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Does EA care about loyal players?
sims2freak737
Posts: 2,543 Member
I'm sure this is an unpopular opinion but after the recent re-branding and addition of paid for DLC into the base game from this last update, I've come to the conclusion that I don't think EA cares too much about loyal long-term fans of The Sims franchise.
They seem to be more focused on drawing in new players that will cough up more money on their product. And yes, I totally get that EA is a company and needs to make money, but they keep showing a lack of regard for people that have been with this franchise for years.
Some examples include:
1. Constantly having sales on every piece of DLC excluding the most recent release or providing the base game completely free in the past.
2. Taking content that players have paid for and giving it out for free (even 1 item is unacceptable) and yes, I get that there are apparently different color swatches, but I paid for the item itself, not for different colors that could easily be eliminated if they would just provide a color wheel in CAS and Build/Buy.
3. The team ignores older games in the franchise and things the game has provided in the past. With that whole EA play event and someone exclaiming the Sims has never played with the idea of where the land meets the ocean essentially ignoring the fact that The Sims 3 Island Paradise was a thing. It's like they sell their new content as new to The Sims and not just new to The Sims 4.
4. EA Game Changers is NOT a representation of EA's relationship with loyal players. Sure, those Simmers are massive fans, but in the end, it's a business transaction.
5. They include content from packs in other packs by changing the name and colors or dividing objects. Examples, the tombstone lights from Spooky Stuff being added in Seasons, counters from base game being "dirtied up" to release with City Living, the ball pit, slide and playground from Toddler stuff and 4 different variations of that panda stump from Toddler Stuff.
These are just observations I've made over the years and I'd love to know what everyone thinks. Please be respectful of one another's opinions!
They seem to be more focused on drawing in new players that will cough up more money on their product. And yes, I totally get that EA is a company and needs to make money, but they keep showing a lack of regard for people that have been with this franchise for years.
Some examples include:
1. Constantly having sales on every piece of DLC excluding the most recent release or providing the base game completely free in the past.
2. Taking content that players have paid for and giving it out for free (even 1 item is unacceptable) and yes, I get that there are apparently different color swatches, but I paid for the item itself, not for different colors that could easily be eliminated if they would just provide a color wheel in CAS and Build/Buy.
3. The team ignores older games in the franchise and things the game has provided in the past. With that whole EA play event and someone exclaiming the Sims has never played with the idea of where the land meets the ocean essentially ignoring the fact that The Sims 3 Island Paradise was a thing. It's like they sell their new content as new to The Sims and not just new to The Sims 4.
4. EA Game Changers is NOT a representation of EA's relationship with loyal players. Sure, those Simmers are massive fans, but in the end, it's a business transaction.
5. They include content from packs in other packs by changing the name and colors or dividing objects. Examples, the tombstone lights from Spooky Stuff being added in Seasons, counters from base game being "dirtied up" to release with City Living, the ball pit, slide and playground from Toddler stuff and 4 different variations of that panda stump from Toddler Stuff.
These are just observations I've made over the years and I'd love to know what everyone thinks. Please be respectful of one another's opinions!
46
Comments
But to be honest, I am glad they’re giving more content for free or reduced prices. Sure it’s lame that I purchased content I didn’t need to, but honestly they need to fix their pricing on this game. I purchased everything for my computer using the bundle system, and it still was outrageously expensive. So if new players get to enjoy the content at a lesser price, I’m ok with that. I want them to be able to spend less. And tbh, I want EA to earn less for the content, because it is not worth what they charge.
The Sims is crazy expensive! I'm all for having sales but I always find it frustrating that they don't include the newest pack released. They're more than happy to provide discounts on packs that I'd assume any loyal fans to the franchise have already purchased. I will be the first to admit though, I have not and will not ever pay full price for a Sims 4 game.
I want to clarify though that Island Living isn't something I'm dying to have right this second. Just want to make sure it doesn't seem like a bitter reason to include that on my list.
I'm not in a personal relationship with the company so I don't need their personal care.
