EA named ‘worst company in America’ by Consumerist website

Electronic Arts (EA) was named 'worst company in America' by The Consumerist website after a consumer poll with over 250,000 respondents.

The Redwood, California-based company won the 'golden poo' award after a final round of voting in which it was paired with Bank of America for top spot.

According to USA Today the choice was based on reader voting that took place over a three-week period with voters making selections in a bracket format similar to the NCAA basketball tournament.

In the past EA has been criticized for acquiring smaller development studios in order to take hold of their intellectual property assets, while dramatically changing their games, reported the Escapist.

It has also been accused of holding back game content to charge for it later or putting out shoddy games, reported The Consumerist.

The firm has also faced criticism for poor treatment of workers – a situation which the company says that it had remedied.

EA was quick to brush off the harsh critique of its business practices.

“We’re sure that bank presidents, oil, tobacco and weapons companies are all relieved they weren’t on the list this year,” said EA spokesman John Reseburg, according to the Los Angeles Times. “We’re going to continue making award-winning games and services played by more than 300 million people worldwide.”

The Consumerist is a subsidiary of Consumer Reports magazine.

EA has recently been the center of controversy over two unrelated matters.

According to Forbes, the company has received thousands of letters protesting the inclusion of homosexual relationships in their game Star Wars: The Old Republic.

The letters are part of a campaign organized by Florida Family Association, which opposes homosexuality and says that EA was pressured to include the relationship by LGBT groups.

EA was also under pressure by customers after last month's release of 'Mass Effect', which featured an ending that reportedly left players highly dissatisfied.

The company said it would remedy the lackluster ending.