EA: Still in the Game or Just Playing Us?

Ah, Electronic Arts. The company we love to hate but still give money to every year like it’s some twisted tradition. Whether you're out here cursing lag in Apex Legends, mourning the death of a decent Battlefield, or wondering why your Sims need to pay $40 just to feel emotions (literally , that was The Sims 4: Get Together), EA’s shadow looms large in gaming.

But what’s the state of EA right now? Are they actually improving, or is it just more "loot box but make it subtle" energy? Let’s break it down.

The Business of "It's in the Game"

So first up: EA is still one of the big dogs. In fiscal reports, they’re making dumb money, like “why innovate when re-skinning works?” levels of revenue. Their sports titles (EA Sports FC, formerly FIFA, and Madden) print cash every year, even if gamers scream about the same bugs from 2006.

But they’ve also trimmed the fat. In 2024, EA laid off hundreds of employees and shut down projects (RIP single-player Star Wars that wasn’t a Souls-like). It’s part of a “refocus” on bigger, proven franchises, live service models, and of course, the dreaded microtransactions.

Translation: they’re doubling down on what makes money, not necessarily what makes great games.

Games as a Service™: The Neverending Sequel

Let’s talk live service. EA's been drinking that Kool-Aid harder than a Call of Duty lobby screams profanity.

• Apex Legends? Still thriving-ish, but bogged down by stale meta, cheaters, and monetization drama.

  
  

• Battlefield? They’re working on the next one after 2042 launched like a beta test wearing a clown wig. It’s supposedly going “back to roots,” which is corporate speak for please come back, we swear it’ll be fun this time.”

  
  

• The Sims 4? Still milking fans with more DLC than an entire RPG franchise. Oh, and The Sims 5 (code-named Project Rene) is trying to go full multiplayer and free-to-play. Yay?

  
  

Meanwhile, single-player EA is on life support. Sure, Jedi: Survivor was solid, but the next big solo adventure from EA? Don’t hold your breath unless you can respawn in 30 seconds.

What This Means for Gamers: TL;DR Edition

• More grind, more cosmetics, less soul, Unless it's got battle passes or season content, EA ain't interested.

  
  

• Original ideas? LOL. – Expect reboots, sequels, and brand-safe cash cows. Innovation is risky, and EA doesn’t do risky unless it’s risking your wallet.

  
  

• Good games might still happen, but accidentally. Every few years EA trips and falls onto something great (hello, It Takes Two), but don’t count on that being the norm.

  
  

Final Verdict: Is EA the Villain or Just... Capitalism With a Controller?

Look, EA is what happens when a game publisher levels up into a corporate boss fight. They’re not the worst, Activision and Ubisoft are out here trying to dethrone them, but they’ve got that legacy of mediocrity wrapped in AAA polish. And honestly, we keep buying their games, so maybe we’re the problem?

Still, fingers crossed for a golden age renaissance... or at least a SimCity reboot that doesn’t require a blood pact to function offline.

Until then: Vote with your wallet, gamers. And maybe uninstall FIFA for real this time.