These are the three "online" games EA has abandoned thousands of gamers through their untimely closure. There might be more that I am not aware of. In all cases, the stated reason was a need to focus resources on "new games".
Legends of Kesmai - still has a huge fan base
Motor City Online - shut down with 26,000 subscribers
Earth and Beyond - announcement of game to be shut down on 9/22/04 - 25,000+ gamers paying 325,000+ in fees per month to play, some billed for 6 months (no refunds) 1-2 days prior to announcement
Petitions have been signed, rants posted, and letters sent by these players in all cases to no avail. EA will not even sell the game to another company. These virtual communities are just destroyed and the games throw away.
The only thing that will effect EA is a fall in market share percent. I think threats of boycotting EA and petitions fall on deaf ears. This company needs to feel gamers distrust in the pocketbook. Through an active boycott of EA games - purchasing, playing, as well as reviewing - the gaming community can make a stand that will be heard. Sites that offer reviews of EA games need to be contacted and told of the growing distrust in the products offered by Electronic Arts. Please join the thousands of abandoned fans of these games by completely boycotting EA. Purchase games and subscribe to online games owned by companies other than EA. Pack up the Cds of your EA games and send them with a letter (marked Personal on the outside) to:
Larry Probst
EA Headquarters
209 Redwood Shores Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
650-628-1500
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