EA buys ESPN License, Takes Huge Dump on Visual Concepts

[arsenalgear]

Read away (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/01/17/news_6116473.html)


What the fuck? It's as if EA wasn't assholes enough, they've gone and done this and basically put Sega Sports brand outta business.

[Ugamer_X]

I hate EA.

[Gothic Walrus]

Have I mentioned lately that EA fucking sucks?

Because they do.

The only sports games I buy are used (with the one recent exception being the PC NHL 2004 I got for Christmas); I wish that everyone else would do the same. EA doesn't need our money if they've got this much, after all, so why not give it to GameStop or EB instead?

[mtxbass1]

such.....crap....must....not....get....angry....

[MorPhiend]

Okay all of you nay-sayers. I suppose that you still think that EA is not attempting a monopoly?!?

[secretvampire]

Looks like EA will become the first video game publisher to be investigated for anti-trust, anti-competitive practices some day (probably not quite yet, but once they make this kind of thing a regular occurance). I mean, this isn't coincidental, they are taking dead aim at Sega and using their pocketbooks to force them out of business.

[MorPhiend]

Have I mentioned lately that EA shaq-fuing sucks?

Because they do.

The only sports games I buy are used (with the one recent exception being the PC NHL 2004 I got for Christmas); I wish that everyone else would do the same. EA doesn't need our money if they've got this much, after all, so why not give it to GameStop or EB instead?

I agree. There are plenty of parents and casual gamers who don't realize what EA is doing to the market, who will buy the games anyway. So there will be plenty of used ones available. I say to go even further and not buy any new EA games at all, not just the sports titles.

[DocBledsoe]

It's just like WalMart. Who cares? If Walmart setup a game trade in situation and shaved 35% off the cost of used games would you boycott them in fear of lasing EBgames and Gamestop? Hell No, you'd buy their cheap ass games.
Incidentally, this is old news. EA Sports spent millions advertising on ESPN/ABC and ESPN.com. ESPN never blocked this - b/c this was coming.

[hutno]

WTF

[y2jrevolution]

Espn NBA 2K series, you will be missed :cry: I hate NBA Live :evil: DIE EA :twisted:

[VanillaGorilla]

Espn NBA 2K series, you will be missed :cry: I hate NBA Live :evil: DIE EA :twisted:
SEGA and VC will just go back to making NBA games without the ESPN license, no big deal. And this is great news for Madden fans, since the presentation in that game has been old for the last 3 years. Funny how nobody blames ESPN or the NFL for these deals, they are just as responsible for "killing VC" as EA is.

[TheRock88]

Man, that just sucks ass. I really liked Sega's sports games because of the gameplay and the ESPN presentation. :(

[TJordan522]

Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! My precious ESPN NHL series!!!!! The exclusive football deal was mildly annoying, but now this is personal. Die EA!

Me-----> :twoguns: :twisted: <------EA

[evilmax17]

I feel so powerless and scared.

[FriskyTanuki]

Maybe this is the end of Madden, with the ESPN license, they don't need the Madden name.

[howard]

This is just like Marvel Comics of the 90's, buying up the rights to whatever they could, and look what happened to them....

[Weedy649]

This sucks for me as well. I hated the ESPN presentation and thought the 2k was much better. As for madden i hope it isnt filled with a bunch of espn crap because it will be the first time i wont even consider buying a madden game

[Chris Dillon]

if you got the cash you spend it. This is just smart business. Every business in the world does this but this just is very public and somewhat effects us. Doesnt hurt me one bit. I can`t wait to have Chris Bermen Sportcenter talking about my plays.

[Gothic Walrus]

It's just like WalMart. Who cares? If Walmart setup a game trade in situation and shaved 35% off the cost of used games would you boycott them in fear of lasing EBgames and Gamestop? Hell No, you'd buy their cheap ass games.
Incidentally, this is old news. EA Sports spent millions advertising on ESPN/ABC and ESPN.com. ESPN never blocked this - b/c this was coming.

1.) Why would ESPN "block" the ads?
2.) Despite what you think, a lot of people would boycott it. Competition in a market is always a good thing. Look at the group of rabid Firefox supporters, or the people like me who try not to set foot in Wal-Mart unless it's absolutely required to do so.

In any case, the analogy doesn't hold water because EA won't be cutting the prices of the games. In fact, chances are that they'll either go back up to $50 or higher, when the next generation of consoles comes out.

Maybe this is the end of Madden, with the ESPN license, they don't need the Madden name.

Madden ESPN Football 2007?

Sega will still probably make NBA, MLB, and NHL games with the respective licenses (assuming EA doesn't buy those too), but football is the biggest cash cow of the lot...and this could be a very bad sign for the sports market, or for gaming as a whole.

[Gothic Walrus]

if you got the cash you spend it. This is just smart business. Every business in the world does this but this just is very public and somewhat effects us. Doesnt hurt me one bit. I can`t wait to have Chris Bermen Sportcenter talking about my plays.

It does hurt you. EA won't have a real reason to innovate or to radically change their games anymore, because there won't be any competition.

[Josef]

If you can't beat them, bulldoze them into oblivion. Bastards.

[maxflight]

wow, I didn't think EA can be more of a prick than they already are, I guess I was wrong.

[cthcky33]

Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! My precious ESPN NHL series!!!!! The exclusive football deal was mildly annoying, but now this is personal. Die EA!

Me-----> :twoguns: :twisted: <------EA

exactly what you said, i need my ESPN nhl 2k5 :(

15 years is a little excessive isnt it, eventually the ea boycott will just be til the end of time.

is everybody holding strong with the EA boycott?? i know i am, ill get timesplitters used a little while after it comes out so im not giving ea my money

[Stryffe2004]

if you got the cash you spend it. This is just smart business. Every business in the world does this but this just is very public and somewhat effects us. Doesnt hurt me one bit. I can`t wait to have Chris Bermen Sportcenter talking about my plays.

It does hurt you. EA won't have a real reason to innovate or to radically change their games anymore, because there won't be any competition.

Exactly.

[Death2Sanity]

Can't say you didn't see this coming...EA already had a lot of ESPN announcers in their college games.

Damn...other video game companies had better get on the ball. If EA starts resting on their laurels with their recent success, the other guys will have a chance to prove themselves.

Kinda a while Windows-Linux/OSX thing. Everybody gets all 'boo Microsoft' and tries out alternatives. I guess this is why I'm not as scared as everybody else is. This isn't the first time stuff like this has happened, and it will sort itself out.

And seriously, you claim EA has no reason to innovate...well, again, you're going to say what you will regardless. I much prefer the wait-and-see approach, instead of assembling the lynching crowd immediately.

[sketch226]

well, as long as they're publishing a handful of good games like Burnout 3, Oddworld and Timesplitters they're going to get some of my money...but I don't have to be happy about it.

[cthcky33]

oh who will slay this beast known simply as EA

[DocBledsoe]

Sorry Goth, but there is NEVER a reason that you MUST go to Walmart. You choose too. If you liked competition you wouldn't be on this site. You want the lowest price. Seeking the lowest deal skims margins that have to be made up somewhere. Whether it's in the development of the game, the packaging, or the salaries of the oaf that put's them on the shelves.

[FriskyTanuki]

Maybe this is the end of Madden, with the ESPN license, they don't need the Madden name.

Madden ESPN Football 2007?

Sega will still probably make NBA, MLB, and NHL games with the respective licenses (assuming EA doesn't buy those too), but football is the biggest cash cow of the lot...and this could be a very bad sign for the sports market, or for gaming as a whole.

It was a rumor that EA would drop Madden from their NFL games, and this seems like a step in that direction.

[spoo]

Maybe this is the end of Madden, with the ESPN license, they don't need the Madden name.
I was thinking the same thing, hmmm. After buying the NFL name can EA afford to pay Madden and the NFL exclusive rights?

A lot of posters on this site are pissed that EA charges $50 for the new Madden games but a large portion of the $50 price tag goes to Madden and the NFL. Now that EA paid an enormous sum of cash to pay for exclusive rights they can no longer pay for the Madden name. But if they buy the ESPN name they can use it for all the sport games. This is a very smart move for EA sports. They did not do it to steal the name from Sega they did it to use ESPN and the commentaries in all EA sport games.
EA is a very smart company a will continue to do well. This is how business works welcome to the real world kiddies.

[Ikohn4ever]

I hear they are thinking of dumping madden to save on costs for all this money they are throwing around.

[RAMSTORIA]

Maybe this is the end of Madden, with the ESPN license, they don't need the Madden name.

thats exactly what this is.... i hate ea... must gather thoughts

[Death2Sanity]

And no, I won't be boycotting EA games. I will continue to do as I have been doing...playing the games, checking the reviews, and buying what I think will be fun. I bought the Sega college basketball and hockey games this year because they had comparable reviews (if not better in some cases) and the price point was excellent. If EA's games are up to par, I'll buy them. If the game quality starts to suffer as a result of all this, then I won't buy it.

They haven't done anything wrong yet. They have merely done what they need to do to improve their stockholders' share, which is the purpose of any business (don't fool yourselves). Maybe it's bad for competition, time will tell. But I refuse to get on the bandwagon and assume the worst.

If things go downhill, well, you can already see the backlash that has thusfar occured. EA will feel the hit if their products aren't up to par. Things will balance themselves out.

Besides...I never really cared if there was an official 'ESPN' label to a game anyway. Sheesh.

[jrutz]

I wonder - could EA be in breach of contract with this agreement? I bet we'll start seeing some lawsuits on Sega/Take Two's part that their contract with ESPN was terminated unlawfully.

Oh, and to think EA is going after Sega - maybe Sega needs to concentrate on making better games and not letting their sports series dominate their consumer base (they have Japan, remember)...

Jeremy

[FriskyTanuki]

Maybe this is the end of Madden, with the ESPN license, they don't need the Madden name.
I was thinking the same thing, hmmm. After buying the NFL name can EA afford to pay Madden and the NFL exclusive rights?

A lot of posters on this site are pissed that EA charges $50 for the new Madden games but a large portion of the $50 price tag goes to Madden and the NFL. Now that EA paid an enormous sum of cash to pay for exclusive rights they can no longer pay for the Madden name. But if they buy the ESPN name they can use it for all the sport games. This is a very smart move for EA sports. They did not do it to steal the name from Sega they did it to use ESPN and the commentaries in all EA sport games.
EA is a very smart company a will continue to do well. This is how business works welcome to the real world kiddies.

I do think they could keep Madden himself around to serve as a consultant on the game and help provide for a more realistic game. As for the name itself, I wouldn't really care whether it Madden or ESPN as it's about how it plays that would get me to buy it.

