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Moosichu · Feb 8, 2014

pay to

delete if old, but I saw this on the frontpage of bbc.co.uk.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26033685

Electronic Arts is facing strong criticism over the in-app payment system in its Dungeon Keeper game.

Many said the game was "unplayable" unless they spent significant sums to speed up progress and get upgrades.

EA said it had designed the game to fit in with typical patterns of mobile play and people did not have to spend money if they did not want to.

Peter Molyneux, maker of the original Dungeon Keeper, said EA had not got the game's balance right.

There is more at the link. Consumers really do have a voice don't they?

edit: Took a screenshot, what is a recommended site to upload to display here? ( sorry about noob question )

Data West · Feb 8, 2014

They'll have a voice when it flops.

Just like SimCity.

kazebyaka · Feb 8, 2014

I wish I could smack everybody who paid even a dime on this game.

Sharp · Feb 8, 2014

Dragonzord said:
They'll have a voice when it flops.

Just like SimCity.

I doubt this game cost EA enough for them to care if it flops.

FairXchange · Feb 8, 2014

I don't even think EA cares anymore about bad press, I think they've embraced it almost. To be honest, everything they've done from Sim City's launch, BF4's launch, brokering exclusivity to MS for Titanfall, PvZ 2, Dungeon Keeper on mobile, etc, there hasn't been one example of giving the customers more value or an attempt to improve the reputation of their company.

HellBlazer · Feb 8, 2014

Hah, didn't expect the BBC of all places to pick up this story. Very cool. Maybe this will put some pressure on EA?

Probably not.

They even quote Sterling on there:

Reviewer Jim Sterling from The Escapist said the constant need for hundreds of gems undermined the game's claim to be "free to play".

"It's free to wait, but not to play anything," he wrote. "There's nothing to actually play."

<3

Occam · Feb 8, 2014

Dragonzord said:
They'll have a voice when it flops.

Just like SimCity.

Sarcasm? People still bought Cim City 2013 in droves, making EA lots of money.

tiltnkirby · Feb 8, 2014

Dragonzord said:
They'll have a voice when it flops.

Just like SimCity.

I can see it now, "You didn't buy enough gems, so it's your fault you don't get a real Dungeon Keeper."

Yuuichi · Feb 8, 2014

kazebyaka said:
I wish I could smack everybody who paid even a dime on this game.

Or for any consumer trap microtransaction. I've got no problem with them when they're done right, but EA seldom does them right.

Data West · Feb 8, 2014

Occam said:
Sarcasm? People still bought Cim City 2013 in droves, making EA lots of money.

SimCity's engine also cost EA a lot of money. If they were still making plenty, I doubt they'd be adding an offline mode. It made all that money upfront, but I'd be surprised if any of the DLC is doing well.

The Broken Ska Record · Feb 8, 2014

Occam said:
Sarcasm? People still bought Cim City 2013 in droves, making EA lots of money.

I'm sure a lot of those purchases were before all of the problems came to light.

ElfArmy177 · Feb 8, 2014

The Broken Ska Record said:
I'm sure a lot of those purchases were before all of the problems came to light.

Eh I purchased it knowing about the issues right around launch. I had 2 days where I couldn't play and then it was smooth sailing from there. Mind you I only played a few hours a day.

dark_inferno · Feb 8, 2014

Peter Molyneux, maker of the original Dungeon Keeper, said EA had not got the game's balance right.

Microtransaction is now replaced by balance.

"Guys... you didnt got it right. We need to add more Gem actions!"

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Dungeon Keeper Microtransaction, goes mainstream.

Moosichu

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