2K Sports Confirms They Are Done With Baseball

[lhslancers]

Quote: Originally Posted by Flaxseed Oil

I probably played MLB 2K7 more than any baseball game ever. It was and still is my favorite. However, I don't think they would have ever gotten back to that level. I also think they need to sell the pitching mechanic code to Sony.

The mechanic is fun for a while but I would prefer not to have the finger gymnastics in The Show.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by Money99

That's how it started. But right now, the NFL loves it's exclusive deal with EA. They're dealing with one of the top developers in the world, who's brand is highly visible. I also believe the NFL is making more money with this exclusive deal than they would with opening it up to more companies. On top of that, the NFL is very controlling with what it wants in it's games. So only having to deal with 1 company as opposed to 2 or 3 makes for less hassles. I don't have all the answers and I'm not saying I'm 100% right about all of this, but I've read enough and been told by a few insiders (on both EA and 2K's side) that this exclusive deal is and was not EA's idea. It all came from the NFL. EA didn't approach the NFL to squeeze out the competition. But when the NFL offered this, EA jumped at the chance, which any company would. 2K would have done the same. As long as Madden keeps selling millions of copies this will never change. The NFL is making a boat-load of money off of this deal. So until this partnership becomes a financial burden on EA (like MLB was with 2K), don't expect anything to change anytime soon.

This is more or less correct.

Making AAA games is much more expensive than it used to be. I don't see NFL 2K or MVP Baseball coming back anytime soon.

[strawberryshortcake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Money99

That's how it started. But right now, the NFL loves it's exclusive deal with EA. They're dealing with one of the top developers in the world, who's brand is highly visible. I also believe the NFL is making more money with this exclusive deal than they would with opening it up to more companies. On top of that, the NFL is very controlling with what it wants in it's games. So only having to deal with 1 company as opposed to 2 or 3 makes for less hassles. I don't have all the answers and I'm not saying I'm 100% right about all of this, but I've read enough and been told by a few insiders (on both EA and 2K's side) that this exclusive deal is and was not EA's idea. It all came from the NFL. EA didn't approach the NFL to squeeze out the competition. But when the NFL offered this, EA jumped at the chance, which any company would. 2K would have done the same. As long as Madden keeps selling millions of copies this will never change. The NFL is making a boat-load of money off of this deal. So until this partnership becomes a financial burden on EA (like MLB was with 2K), don't expect anything to change anytime soon.

Here's a thought. the NFL license is a hot commodity. Charge the same licensing amount to a second or third party that wants to develop an NFL football game. The NFL likes money, this way the NFL gets double or triple the amount they would get. Even more money in the bank for them.

The NFL currently oversees more than 30 different teams throughout the year. I guess having a minimum of 2 or 3 video game developers would be simply too difficult, since controlling more than 30 teams is somehow easier. Or how about hiring someone for $150,000 to $200,000 annually to oversee the operation (which would be a mere fraction of the cost of the exclusive licenses). More money for the NFL.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by strawberryshortcake

Here's a thought. the NFL license is a hot commodity. Charge the same licensing amount to a second or third party that wants to develop an NFL football game. The NFL likes money, this way the NFL gets double or triple the amount they would get. Even more money in the bank for them.

What do you mean "charge the same licensing amount" to a second or third party? EA is paying the NFL $60M per year for exclusivity. The last I heard, Madden 25 was projected to sell about 5 million units. At $60 a unit, that means the NFL is getting approximately 20% of the gross, which is a much higher percentage than when the league was paid a percentage for each unit sold.

Sure, if the NFL allows the exclusivity deal to lapse, they can ask whatever they want from EA, 2K, or whoever, but no way in hell would anybody pay 60 million for a nonexclusive deal. The NFL might as well ask for a billion.

Quote: Originally Posted by strawberryshortcake

The NFL currently oversees more than 30 different teams throughout the year. I guess having a minimum of 2 or 3 video game developers would be simply too difficult, since controlling more than 30 teams is somehow easier. Or how about hiring someone for $150,000 to $200,000 annually to oversee the operation (which would be a mere fraction of the cost of the exclusive licenses). More money for the NFL.

I have no idea what any of this means.

