EA wins "Worst Company in America 2012", reacts butthurt

[Wirdschowerdn]

Lawsuits are really just another meaning of earning money. If you win, you get a $100 million compensation, and if you lose...well, you can always lay off 500 employees to get the balance sheets right again. Either way, the suits win!

 

[Brinko]

UPDATE, August 4th, 2012:

EA is now suing Zynga for ripping off The Sims according to court papers filed yesterday along with some very compelling video evidence:​

​

Zynga response? Zynga’s General Counsel Reggie Davis released the following statement:​

“We are committed to creating the most fun, innovative, social and engaging games in every major genre that our players enjoy. The Ville is the newest game in our ‘ville’ franchise – it builds on every major innovation from our existing invest-and-express games dating back to YoVille and continuing through CityVille and CastleVille, and introduces a number of new social features and game mechanics not seen in social games today. It’s unfortunate that EA thought that this was an appropriate response to our game, and clearly demonstrates a lack of understanding of basic copyright principles. It’s also ironic that EA brings this suit shortly after launching SimCity Social which bears an uncanny resemblance to Zynga’s CityVille game. Nonetheless, we plan to defend our rights to the fullest extent possible and intend to win with players.”​

Zynga creates (not steals) innovation? YoVille is not a bad clone of The Sims? SimCity is a clone of CityVille?​

Oh, the hilarity!​

EA’s timing couldn’t be worse for Zynga with this lawsuit, since last week Zynga’s stock crashed down 40% from its original IPO price, but not for Mark Pincus and his circle of friends who were able to cash out before the stock plummeted. Now, several law firms are investigating Zynga and their seemingly Pump & Dump operation.​

Zynga’s army of lawyers are effective in repelling and discouraging small indie developers from defending themselves against their innovation leeching practices because they seldom have enough money to afford justice in our court system, but EA is no bootstrapped indie and it seems that Zynga’s hubris have made them too comfortable. Perhaps Mark Pincus and his company should’ve stuck to bullying indies instead.​

http://www.lutopia.co/clash-of-the-titans-ea-vs-zynga-2/?trashed=1&ids=45

 

[Micmu]

CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!

 

[Gold]

Did nobody want to comment about the brief "misunderstanding" between EA and the senior investor from Goldman Sacs? I hope GS finds issues with EAs numbers.

 

[taxalot]

Did Nintendo sue when they made their animal crossing ripoff (MySims?)

 

[Dexter]

http://www.rpgwatch.com/show/newsbit?newsbit=20159

German site GamersGlobal is running the rumour that Zeschuck and Muzyka might be leaving BioWare and/or BioWare Austin might be coverted to EA Austin. The basis of the rumour is thin at this point, so please take this with a huge grain of salt. Here's a translation of the original German source:

Star Wars - The Old Republic is suffering from a shrinking subscriber base. An optional switch to F2P in autumn is supposed to turn things around. And in May, for the second time, several employees of Bioware Austin have been let go in a "restructuring effort". Another bad news could be that Bioware founders Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka might have left Bioware or could be in the process of leaving – possibly because of the limited success of the MMO that started as a challenger of WoW. Greg seems to have left Bioware in May 2012, see his LinkedIn-Profile.


A trustworthy source has been told by an employee of Bioware Austin yesterday that neither Greg Zeschuk nor Ray Muzyka have been present at a Bioware Company Meeting in Austin, Texas, just a few days ago. The employee claimed that this has not been the case before at such a meeting. The six others members of Bioware Austin's leadership have been there. Also, Greg Zeschuk has not been seen for several weeks now, the Bioware Austin employee claims. This would fit Greg Zeschuk's LinkedIn Profile.


There are supposed to be internal rumours at Bioware Austin that Ray Muzyka (pictured left) and Greg Zeschuk have left Bioware. According to our source, some employees at Bioware Austin fear that the company will be transformed into EA Austin. Also, one employee fears that without Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka, internal pressure on Bioware could increase.


Please note that we do not have official confirmation for this news, Ray Muzyka's leaving or process of leaving is a rumour at this time.​

It's a rumour for now, but HAHAHA oh damn yes! xD​

 

[Infinitron]

Already posted on Codex news

 

[kris]

I am a bit confused by EU suing Zynga about The sims being "ripped off". I mean isn't almost every game some sort of copy of another? It shouldn't be possible to have a case neither when it comes to gameplay or looks. Only thing is if they actually use the other games assets. The sims shouldn't be a special case just because hundreds of other developers have not made similar games.

 

[Morkar Left]

I am a bit confused by EU suing Zynga about The sims being "ripped off". I mean isn't almost every game some sort of copy of another? It shouldn't be possible to have a case neither when it comes to gameplay or looks. Only thing is if they actually use the other games assets. The sims shouldn't be a special case just because hundreds of other developers have not made similar games.

In a sane world, yes. It's like complaining that someone other copied the receipt and look of vanilla icecream from you and you want to sue him now.
The chances are not to bad that they could win because assets look very similar.

 

[Oriebam]

Is there any chance both of them could somehow lose? Please please please say yes

 

[Average Manatee]

Is there any chance both of them could somehow lose? Please please please say yes

One of them goes out of business before the lawsuit is over, the other has paid the lawyers $million and gets nothing out of it other than the brand name of something everyone hates.

It's not often you get to root for the lawyers.