We’re off this week, so we thought we would release one of our Patreon Host Specials on the main feed! As chosen by the Patrons, they’ve decided to release Jocelyn’s Host Special on EA. Enjoy and we’ll return with a new episode next week.

For decades, gamers have joked that the real gaming villain isn’t Ganon, Bowser, or The Illusive Man…it’s Electronic Arts. The studio-shuttering, loot-box-pioneering, “surprise mechanics”-defending corporate monolith that somehow became the symbol of everything broken in modern gaming. How did that reputation happen? Does EA actually deserve the crown?

In this episode of Innside Stories, Joce takes a deep dive into the rise (and repeated falls) of EA, from its idealistic origins championing “Electronic Artists,” to the studio graveyard it left behind, to the crunch culture exposed by the EA Spouse letter, to the Maxis and Spore disasters, all the way to their $55 billion Saudi-led buyout in 2025. If you’ve ever wondered how EA became gaming’s favourite villain, or whether they ever truly were, this one’s for you!

Each month, we alternate posting a Host Special, focusing on personal experiences, our favourite games, or just stories that peaked our interest. If you’d like to receive these monthly specials and other Patreon bonuses, consider becoming a Patron of The Gamers’ Inn. Thank you for the support!

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