GameStop prepping EA Sports discount?

  • By thorsen-ink, GameSpot
  • Posted Nov 17, 2008 4:28 pm PT

Source: A series of reports stemming from a survey on market-research site Utalkback.com. What we heard: In 2004, consumers reaped the benefits of a bruising sports game price war. After Take-Two Interactive and Sega slashed the prices of their copublished line of ESPN games to $19.99,...

Source: A series of reports stemming from a survey on market-research site Utalkback.com.

What we heard: In 2004, consumers reaped the benefits of a bruising sports game price war. After Take-Two Interactive and Sega slashed the prices of their copublished line of ESPN games to $19.99, Electronic Arts reciprocated by lopping $10-$20 off four top EA Sports titles. The frugal era didn't last long, however. Before the year was over, EA had locked down exclusive NFL rights, and secured the ESPN game license in January 2005.

Now, though, several online sources indicate that EA Sports may be readying another mass discounting program. According to a scan obtained by Gamer 2.0, Utalkback.com asked its users--who are compensated to take surveys--if they would be interested in a free "Season Pass" that would discount all EA Sports games by 33 percent. Another version of the same ad posted on Flickr lowers the discount to 22 percent. Both ads, however, list the same games--most of which have not been formally announced--as being part of the program: Madden NFL 2010, NCAA 2010, FIFA 2010, NBA Live 2010, Fight Night Round 4, NHL 2010, Skate 3, UEFA Euro, NFL Head Coach 10, NFL Tour, and FaceBreaker 2.

The official story: GameStop had not returned request for comment as of press time. However, EA Sports issued the following statement: "We believe in the future that there are unique opportunities to launch a subscription-based program, however we have no announcements to make at this time. There is no credibility to the image being referenced."

Bogus or not bogus?: Officially, this particular piece of art is bogus. However, by EA's own account, it is considering some sort of discount program. Whether it is enacted, what the program would be, and how it might be offered remains to be seen.

76 Comments

  • steven933511

    Posted Mar 5, 2009 2:56 pm PT

    Madden has been so disappointing the past fews years they better do something so people buy it.....IT makes me miss nfl 2k even more

  • favre4thewin

    Posted Dec 21, 2008 6:33 pm PT

    EA's gameplay went in the toilet when they signed that exclusivity deal. As of right now I buy 1 copy of madden per console generation

  • SkinnyGodfather

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 3:52 pm PT

    I think its funny that EA Sports is pretty much cutting out all titles release to Pc, and going with consoles. PC graphics will ALWAYS blow away consoles.

  • GiantChamps10

    Posted Nov 20, 2008 5:16 pm PT

    im still pissed that they bought out espns games, i still play those sometimes and there still fun. It was so awesome how they had sportscenter at the end of the weeks

  • metaljeff

    Posted Nov 19, 2008 10:25 am PT

    Their games suck and should be free

  • necronaux

    Posted Nov 19, 2008 9:33 am PT

    GameStop, Discount, Free...??? these words just don't go together. "Subscription-based" usually means, for a fee. GS current "discount" program costs between $15 - $20 and you only get 10% off, certain items. (But, in fairness, you get a subscription to the mag Game Informer... worth it... eh).

    How much will this fee actually be, what actual percent will you get off, I assume you'll only get the discount if you subscribe, how many games will you really have to buy, just to break even?

  • Autolycus

    Posted Nov 19, 2008 8:11 am PT

    and we still wont be where we were when T2 was in the arena. Thanks NFL for getting your greedy little hands into everything (direct tv, ea, endorsements, united way, etc)

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Nov 19, 2008 12:06 am PT

    Since it only says "if they would be interested in a free "Season Pass" " maybe EA just want feedback to see if people would be interested.

  • Scooter_6_7

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 4:24 pm PT

    I pretty much agree with 'klugenbeel' =]

  • klugenbeel

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 1:25 pm PT

    About time, its stupid people keep feeding 60 bucks to EA for sports games that pretty much change very little from year to year. Though companies like Sony and Take 2 are just as guilty, but to Take 2s credit...they start have that 20 dollar sports game deal in 2004 and they probably had the best sports games of that time too. Plain and simple, for EA having exclusive rights to Madden, they should drop the price since they do NOTHING to really change the game each year. That or what would be nice is offer people who have a previous version the option to download a updated roster for the next season. Downside is they can't get the new game's "new features" or play people on the on the new version with the old. I would so buy the new madden if they said for like for 10-30 bucks, when the next year seaon comes out...i can buy a roster update for a fraction of the cost of the new game.

