS3/Vita over the last year. Still think Ninty make the superior games (nothing can beat a good Mario for me) but they're not as far ahead as I'd have let myself think over a year ago.
I'd be sad if anything truly exclusive were announced. Not really interested in anything Activision have to offer, but I do like several of EA's games.
The problem with Microsoft is that they don't earn loyalty, they buy it. Bags of cash and blank cheques ensure they never compete on an even playing field. It's always been their way, and is part of the reason I dislike the company quite strongly.
As I've jokingly said elsewhere, the Nextbox will have to print money and give blowjobs to get my attention. I had an Xbox... barely used it. I've had a 360 for 14 months... barely used it. Unless '720' offers something exceptionally special, I personally see no sense in buying yet another one. I'm a Sony fan, true - but primarily it's about the games, and for 2 generations of consoles now, Sony has had the better offerings - for me, at least.
Fortunately, there is no chance of losing PlayStation's best games, as they're all owned by Sony anyway.
Oh dear. I seriously hope this doesn't mean the next Mass Effect will be some sort of timed exclusive or something equally as annoying.
It's fascinating how publishers appear to be switching sides on a massive scale, though. Can't help but feel the PS4 and next Xbox won't be anywhere near as similar as people think.
@Hydeks I agree. In fact I've always viewed the XBOX as a total and complete waste of time and money. I've disliked Microsoft XBOX ever since the day of it's dawning. I love PlayStation so much more now than ever before although I'm sticking with the PS3 until at least a year and a half into the life of the new PS4 because I've learned that you should never buy a computer/console in it's FIRST year of existence. Plus, I'm pretty sure that as with the PS2 Sony and Third Party companies will continue to support the PS3 for a couple more years. I'm also loving my PS Vita.
I also don't see why people would allow Microsoft to rob them the way they do with XBOX Live and Avatar Store and other expensive offerings. Sony PlayStation is so much more cheaper than XBOX Live and some stuff is free on PSN. Plus, Sony has more FUN! A lot of stuff on XBOX is singularly so called adult targeted while PlayStation has franchises that everyone can enjoy from Uncharted, MediEvil, Sly Cooper, Hot Shots Golf, God of War, Jak and Daxter, Heavenly Sword and so much more.
@Lionhart That well known one game franchise Heavenly Sword? I agree with what you said up until the franchises, this is where Sony - and Microsoft - fail constantly. They have good, hell, amazing games but the characters (which makes the franchise) just aren't as good as they could be. I mean Nathan Drake or Mario? Master Chief or Sonic? Jak and Daxter or Link? Nintendo - and up until the last five or so years - Sega have always been the ones who rule in that department. Nintendo still do. Every time. I mean look at Knack, a clear attempt at a Nintendo-like character. Maybe it's my age (28) and being brought up on a Mega Drive and an N64 but Sony and MS just don't cut it in making characters. Rant over.
@rastamadeus Different things appeal to different people. I'm 41 and I've been gaming since I was 7. Nintendo/Sega characters have never particularly appealed to me, even as a kid.
Apart from two Game & Watch systems, I've owned an original Gameboy which saw next to no use, and a Gamecube which I bought not for Nintendo games but the two Resident Evil exclusives; I had a couple of other games too but sold it before long. I'll take Drake and Jak & Daxter over anything Nintendo or Sega produce any time. But as I say, to each his own.
@Paranoimia Absolutely. Although why you (or anyone) would take Jak and Daxter without being in a straight jacket is beyond me. I was meaning in general though, the Nintendo characters and franchises are much more successful because they appeal to all ages. Uncharted doesn't. God Of War doesn't. Sly doesn't. Sony and Microsoft try to make one game for one type of gamers, another for another whereas Nintendo make a game for everyone. That's why their characters/franchises are superior. Not trying to get into a pissing contest or anything, I love Sony and my PS3/Vita but they really don't have many (if any) 'this appeals to everyone' games and its the only thing they're missing.
honestly if EA have some kind of deal with M$ i'm not really bothered because they haven't published a good game in years apart from Mass Effect and that saga has ended (yeah they said they are doing more but i'm happy with what i already have in ME 1,2 & 3 so i don't need any more)
@rastamadeus You are right. Nintendo definitely knows what it means to appeal to EVERYONE. I think Sony has been trying to embrace a wider audience but almost every time they find themselves hitting and missing. Hopefully they'll get it together sooner rather than later but I do think they are a lot better than Microsoft which almost is exclusive nothing more than a shooter company. Heck, Halo and Gears of War are NOTHING but shooters with Fable being the only difference. I do think that Sony is headed in the right direction though as PlayStation All Stars was their attempt to mirror Super Smash Bros.
@rastamadeus Sir, i give you my gratitude for this amazing comment
@ShogunRok TAKE MASS EFFECT 4 AND I'LL GO NUTS.
It would be somewhat good for MS but no where near as big as years ago when EA was arguably the most important North American third party. That isn't the case anymore as Activision now clearly holds that title and may in fact be the most important third party, period. Landing exclusive content for Destiny, a game made by the guys who are the reason the Xbox brand survived beyond last gen, and published by a company that has worked so closely with MS the last several years is big time for Sony. Even bigger would be if they swoop in and steal CoD content, people may associate the franchise with Xbox right now but Sony could easily turn that trend around by opening the checkbook. If that happens MS can kiss its market share in NA goodbye.
It's EA guys. It's all in the interest of making the maximum amount of money (cough, Dead Space in-game micro transactions, cough). I'd bet money they have some exclusive "something" with MS... even if it's just DLC, or timed. However, MS knows it has to come out swinging, and they like to dangle things... I mean... their money in front of people to get their way, so yea... somethings up.
Meh, I don't really care for EA's games, and they seem to get more medicore and blatantly money-grubbing as time goes on. I may not be the biggest fan of the PS4 at the moment, but this is no big loss.
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