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

[EddieV]

Quote: Originally Posted by SageInfinite

As much as I don't like what EA and the NFL have done, I'm more mad at the fact that Tiburon can't make a football game that can rival The Show and NBA2k. It's just disappointing year after year to see that they just don't provide the type of football experience I'm looking for. I would LOVE to have a choice, but if Tiburon would make football games that made me not care if there was a choice or not it would be great. They still haven't made a football game that compares to what we got last gen as far as providing a total experience. It's just sad for me to think that they just don't have it in them. I skipped Madden 11 for the first time ever, and I'll probably be doing it again this year. And while NCAA 11 is the best it's been this gen, as far as a total football experience during gameplay, it's still lacking.

I agree with all of this, also. Good post.

[slickdtc]

Like others have stated, I cared a lot more 6 years ago. Now that we have NFL 2k5, APF 2k8, and I play Madden 10 (skipped M11), I'm quite content with my football gaming library.

I'd love for the license to be dealt out to multiple developers again, but it ain't happening, at least not for a long time, if ever. I'd love to see the day when I see the thread title "Exclusive NFL deal no more", but I'm not holding my breath every day. I've been apathetic towards NFL video games for a few years now. I guess the exclusive deal really did kill my love for the yearly Madden v. NFL 2k battle, but whatever, I'm older now and I've just got a lot better things to do.

[Cre8]

PFT Drops The 'M' Word In Their Newest Snippet.

NFL gives Madden game manufacturer a break for 2011

Posted by Mike Florio on February 16, 2011, 11:01 AM EST
When faced with the prospect of no NFL football — and, thus, no fantasy football — for 2011, the next question from most fans is this: “There’ll still be Madden, right?”
The answer is yes. And the league recently gave the folks who hold a monopoly on NFL console video games a break for 2011, given the possibility of a work stoppage.
Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal reported earlier this week that the NFL has reduced the fee to be paid by EA for 2011. In exchange, the two sides worked out a one-year extension of their contract, through 2013.
“For one of our core partners in a difficult environment, we say let’s look at this, and maybe it makes some sense to extend something out longer and give our partner some relief in the short term but gain something on the back end,” Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver told Kaplan.
The amount of the reduction, and the value of the extension, isn’t known. Kaplan points out that the Wall Street Journal reported last year that EA asked for a $30 million reduction.
EA, which has produced Madden football for more than 20 years, says it’s preparing for the worst-case scenario.
“In terms of the NFL, I can tell you that our base assumption going into the plan is a very conservative one,” Eric Brown, EA’s Chief Financial Officer, told Kaplan. “[W]e’ve baked in, at least in our thinking, the most conservative assumption, meaning no season. We’re optimistic it can be better than that and generate further upside.”
If it “generates further upside,” we’re guessing that EA will pay more money.
Meanwhile, the NFLPA has a separate deal with EA. It’s unknown whether that deal will be adjusted in any way. From the players’ perspective, there’s simply no reason to give anything back, especially since that money will be part of the lockout fund.
Bottom line? If there’s no football on Sundays this fall, you can just spend those 12 hours playing Madden.
Good luck selling that alternative to your wife and/or significant other.

[SageInfinite]

Quote: Originally Posted by rgiles36

Granted, I do enjoy M11, but as far as value, this game lacks. The presentation is bare bones (I'm so sick of saying this year in - year out), franchise has been ignored, etc. When you compare the kitchen sink approach that NBA2K took as far as value... On a related note, that's why I was happy to hear Cummings say on one of the podcasts that adding value to Madden is important for M12.

I just don't think Tiburon has an idea of what good presentation is. I mean has it ever been really exceptional in Madden? It got the job done last gen, but when 2k5 came out, it just made it look so inferior. They've yet to top it with more powerful hardware this gen.

With some of the convos I've had with people, I just don't think they get it or care to get it. I would LOVE for them to prove me wrong, but I just don't think they can provide a football experience that makes me do a double take like The Show and NBA 2k do. I don't even want to go the NFL 2k5 route, there shouldn't even be a comparison. They need to try to compete with The Show and NBA 2k.

[SageInfinite]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkrich83

I can not disagree with a single thing you said here. Well put.

Quote: Originally Posted by EddieV

I agree with all of this, also. Good post.

Thanks guys. I'm just tired of people(myself included) blaming EA and the NFL for doing business. I mean of course is SUCKS, but they are trying to make money and maximize profits, and this is the best way they see to do it. The blame rests on Tiburon for not providing a solid experience that can compete with the top sports games today.

I don't care if you have to come up with a gimmick to sell the game each year, that's no excuse for not providing an immersive experience on the field.

[RGiles36]

Quote: Originally Posted by SageInfinite

I just don't think Tiburon has an idea of what good presentation is. I mean has it ever been really exceptional in Madden? It got the job done last gen, but when 2k5 came out, it just made it look so inferior. They've yet to top it with more powerful hardware this gen.

Sig-worthy.

Until they prove otherwise, I have to agree with you. It's been said that they've had to get a foundation in place the last two years, but I don't know that I 100% buy that. I've read in forums and dev diaries in the past that presentation isn't all that hard to implement. It's more about attention to detail.

I've been saying this since post M08 and it still applies for the most part: too often, I still have to press pause (and view the stats) to get an idea of how my QB is playing. Whereas on TV, the information is presented damn near on every offensive drive. Or, think about the pre-game warm-ups with the QB banner when all we're given is Yards & TDs. That gives me ABSOLUTELY no idea of how effective my QB has been relative to how many games he's played that season. What about the QB rating? Completion percentage? Ints? That's the stuff that intimates that they don't get it.

But alas, it's another year. We'll see.

Sorry to get off topic!

[RedZoneD25]

So many good posts on this page. Well done fellas.

[SageInfinite]

Quote: Originally Posted by rgiles36

Sig-worthy. Until they prove otherwise, I have to agree with you. It's been said that they've had to get a foundation in place the last two years, but I don't know that I 100% buy that. I've read in forums and dev diaries in the past that presentation isn't all that hard to implement. It's more about attention to detail. I've been saying this since post M08 and it still applies for the most part: too often, I still have to press pause (and view the stats) to get an idea of how my QB is playing. Whereas on TV, the information is presented damn near on every offensive drive. Or, think about the pre-game warm-ups with the QB banner when all we're given is Yards & TDs. That gives me ABSOLUTELY no idea of how effective my QB has been relative to how many games he's played that season. What about the QB rating? Completion percentage? Ints? That's the stuff that intimates that they don't get it. But alas, it's another year. We'll see. Sorry to get off topic!

Totally agree. As you said, I dont want to keep going off topic, but the direction as far as presentation is concerned is off. I hate saying a dev team isn't capable, but they haven't proved they are yet.