EA Lands ''Worst Company In America'' Award Again

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EA has landed the title of "Worst Company in America" for the second year in a row.

Consumer Reports subsidiary blog The Consumerist said on Tuesday that for the second year in a row, readers have voted Electronic Arts as the Worst Company in America, beating out Bank of America once again.

According to the report, the games publisher has repeatedly failed at three core requirements of running a consumer-friendly business: (1) provide a product people want and like, (2) sell that product at a reasonable price, and (3) support its products. What supposedly locked EA into its current designation was Peter Moore's apology last week, saying the company could "do better" while pointing out the faults of other companies.

Among the list of companies competing for the title of "Worst Company in America" were Google, AT&T, Verizon, Apple, Microsoft, Paypal, Best Buy, Sears, and a number of others -- even Carnival. Eventually the fight came down to Bank of America, Comcast, Ticketmaster and EA, and then Bank of America (22.47-percent) versus EA (77.53-percent).

"This is the same poll that last year judged us as worse than companies responsible for the biggest oil spill in history, the mortgage crisis, and bank bailouts that cost millions of taxpayer dollars," Moore said last week. "This year’s contest started in March with EA outpolling a company which organizers contend is conspiring to corner the world market on mid-priced beer, and (gulp) allegedly waters down its product."

The Consumerist points out two possible factors that may have landed EA its current rank: the SimCity (5) launch and the game's always-on Internet requirement, and EA CFO Blake Jorgensen talking (and then later correcting himself) about all future games offering in-game purchases for advancing a level, buying a new character, buying a new weapon and so on. He said "consumers are enjoying and embracing that way of the business."

The Consumerist has been running its Worst Company in America poll since 2006. Those landing the Golden Poo award prior to EA's two-year run include BP (2011), Comcast (2010), AIG (2009), Countrywide Financial (2008) the RIAA (2077) and Halliburton (2006). The runner-up over the last three years has been Bank of America.

"When we live in an era marked by massive oil spills, faulty foreclosures by bad banks, and rampant consolidation in the airline and telecom industry, what does it say about EA’s business practices that so many people have — for the second year in a row — come out to hand it the title of Worst Company In America?" the blog asks.

Does EA deserve to be ranked as the Worst Company in America again? Did the company merely suffer bad timing due to the issues surrounding SimCity 5's launch? What could EA do better so that it doesn't land on the poll again?

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Kevin Parrish

Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then, he’s loved all things PC-related and cool gadgets ranging from the New Nintendo 3DS to Android tablets. He is currently a contributor at Digital Trends, writing about everything from computers to how-to content on Windows and Macs to reviews of the latest laptops from HP, Dell, Lenovo, and more. 

49 Comments Comment from the forums
  • xpeh
    I'd be lying if I said that I didn't expect this.
    Reply
  • dalethepcman
    LOL
    Reply
  • nukemaster
    I would vote for that for sure. Sorry EA, you guys just are not getting any better.
    Reply
  • puggle man
    I fail to see how a company like EA could be worse than Philip Morris, Corrections Corp of America, or BoA. They make games with annoying features... so what? It's better than killing and stealing from people.
    Reply
  • xomm
    The RIAA will win the Golden Poo award in 2077. You heard it here first, folks.
    Reply
  • matt grafton
    Kim Jong-un has a better customer service rating than EA
    Reply
  • puggle man
    I fail to see how a company like EA could be worse than Philip Morris, Corrections Corp of America, or BoA. They make games with annoying features... so what? It's better than killing and stealing from people.
    Reply
  • bigdragon
    I'm rather shocked that Carnival didn't do better this year. EA really shot themselves in the foot with their SimCity launch failure, all the lying about the online requirement, and then that last minute letter. I have to deal with crap companies like Sears, Bank of America, BP, and Ticketmaster during the day. The last thing I want to do is come home to unwind with a video game that's equally as bad or flat-out doesn't work. This is the kind of thing EA produces. Please boot Peter Moore and the rest of the execs from EA. Time for a house cleaning!
    Reply
  • Gamer_Pollution
    What can EA do to not be the worst company in America? Well, how about overtime for workers, less DRM, preferably none at all, put their games on Steam instead of :shudder: Origin. Have better customer support, not buy out companies and IP's and then releases shitty sequels. Less DLC, fucking Battlefield 3 DLC, too many! Cant think of any more.
    Reply
  • dgriffs
    Lol I wouldn't call them the worst company in America.EA publishes plenty of triple A titles and people like them. Sure they have made some bad decisions recently but realistically none of that has been serious. Many people are stuck paying for sub-par internet or cellphone service because of the lack of options in their area. What about airplane companies that charge you for bringing luggage along? If I had to pick the worst company in America it would probably be something like Monsanto who harasses independent farmers and pays off congressmen.
    Reply