UFC vs EA - FIGHT Update: EA's Peter Moore responds!

[Queasy]

Update: EA's Peter Moore responds!

I also saw the first playable of EA SPORTS MMA while at Tiburon last week. We have a team of incredibly hardcore fans of the sport working hard and making excellent progress, and we look forward to delivering a title in 2010 that we believe will provide further focus and attention to the sport.

I know there has been some recent discussion about EA SPORTS bringing a challenger to this sport. I love mixed martial arts, and we?ve been working on a game concept since I came to EA two years ago. I have great respect for the organizations and individuals that have invested in the sport?s growth over the past decade ? so this is one that is near and dear to me and I?m excited to see such good progress to date. I trace my MMA video game roots back to my support of Crave?s UFC title on the Dreamcast in 2000, and have been a fan ever since. Our title will bring both innovation and further authenticity to mixed martial arts, not to mention a strong global publishing network that will help spread the sport?s popularity around the world.

(via Kotaku_) For those that haven't heard, the THQ published UFC fighter has done pretty phenomenally in game sales. So much so that EA took notice and is in the process of creating their own MMA fighter. This does not sit well with the UFC president Dana White after EA all but took a whiz in his Wheaties earlier by telling White that they had no interest in MMA and that it wasn't a real sport. How bad did this tick off White? So much so that White is threatening to ban any UFC fighter who appears in EA's MMA Fighting game.

White now says that he's at war with EA.

"We put our asses on the line, THQ and the UFC, to make a video-game deal in the worst economy in the world," White said. "We go out there and do this thing, and it's successful, and now [expletive] EA Sports wants to do a video game. Really? That's not what you told us a year-and-a-half ago.

"You told us you'd never be in business with us. They wouldn't even take a meeting because mixed martial arts disgusted them. This wasn't a real sport. Boy, they got over that real quick, didn't they?"

White views EA Sports' tactics with obvious disapproval, and he's made it clear that any fighter who signs over their likeness to the new project will be blacklisted from the UFC.

"I'm not tap-dancing around this thing or whatever," White said. "I'm telling you straight-up, I'm at war with them right now. That's how I look at it."

Obviously, EA can't get the UFC license but they can license individual fighters for their likenesses. They've already cut one such deal with Randy Couture who, despite White's pronouncements, will still be in the UFC after a court proceeding involving Couture and the UFC. Other fighters are rumored to be lining up for the EA payday so we'll see just how far White takes this war with EA.

 

[FuryofFive]

it would be rather cool if all the fighters were on board, just to show dana white he isnt as awesome as he thinks he is... This man sometimes isnt very professional. If EA could get Fedor..i swear that would be the best game ever...

 

[jdport]

EA kind of deserves it though.. by blowing them off until they see the game work and then suddenly trying to make nice again...

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: FuryofFive
it would be rather cool if all the fighters were on board, just to show dana white he isnt as awesome as he thinks he is... This man sometimes isnt very professional. If EA could get Fedor..i swear that would be the best game ever...

To show Dana White he isn't that awesome? EA slapped the dude in the face and said "no thanks, not now not ever" and now after seeing the success of someone else they want to use HIS franchise's fighters to make a game? Umm...who's too big for their britches in this situation?

As much as this guy sounds like a loser I'm with him completely on this topic. He gave them the chance, don't let EA steal the the fighters/rights after all the stink they made.

Hope those who sign do get banned.

 

[KlokWyze]

Originally posted by: kabob983

Originally posted by: FuryofFive
it would be rather cool if all the fighters were on board, just to show dana white he isnt as awesome as he thinks he is... This man sometimes isnt very professional. If EA could get Fedor..i swear that would be the best game ever...

To show Dana White he isn't that awesome? EA slapped the dude in the face and said "no thanks, not now not ever" and now after seeing the success of someone else they want to use HIS franchise's fighters to make a game? Umm...who's too big for their britches in this situation?

As much as this guy sounds like a loser I'm with him completely on this topic. He gave them the chance, don't let EA steal the the fighters/rights after all the stink they made.

Hope those who sign do get banned.

