Last month, EA caused a real stir over there on Twitter when it decided to go all 'how do you do, fellow kids' on us and start memeing. You'll probably remember that the company basically mocked people who stick to single-player games, which err, didn't go down so well, unsurprisingly! As it turns out, EA still believes single-player games are pretty important... at least it says so.
In a recent earnings call, CEO Andrew Wilson touched on a variety of topics posed by shareholder questions. When asked about growth in the single player market, Wilson had this to say:
"One, how can we tell incredible stories and two, how can we build tremendous online communities and then how do we bring those two things together. So the way — when you look at our portfolio, what you should be looking for is how are we doing that? How we build in these worlds and telling new stories, how we're developing global online communities and how we're bringing those two things together for the fulfillment of motivations."
"And what we see when we get that is one, we grow network until we grow the amount of time that plays in our network spend in and around our games. And as we think about single-player games, we think it's a really, really important part of the overall portfolio that we deliver in the fulfillment of those core motivations."
"And the way we'll plan for it over time is really just looking at our community and looking at how they're spending their time and looking at where motivations may or may not be fulfilled and we'll look to supplement that with the addition of new online games, new multi-player games and new single-player games."
Generally, it seems EA is still trying to find the right balance between single-player, multiplayer and live service within its portfolio. The good news is that single-player still seems to be a major part of that, even if the memes say otherwise.
Do you believe EA? Or will their single player offerings start to dwindle soon? Let us know your thoughts.
[source seekingalpha.com]
Comments 13
I only play single player games and if and when they are no longer made that is when my gaming hobby will come to an end.
Thankfully i have a massive back catalogue of games i can replay and dozens of games on Xbox, Switch and Sony Playstation 4 and 5 i still have not got round to.
So, basically, how can we monetize single-player games in the same way we do multiplayer and live service games?
Jog on, Andy.
Not just EA…be fair, they’re all trying to find the right balance between single player, multiplayer, and live service.
I just wish we could go back to a simpler time when they were all trying to force ‘co op’ mobile phone use into every game
I don't disbelieve EA despite what may or may not of happened in the past. Its OK for people, for companies etc to have a 'change' of opinion, a different outlook and/or strategy - especially after making 'mistakes' and dealing with repercussions.
The fact they screwed over some Studios in the past who were making Single Player games cannot be discounted either, but they have had success with Single Player games too - inc Star Wars: Fallen Jedi and its getting a Sequel. Games like Mass Effect, Dead Space and Dragon Age are in development too. The backlash from their comments, their 'previous' actions etc may well of been enough to change EA's stance and prove to them SP games are still important.
However, Actions speak louder than words when it comes to things like this. Its all well and good making such statements, but you will be judged on your actions and people won't forget about 'mistakes' in the past either. You have to keep proving that things are 'not' the same as they were 5yrs+ ago, that you have evolved and learned from those mistakes...
Problem is a get big money is in multiplayer games with MTX. I like multiplayer games but i also really enjoy single player games. We definitely need a world with both but EA is definitely chasing that cash. Hopefully a solid Titanfall 3 with a campaign and multiplayer can appease both sides.
It's a non winning game ,they release a single player game and the ones who want multiplayer are upset and vice versa , how about for games like bf release two parts, a single player game for ppl like me who love shooters but hate the multiplayer part and then also a multiplayer part for those who are only interested in multiplayer with their friends and those who like both buy both
"Generally, it seems EA is still trying to find the right balance between single-player, multiplayer and live service within its portfolio."
How about they find the right balance between good and bad games? EA hasn't released a real banger since the Dead Space era. The closest they got was Jedi Fallen Order and that was even a bit janky.
Honestly I have already prepared mentally for a possibly dull future for games in general. I'll simply end the hobby or play older games. The biggest decisions in the industry are not made by gamers.
'how we're bringing those two things together for the fulfillment of motivations.'
Tf does that mean lol by fullfilment of motivations is he referring to selling microtransactions 🤷♂️
I'm outraged for some reason. Raarrgh
God, corporate speak is insufferable.
EA can eat it! Last year was the first year in 24 that I didn't by madden and I wont again this year. I want them to make a good game Dragon age, Mass Effect whatever else. I just have no faith in them to support stuff Andromeda was a good game they just washed their hands of was it anthem they decided they did not want to fix? I just don't trust them.
I believe it since he said it to investors, usually ea didn't lie to investors, they lied to gamers instead lol.
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