[cthcky33]

Maybe this is the end of Madden, with the ESPN license, they don't need the Madden name.
I was thinking the same thing, hmmm. After buying the NFL name can EA afford to pay Madden and the NFL exclusive rights?

A lot of posters on this site are pissed that EA charges $50 for the new Madden games but a large portion of the $50 price tag goes to Madden and the NFL. Now that EA paid an enormous sum of cash to pay for exclusive rights they can no longer pay for the Madden name. But if they buy the ESPN name they can use it for all the sport games. This is a very smart move for EA sports. They did not do it to steal the name from Sega they did it to use ESPN and the commentaries in all EA sport games.
EA is a very smart company a will continue to do well. This is how business works welcome to the real world kiddies.

im pretty sure most of us CAGs' could care less about the business part of it, we just want good games, and more importantly choices between good games of the same type(football). we all know that it will make ea money and that if we were them, we would do the same thing, but it sure as hell doesnt mean we have to like them for doing it.

[DocBledsoe]

I wonder - could EA be in breach of contract with this agreement? I bet we'll start seeing some lawsuits on Sega/Take Two's part that their contract with ESPN was terminated unlawfully.

Oh, and to think EA is going after Sega - maybe Sega needs to concentrate on making better games and not letting their sports series dominate their consumer base (they have Japan, remember)...

Jeremy

You're an idiot. They have dozens of lawyers that seek out these problems PRIOR to major deals happening.

This argument is insane. EA makes great games. So long as they continue, I will buy them. Else I will not.

[Pure Apathy]

Thats gay, I won't be buying Madden this year unless it is drastically changed from what it is now.

[cthcky33]

I wonder - could EA be in breach of contract with this agreement? I bet we'll start seeing some lawsuits on Sega/Take Two's part that their contract with ESPN was terminated unlawfully.

Oh, and to think EA is going after Sega - maybe Sega needs to concentrate on making better games and not letting their sports series dominate their consumer base (they have Japan, remember)...

Jeremy
it said it wouldnt start happening til 2006, which is after the agreement with VC ends. and sega already makes good games, they just dont have the marketing cash that ea does

[spoo]

if you got the cash you spend it. This is just smart business. Every business in the world does this but this just is very public and somewhat effects us. Doesnt hurt me one bit. I can`t wait to have Chris Bermen Sportcenter talking about my plays.

It does hurt you. EA won't have a real reason to innovate or to radically change their games anymore, because there won't be any competition.

Exactly.

The simple fact is if they start making super shitty sports games no one will buy them. Not even if they have the NFL and ESPN name. Look at sells for the top ten games that sell every year and look at the average rating they get. Cash is louder then competition.

[cthcky33]

I wonder - could EA be in breach of contract with this agreement? I bet we'll start seeing some lawsuits on Sega/Take Two's part that their contract with ESPN was terminated unlawfully.

Oh, and to think EA is going after Sega - maybe Sega needs to concentrate on making better games and not letting their sports series dominate their consumer base (they have Japan, remember)...

Jeremy

You're an idiot. They have dozens of lawyers that seek out these problems PRIOR to major deals happening.

This argument is insane. EA makes great games. So long as they continue, I will buy them. Else I will not.

you mean ea publishes some great games, or they buy up the people that make great games, they DO NOT make great games themselves

[Stryffe2004]

The funny thing is, that even though everyone says this stuff has all been in the works, it is only coming out now. This is the first year that SEGA was truly a threat to the EA lineup. It was so much of a threat that EA was forced to drop the price of its sports line, even though they said they had planned top do that as well.

If EA was not so dead set on making subpar, me-too games, then it would not be so bad. As it stands, EA has a much creativity as Hollywood.

[DocBledsoe]

I wonder - could EA be in breach of contract with this agreement? I bet we'll start seeing some lawsuits on Sega/Take Two's part that their contract with ESPN was terminated unlawfully.

Oh, and to think EA is going after Sega - maybe Sega needs to concentrate on making better games and not letting their sports series dominate their consumer base (they have Japan, remember)...

Jeremy

You're an idiot. They have dozens of lawyers that seek out these problems PRIOR to major deals happening.

This argument is insane. EA makes great games. So long as they continue, I will buy them. Else I will not.

you mean ea publishes some great games, or they buy up the people that make great games, they DO NOT make great games themselves

What the hell ever. I'm pre-ordering Madden 06 tonight after work.

[Dante Devil]

The NFL is as much to blame. They threw out the $ and EA went for it. The NBA was smart to say, "Why limit ourselves with one developer? We can make more money with several."

Screw EA!

[Wombat]

I would be surprised if they got rid of Madden, don't forget MNF is on ABC, which is owed by disney same as ESPN, so expect Madden to still be hanging around, they will probably just add sportscenter before and after games, like 2K5

[DocBledsoe]

I would be surprised if they got rid of Madden, don't forget MNF is on ABC, which is owed by disney same as ESPN, so expect Madden to still be hanging around, they will probably just add sportscenter before and after games, like 2K5

I'd be shocked. I bet 3 out of 10 customers don't even know the game as EA produced. They want Madden.

[Cornfedwb]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

[Wshakspear]

Without getting into legalities or anything...this just kinda sucks. I've never really liked EA sports, and i like Sega. This blows. Yes, it both sucks AND blows.

[spoo]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period. :applause:

[DocBledsoe]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

I agree. You're a bunch of 'asswipes'.

[Sporadic]

Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! My precious ESPN NHL series!!!!! The exclusive football deal was mildly annoying, but now this is personal. Die EA!

Me-----> :twoguns: :twisted: <------EA

exactly what you said, i need my ESPN nhl 2k5 :(

15 years is a little excessive isnt it, eventually the ea boycott will just be til the end of time.

is everybody holding strong with the EA boycott?? i know i am, ill get timesplitters used a little while after it comes out so im not giving ea my money

Haven't bought a EA game new from the store since Tiger Woods 2003

[Gothic Walrus]

if you got the cash you spend it. This is just smart business. Every business in the world does this but this just is very public and somewhat effects us. Doesnt hurt me one bit. I can`t wait to have Chris Bermen Sportcenter talking about my plays.

It does hurt you. EA won't have a real reason to innovate or to radically change their games anymore, because there won't be any competition.

Exactly.

The simple fact is if they start making super shitty sports games no one will buy them. Not even if they have the NFL and ESPN name. Look at sells for the top ten games that sell every year and look at the average rating they get. Cash is louder then competition.

That's where you're wrong. Enter the Matrix sold well, didn't it? That was because of the game's license...and not its quality, which it didn't seem to have any of.

Sorry Goth, but there is NEVER a reason that you MUST go to Walmart. You choose too. If you liked competition you wouldn't be on this site. You want the lowest price. Seeking the lowest deal skims margins that have to be made up somewhere. Whether it's in the development of the game, the packaging, or the salaries of the oaf that put's them on the shelves.

I've had two reasons lately: my parents force me to (cheapass portrait studio to supplement senior pictures), and returning a Christmas present that was bought there. It's been months since I've entered on my own volition.

[spoo]

I would be surprised if they got rid of Madden, don't forget MNF is on ABC, which is owed by disney same as ESPN, so expect Madden to still be hanging around, they will probably just add sportscenter before and after games, like 2K5
ESPN is not Madden they are owned by the same parent company but it is all separated.

[cthcky33]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

nobody is saying that it is bad business, we are saying that it sucks for gamers who like to have a choice of games.

[Wshakspear]

Without getting into legalities or anything...this just kinda sucks. I've never really liked EA sports, and i like Sega. This blows. Yes, it both sucks AND blows.

[roland13x]

This just in: EA buys the exclusive rights the the first person shooter genre.

EA also just bought the Internets and the letter 'M'.

[spoo]

if you got the cash you spend it. This is just smart business. Every business in the world does this but this just is very public and somewhat effects us. Doesnt hurt me one bit. I can`t wait to have Chris Bermen Sportcenter talking about my plays.

It does hurt you. EA won't have a real reason to innovate or to radically change their games anymore, because there won't be any competition.

Exactly.

The simple fact is if they start making super shitty sports games no one will buy them. Not even if they have the NFL and ESPN name. Look at sells for the top ten games that sell every year and look at the average rating they get. Cash is louder then competition.

That's where you're wrong. Enter the Matrix sold well, didn't it? That was because of the game's license...and not its quality, which it didn't seem to have any of.

It sold well the first week or two before reviews came out. After the reviews came out and word of mouth stores could not get rid of the game. Flukes are bound to happen but if EA makes the same shitty game year after year it will not sell. Mark my word.

[cthcky33]

This just in: EA buys the exclusive rights the the first person shooter genre.

EA also just bought the Internets and the letter 'M'. :rofl:

[FriskyTanuki]

Without getting into legalities or anything...this just kinda sucks. I've never really liked EA sports, and i like Sega. This blows. Yes, it both sucks AND blows.

:lol: You feel you need to say that twice?

[cthcky33]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

I agree. You're a bunch of 'asswipes'.

have fun paying at least $59.99 for your new madden, and paying to play online and paying for roster updates and god knows what else. where do you think the money for all this licensing is gonna come from?? if they are gonna pour all this money into getting exclusive licenses, they are gonna have to make there money back by raising prices

[mykevermin]

Not that I was going to buy it before...

I do my best to not buy EA games; I've decided that if I *have* to have something, I'll get it used (such as GoldenEye: Rogue Agent - which, based upon the reviews, I'll wait until it hits $10 or less). I'd really like to try out the LOTR: The Third Age; it may be a ripoff, but if it's that much like FFX, that's certainly not a bad thing.

The hardest thing for me to do is convince my wife not to do it; I don't think I'll win this battle, as she is absolutely enamored with the Sims 2. That I don't mind; at least that program is a niche market (unless you count Singles - Flirt up Your Life!).

The ESPN loss will not be significant for Sega; the NFL and NFLPA licenses were crucial; without those two, everything else is superficial. Why complain about having a headache when someone's cut off your fucking legs?

There are other sports, I suppose. But, the Sega games were great before ESPN, so those with licenses will survive just fine.

I'm not certain what to think of the reactionary "I'm so in love with a company trying to eliminate all remnants of competition" mentality some of you have (whomever snidely remarked about reserving Madden 06 this evening?). It's a very shallow attitude; like eating meat in front of a vegetarian just for the sake of pissing off the vegetarian. Such attitudes do not denote any existence of an "argument" to speak of, much less any argument to conceivably "win." If anything, you may be proving yourself to be the very sort of self-righteous boastful asshole, that, with any luck, your parents raised you not to be (unless they are lawyers, in which case your attitude is to be expected).

Finally, ladies and gentlemen...be careful not to use the word "monopoly." The grammarians are watching.

myke.
...has no sense of irony.

