@yigmalsh wrote:
They must not think they could turn a profit or they would...
Yes, this is the proposed answer from EA apologists and fanboys alike (not saying you're either of those, of course). Having seen that argument before, I usually cite the time that has elapsed between titles (the last one was a Playstation 2 port), the shifting in demographics, the global interest in ice hockey, etc, etc.
What is really irksome on EA's part is that *THEY* won't come out and say this in a press release, or even give their staff a script to read from in the event this question comes up. Ignoring one of, if not the biggest player bases in the world is not good public relations, which is generally considered bad business.
Accepting that Bad PR/Bad Business backdrop for the conversation, it raises the issue of "When was the last time this question was seriously visited by the bean counters that make these decisions?" And again, no information to work with from EA, so we can only guess. Basically what I'm saying is that the opacity from EA comes off as callous carelessness. It also makes them look like they have something to hide, which is a tinfoil hat discussion I'd just as soon not get into, but I have my theories...