EA CEO: "I Want Us To Have The Highest Quality" Games
See Full ImageThere's no doubt that PlayStation 3 owners weren't too happy with EA in 2007, when it seemed as if every new PS3 version of a game with "Electronic Arts" on the box was a slap in the face. But EA has struggled to reclaim their lost image in 2008: they've announced they finally "caught up" in terms of PS3 development, this years 20th anniversary celebration for Madden was a PlayStation-exclusive event, and early looks at this year's sports titles are showing signs of definite improvement.
And now, EA CEO John Riccitiello has issued a bold statement that shows the company's ambition remains sky-high. According to EndSights (as taken from a San Jose Mercury report), it seems that EA is looking for the best talent in the industry...which means they'll be willing to pay: "I want EA to be the best place for creative guys in our industry to work, and I want us to have the highest quality, most innovative games," said Riccitiello. He believes that too many people in the gaming industry were too focused on the business aspect of making games, and not on the actual process of making games.
"I'm trying to actually get it shifted, so people understand that the most important thing in our company is where the programming, the art direction, the game design and production takes place. Ultimately, if we do that, we'll make the best games. If we make the best games, they'll sell really well, and we'll be really profitable."
Well, that makes sense to us; how about you? Of course, we have heard claims from EA before, and sometimes, they fall a little short of their boastful goals. Actions speak louder than words, but so far this year, there has been a lot of positive action on EA's part. They still have to earn back the respect of many a PS3 owner, but in all honesty, we think they've got a legitimate shot at it.
7/27/2008 Ben Dutka
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Comments (33 posts)
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 27, 2008 @ 10:36:19 PM
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Personally, as much as I don't like what happened in 2007, I'm giving EA the benefit of the doubt for now. We'll see what happens when the sports games get here. Also, we have to remember that Battlefield: Bad Company was a great game, and Mirror's Edge is looking both innovative and promising. I know they're done by Digital Illusions, but they ARE an EA company. So let's just hope for now.
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pavlovic
Sunday, July 27, 2008 @ 11:01:09 PM
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Tatsujin
Sunday, July 27, 2008 @ 11:19:26 PM
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geo2211
Sunday, July 27, 2008 @ 11:23:53 PM
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**************** Question ******************
WHEN WILL LIFE WITH PLAYSTATION BE OUT???
TRENTON SAID IT WILL BE READY BY THE END OF THIS MONTH
TELL ME IF IM WRONG
SRRY TO BOTHER YOU
********************************************
srry to bother you but please try to answer my question
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 27, 2008 @ 11:58:48 PM
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kj313
Sunday, July 27, 2008 @ 11:34:45 PM
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MADDEN has no other competition. There's nothing to challenge the developers. They can come out with a pile of crap and it would sell cause Football is the number one sport! Every EA sports game I have played has regressed each passing year. It got so bad that they stop production on MVP, not to mention Live gets its ass kicked every year by 2k. Lastly Ben I would like to say I'm not happy that finally PS3 owners have equal quality games to the 360. I know it takes time for the developers to get accustomed to the hardware, but that's there job! They get paid very good money to come out with high quality games. If the ps3 hardware is so more powerful, and a bluray disc so much advanced they should tap into that and blow us away not just leave us feeling content and relieved that we're getting equal value.
Call me impatient or whatever. I just feel that if u have the potential, financial backing and resources to make a Maybach, dont make a cadillac. ;-)
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Qubex
Sunday, July 27, 2008 @ 11:52:14 PM
Q!
"aLL RoadS LeAd ToO HoMe"
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 27, 2008 @ 11:57:41 PM
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 7/28/2008 12:00:07 AM
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karneli lll
Sunday, July 27, 2008 @ 11:48:25 PM
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kj313
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 12:06:47 AM
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@Ben I'm drawing most of my conclusions of Madden 09 from NCAA 09 and what I've read so far . In my opinion, It's the same thing from last year. But I'm hoping your right and not me!
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Qubex
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 7:46:26 AM
Q!
"aLL RoAdS LeAd ToO HoMe"
Last edited by Qubex on 7/28/2008 7:46:47 AM
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geo2211
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 12:17:40 AM
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this why i am registered now cuz i see you care bout site
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 12:42:40 AM
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infekt
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 12:42:21 AM
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ArtG
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 1:10:10 AM
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This is Art Green, the writer from EndSights that you reference in your article. I appreciate that you took notice of my post and referenced it in the article, but couldn't you have given a link to the site (and for that matter, to the great San Jose Mercury interview)? We're just starting out, my man, and to get a simple link would get some eyes on our site that other wise wouldn't.