[DocBledsoe]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

nobody is saying that it is bad business, we are saying that it sucks for gamers who like to have a choice of games.

That's the thing, to many of us there was never a choice. When Sega Sports Talk Football made that phreaked up game with Deion Sanders on it I quit buying their games. I switch to Madden. I tried Sega's Dreamcast entry b/c of the amazing graphics, but the gameplay was awful. EA has dominated since...maybe ESPN was close this year...but it didn't have Xbox live and it wasn't Madden. Good riddance, I wont miss it!

[DocBledsoe]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

I agree. You're a bunch of 'asswipes'.

have fun paying at least $59.99 for your new madden, and paying to play online and paying for roster updates and god knows what else. where do you think the money for all this licensing is gonna come from?? if they are gonna pour all this money into getting exclusive licenses, they are gonna have to make there money back by raising prices

The week after launch it's always 34.99 or less at Frys.

[cthcky33]

.maybe ESPN was close this year...but it didn't have Xbox live and it wasn't Madden. Good riddance, I wont miss it!

how is it that it didnt have xbox live now???, and i agree, the preordering madden comment was uncalled for

[RandyTsai]

Haha, Visual Concepts got what they deserve, by lowering their prices and trying to steal market share from EA.

[cthcky33]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

I agree. You're a bunch of 'asswipes'.

have fun paying at least $59.99 for your new madden, and paying to play online and paying for roster updates and god knows what else. where do you think the money for all this licensing is gonna come from?? if they are gonna pour all this money into getting exclusive licenses, they are gonna have to make there money back by raising prices

The week after launch it's always 34.99 or less at Frys.

it wont be with the new "only football game choice in the world" edition of madden

[alfonsosoriano]

Woooo....GO EA SPORTS!

[onetrackmind]

well thats the final nail in the fucking coffin. This is really lame, i guess sega was a bigger threat than EA thought.

[FriskyTanuki]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

I agree. You're a bunch of 'asswipes'.

have fun paying at least $59.99 for your new madden, and paying to play online and paying for roster updates and god knows what else. where do you think the money for all this licensing is gonna come from?? if they are gonna pour all this money into getting exclusive licenses, they are gonna have to make there money back by raising prices

The week after launch it's always 34.99 or less at Frys.

$60 won't happen unless they make a CE, which there's not really any type of anniversary to celebrate. $50 is the standard for new releases and it won't change with this one.

[Wshakspear]

Without getting into legalities or anything...this just kinda sucks. I've never really liked EA sports, and i like Sega. This blows. Yes, it both sucks AND blows.

:lol: You feel you need to say that twice?

Yes.
Yes.

[zombieman]

I have always thought that ESPN was a bunch of Disney bizaches anyways. Disney needs money because they are going down the toilet.

[SadieDee]

I found a list of games that EA has published and developed.

http://games.ign.com/objects/025/025025.html?fromint=1

[DocBledsoe]

.maybe ESPN was close this year...but it didn't have Xbox live and it wasn't Madden. Good riddance, I wont miss it!

how is it that it didnt have xbox live now???, and i agree, the preordering madden comment was uncalled for

Huh...it did have Xbox live.....interesting. I take it all back Damn EA! I'll never buy - eh - who am I kidding I would pre-order Madden tonight. But in all fairness EA sports games are why I bought my console. I guess a fanatic has no business in an emotional argument that includes hints of reason and truth.

[ViolentLee]

It's just like WalMart. Who cares? If Walmart setup a game trade in situation and shaved 35% off the cost of used games would you boycott them in fear of lasing EBgames and Gamestop? Hell No, you'd buy their cheap ass games.
Incidentally, this is old news. EA Sports spent millions advertising on ESPN/ABC and ESPN.com. ESPN never blocked this - b/c this was coming.

I don't want to take away from the important topic at hand, but I haven't shopped at Wal-Mart in years and will continue not to, no matter how good their deals are. Just because CAGs want good prices doesn't mean we'll always do anything to get them. That's Wal-Mart's philosophy, not mine.

Regarding your other comments in this and the rest of your posts in this thread, you seem to be making a lot of friends here, Doc. Your arguments are always so well written and well thought out. You come off as an expert on the topic. And now that my sarcasm detector has blown up, let me say: Don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out.

[cthcky33]

It's just like WalMart. Who cares? If Walmart setup a game trade in situation and shaved 35% off the cost of used games would you boycott them in fear of lasing EBgames and Gamestop? Hell No, you'd buy their cheap ass games.
Incidentally, this is old news. EA Sports spent millions advertising on ESPN/ABC and ESPN.com. ESPN never blocked this - b/c this was coming.

I don't want to take away from the important topic at hand, but I haven't shopped at Wal-Mart in years and will continue not to, no matter how good their deals are. Just because CAGs want good prices doesn't mean we'll always do anything to get them. That's Wal-Mart's philosophy, not mine.

Regarding your other comments in this and the rest of your posts in this thread, you seem to be making a lot of friends here, Doc. Your arguments are always so well written and well thought out. You come off as an expert on the topic. And now that my sarcasm detector has blown up, let me say: Don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out.

agreed

[sisco1986]

It's just like WalMart. Who cares? If Walmart setup a game trade in situation and shaved 35% off the cost of used games would you boycott them in fear of lasing EBgames and Gamestop? Hell No, you'd buy their cheap ass games.
Incidentally, this is old news. EA Sports spent millions advertising on ESPN/ABC and ESPN.com. ESPN never blocked this - b/c this was coming.

That's not a wise argument. selling a game is totally different from making a game, and that's all on the sellers side not the developer/publisher side. Walmart would still buy the games at a whole sale price, what the store does with the games is up to the store and is no concern nor affects the developer/publisher (although you could come up with theorys on how games can be monopolized and sold at any price by one store, but it won't ever happen for obvious reasons, and I'm talking about the whole gaming industry, not just ONE game beacause yes, I've seen stores have exclusive rights to selling certain games, so i'll save you the trouble of typing that).

That's a shady thing to do, I'm not a football fan but I can understand the feeling of "WTF!". Why the industry is letting this go un-bitched is beyond me. What if EA had the exlcusive rights to every major car manufacturer name across the world (Ford,Toyota ect), that would be by by to Gran Turismo, I mean for the right price they could buy any license. There's a thin line between developing games and making money, and EA has shit, pissed burnt and blew up that line. Just buying out licenses is just a cheap tactic, and does not only hurt the developers we love, but also hurts us the gamers. I must be naive to think that developers are making games for the love of making games, not for the profit. I've been saying this for years, When they took the Nascar License (and killed beloved papyrus games) almost no one gave a damn, now look at em..Can't Say I didn't see this coming..

[defiance_17]

I found a list of games that EA has published and developed.

http://games.ign.com/objects/025/025025.html?fromint=1

Quite unimpressive, overall.

[howlinmad]

Just here recently I've refused to buy:
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent
Need for Speed Underground 2
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth
The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age
Def Jam Fight For NY
NFL Street 2

EA obviously has enough money, my contribution to their bank isn't important.
Now if people would just stick to their guns, EA might be in for a big suprise.
I see an EA regulated control on legality of selling their games used in the future.
:lol:

I've always said it was the game, not the publisher or brand....this however is a bit too far. I'm all for a company is in business to make money, but this crap is just dirty pool.

[cthcky33]

I found a list of games that EA has published and developed.

http://games.ign.com/objects/025/025025.html?fromint=1

Quite unimpressive, overall.

i was thinking the same thing, if you go to games developed, the best one was NHL 93, but outside of that and maybe ROTK there wasnt much good in there. and i dont count burnout 3, because they just bought up the people who made it

[billyknoxville]

To each their own.

For me, I am against having EA, I want a choice in my games. For people like me, just dont buy EA games, and try to get other people to see the light. EA can buy all the rights they want, but they cant make us buy the games.

[jmcc]

Just here recently I've refused to buy:
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent
Need for Speed Underground 2
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth
The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age
Def Jam Fight For NY

EA obviously has enough money, my contribution to their bank isn't important.
Now if people would just stick to their guns, EA might be in for a big suprise.
I see an EA regulated control on legality of selling their games used in the future.
:lol:

No one will stick to their guns, though. Almost everyone bitching about this now will be taken in, easily, by a EA killer ap down the road, probably within the year in most cases. I just hope EA makes it painful in the football case. People who buy Madden now deserve to get whacked 10 dollars for roster updates, 15 a month for online play and mandatory online lock-out of previous years when the next year's version is released. Ideally, I'd like everyone who buys a Madden game to eventually end up sucking cock to continue paying for it, but that's only the perfect scenario. I'd be content with just moderate wallet-raping.

[DocBledsoe]

It's just like WalMart. Who cares? If Walmart setup a game trade in situation and shaved 35% off the cost of used games would you boycott them in fear of lasing EBgames and Gamestop? Hell No, you'd buy their cheap ass games.
Incidentally, this is old news. EA Sports spent millions advertising on ESPN/ABC and ESPN.com. ESPN never blocked this - b/c this was coming.

I don't want to take away from the important topic at hand, but I haven't shopped at Wal-Mart in years and will continue not to, no matter how good their deals are. Just because CAGs want good prices doesn't mean we'll always do anything to get them. That's Wal-Mart's philosophy, not mine.

Regarding your other comments in this and the rest of your posts in this thread, you seem to be making a lot of friends here, Doc. Your arguments are always so well written and well thought out. You come off as an expert on the topic. And now that my sarcasm detector has blown up, let me say: Don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out.

I have to do something to pass the time at work. All I have is this forum and Fall Of Nations. (http://www.fallofnations.com/play.asp?uid=20273)

[Fatesealer]

When ESPN would use Madden in their NFL Matchup (sponsored by EA games, of all things) show and NOT ESPN 2K5, you could see the deal already in place... Sportscenter used 2K games when it wanted to simulate the Super Bowl game... and they would play the 2K commercial pretty much as many times as that goddamned Tilt commercial...

Oddly enough, I don't have this 'LOL EA sucks' attitude others have here... I don't buy a game and say 'oh shit, it's EA, can't buy this'... but I DO agree that this whole corporate swarm by EA is a bit much... strangely I actually PREFER EA Big games to the regular EA titles...

[FriskyTanuki]

At least we can finally get College Gameday in NCAA Football, that'll be sweet.

[FunkSoulBrother]

Can't say you didn't see this coming...EA already had a lot of ESPN announcers in their college games.

Damn...other video game companies had better get on the ball. If EA starts resting on their laurels with their recent success, the other guys will have a chance to prove themselves.

Kinda a while Windows-Linux/OSX thing. Everybody gets all 'boo Microsoft' and tries out alternatives. I guess this is why I'm not as scared as everybody else is. This isn't the first time stuff like this has happened, and it will sort itself out.

