EA may not monetize Anthem at launch?

Deeke · May 11, 2018

In EA's fiscal Q4'18 earnings call company CFO Blake Jorgensen might've hinted Anthem won't be monetized with live services when it launches in March 2019:

"The real issue with Anthem is the game will be shipped in the last quarter of the year, and in the last month of that quarter, meaning we'll probably have limited re-stocking of the title even if it's extremely successful."

"Since it is new IP we're being conservative in how we're thinking about it, we're very excited about the game, it's extremely unique, and I think players are going to really enjoy playing it."

"But we're careful not to put too large of a forecast in there, and clearly it will impact this year as well as next year as we not only continue to sell more into the next year but as we start rolling out the live services associated with that game,"

Source

Aokiji · May 11, 2018

I'm not holding my breath on EA launching their massive destiny clone without MTX

adj_noun · May 11, 2018

Well, that's one way to avoid getting Battlefront 2'd

Xando · May 11, 2018

He doesn't suggest it anywhere?

KarmaCow · May 11, 2018

Sounds more like it will be like every big game now with timed events and what not, not necessarily they will Forza it and hold off on the microtransactions at launch.

Deleted member 26104 · May 11, 2018

I think it will do what many games have done and launch without microtransactions and lootboxes to avoid the review backlash, then patch them in later. They get the best of both worlds - no review points deducted just for having them, then they get money from them.

Meg Cherry · May 11, 2018

Laying off MTX at launch would probably be the best move, if they actually want this game to gain an audience. Then once people are on board, start juicing.

ComputerBlue · May 11, 2018

adj_noun said:
Well, that's one way to avoid getting Battlefront 2'd

Yup, launch to great reviews, or at least reviews of a MTX free experience. Roll out MTX's a month or so later and there you go.

Falchion · May 11, 2018

I just hope whenever the MTX do come, they aren't awful.

Ukumio · May 11, 2018

I hope that they take the Sea of Thieves route where MTX (hopefully not Loot boxes) will be put in after launch and there are purely cosmetic and don't affect gameplay at all.

I also hope it has a lot more content than Sea of Thieves.

Aside from MTX, my biggest concern is actually how the game will handle DLC/Post-Launch content.

Nirolak · May 11, 2018

I think you're probably reading that incorrectly.

He more likely means that people who just buy the game aren't likely to spend a zillion dollars on the live service elements right away, and at least wait a few days to do so, pushing all that revenue into next fiscal year.

Similarly, any post launch cosmetics and the like wouldn't be out by then, nor expansions or DLC that aren't tied to the sale of the base game.

Animal Liberation Ⓥ · May 11, 2018

Nirolak said:
I think you're probably reading that incorrectly.

He more likely means that people who just buy the game aren't likely to spend a zillion dollars on the live service elements right away, and at least wait a few days to do so, pushing all that revenue into next fiscal year.

Similarly, any post launch cosmetics and the like wouldn't be out by then, nor expansions or DLC that aren't tied to the sale of the base game.

That's what I was thinking as well.

Spooky Mulder · May 11, 2018

Won't be nothing to monetize when nobody buys it

rocket · May 12, 2018

Launching the game without all the monetization carp in place yet so none of the reviews at a launch will mention them, get people to buy them under the impression there is none, THEN begin to nickel and dime them a month or two in; IS brilliant from a financial and PR pov, albeit shaddy and scummy as fuck.

Just more reason to not buy anything until half year in.

ApeEscaper · May 12, 2018

That's a smart way of avoiding reviews at launch that will dock points and be more negative due to their MTX

After all reviews are out of the way and people bought it then they can easily sneak in MTX again but it won't be much a fuss compared to if it was still in since launch

SantaC · May 12, 2018

ComputerBlue said:
Yup, launch to great reviews, or at least reviews of a MTX free experience. Roll out MTX's a month or so later and there you go.

Hasnt cod done that before? I might be wrong.

Deleted member 14002 · May 12, 2018

rocket said:
Launching the game without all the monetization carp in place yet so none of the reviews at a launch will mention them, get people to buy them under the impression there is none, THEN begin to nickel and dime them a month or two in; IS brilliant from a financial and PR pov, albeit shaddy and scummy as fuck.

Pretty much, just like destiny 1

Deleted member 5535 · May 12, 2018

It will be cosmetic lootbox by the way that they've been talking about Anthem and their non-sports titles. I'm certain of it.

Spooky Mulder said:
Won't be nothing to monetize when nobody buys it

You sure know the market.

chezzymann · May 12, 2018

rocket said:
Launching the game without all the monetization carp in place yet so none of the reviews at a launch will mention them, get people to buy them under the impression there is none, THEN begin to nickel and dime them a month or two in; IS brilliant from a financial and PR pov, albeit shaddy and scummy as fuck.

