What Should Each Company do to improve business in 2009? - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

What Should Each Company do to improve business in 2009? Stuck

Posted on January 14, 2009 at 11:19 AM.

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I have already discussed this in some form or fashion for 2K Sports in an earlier blog, but I'm going to give a brief overview of what each major sports-gaming company (EA, 2K, SCEA) needs to do to have a successful year.

EA Sports: Right now Madden and FIFA are among the best selling games out there. EA is going to have to continue to improve and innovate with both of these titles. To really make a splash, I would expect an Online Franchise of some sort in Madden and perhaps some expanded online features in FIFA.

As far as growth elsewhere, expect EA to really begin pushing their Wii efforts. The Wii userbase is the biggest of the three major consoles now, I would expect EA to really be pushing for some quality titles on that platform this year.

2K Sports: After what was a rocky year in 2008, with buyout rumors and a shrinking games lineup, 2K has to come up big in 2009. NHL 2K9 and MLB 2K9 need to be quality titles and shipped without any major bugs. NBA 2K9, the company's cash cow, needs to really get back on the right track and solidify it's top spot with the competition looming just behind it.

In a lot of ways, 2009 is a make or break year for 2K. If NHL and MLB don't improve (relative to the competition) and NBA 2K9 is only marginally better, there will be dark days looming.

SCEA: Simply put, The Show needs to keep improving and stay light years ahead of the competition. NBA 2010 needs to improve drastically if the project is to stay viable. The company should possibly look into other sports as well such as Golf or Soccer, but the pressure isn't on SCEA as much as it would be with a third-party developer like 2K or EA.

So what are your thoughts on these three companies? Is it a make or break year for 2K? Will EA really make big moves into the Wii market? What is SCEA planning? Sound off!

Comments

# 1 rspencer86 @ Jan 14

I don't see EA really making a push to sell units on the Wii platform. While the Wii unquestionably has the overall console sales lead, there are some other numbers that are pretty discouraging. The majority of Wii owners aren't buying a whole lot of games, and the games they do buy are hardly ever sports games. Now this may be caused by the ridiculous amount of shovelware that has flooded the market, but I think EA will realize that it would be more profitable for them to concentrate on their core product (PS3/360 owners) then try to come up with something that will appeal to the traditionally non-gamers that are the majority of Wii owners.

If SCEA could make a golf game that even sniffs the quality of The Show, they'd have a big hit and would definitely take a huge bite out of EA's Tiger Woods territory.

# 2 rudyjuly2 @ Jan 14

EA will make a big splash with their new exercise game on the Wii but I doubt their football titles or other sports titles other than Golf on the Wii will ever really do much. I just have strong doubts that sports titles translate well to the motion controller (unlike TW Golf which does well). It's a family system and any sports fan will stick with buying the sports games on the 360/PS3. The sales for sports games on the Wii have been bad and barely grew despite the huge jump in userbase. That's not a good sign.

As for Sony and the Show, the gameplay is great and there isn't a lot more they can do. They will have to start implementing online dynasties as well for the next step.

2K - I agree it's a make or break year. They need to establish whether they will be around a long time as a true rival to EA or if they will just continue to dump titles and fold.

# 3 SHAKYR @ Jan 14

I'm scared for 2k this year. Please don't fold 2K competition brings better games.

# 4 DaveDQ @ Jan 14

I believe that with every sports gaming company, the biggest challenge is going to be that of creating an annual title that will merit a purchase. With the 360 and PS3 counting on longer life cycles, sports games are going to peak graphically. There's going to be a challenge to produce something that will give a game legs.

Basically what we have happening now is a game will last only so long. When its annual release date comes, people purchase it simply because it's the latest. I think some are going to start thinking twice about that.

# 5 thudias @ Jan 14

competition is good. I hope all the companies do well this year.

# 6 DubTrey1 @ Jan 15

I feel that a couple of things will effect the market this year - one being the economy and the other being the actual value of the games. I feel EA will continue to barely toe the line at best. EA will continue to mildy innovate and make small strides in flagship titles. I think the target will be on the forehead of 2k this year regarding everything they produce that has been historically successful. SCEA I thinkwill move beyond the "honeymoon" period and will be held to task for any potential short comings in MLB and the weak NBA title.

# 7 Eski33 @ Jan 16

I don't think SCEA needs a great year. The Show is a system seller, hands down. The NBA franchise needs much work. If SCEA works out the kinks with NBA: The Life they could take money out of 2K and EA's pockets since this is an exclusive title.

EA, in my opinion, has improved the playability of its games. Although not perfect (and public expectations are real high), Madden 10 needs to take a few more steps forward in giving players something that hasn't been done before.

Fight Night Round 4 is a game that I am most looking forward to in 2009. The NHL series is rock solid and Live is finally starting to compete on the next-gen consoles.

2K, which I considered the leader in innovation, has taken huge steps in the wrong direction. Although NBA 2K9 is solid, it feels stale. NHL 2K9 surprised some but is no where near the quality of EA's hockey game.

That brings us to MLB 2K. 2K needs this game to shine. With the exclusive third party license, if another MLB 2K8 happens in 2009 I can see this license getting lost to the competition.

One company I would like to see get back into the first party sports fold is Microsoft. Its titles weren't great but Links 2004 for the XBox was one of the best console golf titles ever made.

Whatever 2009 brings us gamers we will have another solid year of sports titles to look forward to and, most likely, gripe about....