And seriously, you claim EA has no reason to innovate...well, again, you're going to say what you will regardless. I much prefer the wait-and-see approach, instead of assembling the lynching crowd immediately.

ASSEMBLE THE LYNCH CROWD! :D

This just in: EA buys the exclusive rights the the first person shooter genre.

EA also just bought the Internets and the letter 'M'.

:rofl:

Seriously, I've always preferred Sega sports games, especially when it comes to basketball. The NBA Live games (especially the more recent ones) are pathetic basketball simulations.

[Fatesealer]

At least we can finally get College Gameday in NCAA Football, that'll be sweet.

With a digital version of Mel Brooks... err... I mean, Lee Corso... ;-)

[howlinmad]

Just here recently I've refused to buy:
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent
Need for Speed Underground 2
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth
The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age
Def Jam Fight For NY

EA obviously has enough money, my contribution to their bank isn't important.
Now if people would just stick to their guns, EA might be in for a big suprise.
I see an EA regulated control on legality of selling their games used in the future.
:lol:

No one will stick to their guns, though. Almost everyone bitching about this now will be taken in, easily, by a EA killer ap down the road, probably within the year in most cases. I just hope EA makes it painful in the football case. People who buy Madden now deserve to get whacked 10 dollars for roster updates, 15 a month for online play and mandatory online lock-out of previous years when the next year's version is released. Ideally, I'd like everyone who buys a Madden game to eventually end up sucking cock to continue paying for it, but that's only the perfect scenario. I'd be content with just moderate wallet-raping.

This is true, hardly anyone will completely stick to this. Maybe if folks are atleast more reserved about which ones they buy. That could help a bit.

[spoo]

Maybe this will force someone to make a Great NCAA Football game for once. Not a halfassed preview of the NFL game that comes out 2 weeks early.

[epobirs]

I found a list of games that EA has published and developed.

http://games.ign.com/objects/025/025025.html?fromint=1

Quite unimpressive, overall.

Actually, that list is missing a few dozen titles. Whoever compiled it only appears to have made a real effort on recent console stuff. There are tons of items missing that were highly influential.

More importantly, so what? EA has always been a publisher first. That was what the company was founded to be. Their model was the recording industry in the days when vinyl was still the primary medium. Their early releases were in record alsbum style packaging for this reason.

[goergegavin]

Okay all of you nay-sayers. I suppose that you still think that EA is not attempting a monopoly?!?

Hmm.... My thoughts on this is that EA will bring in their own system after the next round and after Nintendo has died off too. (Sad but true). I think the way to stop this would be to have Sega and Nintendo merge, making Segendo or Nintega and Just having all companies work together to destroy EA.

[GameDude]

Maybe Sega will pick up the Madden license...it's not like EA needs it anymore.

[Survivor Charlie]

Nothing suprises me with EA these days. They are destroying the game industry like a swarm of locusts.

The last hope for gamers is either an Acclaim-esq series of duds or a scandal. I lean towards Scandal. Something that brings the entire company into the front page of the Wall Street Journal. The Enron of Video Games...

[mykevermin]

Actually, that list is missing a few dozen titles. Whoever compiled it only appears to have made a real effort on recent console stuff. There are tons of items missing that were highly influential.

I'm not certain how old you must be to consider 3DO, Amiga, and Apple IIe programs "recent."

myke.

[FriskyTanuki]

Okay all of you nay-sayers. I suppose that you still think that EA is not attempting a monopoly?!?

Hmm.... My thoughts on this is that EA will bring in their own system after the next round and after Nintendo has died off too. (Sad but true). I think the way to stop this would be to have Sega and Nintendo merge, making Segendo or Nintega and Just having all companies work together to destroy EA.

Sega already merged with Sammy, and they're not going anywhere soon. Though maybe Take-Two should buy out VC and Kush Games from Sega and put Sega out of the sports genre for good.

[FriskyTanuki]

Maybe Sega will pick up the Madden license...it's not like EA needs it anymore.

What and have 22 John Maddens playing football all the while announcing the game, too, with obvious insights on what's going on in the game.

[FriskyTanuki]

I found a list of games that EA has published and developed.

http://games.ign.com/objects/025/025025.html?fromint=1

Quite unimpressive, overall.

Actually, that list is missing a few dozen titles. Whoever compiled it only appears to have made a real effort on recent console stuff. There are tons of items missing that were highly influential.

More importantly, so what? EA has always been a publisher first. That was what the company was founded to be. Their model was the recording industry in the days when vinyl was still the primary medium. Their early releases were in record alsbum style packaging for this reason.

I think they don't include games who's publishers don't have names starting with EA. So there's plenty of games missing from the list.

[Gothic Walrus]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

I agree. You're a bunch of 'asswipes'.

have fun paying at least $59.99 for your new madden, and paying to play online and paying for roster updates and god knows what else. where do you think the money for all this licensing is gonna come from?? if they are gonna pour all this money into getting exclusive licenses, they are gonna have to make there money back by raising prices

The week after launch it's always 34.99 or less at Frys.

$60 won't happen unless they make a CE, which there's not really any type of anniversary to celebrate. $50 is the standard for new releases and it won't change with this one.

Who's to say that it won't? Maybe EA will bundle something with it - like free roster updates or a month of online play, or something of that nature - something that won't cost them much and will justify raising the price.

Beyond that, other publishers have said that next-gen games could be sold for $60. Why would EA be any different?

Just here recently I've refused to buy:
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent
Need for Speed Underground 2
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth
The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age
Def Jam Fight For NY

EA obviously has enough money, my contribution to their bank isn't important.
Now if people would just stick to their guns, EA might be in for a big suprise.
I see an EA regulated control on legality of selling their games used in the future.
:lol:

No one will stick to their guns, though. Almost everyone bitching about this now will be taken in, easily, by a EA killer ap down the road, probably within the year in most cases. I just hope EA makes it painful in the football case. People who buy Madden now deserve to get whacked 10 dollars for roster updates, 15 a month for online play and mandatory online lock-out of previous years when the next year's version is released. Ideally, I'd like everyone who buys a Madden game to eventually end up sucking cock to continue paying for it, but that's only the perfect scenario. I'd be content with just moderate wallet-raping.

You can't say that with certainty. There are so many games on the market that we can pass over EA's best titles to get one published by another company, like Nintendo or Rockstar. I know that a lot of people posting here will fold as soon as they see a game they've been waiting for for years or when they don't realize they're buying an EA Sports game, but we might just surprise you yet.

As far as the online play goes...something tells me that EA will start charging horrendous fees. They already do for PC titles, so why not extend that to the realm of consoles as well?

[FriskyTanuki]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

I agree. You're a bunch of 'asswipes'.

have fun paying at least $59.99 for your new madden, and paying to play online and paying for roster updates and god knows what else. where do you think the money for all this licensing is gonna come from?? if they are gonna pour all this money into getting exclusive licenses, they are gonna have to make there money back by raising prices

The week after launch it's always 34.99 or less at Frys.

$60 won't happen unless they make a CE, which there's not really any type of anniversary to celebrate. $50 is the standard for new releases and it won't change with this one.

Who's to say that it won't? Maybe EA will bundle something with it - like free roster updates or a month of online play, or something of that nature - something that won't cost them much and will justify raising the price.

Beyond that, other publishers have said that next-gen games could be sold for $60. Why would EA be any different?

Yeah, Next-Gen, this isn't the Next-Gen yet. EA will keep the $50 price tag for this gen and anything can happen next-gen.

[Survivor Charlie]

EA won't be making their own console, period. Their business model is based on multi-platform saturation. They won't muck that up by making their own console.

[Fatesealer]

Maybe Sega will pick up the Madden license...it's not like EA needs it anymore.

What and have 22 John Maddens playing football all the while announcing the game, too, with obvious insights on what's going on in the game.

"BOOM!! Extra strength Tinactin..."

[Duo_Maxwell]

How is this different from them inking deals with Sporting News and Sports Illustrated from years past? And ABC and ESPN are under the same ownership so it's not the end of the Madden name exactly. ESPN typically whores itself out to whomever gives them some profit and it's been this way forever. Technically I think NHL 2k2 was better than 2k5 except for graphics. So personally I could give a crap about the ESPN Presentation, as long as a game is still there. Oh and as for EA being lazy because of the hold on the market. Previous to the Dreamcast & Visual Concepts they had no one even considered close to being an equal and they didn't take it easy during that stretch.

[Eric467]

Well before I was simply angry at EA now I absolutely hate them.

They have definitely lost a customer in me.

[MorPhiend]

What a bunch of asswipes.. trying to remove their competition and do everything necessary to produce a better profit. :roll:

I realize we may not like the fact that we'll no longer be able to buy Sega's $20 NFL game and be forced to buy EA's $50 Madden game (if we want to play the newest NFL game that is)... but its good business people. They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

I agree. You're a bunch of 'asswipes'.

have fun paying at least $59.99 for your new madden, and paying to play online and paying for roster updates and god knows what else. where do you think the money for all this licensing is gonna come from?? if they are gonna pour all this money into getting exclusive licenses, they are gonna have to make there money back by raising prices

The week after launch it's always 34.99 or less at Frys.

Even if that is so, this is a moot point. You are the one who myke just was talking about. If you are pre-ordering Madden '06 tonight after work, Fry's has nothing to do with it a week after launch. You are nothing more than a contradiction of your own former posts.

[Derwood43]

There should be an "I hate EA" topic, where all related posts go.

This has been going on for months now. Mods?

[Nephets]

But, I love ESPN NBA games... And I hate Live! :evil:

[ViolentLee]

I found a list of games that EA has published and developed.

http://games.ign.com/objects/025/025025.html?fromint=1

Quite unimpressive, overall.

Actually, that list is missing a few dozen titles. Whoever compiled it only appears to have made a real effort on recent console stuff. There are tons of items missing that were highly influential.

More importantly, so what? EA has always been a publisher first. That was what the company was founded to be. Their model was the recording industry in the days when vinyl was still the primary medium. Their early releases were in record alsbum style packaging for this reason.

I think they don't include games who's publishers don't have names starting with EA. So there's plenty of games missing from the list.

Fellow CAGers, I'd like to introduce you to my good friend, http://www.allgame.com/ I know you'll get along swimmingly.

I'm with everyone else, in that I much prefer Sega's NBA games to Live. I've felt that way since 2K1, and have tried to say as much in my reviews.

[Duo_Maxwell]

But, I love ESPN NBA games... And I hate Live! :evil:

Did you love the ones Konami made too? They aren't ESPN's games...ESPN simply attaches it's name to the product to make quick money. You'll probably be able to buy the same game just without some played out sportscaster from Sportscenter doing the same highlight reel over and over again. If you care about the gameplay you'll still be able to have it...for the time being.

