EA Set To Focus On More ‘Adult’ Games
EA made headlines in the gaming world when they proclaimed that former partner Nintendo’s Wii U console became “a kids IP platform and we don’t really make games for kids.” Most gamers assumed this meant that EA was staying the course with mature titles where they could pretend to be sports stars, pretend to be soldiers or pretend to build cities that don’t work without Internet.
But in a recent investors meeting, EA made clear what their future plans are. CEO Andrew Wilson told his eager shareholders that, “Gamers are getting older, and we have to grow with our audience. As many approach their 30s, start families and work their 9-5 jobs, we need titles that appeal to this demographic.
It’s expected that this year’s E3 will be the testing ground for this new strategy. Games expected to be on display include:
Madden’s Retirement 2015; a retirement simulator where you play as John Madden sitting at home, doing whatever it is he does nowadays. Game play includes sitting in a recliner, the occasional golf game, scratching yourself and screaming “BOOM!” uncontrollably at the TV and will include full Kinect support. It’s described as “kind of like the existing Madden, but with more game play.”
Need For Speed: Late For Work; A new take on the popular racing franchises. Play as an overly stressed middle aged business man who has an important meeting to attend, but left the house just a little too late. More realistic driving physics have been implemented, meaning that much of the game will take place in traffic jams, behind red lights and involve lots of cursing at pedestrians and cyclists. Crashing involves an innovative insurance mode, where you have to stop and get yelled at by the other car’s driver while trying to convince them not to get the insurance companies involved, using a Mass Effect like decision wheel.
The Sims; A reboot of the classic life simulator with a emphasis on “simulator.” Players will create a character who will be forced to find a job that he hates. Work will include exciting mini games like copying, faxing and emailing while doing well will no doubt get you noticed by your boss. At home, players will have to struggle with their unsatisfying marriage with their ungrateful kids and a wife who hates him. The game moves in real time, so not playing for at least eight hours a day will cause a penalty. This one looks like it’s only for hardcore gamers.
EA even announced some rare new IPs, including The Tax Preparer, Extreme Grocery Shopping, Open House Hysteria and Where’s My Car: Parking Lot Edition.
Wilson proudly boasted, “We are confident that this new direction the company is headed, especially since this is the most we’ve innovated in nearly two decades.”
When asked if he’s worried that this industry shift has started rumors of a Grand Theft Auto Wii U exclusive deal and the previously reported buyout of Irrational Games, Wilson told us that these were more signs of the big N still being “stuck in the past.”
