Sony's response to EA Access Subscription plan

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FleetFeet said:
Fair points, but...

Humble bundle is only PC, right? That's nice PC gamers get the benefit, but what about us console gamers?

The Origin deal, I feel is more like a way to actually entice people to sign up to origin... but hey, I'm just very cynical when it comes to EA.

And Titanfall for 50% to me says that they did not meet expectations and are trying to increase sales, which in the end does lead to great deals for consumers, so I guess you got me there! :p
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Well, you did ask for examples of what EA has done that benefit the consumer. PC gamers are consumers too. I will say that EA has provided generous sales on its games for console gamers. Often without needing a subscription to Gold or Plus.
 
EdgeXL said:
Perhaps because EA has plans to extend this service to Origin or even tablets in the future?

I honestly see PS Now and EA Access as good choices to have.
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Which has been pointed out before. Too many unknowns and it's scary to imagine people just jumping the gun into this type of ecosystem without even thinking of the pros and cons.
 
Neuromancer said:
I disagree completely that in protecting their own interests they're being anti-consumer. Another analogy but this is like a shop deciding not to carry a product they think sucks. Is that anti consumer? Of course not.
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It probably is if they have rival product.

"Ahh, don't worry, you wouldn't like it"

Why don't they protect me from gouging digital prices? Not a fuck given there. But when there's a potential competitive product? "Oh, that. Forget about it, it's shit".

Pro-consumer indeed.
 
FiggyCal said:
I don't think they'd fail. I just don't like the idea of every publisher deciding to start their own subscription plans and not put value into ps plus (which I have an account with for the next couple of years).
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Nothing is preventing publishers from providing games on Plus if that is the more beneficial path to take.

Honestly, it just seems to me that you are more interested in protecting your long term Plus subscription. Understandable but I still think more choices for consumers are a good thing.
 
I guess Sony felt this might cut in on their business or something? I have no interest in the EA thing but limiting options is rarely ever a good thing.
 
sunnz said:
The additional options is the part that makes this deal from EA sound great.

BUT remember THIS IS EA we are talking about. I would bet $200 that a couple months from now we will start seeing exclusive content for games being available ONLY to those with this subscription. I don't mean content created specifically for people with the subscription, I mean content that was created for the game but then locked off for those who pay extra, like how "DLC" is offered now a days, both day 1 DLC and retailer DLC.

BF5, get our vault service and get exclusive guns/camo and heck, we might even see exclusive maps...

I love the idea of this and want it to work how we all want and expect it to, I want SONY to do a 180 and try to offer it but it most likely wont be what we expect it to be, because EA.

If worse comes to worse and it gets big, next we will see others do the exact same, we might be in a place were you pay $60 for 50% of a game, get the other 20% from a exclusive retailer, other 10% from day 1 downloadable DLC you can buy and the other 20% from being a part of there subscription service...

Expectations.
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This I can totally see happening from EA. They said they wouldn't sell Battlebacks for BF4 and look what they did, they started selling them. So this happening doesn't surprise me. Probably not for a while but if subs start getting low they'll start introducing something like this.

Someone also said earlier that other publishers will jump on this, again doesn't surprise me if they do. This is now the alternative to DRM on console to stop pre-owned purchases.
 
Rurunaki said:
Which has been pointed out before. Too many unknowns and it's scary to imagine people just jumping the gun into this type of ecosystem without even thinking of the pros and cons.
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As I said before, if EA pulls something stupid we can always stop subscribing to their service.
 
Neuromancer said:
I disagree completely that in protecting their own interests they're being anti-consumer. Another analogy but this is like a shop deciding not to carry a product they think sucks. Is that anti consumer? Of course not.
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To be fair, if the product/membership is bad, users wouldn't be drawn to it. If the idea is that it would distract from or undercut Sony's similar offerings, then it's restricting an option for consumers that they might want. I mean, I think that's ok since it's the house Sony built, but that's along the lines of what most people mean when they say anti-consumer. (For the record, I generally think it's overblown when people use that term)
 
EdgeXL said:
Well, you did ask for examples of what EA has done that benefit the consumer. PC gamers are consumers too. I will say that EA has provided generous sales on its games for console gamers. Often without needing a subscription to Gold or Plus.
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Yes, I should of been more clear and precise in that statement, in the sense that I'm a console gamer, always have been and hopefully always will be. What have they done for the likes of those consumers? I won't deny them those benefits with regards to your points, though I think we have to distinguish the business practices that have benefited consumers on PC have not translated into the same considerations for console gamers.
 
