You All Realize EA's Smack Talk Is Part Of The Plan, Right?

So everyone has been jumping on EA's back after the company took a big jab at Activision, hinting that Call of Duty might end up like former mega-blockbuster franchises Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk.

Some are accusing EA of starting a flame war between publishers, which is being called very unprofessional. Others say Activision deserves all the flak it gets, regardless of the two shooters in question (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3). Furthermore, one can bet that such a war of words is only going to escalate over the coming months. But with all the editorials and opinion pieces, and all the knee-jerk gamer reactions, everyone is acting like they're surprised. ...why?

If this is a race, EA is behind. And in fact, going strictly by sales numbers, there's really no way their horse can win, even if it ultimately wins the review score war. But of course, EA will be happy if they steal away a few die-hard CoD fans and if they wish to one-up Activision, it'll take time. And one of the best ways to put your game in the limelight...? Yeah, you guessed it. EA is going to keep taking jabs at Activision because it erupts in a series of headlines, which in turn plasters the name of BF3 all over the Internet. And you know, it almost doesn't matter if the mud-slinging reflects badly on EA. They need to play catch up.

I think my first reaction when I saw Brown's scathing words was, "well, they've started. I'm a little surprised they didn't start with the heavy punches a few months ago." Expect more of it. And don't be surprised. This campaign is just getting started and the lagging contestant needs to make some waves.

Tags: ea, electronic arts, battlefield 3, bf3, activision

8/21/2011 9:32:40 PM Ben Dutka

Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter

Comments (57 posts)

Toggle Scrolling | Reload Comments

LimitedVertigo
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 9:56:17 PM
Reply

The MW series offers casual gameplay and allows for those that generally aren't that great at FPS to excel and thus it attracts a lot of people. If BF3 is anything like BF2 (which it will be) it's going to take a lot of dedication and there will be far more "hardcore" players competing online.

Because of this I don't see BF3 doing anything close to the sales MW3 will have but oh well. I commend EA on going after the MW series, if you care about the quality of gaming you should too.

6 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 9:59:31 PM

Maybe some of the more level headed CoD players that got into the series with Modern Warfare 1 are ready to grow up and move into something more adult you know?

4 up, 2 down

LimitedVertigo
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 10:02:31 PM

I don't know...seems like the typical MW gamer I know doesn't play much of anything else and when they do it's Halo or Gears. Several of my friends have gone to the midnight releases of MW at the local Gamestop and they're terrible at 99% of the games I throw at them.

3 up, 0 down

CharlesD
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 11:32:43 PM

I am a fan of both COD and the Battlefield series and certainly do not have a limited ability as far as other games go (not sure when your skill in any given game started to matter anyways...) I have a large collection and play games ranging from puzzlers to shooters. And to say Battlefield takes more skill and applies exclusively to the hardcore seemingly based on its lesser following simply is not true. I would like to know why exactly you think Battlefield is the tougher game. I find that they are equally as challenging and only require changing up your play style. (which does not make it harder)

@World- stating that because a shooter is more of an arcade style makes it a kids game is... well, stupid. There are thousands of arcade style games that myself and thousands of others who consider themselves avid gamers rather enjoy. I find it insulting that just because I am not seeking the most realism possible in every title I purchase means that I am not "grown up"

Last edited by CharlesD on 8/21/2011 11:33:42 PM

8 up, 4 down

Jdogtoocool
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:02:17 AM

Controversy creates cash ;)

nuff' said

3 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:19:42 AM

By "grow up" I actually meant expand their horizons, and by adult I meant more complex, realistic, etc. Though it is a generalization, simpler gameplay is very well received by youth, as they are generally into instant gratification. That does not, however, imply that, in general, the actual flesh and blood people who play CoD are always immature in nature.

In any case, it wasn't my intent to offend.

5 up, 3 down

FM23
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:20:01 AM

@CharlesD...My man, you make a valid point. NFS Most Wanted is the best racing game I have ever played, but it isn't Gran Turismo style racing now is it. That shouldn't matter, its the fact that I enjoy it like you said. At the end of the day, all these games are nothing but games. Remember, people on here really don't like CoD for one reason or another.