  • bschroth

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 1:17 pm PT

    Why does it say a "free season pass". Maybe I'm the first one who noticed it says the pass costs $20.00. I am dissapointed in Tor, haha. Wait, do I get a reward or something??

  • Masterdj1992

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 1:09 pm PT

    darknferno12 - Note it says Skate 3, not Skate 2, which probably means this subscription would not happen for a while, at least not until skate 2 comes out early next year by my guess. 49ers FTW...

  • darknferno12

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 12:55 pm PT

    Looks like a good deal I already know I'll be buying NHL 2010, Skate 2 so a 22/33% off is a bonus and something like Madden, NBA, ETC a 22/33% will make for a more confident purchase. The only thing is knowing EA enrolling in a subscription program might be pricey

  • Ez3k1eL_360

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 12:40 pm PT

    I was looking at the picture at read it through, GameStop from what I know never and I mean NEVER give an example to what they're offering through the promotions. Plus if you really think about it $20 for the season pass, 33% discount, you could have the game as cheap as $39.99 but wouldn't end up paying the same if you didn't pay for the season pass? I mean right now a game costs with tax and everything is around $64.50 or so.

  • sdkingsht

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 11:51 am PT

    @drumbeater...i bet you own at least to EA games. shut it.

  • sdkingsht

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 11:49 am PT

    @ Shaun373...agreed. so i'd buy it for the 3 games that i want.

  • sdkingsht

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 11:48 am PT

    only games in that lineup i want are Madden 2010, Fight Night 4, and Skate 3. every other title i can do without. i have 2k for my basketball needs and Facebreaker was GARBAGE. i would have rather just have a remake of Mike Tyson's PunchOut.

  • Shaun373

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 11:19 am PT

    If the deal is $20 to cut the price of all games by 33% then it is worth getting it just to buy 1. Twenty dollars is the 1/3 price reduction for one game. So you buy the "pass" buy Madden, it is $60 total. Then you don't buy anything else you aren't out any money, and if you do buy more games you are adding savings.

  • drumbeater

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 10:22 am PT

    ea... the pinnacle of mediocrity

  • james007_14

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 10:19 am PT

    I took the survey and it looks like they are really thinking about it. Lets see how it happens and how they will apply it. I would do it because I love Madden and I usually buy NCAA and Fight Night.

  • twashington9737

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 9:55 am PT

    Gotta love the dorks who bite at every opp to talk garbage about EA. Sheesh...Anyway, this could be a good thing. Don't know the actual factuals, yet, but whatever the case, I'm not biased against EA. As long as they keep improving their games, they have a potential game buyer in me, and if the discount program is what I'm looking for, I'm going for it.

  • TiKiMaN1

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 9:28 am PT

    Skate 3... .

  • bluefishhead

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 9:02 am PT

    wtf, so many people slaggin off ea sports, they do a good job people, better than any of the other franchises by a long shot, fifa 09:awesome, madden 09:awesome, nbaive 09:awesome, give them a break ffs, probably bogus tho...

  • thekey

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 8:15 am PT

    The 2 titles that interest me here is NHL 2010, and Fightnight round 4. The other titles are completely wrothless.

  • mtowndown

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 7:23 am PT

    I think that a good ideal some type of program for discounts of EA games. 60 bucks a pop for games every year like madden some play nba live and also boxing these games are expensive and EA should give customers some type of price break

  • bassmaniac20005

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 7:03 am PT

    Skate 3? Skate 2 isn't even out yet, let alone finished.

    I knew Fight Night Round 4 was around the bend.

  • aBathingApe_

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 6:47 am PT

    Madden 09 was good, 07/08 were rather garbage though. Didn't play the NCAA this year. I was wondering the same thing about Skate 3 as well as NFL Tour...its already out. Facebreaker 2 has yet to be announced...

    This is definitely looking bogus. And with the 09 cover characters? lol.

  • razgriz_101

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 6:23 am PT

    well tbh they havent released skate 2 so why post about skate 3 when they havent even finished 2.When i saw that i knew it was probably bogus.

  • mwjr

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 5:48 am PT

    What's meant by a "free subscription?" Does that mean I'd have to commit to buying a certain number of their sports titles in order to get the discount? I hope not. That's not a discount at all. Frankly, we should get discounts for having to deal with miserable games like Madden 07-09 and NCAA 09.

