Get Ready, Sports Game Subscription Release Models Are Coming

[Dazraz]

Re: Get Ready, Sports Game Subscription Release Models Are Coming

I'm guessing the subscription will be $60 a year for a game that has little change other than a roster update....sound familiar!

[scottyo60]

Is anyone else tired of this subscription stuff? I finally put a $30 limit on monthly subscription. I pay $60 once for Live and $30 for EA access. Have two others that are monthly. People are going to end up spending more on all these than they would have if things were normal same ole.

[Cardot]

Re: Get Ready, Sports Game Subscription Release Models Are Coming

So if I end the subscription, do I no longer get updates?....or can I no longer play the game at all?

[GeeMonster84]

I am a bit concerned with this subscription model. Due to the fact that it is a subscription model in general because what other hidden fees are entailed in these subscriptions. For example if l am only a NBA Live fan and don't care about any other game does some of my fees go to maintenance of other game titles. Also what happens if patches end up of causing massive problems with the product are we entitled to have quick solutions to fixing problems that plague a game. Or do we have to wait until EA feels like fixing the problems, in other words whats the turnaround. Also does it makes sense to have physical copies of games anymore since paying for online copies are a bit cheaper.  Guess we should suspect more BETA BUILD games now to JUSTIFY going to subscription base products... 

[tonysnow45]

EA have been ripping off its customers for years with subpar games both sports and nonsport titles. I am sceptical on anything they say or do nowadays. Other developers can manage to put out good games each year. EA is more concerned with feedback of the "ARCADE" gamers rather than the true "SIM" crowd. 

[spoofrice11]

I don't buy each sports game every year already, since I play NBA, NFL, and NHL and like to get thru multiple seasons.

But if this is where you have to pay more than just when you buy the game that would be a problem and I would not be interested. I don't play each game enough to be paying more than once for it.

[JKSportsGamer1984]

Totally disagree with this subscription model stuff.  I don't want to have to pay a monthly fee for a freaking sports game smh.  I get that the monthly fees over a year would more than likely be equivalent to purchasing the game for $60, but it's just the principle behind it.  What if i subscribe monthly for Madden but i forget to pay one month?  That means i cant play the game?  What if they decide to lump all EA Sports titles into one subscription but I only have interest in Madden?  There's just so many scenarios that could happen that im not comfortable with.  I'm very skeptical of this.  They should make subscriptions an option but don't force it on us.   If they go this route I might have to quit gaming.  

[Skyboxer]

Re: Get Ready, Sports Game Subscription Release Models Are Coming

My main video sports game is football and there's not a FB game out tha I'd even think about doing this with.
Monthly fee to hear how "penalties, dropped passes, inaccurate throws etc..upset some so we nerfed it"

That's pretty laughable...

[PapaOso]

Re: Get Ready, Sports Game Subscription Release Models Are Coming

It's all about keeping you from owning a physical copy of the game, same as streaming music subscriptions are about preventing you from owning a physical copy of the music. More power for them, less money for you.

[pslieber]

Will stand semi-alone, but big fan of this. Ideally, it removes 75% of development costs, freeing them up to keep improving existing product via better testing, glitch removal, and continuous updates. The MMORPG model works well.
There are so many better versions of previous sports titles from earlier years, especially NHL, NBA. If only they would've had the option to make good, great, versus re-inventing the wheel for no apparent reason. The online communities can likewise finally be tamed.
If there was a flat cost per year - say $100 for all EA Sports titles - I'm all in. I state this knowing EA will no doubt require up front purchase ($60 per) for the base products in year one. 
Also, presentation is secondary to me over gameplay. As an older gamer, I'm all about sustained experience.

[Herky]

Re: Get Ready, Sports Game Subscription Release Models Are Coming

It's a pathetic attempt at a money grab and if this happens I hope it blows up in their face.

I want no part of subscription based sports games. If you are waiting on a patch/update each day that passes burns up your subscription period. Sometimes it's takes a month or two for Madden to get to where I want to play it. I don't want to wait and burn portions of my subscription or plan my subscription around when the game is "playable" in my eyes. Sometimes I use test franchises while patches are getting worked out to get a feel for how I want to do things. I want to own the game not rent it even if the rental is for a year.

This is just a stupid concept.

[Vermin]

@GeeMonster84: If you are only a fan of one of these games, say Madden, your money is already going to fund the others, like NBA Live. 

[T-Moar]

Re: Get Ready, Sports Game Subscription Release Models Are Coming

Will stand semi-alone, but big fan of this. Ideally, it removes 75% of development costs, freeing them up to keep improving existing product via better testing, glitch removal, and continuous updates. The MMORPG model works well.
There are so many better versions of previous sports titles from earlier years, especially NHL, NBA. If only they would've had the option to make good, great, versus re-inventing the wheel for no apparent reason. The online communities can likewise finally be tamed.
If there was a flat cost per year - say $100 for all EA Sports titles - I'm all in. I*state this knowing EA will no doubt require up front purchase ($60 per) for the base products in year one.*
Also, presentation is secondary to me over gameplay. As an older gamer, I'm all about sustained experience.

I'm with you. I've said for years that a single, rolling release model makes a lot more sense for sports games than an annual release does -- as it stands, previous years' versions are practically worthless anyway. I'd gladly pay $10/month for an a all-inclusive Madden/FIFA/NHL subscription, and that'd likely make more money for EA as well.

[Speedy]

Re: Get Ready, Sports Game Subscription Release Models Are Coming

I like the concept, actually.

The game can be viewed as an application that we purchase a monthly subscription toward...perhaps something like a 3 month subscription for $15 so the user can cancel if we don't like the game or continue to purchase a subscription if the game is enjoyable. I think this would better help with cash flow and help fund DLCs more than going the microtransaction way. It would also really put the onus on the developer to provide gaming that is enjoyable and force them to LISTEN and INTERACT with the community to keep them subscribed and keep that cash flow coming.

We're in a digital era now so I can see everything being software based. I'd be ok with getting roster updates or whatnot, perhaps oddly scheduled visual updates or new features added but I don't have to buy a new disk. The application is the same...kind of like Chrome, FF where it's just an update to install.

I feel like this wouldn't put as much pressure on sports games to push content for a yearly release as much and would allow them to really go for the BIG TICKET items. ...as long as there is consistent development, like Rainbow Six Seige (as an example). I'd be okay with roster updates for The Show every month and they update the graphics like in August of one year, maybe another graphic update on a stadium in October, player models updated in March, etc. So then, there is continual development and an increased incentive to continue their subscription to get this content.