EA Enters The Mixed Martial Arts Cage With EA Sports MMA (Press Release)

[aholbert32]

All-New Mixed Martial Arts Title Joins Award-Winning EA SPORTS Lineup

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., - June 1, 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that an all-new fighting title is in development at EA Tiburon in Orlando, under the EA SPORTS™ brand. EA SPORTS MMA will be available in 2010 on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.

EA SPORTS MMA will feature the most authentic, intense and broad mixed martial arts experience to date – complete with a vast array of top fighters and fighting styles from around the world.

“With Fight Night Round 4 set to deliver a knockout with industry-leading visuals and genre-defining gameplay later this month, I couldn’t be more excited to announce the expansion of our combat sports strategy with EA SPORTS MMA coming in 2010,” said EA SPORTS President Peter Moore. “Fans have been begging EA SPORTS to get into the cage, and EA SPORTS MMA will put them in control of the sport’s unique combat experience while finally, in an immersive interactive experience, capturing the raw intensity that has made mixed martial arts one of the fastest growing sports in the world. We’re ready for the fight.”

The EA Tiburon studio carries a successful legacy, and is a leader in innovation, within sports video games. In August of 2008, EA Tiburon was named by GamePro Magazine as one of the top eight most powerful studios in the entire gaming industry. It is home to highly touted franchises, such as Madden NFL, NCAA® Football and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR®.

For more information about EA SPORTS MMA, log onto www.easportsmma.com.

[Vince]

I didn't know THQ had exclusivity with the UFC...

[UNC_Pete]

Thank god THQ has exclusive rights and it's not the other way around..

I'm interested to see if EA can knock one out of the park like THQ.

[LingeringRegime]

This was pretty much inevitable. MMA is the Sport of the Future, and EA likes to make a lot of money. I really hope they don't lock down the UFC license though. I really like how THQ represents the sport.

[aholbert32]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vince

I didn't know THQ had exclusivity with the UFC...

They do. I dont know for how long though.

Also Dana is a loyal guy. After seeing the product they put out and the sales, I doubt Dana would leave them for EA.

[MC Fatigue]

awesome - but too bad they can't do a UFC game, it would push THQ to really polish their game.

I'm all for competition. I hate EA Sports, and I probably won't buy this unless it's really, really impressive - but I'm all for someone pushing THQ to work harder.

[Phobia]

Lets all pray Dana is not dumb and fall for some type of bribe from EA to gain teh exclusive license.

[hawkeyekid]

I would check it out but I am extremely impressed by the first effort made my THQ and want to see what they can do in the next few years.