EA Cites MS Bullying, Says No Xbox Online Games

beggs writes: "It appears that Electronic Arts will not have any games for the new Xbox online service Microsoft is rolling out this week. In this article over at the Times, people close to the negotiations for the service say that Microsoft was "trying to force software publishers to offer their online games on data-serving computers controlled by Microsoft, a move that could potentially give Microsoft access to information about customers." In the end EA said it will work with Sony and the PS2 online service."

Comments

Re:Serious question

[mirko]

• minehunt
• solitaire
• freecell
• mshearts
• monster truck madness...

Re:Serious question

[Anonymous Coward]

Ahseron's Call 2 will undoubtedly be X-Box only as MS is the publisher. And what a killer game it is going to be.

The *obvious* thing to do now is...

[Cynical_Dude]

set mode(Nelson(Simpsons)==true)

point finger at Micro$oft.

Hah-Hah!

Re:The *obvious* thing to do now is...

[x mani x]

What the hell kind of code is that?!?!? Has management or marketing started posting on slashdot???

who do we hate this week?

[oyenstikker]

if (ThisArticle.about()==Gaming) {
Sony.opinion(like);
Microsoft.opinion(hate);
}
elseif (ThisArticle.about()==Music) {
Sony.opinion(hate);
Microsoft.opinion(neutral);
}
else {
Sony.opinion(like);
Microsoft.opinion(hate);
}

Re:who do we hate this week?

[Tarquin Sidebottom]

I hate to be picky but theres more to live than games and music. You're optimisation would go all wrong on ThisArticle.about()==DCMA, which Sony has used before.

if (ThisArticle.about()==Music)
{
Sony.opinion(hate);
if (Microsoft.involved) {
Microsoft.opinion(hate);
}
else
{
Microsoft.opinion(bash_them_anyway);
}
elsif (ThisArticle.about()==Games)
{
Sony.opinion(like);
Microsoft.opinion(hate);
}
elsif (ThisArticle.about()==DMCA)
{
Sony.opinion(hate);
Microsoft.opinion(hate);
}
elsif (ThisArticle.about()==Females)
{
Sony.opinion(like);
Microsoft.opinion(hate);
Error_Msg('Insufficent data to comply');
}
else {
Sony.opinion(like);
Microsoft.opinion(hate);
}

Re:who do we hate this week?

[Peyna]

Everyone knows this problem is more suited to logic programming anyway.

Bill would'nt do that

[coryboehne]

Come on, everyone knows Microsoft is the most ethical company out there, they would *NEVER* steal a customer from anyone. God knows they're an industry leader in fair trade and low cost software products. Geez this article almost makes them sound like some sort of monopoly, which we all know is impossible.....

Re:Bill would'nt do that

[Ivan Raikov]

Geez this article almost makes them sound like some sort of monopoly, which we all know is impossible.....

Yeah, this is probably deceptive propaganda from that Linux company that's trying to undermine honest American business...

:-)

Creepy Quote

[gambit3]

From the NYT Article:

"Microsoft executives said yesterday that they believed that they would be able to convince Electronic Arts that the Xbox online service would not constitute a threat to the customer base of Electronic Arts."

This sounds like the old "We'll make them an offer they can't refuse" from the 'Godfather' movies.

Re:Jack Welch rule of business #1

[Guppy06]

Wrong. We're talking about corporations here. The #1 rule there is "Don't let anyone get between you and your investors."

How long before MS buys EA?

[wift]

I understand EA not wanting to lessen the value of their own game servers. I also see MS desire to make as much $ as possible on their console business. Seems like a dead lock.

EA is taking the upperhand because they have it. MS can always throw the trump card and buy their a$$.

the MS Report Card

[Alien54]

I suspect that there would be a comment on it that says:

Does not get along well with others

While talented, and extremely bright, MS has an inflated sense of self, and sometimes shows bullying behavior on the playground, and has difficulty in respecting the rights and property of others. This offers some concern for the future development of MS. MS displays developmental problems, conforming to what used to be called a "spoiled child", a symptom of ineffective parenting, with an inadequate example being set in the home.

Possibly MS would wind up in foster care, being assigned to a parent that could both set a better example, and provide the proper discipline to encourage growth as a reponsible citizen.

Just a wild day dream before the morning coffee kicks in.

Silly Answer

[SEWilco]

You forgot one:

• Monopoly

Princess Leia's rule of business #1

[Larne]

The more you tighten your grip, the more companies will slip through your fingers.

Looks like this is, finally, starting to happen to Microsoft.

Re:EA is a big deal...

[archen]

As long as Sega and Microsoft are in bed

And what an ugly kid that would be...

Re:Why always NY Times?

[baywulf]

Since 99% of the Slashdot users don't read the article anyway, it doesn't matter.

Irony is a big deal...

[mblase]

Don't underestimate the power of EA Sports's games (which are re-released with minor improvements every year, so sales for their "series" are always huge) and the multitude of developers that EA publishes for. This *could* mean trouble for M$.

Which is ironic, because Microsoft's own OS development follows almost exactly the same strategy.

Memo to EA:

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: your software licenses

Are you sure you guys are paid up? Even for the intern machine in the corner that you threw together real quick? I guess we'll find out...

Love,

Bill

I didn't know...

[MarkoNo5]

...yoda was writing story headlines for /.