Things just keep getting worse and worse for EA due to Battlefield 4 but given its illustrious victory and willingness to release a product that was rife with problems, it's difficult to feel sorry for the company. Likewise when the company's stock drops over 7%.
That's what SeekingAlpha is reporting, and as the news comes right after a fairly shocking announcement that EA was halting work on the more DLC for the game, as well as "future projects," it's easy to see why.
Writes SeekingAlpha, "EA investors aren't responding well to the news. Without healthy sales of Battlefield 4 and its $50 premium service, EA could struggle to hit its Dec. quarter forecasts." Add in all the reported bugs, game crashes, etc., and theoretical delay of more Battlefield 4 DLC packages, as well as another Star Wars: Battlefront and Mirror's Edge game, and it's actually surprising to see the stock dropped so little.
"We know we still have a ways to go with fixing the game - it is absolutely our No. 1 priority," said a statement from EA yesterday. "The team at DICE is working non-stop to update the game. Since Battlefield 4 China Rising expansion pack was already in the final stages of development by the time issues began with Battlefield 4, we decided to fulfill our promise to deliver it this week, but we're not moving onto future projects or expansions until we sort out all the issues with Battlefield 4. We know many of our players are frustrated, and we feel their pain. We will not stop until this is right."
Even before the fall in stock, the writing was on the wall that Battlefield 4, and by proxy EA, was in trouble.
Users reporting difficulty downloading both the China Rising and Second Assault DLC, and the game has been plagued by various bugs on all formats since its release. EA's refusal to believe players' the existence of glitches and bugs reported left a sour taste in gamers' mouths. When the company finally did come around and admit they needed to step up their game, it was already too late.
EA has a hard lesson to learn as a result, and class is in session.
