Why Do Many Gamer’s Dislike EA Games?

Gamers harbor a variety of reasons for their disdain toward Electronic Arts (EA). Let’s delve into some of the key factors:

1. Forced Multiplayer: EA has been criticized for shoehorning multiplayer features into single-player games. Titles like Dead Space 3 and Mass Effect 3 suffered from this approach, diluting the core experience and potentially compromising storytelling¹.
2. Rehashing IPs: Frequent releases of franchises like Need for Speed and Battlefield have led to a sense of oversaturation. Some gamers feel that EA prioritizes quantity over quality, resulting in hit-or-miss entries in these series¹.
3. Day 1 DLC: Gamers dislike the practice of releasing downloadable content (DLC) on the same day as a game’s launch. It feels like content that should be part of the base game is withheld to be sold separately².
4. Origin Two-Year Entitlement Clause: EA’s digital distribution platform, Origin, faced backlash due to a clause that limited access to purchased games after two years. This move frustrated players who expected perpetual ownership¹.
5. Industrialized Approach: Some perceive EA as prioritizing profit over creativity. The acquisition of studios and subsequent transformation into factory-like entities has led to concerns about the soul of game development being compromised¹.
6. Loot Boxes and DLC: EA’s reliance on loot boxes (often called “surprise mechanics”) and extensive DLC offerings has irked players. These practices can feel exploitative and detract from the enjoyment of games³.

In essence, gamers dislike EA because it seems to prioritize business decisions over the joy of gaming. The company’s actions have sometimes alienated its audience, leading to a reputation that’s hard to shake off¹.