This is why my son and I continue to play Fifa '11

It’s one of the last games that Electronic Arts is still releasing on Nintendo’s aging Wii hardware. But buyers of this year’s footy sim got a nasty surprise: EA didn’t bother developing a new version. On Wii, FIFA 13 is identical to last year’s FIFA 12.

Yes, the uniforms and players have been updated to match this year’s rosters, the website Nintendo Gamer reported. But otherwise, it’s a re-release of the same game with a new number on the box: The same gameplay modes, character models, graphics, menu screens, dialogue. And the same $50 price tag.

It doesn’t stop there: Other fans of the sport say that FIFA 13 on PlayStation Vita is essentially identical to FIFA Football, the game that Electronic Arts released six months prior, at the launch of the new Sony gaming handheld.

EA is selling old products to unsuspecting consumers at a premium price, and fans are confused and angry. More at Wired.

This puts me off EA.

Comments

[Rui Duarte]

This kind of games are already high level in quality, so, it's just a matter of adjusting the new players, squads and prime so graphs. That's it, release to market and make loads of money.

[Bob Deskin]

My son sent me that article. I'm amazed at how blatant the duplication is. I'm waiting for a class-action suit in the States.

And of course, unlike most other products, video games aren't usually returnable, at least in North America, once opened.

[Neil]

I'm waiting for a class-action suit in the States.

Out of interest, what would you see the claim being? I think it's pretty poor form, but not something which creates an actionable right unless it's advertised as "all new" or something like that. Caveat emptor, and so on.