EA Responds to “Worst Company in America” Accusations

EA, publisher of Battlefield and FIFA, has been named “Worst Company in America” quite a bit in recent years, above oil tyrants and even the Bank of America. The video game company earned the “Golden Poo” award and it’s only now that Peter Moore, EA executive, has decided to chat about it.

Ea, in recent months to its credit, have really tried to improve their customer support and the idea that the player is at the centre of everything they do. From “On the House” games, where you get a free game every month, or EA Access, which allows you access to a number of rather good titles for only one fee.

In response to this, Peter said:

“Yes, [being named Worst Company in America] was ridiculous. And this was also the time of sub-prime mortgage crisis; banks are dumping hundreds of thousands of people out onto the street. You try and be defensive and say this is stupid, this is ridiculous; and then you go, ‘Maybe there’s a kernel of truth here.’ Maybe this is a moment we can step back, look in the mirror, look at who we are, look at how we’re perceived, and figure out what we need to do to do something about it.”

He also agreed EA were “guilty of some stuff” but didn’t comment on what they were actually guilty for.

I can think of a few things.

He made a point of saying “it’s not about revenue: it’s not about what benefits EA.”

Many of their new policies are indeed very player-friendly, including offering more betas to people, and actually showing games while in development to give the player a bit more of an idea of what they’re buying when it’s released.

But even so.

Never forget Battlefront. Because that was a massive let down. £39.99 for a Season Pass?

Pffffft.

(This coming from the guy who spent nearly £70 on the in-game currency in Warframe. Don’t judge me.)