I absolutely agree with you Kabob. This would infuriate anyone who has created their own business only to be used by another, especially after being turned down in a possible rude way. Although, it sounds Dana isn't the nicest guy out there. Maybe I don't watch UFC enough or something, but I don't see Dana White as an asshole. Is he just tough with his contracts or something? Is he not PC enough?

 

[Kabob]

If EA went out and made "Bodog Fight MMA" or something like that I'd have no quarrels with this whatsoever, but the fact that it seems that they are hunting his fighters is what burns me.

 

[FuryofFive]

Dude EA is a massive company. They told him no from a professional stand point. This happens all the times with companies. If successful of course there will be more versions that come out of the wood works. I sometimes think dana white forgets he is part of a business and not some backyard club. EA is not in this "game" to lose money. and They felt they would. I can see dana's side. But professionalism should be key

 

[FuryofFive]

In reference to Klok...Dana white talks shit about other fighters when he shouldnt. He runs his mouth about fedor. All too much. Fedor competes in other place's other than MMA. Dana white being the jerk he is, will not let him compete in anything but UFC. Fedor is by far the best HWY fighter there is. he would destroy people like Brock lesnar. he would destroy UFC. he already has defeated many UFC fighters.

 

[cyphilis]

Dana is my hero. He tells it how it is, straight up everytime. There is no glitz and glammer or b.s.ing with him. He will tell you the truth if you want to hear it or not. I wish more CEOs of companies could be like him.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: FuryofFive
Dude EA is a massive company. They told him no from a professional stand point. This happens all the times with companies. If successful of course there will be more versions that come out of the wood works. I sometimes think dana white forgets he is part of a business and not some backyard club. EA is not in this "game" to lose money. and They felt they would. I can see dana's side. But professionalism should be key

Is UFC not a massive company as well? I don't think White approached EA with a bunch of silly ideas, when an organization that well known approaches you wanting to make a game and you say no you'd better have your reasons. That's fine that they didn't accept it BUT the fact that they did and now after the fact that the THQ game has done well they want to pursue something they already let go is...well...jerkish.

They should have said "oh well, we missed out on that bandwagon" and looked elsewhere but if they've just got to do MMA then don't go for UFC licenced fighters.

 

[ric1287]

Originally posted by: FuryofFive
In reference to Klok...Dana white talks shit about other fighters when he shouldnt. He runs his mouth about fedor. All too much. Fedor competes in other place's other than MMA. Dana white being the jerk he is, will not let him compete in anything but UFC. Fedor is by far the best HWY fighter there is. he would destroy people like Brock lesnar. he would destroy UFC. he already has defeated many UFC fighters.

And thats a bad thing? You sign him to a multi-million dollar deal, he gets hurt in some underground sambo tourney, then what? Money is just gone I guess? No biggie.

Why can't NFL players play in the CFL? Why does every major sports contract include a "don't do stupid dangerous shit" clause?

God I had that argument.

 

[cyphilis]

Originally posted by: FuryofFive
In reference to Klok...Dana white talks shit about other fighters when he shouldnt. He runs his mouth about fedor. All too much. Fedor competes in other place's other than MMA. Dana white being the jerk he is, will not let him compete in anything but UFC. Fedor is by far the best HWY fighter there is. he would destroy people like Brock lesnar. he would destroy UFC. he already has defeated many UFC fighters.

Check the latest MMA colums on websites.. Dana is going to get Fedor. When Dana says he will get a guy, he does. Fedor will be coming to the UFC, and we will see just how bad he is.

 

[tdawg]

Originally posted by: FuryofFive
Dude EA is a massive company. They told him no from a professional stand point. This happens all the times with companies. If successful of course there will be more versions that come out of the wood works. I sometimes think dana white forgets he is part of a business and not some backyard club. EA is not in this "game" to lose money. and They felt they would. I can see dana's side. But professionalism should be key

According to Dana's post, EA didn't turn it down because they thought it'd be unsuccessful, EA turned him down because "mixed martial arts disgusted them". If that's the reason that you turn him away and then get all hypocritical once you see $ signs at the end of the rainbow, he has every right to be pissed about it. Especially since there was probably more potential money up front from EA.

