EA Rapes Gamers Once Again

[Zilla Man]

Silver Sparrow, you were wrong.

I'm so pissed that I'm just gonna post the news. I'll rant about it later.

Thanks, Madden accolytes!

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=92597

EA EXTENDS NFL DEAL TO 2013

News by GamesIndustry.biz

Electronic Arts has extended its licensing deal with the National Football League and NFL Players to create and distribute American football games until 2013, GamesIndustry.biz reports.

As well as covering all forms of console videogames - handheld, home consoles and console-based online features - the agreement also allows EA access to NFL Films and the NFL Network "to enrich its game experiences".

"This is all about bringing authenticity and realism to NFL videogames," commented Eric Grubman, president of NFL Ventures.



"EA Sports continually works to maintain the cutting edge for NFL products across a variety of gaming platforms. We like the fact that they never rest."

EA's Madden franchise has genereated over USD 2 billion in retail sales, and 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of the series.

"For nearly two decades, EA Sports has been bringing sports fans closer to the great game of football through the breakthrough interactive experiences of our videogames," said Peter Moore, president of EA Sports.

"Game quality is our top priority, and we're committed to pushing our gameplay innovation, connecting football fans via rich online experiences and delivering the most visually stunning sports games on the market," he added.

[Shinjifei]

"EA Sports continually works to maintain the cutting edge...."

What the heck is this BS.....

[silversparrow]

Silver Sparrow, you were wrong.

In the other thread I was talking about EA's restructuring strategy, how they would give their developers more autonomy.

Unfortunately as we can see here, that decision isn't going to change their aggressive monopolistic behavior.

[theWacoKid]

Zilla, you don't even play football games, wtf do you care?

[Glockstar]

What was it, like 3 years ago now, when EA and the NFL signed the first deal? Well, as before there's two parties to be upset at here: the NFL is just as much "at fault" for this unfairness too, don't forget.

There was a lot of negative backlash over this 3 years ago. I would have thought that the NFL would have felt that and maybe learned a lesson. Guess not.

Oh well; I don't play the Madden's anymore (and haven't in a long long time) so I don't care all that much. The question is, how do the Madden-ites feel? Have they been happy with their yearly ingeminations since this deal went underway? Or have they been screwed? (If they have its their own frackin' fault!)

[T.Tashi]

What was it, like 3 years ago now, when EA and the NFL signed the first deal? Well, as before there's two parties to be upset at here: the NFL is just as much "at fault" for this unfairness too, don't forget.

There was a lot of negative backlash over this 3 years ago. I would have thought that the NFL would have felt that and maybe learned a lesson. Guess not.

Oh well; I don't play the Madden's anymore (and haven't in a long long time) so I don't care all that much. The question is, how do the Madden-ites feel? Have they been happy with their yearly ingeminations since this deal went underway? Or have they been screwed? (If they have its their own frackin' fault!)

Same here the last Madden game I bought was in 2001. My interest is more in the action adventure stuff EA used to develop and publish back in the day, those dev houses they basically killed off and how they are going to move forward with their portfolio outside the sports genre. I'd be shocked if they released their stranglehold on Madden so I'm not surprised at that. But truth be told, I think NFL2K was just too much competition. So they pulled a Microsoft and essentially eliminated the competition.

Off topic, I don't pay that much attention to football either since our Chiefs organization has been run into the ground. When they finally get rid of our GM Carl Peterson I'll start paying attention again. Which isn't likely to be soon. The good news is I won our office pool for predicting the Chiefs 2007 season record. A stellar 4-12.

[Zilla Man]

Zilla, you don't even play football games, wtf do you care?

Actually, I do, I'm just not a fanatic about it.

Going all the way back to 16 bit, I usually got the alternative (like Joe Montanna SportsTalk) while my friends picked up Madden. We'd constantly swap, so I always had the best of both worlds. My interest trailed of until Game Day 98, when I got into it again.

When Sega released NFL 2K for the PS2 I got hooked again; all the way through 2K5 for the Xbox, which I consider one of the best (if not the best) grid iron console experiences (which I still play).

Even the most die hard Madden acolyte will admit that the Maddens that were released during the Game Day and 2K competitive years were the better ones. Now EA doesn't even have to try again. Sorry, but I don't think them having a monoploy all the way through a console generation is good for gamers.

BTW, I rented All Pro for PS3. While I liked it better than Madden, I'm hoping next year's will be better.

[Zilla Man]

In the other thread I was talking about EA's restructuring strategy, how they would give their developers more autonomy.

Unfortunately as we can see here, that decision isn't going to change their aggressive monopolistic behavior.

Yeah, I know. I was'n trying to attack your observation, Silver; sorry if it came off that way.

I was just trying to say that despite Riccitello's sudden "conversion" that I'll believe it when I see it. TI was just using the NFL monoploy is just one example of the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[DrunkenThumbmaster]

Madden 08 with the exception of the ridiculous amounts of fumbles probably is the best football game EA has ever made. Nearing the greatness of ESPN 2k5. Still no competition is never good.

[DrunkenThumbmaster]

Actually, I do, I'm just not a fanatic about it.

Going all the way back to 16 bit, I usually got the alternative (like Joe Montanna SportsTalk) while my friends picked up Madden. We'd constantly swap, so I always had the best of both worlds. My interest trailed of until Game Day 98, when I got into it again.

When Sega released NFL 2K for the PS2 I got hooked again; all the way through 2K5 for the Xbox, which I consider one of the best (if not the best) grid iron console experiences (which I still play).

Even the most die hard Madden acolyte will admit that the Maddens that were released during the Game Day and 2K competitive years were the better ones. Now EA doesn't even have to try again. Sorry, but I don't think them having a monoploy all the way through a console generation is good for gamers.

BTW, I rented All Pro for PS3. While I liked it better than Madden, I'm hoping next year's will be better.

This is wrong the best madden outside of maybe Madden 93 for the Sega Genesis. Like I said in my other post.

[Jyoharl]

It amazes me how people complain left and right about EA screwing them over with their NFL license extension...and people STILL buy the madden games year after year...

Here's an idea....stop buying it.

[PapaSmurf]

the people comeplaining aren't the people buying it. NCAA Football 2008 was amazing. So many options. Of course they left out little things like cheerleaders and refs actually on the field, the game as a whole package is one of the better NCAA's imo.

[Tappy_Tibbons]

EA looks to be wanting Take 2

[Jyoharl]

ROFL! EA knows that if 2K gets even a whiff of a right to produce an official NFL game, they will die! They can't hold a candle to 2K in terms of their NBA games, so they want to cower and renew the NFL license again? That's a pure B***H move!

Looks like the only games I can respect from EA is Mutant League, and the Desert Strike series...