EA Always Practices Consumer Unfriendly Tactics Unless There is an Outcry
One of the best things about Xbox Series X is the Smart Delivery Initiative, which lets you upgrade older games you already own to the Series X version for completely free. However, EA being EA, thought that would be too nice for its customers and decided to go against Microsoft and enacted their own policy. In an awfully titled program called Dual Entitlement, unless you had bought the game right at launch, you won’t be able to upgrade to the Series X version, forcing you to buy the game twice.
To clarify, you would have to have bought Madden NFL 21 on Xbox One by Dec. 31, 2020, and redeem the upgrade on Xbox Series X by March 31, 2021. If not, you have to pay EA again. Why is this so bad other than EA being greedy again? Because Madden NFL 21 is being released Christmas Season 2020. So if you waited until new years to buy the game? No upgrade. If you waited till new years to register the game online because you were hanging out with family during Christmas? No upgrade. Jesus, EA, are you trying to look more and more like a cartoon villain?
Of course, people started complaining, as they should. And thankfully, it did force EA to change their plans. On their site they say this: “Having listened to our players response we’re extending the offer all the way through our Madden 21 season up to the release of Madden NFL 22, so players can upgrade to Madden NFL 21 on Xbox Series X whenever they first purchase their new console within that period.”
I mean, I’m happy with the fact they extended it, but I absolutely hate the fact that they act all generous here. “Having listened to our playesr response”? Really, wow EA you are so great at community management and listening to us. How about doing the right thing before you get called out on your scummy tactics?
Source: Polygon