New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

[kbmnm247]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

They aren't charging any more for the game. The game comes with everything you need.

...

controlling multiple online dynastys or whatever, those things are what costs extra.

So they aren't charging any more for the game and it comes with everything I need, but if I want to control more than one dynasty, I have to pay for it. That doesn't sound like charging more for the game to you? Why don't they charge me per dynasty and per franchise I play in single player too while they are at it since my $60 fee I paid for the game only covers one play of each mode.

[4solo]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

According to who exactly? Prove it.

You keep creating this false choice, "it's either DLC or raise the price." Says who? Trying to frame it as if DLC saves us money is lol, that's not the point of DLC at all.

But by the same token, you don't have to buy the dlc or the game. So you keep creating this false entitlement. If you don't buy it won't effect you.

[Colt45]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

Why don't you just look at the features of the $60 game and decide whether it is worth the purchase or not?

[kbmnm247]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

I'm tired of people talking about how they are getting taking advantage of. You can't be taken advantage of for things that are luxury. To not feel ripped off all you have to do is DON'T BUY THE GAME! No one forcing you to. Now if its something like gas prices, which can almost be consider something essential, then all these arguments would hold true but for something that you are chosing to buy.... C'mon Man.

I'm a big NCAA and NFL fan. I am a huge sports gaming fan as well. I've bought EA games since way back and even though some games were wack or had broken features and half the time the game wouldn't work correctly until 6 months down the line I never complained or wanted a refund.

If I want to play an NCAA or NFL game I HAVE TO BUY an EA Sports product since they bought out the competition with all of your guys' microtransaction profits. I have no other option, so in essense, it is essential.

All I and many others are saying is don't promote new features and then tell me I have to pay for them. Also, don't charge me for options or "features" that should be in the game to begin with, like uniforms and stadiums. And if you ARE going to charge for those, at least make sure they are 100% accurate.

[kbmnm247]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

But by the same token, you don't have to buy the dlc or the game. So you keep creating this false entitlement. If you don't buy it won't effect you.

You don't find it ridiculous for the consumer who is buying these games every year for $60 to have to pay extra for a feature that the dev team took time and money out of normal game development to create?

You're telling me that none of the profits or revenue from the $60 anyone pays for the game goes to pay for this online dynasty feature? It's all covered by the DLC that people will pay?

That's another part of the issue, it's not entitlement, it's wanting the best game for $60 that you can get. Rather than spend that extra time refining and testing their game and improving gameplay we'll get the same shlop on day one that we always get and something will be broken for months after we, the $60 consumer, pay for it and test it. I can't believe that people are okay with this.

This is TOTALLY different than map packs and episodes or chapter add ons. We are basically already paying $60 each year for the NCAA/Madden "map pack".

[Dame]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

Are the people who are mad at this only mad because they feel this is open a pathway to charge for other things in the future(which is understandable) or are y'all mad because y'all want to use this option but don't want to pay for it.

I'm just trying to figure out people arguments. I understand people mad because EA didnt say it was a fee at first I just wonder why the debate is going on for so long

This reminds me of Apps for your Iphone or Droid they usually offer an app for free but if you want to do something extra they charge you for a different version yea they could offer it for free but for whatever reason they charge.

[4solo]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

I'm a big NCAA and NFL fan. I am a huge sports gaming fan as well. I've bought EA games since way back and even though some games were wack or had broken features and half the time the game wouldn't work correctly until 6 months down the line I never complained or wanted a refund.

I'm yearly purchaser too (since 95) but if its one I don't like I get mad but at the end of the day I realize I don't have to but it every year.

If I want to play an NCAA or NFL game I HAVE TO BUY an EA Sports product since they bought out the competition with all of your guys' microtransaction profits. I have no other option, so in essense, it is essential.

Key words. Still the fact remain you don't have to if you don't want too.

All I and many others are saying is don't promote new features and then tell me I have to pay for them. Also, don't charge me for options or "features" that should be in the game to begin with, like uniforms and stadiums. And if you ARE going to charge for those, at least make sure they are 100% accurate.

See 4 post up.