Just more reason to not buy anything until half year in.

Yup, EA is great at being evil.

Joeyro · May 12, 2018

Spooky Mulder said:
Won't be nothing to monetize when nobody buys it

The chances of Anthem bombing is non existent.

Omega.X · May 12, 2018

ComputerBlue said:
Yup, launch to great reviews, or at least reviews of a MTX free experience. Roll out MTX's a month or so later and there you go.

That would work - once. I think gamers would catch on after that...

Htown · May 12, 2018

rocket said:
Launching the game without all the monetization carp in place yet so none of the reviews at a launch will mention them, get people to buy them under the impression there is none, THEN begin to nickel and dime them a month or two in; IS brilliant from a financial and PR pov, albeit shaddy and scummy as fuck.

Just more reason to not buy anything until half year in.

It's also not a new tactic. There have been several AAA games that didn't patch in their microtransactions until after the review/launch cycle is over.

QBizM · May 12, 2018

Nirolak said:
I think you're probably reading that incorrectly.

He more likely means that people who just buy the game aren't likely to spend a zillion dollars on the live service elements right away, and at least wait a few days to do so, pushing all that revenue into next fiscal year.

Similarly, any post launch cosmetics and the like wouldn't be out by then, nor expansions or DLC that aren't tied to the sale of the base game.

Animal Liberation Ⓥ said:
That's what I was thinking as well.

Yup, me too. Can't see them passing up the chance to rope in people's spending at launch.

GarthLordOfTheSith · May 12, 2018

In other words: we don't want to anger the public at launch and tarnish the game. We'll wait till after the launch period and then introduce the predatory schemes.

DanGo · May 12, 2018

Nirolak said:
I think you're probably reading that incorrectly.

He more likely means that people who just buy the game aren't likely to spend a zillion dollars on the live service elements right away, and at least wait a few days to do so, pushing all that revenue into next fiscal year.

Similarly, any post launch cosmetics and the like wouldn't be out by then, nor expansions or DLC that aren't tied to the sale of the base game.

This. They're not saying anything about monetization plans.

TheCrackedJack · May 12, 2018

I'd suggest reading it again, because they are not suggesting what you think they are.

Lupic · May 12, 2018

GarthLordOfTheSith said:
In other words: we don't want to anger the public at launch and tarnish the game. We'll wait till after the launch period and then introduce the predatory schemes.

Pretty much this. Didn't they or another company do this with a recent launch? Good launch reviews. That's probably the primary motive.

DeeDogg · May 12, 2018

I cant believe this is a real story..
"We'll wait a little after launch to gamble you out of your parent's money, kids. We've learned our lesson"

Spooky Mulder · May 12, 2018

Joeyro said:
The chances of Anthem bombing is non existent.

Battlefront 2 didn't sell half as many as Battlefront.

Deleted member 5535 · May 12, 2018

Spooky Mulder said:
Battlefront 2 didn't sell half as many as Battlefront.

And that's not a bomb. It's an underperforming game that sold 7 million.

Ushojax · May 12, 2018

This game is their Destiny clone, of course it will be based around microtransactions. They'll probably just save the really skeevy ones for later, after they've got your $60.

kickz · May 12, 2018

ComputerBlue said:
Yup, launch to great reviews, or at least reviews of a MTX free experience. Roll out MTX's a month or so later and there you go.

Great for those that rent, enjoy and then pull out

Spooky Mulder · May 12, 2018

Nemesis162 said:
And that's not a bomb. It's an underperforming game that sold 7 million.

You know you fucked yo when you can't sell as much.

Rise of The Tomb Raider was the same

Nobody believes EAs bullshit anymore.

GenericBadGuy · May 12, 2018

According to this recent leak about Star Wars Battlefront 2 that has become true so far, EA has an entire task force dedicated to avoiding anything even closely resembling SWBF2's launch disaster.

Knight in Shining Armani · May 12, 2018

First they suck 'em in, then they unload the bullshit. They'll suck the core fans dry, count on it.

Deleted member 5535 · May 12, 2018

Spooky Mulder said:
You know you fucked yo when you can't sell as much.

Rise of The Tomb Raider was the same

Nobody believes EAs bullshit anymore.

Yeah, I'm sure that nobody believes on EA bullshit anymore (I remember hearing it for like one decade). The fact that they're the second bigger third party suggests otherwise.

btw, Rise of the Tomb Raider was a success to Square Enix both on Xone and PS4/PC.

Deleted member 12352 · May 12, 2018

Yeah, they're definitely gonna take the Forza approach here. Wait for the reviews to run their course then stick their hand up your shirt and squeeze your tit till it's purple.

