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

[LiquorLogic]

Quote: Originally Posted by grunt

Madden will always be a middle of the road game but Madden is the most consistent sport game in the last 20 years. Know why Madden and 2k were the only 2 games left because the other games didn't play as well. Making quality football games are very difficult. What if EA walked away from the NFL and close their servers. Who would jump up and invest millions of dollars to produce a game with such a large licensing costs? No one want to make sport games anymore. If EA had to do it all over again they would have invested in a kick *** FPS. So, what we have left is a very solid football experience in Madden 11. This is as good as we are going to get. My hope if developers would develop sport games on XBL/PSN but I doubt anyone is going to make an unlicense football game.

If you look at most sports titles, there's only really two popular titles at best. If EA walked away from the NFL, another publisher, or publishers, would take their place. It's inevitable. The licensing cost would drop because EA, the only company capable of paying that hefty fee, is no longer in the picture. The NFL isn't going to turn down money. If no company wants to pay for an exclusive license, but companies were willing to pay for a non-exclusive license, than the NFL will award multiple licenses like they did before.

This is economics 101, supply and demand. The exclusive license is sky high right now because EA is willing to pay that price, and any company who wants that license has to outbid EA when the current deal expires. If EA decides not to pay that price anymore, the NFL isn't going to say " fine, if no one wants to pay this price, then no more NFL video game football period !"

The NFL will simply lower the costs, and make it non-exclusive to make up some of the difference, which is what we all want.

Quote: Originally Posted by grunt

So, what we have left is a very solid football experience in Madden 11.

In your opinion, not mine, we have a very solid football experience in Madden 11. A lot of people would call Madden 11, which required five patches,where the franchise mode hasn't even been looked at in five years, anything but a solid football experience.

[videlsports]

With the NFL/ NCAA reupping their contract with EA, the only hope for football gamers is for a really good Custom made Video game by a competitor, one with presentation etc, Maybe focusing on Gamplay, presentation, and tatics(playbooks, hot routes etc). Or for Ea to listen and make changers gamers want to hear. (But with surprise onside Kicks staring as a feature Not looking good So far). I will buy NCAA, because it's a good game, but I still think 2k could make a better one.

[debauchlord]

Whether this is good or bad is not the point; the point is that if EA did not hold the license, then guess who would? Activision; there are no other developers that can come close to affording the license fees to the NFL AND the NFLPA. Do you people want Activision making a football game? We are at a money point where the actual game is secondary to marketing. There is too much money involved here. EA will continue to renew the license as long as the NFL exists. It is all about money. Stop using monopoly, please....those are used for companies that control resources, not entertainment. Sony has a "monopoly" on Spider-Man? Warner Brothers has a monoploy on batman?

[LiquorLogic]

Quote: Originally Posted by videlsports

With the NFL/ NCAA reupping their contract with EA, the only hope for football gamers is for a really good Custom made Video game by a competitor, one with presentation etc, Maybe focusing on Gamplay, presentation, and tatics(playbooks, hot routes etc). Or for Ea to listen and make changers gamers want to hear. (But with surprise onside Kicks staring as a feature Not looking good So far). I will buy NCAA, because it's a good game, but I still think 2k could make a better one.

Since when did the NCAA renew their contract with EA ?

[coogrfan]

Quote: Originally Posted by LiquorLogic

If you look at most sports titles, there's only really two popular titles at best. If EA walked away from the NFL, another publisher, or publishers, would take their place. It's inevitable. The licensing cost would drop because EA, the only company capable of paying that hefty fee, is no longer in the picture. The NFL isn't going to turn down money. If no company wants to pay for an exclusive license, but companies were willing to pay for a non-exclusive license, than the NFL will award multiple licenses like they did before. This is economics 101, supply and demand. The exclusive license is sky high right now because EA is willing to pay that price, and any company who wants that license has to outbid EA when the current deal expires. If EA decides not to pay that price anymore, the NFL isn't going to say " fine, if no one wants to pay this price, then no more NFL video game football period !" The NFL will simply lower the costs, and make it non-exclusive to make up some of the difference, which is what we all want.

A compelling argument, but I must point out that we have been without a college hoops game for a couple of years now largely because the NCAA refused to come down on it's licensing fees. It can happen.

[Jackdog]

Quote: Originally Posted by blackscorpion11

excellent point, these bastards WILL go after ALL sports if left unchecked.. They are the ESPN of video gaming

It's called free market. Business 101. 2K has participated. They bastards as well? Posts like this always crack me up.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by LiquorLogic

The NFL will simply lower the costs, and make it non-exclusive to make up some of the difference, which is what we all want.

This is what we want, is this what the NFL wants, though? The NFL wants a brand that everyone is familiar with. Madden fits that category.

You are putting some if's out there, that's all they are right now, if, if, if that does seem like wishful thinking.

I don't see the NFL and EA breaking up the license for a long time. Goodell and Madden are also friends, he serves as special counsel to the the NFL.

[grunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by LiquorLogic

If you look at most sports titles, there's only really two popular titles at best. If EA walked away from the NFL, another publisher, or publishers, would take their place. It's inevitable. The licensing cost would drop because EA, the only company capable of paying that hefty fee, is no longer in the picture. The NFL isn't going to turn down money. If no company wants to pay for an exclusive license, but companies were willing to pay for a non-exclusive license, than the NFL will award multiple licenses like they did before. This is economics 101, supply and demand. The exclusive license is sky high right now because EA is willing to pay that price, and any company who wants that license has to outbid EA when the current deal expires. If EA decides not to pay that price anymore, the NFL isn't going to say " fine, if no one wants to pay this price, then no more NFL video game football period !" The NFL will simply lower the costs, and make it non-exclusive to make up some of the difference, which is what we all want. In your opinion, not mine, we have a very solid football experience in Madden 11. A lot of people would call Madden 11, which required five patches,where the franchise mode hasn't even been looked at in five years, anything but a solid football experience.

and if EA walk away would we have a better game than what we have now. I am not sure if the NFL would make a non-exclusive license. I am still waiting to get NFL ticket on cable. Why can't I get NFL network on my phone because the NFL business model is exclusive license agreements.

I didn't buy Madden until the last patch. Saved me close to $30 and I got a great game. The Madden team didn't lie about the franchise but they improved LOS play and that what I wanted for years. Madden 11 play a great game IMO but I am a online/online franchise player. Haven't played franchise since online play came to consoles.