Live from Electronic Arts’ Blogger Day – Win a Free Game
Posted on 11 September 2009, at 7:42 am, by Wayne Schulz
I’m at the annual Blogger’s Day at gaming publisher Electronic Arts (MySims, Madden NFL 10, Need for Speed, The Beatles RockBand) in Redwoood City California where I’ll join another dozen writers in touring the EA campus, playing games, sitting on our asses, playing games and finally buying a bunch of games at the EA store. When we get tired we’ll sit down to eat pizza and play some more games. In between all that strenous activity EA gives an update and demo on what games are in their pipeline and we also tour the campus and get to look at all sorts of really cool old gaming machines and reminisce about how great the game pong seemed when it first came out.
Here’s your chance to ask a question — and win an EA game. Leave a question that you’d like to ask EA in the comments — along with the EA game you’d like (has to be currently available and no I don’t think a full blown Beatles RockBand is coming home with me in my carry-on). Tell me what you’d ask EA and what you’d buy for yourself in the company store. At the end of the day I’ll pick from the comments and send the winner a few games.
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September 11th, 2009 at 7:53 am
I won’t have access to iPhone apps at the EA store — just the regular Nintendo DS, Playstation, XBox, Wii, PC, MAC, etc
September 11th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Two questions:
1. Any plans for a user-customizable Rock Band game? I’d love to have something that comes with ### track download credits instead of some predefined set of tracks so we could pick and choose the songs we want instead of getting whatever songs are bundled.
2. Are there any plans for an online multi-player Boom Blox? It’s great being able to share levels, but I’d love to play with my family who live on the other side of the country.
As for what I’d buy: EA Sports Active is probably pretty close to the top of my list. I’d consider Beatles Rock Band for Wii (not full-blown, but that would be nice
). I kind of like the look of the MySims Agents game, but it’s not out yet. Not too much else available now appeals a lot to me. I’m not a huge sports/racing fan and tend towards games that can be played with my family rather than a lot of the Sims-type games or fighting games.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I’d ask them what they think of upcoming game technologies, such as Project Natal on the Xbox or stereoscopic 3D on the PS3, and if they’re working on anything using these. I think I’d buy Mirror’s Edge for the Xbox or Spore for the PC at the company store.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:11 am
With the current state of the economy, one would argue that it’s not exactly the best time to be taking big risks. Yet EA has done just this by pledging to commit itself to new IP driven game development. Personally, I think this is admirable — but my question is this:
What strategy does EA envision it needs to employ in order to ensure that consumers actually support their new IPs?
At times like these, consumers are more likely to spend their hard-earned money on the “safe bet” established franchises, so what does EA feel it must do to overcome this mentality? Is it simply a matter of ensuring that their games are reviewed favourably, or is there more to the equation (especially on a console such as the Wii, where third-party success stories are far and few in between)?
So, I suppose it’s more a three-part question, but it would be very cool to hear their thoughts on the matter.
As for what games I would buy, I’d be very keen to get my hands on “Dead Space: Extraction” for the Wii. But, since I doubt that will be possible (the game is not out for a few weeks), I would LOVE to get “NHL 10″ for the PS3! (I see it’s “IN STOCK” on their web site even though the release date is September 15).
If none of those are available (lol), then adding the original “Dead Space” for the PS3 would be nice.
Anyways, thanks for reading and for the mini giveaway. Hope you have a blast today!
September 11th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Being one of the big names in gaming I’d like to know where they stand on the issue of used game sales and how they affect the industry. I would also ask whether they have anything that they’re working on to combat the sale of used games and looking more into digital downloads or other alternatives. I think I would probably get Tiger Woods or Madden for Xbox 360 or Spore for my Mac.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Don’t know if this is to late but:
With the current obvious success of MMA/UFC as a rising sport to contend with others (Such as boxing). Along with the apparent amazing sales of UFC 2009, how do they feel their MMA title will fair against a second UFC title? Do they believe that their current line up of “All-Stars” (Including the wash out Randy Couture who is past his prime) can really stack up against current UFC fighters, seeing ass UFC fighters have more fan following than most of the MMA title’s roster.
As for game, I’d love MOH 10th Anniversary (PC), or Dead Space (PS3), or Army of Two (PS3) because I have never played any of the titles.
Thanks for the mini giveaway, I’d love to be where you are.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
maybe i am too late but hey its only 11:10 pm here
still friday 
i was wondering -question about the same thing as paschott — what about a customized Rock -Game ? i would love to have a choice in songs.
i am hoping to buy the The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle — prob. have to save up a couple month .
thanks
September 12th, 2009 at 5:17 am
Thanks for all the questions. I did score two games in the EA store that were on the wish list. I’ll be notifying those people as soon as I get back from the trip.
We had a long day of demonstrations which centered exclusively on the Sims franchise (MySims Agent, Sims Adventure Pack, Sims Animals Africa) and a bit on Spore Here.
So unfortunately I didn’t have access to the people who could answer some of these questions about Rock Band or gaming direction outside the Sims line of games.
What I’ll do is bundle up these questions and send them to the person at EA who is my contact to see what their answers will be.
Thanks for the feedback and I’ll email the people directly who I was able to get games for in the EA store.