A smile is the prettiest thing you can wear
Time enjoyed is never time wasted
I think it can be dangerous to say players feel entitled. Players are passionate about this game, myself included, and it's hard to watch as your favorite franchise appears to be taking steps backwards. I am glad that there are players out there that are happy with whatever content they release but I feel it's always us long-term fans that take issues when they create watered down packs compared to those we've received in the past.
You're not in a personal relationship with the company but you are still a paying consumer. The company needs consumers, consumers don't need the company. There's already another life simulation game out there being developed by an independent creator so The Sims franchise may have upcoming competition.
On the sims side of things, I do feel like they at least try? They barely acknowledge our wants and it doesn't feel like they're listening most of the time. But they've made efforts to try and communicate and have fun with us. They're completely out of touch with the community (there's a reason why the "Do they really listen?" thread has been going four months strong), but they try to make us happy. Though I do feel like they're focused on courting one demographic of fans over the other. Even before the revamp (which could have been an EA mandate idk), it was clear that, while they wanted to make as many people as possible happy, they have a new target audience in mind.
The Sims 4 hasn't introduced a new musical instrument since 2017
I’m starting to think that if they didn’t bring new players on they wouldn’t sell any DLC. They have distributed more base games for 4 than any other and their money making potential is higher than it’s ever been. Yet we still see minimal effort and a complete disregard to appease players who have been more than patient with them and more than clear on what they have been wanting for this game. The cracks in the floor are starting to show and they figure it’s best to just focus on people who don’t/won’t notice.
They will toss something neat our way when their sales dip and they need good looking numbers. Happens every time.
I saw a video on Paralives' building system yesterday, it's looking quite good to be honest. It seems to have a lot of potential (the building aspect, I didn't see any gameplay). EA needs to step up their game.
Literally.
I still like The Sims; it's just that they have a lot of questionable practices that I don't care for that much
Race Against the Clock: Can your elder sim turn back the clock before their time runs out?
Seems if any stepping up is needed - it needs to be Paralives - as EA has already proven themselves with 20 years of the Sims. Try comparing when Paralives has 20 years under their belt - Maybe they ought to at least get to the finish line and distribute the goods before you go patting them on the back. They are not the first in a long line of those who tried and failed to deliver a decent life simulation game over the last 20 years - keep that in mind. Seems like they are all good until it comes to the process of finalizing and delivering. Then you can harp when they can at least do that and it excels what you have had for the last 20 years. Means not a darn thing - just in production...
"Games Are Not The Place To Tell Stories, Games Are Meant To Let People Tell Their Own Stories"...Will Wright.
In dreams - I LIVE!
In REALITY, I simply exist.....
And in that 20 years build mode has stayed pretty much the same. A few gimmicks or upgrades here and there, but you are still building on a fixed grid with the same general mechanics.
Not saying that isn’t a winning formula, but this other game is trying something different. Sometimes different is cool, and other times it’s not. No reason to step on this indie dev for trying something different because EA has kept the same basic idea of build mode for 20 years.
I get what you mean. Sometimes there is a lot of negative commentary on the forums and it can be irritating. But at the same time, it’s good that consumers do speak up about their concerns — even if EA doesn’t always implement the requested changes. I think they do listen, but there are restraints that we aren’t aware of as consumers.
It just frustrates me sometimes that this game is so ridiculously expensive, yet the quality is lacking in many places. Obviously I should just stop buying new content and take my business elsewhere. But it’s fun enough to be able to ignore the bugs, as long as I’m purchasing most content on sale.
They're indeed only in production yet it already looks quite good. I never said "it is an amazing new game,everyone buy it when it's out", I said it seems to have a lot of potential. Not exactly patting on the back as if the creators are heroes, now is it? Besides what has EA proven lately? How much bugs they can put in a game and how they can ignore the bugs if they give the customers some free objects? Just an example, restaurants are a disaster for quite some players even though they've payed for a pack called Dine Out. Another example, some paying customers can't use the careers that are the center of a pack they bought called Get To Work.
EA needs to step up their game because it might be possible some competition is on the way. And no, I never said "the competition has arrived!". Not in my first post and not in this one. I have only insinuated that it's a possibility, nothing more and nothing less.
Please don't create your own narrative with my words.