EA and Eidos Not Participating in Xbox Live

**Nick** · 15 Mar 2003, 06:45 PM

According to Bloomberg, neither Electronic Arts nor Eidos is enamored of the way Microsoft has set up Xbox Live.

EA, of course, is the largest third-party publisher out there, whose sports games would be a great benefit to any online system. The company has yet to see eye-to-eye with Microsoft on online plans, but, has very interestingly, pledged major support to the GameCube.

(Remember, Nintendo has decided to effectively sit out the current online wars in favor of introducing more games with GameCube-Game Boy Advance connectivity. EA is right with them. Look for most EA Cube releases to host exclusive features that take advantage of the Link Cable.)

Eidos, another big player, has even publicly denounced Xbox Live. Chief Executive Mark McGarvey has said, "We're not supporting Xbox Live for the time being because we don't feel comfortable with Microsoft's business model - they own the consumer . . . Sony is more of a partner."

So much for "Developers, developers, developers, developers." (Did anyone catch that reference?)

**Jeremy** · 15 Mar 2003, 07:04 PM

Well, this is good news for GC fans, although bad news for gamers on the whole. Eidos' decision perplexes me because they are not in the position they were five-six years ago to be picking and choosing things in gaming. If it can benefit them in any way, they should take advantage of it. It's not like they have many red-hot licenses right now that haven't been beaten to death.

**bahn** · 15 Mar 2003, 07:05 PM

I am not enamored either after the piss-poor interface Capcom set up for XBL.

<font size="1">Oops, did I say that out loud?</font>

**Shine** · 15 Mar 2003, 07:31 PM

[sarcasm]Oh no what are we gonna do without EA, we as the consumer are powerless against their might. I guess that I can't blame them though seeing as though they refuse to support the inferior product, like they did with that crappy Sega system, the Dreamcrrest or whatever. Looks like I'll have to live without Live support for some of my favorite games.[/sarcasm]

**Daisuke Jigen** · 15 Mar 2003, 07:38 PM

Now if we can just get them to stop making games for the cube too.

**unit003** · 15 Mar 2003, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by Nick
Eidos, another big player, has even publicly denounced Xbox Live. Chief Executive Mark McGarvey has said, "We're not supporting Xbox Live for the time being because we don't feel comfortable with Microsoft's business model - they own the consumer

when somebody in the same business tells you something like this, it would be in your best interest to see what the hell you're doing wrong.

...but in Micro$oft's case...