Comments on: The possible changes and impact of the EA layoffs & Playfish Acquisition http://QforQ.com/2009/11/10/the-possible-changes-and-impact-of-the-ea-layoffs-playfish-acquisition/ Blog about Sam Houston, the Music Industry, Social Media, Community Management and more. Wed, 16 May 2012 19:00:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tom http://QforQ.com/2009/11/10/the-possible-changes-and-impact-of-the-ea-layoffs-playfish-acquisition/comment-page-1/#comment-14579 Tom Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:10:45 +0000 http://QforQ.com/?p=290#comment-14579 The day they start covering the mafias in Mafia Wars I am done with game journalists for ever! The day they start covering the mafias in Mafia Wars I am done with game journalists for ever!

]]> By: Jeff A http://QforQ.com/2009/11/10/the-possible-changes-and-impact-of-the-ea-layoffs-playfish-acquisition/comment-page-1/#comment-14577 Jeff A Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:27:47 +0000 http://QforQ.com/?p=290#comment-14577 While I agree that EA’s moves yesterday signaled several changes, I disagree with the assessment. It has been clear for some time that the current console paradigm is fading, and that online distribution and free-to-play content is replacing the old guard. This new round of layoffs is clearly the result of the so-called “recession-proof industry” meeting that reality. Nothing new there. Likewise, EA has a healthy casual online business (e.g., Pogo) targeting older women, so the acquisition of Playfish is a natural fit. Rather, I am intrigued that these publishers are struggling with their not-so-distant future selves. In other words, they are having a very public mid-life crisis - one which threatens the very foundation of those companies and forces them to reevaluate who they are and how they make money. As the owner of a small business dedicated to this space, I am carefully watching this public self-questioning to see how EA chooses to handle its critical cultural inflection point. Will a company that Wall Street rewards for console revenue embrace the anti-gamer while managing the inevitable cultural shift inside its four walls? As they say, only time will tell. While I agree that EA’s moves yesterday signaled several changes, I disagree with the assessment. It has been clear for some time that the current console paradigm is fading, and that online distribution and free-to-play content is replacing the old guard. This new round of layoffs is clearly the result of the so-called “recession-proof industry” meeting that reality. Nothing new there. Likewise, EA has a healthy casual online business (e.g., Pogo) targeting older women, so the acquisition of Playfish is a natural fit. Rather, I am intrigued that these publishers are struggling with their not-so-distant future selves. In other words, they are having a very public mid-life crisis – one which threatens the very foundation of those companies and forces them to reevaluate who they are and how they make money. As the owner of a small business dedicated to this space, I am carefully watching this public self-questioning to see how EA chooses to handle its critical cultural inflection point. Will a company that Wall Street rewards for console revenue embrace the anti-gamer while managing the inevitable cultural shift inside its four walls? As they say, only time will tell.

]]> By: Samantha S. http://QforQ.com/2009/11/10/the-possible-changes-and-impact-of-the-ea-layoffs-playfish-acquisition/comment-page-1/#comment-14573 Samantha S. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:11:18 +0000 http://QforQ.com/?p=290#comment-14573 As an independent developer and publisher of online sports games, we were watching EA's announcements yesterday. It will be very interesting to see how EA handles working with a new PC studio like Playfish, having closed so many in the past few years. Presumably they will roll this up into Pogo, but regardless, it was the only way for EA to get into the social gaming space. The gaming giants don't have the nimble nature or social network experience to penetrate this market without buying companies like Playfish who already have serious momentum. I'm not sure if Facebook is the right place for big publishers. It will be interesting to watch and see what comes next as you can imagine this just started a wave of future acquisitions by the big guys. As an independent developer and publisher of online sports games, we were watching EA’s announcements yesterday. It will be very interesting to see how EA handles working with a new PC studio like Playfish, having closed so many in the past few years. Presumably they will roll this up into Pogo, but regardless, it was the only way for EA to get into the social gaming space. The gaming giants don’t have the nimble nature or social network experience to penetrate this market without buying companies like Playfish who already have serious momentum.