[MorPhiend]

I found a list of games that EA has published and developed.

http://games.ign.com/objects/025/025025.html?fromint=1

Quite unimpressive, overall.

Why do you have Chad as an avatar?

And yes, unimpressive. The only time I recall giving EA money is when I bought FIFA 64 new. And boy, was that a mistake...

[epobirs]

I found a list of games that EA has published and developed.

http://games.ign.com/objects/025/025025.html?fromint=1

Quite unimpressive, overall.

Actually, that list is missing a few dozen titles. Whoever compiled it only appears to have made a real effort on recent console stuff. There are tons of items missing that were highly influential.

More importantly, so what? EA has always been a publisher first. That was what the company was founded to be. Their model was the recording industry in the days when vinyl was still the primary medium. Their early releases were in record alsbum style packaging for this reason.

I think they don't include games who's publishers don't have names starting with EA. So there's plenty of games missing from the list.

No, it's missing very well known games that carried solely the EA name for publication including much of the original batch from that the marketing campaign that launched the company. Archon is missing for almost all platforms while Archon II is only listed on a fraction of the systems where it appeared. Pinball Construction Set? Murder on the Zinderneuf?

And other entries are just wrong. Cadash and Shadow of the Beast for TurboGrafx? I don't think so. Plus there are games like Realm of Impossibility that are placed in both categories. About two dozen Amiga games are missing. Battlechess, developed and published by Interplay is listed. The list isn't very accurate.

[help1]

WTF!?!?!?!

[FriskyTanuki]

I found a list of games that EA has published and developed.

http://games.ign.com/objects/025/025025.html?fromint=1

Quite unimpressive, overall.

Actually, that list is missing a few dozen titles. Whoever compiled it only appears to have made a real effort on recent console stuff. There are tons of items missing that were highly influential.

More importantly, so what? EA has always been a publisher first. That was what the company was founded to be. Their model was the recording industry in the days when vinyl was still the primary medium. Their early releases were in record alsbum style packaging for this reason.

I think they don't include games who's publishers don't have names starting with EA. So there's plenty of games missing from the list.

No, it's missing very well known games that carried solely the EA name for publication including much of the original batch from that the marketing campaign that launched the company. Archon is missing for almost all platforms while Archon II is only listed on a fraction of the systems where it appeared. Pinball Construction Set? Murder on the Zinderneuf?

And other entries are just wrong. Cadash and Shadow of the Beast for TurboGrafx? I don't think so. Plus there are games like Realm of Impossibility that are placed in both categories. About two dozen Amiga games are missing. Battlechess, developed and published by Interplay is listed. The list isn't very accurate.

I believe IGN might not have those games in their database since they rely on other people to e-mail them about games that are missing.

[bickle]

They are not evil, they are not assholes, they're smart, period.

There is no exclusive relationship between the three. EA is, in fact, all three of those at the same time.

[Gothic Walrus]

How is this different from them inking deals with Sporting News and Sports Illustrated from years past? And ABC and ESPN are under the same ownership so it's not the end of the Madden name exactly. ESPN typically whores itself out to whomever gives them some profit and it's been this way forever. Technically I think NHL 2k2 was better than 2k5 except for graphics. So personally I could give a crap about the ESPN Presentation, as long as a game is still there. Oh and as for EA being lazy because of the hold on the market. Previous to the Dreamcast & Visual Concepts they had no one even considered close to being an equal and they didn't take it easy during that stretch.

Simple: when they had the exclusives with SI and the Sporting News, there was competition in the industry. Now, there won't be other football games, or there won't be any that can sell enough copies to legitimately compete.

[RedvsBlue]

My thinking is that next year's football game (2006) will be titled ESPN Madden NFL Football 2006 and then the year after that they wwill drop the Madden (to save money of having to pay royalties to Madden) and just be ESPN football.

[tholly]

this is excellent news....less sports games cluttering the store shelves and wasting precious "good game" space

[Javery]

This sucks.

[Scrubking]

Yay!!!

EA tightens it's grip on the sports genre!!!!

WOOOOOO HOOOOO

$80 games here we come!!!!!

And don't anyone say anything bad about EA. They are a just an innocent little business trying to make their way in the gaming industry. Nothing they do can ever harm the state of gaming so let's just ignore them and flame all the people with common sense who actually want to stop them.

:roll:

[RaekwonThaChef]

holy fuck

[RaekwonThaChef]

15 fucking years

[Rozz]

I'll get NBA Street 3 but used

[guyver2077]

omg i cant believe this!!!!!!!!!! crap

[Tecumseh!]

I wonder - could EA be in breach of contract with this agreement? I bet we'll start seeing some lawsuits on Sega/Take Two's part that their contract with ESPN was terminated unlawfully.

Oh, and to think EA is going after Sega - maybe Sega needs to concentrate on making better games and not letting their sports series dominate their consumer base (they have Japan, remember)...

Jeremy


Well, the statement said the agreement would commence at the end of the current SEGA/ESPN contract, so how could they sue? They couldn't...

[hardwo0d]

Wait a minute. If EA dumps Madden can't Sega pick him up and make a totally new football game (innovative). That will surely piss off EA and will confuse a whole lotta people

[Duo_Maxwell]

How is this different from them inking deals with Sporting News and Sports Illustrated from years past? And ABC and ESPN are under the same ownership so it's not the end of the Madden name exactly. ESPN typically whores itself out to whomever gives them some profit and it's been this way forever. Technically I think NHL 2k2 was better than 2k5 except for graphics. So personally I could give a crap about the ESPN Presentation, as long as a game is still there. Oh and as for EA being lazy because of the hold on the market. Previous to the Dreamcast & Visual Concepts they had no one even considered close to being an equal and they didn't take it easy during that stretch.

Simple: when they had the exclusives with SI and the Sporting News, there was competition in the industry. Now, there won't be other football games, or there won't be any that can sell enough copies to legitimately compete.

That has nothing to do with them dealing with ESPN. And if there are no other football titles I don't care, Madden has always been the best IMO.

[Tecumseh!]

I can't believe how worked up some of you are getting about this. Ultimately, EA is in business to MAKE MONEY. To that end, an exclusive NFL license and the ESPN license enable them to have a better opportunity to do that.

A great many of you are such frauds, it's hilarious. If you really don't agree with EA and their business practices, boycott them completely. It's a joke to say that "I'll just buy this game or that game used" If you are so allegedly pissed about their practice, don't buy them at all...

[JSweeney]

I can't believe how worked up some of you are getting about this. Ultimately, EA is in business to MAKE MONEY. To that end, an exclusive NFL license and the ESPN license enable them to have a better opportunity to do that.

A great many of you are such frauds, it's hilarious. If you really don't agree with EA and their business practices, boycott them completely. It's a joke to say that "I'll just buy this game or that game used" If you are so allegedly pissed about their practice, don't buy them at all...

There is a reason they say that....
EA makes no money off of the sales of a used game. They don't want to cut thier nose off to spite thier face, so they're going to try and send a message to EA by not purchasing the game new.
Despite some morally abhorrent behavior and questionable business practices, there are some development teams inside the corporate behemoth that actually know how to make a good game.
In the eyes of EA, buying the game used is just like not buying it at all...
which is why in the early days of videogames, the companies were dead set against game rentals and used sales.

[regisphilbi0]

This sucks. Plain and simple. EA is a monopoly. Its sad and scary at the same time. (Yes, I know its good business, but EA is becoming a monopoly! Monopolies are BAD!!)

[guyver2077]

fuck you ea!!

[Scrubking]

Everyone who is against EA don't forget to vote HERE!!! (http://cheapassgamer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=46660)

[help1]

Watch, VC makes NLF (national League of Football) game and then make all the players like this, ray lewis would be rahy lewhis....

[DisturbedZen]

So uhhh... Sega will still make NBA right?

[mykevermin]

I can't believe how worked up some of you are getting about this. Ultimately, EA is in business to MAKE MONEY. To that end, an exclusive NFL license and the ESPN license enable them to have a better opportunity to do that.

A great many of you are such frauds, it's hilarious. If you really don't agree with EA and their business practices, boycott them completely. It's a joke to say that "I'll just buy this game or that game used" If you are so allegedly pissed about their practice, don't buy them at all...

How would EA benefit from my purchasing a game used? They make money off of new sales and new sales only.

If I can't find Rogue Agent used, then tough shit for me. I don't see how it makes me a fraud.

I hope you're a shareholder of EA, since you seem to be cheerleading them in making their business decisions. What many of you fail to recognize is basic Marxist philosophy. A company is profitable to the extent that it minimizes what it provides to its laborers in terms of remuneration, and a company is profitable to the extent that it convinces the consumers that recurring purchases are a necessity.

I dare you to tell me EA doesn't fit that mold like a glove.

If you want to applaud a company for its brilliant business practices (which include, but are not limited to, failing to pay workers for overtime, providing innumerable games every year that cost the same as a new title, yet are 60-80% old code, and strongarming its competition into oblivion by securing licenses for itself), then by all means, go ahead an do.

Hooray for overworked and underpaid workers!

Hooray for those of you who reserved this game tonight! I hope you feel righteous for paying $50 for a game which you paid $50 for last year!

Hooray for eliminating competition the old-fashioned way: contracts and boardroom negotiations!

Hooray for eliminating the consumer as an active participant in this minutiae of the economy!

myke.

[Scrubking]

So uhhh... Sega will still make NBA right?

Well... yeah... unless EA waves enough money in the NBA's face. Which WILL happen. It's only a matter of time.

[MICHAE2414]

This is just crap. What is there left for EA to buy out?

My thinking is that next year's football game (2006) will be titled ESPN Madden NFL Football 2006 and then the year after that they wwill drop the Madden (to save money of having to pay royalties to Madden) and just be ESPN football.
If they really wanted to throw people off (and the Madden name was to be dropped in favor of the ESPN name), it should be titled ESPN NFL 2006 -- no, wait, throw a "K" in there and really send consumers in a daze -- ESPN NFL 2K6.

I know it's all business and whatnot, but it doesn't mean us as gamers have to abide by it. This just flat-out sucks.

[FriskyTanuki]

Everyone who is against EA don't forget to vote HERE!!! (http://cheapassgamer.com/)

Man are you ever crying for attention to try to get your way. :roll:

[Murcielago77]

Madden is gonna rule next year

[Scrubking]

Everyone who is against EA don't forget to vote HERE!!! (http://cheapassgamer.com/)

Man are you ever crying for attention to try to get your way. :roll:

Crying for attention?

I'm not the one who keeps following me around flaming me and can't bring up a single valid argument. So shut the fuck up and go back to wacking off to an EA game.

