EA’s Chief Operations Officer didn’t pull any punches in a new interview – he talked about the benefits of being a 3rd party to the console war and even throw a punch at the all-powerful Gabe Newell. But does he make a valid point?
EA’s COO, Peter Moore, spoke with GamesIndustry International and compared this console war to the last generation. Moore explained that as a third-party to the war, they can benefit more:
You could argue maybe the tables have been somewhat turned in this generation, but I think it’s going to be a great fight in the holiday. And as a third-party publisher, we sit right in the sweet spot.
Moore points out that EA has to plan well in advance; around two or even two and a half years in advance. As a result, they were working on the new generation back in 2011-2012 and had to make their bets on whether the consoles would be successful, and which one might be more so. However, he also explained that he loved the potential of mobile platforms, PC’s free-to-play games as well as browser-based titles to smooth out the transition between consoles.
When it comes to PC gaming, Moore explained that Origin isn’t designed as direct competition. He believes that Steam is excellent with a broad catalog and a different business focus, while Origin is more about interacting with the customers directly. In fact, Moore is upset that people don’t get EA more credit about all their good work in PC gaming:
We’ve been making games for the PC platform before Gabe Newell was graduating high school. And we’ve been the number one publisher forever, and have been the one developer/publisher that has supported the PC platform even more than Microsoft over the years. Yeah, you may say that’s a low bar, but that’s who we are, and our roots.
Wow, Moore isn’t pulling any punches – taking on Gabe Newell and Microsoft in one fell swoop. That said, EA has surpassed the low bar that Microsoft set.
I’m sure Moore does find it easier being at EA during the console transition than when he was at Microsoft. He’s describes shifting attention away from the original Xbox towards the Xbox 360, and how the console war in the past was all about who was first to penetrate the market.
It makes sense that third party developers get the most out of the console war – they can play both sides and have less pressure about which console “wins”. However, I think the focus on PC gaming might really help EA as well, but they will need to up their game. Origin is such a mission to use – if they could just optimize performance there, they might see a little more love come their way. Oh, who am I kidding – people will carry on hating EA, and loving their games that aren’t broken.
Last Updated: July 1, 2014
Liquid Kaz (Umar)
July 1, 2014 at 10:03
As much as I hate EA, I do agree with them, they have been making PC games for a VERY long time and their one of the few devs that don’t give PC gamers shitty ports
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:03
Only shitty games
Liquid Kaz (Umar)
July 1, 2014 at 10:04
Hahaha, Ea did give me one of my fav games of the last generation, Dead Space, so I will always give them some respect, but as of late, any little respect I had is slowly dwindling
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:06
I will give them that. Dead Space was good. They became watered down as they went on to 2 and 3, but the first was brilliant.
Skyblue
July 1, 2014 at 10:19
Dead Space was awesome. I also enjoyed the C&C series until that bastard 4th child of satan they spawned from their loins.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:19
They don’t deserve credit for that. The dev does, for fighting for his original vision of the game. EA wanted it to be just another FPS.
Rince&Shitity
July 1, 2014 at 10:26
lol
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:03
“Steam is excellent with a broad catalog and a different business focus,
while Origin is more about interacting with the customers directly.”
I’m sorry, but how does Steam and the publishers who’s games are on Steam not interact directly with the customers?
Rince&Shitity
July 1, 2014 at 10:26
By pissing them off.
FoxOneZA
July 1, 2014 at 10:27
Besides offering their exclusive library only on Origin and exclsuive Beta access, can’t see much more.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:30
Quite. But that’s not much of an advantage. Beta access is for die-hard fans, and they’re becoming fewer.
Kensei Seraph
July 1, 2014 at 10:32
Just buy the game.
You’ll get (unofficial) Beta access once it gets released and if you really want you can pay a fee to get Alpha access.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:34
No way I’m paying an extra fee for Alpha access.
Also no way I’m buying EA.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:00
Early Access tee hee
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 11:02
Haha. Nice.
I have actually bought two early access games on Steam. But they were well priced and I’ve played the crap out of both already.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:12
I have early access on a couple of Kickstarter games, haven’t bothered.
