Welcome to my personal opinion piece on why EA lost E3.
With the conclusion of the Nintendo Direct just now, I can not feel but disappointed in EA and their EA play approach to this year’s E3. Their display was underwhelming and aside from updates in most games, I felt a big hunger when all was said and done.
Take away the updates and new entries in famous franchises and you are left with just Star Wars really. Is that title alone to keep EA in control of this news cycle? Are the new Madden and FIFA game changers? More Anthem maybe? Can Apex Legends be their savior?
Sadly, no. A very simple No. A lot of die-hard fans of those games will greatly disagree with me, but I am a general gamer. Sure, I have my preferred genres and EA just happens to be releasing not a single one of those. Still, I can not shake this feeling of disappointment.
Why this disappointment? It is not the lack of effort on their behalf, but the overpowering display of “power” shown by the others at the show. Heck, even Devolver who had one of the most cringeworthy displays had a very impressive line-up. I would clearly play more Devolver games compared to the offering by EA.
I was impressed by Xbox, Nintendo was a stellar display of titles and energy, even Ubisoft, despite its slower pace was more impressive. They all had the starpower that EA lacked this time.
EA seemed to want to play it safe and that is why they lost. In part because of this, in another part because of their blatant lack of trust in Nintendo.
I honestly think Nintendo won E3, not due to their own efforts alone, but the incredibly impressive list of third-party games supporting that massive list. Where was EA in this list? You are right, nowhere to be found unless we count FIFA the Legacy Edition as a must-own title or Just Dance 10, which is still coming to the Wii… You read that right, the Wii, a console that is considered obsolete.
No, there was just a lack of support and all while big juggernauts like Square Enix showed massive support. Even Microsoft’s love affair with Red is ongoing, Banjo-Kazooie, Super Lucky’s Tale, … Who knows what they have in store for the future? (if anyone is listening, Rare replay please!)
Even Sega showed its support by bringing Panzer Dragoon, a title so strong, it will sell on name alone.
And where is EA? Yeah, you got it right, not even supporting the console.
There is more to console gaming than just Sony, who were not even present at the show, which makes sense in a way, they are preparing for the new console after all.
I honestly think EA has come at the point where they can not just get by only investing in known IP or franchises. As a gamer, as a lover of this industry, I want to play more than Madden or FIFA every year! I want to see what the bright minds at EA can think off, yes, you heard me right. We all know you have some of the brightest people in the industry.
Why aren’t you showing their prowess? Why do you insist on limiting your games to the 2 powerhouse consoles and not the Switch? Do you realize you are slowly alienating your fanbase?
I raised more questions than I thought I would, but yeah, this is sadly how I feel right now. Incredibly disappointed in a company that played it so safe, you would forget they were even at E3…