[mfdplus]

A decade ago Sega Sports/ Visual Concepts was making the best, most realistic sports games out there. It has been very sad to see that company decay under Rockstar's management. And I know that maybe their ownership saved their existence back in the days when Sega reorganized. But going from a quality yearly line-up that included all the major leagues and college sports to today's output of basically just one game, it's the video game world equivalent of a superstar's fall from fame.

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by mfdplus

A decade ago Sega Sports/ Visual Concepts was making the best, most realistic sports games out there. It has been very sad to see that company decay under Rockstar's management. And I know that maybe their ownership saved their existence back in the days when Sega reorganized. But going from a quality yearly line-up that included all the major leagues and college sports to today's output of basically just one game, it's the video game world equivalent of a superstar's fall from fame.

Yeah, it's a real shame.
NHL2K2 and 2K3 were fantastic games. But they were developed by Treyarch who was bought by Activision, forcing 2K to hand the reigns to Kush.
Kush also took over the MLB2K franchise.

Both MLB and NHL went downhill and by the time VC took over, it was too late - which is a shame because I thought VC did a great job reviving both series.

I really do believe that given the chance to start from scratch both the NHL and MLB games could have been something special under VC.

I'm looking forward to seeing what SCEA is doing for next-gen MLB.
But I love the analog-pitching and hitters eye so much, I'm not sure I can play another ball game that doesn't have either.

[strawberryshortcake]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

Quote: Originally Posted by strawberryshortcake Here's a thought. the NFL license is a hot commodity. Charge the same licensing amount to a second or third party that wants to develop an NFL football game. The NFL likes money, this way the NFL gets double or triple the amount they would get. Even more money in the bank for them. What do you mean "charge the same licensing amount" to a second or third party? EA is paying the NFL $60M per year for exclusivity. The last I heard, Madden 25 was projected to sell about 5 million units. At $60 a unit, that means the NFL is getting approximately 20% of the gross, which is a much higher percentage than when the league was paid a percentage for each unit sold. Sure, if the NFL allows the exclusivity deal to lapse, they can ask whatever they want from EA, 2K, or whoever, but no way in hell would anybody pay 60 million for a nonexclusive deal. The NFL might as well ask for a billion.

Exactly what I'm saying with regards to pricing. Yes, I know the current price is for exclusivity. Call the "exclusive" price a "nonexclusive" price, and allow anyone wanting to create an NFL football game, pay to play so to speak. How would you know no one would be willing to pay that amount for non-exclusivity. If something is a hot commodity, there will be buyers. There are things that are overpriced out there in the world, and people still pony up the dollars.

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

Quote: Originally Posted by strawberryshortcake The NFL currently oversees more than 30 different teams throughout the year. I guess having a minimum of 2 or 3 video game developers would be simply too difficult, since controlling more than 30 teams is somehow easier. Or how about hiring someone for $150,000 to $200,000 annually to oversee the operation (which would be a mere fraction of the cost of the exclusive licenses). More money for the NFL. I have no idea what any of this means.

Um, pretty straight forward.

One argument for only having one developer is because it's too difficult for the NFL to monitor more than one company making an NFL football video game. Having to deal with 2K and EA and Sony creating an NFL football game would be too difficult is what some might argue for why the NFL would rather deal with one single game developer. I'm saying how could it really be that difficult if the NFL is monitoring more than 30 different teams (49ers, Seahawks, Broncos, Patriots, Colts, Steelers, etc.) throughout the entire year. The NFL seriously can't manage to draft guidelines for 2 or 3 video game developers to follow when the NFL is already doing so for more than 30 teams in the league?

[kehlis]

Quote: Originally Posted by strawberryshortcake

Um, pretty straight forward. One argument for only having one developer is because it's too difficult for the NFL to monitor more than one company making an NFL football video game. Having to deal with 2K and EA and Sony creating an NFL football game would be too difficult is what some might argue for why the NFL would rather deal with one single game developer. I'm saying how could it really be that difficult if the NFL is monitoring more than 30 different teams (49ers, Seahawks, Broncos, Patriots, Colts, Steelers, etc.) throughout the entire year. The NFL seriously can't manage to draft guidelines for 2 or 3 video game developers to follow when the NFL is already doing so for more than 30 teams in the league?

Who or where has that argument ever be made?