Board Thread:Game Discussion/@comment-26388545-20151120071714/@comment-26388545-20151120154829

I used to be one of those "relax" people... then I got to the cars that cost 700+ gold and have 700 to 2,000 gold in upgrades. This game is quickly becomming a game that you can not ever keep at 100% completion without spending actual money. The NASCAR update brought a gold cost of 2818 if you wanted to have that series at 100% completion. If your just a cusual gamer, then that's fine, go enjoy yourself.

But I understand. AE earnings in 2014 were down, only 2.23 Billion. They were at 2.41B in 2013 and 2.5B in 2012. But they have had a nice turn around. So far in 2015 they are at 3.2 Billion... and the year isn't done yet!! Yup, I see why they need to increase what gamers pay. The executive officers get VERY handsome stock option rewards, some just shy of 10 Million. You can read it all HERE in their annual financial statements, that they are required to put out as a publicly traded company. It's a VERY long read.

Since AE is a PUBLICLY TRADED company, what the public says effects their stock value. Fidelity Management currently owns over 39 Million shares. At yesterdays close, the value of those shares is over 2.7 Billion. The public can really rock the boat in a situation like this!!

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with people earning really good money for doing a good job. But with earnings like these, why gouge the players??