There I responded to your dumb ass flames. Are you happy now? Did I give you the attention you needed?

[markingsmart]

It doesn't appear that anyone else has mentioned this, but the Fox Sports license is available. Granted it's not as popular as ESPN, but hey, something is better than nothing.

[FriskyTanuki]

Everyone who is against EA don't forget to vote HERE!!! (http://cheapassgamer.com/)

Man are you ever crying for attention to try to get your way. :roll:

Crying for attention?

I'm not the one who keeps following me around flaming me and can't bring up a single valid argument. So shut the shaq-fu up and go back to wacking off to an EA game.

There I responded to your dumb ass flames. Are you happy now? Did I give you the attention you needed?

You haven't shown one single piece of proof to back up your claims that EA will charge $80 for Madden 06. Then, you move to this thread and tell everyone to vote in your stupid poll because they hate EA, which isn't really what the topic is about. I'm not an EA fanboy, but I am a fanboy of good games, and since Madden is a good game IMO, then I play it.

See? He gave up because he has no info to back up his point. He's just a raving mad lunatic out to make everyone agree with him to prove a point.

[RedvsBlue]

Everyone who is against EA don't forget to vote HERE!!! (http://cheapassgamer.com/)

Man are you ever crying for attention to try to get your way. :roll:

Crying for attention?

I'm not the one who keeps following me around flaming me and can't bring up a single valid argument. So shut the shaq-fu up and go back to wacking off to an EA game.

There I responded to your dumb ass flames. Are you happy now? Did I give you the attention you needed?

Well I would hope your not following yourself around. Then you would look even more silly than you do now.

[ctice44]

What Sega needs to do is: after the NHL lockout is done, be the first to knock on their doors and get exclusive rights to the NHL name. why? For one, the NHL is struggling for funds and would definitely need the ca$h. And two, it would be something (not much..but something) in Sega’s back pocket. Then, EA would have the NFL, Sega would have the NHL, and it would be a draw between NBA and MLB licenses.
Next, Sega needs to approach FOX for the rights to put out their games. If they did maybe the hockey cover could look like this (sorry for the low quality, I rushed it): http://tinypic.com/1dzl2t
Like I said earlier, if they got the NHL license it would be much but for Sega it would at least be a start.

[muncle]

let's just hope that ea decides to release the espn games at 19.99....those douches!

[Scrubking]

let's just hope that ea decides to release the espn games at 19.99

Yeah, when hell freezes over, Satan moves to Utah and becomes a mormon.

[MorPhiend]

let's just hope that ea decides to release the espn games at 19.99

Yeah, when hell freezes over, Satan moves to Utah and becomes a mormon. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[MrFriday18]

damn ea is buying everything, even my cpu is named Ea and my ISP is Ea, mcdonalds has been renamed to Electronic Arts, and crap gotta go EA just bought my town and has kicked me out of my house, darn

[Mr_hockey66]

this is cool. madden gameplay with espn presentation. + great game!

[gmzone]

A lot of you had a intelligent comments about this deal. Myke comes to mind more so then anyone else. This comes as another blow to the games industry as a whole. I can't see where one company owning or dominating everything would be a good thing. I've prefered the "2K" series to the "EA" games for quite some time now. I liked the use or Mr. Berman on NFL, and Stuart Scott on NBA, and while they will be missed, it's not the end of the world. The "2K" games will still be quality games. Only thing that scares me is EA trying to wave around money for the rights to the NBA, NHL & MLB. And, those that say it can't happen, it can. Remember, everyone has their price...

I'll continue my boycott of EA(I haven't purchased a single EA game used or NEW), and I'll continue it further by not selling/trading an EA game or purchasing one as a gift for another. Best way to hit them is in the pocketbooks. They've gone and bought up the NFL rights, ESPN rights, and trying to take over Ubisoft, so they can run Splinter Cell into the ground. I wish Capcom, Konami, etc. would make a stand here somewhere. I can't believe how any company(I mean ANY) could be allowed to purchase the rights to something for 5-15 years. Hopefully this bites ESPN and NFL in the ass, when they see less money, consumer backlash or other problems arise.

In a related note, this could be interesting... Sales of EA games over the holidays down 4%. "This relationship was created to benefit consumers who are passionate about sports games," said Larry Probst, Electronic Arts Chairman and CEO." - That should read "This relationship was created so we can put the competition out of business, because we all know are games sure as hell couldn't compete on their own merits. We don't really care about sports gamers or any gamers for that matter. We care about the almighty $."

The guy or gal who posted above has one disturbing picture there...

[starboyk]

http://dx.ampednews.com/?page=articles&id=8699

Did everyone notice this little slice as well, or were we all watching the NFL license acquistion too closely? Talk about smokescreens- HoudEAni.

rat bastards- I am refusing to sell EA products to my customers from now on. Screw the bastards. Their going to mess with all of this, and THEN the same company that made BG&E, as well as the PoP games?! Bugg 'em to hell.

I also want to note another facet that may or may not have shone as yet. Now, EA also landed about 100-200$M in advertising deals for the next five years. They now have all these licenses and franchises. They have more money coming in than will ever go out. What ever investment they put into their stronger titles, they have gauranteed at least an 80% return. That's MASSIVE by most analysts standards. Yet, they have announced no plans to reduce costs. No plans to step up development. No plans, basically, to benefit the end user. They are sucking all of this money up from these inumerable agreements, as well as the consumer, and are giving nothing back for it.

Fortunately, videogaming is a very fickle field, as the audience changes weekly. A lot of people have said boycotting affects few, if any. Really, it pulls a lot of strings. Example- let's say you 'pirate' 2 million copies of a game (this is not a pro-piracy example- follow me here). You just sucked and redistributed on average of $100,000,000 straight from EA- they get no profit from that. So, let's suppose 2M people boycott EA. In 2 games (or at least, if 2M games are boycotted over a year), they've lost that amount of money. That's a message to them, because that's half of what they got from an advertising contract for 5 years. Long story short, if this amount of games are boycotted for 5 years straight, they loose upwinds of $300M in this model. Average game dev cost: $2-$8M, plus data medium, packaging, and advertising.

Either way, companies try to copy the other guy, and, after this, I'll be very happy to get a copy of SRS, or, lower myself to get a pre-played EA title if necessary. Yet, the sales performance of even the pre-playeds are still tracked, though. EB, Gamestop, and even Blockbuster/GameRush report their pre-played (as well as rentals, in the case of the latter) sales quarterly, highlighting highest and lowest moving titles. These are public info that developers check to see if there is possibly latent interest in a project. While a game may not jump originally, if the used volume moves quickly, they'll kick around the idea of another in that series. Simple matter of knowing that the original volume had to be purchased at some point.

Fight the bEAst!
-The_K

[FriskyTanuki]

http://dx.ampednews.com/?page=articles&id=8699

Did everyone notice this little slice as well, or were we all watching the NFL license acquistion too closely? Talk about smokescreens- HoudEAni.

rat bastards- I am refusing to sell EA products to my customers from now on. Screw the bastards. Their going to mess with all of this, and THEN the same company that made BG&E, as well as the PoP games?! Bugg 'em to hell.

Nope, it's been posted and discussed a few times here. Nothing has come of the Ubi Soft thing and there's nothing to suggest otherwise. Not selling EA games to customers is not the best way to go about it, as they should be allowed to buy anything they want.

[vherub]

remember that company a few years ago that had the #1 football game, #1 nascar racing game, mech action game, squad based shooter, flying sim, adventure game and so on

they were buying up companies left and right and seemed to be taking over the industry- now what was there name....

oh yeah, sierra...how are they doing now?

remember when atari dominated the industry? how about nintendo? or when rare couldnt miss? anyone ever thought sega would stop making consoles?

video games are very volatile, and gamers are very vindictive and finicky. if a company starts making out and out bad games, it doesnt matter how great they were, or how popular, the fans leave. games are made by actual people, not corporations and those people come and go all the time, turning seemingly great companies into ruin. Espn is just another license, ultimately no different than spongebob squarepants.

[starboyk]

*ahem*Acclaim*cough*....

[js1]

Madden is gonna rule next year


uh, DUH! it's because they are the only game around.....(not because they were the best)

[js1]

at least , it will fix the presentation(I hope) one of the worst parts of madden, now if they would steal sega's running game( I HATE madden's "mario running") then we can talk about getting this game.....

[mykevermin]

Madden is gonna rule next year


uh, DUH! it's because they are the only game around.....(not because they were the best)

For real. Just like people who are homeschooled shouldn't point out that they were valedictorians, there's nothing but shame to be gotten by pointing out that Madden will be the "#1 football franchise" next year.

myke.

[FriskyTanuki]

at least , it will fix the presentation(I hope) one of the worst parts of madden, now if they would steal sega's running game( I HATE madden's "mario running") then we can talk about getting this game.....

I liked the Madden running game, not really sure what "mario running" is.

[hiccupleftovers]

Okay all of you nay-sayers. I suppose that you still think that EA is not attempting a monopoly?!?

Hmm.... My thoughts on this is that EA will bring in their own system after the next round and after Nintendo has died off too. (Sad but true). I think the way to stop this would be to have Sega and Nintendo merge, making Segendo or Nintega and Just having all companies work together to destroy EA.

:rofl:

[FriskyTanuki]

Whatever happened to Mr. Anderson's "source" that said the industry had a plan to do something about EA?

[hiccupleftovers]

I'll get NBA Street 3 but used

Same here or as cheap as possible as to take it to EA. I can wait for any sports game. It really isn't that hard, you just have to play the sports games you already have.

[hiccupleftovers]

let's just hope that ea decides to release the espn games at 19.99

Yeah, when hell freezes over, Satan moves to Utah and becomes a mormon. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::r ofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rof l::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[js1]

I liked the Madden running game, not really sure what "mario running" is.

the mario running in madden is when your running back get stuck behind your lineman,(running in place) there are no animations that have the running back pushing him, twisting his body to get past/though etc.. ESPN does have these animations , so it leads to a more realistic looking/better controlling running game(you can actually run up the gut!). madden does do momentum better though...

[hiccupleftovers]

This really sucks. This just keeps getting worse and worse. Buying up the NFL rights, the AFL rights, trying for the NBA (which they might still get), buying up about 20% of Ubisoft, and now this, what's next EA buying Visual Concepts and just calling it that.

[FriskyTanuki]

I liked the Madden running game, not really sure what "mario running" is.

the mario running in madden is when your running back get stuck behind your lineman,(running in place) there are no animations that have the running back pushing him, twisting his body to get past/though etc.. ESPN does have these animations , so it leads to a more realistic looking/better controlling running game(you can actually run up the gut!). madden does do momentum better though...