Personally, I'm glad that EA turned him away and THQ picked it up; they did a great job recreating the sport and the atmosphere of the telecasts of UFC bouts.

 

[gorcorps]

EA can suck one if this is really what happened. I hope EA fails miserably at their attempt at the genre.

 

[mmnno]

Originally posted by: kabob983

Originally posted by: FuryofFive
it would be rather cool if all the fighters were on board, just to show dana white he isnt as awesome as he thinks he is... This man sometimes isnt very professional. If EA could get Fedor..i swear that would be the best game ever...

To show Dana White he isn't that awesome? EA slapped the dude in the face and said "no thanks, not now not ever" and now after seeing the success of someone else they want to use HIS franchise's fighters to make a game? Umm...who's too big for their britches in this situation?

As much as this guy sounds like a loser I'm with him completely on this topic. He gave them the chance, don't let EA steal the the fighters/rights after all the stink they made.

Hope those who sign do get banned.

That was like three years ago though. The guys at EA who said that are now gone. I bet the new guys would like to murder the people who turned UFC down.

 

[iluvdeal]

EA can "license individual fighters for their likenesses"? Does this mean EA will produce a game where one of the guys is named "Candy Routure" and will look and fight like Randy Couture but they can't use his real name? If EA can actually use Randy Couture's name in the game that would seem unfair to the UFC. What would stop, say Tecmo from coming out with an football game doing the same sort of thing with NFL players?

Personally I'd like to get UFC games from multiple video companies rather than just one. The monopolizing of all the major sports by EA sucks.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: mmnno

Originally posted by: kabob983

Originally posted by: FuryofFive
it would be rather cool if all the fighters were on board, just to show dana white he isnt as awesome as he thinks he is... This man sometimes isnt very professional. If EA could get Fedor..i swear that would be the best game ever...

To show Dana White he isn't that awesome? EA slapped the dude in the face and said "no thanks, not now not ever" and now after seeing the success of someone else they want to use HIS franchise's fighters to make a game? Umm...who's too big for their britches in this situation?

As much as this guy sounds like a loser I'm with him completely on this topic. He gave them the chance, don't let EA steal the the fighters/rights after all the stink they made.

Hope those who sign do get banned.

That was like three years ago though. The guys at EA who said that are now gone. I bet the new guys would like to murder the people who turned UFC down.

Umm, so what? They represented the company. It may have been an individual decision on said developer's parts but officially it was EA's call.

 

[FuryofFive]

Originally posted by: tdawg

Originally posted by: FuryofFive
Dude EA is a massive company. They told him no from a professional stand point. This happens all the times with companies. If successful of course there will be more versions that come out of the wood works. I sometimes think dana white forgets he is part of a business and not some backyard club. EA is not in this "game" to lose money. and They felt they would. I can see dana's side. But professionalism should be key

According to Dana's post, EA didn't turn it down because they thought it'd be unsuccessful, EA turned him down because "mixed martial arts disgusted them". If that's the reason that you turn him away and then get all hypocritical once you see $ signs at the end of the rainbow, he has every right to be pissed about it. Especially since there was probably more potential money up front from EA.

Personally, I'm glad that EA turned him away and THQ picked it up; they did a great job recreating the sport and the atmosphere of the telecasts of UFC bouts.

thats what i was trying to say. EA is a company that sees dollar signs. They didnt see dollar signs. thats typically what drives them..them and activision. Im suprised we didnt see them come out wiht something

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: FuryofFive
thats what i was trying to say. EA is a company that sees dollar signs. They didnt see dollar signs. thats typically what drives them..them and activision. Im suprised we didnt see them come out wiht something

Umm, Activision didn't tell them no once. I fail to see your arguement in favor of EA.

Simple facts:
-White takes idea to EA
-EA says "no thanks, not now not ever, your sport sucks"
-White takes idea to THQ
-THQ says yes and makes a good selling game
-EA says "wait, when we said "screw you" we meant "yes," let us use your fighters for a game now that we saw someone else do it"
-White gets upset

Yeah, EA is a company, sure, and as such they should handle this like a professional company needs to. Realize you messed up and try to find the next idea instead of going back to the guy you threw out once.