I’m not sure if Facebook is the right place for big publishers. It will be interesting to watch and see what comes next as you can imagine this just started a wave of future acquisitions by the big guys.

]]> By: Paolo http://QforQ.com/2009/11/10/the-possible-changes-and-impact-of-the-ea-layoffs-playfish-acquisition/comment-page-1/#comment-14572 Paolo Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:42:00 +0000 http://QforQ.com/?p=290#comment-14572 I think treating social gaming as the next gold rush is similar to when Hollywood switched to reality TV. It was profitable at the expense of quality and, sadly, people ate it up. This switch signaled the beginning of very dangerous business model: produce cheap crap for increased profit and this trend scares the crap outta me. I think treating social gaming as the next gold rush is similar to when Hollywood switched to reality TV. It was profitable at the expense of quality and, sadly, people ate it up. This switch signaled the beginning of very dangerous business model: produce cheap crap for increased profit and this trend scares the crap outta me.

]]> By: Glenn http://QforQ.com/2009/11/10/the-possible-changes-and-impact-of-the-ea-layoffs-playfish-acquisition/comment-page-1/#comment-14571 Glenn Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:37:15 +0000 http://QforQ.com/?p=290#comment-14571 I think playfish are better than most in making good quality Facebook games. While they dont have many 'original' games (who does these days!) I think they make them to a high standard and have added some interesting (and slightly addictive) mechanics into the mix. EA have started expanding their current IP into the social space with a Facebook Spore game so I expect that to increase dramitically. I think the EA 'Experience' will start trying to invade all the spaces we use to hang out in, console games, portable games, facebook games and iphone games all linking together to 'enchance' our gaming. Clearly social network games are no joke, but it will be interesting to see if someone can target the 'hardcore' gamer succesfully, funny how we are now a niche audience. I wonder how a well known franchise with a good product could do in the browser space, Pokemon/Animal Crossing MMO anyone? (I wrote something about this a few weeks back that might be of interest http://www.qubemedia.net/blog/2009/09/10/social-media-is-becoming-part-of-play-time/) I think playfish are better than most in making good quality Facebook games. While they dont have many ‘original’ games (who does these days!) I think they make them to a high standard and have added some interesting (and slightly addictive) mechanics into the mix.

EA have started expanding their current IP into the social space with a Facebook Spore game so I expect that to increase dramitically. I think the EA ‘Experience’ will start trying to invade all the spaces we use to hang out in, console games, portable games, facebook games and iphone games all linking together to ‘enchance’ our gaming.

Clearly social network games are no joke, but it will be interesting to see if someone can target the ‘hardcore’ gamer succesfully, funny how we are now a niche audience.

I wonder how a well known franchise with a good product could do in the browser space, Pokemon/Animal Crossing MMO anyone?

(I wrote something about this a few weeks back that might be of interest http://www.qubemedia.net/blog/2009/09/10/social-media-is-becoming-part-of-play-time/)

]]> By: Random Guy http://QforQ.com/2009/11/10/the-possible-changes-and-impact-of-the-ea-layoffs-playfish-acquisition/comment-page-1/#comment-14569 Random Guy Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:20:05 +0000 http://QforQ.com/?p=290#comment-14569 Interesting article. To your point about facebook games being 'lame' to you - I totally agree. The thing is, I don't think we're the target demographic for games like those. Those games (farmville, mafia wars, etc) are just based on a) being addictive with compelling leveling/reward systems and b) totally viral to encourage sharing with your friends. Facebook is such a massive platform that if you can find a game that's simple enough for moms and dads to play and hits those 2 points above well, you have the chance to reach WAY more people than the consoles typically could. That being said, it could just all be a fad. Who knows. Interesting article. To your point about facebook games being ‘lame’ to you – I totally agree. The thing is, I don’t think we’re the target demographic for games like those. Those games (farmville, mafia wars, etc) are just based on a) being addictive with compelling leveling/reward systems and b) totally viral to encourage sharing with your friends. Facebook is such a massive platform that if you can find a game that’s simple enough for moms and dads to play and hits those 2 points above well, you have the chance to reach WAY more people than the consoles typically could.

That being said, it could just all be a fad. Who knows.

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