I read earlier this morning they’re releasing physical copies of Planetary Annihilation while it’s still in early access. Sorry, that’s EA-level bullshit.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 11:17
Wow. That is such an EA move.
That’s quite disappointing actually. I expected more from them. Loving the game, but it’s still clearly unfinished.
Kensei Seraph
July 1, 2014 at 10:35
By having massive sales… No wait, that’s Steam.
By offering a diverse community… No wait, that’s Steam.
By allowing customers to create their own content for games… No wait, that’s Steam.
By allowing customers to sell and buy items among themselves… No wait, that’s Steam.
By having experienced tech support… Well yes, I’ve never had to contact Steam support but I have spent time talking to Origin tech support.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:38
Well to be fair they do have specials now. But in the beginning they said they wouldn’t have sales because that “devalues” games.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:39
They probably saw how much money Gabe is making and wanted in on that
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:50
No, they probably saw revenue stay the same or go down instead of skyrocketing like they guessed it would.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:39
LOL
Kensei Seraph
July 1, 2014 at 10:46
Now that I think about it they still haven’t gotten back to me.
Weanerdog
July 1, 2014 at 13:18
Have you tried to reboot your computer.
Kensei Seraph
July 1, 2014 at 13:28
Yes I did, but that didn’t help me recover the lost account information.
Weanerdog
July 1, 2014 at 13:50
Have you tried uninstalling and re-installing Origin.
Kensei Seraph
July 1, 2014 at 15:11
It was a problem with the account I registered Spore on before Origin was created.
Weanerdog
July 1, 2014 at 18:07
Have you tired backing up your stuff and formatting your hard drive?
You do know I am just taking the piss hey
Weanerdog
July 1, 2014 at 13:20
Origin also had me phone tech support, but it was for my avast! I wanted to know why it didn’t block the malicious program that is Origin.
Doug
July 1, 2014 at 10:49
Origin have a far better client interaction space. Nothing like chatting live to an Origin rep than getting told by steam to log your query on a 3rd party support page like steam do. Origin sucks balls on a whole though. Big hairy ones.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:52
Haha.
Never had to contact Steam support myself. Have needed to contact Origin support five times though.
Weanerdog
July 1, 2014 at 13:16
Steam does not spy on you when you are in the shower.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:04
How long must his arms be to punch THROUGH our glorious lord GabeN?
Liquid Kaz (Umar)
July 1, 2014 at 10:05
Pretty long, Gaben does have a pretty big tummy
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:12
GabeN. Also, that was the implication ;P
Liquid Kaz (Umar)
July 1, 2014 at 10:25
Well he showed up lol
Admiral Chief Fairburne
July 1, 2014 at 10:04
How does one ” through a punch”??
Rince&Shitity
July 1, 2014 at 10:28
Like this? http://iruntheinternet.com/lulzdump/images/gifs/elephant-slap-punch-bitch-slap-smack-1353872066D.gif
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:32
EA’s reaction to a gamer telling them they don’t like DLC.
Kromas
July 1, 2014 at 11:46
I like DLC.
I dislike $5 for a piece of clothing DLC.
For good DLC please refer to ME3: Citadel
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 11:57
PayDay 2 and Skyrim are the only games where I’ve bought DLC’s.
Well worth it. But as you say, clothing or colours or kak for $5. That’s just bull.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:59
I dislike their general implementation of DLC, particularly the skins thing & when all the DLC combined equals the price of the game. More content is fine, Shadowbroker DLC from ME2 was great.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:08
It’s true that those are their roots. It was like watching a beautiful chrysalis for months, just waiting for a beautiful butterfly to emerge & spread it’s wings. Instead we ended up with a poisonous, destructive moth. Yay.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:08
That could probably not fly.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:11
That’s because bullshit walks.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:08
Give credit where credit is due.
So for you sticking to your pc roots – well done.
For release games onto pc that don’t work properly – well done retracted.
Kromas
July 1, 2014 at 11:45
Nice dead space reference there 😛
Or was it need for speed?
Or maybe BF4?
Or Sim City?
