• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

*UPDATE* EA & NFL sign 5 year EXCLUSIVE contract last week, but wait till you heat this one guys!!

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Yeah a smart move by them but scummy nonetheless. What are they, the Microsoft of Video games now?

edit: spelling mistake.
 
Originally posted by: fisher
found this on shacknews:

Despite losing their NFL license due to the NFL's disdain for the Blitz series and EA's new exclusivity contract, Midway is hard at work on a football-related title. Called Blitz: Playmakers, the game revolves around the same setting that was used for ESPN's original series Playmakers. Midway has hired a writer of the show to help with the project and it'll feature all the hard-hitting drama that the show had; drugs, spousal abuse, and sexual situations. A Midway spokesperson told IGN, "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."
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

That sounds awesome, especially because I can't buy an NFL game for the next five years.

Originally posted by: allent1234
I think this was a good move by EA for their interests.

First they didn't like the way MS set up X-Box Live and they were only forced into it by Sega's support of it and the success of their titles. Second they hated dropping their prices. With this contract they get rid of a competitor and they can now negotiate with Microsoft from a stronger position for supporting Live in the next Madden.
Click to expand...

Every EA online experience I've had has been TERRIBLE, including their Live component of NBA Live this year. If I were to buy Madden next year (which I won't!!!) it certainoly wouldn't have been for the online component.

Now I have to consider not getting NBA Live 2006, too. Ouch.
 
I'm not a big football game fan (just watch it on tv), but this still pisses me off. If they do ANYTHING like this with the MLB, it's ON....
I think EA Sports just lost a whole lot of potential money... gotta love how things can backfire, even though the idiots that don't know there are better games out there (*coughESPNcough*) are still probly gonna buy the games and make EA all the money they need. Just watch for that premium price....
 
I HATE EA! Much more after this sh*t.

But, a playmakers game could be cool. I didn't know about that. And like someone said, they could do a college version. But still, damn you EA.
 
Wow that toatly sucks for sports fans. I usta play NFL games alot but havn't in the past few years I guess it is going to be another 5 years...
 
A little bit from IGNs article:

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."


EA after exclusive NBA and MLB rights?....l:|
 
Wow... speechless. Since playing the 2k series, I have had no desire to play madden. I will prob just stop playing football games now. That really bites....
 
I don't play football games, but don't really see the issue. NFL has bids for rights and someone wins the bid. Mainly aimed at kids that need the name recognition value. Serious players will just play the best game - names or not. Has always been that way, Doom 3 or HL2 sold many more copies than if they had no name recognition value. EA is just doing what all the companies are doing, trying to sell games.
 
Originally posted by: ronnn
I don't play football games, but don't really see the issue. NFL has bids for rights and someone wins the bid. Mainly aimed at kids that need the name recognition value. Serious players will just play the best game - names or not. Has always been that way, Doom 3 or HL2 sold many more copies than if they had no name recognition value. EA is just doing what all the companies are doing, trying to sell games.
Click to expand...

What I see them as doing is trying to run the competition into the ground so they don't have to make the many improvements that they have been required to make over the past few years in order to stay competitive against the rising giant known as ESPN games (which, as a result of this deal, will most likely be effectively hammered down). This is how you create a monopoly IMHO. If the government considers a monopoly a bad thing, then EA has done a bad thing. Who would want to buy any of the other games now? One of the biggest novelties was being able to play as your favorite team and with your favorite players. EA has killed that for everyone except for those who want to buy their games that are now most likely going to make meager advances compared to the past few years as a result of lack of solid competition.


I'm curious to see what Midway's new Blitz will be like now that they aren't constrained by "no-fun football."
 
One more thing:

I was wondering, since ESPN has close ties with Sega, anyone think this might effect relations between ESPN (and ESPN affiliates) and the NFL?

Just curiosity at work....
 
Originally posted by: chrisbtx
What I see them as doing is trying to run the competition into the ground so they don't have to make the many improvements that they have been required to make over the past few years in order to stay competitive against the rising giant known as ESPN games (which, as a result of this deal, will most likely be effectively hammered down). This is how you create a monopoly IMHO. If the government considers a monopoly a bad thing, then EA has done a bad thing. Who would want to buy any of the other games now? One of the biggest novelties was being able to play as your favorite team and with your favorite players. EA has killed that for everyone except for those who want to buy their games that are now most likely going to make meager advances compared to the past few years as a result of lack of solid competition.
Click to expand...
EA hasn't had to make any improvements lately because they have such brand recognition and frankly, people are such sheep, all the protests now won't mean a thing next August (or whenever) when Madden 2006 drops. People crying here now will rush to buy in faster than kids in an abstinance club get nekkid when the chaperone goes for a walk.