Spooky Mulder · May 12, 2018

Nemesis162 said:
Yeah, I'm sure that nobody believes on EA bullshit anymore (I remember hearing it for like one decade). The fact that they're the second bigger third party suggests otherwise.

btw, Rise of the Tomb Raider was a success to Square Enix both on Xone and PS4/PC.

I'm sure that's what they told shareholders

TheGhost · May 12, 2018

May, why yes it is the month of May

Of course they will microtransactions that thing.
I'm still copping regardless.

Can't have no shortages when you buy everything digital.

Era of not Yakuza · May 12, 2018

We should make a list of ways that publishers tried to fuck us. Online Pass, Season Pass, DLC ripping off main game content, MTX, another one?

Majiebeast · May 12, 2018

Its EA and a game that has been in development for ages, this game will be monetized in the beta.

ColonelForbin · May 12, 2018

His really bums me out. I want to get excited for games and maybe even preorder to join the hype machine. But I just don't trust EA. will probably wait till first sale on the game :(

Nameless · May 12, 2018

Hopefully the content is there and the loop is satisfying. Any MTX roadmap is moot if those things don't come together. Honestly the unprecedented visuals for a Live game and the strict release window do make me a bit skeptical that there will be enough meaningful things to do that sustain players long term.

Ludens · May 12, 2018

Wolfman said:
Yeah, they're definitely gonna take the Forza approach here. Wait for the reviews to run their course then stick their hand up your shirt and squeeze your tit till it's purple.

Disgusting. My hate for EA is growing.

Fishsnot · May 12, 2018

I never understand why people still support MTX?
Vote with your wallets people, and boycott crap like this or it will never go away.

Keldroc · May 12, 2018

Spooky Mulder said:
You know you fucked yo when you can't sell as much.

Rise of The Tomb Raider was the same

Nobody believes EAs bullshit anymore.

Zero to do with anyone believing EA's bullshit, 100% to do with Battlefront 2 being a same-y sequel to a game that mainly sold gangbusters because of the Force Awakens hype train, which was unlike anything else, ever. Lucasfilm is also not considering subsequent Star Wars movies a failure because they didn't make a billion dollars domestically. The fall of 2015 was a perfect storm of Star Wars hyper and nostalgia that can't be duplicated. Battlefront 2 was always going to sell substantially less than the first, MTX or no MTX. Most mainstream consumers, the people who make games multi-million sellers, aren't even aware there was any controversy.

Anthem will be huge, whether it has MTX or not. The mainstream audience doesn't care.

BDubsLegend · May 12, 2018

Fishsnot said:
I never understand why people still support MTX?
Vote with your wallets people, and boycott crap like this or it will never go away.

I'll help you, when MTX are a good value, support long term development of the game and contain content that I enjoy I buy them. Of course every game is a case by case basis, and being smart with your money and understanding what you are buying helps.

SolicitorPirate · May 12, 2018

Anthem threads feel like they're going to be the next big 'ERA is an echo chamber that's disconnected from the mainstream' thing we'll be pointing to after the game releases.

Anyway, here are my hot takes:
- EA's CFO has commented after the BF2 controversy that the takeaway was that different consumer groups for different types of games have vastly different tolerances for MTX
- Sports games fans in particular, spend a lot on MTX and are tolerant of gameplay effecting MTX
- So called 'core' gamers who would buy stuff like BF2 and Anthem are hostile towards MTX that aren't just merely cosmetic
- Expect Anthem to have a whole lot of dances, effects and all sorts of cosmetic stuff you can buy, but nothing that alters gameplay or player power

KillLaCam · May 12, 2018

SolicitorPirate said:
Anyway, here are my hot takes:
- EA's CFO has commented after the BF2 controversy that the takeaway was that different consumer groups for different types of games have vastly different tolerances for MTX
- Sports games fans in particular, spend a lot on MTX and are tolerant of gameplay effecting MTX
- So called 'core' gamers who would buy stuff like BF2 and Anthem are hostile towards MTX that aren't just merely cosmetic
- Expect Anthem to have a whole lot of dances, effects and all sorts of cosmetic stuff you can buy, but nothing that alters gameplay or player power

That all sounds good to me

Fat4all · May 12, 2018

SantaC said:
Hasnt cod done that before? I might be wrong.

Modern Warefare Remastered i think

EA may not monetize Anthem at launch?

User requested account closure

Alt-Account

User requested account closure

User requested account closure

Alt-Account

User requested account closure

Alt-Account

User requested account closure

User requested account closure

Alt-Account

Prophet of Truth

Woke up, got a money tag, swears a lot