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Home The almighty dollar updates

Sarcastic Gamer boycotts EA: Asks Jim Sterling for reinforcements
4:41 PM on 04.08.2008, Jim Sterling 73 comments

Sarcastic Gamer boycotts EA: Asks Jim Sterling for reinforcements photo
     The almighty dollar

So, today our tips line has been absolutely inundated with emails from Sarcastic Gamer readers asking us to spread the word about their Battlefield: Bad Company boycott. Because I just got back from Cancun yesterday, have three games to review, and have generally been busy, I held off on posting about it until later in the day. Just as I settle down to start work on this post, however, the lovely Ms. Bennett sends me this:

Colette: lol, Jim

 
Me: What a f*cking coincidence. I was just starting to make our frontpage post on this.
It seems that Sarcastic Gamer has found my being too quiet on this issue unacceptable and has asked for my "loud and obnoxious voice" to help spread the word about the site's boycott. Sarcastic Gamer wishes to boycott EA because of its decision to sell guns as DLC in Battlefield: Bad Company. Because explaining it in further detail would require effort, I am going to let SG's Doc tell you about it:
As you know, EA has announced that it will sell additional guns for the upcoming installment in the Battlefield franchise, Bad Company. We, and tens of thousands of like-minded individuals, feel that despite EA’s assurances, this will lead to unbalanced play. We further believe that it sets a precedent for even more abusive DLC for fans of all game franchises. We have embarked on a boycott of Battlefield: Bad Company, and despite a lack of support (so far) from most major gaming outlets, have already enveloped thousands of gamers, who too are eager to stop this dangerous trend in its tracks.
We are definitely aware of Battlefield's proposed DLC, and promise to let out an almighty "WTF?" when Destructoid and EA next meet. We will most definitely share the concerns of our fellow gamers with Electronic Arts and do what we can to get to the bottom of this possibly nefarious scheme. Until then, let it be known that the notorious Destructoid community has now been made aware of Sarcastic Gamer's boycott and now know what to do if they disagree with EA's plans ... so FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP SPAMMING OUR TIPS LINE!
 
(Oh and Doc, that hot tub picture is TAME compared to some I could (and likely will) show you)

Next page: More DLC stories




Scape's Avatar
Scape at 04/08/2008 16:49
Let 'em have it at that meeting. Don't puss out.
Husky Hog's Avatar
Husky Hog at 04/08/2008 16:51
so

about the battlefield community day...
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 04/08/2008 16:54
Wait, is this boycott for all of EA or just Battlefield: Bad Company?
l0cke's Avatar
l0cke at 04/08/2008 16:54
boycott EA!

Not that hard for me to do in the first place ;)
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 04/08/2008 16:54
HATE EVERYONE ALWAYS

Thats my motto
Saccia's Avatar
Saccia at 04/08/2008 16:55
It's just a boycott of the Battlefield game and not all of EA.
flaakmonkey's Avatar
flaakmonkey at 04/08/2008 17:00
this is just another occurrence of EA being gay. I do not know why the largest game developer has to nickel and dime everyone like those other small companies who make games of similar nature only do it to make a means.

EA can die in a fire after Spore comes out.
JTHomeslice's Avatar
JTHomeslice at 04/08/2008 17:03
YES. Thank you Jim!
BlackSunEmpire's Avatar
BlackSunEmpire at 04/08/2008 17:07
This is a stupid move by EA. I'd say they would have had enough buyers refusing purchase just by announcing the gun buying policy, but now websites are getting in behind it, maybe the game will bomb, and they'll realise they fucked it up.
Timmeh's Avatar
Timmeh at 04/08/2008 17:10
With this and the EU Rock Band debauchle EA may as well just start selling parasites that attach to your wallet, eat your cash/small change and send your card details to HQ where they immediately start bleeding the unwitting buyer of every penny they have. Then the clothes off their back, sell the kids into slavery and reposses the house and car.

Actually, that sounds not entirely unlike an ex-wife. 'EA, the money-grubbing ex-spouse of the videogame industry'?
DaedHead8's Avatar
DaedHead8 at 04/08/2008 17:11
As a big fan of the console Battlefield games it saddens me to have to participate in this boycott. However I feel it's necessary. EA needs to learn that there is good DLC and then there is bad DLC, which is usually theirs.

Stop the nickle and dime business EA, you're losing support.
Silverhertz's Avatar
Silverhertz at 04/08/2008 17:12
To be honest, boycotting the whole of EA sounds like a better idea. Too long have they raked up the prices and left out content in favour of micro-transactions. What with this and the recent pricing of the EU version of Rock Band it sounds like it would be a lot more simpler just to tell the whole company to F' off until they sort it the fuck out.
Lono_Lives's Avatar
Lono_Lives at 04/08/2008 17:14
Thanks for spreading the word Jim!
TheHunter234's Avatar
TheHunter234 at 04/08/2008 17:15
I was looking forward to this game, but this is a bullshit decision on EA's part. Boycott joined.
F Whipple's Avatar
F Whipple at 04/08/2008 17:15
consider this game boycotted by me
B-Radicate's Avatar
B-Radicate at 04/08/2008 17:19
Why do people think online boycotts do anything to large companies? Speak with you WALLETS, people. DON'T BUY THE GAME. There ya go.
dv8withn8's Avatar
dv8withn8 at 04/08/2008 17:22
Cry me a fuckin' river.
Lono_Lives's Avatar
Lono_Lives at 04/08/2008 17:23
We did a pretty cool video too... check it out:
http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/2008/03/battlefield-bad-company-boycott-video.html
AgentMOO's Avatar
AgentMOO at 04/08/2008 17:26
I'm not touching this game with a 10 yard stick. Unless it has poo on the end of it.