Alienous said:
It prevents be choosing to get them through EA Vault, in a way I might find preferable?

What point are you making? I'm reading the words, but where are you going with that?
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My point is that they didn't refuse EA games from their ecosystem. You can still get them, either physically or digitally, used or new. But many responses here seem blown out of proportion as if suddenly Playstation customers will not have access to these same games.
 
Amentallica said:
My point is that they didn't refuse EA games from their ecosystem. You can still get them, either physically or digitally, used or new. But many responses here seem blown out of proportion as if suddenly Playstation customers will not have access to these same games.
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I haven't seen anyone even suggest that. Seriously.

The argument has been for being able to have the option to use EA Vault.
 
Alienous said:
It probably is if they have rival product.

"Ahh, don't worry, you wouldn't like it"

Why don't they protect me from gouging digital prices? Not a fuck given there. But when there's a potential competitive product? "Oh, that. Forget about it, it's shit".

Pro-consumer indeed.
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You really think EA is looking out for your interest? Sony has their own interest to look after as well as EA.

Then you will rebutt with "But competition is good." Sure is, let me just watch Game of Thrones on my Netflix.. oh wait.. I'll just watch Simpsons.. oh..

Just because something is offered as a competition doesn't make it automatically a good thing. Weigh in the pros and cons and the potential impact it will create before jumpimg the gun.
 
Alienous said:
I haven't seen anyone even suggest that.
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Nor did I suggest that anyone suggested that they will no longer have these games accessible. I said people are responding quite upset as if they will not have access to these games. That isn't the case.

Look, quite frankly, I think this opens flood gates. It's been discussed many times over in this thread. I think EA Vault is crap because it is only for EA games. I would think the same if Ubisoft released their own vault, Activision, etc. And then what? Because the merchant is now cut out, I would have to subscribe to all of these vaults? Nah, no thanks.
 
EdgeXL said:
As I said before, if EA pulls something stupid we can always stop subscribing to their service.
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That "vote with your wallet" movement reall took off didn't it? Let's just get the facts straight, we are the 1% of the gaming world. The majority of consumers have lead to rhe eventuality that is DLCs and preorders, and you think a "few" people unsubscribing will matter to EA? Doubt it.
 
Alienous said:
It probably is if they have rival product.

"Ahh, don't worry, you wouldn't like it"

Why don't they protect me from gouging digital prices? Not a fuck given there. But when there's a potential competitive product? "Oh, that. Forget about it, it's shit".

Pro-consumer indeed.
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Ok so another analogy would be a microbrewery that doesn't serve Miller Lite. Is that anticonsumer?

Not every store or service has to carry every product or offer every service, and when they choose not to it's not anticonsumer. Unless anticonsumer has some new definition I haven't been made aware of.
 
FleetFeet said:
Hmmmm... what happened with Sims 4???
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Removing features that have been in every Sims game at launch just to sell them as DLC later. Removing previous game features entirely with no intention of bringing them back. Basically selling a full price shell that isn't even comparable to original Sims.
 
HateGames said:
and no one is forcing ps4 owners to keep the damn thing, sell it and buy xbox. 2 way street
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Just because people are unhappy with a decision sony makes doesn't mean they are going to sell their ps4. I mean your'e not selling yours even though you don't like paying for mp.
 
Gestault said:
To be fair, if the product/membership is bad, users wouldn't be drawn to it. If the idea is that it would distract from or undercut Sony's similar offerings, then it's restricting an option for consumers that they might want. I mean, I think that's ok since it's the house Sony built, but that's along the lines of what most people mean when they say anti-consumer. (For the record, I generally think it's overblown when people use that term)
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Fair enough. Just because I think this subscription sounds incredibly shitty doesn't mean everyone else does and I can recognize that.
 
