EA Adds Watermarks to Future Sponsored Content

Way past, in the distant days of 2013, EA had won its second "Worst Company in America" award, and boy, they weren't happy about this particular prize.  So much so that COO Peter Moore even spoke publicly about it (which was actually quite astonishing, as most winners don't even acknowledge it), saying that, while he was proud of his company, he knew that they could do better. Three years later, and things still aren't exactly sunshine and rainbows for EA... but, while they still get flack for Star Wars Battlefront and trying to use the term "Macrotransactions," one thing is for sure: they have been doing better .

Case in point: as of late, certain companies have been getting in trouble on YouTube, as they (specifically Ubisoft) have been paying video producers to make content about their game, either giving them early access or outright commanding them to say positive things about the games.  Now, most good YouTubers would clarify, either in the comments or in the video themselves, that this was a sponsored video, and that money was involved, but not all Youtubers would do that, which meant that paid advertisements were slipping into YouTube under the guise of fan-made content. Not good.

EA, however, has recently revealed on its German blog (and translated by, who else, NeoGAF) that it would be taking that extra step forward to increase transparency and stop anyone from confusing fan content with purchased content, with the introduction of new hashtags and watermarks, which they will ensure shows up in all future videos they play a part in.

"Supported by EA" would be used when the game itself was supplied by the company, but they allow the YouTuber to inject their personal, unedited thoughts on the game into the video. "Sponsored by EA," however, would be used when EA plays a direct role in controlling the content of the video itself.

While EA certainly does some crappy money-making practices, one thing is for sure: they've certainly stepped up their user-friendliness. It's hard to argue that the company has come a long way since 2013, when it was getting flack for always-online games and crappy mobile ports. And, this kind of proves a point I've been making for a long time: EA can be better. And with these new watermarks, which is something they've volunteered themselves for, they're taking yet another positive step in that direction.

So good job, EA. We're proud of you.