Strangely enough, EA also has one set of DLC done right... Rock Band content.
teach4food's Avatar
teach4food at 04/08/2008 17:26
Where was the boycott when ChromeHounds had the same thing? DLC sucks for the hardcore gamer who wants to earn everything but for the casual gamer who spends $5 on a cup of coffee it is a quick way to get the prize without the effort. EA still sucks.
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 04/08/2008 17:29
@Teach
Chromehounds didn't have a lot of hype, fun game though.
lubczyk's Avatar
lubczyk at 04/08/2008 17:40
Imagine Call of Duty 4 with guys you had to buy and couldn't unlock. That would have sucked. Maps are one thing, guns and weapons are another.
Eschatos's Avatar
Eschatos at 04/08/2008 17:41
That makes sense. I shall not buy, unless it is truly amazing.
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 04/08/2008 17:42
Does this mean we will stop getting these sarcastic gamer tips? I stopped count after 10...
Klytus's Avatar
Klytus at 04/08/2008 17:51
Like I need more reasons to boycott EA....
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 04/08/2008 17:53
I was totally in on their boycott before I even knew about it. How hip am I?
NihonTiger90's Avatar
NihonTiger90 at 04/08/2008 18:10
*watches the advertising dollars flow out*

Oh, wait, EA doesn't advertise here. XD
JohnnyWadd's Avatar
JohnnyWadd at 04/08/2008 18:22
There are more important things to boycott in this world, like china its human rights record, or monkeys.


If you can't afford to buy guns as DLC then i have this to say:
POOR PEOPLE PREPARE TO BE OWNED.
Jordan Grim Devore's Avatar
Jordan Grim Devore at 04/08/2008 18:46
Thank you Jim, for now I can check my email in peace again.
Volomon's Avatar
Volomon at 04/08/2008 18:55
Hell this is freaking news to me I thought "we" (gamers) we're already boycotting EA.
jdub28's Avatar
jdub28 at 04/08/2008 19:00
Why didnt we boycott microsoft? they sold guns cars and missions in Crackdown
Bioautographical's Avatar
Bioautographical at 04/08/2008 19:12
Boycott EA? And miss the same football game every year?!
animateria's Avatar
animateria at 04/08/2008 19:13
Who cares?

Look at all the stuff EA is experimenting with.

I think they are looking for a viable way to make money off of DLC. An this is just another go at it.

I personally think this won't do good for their online community for this game. They have the right to try and consumers have a right to ignore. With many other excellent online FPSs out there, I don't see why people will want to play this.
lumberjackrock's Avatar
lumberjackrock at 04/08/2008 19:13
MS actually had a full contect update with new stuff well after it came out, probably because of popularity. EA is PURPOSEFULLY saying "you can buy shit we already have available" because they're a bunch of bitches sometimes.
Really though, I think it all comes down to us not buying the game. But if it's as awesome as they want it to be?

well shit. who wins then?
lumberjackrock's Avatar
lumberjackrock at 04/08/2008 19:16
MS actually had a full contect update with new stuff well after it came out, probably because of popularity. EA is PURPOSEFULLY saying "you can buy shit we already have available" because they're a bunch of bitches sometimes.
Really though, I think it all comes down to us not buying the game. But if it's as awesome as they want it to be?

well shit. who wins then?
jdub28's Avatar
jdub28 at 04/08/2008 19:22
i see this in the same situation as gba connectivity and horse armor. consumer were smart enough to not support it and the idea died.

i wonder how many will still be boycotting ea when our free burnout dlc comes out
Drksan's Avatar
Drksan at 04/08/2008 19:46
My last EA video game I bought was Battlefield 2. So I think I've been boycotting them for a few years now.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 04/08/2008 19:59
WE’RE STILL GETTING THE BLOODY EMAILS
gitrooman's Avatar
gitrooman at 04/08/2008 20:01
Boycott all of EA's games. Not just B:BC. Show them we really mean buisness.
Midknight's Avatar
Midknight at 04/08/2008 20:03
I wanna piss in John Riccitiello's face
Volomon's Avatar
Volomon at 04/08/2008 20:06
Does embedding work on dtoid?

[embed]<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/N2y8p2Na-Bo"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/N2y8p2Na-Bo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>[/embed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2y8p2Na-Bo

You forgot the vid jim.
Namelessted's Avatar
Namelessted at 04/08/2008 20:12
the peeps over at sarcastic gamer seem pretty chill. I have listened to their podcast a couple times. glad to see they are as awesome as I thought. butt plugs penis also cocks.
plkrtn's Avatar
plkrtn at 04/08/2008 20:14
Theres a Facebook group for European gamers pissed at EA for this and for the £180/$360 price of Rock Band.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10813908826

If you want to mobilize people, this isn't a bad start!
John B's Avatar
John B at 04/08/2008 20:18
Boycott EA!

And if ever your resolve wavers, just remember ...

... Remember Origin.
... Remember Bullfrog.
... Remember Westwood.

Boycott EA.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 04/08/2008 20:35
As long as I can still buy Mass Effect (shut up, Jim) then I'll be happy to boycott EA.
Justin Villasenor's Avatar
Justin Villasenor at 04/08/2008 20:51
I wasn't planning on buying this game anyway but to show my support for the boycott I will especially not buy it. :)
HarassmentPanda's Avatar
HarassmentPanda at 04/08/2008 21:07
I actually didn't know they were charging for guns. That seems pretty bootleg. Consider it double boycotted by me.
Mikescool's Avatar
Mikescool at 04/08/2008 21:13
i for one will boycott BC due to their ridiculous scheme of charging for guns. Die EA.
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