All developers are still struggling after the Recession of 2008, but EA is the one who's hurting the very most, looking at their still falling stock prices and growing hatred from gamers.
This needs to continue.
Personally, I despise EA and will absolutely not associate with them. I will never again be one of their customers; the last EA-published title I purchased was the last Sims2 expansion.
I grew up with the SimCity franchise. I absolutely adore it, right up until SC4. I really do want to play this new one - it looks like the game I remember and love, and that I'd have a barrel of fun playing it. This goes the same for The Sims 3 and Battlefield 3.
But I will not do business with EA. I am boycotting EA until they have filed for bankruptcy and have sold off their assets to better companies. I'm willing to give up games I love because I cannot morally justify doing business with such a horrible corporate entity.
I don't understand why people are surprised by the unacceptable server issues, crippling DRM and compromises in the gameplay from EA. I don't understand why people are still giving them dollars in exchange for the garbage they're firing out, their borderline sociopathic customer service and ridiculous PR, seen in interviews, press releases, putting the blame on piracy and excuses for their shitty behavior.
Why does any of this still surprise you?
Why do you still purchase EA-published titles? To support their real developers, or because you don't care and don't mind allowing this to happen?
I believe the second gaming crash is coming, and while the titanic names from history will barely survive, Valve will come out still on top, for their exemplary business practices, customer service, quality games and, of course, Steam.
But the only way this situation will actually improve is if you, like the gamers of the 80's, stand up for quality and breathing life into the industry you love. Not rolling over and accepting shitty releases and being given broken promises by customer service.
EA is trying desperately, clawing at the cracks in the well, trying to keep from drowning, but really they deserve to die, and I'm proud to be one of few contributing to its demise by refusing to add my string to its lifeline.
I love gaming far too much to stand for this shit any longer.