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 1:22:14 AM
Different sites have different policies regarding linking and stuff, but we try to make sure the right source(s) are listed. Good luck with your site, and in the future, please e-mail me directly with this kind of thing. I'm always available. :)
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 7/28/2008 1:22:51 AM
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JPBooch
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 9:38:22 AM
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I'll have to admit that I dont play too many sports games anymore and EA games have definitely looked "corporate" for the past 10 years.
I hope they turn it around, the gaming world will benefit from their powerhouse looking to produce quality instead of quantity.
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Enfildate
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 11:46:45 AM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 11:54:40 AM
...including me. :)
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Qubex
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 9:09:04 PM
Q!
"aLL RoAdS LeAd ToO HoMe"
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NiteKrawler
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 12:29:42 PM
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Last edited by NiteKrawler on 7/28/2008 12:30:45 PM
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phade2blaq
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 2:19:26 PM
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When the PS1 came along they aligned themselves with Sony totally ignoring N64 and Sega Saturn owners with inferior games for those systems.
They continued with their PS2 titles being on average better than their titles on other consoles.
They totally shanked original xbox owners in favor of the PS2 and then lo and behold, when the 360 hit they aligned themselves with MS and their 360 titles were far superior to their PS3 titles and now their CEO is touting quality games and better design.
They appeased PS3 owners by having a Madden 09 exclusive so beware 360 owners. Seems EA is yet again flip flopping !
Great site and nice unbiased opinions on psxextreme.
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The_Chimeran
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 2:23:04 PM
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rjmacready
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 5:51:11 PM
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While 2007 disappointed, give EA a chance this year and going forward. EA has published some great games in the past for other consoles, and can more than likely do so for the PS3.
Battlefield: Bad Company was a very good game, and Madden 09 looks promising.
And for those chirping about them stopping MVP Baseball, they did so because they lost the MLB License so they couldn't make any more MLB baseball games. They still made an NCAA baseball game though.
Yes, they're first offerings on the PS3 were subpar, but I'm hopeful and would guess that they dramatically improve on this, most likely this year. Can't hurt to give them a chance (at least with a rental) instead of bashing them.
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bamf
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 9:51:49 PM
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A big sports game from EA in the UK is the FIFA franchise. If you look at FIFA 08' and 09' then look at the previous installments on PS2, there is no significant difference other than graphical improvemnts.
Ea would make better games if they took their resources away from all the sequels (and that isn't just sport titles) and concerntrated on producing good quality titles that they should spend time on creating.
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Mystearica
Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 9:53:49 PM
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PaiNT_kinG
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 @ 1:25:38 AM
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Xanavi23
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 @ 12:09:08 PM
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They can produce crap and it will sell, they have less and less to fear from other parties as time goes on as they buy out more and more Developers that can actually produce a game thats better or as good.
Quality can remain crap and EA will always make money, its "sad but true" like the song.
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rjmacready
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 @ 6:22:52 PM
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Who CARES who publishes a game?!?!?
If it's good, get it, if not, warn others and move on.
Last edited by rjmacready on 7/29/2008 6:23:24 PM
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Caballo
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 @ 7:45:18 PM
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kj313
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 @ 10:49:03 PM
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But than u have loyal NFS fans that dont want to just stop playin the series that they've been playin for over a decade. Its tough, i dont understand EA, Ive seen there facility where the developers create the games and its ridiculous. Its so luxurious and expensive that it doesnt make sense why they come out with less than par games. i pray and hope take-two doesnt fall to the"empire"!
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Scarecrow
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Sunday, July 27, 2008 @ 10:32:20 PM
Been a long time reader of psxextreme.com
Can't tell you enough how much I love the editorials here. Unlike most sites, you guys make us think 'bout more than just what's there.
Anyway on this article, EA's a sad company these days. Not only have they lost some of the best sports franchises like MVP Baseball and SSX but their NFL games becoming dull and boring.
Funny, this Riccitiello guy says all that to just end it with "if we that, we'll make the gamest. ----If we make the best games, they'll sell really well, and we'll be really profitable----"
Of course, this is just PR bullsh*t.
They just want to fuel the upcoming Madden game so that it sells on the ps3 lol