[4solo]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

We're talking about a company that once sold AFL jerseys as DLC for Madden. Yeah they don't have a history. I'm gonna laugh if/when they release the gamestop pre-order uniforms as DLC this year. I'm sure there'll be a line of people telling me why that's ok too though.

And no competition wouldn't eliminate DLC, but we'd be much more likely to get the most value for our money. That's the whole point. EA has it made, they don't have to worry about any comp and like the article points out they can charge for DLC with little to no backlash from the consumers. Again props to Kotaku for at least trying to change this.

But to be fair all of EA's DLC with the exception of the $15 for commishs to host multi OD, have be very reasonable comapred to the rest of the industry.

But just cuz they charge for DLC doesn't mean people have to buy it.

[4solo]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

Some of you get it and some of you don't.

Like the some who do get it (and I'm not talking about people defending why EA is charging for a premium) vote with your money and don't pay for it. Period. If your running one OD, then let your OD know that I don't think it's worth my 3 or 7 dollars to advance from the computer. Then wash your hands with it.

Everyone who said something of the "I'll vote with my money" has said that and kept it moving.

I agree 100%

[mattbooty]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

I'm coming in late to the game on this thread, but I've posted in similar threads over the last week.

The one major point that hasn't really been mentioned yet in this thread is that web-enabled content requires ONGOING server/infrastructure costs to keep running. These are costs that increase proportionally to the number of people who use the feature. It doesn't cost EA any additional money if 1,000 or 1,000,000 people buy NCAA 12... but it is a significant difference if 1% or 50% of those use the web-enabled features and those costs are ongoing, it is not a one time deal.

These are not features they had to add to the game to be competitive (as there is no competition) or sell more copies (as mostly only hardcore fans want this feature and 99% of them are buying the game anyways). They did it because the hardcore fan was clamoring for it (which was noted in the article in OP). The only way they were going to add these features was to find a way to offset the server costs they would need to add to support them (with development costs on top of that but infrastructure costs alone justify this).

I do not believe we are looking at a question of do they offer these web-features as paid DLC or free, I think it is more do they offer them as paid DLC or not at all. A VERY small % of consumers (if any) will buy the game strictly because of these particular features, so considering the additional costs to support them these features are a money pit. Without recouping some money on them, what possible motivation could EA have to add them in?

Yes, EA has to improve the product each year to keep consumers interested, and (taking the "business" part out of it) just as payback to their loyal fanbase. And they have done that with dozens of new features this year that you get right out of the box for your $60. The key is that the costs to develop those features end the day the game goes gold (with the exception of possible future patches, but that is just part of every game's life-cycle these days). HDR isn't going to keep costing them money after the game is gold so there is no added costs for it.

I can understand the argument about alternate uniforms and similar items (although I personally don't use them so have no real care one way or another on those), but the web-enabled features I have no problem with the added charge, and I don't believe we get those features without the charge so if I have to choose between $7 or not having the feature at all I'll pay.

[kbmnm247]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

That's fine, you still get to test it yourself before you spend your money, where all other DLC you have to buy it, and if you don't like it, oh well. No refunds.

What exactly am I supposed to be thankful for testing here? To see if the advance from a remote location actually works? I know what the feature is, does, and will do. It's simply a marketing tactic, the fact you think it's to test is a joke.

[4solo]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

You don't find it ridiculous for the consumer who is buying these games every year for $60 to have to pay extra for a feature that the dev team took time and money out of normal game development to create?

You're telling me that none of the profits or revenue from the $60 anyone pays for the game goes to pay for this online dynasty feature? It's all covered by the DLC that people will pay?

That's another part of the issue, it's not entitlement, it's wanting the best game for $60 that you can get. Rather than spend that extra time refining and testing their game and improving gameplay we'll get the same shlop on day one that we always get and something will be broken for months after we, the $60 consumer, pay for it and test it. I can't believe that people are okay with this.

This is TOTALLY different than map packs and episodes or chapter add ons. We are basically already paying $60 each year for the NCAA/Madden "map pack".