  • BL1NDS1DE

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 5:44 am PT

    their games still suck however....

  • division_9

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 5:38 am PT

    Go EA. Help me help you help me by making games cheaper!.

  • philly215

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 5:12 am PT

    is this their way to quell the sports gamer RIOTS

    after they deviously buy and dismantle the superior 2k series and force Live down our necks

  • RuKiss

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 3:29 am PT

    EA is trying to make up for the fact that they produce nothing but regurgitated garbage year in and year out. By making them cheaper, I guess they believe we're getting what we paid for. For the most part, I think their right. But if that's the case, then brand new, they should be 9.99, cuz that's all I'd ever pay for an EA Sports title.

  • mariokart64fan

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 12:26 am PT

    I THINK 29.99 SHOULD E THE PRICE half of 59.99 since when we see them at pawns , their half the price of the other used games and you get less then the other games,

  • XanderZane

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 11:57 pm PT

    I agree with rbgixxer750. EA Sports titles should definitely be $49.99 or less when released. It's usually the same game with some gimmick addition to try to make the game seem new and fresh. I haven't bought many EA Sports games lately because they are usually crap. I'll never pay full price for an EA Sports game again.

  • rbgixxer750

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 11:21 pm PT

    sports video should retail for $29.99 or less, because they the same game every year, just roster update and minor change. espn 2k series got it right. $19.99.

  • TheEvilbeing

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 10:42 pm PT

    Fight Night round 3, Madden 2010 (which should have be a pro), Skate 2. Three games that will likely be worth the money, and if you haven't gotton NHL 09 then 2010 should be a must buy for any sports fan. Seems like a good deal to me.

  • popsica2000

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 9:47 pm PT

    the 4 games i would consider: NHL 2010, Madden 2010, NCAA 2010, Fight Night Round 4

  • CJL182

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 9:00 pm PT

    My biggest question is: They're actually making Facebreaker 2?!?! People actually bought that game??? lol I might actually go for this since I'll get NHL 2010 for sure, and I could go for a new Fight Night and maybe Skate 2 lol.

  • jcloverboy

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 8:43 pm PT

    FIFA is the game I HAVE to grab each year. Madden is forced on me to get that NFL fix.

    The other EA Sports titles I can do without. Add a new SSX next year and we may have something.

  • jangofett88

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 8:37 pm PT

    It's a pretty good deal if you're into sports games, but it's at Gamestop, so no thanks.

  • Sinister904

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 8:37 pm PT

    i took that survey!

  • Feniks9174

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 8:36 pm PT

    I can't remember the last time I bought a sports game. $50 for updated rosters and slightly prettier graphics in what is essentially the same exact game as the two before it? Especially with EA, the king of code recycling . . .

    Nah, I'm good. I'll save my money for the next Bioware game.

  • Pablo620

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 8:34 pm PT

    I love Utalkback. I did that survey earlier today. Anyways, its a fast and easy $50 gamestop giftcard for doing surveys that often inform you of future products. I actually enjoy doing the surveys and the rewards are great

  • faceman420

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 8:23 pm PT

    I gave up on sports games after mlb 2k8 bombed

  • maaly81

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 7:59 pm PT

    first off, EA needs to put something out that resembles quality. Madden got a little better, but other than that I would say the rest of their sports games, other than the NHL and maybe fifa, have suffered. just think, in America anyway its football, baseball, basketball. Soccer is not as big as it is in other countries but they spend more development time on that and freakin hockey. Now they wanna have some sort of membership or buy the new one get $10 off?

    Bottom line madden this year should have been $30, NHL $10, and NBALive09 free. let not even talk about NCAA09 Basketball. that mess should have never been thought of.

  • PurpleHaze32

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 7:41 pm PT

    I got a variation of this survey myself (via erewards.com) - basically what they were proposing came down to a 'buy so many and then you get some $$ off' kind of thing, nothing like 'Madden's 33% off for everyone, yayz!' How they worded it made me think I don't buy nearly enough EA Sports games to make it worthwhile. Madden's really all I touch from EA from their Sports division.

    Would MUCH rather have a "trade in last year's Madden and get $10 towards this year's" deal.

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 7:36 pm PT

    Sounds like gamestop is trying to cash in on EA's craptacular line up.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 7:36 pm PT

    This would be nice if you got the new game every year

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