RedNumberFive said:
Why do I have the feeling that canceling will be an exercise in frustration? Oh that's right -EA. When did we start giving them the benefit of the doubt again?
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Any time I had to call or use EA support on PC it was fantastic

In contrast my experience with Valve for Steam is that calling them tits on a bull useless would be a compliment

EA is not this villainous evil corporation that so many want to portray
 
Rurunaki said:
You really think EA is looking out for your interest? Sony has their own interest to look after as well as EA.

Then you will rebutt with "But competition is good." Sure is, let me just watch Game of Thrones on my Netflix.. oh wait.. I'll just watch Simpsons.. oh..

Just because something is offered as a competition doesn't make it automatically a good thing. Weigh in the pros and cons and the potential impact it will create before jumpimg the gun.
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Does Game of Thrones have a DVD? The Simpsons? That's the equivalent of what gamer consumer choice is today. We're buying the DVDs.

Would you rather buy the DVDs for your archived shows, or subscribe to Netflix or an alternative. It doesn't even matter, because you have the choice! You can decide what works best for you. If you really like EA games, you can subscribe. It might save you money. If you want something else, buy the 'DVD'. It's the glorious miracle of choice!
 
SuperSonic1305 said:
Removing features that have been in every Sims game at launch just to sell them as DLC later. Removing previous game features entirely with no intention of bringing them back. Basically selling a full price shell that isn't even comparable to original Sims.
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Ah shit... That EA modus operandi.

Sounds like Battlefield and BF Premium.

And people really are willing to trust them, even after all the other dastardly shit they've been pulling over these years? smh...
 
Alienous said:
Does Game of Thrones have a DVD? The Simpsons? That's the equivalent of what gamer consumer choice is today. We're buying the DVDs.

Would you rather buy the DVDs for your archived shows, or subscribe to Netflix or an alternative. It doesn't even matter, because you have the choice! You can decide what works best for you. If you really like EA games, you can subscribe. It might save you money. If you want something else, buy the 'DVD'. It's the glorious miracle of choice!
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You do have a choice. It's called Xbox One!
 
RedNumberFive said:
Why do I have the feeling that canceling will be an exercise in frustration? Oh that's right -EA. When did we start giving them the benefit of the doubt again?
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I have EA Access Hub right now. I go to settings and select unsubscribe, and I'm done. It also tells me how long my subscription goes for.

Its incredibly complex.
 
Alienous said:
Does Game of Thrones have a DVD? The Simpsons? That's the equivalent of what gamer consumer choice is today. We're buying the DVDs.

Would you rather buy the DVDs for your archived shows, or subscribe to Netflix or an alternative. It doesn't even matter, because you have the choice! You can decide what works best for you. If you really like EA games, you can subscribe. It might save you money. If you want something else, buy the 'DVD'. It's the glorious miracle of choice!
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Would you like to subscribe only to Netflix and get all your titles or would you subscribe to HBO Go, Amazon Prime, and Netflix to get the things you want. That's what some people are worried could happen.
 
This is going to be the new online pass.

Day will come when you can't play a game from a specific publisher online without the requisite subscription. Seems some of you are practically salivating at the prospect of being able to do so too.
 
Neuromancer said:
Ok so another analogy would be a microbrewery that doesn't serve Miller Lite. Is that anticonsumer?

Not every store or service has to carry every product or offer every service, and when they choose not to it's not anticonsumer. Unless anticonsumer has some new definition I haven't been made aware of.
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Bad analogy, not least because drinks aren't bought like games, and Sony in your example isn't refusing to sell a product. They are refusing the consumer an alternative way to get that product, which they might find preferable. Thus, anti-consumer. Don't get me wrong. They're allowed to do it, but it isn't in the best interests of consumers.
 
jem0208 said:
Huh?

So essentially getting paid $1 for a month of free games is bad value?

If you are set on buying a new game, this is nothing but good value. This isn't a walled garden.
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why cant they just offer a 10% discount through deal with gold or something? wait a second, they already are lol so again why do we need this service? not to mention in europe the digital prices of games are ridiculous and it would be cheaper to just buy it from retail anyway
rac said:
Just because people are unhappy with a decision sony makes doesn't mean they are going to sell their ps4. I mean your'e not selling yours even though you don't like paying for mp.
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well they have a option to sell, u wanted options right? and no i dont have ps4 i will be buying xbox this year and ps4 next year. currently only have ps3, sold my x360
 
If people are really upset over this I urge them all to buy Xbox Ones, if they haven't already, and enroll in EA Access. Hey maybe it won't fuck you, and perhaps if there is a mass exodus from Playstation platforms the likes of which have not been seen since 1313BC then Sony will reconsider!
 
jackdoe said:
Would you like to subscribe only to Netflix and get all your titles or would you subscribe to HBO Go, Amazon Prime, and Netflix to get the things you want. That's what some people are worried could happen.
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I'd subscribe to the service that gives me the most of what I want, and buy anything else separately. Like getting a DVD boxset of a show I like that isn't in the service I use.
 