But at the same time, World is right. LV has a point too, I have alot of friends who only play CoD...and nothing else.

Last edited by FM23 on 8/22/2011 12:21:43 AM

5 up, 1 down

CharlesD
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:32:25 AM

I do understand this is exactly the point, to create controversy and get Battlefield name mentioned more often. I am not trying to perpetuate the publicity stunt, just found these comments more than a little strange.

2 up, 2 down

CharlesD
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:54:58 AM

I've never seen somebody go out and buy a system and then only buy one series of games. The shooter genre specifically maybe. And why is that everybody hates the COD fans? Granted the vast majority are screaming little kids or obnoxious adults and people who in general are idiots. I get that. But surprisingly you will find people on there that have an interest in games in general and aren't blithering idiots. In fact Half-Life and COD Classic were some of the first games I ever played. They got me interested in the world of gaming and since then have expanded my horizons quite considerably. There are many people who will eventually wish to explore new styles and at some point become supportive of the exclusive series that we support today. The vast popularity of the franchise will bring more mainstream people to realize the amazing depth of experience that games have to offer and in the end be the ones which make the decisive move to make gaming more well known and accepted than it is today. They very well could be the ones who bring gaming to the next level (due to more funds to companies that produce quality titles). The 70% of others may stick with their single set course of shooters and that's fine, they can stay there. As far as I'm concerned they can only help the industry.

I'm not trying to make this into a huge argument just speaking my mind.

*covers face for the onslaught of vegetables and other various items about to be hurled in my direction*

5 up, 2 down

aaronisbla
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 2:37:13 AM

from my own experience, Battlefield games are a step up as far as challenge goes. its not extremely hard to play, but CoD games are just plain easier for a lot of shooting gamers to play. Honestly, it takes more skill to play Battlefield games, considering that some of the vehicles like helicopters aren't super easy for a novice to use on first try

I know quite a few gamers who only have a system for certain games, just about all of my friends that i know personally that play CoD, only play CoD. When they try to play other shooters, they tend to do horribly at it. Meanwhile i can dip into a CoD game and go into a great groove with no problems, but they don't hold my attention like it use to. After CoD4, it just tended to get worse in my opinion.

I guess my taste in games has moved up a bit. Got tired of the same game, year in, year out with little improvement (in some peoples opinion, no improvement or a backtrack in quality) offered. If thats what you like though, play it.

Last edited by aaronisbla on 8/22/2011 2:39:59 AM

4 up, 0 down

Fox hounder
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 6:10:04 AM

@Jdogtoocool. Haha, just like the eric bischoff book, i remember that.

0 up, 0 down

CharlesD
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 3:07:45 PM

@ World

So then the statement basically remains the same. Because I am not interested in hyper realism in all the games that I pick up then I'm apparently just too immature. CoD just isn't complex and in depth enough for me to enjoy and be considered a true "grown up" gamer in whatever sense of the phrase. And how is that a blanket statement like that doesn't cover most every person who happens to enjoy CoD (due to their inferior choice of those simple arcade shooter games.)

@aaronisbla

If you were to put four days of gameplay into both CoD and Battlefield I doubt you would see much of a difference if any in the overall learning curve. Most new CoD players cannot jump and easily acquire a 10 killstreak or know the best application of each class of weapon along with an effective overall loadout for they style of match you are in. As for Battlefield, the average person isn't going to pilot and effectively fly helicopters their first try. They both have a learning curve and it depends on your standards. If you want to play a match of Call of Duty and be happy somewhere in the middle or never hitting prestige (or at least taking a year to do so) then that's fine. But overall I just don't see how Battlefield is so much more difficult and advanced.

I'm done with the topic. Congrats EA for effective mud slinging.

Anyways, enjoy the next show!

1 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 4:53:53 PM

You don't understand, so I'll just leave it at that.

1 up, 0 down

CharlesD
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 @ 11:39:59 AM

@ World- You inability to explain may be the root of that...

Other wise your great ways of knowledge allude me oh infallible one.

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 9:58:17 PM
Reply

Of course I knew that, the timing is what is important when it comes to this flame war and I think EA has had impeccable timing. Starting this a few months ago would have left enough time for people to turn against them, that won'nt happen now it's too close to ultrahype time.