Ahh, I don't really get into those kinds of situations that often, so I guess I don't notice it. The momentum is what I particularly like, where you don't just stop on a dime while running full speed, which happened a lot in older games. I like the fact that they made hurdling an automatic move since I never reacted that quickly to use it and missed out on quite a few long runs.

[FriskyTanuki]

This really sucks. This just keeps getting worse and worse. Buying up the NFL rights, the AFL rights, trying for the NBA (which they might still get), buying up about 20% of Ubisoft, and now this, what's next EA buying Visual Concepts and just calling it that.

Nope, VC is being eyed by Take-Two, along with the rest of Sega's sports developers.

[sj41]

I am, and always will be against EA Sports, but I just have to say, that this comment really amazes me. This could be the start of something amazing in sports games if this is possible.

When asked to elaborate, Gibeau decline to go into specifics, but did say, "I think you can start to think about some of the core technology capabilities that are going to come online in the next few years with portability, wireless...you can think about the live feeds that can start to come in from ESPN inside of the games." For example, "being able to set rosters based on that night's rosters, brought to you by ESPN."

I may be forced to buy their game if they are able to do that. That really impresses me.

[Monsta Mack]

This sucks, hopefully they don't get DICE to cause I'll miss Rallisport Challenge. But I guess EA has my money for one game right now: Burnout 4, which im going to buy used anyways.

[hiccupleftovers]

This really sucks. This just keeps getting worse and worse. Buying up the NFL rights, the AFL rights, trying for the NBA (which they might still get), buying up about 20% of Ubisoft, and now this, what's next EA buying Visual Concepts and just calling it that.

Nope, VC is being eyed by Take-Two, along with the rest of Sega's sports developers.

No I know that I was just trying to exaggerate a little to emphasise what EA has been doing to the gaming industry and in particular the sports sect of gaming.

[FriskyTanuki]

I am, and always will be against EA Sports, but I just have to say, that this comment really amazes me. This could be the start of something amazing in sports games if this is possible.

When asked to elaborate, Gibeau decline to go into specifics, but did say, "I think you can start to think about some of the core technology capabilities that are going to come online in the next few years with portability, wireless...you can think about the live feeds that can start to come in from ESPN inside of the games." For example, "being able to set rosters based on that night's rosters, brought to you by ESPN."

I may be forced to buy their game if they are able to do that. That really impresses me.

The only thing about that is that it's been a possibility with online and sports games since they appeared on the PS2, so it's skeptical to me that they'll actually pull it off.

[alongx]

You know what needs to be revived? Mutant League Football. That's what'd crush EA and it's "Look at us with all the licenses! You can't have any!" shit.

[FriskyTanuki]

You know what needs to be revived? Mutant League Football. That's what'd crush EA and it's "Look at us with all the licenses! You can't have any!" shit.

Not gonna happen for reasons stated many times before, it's EA's property.

[WhipSmartBanky]

Now that VC is freed up from football, they should bring back Ooga Booga...

[punqsux]

Now that VC is freed up from football, they should bring back Ooga Booga...

no can do...EA now owns the rights to the word Booga... :cry: :cry: :cry:

[Duo_Maxwell]

I wonder how many of you actually played sports games, football especially, before Take-two put out the ESPN 2k5 series? I mean last fall I heard an awful lot of people mention that they didn't normally buy sports games but would try 2k5 because it was $20 (which likely wasn't going to last past this year). There's nothing wrong with not playing sports games but I'm curious how many people are just jumping on the bandwagon.

[bbfinster]

This is awesome news. EA continues to push the envelope.

[punqsux]

I wonder how many of you actually played sports games, football especially, before Take-two put out the ESPN 2k5 series? I mean last fall I heard an awful lot of people mention that they didn't normally buy sports games but would try 2k5 because it was $20 (which likely wasn't going to last past this year). There's nothing wrong with not playing sports games but I'm curious how many people are just jumping on the bandwagon.

just to get it out there, i often buy sports titles, but usually a year behind.

before nfl 2k5 i had ncaa 2004, and the year before, nfl 2k3. before that, madden 2002.

[gmzone]

I wonder how many of you actually played sports games, football especially, before Take-two put out the ESPN 2k5 series? I mean last fall I heard an awful lot of people mention that they didn't normally buy sports games but would try 2k5 because it was $20 (which likely wasn't going to last past this year). There's nothing wrong with not playing sports games but I'm curious how many people are just jumping on the bandwagon.

I've played sports games since the Atari days. I've played EA and Sega's football games for many years, dating back to Genesis/SNES(sports talk football), and including the NBA Action series on Saturn, the "2K" series complete since the Dreamcast days(all except NHL 2K and NHL 2K2). I'm no bandwagon jumper. But, what's wrong with people who started playing these games now or again because of the low price/high quality?

[Duo_Maxwell]

I wonder how many of you actually played sports games, football especially, before Take-two put out the ESPN 2k5 series? I mean last fall I heard an awful lot of people mention that they didn't normally buy sports games but would try 2k5 because it was $20 (which likely wasn't going to last past this year). There's nothing wrong with not playing sports games but I'm curious how many people are just jumping on the bandwagon.

I've played sports games since the Atari days. I've played EA and Sega's football games for many years, dating back to Genesis/SNES(sports talk football), and including the NBA Action series on Saturn, the "2K" series complete since the Dreamcast days(all except NHL 2K and NHL 2K2). I'm no bandwagon jumper. But, what's wrong with people who started playing these games now or again because of the low price/high quality?

Nothing wrong with playing good games for a low price, that's what this whole community is about. However, if you only ever played NFL 2k5 and then comment on how much Madden sucks compared to it or how the 2k series trumped EA sports all the time then there's a little something wrong with that. I no offense to anyone but I just get this feeling from a small number of people commenting on this situation. Oh and you should pick up NHL 2k2, IMHO it's the best hockey game made for consoles within the last decade or so.

[Maynard]

Im seriously getting to the point of, why should I even care anymore. There's just nothing we can do, and the sad thing is, all this does is really hurt the fans of video games. I'm sad because I lose my ESPN NHL hockey which was the one sports game i adored, i also lose being able to play something that was truly fun. I'm going to miss everything about the VC/ESPN brand. I can tell you that i'm sick of EA and i truly have lost a great deal of respect for them. I will not buy a single product they produce from now on and i'm absolutely not kidding you. If the building was on fire and i was standing in front of it i would throw gasoline on it only to watch them suffer.


yeah its twisted but i'm sick of ea they're pathetic and all they care about is the money. Take-Two and VC cared about the games and the public.

I hope you burn in hell Bing and your EA empire

[m0rningbreakfast]

Thank goodness the last football game I played was Techmo Superbowl for the SNES

[Duo_Maxwell]

Im seriously getting to the point of, why should I even care anymore. There's just nothing we can do, and the sad thing is, all this does is really hurt the fans of video games. I'm sad because I lose my ESPN NHL hockey which was the one sports game i adored, i also lose being able to play something that was truly fun. I'm going to miss everything about the VC/ESPN brand. I can tell you that i'm sick of EA and i truly have lost a great deal of respect for them. I will not buy a single product they produce from now on and i'm absolutely not kidding you. If the building was on fire and i was standing in front of it i would throw gasoline on it only to watch them suffer.


yeah its twisted but i'm sick of ea they're pathetic and all they care about is the money. Take-Two and VC cared about the games and the public.



See it's not the ESPN brand, you don't lose any VC hockey game, why? One because Kush Games actually did the 1st ESPN hockey game two years ago and a majority of the work for 2k5 and two because ESPN had crap to do with it other than lending a lame sportscaster and it's logo for some easy cash. Also Take-two and VC have been paired as part publisher and developer for less than one year and you think they're amazing. Take-two probably gives a crap about the public they just wanted to see some sales figures and VC may care about the games, and they'll continue to do so. Personally I'd like to see some games that aren't sports come from talented developers.

This is why I say some people are overreacting and don't understand the situation much at all.

[FriskyTanuki]

Im seriously getting to the point of, why should I even care anymore. There's just nothing we can do, and the sad thing is, all this does is really hurt the fans of video games. I'm sad because I lose my ESPN NHL hockey which was the one sports game i adored, i also lose being able to play something that was truly fun. I'm going to miss everything about the VC/ESPN brand. I can tell you that i'm sick of EA and i truly have lost a great deal of respect for them. I will not buy a single product they produce from now on and i'm absolutely not kidding you. If the building was on fire and i was standing in front of it i would throw gasoline on it only to watch them suffer.


yeah its twisted but i'm sick of ea they're pathetic and all they care about is the money. Take-Two and VC cared about the games and the public.



See it's not the ESPN brand, you don't lose any VC hockey game, why? One because Kush Games actually did the 1st ESPN hockey game two years ago and a majority of the work for 2k5 and two because ESPN had crap to do with it other than lending a lame sportscaster and it's logo for some easy cash. Also Take-two and VC have been paired as part publisher and developer for less than one year and you think they're amazing. Take-two probably gives a crap about the public they just wanted to see some sales figures and VC may care about the games, and they'll continue to do so. Personally I'd like to see some games that aren't sports come from talented developers.

This is why I say some people are overreacting and don't understand the situation much at all.

There's a reason why sports developers don't work on anything outside of sports, because they work on their games all year long and don't get time to do anything else frm year to year. They specialize in sports games and that's all they're asked to do.

[Duo_Maxwell]

Im seriously getting to the point of, why should I even care anymore. There's just nothing we can do, and the sad thing is, all this does is really hurt the fans of video games. I'm sad because I lose my ESPN NHL hockey which was the one sports game i adored, i also lose being able to play something that was truly fun. I'm going to miss everything about the VC/ESPN brand. I can tell you that i'm sick of EA and i truly have lost a great deal of respect for them. I will not buy a single product they produce from now on and i'm absolutely not kidding you. If the building was on fire and i was standing in front of it i would throw gasoline on it only to watch them suffer.


yeah its twisted but i'm sick of ea they're pathetic and all they care about is the money. Take-Two and VC cared about the games and the public.



See it's not the ESPN brand, you don't lose any VC hockey game, why? One because Kush Games actually did the 1st ESPN hockey game two years ago and a majority of the work for 2k5 and two because ESPN had crap to do with it other than lending a lame sportscaster and it's logo for some easy cash. Also Take-two and VC have been paired as part publisher and developer for less than one year and you think they're amazing. Take-two probably gives a crap about the public they just wanted to see some sales figures and VC may care about the games, and they'll continue to do so. Personally I'd like to see some games that aren't sports come from talented developers.

This is why I say some people are overreacting and don't understand the situation much at all.

