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

[ComfortablyLomb]

Quote: Originally Posted by 43M

I honestly dont even care if Madden's presentation is as good as 2k5. DONT GET ME WRONG, I would love it if it was, but hell, at this point Id be happy just seeing it get in the same ball park. Until the commentary is overhauled, in game presentation will always seem lackluster. People keep blaming the commentators, but thats not the real problem at all. Its the choppy, pieced together way EA does their audio announcing and the fact that all the comments are horribly generic and cheesy. Makes immersing yourself into the game practically impossible.

Presentation in Madden lacks booth banter - the sort of running chatter that fills otherwise dead air. Until the devs decide to invest major time and effort into weaving some sort of banter in between the play by play calls the "television presentation" is going to feel soulless and empty.

And so as to not be completely off topic... news of the extension is terrible news for us lowly consumers.

[coogrfan]

Quote: Originally Posted by LiquorLogic

I know that, but the point is that the exclusive deal is really expensive because there's only one company that revenue is coming from. An exclusive contract, and a reduced rate, probably wouldn't be worth it financially to the NFL; if it was, EA, if they had the mind set that they weren't paying for an exclusive license, probably wouldn't think it was worth it financially.

How do you figure?

If the NFL was making "x" per year back in 2004, and they're making "2x" now, then surely a renegotiated exclusive deal would be better for both parties? After all, from EA's pov having exclusivity is better than not, and as far as the league is concerned "1.5x" is still greater than "1".

Quote: Originally Posted by LiquorLogic

Exclusive licenses are really expensive; they have to provide the licensor with a higher amount of money than they would make with multiple licenses. Remember, simulation style publishers, 2k and EA, aren't the only publishers that would receive licenses if the the NFL went the multiple route. There would be games on people's Iphones, there would be arcades style games, and many more types of games using NFL teams, players and trademarks. No exclusive license at a reduced rate is going to make up for all that. There would be a lot more than two or three licensees.

Those sort of deals already exist, EA's contract with the NFL covers console titles only.

[SageInfinite]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaReapa

I fully agree with what you have posted. But I think others are upset by the partnership between EA and the NFL particularly because for an entire generation of gaming, Tiburon hasn't shown that they have, or will ever have, the capabilities of developing a complete experience along the likes of what we've all witnessed last gen. And the EA/NFL partnership does nothing more than create a vessel to allow that trend to continue. As for me, personally, I'm not upset with neither EA, the NFL, nor Tiburon - but moreso the consumers who continue to blindly purchase Madden annually giving EA the fuel it needs to keep the license exclusive. And for the record, I feel the exact same way as you about NCAA 11. NFL 2K5 has become a standard for me to measure all others by.

Good post. Like we've said the partnership does nothing but excuse any short comings of Tiburon/EA with the Madden series this gen.

I also agree with you about the fans. I was one who got suckered into the hype, last year I stood strong and did not purchase because EA showed me nothing that I was interested in. I wish we all could show EA we deserve better by holding out.

I can't knock EA for trying to make as much money as possible from a business standpoint, but with the constant shortcuts and tactics(discouraging you from buying used), it just seems obvious that they don't have us as gamers in mind.

[STLRams]

Quote: Originally Posted by droopizzle34

I don't want to see ANY company with an exclusive license. Its all bad no matter who would have it cause we are limited to one game. 2K has no vote of confidence because of MLB 2K....that game is not good and unless u go buy a PS3 you are limited to only that game for MLB on the 360. NBA 2K11 has had NBA Live to push it to good heights,but yet you can't ignore the horrible online experience..so there's really no vote of confidence with 2K other than the nostalga of 2K5's greatness... I want CHOICE....I want competition....i want to be able to have a choice to go get a different brand if I don't like the other one.And it is proven these companies(EA with the NFL and 2K with MLB)rest on their laurels and don't give 100% when they have no one to push them... bring back choice in NFL simulation football and break us out of this prison NFL...down with this exclusive license and make video game football fun again by giving us CHOICE...

And I agree with you there. I don't think no company - not even as great as 2K Basketball should have a exclusive deal. We the buyers are the ones who suffers from this because we don't get a choice of what to buy and play. The NFL,NBA, MLB need to realise this, so do EA Madden and 2KBaseball - We the fans don't like this, plain and simple.

[Keenan G.]

Well, that sucks. Another sub par Madden game by EA. No matters I wont be getting M12. I will be playing The Show until NBA2k12 comes out.

Having bad Madden games have put me on to other games ie The Show. Never realized how great and detailed that game was until I played it last season. Excellent game.

[EddieV]

Quote: Originally Posted by coogrfan

After all, from EA's pov having exclusivity is better than not.

You don't think the same 5 million people wouldn't buy Madden if EA didn't have the exclusive license?

[coogrfan]

Quote: Originally Posted by EddieV

You don't think the same 5 million people wouldn't buy Madden if EA didn't have the exclusive license?

Some would, some wouldn't, but that's beside the point. There are inherent advantages to being "the sole videogame of the NFL" that extend beyond just sales numbers.

[EddieV]

Quote: Originally Posted by coogrfan

Some would, some wouldn't, but that's beside the point. There are inherent advantages to being "the sole videogame of the NFL" that extend beyond just sales numbers.

Besides the point? Really? It would seem to me to make more sense to pay 1x for those 5 million copies sold than pay 2x for the same 5 million in sales. But that's just me.