SadieDee
CAGiversary!
How much market share does EA possess in the industry of publishing video game titles? I know they are the largest publishing company, but just because you own the most, doesn't mean you are a monopoly (i.e. owning 20% of the market and having 8 other competitors possessing 10% each). It's still possible for them to break some antitrust laws though.
As long as Nintendo and Microsoft are still around, I do not think that it will be a true monopoly. There are also still companies like Rare/Square Enix/Natsume/Konami etc. Some of those are strong competitors (and then some aren't, but if they are still publishing hit games, they are still taking a % of the market).
Personally, I think GameStop would have a better chance of becoming a true monopoly, but EB games, Best Buy, Walmart, Target and basically all major chains that sell games are still doing well (with the exception of K-mart), so that won't happen probably ever.
I mainly don't like EA for how they treat their employees. I don't like their business tactics (hostile takeovers), just like I don't like Walmarts' but at least I get lower prices at Walmart. It doesn't really bother me though, because I mainly play my GBA and I don't like sports games (I know they make more then that, like the Sims, but oh well).
If you really do not like EA games and still want to purchase a sports game but don't want to support the company, but it used at an indie game store (or small chain by you). There's also eBay.
List of some other publishers (not very large, mainly just for S&G) ---> http://members.shaw.ca/altmusic/publishers.html
EDIT: Personally, I think the discussion about "monopolizing" licenses is just plain stupid. That's intelluctual property roll . If you are going to moan about EA, at least use the argument of their treatment of employees or hostile takeovers. EA bought the rights to use the NHL "brand" not the entire sport of hockey.
As long as Nintendo and Microsoft are still around, I do not think that it will be a true monopoly. There are also still companies like Rare/Square Enix/Natsume/Konami etc. Some of those are strong competitors (and then some aren't, but if they are still publishing hit games, they are still taking a % of the market).
Personally, I think GameStop would have a better chance of becoming a true monopoly, but EB games, Best Buy, Walmart, Target and basically all major chains that sell games are still doing well (with the exception of K-mart), so that won't happen probably ever.
I mainly don't like EA for how they treat their employees. I don't like their business tactics (hostile takeovers), just like I don't like Walmarts' but at least I get lower prices at Walmart. It doesn't really bother me though, because I mainly play my GBA and I don't like sports games (I know they make more then that, like the Sims, but oh well).
If you really do not like EA games and still want to purchase a sports game but don't want to support the company, but it used at an indie game store (or small chain by you). There's also eBay.
List of some other publishers (not very large, mainly just for S&G) ---> http://members.shaw.ca/altmusic/publishers.html
EDIT: Personally, I think the discussion about "monopolizing" licenses is just plain stupid. That's intelluctual property roll . If you are going to moan about EA, at least use the argument of their treatment of employees or hostile takeovers. EA bought the rights to use the NHL "brand" not the entire sport of hockey.