The next console generation is nearly here, and it’s good news for PC gamers, right? Next gen consoles from both Sony and Microsoft feature very similar, very PC-like architecture – meaning that the PC ports of next-gen games shouldn’t be dumbed-down console ports. Only that doesn’t seem to be happening – at least when it comes to EA sports titles.
Where the console versions of the next iterations of the immensely popular FIFA will be running utilising that fancy new Ignite engine that makes everything more realistic, the PC version won’t be doing the same.
"Ignite will be the engine that drives our sports games on PS4 and Xbox One," EA Sports Global Communications Manager Steve Frost told Joystiq. "It will not be used for FIFA 14 on PC."
The Ignite engine will also power Madden NFL 25, EA Sports UFC and NBA Live 14, and its a safe bet to say that the Pc versions of those games (if they come at all) won’t use the new features. On top of that, Microsoft has said it won;t exactly be supporting the PC platform with its traditional AAA games.
Speaking to Shacknews, Matt Booty, general manager of Redmond Game Studios and Platforms said "we have got everything from very, very casual games, like our very much improved and reimagined Solitaire, all the way to graphically complicated games like The Harvest."
Pressed on whether or not we’d be seeing AAA Microsoft titles like Gears of War on Pc in future, booty largely sidestepped the issue.
"We’re talking about console games, but there could be some franchises that also end up with a PC game," Booty responded. "When I think about more connected experiences across those platforms, it’s things that show up within that family of devices where we’ve got Xbox Live, like Windows Phone and Windows 8," and "not what you might consider a more traditional desktop PC game."
Of course, there are still many developers – like Crytek, CD Projekt and the like – that are fully committed to the Pc as a gaming platform, but that a behemoth like EA doesn’t seem to be giving the PC its best is a little disappointing.
Last Updated: May 23, 2013
Ultimo_Cleric_N7
May 23, 2013 at 13:41
Hahaaa! They say this now.
Lets here them a year from now when all the console gamers are moving back into PC because the used game fees, Internet connection and other “features” have put them off.
And lets be honest, the EA games wont look great TO BEGIN WITH, but a mod will be released in 2 months to make it look better..
Hate to sound arrogant about this (I know we joke about being the master race and all), but PC gaming is looking better and better in the last week. I was wanting to buy a console at the end of the year. Now I’m not so sure thats a great idea, might just upgrade my PC Warhorse.
Trevor Davies
May 23, 2013 at 13:46
What do you mean joking? 😀
Ultimo_Cleric_N7
May 23, 2013 at 13:56
^^
Ultimo_Cleric_N7
May 23, 2013 at 13:42
What an expensive Blu – Ray player that Microsoft have made! lol.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
May 23, 2013 at 13:42
Well, to be honest, EA hasn’t wow’d me with its last few titles so it’s no issue for me if they don’t want to support the PC because there are currently, IMHO, far better companies out there who deliver much better quality games. Irrational, Crytek etc.
Although I do wonder if the others won’t start following suit simply because EA is doing it. That is a frightening thought.
Trevor Davies
May 23, 2013 at 13:52
I can live very easily without EA. The only upcoming game that I can think of off-hand that I would really want is Dragon Age 3, and even then, I might just give it a miss because I’m really put off by the arrogance they display. I’m not 12 any more, threatening to withhold my dessert if I don’t eat my veggies doesn’t work.
Brady miaau
May 23, 2013 at 14:25
Did it work then? 🙂
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 13:48
Who has two thumbs and is gatvol for all this good/bad/good/bad news?
ME
*runs of to frolic on the lawn*
*Lalalalalalalala*
Trevor Davies
May 23, 2013 at 13:55
amen
FoxOneZA - X-Therminator
May 23, 2013 at 14:33
I say wait for E3. There’s nothing concrete at all regarding games from either side…
LordCaptainAwesomeness
May 24, 2013 at 07:34
Morbo says that Puny Humans must all get Xbone’s to entertain the invading Aliens… swing your arms and yell at your TV….
Weanerdog
May 23, 2013 at 14:04
Everyone knows that freecell is way better than solitare.
matthurstrsa
May 23, 2013 at 14:14
Design a console to be just like a PC. Stop supporting PC. Makes sense. Whatever, I love my PC, so I’ll just support the companies that support the PC.
Guest
May 23, 2013 at 14:28
Can’t help myself.
Guest
May 23, 2013 at 14:29
…
That Tall Twit
May 23, 2013 at 14:29
Can’t help myself…
Tbone187
May 23, 2013 at 14:30
Geez,, The world is spinning out of control…Seems the next gen is turning out to be more of a bad thing for gamers…
Jonah Cash
May 23, 2013 at 14:39
I have a game we can play….. Every time this guy says online we take a shot of something that burns our throats!! Who is in?
Kyle Farmer
May 23, 2013 at 15:38
Simply… who cares about an ultra realistic FIFA ‘xx? Go outside and play soccer! Lazy a$$holes. It’s not like I can grab my broomstick, tape some nails to it, grab a bottle of orange juice and go mental on Zombies!? Why people play sports games I will never know. Irony is a fully abled person playing Fifa ’14 and a amputee or other disabled person playing football outside… What is the world coming to, seriously? *Rant over*
Gustav Willem Diedericks
May 23, 2013 at 20:25
Guess justice was delayed 🙂
Daniel Keevy
May 23, 2013 at 23:51
Although this seems to be focused on EA North, so only the sports titles. And I don’t have the exact figures, but sports titles have never really sold well on PC.
Yobokkie
May 24, 2013 at 08:42
Maybe it’s just me but i totally see a scenario where this really is the beginning of the end for EA’s dominance. They pin all their hopes on the 2 power consoles, dissing the PC and ignoring nintendo. The two new consoles launch to high prices and a universal cry of “meh”. All EA’s eggs are in those now rather small baskets and suddenly they find themselves having a couple of very bad years, which for a company that relies purely on game sales to stay afloat is not good news. All their hopes are now pinned on these two consoles having a roaring start, and history would show it’s not always the case, even if they eventually came out as winners in this generation, it was pretty slow going at first.
brad coetzee
May 28, 2013 at 16:20
want AAA games on PC? Dont pirate.