Support NeoGAF

[Wario64]

http://www.gamespot.com/pages/news/story.php?sid=6141591

The Madden franchise made its first outing on the Sony PSP in September, but it hasn't exactly been a problem-free debut. Hardened fans of the popular series experienced problems with the game's franchise mode, which caused a "shutdown issue" that forced the PSP to power down.

Electronic Arts discovered a work-around solution for the problem in October, but that entailed navigating through the game's menus in a roundabout way. Today, the publisher decided on a longer-term solution--just send the old disc in, and they'll send out a replacement.

The replacement disc has "revised software" that reportedly solves all the problems with the franchise mode. For the inconvenience, EA will also give customers two coupons. One is a $15 voucher for the online EA Store, and the other is for complimentary shipping on a future order from EA.

To get a problem-free UMD of Madden NFL 06, gamers should send their old disc, along with a note containing their name, address, e-mail address, and phone number, to:

EA Customer Warranty
Attn: Madden PSP
209 Redwood Shores Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065

The disc may take up to 10 business days to be delivered. For more information, head over to the Madden NFL 06 PSP Web site.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

they did this for one of the console maddens on xbox too. kind of cool. even if they are evil.

 

[Agent Dormer]

Will they replace my broken Madden 360? You know, the one that doesn't let me challenge plays, has tons of clipping, and is way easy? That'd be nice.

 

[Laguna X]

It's about time they did something about this. Still, those coupons are pretty shitty compensation for their fuck up.

 

[JRPereira]

Will they pay shipping costs to ship it back to them?

That's what I hate about rma's and recalls - you pay extra to have them fix their problem.

 

[UtadaBarkley]

To little, to late. But I'll take a brand new copy to EBAY, and keep the two coupons to use towards something worthwhile.

Madden on PSP is garbage.

 

[cleveridea]

For the inconvenience, EA will also give customers two coupons. One is a $15 voucher for the online EA Store, and the other is for complimentary shipping on a future order from EA.

that isnt compensation, thats a promotion to sell more EA products

remember kids, retail stores pay EA about $38 for a $50 title. So EA gets $38 for the sale. When you buy from the EA store, EA get the full $50

So...by making the voucher $15 off only by buying from their online store they only eat $3 in costs (i.e. they get $35 from you, but had you bought from a store they would have got only $38 anyway). In other words, that $15 voucher only costs them $3 or so in costs if you werent otherwise going to buy from their online store.

And of course, they are making it more likely that you buy your next title from EA to use the 'free' $15.

cunning...

 

[WasabiKing]

that isnt compensation, thats a promotion to sell more EA products

remember kids, retail stores pay EA about $38 for a $50 title. So EA gets $38 for the sale. When you buy from the EA store, EA get the full $50

So...by making the voucher $15 off only by buying from their online store they only eat $3 in costs (i.e. they get $35 from you, but had you bought from a store they would have got only $38 anyway). In other words, that $15 voucher only costs them $3 or so in costs if you werent otherwise going to buy from their online store.

And of course, they are making it more likely that you buy your next title from EA to use the 'free' $15.

cunning...

Yes, it's extremely cunning of them to admit that their game was a piece of shit, then offer to replace it then give you voucher. How many developers have offered to fix their mistakes like this? And no one is making you use the voucher.

Now, someone contact me once Activision offers to fix X-Men Legends II on PSP.

 

[Matlock]

EA Replaces
Gamers get fifteen bucks free
GAF bitches, alas

 

[DenogginizerOS]

Will they replace my broken Madden 360? You know, the one that doesn't let me challenge plays, has tons of clipping, and is way easy? That'd be nice.

:lol :lol

 

[cleveridea]

Yes, it's extremely cunning of them to admit that their game was a piece of shit, then offer to replace it then give you voucher. How many developers have offered to fix their mistakes like this? And no one is making you use the voucher.

Now, someone contact me once Activision offers to fix X-Men Legends II on PSP.

now let me guess - you work for EA? And your arent married to EA_Spouse?

Yes you are right it is a rare thing to own up to the mistake and do the right thing. EA are to be commended on that. But really, how many people are going to bother taking up their offer? its a cheap way to prevent some parasitic lawyer class action lawsuit being started.

I would have liked to see them offer a bonus title as a bonus (ie choose from their back catalog of older, budget priced titles) instead of a promotion.

 

[WasabiKing]

now let me guess - you work for EA? And your arent married to EA_Spouse?

Yes you are right it is a rare thing to own up to the mistake and do the right thing. EA are to be commended on that. But really, how many people are going to bother taking up their offer? its a cheap way to prevent some parasitic lawyer class action lawsuit being started.

I would have liked to see them offer a bonus title as a bonus (ie choose from their back catalog of older, budget priced titles) instead of a promotion.

I don't work for EA at all. I am a fan of their work, but I'm not blinded by it. I could go on about NFL Street, Urbz, all that stuff, but more than enough EA haters here beat me to it. I will say that I do have friends who work for EA, and they do read here just to make sure I don't out them on some stuff, haha. You'd be surprised about how they feel about overtime...

When you're a big dog, everyone will try to chip away at you. Yet large companies like EA haven't done things like this. I mention Activision and X-Men Legends 2. That game locks up on my PSP without fail ever since I unlocked the PSP exclusive characters. Now, it's only been out two months, so I give them the benefit of the doubt, but I expect big players fix their games.

Who wouldn't send it in for a new disc? You bought the game, you want it playable. And how do they announce it? By Press Release and likely, e-mails sent to all people who have registered their game. It's not like they didn't make an effort. It's not like they sent it to small websites.

I think what you are suggesting is a nice bonus, but ultimately, they are fixing your game and that's an equal trade.

 

[dskillzhtown]

now let me guess - you work for EA? And your arent married to EA_Spouse?

Yes you are right it is a rare thing to own up to the mistake and do the right thing. EA are to be commended on that. But really, how many people are going to bother taking up their offer? its a cheap way to prevent some parasitic lawyer class action lawsuit being started.

I would have liked to see them offer a bonus title as a bonus (ie choose from their back catalog of older, budget priced titles) instead of a promotion.

Dayum dude, did EA kill your dog or something? If they offered an older game from their calendar you would be bitching about that as well. EA admitted there was a serious problem with the game, fixed it and they are sending out new UMDs in a reasonable amount of time. WTF is wrong with that? Now when NBA2k6 locks up on my XBox I didn't see Take2 doing shit about it, except telling me in an e-mail they are aware of the problem. When NBA Ballers didn't even work on my X-Box because of a resolution glitch, I got an e-mail detailing a workaround, not a fixed disc and vouchers, as EA is doing.

I think it is a good move by EA as they easily could have just told the consumers that it would be fixed in next year's version for the fix.