😛
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:11
I actually don’t think Origin is the problem. I think the problem is that EA refuses to put their new games on Steam AS WELL. Many people love Origin and many, like myself, just won’t even bother buying the games if it’s limited to only one client.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:16
That’s precisely what I don’t like about it & what pissed me off when I got ME3. I also seem to remember them singing a different tune about being competition to Steam when it first launched – guess the story changes when you can’t convince anyone else, like Ubi, to go with you.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:22
Agreed.
I don’t mind having more than one client (referring to the coming GOG client), but to have a client PER publisher – that’s insane. I have two EA games and three Ubisoft games. I won’t bother buying games from either of those two because it feels like such a waste to me.
My Steam client is open 24/7. There’s no way I’ll keep four or five clients open (or even installed) on my pc. It’s not worth it.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:26
Exactly. It’s not a benefit, it’s a nuisance. The one of the best things about the GOG client is their Steam compatibility – I was not expecting that & it’s a great feature. Publishers wouldn’t do that – EA didn’t even try with Origin.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:27
Yes. Agreed. That was such a nice surprise.
For EA and Ubisoft it’s about monetary gain NOW, not customer satisfaction or loyalty. Otherwise they’d see that Origin and Uplay will hurt them in the future, no matter how pretty they make them.
Kromas
July 1, 2014 at 11:44
Let me remind you that ME3 came out and forced you to use Origin when the app itself still had a nice and shiny Beta logo on it.They forced us to use Beta apps before it was cool. Still they own Bioware so I will just “*** en betaal”
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:57
I won’t. They’ve just gone too far for my taste. And I like DA2, unlike most hehe.
Kromas
July 1, 2014 at 12:25
I liked DA2 in terms of story. Everything else was below their bar.
Anon A Mouse
July 1, 2014 at 10:13
“Yeah, you may say that’s a low bar, but that’s who we are, and our roots” ~ So EA just admitted that their bar is low and that’s where their roots are. The truth is out there.
Viking Of GabeN
July 1, 2014 at 10:20
EA has forgotten their Past, they had passion, drive, they were Electronic Artists… just watch this snippet: http://youtu.be/Mh3FN3YCwYk?t=5m13s
Viking Of GabeN
July 1, 2014 at 10:22
Or watch the whole thing…. It’s an Open letter to EA’s marketing.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:23
And if they’re straddling the divide between the consoles so nicely… explain Titanfall. Whoops, more BS – you sided with MS because you expected them to be doing far better than they are, guess that backfired a bit.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:24
Fortunately for them, we’ll all believe this blindly. Because EA has NEVER before said one thing and have the complete opposite happen.
Rince&Shitity
July 1, 2014 at 10:31
And then on the other hand they are trying to convince us all they are not some evil company set on world domination?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:37
Shh… just buy the game.
Rince&Shitity
July 1, 2014 at 10:50
done!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 10:52
Excellent. See, that wasn’t so bad. Now… buy the season pass.
Sith JJ
July 1, 2014 at 10:53
Wow dude. Swearing like that on a family-friendly site?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:03
Don’t try to censor me, this isn’t Australia. 😉
FoxOneZA
July 1, 2014 at 10:33
Dear EA, a wise old Asian man from the outbacks of Australia once said, the answer you seek lies within the PC gamer but to get through to the Master Race you will first have to win over the Nintendo gamer.
PS: Syntax on, syntax off.
DBL_ZA
July 1, 2014 at 10:40
I actually don’t have a huge problem with Origin. Yes, it’s still miles behind Steam (no one from EA can convince me that the two products are completely unrelated), but it could be a lot worse. Definitely needs a few more features and to add one or two things (not to mention bug fixes with the overlay), but I never shy away from an Origin game because of what it runs through.
Kromas
July 1, 2014 at 11:38
It is not Uplay and that is a major advantage. 😛
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 1, 2014 at 12:08
For the love of all that’s gaming, can someone (PLEASE) give Grandpa Moore some biltong to suck on.
Lourens Jordaan
July 1, 2014 at 16:31
Penetrating the market is not good enough reason to use the word penetrate. PENETRATE!!!