2K Sports Confirms They Are Done With Baseball

[kehlis]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

EDIT: Why'd that guy just get banned?

Unfortunately (I was enjoying the conversation as well) it wasn't the first or even the second time he's been banned.

Can't get into it more than that but you can PM me if you want to.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by kehlis

Unfortunately (I was enjoying the conversation as well) it wasn't the first or even the second time he's been banned. Can't get into it more than that but you can PM me if you want to.

Weird. The internet is a strange place.

[strawberryshortcake]

Quote: Originally Posted by kehlis

So you are making up an argument that hasn't been made and then using it to support your argument? That's laughable. It's not a hassle to monitor two or three game companies, it's really simple, that you and I agree with. If that's your ammo your point is moot. Has nothing to do with any point you've brought up thus far.

I don't quite find it humorous, and not exactly making up an argument... this quote below is something that's posted recently (I can probably dig through other threads to find someone bringing up "NFL" "dealing with one company" is better, etc. etc., and just different ways of phrasing it).

Yes, I know the current majority argument is having an exclusive deal is a better business move for the NFL. I'm simply putting my thoughts into words on a message board and trying to look at this "NFL exclusive" from a different perspective, and maybe an alternative could be profitably valid (however small or microscopic that percentage may or may not be). I don't see anything wrong. All of you guys may be completely right and I completely wrong, but I don't see anything wrong with me putting my two cents into the mix.

We'll just have to see how this things plays out in the long run.

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.

[kehlis]

Sure, dealing with one company is easier than dealing with three. Didn't think that was a question?




Doesn't mean dealing with more than one company is a hassle.

[mike24forever]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

Close. What really happened was half of Kush quit to form their own company during 2K8's Alpha. Blue Castle (where I was working at the time) was brought in to help the remnants of Kush get 2K8 out the door. 2K's deal with MLB included extremely harsh penalties for not shipping on time. If 2K8 didn't ship, the entirety of 2K Sports would've been scrapped, and it's fairly likely that Take Two itself would've been acquired by EA. Fun times! The more you know, huh? EDIT: Why'd that guy just get banned?

This is one of the more interesting things I've read on OS in a while. Thanks for sharing. Nothing beats a little first hand information from someone who was on the inside.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by mike24forever

This is one of the more interesting things I've read on OS in a while. Thanks for sharing. Nothing beats a little first hand information from someone who was on the inside.

No problem. Needless to say, I never would've shared that information if I thought anyone could be negatively affected by it. Since 2K's deal with MLB is over and all involved have long moved on, it seemed "safe" to do so.

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

I'd use "suicidal" instead of "friendly". The deal 2K signed with MLB was insane, and a huge money loser. You guys don't know how close that deal came to resulting in the end of all 2K Sports titles (yes, including NBA).

Yup.
When I as in Vancouver at the EAC office, an EA rep told me that when MLB was shopping their semi-exclusive deal around, EA looked at the numbers and determined it didn't make sense; there was no way to make money from it.

But I think 2K felt they had to jump on this deal after losing the NFL license.

[pietasterp]

Fascinating stuff, fellas. Appreciate the cool inside stories from Doc and others. With 10 years in our most-discussed companies, you have to know where some of the bodies are buried...

I really liked the MLB2K series, but of course it was far from perfect and had its well documented issues. I think the pitching mechanic was the best sports game innovation of the last generation, and the game could be a lot of fun despite the flaws. I really like the first MLB game Sega Sports ever made for Dreamcast, though...that one was a personal fave. Breaking the homer record with Bobby Higginson was such good times...