What I'm excited about the most, even though I don't care about these games, is that when it comes to the review scores we will see the media fanboys expose themselves as the troglodytes they are.

4 up, 2 down

FM23
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:22:21 AM

Couldn't agree more.

0 up, 0 down

Killa Tequilla
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:48:28 AM

The internet should shut off for a week, let the fanboys calm down a bit.

0 up, 0 down

Jed
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 1:56:41 AM

Ok, so I did have to look up the word "troglodytes", but I agree.

2 up, 0 down

NoSmokingBandit
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 9:58:27 PM
Reply

I think the internet would explode if BF3 outsold MW3.

I hope it happens. Not because i dislike MW3, i just like watching conflict, and this would be hilarious.

7 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 10:03:33 PM

Lol, if we lived near each other I think we'd be best friends. I too enjoy watching conflict and especially the misfortune of others. I'm nearly 30 and poo dollar still cracks me up.

4 up, 0 down

Jdogtoocool
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:18:01 AM

MW3 is on the verge of breaking sales records once again so I wouldn't bet on it getting out sold mate

3 up, 5 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 2:54:58 AM

Conflict: better than getting along.

0 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 9:59:42 AM

Me too NSB:

What can I say? I always cheer for the Underdog!

1 up, 0 down

ZettaiSeigi
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 10:15:12 PM
Reply

Regardless of smack talk being part of the plan, it still doesn't change my personal opinion of finding it rather low. I guess it's never really easy to be a class act, eh?

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 10:25:23 PM

Not if you want to make any money in this world. ;)

7 up, 1 down

ZettaiSeigi
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 10:29:22 PM

Publicity does get you there, so I'm sure you're right on that part. LOL But at least there are still some studios out there that produce excellent games without the need to resort to that, and they were successful too. Though we're not talking sky-high sales there.

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:53:07 AM

Money makes the world go round, and nothing makes money like unnecessary drama. But then, the drama brings in money so it necessitates itself doesn't it?

1 up, 0 down

GuyverLT
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 10:24:13 AM

Eh, a little trash talking never hurt anyone... No different from being at a Football(american) or Basketball game.

0 up, 0 down

Danny007
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 10:41:19 PM
Reply

EA didn't need to say anything. They're the little guy and Activision is the big guy. No matter how big of a fight the little guy puts in, they're still going to lose unfortunatly.

1 up, 0 down

Dancemachine55
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 10:45:03 PM
Reply

Still makes it unprofessional, and childish in my eyes.

I'm still getting Battlefield 3 on PC, perhaps later rather than sooner.

Have no care for MW3. Even though many of my friends are begging me to get it to play with them, I told them to join me on Battlefield 3 on PC if they wanna play with me.

I'm really burnt out on shooters, especially CoD. If my friends wanna play multiplayer with me, they can join my game. I'm sick of joining theirs.

4 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 11:32:37 PM

That's the way to put it.

4 up, 0 down

BIGRED15
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 11:04:59 PM
Reply

Mudslinging like any political campaign any race between two ends of a market share, its part of sales, and fundamental business practices you can advertise all u like, part of sales, is showing why ur product is superior. BF3 is still worthy of d1p for me,

I really don't doubt that activision will run cod into the ground. Activision has never given me one indication that the give a damn about the consumer or gaming as an art. I don't invest my money in those kinds of businesses. If anything, Ea has maybe opened a few eyes with their jabs showing how antivision really operates

0 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 11:35:38 PM
Reply

I'm not complaining about this at all, last COD game I played was W@W, still play online with MW1 too. And u know what game I'm going to choose.

Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 8/21/2011 11:38:01 PM

2 up, 0 down

Killa Tequilla
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 11:50:53 PM
Reply

The only people screwed here are the ones who love both Mw3 & BF3 & will buy them both day 1.

What will you play?

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:21:49 AM

I'll still be playing White Knight Chronicles II so...

