New Features Aren’t All Free in NCAA Football 12

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by kbmnm247

Thanks for a logical and intelligent response and post. I finally feel like I am dealing with a grownup in here and I agree with all that you posted. I still think EA went to them first, wanted exclusivity and said look, we'll pay you $XXX million for it. It's only smart for the NFL to then turn around and go to the other companies to see what they could/would pay for it and no one else could match EA because of reasons you stated and I agree with. I also tend to agree the NFL might be fine with EA having it because the NFL is obviously making bank off of it and owning EA. But since the NFL gaming market is so huge EA is making bank off of it too, and who gets shafted in all of this? The consumer. THAT is precisely why I am upset about the type of release day DLC EA is selling us.

Like I said, I pretty much know the NFL approached them, and it does follow their pattern of behavior.

I don't think anyone like exclusivity in the video game market. I buy it every year, but I generally don't end up playing Madden very long. I will say I have enjoyed NCAA the past couple of years.

Imo, given the way the game market has gone, exclusive license or not, I think you'd be seeing this type of DLC anyway. If 2k was still making football games, EA would still be charging for extra features.

I don't have a problem with this DLC (although I'd prefer it to be free obviously) because it's not required to play the game. It's something that allows me to manipulate my OD outside of the framework of the console game. Companies in every industry are looking for new revenue streams. To me this is like paying for an extra option on your car. If you don't want it or it's not that important to you don't buy it.

Maybe it's just me, but I just don't see how you can tie this issue to licensing deals. They are unrelated imo.

[kbmnm247]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkrich83

Maybe it's just me, but I just don't see how you can tie this issue to licensing deals. They are unrelated imo.

They aren't necessarily tied. But it makes situations like this get more serious than they would be if there was competition because, as many here have said, "just speak with your wallet and don't buy the game". If there was another NCAA and I wasn't happy with a charge like this I would buy the other game. The way it is now, I can't.

In the same vein with your mention of the extra options in the car... what exactly are we entitled to with our $60 payment each year? Why didn't they charge last year for the computer portion of the Online Dynasty?

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by kbmnm247

They aren't necessarily tied. But it makes situations like this get more serious than they would be if there was competition because, as many here have said, "just speak with your wallet and don't buy the game". If there was another NCAA and I wasn't happy with a charge like this I would buy the other game. The way it is now, I can't. In the same vein with your mention of the extra options in the car... what exactly are we entitled to with our $60 payment each year? Why didn't they charge last year for the computer portion of the Online Dynasty?

To be fair there's never been a viable option to go to for an NCAA game.

Last year you didn't have the extra options they are offering this year for the computer portion.

[kbmnm247]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkrich83

To be fair there's never been a viable option to go to for an NCAA game. Last year you didn't have the extra options they are offering this year for the computer portion.

But there was a computer portion, correct? What makes all of that information so cheap for the servers but the ability to advance my week costs $3 per online dynasty? Why is FIFA UT web app free? That's where my questioning of this charge comes into play. I can't possibly see this causing more server bandwith or stress than the Fifa UT and the NCAA OD do/did.

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by kbmnm247

But there was a computer portion, correct? What makes all of that information so cheap for the servers but the ability to advance my week costs $3 per online dynasty? Why is FIFA UT web app free? That's where my questioning of this charge comes into play. I can't possibly see this causing more server bandwith or stress than the Fifa UT and the NCAA OD do/did.

Why wouldn't it cause more server bandwidth? One feature basically allows you to play the game via server, which is a lot more bandwidth than any feature last year, and the other is the ability to advance, which I would assume would cause more traffic as well.

They are new features. If they want to charge for them I don't see the issue, particularly since they don't preclude you from playing the game in a manner you always have been able to before.

Do I want them to be free? Absolutely, but in the grand scheme of DLC screw jobs this ranks pretty low on the list.

[NDAlum]

To be the commisioner of multiple leagues last year you had to pay.

[NDAlum]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkrich83

Do I want them to be free? Absolutely, but in the grand scheme of DLC screw jobs this ranks pretty low on the list.

So it's a SCREW JOB!!??

I knew you would come around!!!!

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by NDAlum

To be the commisioner of multiple leagues last year you had to pay.

I think you had to pay for extra team builder slots or something as well. I didn't buy any NCAA related DLC last year and it had no effect on my enjoyment of the game.