 

[FuryofFive]

EA is just a company that usualyl gobbles up IP's and just bangs out expansion on top of expansion. or sequel on top of sequel.

im just saying, its what EA does.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: iluvdeal
EA can "license individual fighters for their likenesses"? Does this mean EA will produce a game where one of the guys is named "Candy Routure" and will look and fight like Randy Couture but they can't use his real name? If EA can actually use Randy Couture's name in the game that would seem unfair to the UFC. What would stop, say Tecmo from coming out with an football game doing the same sort of thing with NFL players?

Personally I'd like to get UFC games from multiple video companies rather than just one. The monopolizing of all the major sports by EA sucks.

There was a football game like that a while back. They got licensing from the NFLPA (players union) but not the NFL, so they had stupid made up team names, but real player names.

 

[FuryofFive]

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: iluvdeal
EA can "license individual fighters for their likenesses"? Does this mean EA will produce a game where one of the guys is named "Candy Routure" and will look and fight like Randy Couture but they can't use his real name? If EA can actually use Randy Couture's name in the game that would seem unfair to the UFC. What would stop, say Tecmo from coming out with an football game doing the same sort of thing with NFL players?

Personally I'd like to get UFC games from multiple video companies rather than just one. The monopolizing of all the major sports by EA sucks.

There was a football game like that a while back. They got licensing from the NFLPA (players union) but not the NFL, so they had stupid made up team names, but real player names.

tecmo bowl for the DS is like that

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: iluvdeal
EA can "license individual fighters for their likenesses"? Does this mean EA will produce a game where one of the guys is named "Candy Routure" and will look and fight like Randy Couture but they can't use his real name? If EA can actually use Randy Couture's name in the game that would seem unfair to the UFC. What would stop, say Tecmo from coming out with an football game doing the same sort of thing with NFL players?

Personally I'd like to get UFC games from multiple video companies rather than just one. The monopolizing of all the major sports by EA sucks.

There was a football game like that a while back. They got licensing from the NFLPA (players union) but not the NFL, so they had stupid made up team names, but real player names.

You mean the one where OJ Simpson was on The Assassins? :laugh:

 

[Queasy]

Update: EA's Peter Moore responds!

I also saw the first playable of EA SPORTS MMA while at Tiburon last week. We have a team of incredibly hardcore fans of the sport working hard and making excellent progress, and we look forward to delivering a title in 2010 that we believe will provide further focus and attention to the sport.

I know there has been some recent discussion about EA SPORTS bringing a challenger to this sport. I love mixed martial arts, and we?ve been working on a game concept since I came to EA two years ago. I have great respect for the organizations and individuals that have invested in the sport?s growth over the past decade ? so this is one that is near and dear to me and I?m excited to see such good progress to date. I trace my MMA video game roots back to my support of Crave?s UFC title on the Dreamcast in 2000, and have been a fan ever since. Our title will bring both innovation and further authenticity to mixed martial arts, not to mention a strong global publishing network that will help spread the sport?s popularity around the world.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: Queasy
Update: EA's Peter Moore responds!

I also saw the first playable of EA SPORTS MMA while at Tiburon last week. We have a team of incredibly hardcore fans of the sport working hard and making excellent progress, and we look forward to delivering a title in 2010 that we believe will provide further focus and attention to the sport.

I know there has been some recent discussion about EA SPORTS bringing a challenger to this sport. I love mixed martial arts, and we?ve been working on a game concept since I came to EA two years ago. I have great respect for the organizations and individuals that have invested in the sport?s growth over the past decade ? so this is one that is near and dear to me and I?m excited to see such good progress to date. I trace my MMA video game roots back to my support of Crave?s UFC title on the Dreamcast in 2000, and have been a fan ever since. Our title will bring both innovation and further authenticity to mixed martial arts, not to mention a strong global publishing network that will help spread the sport?s popularity around the world.

Not much of a response as he doesn't even address the attacks/claims of White.