EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

[Rostee F]

Another year without competition! It´s a shame, but only money counts, plain and simple! Sold my Madden 11 today and got back to the only great NFL video game

[mr janny]

Quote: Originally Posted by LiquorLogic

If sales don't improve, or at least stop declining, why would EA continue to pay the expensive fee ? How is that good business ? If sales don't improve, or stop declining, don't you think EA would finally create a new engine regardless of whether they have a competitor or not ? I don't know why EA re-uped the license last time. Maybe the sales didn't decline enough; maybe EA thought it was an anomaly; maybe EA was scared of 2k. Remember when the retired players were screwed by the NFLPA derailing the plans for APF 2k9 ? That happened in the same year that the exclusive license was extended. Coincidence ? Maybe, or maybe not. The NFL's benefits are obvious, but EA sales have been declining for years. They sell less now, but pay more for the license. I don't see where the benefit, for EA, is.

Well obviously there is still a benefit to EA. They still make money on it. If they weren't, then they wouldn't make a game. It's as simple as that. Even with declining sales, Madden is still profitable for EA. So long as they continue to announce new Madden games each year, you can be confident that EA is making money on the deal.

[EddieV]

Quote: Originally Posted by mr janny

Even with declining sales, Madden is still profitable for EA.

How do you know that? EA had a $330 million loss last quarter.

[DaveDQ]

The whole COD thing is a silly comparison. They don't have a lock on making FPS games. In fact, if any field of gaming is an open playing field, it's FPS shooters.

The exclusive thing with EA and the NFL really frustrates me. The main reason being is EA (and the NFL for that matter) completely overlook and care less about how we see this as a negative. And with that comes the blatant hype and gushing they do every year about how wonderful Madden is etc.

Madden isn't wonderful. It's by far one of the worst showings in sports gaming this generation. They have offered nothing to the gaming culture that says, "Wow, that is innovative and worthwhile." But that doesn't matter. They have what they want.

It just doesn't matter anymore.

[ryan36]

Quote: Originally Posted by EddieV

Then how do you explain EA, which hasn't had a profitable quarter in years?

First off, I don't know that's true, but Madden is a profitable entity, but would be more so without the license

[JJT]

This is good news for me

Just saved me another $75

*plays the show during football season.... again*

[mr janny]

Quote: Originally Posted by EddieV

How do you know that? EA had a $330 million loss last quarter.

We know that because there is going to be a Madden 12. EA is not making Madden because it loves football so much. They're making it because it's profitable. If it wasn't profitable, there wouldn't be a Madden 12. They wouldn't make it.

[pf8363]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!