Why the NFL’s Labor Strife Might Be the Best Thing That Happened to Madden (Kotaku)

[Hova57]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

Last time I checked there is still an exclusive license. As Rgiles stated, it's all speculation beyond that point. I really don't think EA and the NFL is looking at it the way you are. I don't think either party wants to risk that chance. Having the exclusive license, as Ryan said, is beneficial to both parties, even at much reduced rates. As you stated earlier, no one is making a NFL football game except for Madden in the near term. I'm agreeing with Ryan and taking it a step further and saying it will be a long time partnership.

Its part of the culture in NFL too , many players have played madden since the beginning. Its a staple and the NFL knows it too. My understanding is during training camp Madden gets ridiculous play by the players. Its a big deal to some players to what their stats are in the game. I know i saw the Tampa coach say that madden is what started to teach him the game of football. I think the NFL needs to do their part in making a better product just not EA.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hova57

Its part of the culture in NFL too , many players have played madden since the beginning. Its a staple and the NFL knows it too. My understanding is during training camp Madden gets ridiculous play by the players. Its a big deal to some players to what their stats are in the game. I know i saw the Tampa coach say that madden is what started to teach him the game of football. I think the NFL needs to do their part in making a better product just not EA.

I agree, but unfortunately, I don't think the NFL believes it needs to.

[LiquorLogic]

Quote: Originally Posted by ryan36

Yeah but then Madden is leaving money on the table. The license will cheaper but will be in EA's hands for a long time... the NFL loves that EA can pay it, EA loves that they're the only game. Consumers are an afterthought.

EA cares about profits, period. The exclusive deal was struck out of fear of competition, and the desire to maintain, and increase, EA's market share. Buy the time the license expires, essentially, a decade will have past since there was another football game (from another publisher) that sold over a million copies.

An exclusive license has no value when there's no one to exclude.

[kjcheezhead]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

Last time I checked there is still an exclusive license. As Rgiles stated, it's all speculation beyond that point. I really don't think EA and the NFL is looking at it the way you are. I don't think either party wants to risk that chance. Having the exclusive license, as Ryan said, is beneficial to both parties, even at much reduced rates. As you stated earlier, no one is making a NFL football game except for Madden in the near term. I'm agreeing with Ryan and taking it a step further and saying it will be a long time partnership.

I see it like pastapadre see it.

http://www.pastapadre.com/2011/02/16...atisfied-party

EA has gotten all the benefits it needed at this point. Why pay to shut out a competitor that doesn't exist?

Continuing to pay for an exclusive license is kinda like building that fence on the Mexican border. It costs an insane amount of money and no terrorists have ever crossed into the US from there anyways.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by kjcheezhead

I see it like pastapadre see it. http://www.pastapadre.com/2011/02/16...atisfied-party EA has gotten all the benefits it needed at this point. Why pay to shut out a competitor that doesn't exist? Continuing to pay for an exclusive license is kinda like building that fence on the Mexican border. It costs an insane amount of money and no terrorists have ever crossed into the US from there anyways.

Sorry, Pasta is not someone I put a lot of stock into.

Why take that business risk that another developer could be waiting in the weeds. People were gung ho about six months from a reported website that 2k approached the NFL about the license.

So, again, if that is true, why should EA take that business risk?

Well, Pasta does agree that the NFL only operates with exclusives and won't open it up to other parties.

[kjcheezhead]

Quote: Originally Posted by tazdevil20

Then again, all of this nonsense could be put to rest if EA put out a quality product worthy of our money.

I purchased Madden 11 used and traded it in 3 weeks later. This version has taken the most heat from gamers I've seen in quite awhile. That said, the game still sold 5 million copies, so I don't think EA is overly concerned that their product is not up to our standards. In fact, in the last podcast they said they consider us "nitpickers".

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by kjcheezhead

I purchased Madden 11 used and traded it in 3 weeks later. This version has taken the most heat from gamers I've seen in quite awhile. That said, the game still sold 5 million copies, so I don't think EA is overly concerned that their product is not up to our standards. In fact, in the last podcast they said they consider us "nitpickers".

Do you have the link for that podcast? I haven't heard that podcast, yet.

Thanks

[kjcheezhead]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

Sorry, Pasta is not someone I put a lot of stock into. Why take that business risk that another developer could be waiting in the weeds. People were gung ho about six months from a reported website that 2k approached the NFL about the license. So, again, if that is true, why should EA take that business risk?

Who is gung ho? 1000 people on Operation Sports and a small bad of youtube "warriors". 2k's last attempt resulted in a game that ended in 100,000 copies. Backbreaker resulted in about the same. If people were so determined to see a new football game, they would've purchased thiose titles just to send a message to the NFL and EA how they feel.

Why not take the risk? There is zero to fear.