Alienous said:
Bad analogy, not least because drinks aren't bought like games, and Sony in your example isn't refusing to sell a product. They are refusing the consumer an alternative way to get that product, which they might find preferable. Thus, anti-consumer. Don't get me wrong. They're allowed to do it, but it isn't in the best interests of consumers.
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This is where I have to say you're completely misguided. People can get these games through the PSN store, through Origin, through brick and mortar stores, online, used, new, from a friend, from a family member. This is not anti-consumer.

Gah, I give up. My head hurts.
 
Amentallica said:
This is where I have to say you're completely misguided. People can get these games through the PSN store, through Origin, through brick and mortar stores, online, used, new, from a friend, from a family member. This is not anti-consumer.

Gah, I give up. My head hurts.
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Restricting options to protect your own services is anti-consumer. It's not a complicated notion, at all.
 
Alienous said:
Restricting options to protect your own services is anti-consumer. It's not a complicated notion, at all.
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Nothing about this is anti-consumer. You've over-complicated what anti-consumer is.

Also, when is a company never protecting their own services? What are you on about? Just go buy an Xbox One. If you want the most out of everything, there are exclusives, and now EA Vault, on that system. Heed your own words.
 
Neuromancer said:
If people are really upset over this I urge them all to buy Xbox Ones, if they haven't already, and enroll in EA Access. Hey maybe it won't fuck you, and perhaps if there is a mass exodus from Playstation platforms the likes of which have not been seen since 1313BC then Sony will reconsider!
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With EA you're always getting fucked one way or another. I'll pass.
 
Nokagi said:
I guess Sony felt this might cut in on their business or something? I have no interest in the EA thing but limiting options is rarely ever a good thing.
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I can think of a bunch of reasons why limiting options for consumers is a good thing in a variety of businesses.
 
jackdoe said:
Would you like to subscribe only to Netflix and get all your titles or would you subscribe to HBO Go, Amazon Prime, and Netflix to get the things you want. That's what some people are worried could happen.
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(Please note: this is commentary on the example, not the videogame situation we're talking about here.)

If those separate offerings are necessary to maintain HBO and Netflix Originals-quality content being made, I can live with it. The other end of the spectrum is traditional cable subscriptions, where the one provider uses your subscription fees to fund a majority of content you don't enjoy and might even actively dislike, I can see where the appeal of choosing from several smaller, less expensive content houses tied to your interests would have its draw.
 
Amentallica said:
Nothing about this is anti-consumer. You've over-complicated what anti-consumer is.

Also, when is a company never protecting their own services? What are you on about? Just go buy an Xbox One. If you want the most out of everything, there are exclusives, and now EA Vault, on that system. Heed your own words.
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Everything about this particular topic is anti consumer
 
Alienous said:
Perhaps? What would you prefer I call it? 'Bad for consumers'?
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You should accept that reality that there is another platform where this will be available, and if not that, that there are other means by which you can obtain these very same games you are moaning about not having access to unless you have EA Vault. Sony is not depriving you of EA games.
 
Amentallica said:
Also, when is a company never protecting their own services? What are you on about? Just go buy an Xbox One. If you want the most out of everything, there are exclusives, and now EA Vault, on that system. Heed your own words.
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I don't care that they are. It's people defending it like it's a positive thing that I'm debating.

And "Go buy an Xbox One". You couldn't be missing the point harder.
 
Dunlop said:
Any time I had to call or use EA support on PC it was fantastic

In contrast my experience with Valve for Steam is that calling them tits on a bull useless would be a compliment

EA is not this villainous evil corporation that so many want to portray
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Origin phone support mops the floor with Valve for sure.
 
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