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[ManaByte]

http://sports.ign.com/articles/572/572886p1.html

On a scarier note for these same publishers, rumors are already circulating that EA is attempting to negotiate similar deals with the NBA and Major League Baseball. When IGN contacted Trudy Muller, spokesperson for Electronic Arts about these rumors, she told us: "We cannot speculate at this time about any further plans these other leagues may have."

Resistance is futile!

 

[Xellos]

One more for the EA boycott here. The only EA published game I enjoyed this gen was Freedom Fighters, so it's not like I'll be missing much.

Hope EA doesn't go after the NBA or NHL next.

*edit -- read IGN quote above*

 

[Musashi Wins!]

<can't wait for the next big EA release to watch the grumbling.....>

I'm curious... since the NFL came up with the idea and shopped it around according to the gamespot article will you whiners also be boycotting the NFL?

I think it's time to abandon ship and just become a Pol Pot fanboy.

 

[ManaByte]

One more for the EA boycott here. The only EA published game I enjoyed this gen was Freedom Fighters, so it's not like I'll be missing much.

Hope EA doesn't go after the NBA or NHL next.

IGN is saying that they are trying to secure NBA and MLB now.

 

[Xellos]

Even if EA does get all the pro-sports licensces, I hope VC/Sega/Take-Two continue to make budget sports games. After this I would buy ESPN Generic Football/Basketball before buying an EA NFL/NBA game.

 

[Chi-Town]

The NFL Street 2 sales' numbers should be interesting.

 

[J2 Cool]

K, Fuck Madden for good, and I'm a fan! Seriously, boycott.

 

[sonycowboy]

The NFL Street 2 sales' numbers should be interesting.

That game didn't have much of a future and I don't expect this to change that much at all.

 

[AirBrian]

We believe that the decisions of the National Football League and Players Inc. to grant an exclusive license for video games do a tremendous disservice to the consumers and sports fans, whose funds ultimately support the NFL, by limiting their choices, curbing creativity and almost certainly leading to higher game prices.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=7080649&pageNumber=0

 

[PhatSaqs]

Hil-IGN on this news:

I feel like I'm Ron Artest and EA just threw a beer at me.

:lol

 

[Chi-Town]

From IGN's story, it seems Midway doesn't care. They've hooked up with one of the writers of the ESPN series Playmakers to do a new Blitz game that features stuff that the NFL hated in that series like player's drug problems.

 

[J2 Cool]

I feel like I'm Ron Artest and EA just threw a beer at me.

Holy shit! So sums it up :lol :lol

 

[DarienA]

From IGN's story, it seems Midway doesn't care. They've hooked up with one of the writers of the ESPN series Playmakers to do a new Blitz game that features stuff that the NFL hated in that series like player's drug problems.

So Midway's experiment with real football is over? Thank god... bring back the blitz shit!

 

[ManaByte]

From IGN's story, it seems Midway doesn't care. They've hooked up with one of the writers of the ESPN series Playmakers to do a new Blitz game that features stuff that the NFL hated in that series like player's drug problems.

Yeah, I like the two quotes they have:

According to an interview earlier this year with Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal, an NFL spokesperson confirmed that they were through working with Midway: "Midway has been quietly dropped in a 'mutual decision' as an NFL video game licensee after years of controversy over the level of violence in its NFL Blitz game."

When IGN contacted Midway about the rumored Blitz: Playmakers, a spokesperson confirmed the game's existence and told us: "Enough of the 'No Fun League'…it's now time to talk about and prepare for the game the NFL wouldn't let anyone make…Blitz the way it should be played."

 

[JackFrost2012]

Two Ziff mags shut down, and now this? What an awful, awful day.

This is an asshole move on EA's part. I didn't buy their games anyways but I'll not buy them with relish in the future. I can't imagine it makes any financial sense for them, either, given what they must have paid - they're scared and desperate and spending money to hide that.

Look at how their Q4 games all bombed ... EA is going to take over the industry and destroy it from the inside.

>_<

 

[sonicfan]

One BEEEEEEEEEELLIUNNNNN DOLLARZ

(seriously)

Dr. Evil? Or is it Lawrence F. Probst, III? You Decide.

 

[Pimpwerx]

I am a Madden whore and general EA supporter, but this is BAD. No if, ands, or buts about it, this is so fucking wrong it's not funny. When you cut out the competition from anything, the quality suffers. Without someone keeping EA sharp, and for 5 fucking years, this doesn't bode well for the next gen Madden. Why would the NFL do this? This is just stupid. PEACE.

 

[Drey1082]

I am a Madden whore and general EA supporter, but this is BAD. No if, ands, or buts about it, this is so fucking wrong it's not funny. When you cut out the competition from anything, the quality suffers. Without someone keeping EA sharp, and for 5 fucking years, this doesn't bode well for the next gen Madden. Why would the NFL do this? This is just stupid. PEACE.

