Saaking's Blog 1: Activision, A Threat to Gamers

During the last generation of video games, Electronic Arts Games was lambasted for their business practices. Such practices included releasing what was basically the same game every year (their yearly sports series) and shutting down competition essentially trying to monopolize as much as possible. This generation it’s really changed for EA. They still release their yearly cash cow; however, they’ve been at work releasing new and innovative IPs such as Mirror’s Edge and Dead Space. With EA turned “good” someone else had to take their mantle and that someone is Activision.

Most of the controversy surrounding Activision this gen has been brought upon them by their CEO, Robert Kotick. It all began with their claim that that Activision doesn’t want games unless they can “exploit them.” Then came Robert Kotick’s infamous threat against Sony to cut support on the PS3 if they failed to lower the price-point and sell more consoles.

That doesn’t seem too bad, right? Well, it get’s worse. After threatening to cut support, they turn around and, guess what, they raise their prices in the UK. From 49 to 55 pounds.  If this wasn’t enough they decided to price the P.C. version of Modern Warfare 2 the same as the console version. Finally, Robert Kotick recently said he “would like to raise price even more if he could.” Apparently it was just a joke, but I don’t think he was joking at all. If this guy could raise prices, trust me, he would.

So, how is this a threat to us: the average gamer? If Modern Warfare 2 still sells as much as it’s predecessors even at a higher price point other game publishers will notice people are willing to pay more for games. Last gen the standard was $50, this gen it’s $60, and if Activision succeeds could the new standard be perhaps $70? Maybe more? Activision is testing consumers to see just how much their willing to pay and I very much recommend that you do not buy Modern Warfare 2 at this higher price point. Wait a little bit to buy it second hand or just don’t buy it all. Don’t support Activision’s greediness. While they are allowed to do as they please with their products it is us, the consumers, who decided if their product succeed or fail.

I never thought I’d say this but Activision has sunk beneath EA. They’re greedy and they don’t care about games or gamers. They don’t even hide it. They’re the definition of hypocrites asking Sony to lower their prices while raising their own. These types of companies shouldn’t be supported by anyone and you should know: if you buy Activision’s games you’re just hurting yourself in the long run.