Ever been to an EA focus group?

[seelindarun]

I doubt if I even fit the demographic they're looking for, but supposedly they will call me back for a phone interview of some kind before inviting me to the paid session ($75 for 90 min.).

My question is, should I take this seriously?  Is it worth attending?
Does EA even pay attention to the feedback from their focus groups?

Will I end up in a room full of 12-year-olds?

[ElfPuddle]

Sure.
Yes.
Maybe?
Perhaps.

[mildlydisguised]

Are they going to pay you?  Or do you have to pay them? 

[KatEnigma]

No but I get invited to them all the time. One of these days, I should go. I was most tempted the time they were holding one in a hotel up the road from where I used to live. Somehow, I doubt they want to know what I really think.  Which is even more reason to go. LOL  I doubt you'll be in a room of 12 yr olds since they always hold them in the middle of a weekday. You're more likely to end up in a room full of soccer moms.

That aside, I think that they do actually listen to feedback. Look at how many things from the stupid surveys end up in the game. Besides, at this time of year, it would give you a chance to play Seasons, most likely.  If you can make it and get selected, it's $75 back from them, from all you've paid them over the years.

[Jelenedra]

I wanna get invited to one of those! 

How can I sign up?

And I always miss those stupid surveys, when do they do them?

[KatEnigma]

I wanna get invited to one of those! 

How can I sign up?

And I always miss those stupid surveys, when do they do them?

First, it helps to live in the Bay Area.  I've heard of people getting invited to them in Chicago or New York, but I'm about 30 minutes from Redwood City, and I get the invites at least twice a year. I think I signed up one time when I registered a game.

As for the surveys, they go up at random times, and you have to be lucky to first see them before they're taken down and then see them before they've already filled the quota of your demographic. I've seen them during the day, I've seen them in the wee hours of the morning... there's no set time.

[Jelenedra]

Do they do them a certain amount each month/year?

[ZiggyDoodle]

Sure you should go if they invite you.  For the experience....and of course for the $$$.   

[rohina]

Plus you could think of something really stupid to ask for, just to yank their chains. 

[seelindarun]

I'd be more enthused about going if it were more convenient, and if I thought that they were going to listen. 
The money doesn't hurt, but I can't stand the idea of getting locked in to anything for an hour and a half, without a way to politely excuse myself.  This one is in Santa Monica (greater Los Angeles) and getting there isn't exactly a breeze either. 

Isn't it a little late in the cycle for Seasons discussion?  My first thought was that they were looking for input on more Life Stories, or Sims on some of the alternative platforms.  (iPods, maybe?)

FWIW, I didn't sign up for anything special, just the usual game registrations.  However, the e-mail invites me to distribute this link http://www.focusgroup.com to my friends.    It's pretty general, but for those who are interested, maybe it's worth having a look.

[vilia]

Plus you could think of something really stupid to ask for, just to yank their chains. 

Best not, they would probably take you seriously. 

[rohina]

Well, that would kinda be the point.

[vilia]

A cheat so you can have quads...like all the time. That would be so cool /sarcasm [shudders]

[sanmonroe]

Tips:

Bring a bottle of febreeze.
Bring some hand sanitizer.
Bring paper towels to sit on, or make sure you stand the whole time.

[blubug]

I did a couple of these once. I was signed up in University, and they used to call me over every couple of months and ask me stuff about ovens, usage, what would I like in an oven (same for other beauty products and stuff) and shit like that. I'd answer and go home with 50$ worth of supermarket coupons (That would be my 2weeks worth of shopping), and/or a present like an electric grill, blowdryer or something of the sort. So I loved it, I didn't care about my wasted hours, as long as I got something worthwhile out of it. So I'd go if I were you.

[Li'l Brudder]

An EA focus group, blubug?

Sounds like you went to the Kitchen Appliance Convention.

[plastic shine]

An EA focus group, blubug?

Sounds like you went to the Kitchen Appliance Convention.

*dies laughing*

[blubug]

Hahaha! No, I guess that came across wrong. I've never been to an EA focus group.
 I've been to appliance live-surveys.
 I was just trying to say, that if they pay you and you have the time, why not? (okay, now I sound like I'm willing to do anything for money, that's just not right. Anyway, I hope you get my point)
How bad can it be in a roomful of 12 yearolds? (I know, it can be very, very bad) It could be fun and you can be heard, your feedback can change stuff. Anyway, I'll be off before I embarass myself. Even more.

[notveryawesome]

Well, blubug, if it's any consolation, I understood that you were mainly just telling folks that focus groups can be worthwhile and somewhat lucrative, by using examples of focus groups that you had attended, and I think that you got your point across just fine. So there

[cwykes]

However, the e-mail invites me to distribute this link http://www.focusgroup.com to my friends.   

It calls itself a global company, but it's looking for US residents - nowhere to say you live in Europe.

[blubug]

Well, blubug, if it's any consolation, I understood that you were mainly just telling folks that focus groups can be worthwhile and somewhat lucrative, by using examples of focus groups that you had attended, and I think that you got your point across just fine. So there

  Thank you.

*edited to correct smiley mistake.

[miros]

Well, I've been to a Dark Age of Camelot Round Table, shortly after EA had eaten Mythic, so I have been to an "EA focus group," indirectly.

One of my concerns was actually fixed within days, but that's in an online game where they're patching weekly.

[Li'l Brudder]

I knew what blubug meant, but I felt like saying something.

[blubug]

I know you did, I enjoyed your comment too It's just sometimes I need to re-phrase myself. English is my second language, and although I believe that I'm not too bad, thinking in another language makes me skip stuff or end up not making sense at all. (sometimes)

[Li'l Brudder]

Hey, you spell much much better than most of native English speakers.

Is that good or bad?