Ian Cummings Fairwell Tweet

[GaryT531]

I'd rather see Ian stay on than hear about another three year plan with new developers. I liked Madden 11 and was excited about seeing what Ian and Phil would do with 12.

Madden 10 and 11 were the first Madden's I bought since Madden 04. I probably won't buy Madden 12 unless it has some things that I am looking for to be included that 11 did not have. So that's the spirit! I will post my thoughts on a message board!

[Only1LT]

Quote: Originally Posted by MJenness

I've heard this tired rhetoric for 3 years now....IF the words of some complete strangers on message boards "drove him to the brink" as you suggest, then Ian was NEVER the right man for the job from the beginning. I've been in charge of some large groups of people and had great amounts of responsibility in my working career. I've also had to listen to a TON of criticism and "flaming" from those that didn't agree with my way of doing things. THAT is the price you pay (and why companies compensate people of authority more generously) of being a leader, period. IF a person crumbles, stumbles or bumbles because of this, then they were not strong enough to be a leader, and change needed to be made. Personally, I don't think much of what was said here bothered Ian in the least...it only dented his massive ego a bit and because of his lack of maturity, he lashed out too many times in an immature way (i.e.- his stated feeling about people putting videos on youtube) to be taken seriously by many. On the other hand, I do not think Ian was the sole reason Madden continued to decline in sales...I DO believe he saw that to a great degree his creative hands were tied by the bigger wigs at EA, and many of his "dreams" for a better Madden were simply not gonna' happen. Anyway, stop with the Ian pity party already. He got enough money and perks to compensate any misery he CHOSE to accept when he took the job.

I also agree with much of the sentiment in this post, and have expressed it in my own way, many times.

[shmity72]

ian you did a great job. it definately coulda been worse. let's hope franchise mode gets a facelift though if it's not in 12 well...

good luck with your next endeaver.

[LiquorLogic]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cusefan

EA is doing just fine.

I'm not so sure about that; why has their stock decreased over the last several years ? Three years ago, EA's price per share was around $60; as of today EA's price per share is $19.87.

Quote: Originally Posted by rgiles36

True, but I'm going to go out on a whim and assume that you haven't had your life/family threatened b/c of some maniac customer? Has the flaming included childish name-calling? We all have expectations in our careers, things our employers and customers expect from us. But even if we are criticized, most of it is not to the extent to what he was enduring on Twitter & here. If it was my decision, the next lead-guy should avoid making himself available in the spotlight. In so many ways, it's just too much to deal with on a personal level. Not to say that Ian was some sacrificial lamb lol, but I think the whole community interaction will be a lesson learned for EA. Sure, they'll still get us involved in some ways, and comment on the forums here and there. But the days of trying to level with the community are likely over -- as they should be.

Ian brought a lot of the heat onto himself. I don't see how he could've been surprised by it. If you come out, have all this interaction with the community, tout things that are going to be in the game, and then those things are either missing, when the game is released, or they're in the game but broken or poorly implemented, you have to expect severe backlash.

[RGiles36]

Quote: Originally Posted by LiquorLogic

I'm not so sure about that; why has their stock decreased over the last several years ? Three years ago, EA's price per share was around $60; as of today EA's price per share is $19.87.

I think the lay-offs are more evident of how EA is fairing as a company. Not sure if stock price is all that indicative considering a lot of top companies have seen their stock price take a hit over the last 3-4 years.

[LiquorLogic]

Quote: Originally Posted by rgiles36

I think the lay-offs are more evident of how EA is fairing as a company. Not sure if stock price is all that indicative considering a lot of top companies have seen their stock price take a hit over the last 3-4 years.

The stock price coupled with the fact that EA shows that EA isn't "just fine."

And it's all, well maybe not all, because of the hefty licensing fee.

[adembroski]

I hate to burst everyone's bubble, but if ya'll think Ian left because you guys were mean to him, you're giving yourselves way too much credit:P

[inglip]

Quote: Originally Posted by adembroski

I hate to burst everyone's bubble, but if ya'll think Ian left because you guys were mean to him, you're giving yourselves way too much credit:P

You wouldn't know why he did leave would you? I'd be interested to know.