EA and Zynga that recently wrapped up the legal trouble between them but it is ironic that EA is taking cues from Zynga.
EA was mad about Zynga was copying The Sims for its Facebook game The Ville, but apparently it found something admirable, perhaps even respectable, about Zynga’s business practices because now it’s duplicating its moves.
Instead of charging a flat fee for the game, EA has decided to make some its games “freemium game”. Best example is Real Racing 3 where EA decided to make it a freemium game. Players can only do so much before their cars crap out on them, needing regular maintenance and repairs. People then have to pay for these improvements. Of course paying for them is only the first step. They also have to wait for the repairs. It’s like someone’s playing a Zynga game. Pay up and you can go about your way. If you don’t, then I hope you have some other apps to kill time while you wait for your virtual car’s oil change. It’s a hallmark of social network gaming, a feature employed often in Zynga’s FarmVille and YoVille.
This strategy is in line with EA’s Chief Financial Officer’s view that micro transactions will be incorporated into all future games. Analysts believe that EA is going the Zynga way and it is a wrong turn to take. Zynga rode the micro transaction and social highway, but people got wise with shares plummeting. Hope EA does not go the same way!!!
Source: “EA games taking cues from Zynga”, Technology Tell, 2013
Filed under: Tech Insights