Once you pay $60 you get your disc. That $60 now belongs to the company to spend how ever they see fit. When you pay $60 you are not paying for future copies of the game you are paying for the current version. So if you don't like that current version then don't buy it. See the problem is that people feel that b/c the buy the game every year they are "investing in EA". But your are not. Your $60 does not make you a share holder. You chose to trade money for the product they currently provide. B/c you spend $60 that doesn't entitle you to determine how they make future products. Again if you don't like what they are doing in the future then as a consumer you respond by not giving them your money.

[NDAlum]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

I'm coming in late to the game on this thread, but I've posted in similar threads over the last week.

The one major point that hasn't really been mentioned yet in this thread is that web-enabled content requires ONGOING server/infrastructure costs to keep running. These are costs that increase proportionally to the number of people who use the feature. It doesn't cost EA any additional money if 1,000 or 1,000,000 people buy NCAA 12... but it is a significant difference if 1% or 50% of those use the web-enabled features and those costs are ongoing, it is not a one time deal.

These are not features they had to add to the game to be competitive (as there is no competition) or sell more copies (as mostly only hardcore fans want this feature and 99% of them are buying the game anyways). They did it because the hardcore fan was clamoring for it (which was noted in the article in OP). The only way they were going to add these features was to find a way to offset the server costs they would need to add to support them (with development costs on top of that but infrastructure costs alone justify this).

I do not believe we are looking at a question of do they offer these web-features as paid DLC or free, I think it is more do they offer them as paid DLC or not at all. A VERY small % of consumers (if any) will buy the game strictly because of these particular features, so considering the additional costs to support them these features are a money pit. Without recouping some money on them, what possible motivation could EA have to add them in?

Yes, EA has to improve the product each year to keep consumers interested, and (taking the "business" part out of it) just as payback to their loyal fanbase. And they have done that with dozens of new features this year that you get right out of the box for your $60. The key is that the costs to develop those features end the day the game goes gold (with the exception of possible future patches, but that is just part of every game's life-cycle these days). HDR isn't going to keep costing them money after the game is gold so there is no added costs for it.

I can understand the argument about alternate uniforms and similar items (although I personally don't use them so have no real care one way or another on those), but the web-enabled features I have no problem with the added charge, and I don't believe we get those features without the charge so if I have to choose between $7 or not having the feature at all I'll pay.

Well stated sir

[kbmnm247]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

According to...well everyone if you read magazines and websites, LOL. The cost of game development is to the point where DLC is going to be what (possibly, if it works) prevents the prices of games going up to $64.99 or $69.99. As has been stated, the price of games has generally stayed about the same for the last 30 years or so (around the $50 mark) whereas the game industry has changed from being a couple hundred thousand dollars and 3 programmers working in a converted garage making a game to a virtual city of hundreds working on a game with a budget in the millions.

The price went up to $60 per game from $50 IIRC during this jump to next-gen (360 & PS3). Gameplay quality went down compared to older games, specifically the ones you were talking about on NES, SNES. And you think the budgets went up for no reason? They went up because the gaming industry blew up, what was once for just children or geeks is now marketed and purchased by children, young adults and mature adults as well. If you think the revenue for these games hasn't increased at the same or a better rate than what they are spending on these games then you are insane. That is a LAME excuse. Basically you are saying games should be or will be $64.99 + (without DLC) because magazines and websites say it. They say it because that's what the gaming companies want to perpetuate through the media.

Hopefully the DLC works, but if the DLC doesn't work then you can expect game prices to go up, probably to $69.99 starting with the next generation of games. So for all you folks out there who find this sort of thing repugnant and hope it fails, well be prepared if it does that everyone will simply be paying more and the choice of whether you think $2.99 for web services for a college football game is worth it or not won't be a choice at all anymore, you will pay more even if you don't use all the extra features such as this.

If you don't think next-gen games will be $70 no matter what happens with DLC then I have some land to sell you on Mars.

[quote]

[coogrfan]

Re: New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

But to be fair all of EA's DLC with the exception of the $15 for commishs to host multi OD, have be very reasonable compared to the rest of the industry.

Note that the cost for this will drop for NCAA 12 to $6.99 (up to 5 OD's, includes both the advance OD and sim online entitlements).