EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

[Steve_OS]

Is EA going away from in-game advertising? According to Edge, they might be.

"In-game advertising has not delivered the expected levels of revenue, with microtransactions proving far more lucrative for EA.

The publisher’s general manager of free-to-play, Ben Cousins, told us: “We actually aren’t getting much from ad revenue at all. The in-game advertising business hasn’t grown as fast as people expected it to.”

He points to the success enjoyed by Zynga, the publisher that has enjoyed huge revenues from microtransactions in its Facebook games, as evidence of his claim. “If you think about how fast the virtual goods business has grown in the last year or so, it’s been much quicker and become a much more reliable source of revenue."

[superbus]

So basically, 4% of the market - the whales - are running things. This is depressing, because EA has shown they are not above making it so that you cannot compete unless you microtransact. Try doing Ultimate Team in any game that has it without paying. Just try it.

The difference here is that Zynga's games are free to play. Yes, they're a terrible company that gets by solely on copying the work of other people and pretending it's theirs - "copy what they do until you get their numbers" - but you can at least play the game for free. EA's going with a microtransaction model on games that are $60 to start with, and need to be replaced yearly. No one's thinking this is a bad thing?

Oh, I'm sorry. You're all working on your overpowered Ultimate Teams. My bad.

[grunt]

Re: EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

Microtransaction in Madden is like going to the mall but having to pay $60 just to walk through the doors.

[johnnyskoods]

Re: EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

Haven't bought one thing. I was thinking of playing the 2010 season madden moments but when I saw that you had to literally purchase every scenario, I just let out a big, "COME ON, MAN!"

[Shinyhubcaps]

I find it weird that this article (especially the snippet) makes it sound like microtransactions and advertising are mutually exclusive. In reality, a company could do both, but it would make their games seem infinitely annoying. People will still buy Madden in troves, though.

I've paid for DLC in the past, but I definitely don't have enough money to do so anymore. If you're going to intentionally withhold stuff from me to get more revenue, I'll just blast your game like crazy and hope that I can prevent other people from giving the company their $60 in addition to the $5-10 I spend on adding levels or modes.

[moylan1234]

Re: EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

maybe we can get some more creative fake ads like the Triple Play series used to have

[Ronstr]

Maybe they can put them together. 25 cent Snickers bar in Madden 12?

[Cusefan]

Re: EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

Microtransaction in Madden is like going to the mall but having to pay $60 just to walk through the doors.

yea that analogy really does not work


I am of the Opinion that DLC is a good thing. Its not like you have to pay anything extra in any EA Sports game to play it, They basically charge for Cheats and Ultimate team. I really do wish they would start creating DLC that added to the game like different broadcast packages or Stadium packages. Hell if I were in Charge of EA i would have teams that created DLC like stadium packages or Changes to the game that could not be added until the following year.

That would basically allow EA to cash in on their current game but make the following years game better by having more content.

[PVarck31]

Re: EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

maybe we can get some more creative fake ads like the Triple Play series used to have

Who can forget Lobster Cola....Finally the great taste of Lobster, in a soft drink.

I would be remiss if I didn't plug "Chork".

[NYJin2009tm]

Re: EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

Who can forget Lobster Cola....Finally the great taste of Lobster, in a soft drink.

I would be remiss if I didn't plug "Chork".

I remember that! That was awesome and so funny!

[ryan36]

Re: EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

"The world's first standing room only airline..."

I remember there was a cheat code where you could hear the ads, they were so damn funny. I remember video games so much more fondly then...I think just cause I was younger...I loved LOVED triple play 99

[oneamongthefence]

Re: EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

Well you can compete in MUT without spending a dime. It just takes more time and is way more rewarding. However clever use of advertising ingame adds to it. Since its so prevalent in the real world anyway. And you can get the Madden Moments without paying for those also. As long as they make an alternative to paying for stuff I'm not too worried about it. As long as it doesn't give people who choose to buy stuff an advantage of the rest of the people its ok.

[adembroski]

Re: EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

Why are people so against companies attempting to make money?

[canes21]

Re: EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

Why are people so against companies attempting to make money?

I don't think people are against them making money. Its just frustrating to get charged an extra $10 for something that could have probably been in the game from the start. Sort of like when you have to buy a code that unlocks content already on the disk. If it is on the disk, why do we have to pay more money on top of the $60 to get it?

This is sort of off topic, but I wish EA would make their football games 2 disk sets. I don't know if its true with Madden, but the NCAA devs always say they are lacking disk space. So why not go with two disks? One with art, commentary, etc. that is installed on to your hard drive, while the other disk has all the features, modes, animations, teams, etc. The only reason I bring this up in here is because of the money relation. I know it would cost more to print off two CDs for every sale, but it would generate more sales more than likely if the game was two disks and had a lot more content.

[grunt]

Re: EA Going Away From In-Game Ads? Microtransactions Proving Far More Lucrative

Why are people so against companies attempting to make money?

I remember Madden cards during the PS2. I don't like paying for things that used to be free. I also want value when a company can put all those MT in a game but doesn't touch their franchise mode. If anyone think the profits from MT is going to the development of the game, then I have a bridge to sell.