There's a reason why sports developers don't work on anything outside of sports, because they work on their games all year long and don't get time to do anything else frm year to year. They specialize in sports games and that's all they're asked to do.

I'm aware of the reasons, but according to all you guys they'll have time in the near future. Anyways near the death of the DC they worked outside of sports to make two good games, Floigan Bros. and Ooga Booga, I certainly wouldn't mind another try (I'll conveinently block out One for PS1). Also, they helped Black Box with Sega Soccer Slam, so I wouldn't mind another attempt at a more off the wall sports game like that either.

[cyberlian]

I'm glad I sold my take-two stock this past thursday, it is gonna take a beating tuesday. I might buy back some if it gets hammered hard enough.

[KingDox]

Well VC doesn't have to pay the NFL or ESPN. So here is to the hope they spend that money on development and put out a bad ass football game.

But what the hell will they call it ? Football 2k6 ?

[CappyCobra]

As much as I hate EA, this is a FORUM for christsakes! If Cheapy were to officially declare that it downright dislikes EA (sitewise) the objectivity of this forum would be reduced. Noobs joining the forum would assume that all members here are ALL anti-EA which is not right. Free speech would be muted before anyone utters the 1st word.

In other words, we here at CAG ALL believe in cheap games, not boycotting XYZ company. For that, I must disagree on having a unified stance on EA as we are not unified.

If you really have a urge to hurt EA, hurt them where it hurts most... the wallet.

VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLAR

[Survivor Charlie]

You guys under estimate the hatred that has built up over the years between Sega and EA. It goes back the days when Trip Hawkins ran EA and Tom Kalinske ran Sega of America. Sega had a working relationship with EA... EA secretly developed the first Joe Montana football game.

But when Hawkins went into the hardware business himself, things changed. He called the 32X a "Bloody, pussy, Bandaid" and the Saturn a "Silicon Trashcan, and you can f'n quote me on that." Kalinske called Hawkins' 3DO machine a 'Awful idea by a guy who obviously buys into his own hype at the cost of his company's profit margin." The Japanese office of Sega hated Hawkins by this point and vowed never to work with EA ever again. This is why EA didn't make games for the Dreamcast. Their business model calls for EA to make games for every platform, but they really hated Sega. Since then, EA has overbid on stuff to keep things out of Sega's reach. This is an all out war.

It's been a war that's been building for decades. The $20 price tag was Sega's way of trying to win a war. A Pearl Harbor type move. The NFL deal and now the ESPN Deal is EA's Little Boy and Fat-Man atomic bomb one two punch. It's all over but the surrender.

[Maynard]

i just will miss the voices of hockey thats what i'll miss the most in Nhl2k6, and survior charlie that is one sick collection of games. You realize roms don't count right?

[fromunda cheese]

Ea only allows 1 person online at a time while ESPN 2k5 games allow 2-4 people from one system to go against people on the net.

Big feature that EA will probably never fix since they now have 0 competition.

[opportunity777]

As much as I hate EA, this is a FORUM for christsakes! If Cheapy were to officially declare that it downright dislikes EA (sitewise) the objectivity of this forum would be reduced. Noobs joining the forum would assume that all members here are ALL anti-EA which is not right. Free speech would be muted before anyone utters the 1st word.

In other words, we here at CAG ALL believe in cheap games, not boycotting XYZ company. For that, I must disagree on having a unified stance on EA as we are not unified.

If you really have a urge to hurt EA, hurt them where it hurts most... the wallet.

VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLAR

I agree with you completely :P

A lot of people on here say they hate EA, but it is very difficult to boycott ALL of their titles.

So you won't buy EA sports games ... how about the other titles? How about in the case of agreements like Square & EA had before? There's a lot of talk, but like you said it's not unified nor will it ever be.

EA will probably move to replace Madden with just the ESPN brand from now on.

[Scrubking]

"...rumors of the company pursuing exclusivity deals with other sports leagues are starting to appear all over again. The appeal of the ESPN license could potentially be used to leverage deals with the MLB, NBA, or NHL." (http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=8726&section=feature&email =)

"This relationship was created to benefit consumers who are passionate about sports games,"
:puke:

[craven_fiend]

"...rumors of the company pursuing exclusivity deals with other sports leagues are starting to appear all over again. The appeal of the ESPN license could potentially be used to leverage deals with the MLB, NBA, or NHL." (http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=8726&section=feature&email =)

"This relationship was created to benefit consumers who are passionate about sports games,"
:puke:

that would especially suck with the World Series baseball series. i have always been a huge fan of sega's baseball games. and if EA were to get exclusive rights to the MLB, then sega would be screwed. i like to play my sports games with the athletes that i know who they are. thats why i hate what EA is doing.

[wubb]

Smart move by EA, depending on how much money it cost them.

Be interesting to see just how solidly EA's football game dominates next year (I'm thinking maybe a 90% market share isn't out of the question) Also be interesting to see if they try to charge more than $50 per game since they'll basically be the only gig in town.

I like being able to play with the real atheletes and the real teams. But I think if a company is creative they could come up with a viable alternative. One solution would be to put teams in all the same cities as the NFL with similar looking and playing atheletes on each of the made up teams. You know the Atlanta Predators with a young scrambling QB, etc etc etc. (But I can't deny that would look very low-rent next to EA's game with real teams and player names)

Or they could try something like Midway is said to have in the works a game with a deep plotline based on a completely fantasy league (their's is based on Playmakers)

Personally I probably wouldn't pay a full $20 for a football game (got Sega's this year on a trade in deal) so I won't be getting it near launch regardless. A football game might be a good title to try a +$50 price point since a lot of the buyers are young professionals with plenty of discretionary income.

Oh, and I can't see myself boycotting any EA products. They tend to drop their prices slower than many other companies, so I tend to wait longer for their games, but in the end I own (or have owned) quite a few EA games and don't see that changing.

[Survivor Charlie]

You realize roms don't count right?

Not one ROM was counted. You can't beat the real thing.

ETA: I don't think EA can get an exclusive deal with the NBA... I beleive the NBA player's union forbids it.

[tickdude]

I thought that SEGA would try to get the ARENA football license, but even EA got that!

http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2005Jan/bga20050111028638.htm

[SEGA128DC]

I really feel sorry for Sega Sports and Visual Concepts... :(

[MorPhiend]

Now that VC is freed up from football, they should bring back Ooga Booga...

no can do...EA now owns the rights to the word Booga... :cry: :cry: :cry:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Mr.Answer]

Instead of Madden ESPN 2007 I'll bet it will be a Monday Night football link since ABC is ESPN parent company and Madden is the man on that show. ESPN brand--locked, Madden--locked, Monday Night Footbal--next to be locked in?

[MorPhiend]

I wonder how many of you actually played sports games, football especially, before Take-two put out the ESPN 2k5 series? I mean last fall I heard an awful lot of people mention that they didn't normally buy sports games but would try 2k5 because it was $20 (which likely wasn't going to last past this year). There's nothing wrong with not playing sports games but I'm curious how many people are just jumping on the bandwagon.

I've played sports games since the Atari days. I've played EA and Sega's football games for many years, dating back to Genesis/SNES(sports talk football), and including the NBA Action series on Saturn, the "2K" series complete since the Dreamcast days(all except NHL 2K and NHL 2K2). I'm no bandwagon jumper. But, what's wrong with people who started playing these games now or again because of the low price/high quality?

It doesn't matter, this affects the whole industry, but just to answer you, I'm not big on American football, but love the real thing (soccer). But the last FIFA I bought was for the 64, which was horrendous. Since then, I've stuck to ISS and I'm thinking about buying Winning Eleven 8. EA has decided that money is more important than the consumer. And the bigger they get, the worse their games become. And soon we will not be able to choose, because they will be all that is left. Look at their announcement today about wanting to be the biggest entertainment company in the world. They said they are trying to be bigger than even Disney. They have now said it themselves. There is no more "speculation" as many have wanted you to believe. They want to gobble everything up that is possible.

This does affect the whole industry.

[suko_32]

"Video Game Dream Team"

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1804&ncid=738&e=5&u=/washpost/20050118/tc_washpost/a17652_2005jan18

Kinda makes me mad, funny title though.

[CaseyRyback]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/01/18/news_6116543.html

their marketing man claims to be a big fan of ESPN and watches it all the time, but does not even know any of the programming on the network.

But on the sports information side, you look at things like College Game Day, you look at some of ESPN's banner shows like NFL Tonight, things like that, wherein broadcast integration of our assets into their broadcast is an opportunity.

I never knew there was a show named NFL Tonight. I know of an NBA Tonight (pretty sure this is still on, though Shootaround is the main NBA show), and an NHL Tonight, but nothing of this NFL Tonight.

If I am wrong, I am wrong, but I watch a ton of ESPN and have never heard of this show (unless this is the show with Suzy Kolber and Merill Hodge that is on once a week really late on the weekends)

[FriskyTanuki]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/01/18/news_6116543.html

their marketing man claims to be a big fan of ESPN and watches it all the time, but does not even know any of the programming on the network.

But on the sports information side, you look at things like College Game Day, you look at some of ESPN's banner shows like NFL Tonight, things like that, wherein broadcast integration of our assets into their broadcast is an opportunity.

I never knew there was a show named NFL Tonight. I know of an NBA Tonight (pretty sure this is still on, though Shootaround is the main NBA show), and an NHL Tonight, but nothing of this NFL Tonight.

If I am wrong, I am wrong, but I watch a ton of ESPN and have never heard of this show (unless this is the show with Suzy Kolber and Merill Hodge that is on once a week really late on the weekends)

He could mean NFL Live or Matchup, Matchup uses Madden to show plays and different outcomes that can happen.

[goosedude]

CheapyD and I were discussing this whole EA rocking Visual Concepts debate.......Now you have to give kudos to EA for laying the smack down like it did. Don't tell me you didn't go "WHOA" when you read the NFL and ESPN exclusive agreements. The NFL and ESPN are more deserving of any anger than EA.....as they pretty much decided that EA is the only player to do business with.

You can hit EA....but they will hit back.....HARD. Same with SONY (see the PS and PSP).

Now here's my prediction that I shared with CheapyD. It seems everyone is making a hullaballoo about the future of football games....the sad truth is....its never really been a contest save for this year's ESPN Cheaper Price blip, and the original NFL GAMEDAY.. Its like a PC vs Mac debate.

While I argue that this year's Madden was the overall superior Football game ( i do love the HIT STICK ). I do commend ESPN on all the extra things like soundtrack customization on XBOX.

The honest possibility is....with the new teams ramping up for the next generation of consoles games.....not to mention larger and larger development teams being needed for each game (see concept photos of next4 MADDEN)....Visual concepts programmers if not the entire team will most likely be absorbed by if not hired away by EA.