EA could DOUBLE the price for Madden and the junkies will pay it! Prove me otherwise! Even with people who liked NFL2K5 better, they still bought Madden because, "My friends like Madden and I need it for when they come over."

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!:disgust:

Speaking of monopolies - how about that Sony/Rockstar thing that's keeping GTA:SA exclusively on the PS2 for the time being? You see, if the NFL wants to chain their license to EA, whatever, it's their stuff. If you all are really serious, you actually won't buy another EA, but I'll bet when BF2 ships, you'll be on it.
 
i remember last year Microsoft purchased the rights of High Heat Baseball (which was the best baseball game for a few years, easily beating EA's Triple Player and MVP Baseball series) but where are their games?? wow

all these sports games are now basically EA. i mean who would pay $50 for crap like MVP baseball?

madden is pretty good however.
 
I don't care what kind of gamer you are, this sort of thing does not bode wel for the industry. I suppose it's just one more thing for EA to add to their ever growing list of things they've assimilated. Unfortunately, much of what EA touches seems to turn to gold for them, but sh*t for the actual player. That's not to say that their sports franchises are bad, but without heavy competition in this arena (as this agreement will certainly kill off much of the competition - people like to play games which are officially licensed), EA is likely to let their NFL based games decay to some extent. 2 thumbs down for EA, and for the NFL for allowing this kind of 'monopoly' to take place.
 
Originally posted by: DefRef
Originally posted by: chrisbtx
What I see them as doing is trying to run the competition into the ground so they don't have to make the many improvements that they have been required to make over the past few years in order to stay competitive against the rising giant known as ESPN games (which, as a result of this deal, will most likely be effectively hammered down). This is how you create a monopoly IMHO. If the government considers a monopoly a bad thing, then EA has done a bad thing. Who would want to buy any of the other games now? One of the biggest novelties was being able to play as your favorite team and with your favorite players. EA has killed that for everyone except for those who want to buy their games that are now most likely going to make meager advances compared to the past few years as a result of lack of solid competition.
Click to expand...
EA hasn't had to make any improvements lately because they have such brand recognition and frankly, people are such sheep, all the protests now won't mean a thing next August (or whenever) when Madden 2006 drops. People crying here now will rush to buy in faster than kids in an abstinance club get nekkid when the chaperone goes for a walk.

EA could DOUBLE the price for Madden and the junkies will pay it! Prove me otherwise! Even with people who liked NFL2K5 better, they still bought Madden because, "My friends like Madden and I need it for when they come over."

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!:disgust:

Speaking of monopolies - how about that Sony/Rockstar thing that's keeping GTA:SA exclusively on the PS2 for the time being? You see, if the NFL wants to chain their license to EA, whatever, it's their stuff. If you all are really serious, you actually won't buy another EA, but I'll bet when BF2 ships, you'll be on it.
Click to expand...

First off, I'm not gonna prove you otherwise, because some people are just crazy/idiots like that. Second, regarding GTA: SA, at least it will be coming out for the other systems in a decent amount of time, like before the game has lost all flair. It's like a shortened patent... the original creators get to reap the profits for a small period of time before the rest can have their go. With EA, there will be 5 game releases from other companies that will have been halted completely (in the NFL name, anyways). There is a difference there.
 
Originally posted by: Naustica
I will boycott EA Sports games for 5 years.
Click to expand...

There's no way after 5 years, anyone will even bother trying to model all the players again. This deal makes Madden the only game from now on.
 
Originally posted by: Modeps
Originally posted by: Naustica
I will boycott EA Sports games for 5 years.
Click to expand...

There's no way after 5 years, anyone will even bother trying to model all the players again. This deal makes Madden the only game from now on.
Click to expand...

That's not to say that others couldn't duplicate players, stadiums, and teams and simply put on another name. They could keep up, and potentially do quite well, assuming that enough negative publicity is generated about EA after this stunt. I for one plan on spreading the word.
 
I dont understand why EA just didnt buy SEGA / VC, it would have ended up being MUCH cheaper, and then we could see a combined effort from both houses...BUT NO!!!! F Sega and VC in their Pujols, this is what EA does when you start to take away their market share, instead of buying you out, they close you down. Classy EA, really.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top