The NFL did this because they don't like to see price wars with there NFL brand name involved.

 

[AstroLad]

The NFL did this because they don't like to see price wars with there NFL brand name involved.

Apparently they don't feel as threatened by shitty, stale-ass games of their sport for half a decade. Makes sense to me.

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

Has EA stated how much revenue they make off of the Madden series games? While I recognize that they do other ventures using the Madden name (Chiefly the NFL Street games and touring which people pay for) If they can't come up with a plan that not only nets them the 250 million/year (I think) and covers development and publishing expenses, they may be in over their heads for a bit.

 

[Willco]

I think people are forgetting that EA will most definitely be charging a subscription fee for online play next year. Whether or not it's annual or monthly, you will be paying for roster updates and online multiplayer for sure.

 

[Goreomedy]

you will be paying for roster updates and online multiplayer for sure.

No, I won't.

 

[Willco]

No, I won't.

Then you won't be receiving updates or playing online, unless you somehow got some special deal because you work for EA.

 

[Vgamer]

For sure I bet EA is foaming at the mouth with anticipation to charge for online play, leagues, roster updates. The works. With no competition the skies the limit. And im sure the game will retail for $65 or if not that definetly more then the $49.99 MSRP of this years. Maybe start slow at $55 or $60 to get the consumer used to the new EA way of doing business.

 

[heidern]

How much does Madden sell? About 5 Million or so right? Add in NFL street and the potential for the management sim then you are looking at potentially what? 7-10 million games per year? That would probably be $350-500M @ $50. With platinum prices too you are looking at $300-400M per year gross.

Knock off costs like development, distribution, marketing and retailer cuts and so on they profit maybe $100-200 per year. Over 5 years $500-1000M. How much of that goes to the NFL? Considering ea make all the investment and so on, I think $200-500M is most likely. $1B is too unlikely.,

 

[robojimbo]

Sega Football Slam! Make it happen!

 

[Mrbob]

I found this another board if you want to get in contact with the NFL Players Association here you go:

Headquarters

2021 L Street, N.W.
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
800-372-2000
202-463-2200


Western Office

423 Washington Street
Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94111
800-900-9404
415-438-3800

 

[PhatSaqs]

The NFL did this because they don't like to see price wars with there NFL brand name involved.

Then why not just increase the price to play rather than go exclusive?

 

[Willco]

For sure I bet EA is foaming at the mouth with anticipation to charge for online play, leagues, roster updates. The works. With no competition the skies the limit. And im sure the game will retail for $65 or if not that definetly more then the $49.99 MSRP of this years. Maybe start slow at $55 or $60 to get the consumer used to the new EA way of doing business.

Madden will retail for $49.99 and nothing more, unless EA plans on offering CE content.

It'll retail for $49.99, but you'll be forced to tack on those online surcharges. And that's where they'll make some money.

 

[Mrbob]

Wilco, I think it is time that your lawyers give the NFL PA a call.

 

[Willco]

Wilco, I think it is time that your lawyers give the NFL PA a call.

Do I dare pull them out of the time machine?

 

[DMczaf]

:lol On one hand I hate this because it kills competition, on the other hand it's fun seeing Madden haters like Konex cry

 

[AstroLad]

:lol On one hand I hate this because it kills competition, on the other hand it's fun seeing Madden haters like Konex cry

It's always fun seeing Konex cry, but this is a bad thing! Not a good, funny thing like Kobe choking away a game!

 

[Infinitemadness]

Thats it, bring on Mario Football.

 

[PhatSaqs]

Thought this was hilarious:

:lol :lol

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

i have to say that madden is a far superior game to ESPN NFL, but this is a huge bitch move. it's like me playing a pickup game of basketball and i'm dominating. then this dude comes around and starts playing me competitively. so instead of practicing and getting better, i take my ball home and play by myself on my own court. that kind of stuff gets your ass KICKED ON THE STREETS BOYEEEEEEEE!


p.s. but on the flip side...


DMczafX23: if it was just Sega vs. EA again, then EA wouldnt have had to do this!
WhosSorryNow015: lol i know
WhosSorryNow015: thats the irony of it all
WhosSorryNow015: if sega just shut its mouth and kept getting its ass kicked in peace...
WhosSorryNow015: then EA wouldn't have to bring the hammer down!
DMczafX23: lol, this goes on the "Things you dont fucking do" List next to "Don't step on Superman's cape"
DMczafX23: "Don't fuck with EA"
WhosSorryNow015: DONT TUG ON SUPERMANS CAPE! YOU DONT!