0 up, 1 down

Jdogtoocool
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:22:49 AM

I don't think there's many gamers out there who would get both titles unless they're die hard FPS lovers and don't playing any other genres

0 up, 1 down

Killa Tequilla
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:44:06 AM

The 1st game I ever played online is CoD4, yet I played every single CoD. I will most likely buy both BF3 & MW3. I cant start the MW franchise & not finish the story, no. There is a story that its being told & I must finish it. I wont finish it if I dont get MW3 right? Since I pretty much mastered CoD in MP, i will be playing BF3's MP & not CoD's.

@World I've never heard of such a title, what is this you speak of?

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 12:51:33 AM

Its a relic, a japanese RPG. I know it sounds crazy, but I love those.

0 up, 0 down

ZettaiSeigi
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 2:07:34 AM

In that case I love some of those relics too! ;)

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 10:02:03 AM

@World
You'll have to add me and Highlander. We've been questing up WKC1 lots over the past month or so. We'll both be getting WKC2 on day 1.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 1:28:20 PM

I've got Highlander, what's your PSN?

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 3:10:54 PM

Same as the name! Underdog15.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 4:57:28 PM

Friend request incoming.

0 up, 0 down

gangan19
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 1:45:10 AM
Reply

It's only because of kill streaks people like call of duty, so you can really blame a person if they think the game is good or not, if they enjoy playing it so let it be.

Battlefield is an all around great multiplayer game to play with out any kill streaks, but has the occasional camper or campers just like call of duty.

In my opinion the call of duty is a good game multiplayer, be it if your a noob tuber or a camper.

It's the players that make the game not the game

0 up, 0 down

DazeOfWar
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 1:51:03 AM
Reply

I will be putting my money towards BF3 and COD may get a rental for the campaign. BF3 in my opinion will be a better overall game and I think EA knows that. It's just that COD has so many followers that don't want to try anything else cause that's all they know. My kid was like that with Halo and now COD. He always says he wants to try something else but then just goes back to the same old crap.

1 up, 0 down

___________
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 3:38:08 AM
Reply

what plan?
to make people hate them, and not buy any more EA games?
yea, thats a fantastic plan you got going there!
EA are doing to themselves exactly what dans fat mouth did to forza 3.
he spoke so much sh*t about his game, and GT5, that so many swore of buying it.
now EA are doing the same to themselves!
as ive said a billion times if john was in any other industry he would of been fired years ago!
just proves the stereotype that gamers have such low maturity which has been proven to me time and time and time and time and time and time again here!

0 up, 2 down

XENOS
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 9:23:33 AM
Reply

When COD4 came out it was a great game plus the servers was decent. Now the quality of the COD series have considerably dropped. I know some of you may agree that black ops was the worst in have the series. I really wasn't impressed with the MW3 trailers, its the same old engine granted a few tweaks here and there but its essentially the same sh*t in a different coating. When BFBC2 came out I was impressed by the realistic shooting aspect and demolition of buildings and any type of vehicle you possessed. The fact that actual teamwork would win the game and not on the premise of getting a 35-1 K/D like COD.

Battlefield 3 looks amazing and can't wait to get my hands on it and play with actual teamwork. Mw3 looks rehashed in quality and gameplay looks non-existent in length of trailers. Unless Mw3 brings something thats revolutionary to the FPS genre which is unlikely then for now can continue to be just a routine generic shooter

0 up, 0 down

___________
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 9:46:38 AM
Reply

cant believe EB have dropped the price of the ps3 again!
now its 300 bucks!
now its a full 100 bucks cheaper then the vita, how the hell are $ony going to justify that!?

0 up, 4 down

Underdog15
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 10:03:25 AM

this is old news.

0 up, 1 down

DazeOfWar
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 11:12:06 AM

Where have you been? Sony dropped the price $50. It is now $250 the same price as the wifi only Vita.

0 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 1:28:53 PM

They will justify it this way: PS3 is 5 years old.