 

[DMczaf]

it's like me playing a pickup game of basketball and i'm dominating. then this dude comes around and starts playing me competitively. so instead of practicing and getting better, i take my ball home and play by myself on my own court. that kind of stuff gets your ass KICKED ON THE STREETS BOYEEEEEEEE!

Pfft, EA would just BUY the streets! Boooyyyeeeeeeeeeee! That's how it's done in da 'burbs!

 

[Hollywood]

Guys, your forgetting ... ESPN NCAA Football will be BACK NOW!!!

The NCAA is so much better than the pro's, hopefully this means another game! More College games would be awesome.

 

[DJ Sl4m]

EA sucks ass, I can't believe they sunk this low.

 

[Ghost of Bill Gates]

 

[ManaByte]

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

So fitting.

 

[B E N K E]

I really wonder how this will affect the whole Sega / Take Two arrangement. If Take Two have already bought out Visual Concepts or signed the deal, Sega might just have made the best deal ever. If not, well it's just typical Sega I guess.

Anyway, what do I care, I'm European! :lol

 

[DMczaf]

I really wonder how this will affect the whole Sega / Take Two arrangement. If Take Two have already bought out Visual Concepts or signed the deal, Sega might just have made the best deal ever. If not, well it's just typical Sega I guess.

Anyway, what do I care, I'm European! :lol

I bet Sega was JUST about to get Take Two to sign the contract to buy out Visual Concepts, then at the last second someone ran into the boardroom yelling out "EA has the NFL exclusive for 5 years!" then Take Two said "Nice try Sega, nice try..."

 

[shpankey]

man, i prefer the EA Sports games (except for NHL where Sega rules) and am a diehard Madden fan and even I recognize this is some really fucked up shit. damn you EA.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

:lol not even that DM it went like this...

Take2: Alright sounds good, where do I sign??
Sega: Oh, just sign on the dotted line on the bottom. I'll go get you a pen.
Take2: I have one here...
Sega: Yeah but that's a blue pen, we here at sega like to sign things with black pens. It's just one of the little "sega differences". I'll go get the pen from Marty. He's on the 3rd floor.
Take2: ... uhhh you guys own more than 1 black pen right??
Sega: What was that? I didn't hear what you said. And now I'll be right back. Here, watch some TV while I go get the pen. We only get the reuters channel here. Top management thought it would really boost our resolve and morale.

TV: ...and it appears as though sega just got fucked up the ass as EA has signed a 5 year exclusive deal with the NFL/NFLPA...



poor sega, they can do no right!

 

[DMczaf]

:lol not even that DM it went like this...

Take2: Alright sounds good, where do I sign??
Sega: Oh, just sign on the dotted line on the bottom. I'll go get you a pen.
Take2: I have one here...
Sega: Yeah but that's a blue pen, we here at sega like to sign things with black pens. It's just one of the little "sega differences". I'll go get the pen from Marty. He's on the 3rd floor.
Take2: ... uhhh you guys own more than 1 black pen right??
Sega: What was that? I didn't hear what you said. And now I'll be right back. Here, watch some TV while I go get the pen. We only get the reuters channel here. Top management thought it would really boost our resolve and morale.

TV: ...and it appears as though sega just got fucked up the ass as EA has signed a 5 year exclusive deal with the NFL/NFLPA...



poor sega, they can do no right!

:lol Wheres the Charlie Brown music for Sega walking with their head down.

 

[ZILLION]

I really wonder how this will affect the whole Sega / Take Two arrangement. If Take Two have already bought out Visual Concepts or signed the deal, Sega might just have made the best deal ever. If not, well it's just typical Sega I guess.

Anyway, what do I care, I'm European! :lol

The letter of intent was binding. It depends on what exactly is said in the letter. Im going to take a guess that Sega probably sought this deal for protection in the event that EA was successful and that TTwo is screwed.


From the original announcement:

Sega announced that the company has signed a binding letter of intent (LOI) with Take-Two Interactive to co-publish all SEGA ESPN Videogames sports titles, including ESPN NFL Football, ESPN NBA Basketball, ESPN NHL Hockey, ESPN College Hoops and ESPN Major League Baseball worldwide.

The multi-year co-publishing and distribution agreement includes a provision for Take-Two to further extend its participation in Sega's sports game business and all associated intellectual property for current and future gaming platforms. Exclusive distribution of ESPN Videogames will be managed by Jack of All Games in North America and Take-Two Europe for international territories.

 

[PhatSaqs]

One evil move deserves another..... [envisions EA waving an exclusive "NFL Football" 5 year contract in view of Sony and MS execs]

 

[mj1108]

From the IGN boards:

:lol

 

[shpankey]

man, thank God Microsoft got EA signed up on Xbox Live last year, before all this shit went down! could have been really ugly for Xbox this year.