0 up, 1 down

___________
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 @ 9:26:03 AM

hows it old news if it was only announced a few hours ago?
so what its 5 years old?
so a 5 year old ferrari is worth less then a brand new kia is it?
having a handheld 100 bucks more then a console is just ridiculous!
no ones going to spend 400 bucks on a vita when they could buy a 16GB iphone 4 for that price.
a ps3 WITH 4 free games, a HDMI cable, a 2nd DS3 controller, and a bluray remote with play TV.
or a 250GB 360 with kinect.
or a ipad 2.
i thought they would of learned their lesson with the ps3 and psp go.
hey, everytime we release a system it sells poorly.
hey, i know how to fix that, lets just do it again that ought to solve it!
sigh.
thick as a mule does not even start to describe it!
look what happened to the 3DS, the most returned piece of hardware in history!
1 because its so dam overpriced which is why they had to drop the price only after a few months of release.
then the whole health scares with 3D.
i just cant see people spending 400 bucks on a vita, FAR too much!
especially for a system that does not have any on board memory!

0 up, 1 down

FullmetalX10
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 11:43:09 AM
Reply

I went to Gamescom last Friday where I got to test out Battlefield 3 on the PS3 and I was disappointed.
The graphics were less than I had expected and since EA has been doing nothing but brag about their graphics I had expected better, even though it was on Playstation and not on PC, now I know MW3 won't look better, but I didn't expect COD to have great graphics.

Not that it matters to me, because I'll be busy with Ico/SotC, Dark Souls, then Uncharted 3 and then most likely Skyrim(if it gets a 9+ review here).

Anyway, Gamescom was awesome and the Uncharted 3 multiplayer looked alot better than when I played the beta a couple of weeks back, very glad they upped the graphics, not that I expected less from Naughty Dog :D

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 1:29:37 PM

It's a multiplat, by definition it can't look better than the 360 version.

0 up, 0 down

KNG201
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 4:44:13 PM
Reply

we was all cod fans at one point or another. so why hate something you use to like? before this internet thing and devs opening their mouths nobody cared what game was what or too much on who was making it. we all just picked up the controller and played. I like cod...but not recently (w@w,mw2,blk ops..smh) never played battlefield but I like what I see. so I will buy b3 on day one. cod needs to step it up.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 7:54:36 PM

"We was all COD fans at one point or another."

.......yeah, if you're under the age of 18.

1 up, 1 down

bluedarrk
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 6:51:04 PM
Reply

BF is more for hardcore gamers not the casual gamers. That's why CoD sells so well because it appeals to the casual gaming market. The casual gaming market is 100x bigger. EA can think that CoD will die like Tony Hawk or Guitar Hero but unless they make a casual fps shooter it won't happen. The casual gaming market is growing hence the reason CoD outsells itself every year and its basically the same game each year. BF3 will take sales from CoD but it will be the hard cord gamers they lose. CoD will get more and more casual gamers.

1 up, 0 down

Please login or register to leave a comment.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories cheats	PSP
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas cheats	PS2
Super Puzzle Fighter II HD Remix cheats	PS3
Guilty Gear X2 cheats	PS2
Portal 2 cheats	PS3
Nascar 06 cheats	PS2
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 cheats	PS3
Full Auto 2: Battlelines cheats	PS3
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga cheats	PS3
San Francisco Rush cheats	PS1

Do you plan to buy a PlayStation Vita this year?
	Yes, I'll definitely get one in 2013.
	No, but I'll get one eventually.
	No, I have no intention of buying the Vita.
	No, I've already got one.

Playstation 3

Playstation 4

PSP

Playstation Vita

Playstation 2

Playstation

Other

PSX Extreme

Site Stats

You All Realize EA's Smack Talk Is Part Of The Plan, Right?

Comments (57 posts)

Leave a Comment

Latest Updates

Popular Cheats

Recent Reviews

Recent Previews

Popular Sections

Extras

Sponsor

Our Poll

Resident Evil: Revelations review	PS3
Metro: Last Light review	PS3
Zombie Tycoon II: Brainhov's Revenge review	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon review	PS3
Star Trek: The Video Game review	PS3
Injustice: Gods Among Us review	PS3
Dead Island: Riptide review	PS3
Defiance review	PS3
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 review	PS3
Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel review	PS3

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified preview	PS3
Time and Eternity preview	PS3
Ride to Hell: Retribution preview	PS3
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger preview	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon preview	PS3
Spartacus Legends preview	PS3
Payday 2 preview	PS3
DUST 514 preview	PS3
Dynasty Warriors 8 preview	PS3
Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness preview	PS3