Madden 12 News Post

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

07:20 PM - February 19, 2011 by Steve_OS

Kotaku's Owen Good explains why the NFL’s labor strife might be the best thing that happened to Madden.

Quote:


	"It appears to be a win-win: EA Sports gets cash relief in a year when it's telling investors that its flagship title may take a dive at the cash register because of the league's overall woes. The NFL can kick the can down the road another year and negotiate this license when its product is a lot stronger. But when the league does sit down with EA Sports, or anyone else, it still may not like what it hears."

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# 41 ryan36 @ 02/22/11 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquorLogic


	How much sense does it make to force something down a customer's throat ?

TONS. Tons and tons and tons and tons. The game still sells, EA has no competition, and the NFL gets its money from ONE source, and is able to tell that source what can and cannot be in the game. It's easier than doing that for 2 to 4 titles every year.

Yes, LiquorLogic doesn't like Madden. You're a minor annoyance to them, if they know you exist. Which they don't. A game going exclusive means you either like their product or don't buy it, but you can't buy another one...

In fact, unhappy customers are the reasons FOR the exclusive license...not happy ones.

# 42 ryan36 @ 02/22/11 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquorLogic


	This has nothing to do with me, or my displeasure with the Madden series on this generation of consoles. It has to do with EA's incentive, or lack there of, in paying a higher premium for an exclusive license when there are viable competitors to exclude. Even if another publisher comes out with a game in 2014, it won't come close to outselling Madden no matter how good it is.

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.

# 43 kjcheezhead @ 02/22/11 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgiles36


	This, I agree with. EA will hold many (if not all) of the cards as far as the price and negotiation. But make no mistake about it, they're not naive enough to lock into a non-exclusive agreement. LiquorLogic envisions a scenario where EA will let their guard down and let a competing company slip in through the back door. It doesn't make any sense to me...

At this point, there is zero chance of a competing company slipping in the back door. The NFL wouldn't take 1/10th of what it is getting now for an exclusive license, but it probably doesn't matter to EA.

2k is the only company with an existing football title to work on. The team that worked on it is disbanded and most of the code will be over 9 years old when the deal expires. Not to mention Activision is said to be looking to buy take two and has zero interest in the sports division outside of NBA 2k. Then there is the fact that 2k's best game sold 1/5th of what Madden did in its hey day.

I agree no one but EA is making a football game any time soon. The problem for the NFL is no one knows that better than EA.

# 44 roadman @ 02/22/11 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquorLogic


	Even if another publisher comes out with a game in 2014, it won't come close to outselling Madden no matter how good it is.

And now we are back to ground 0.

Why would EA risk another company taking even a small chunk out of their profits?

# 45 kjcheezhead @ 02/22/11 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	And now we are back to ground 0. Why would EA risk another company taking even a small chunk out of their profits?

There would be hundreds of millions saved by doing away with an exclusive license. That alone would make up for a small chunk of sales lost. Also these possible lost sales wouldn't even be a threat for at least 2-3 years after the license expires and then it would only happen if the new game could top Madden's name recognition and 9 year head start.

# 46 Hova57 @ 02/22/11 06:14 PM

I've always found it funny that the Deal was always looked at as if EA conned their way in. When it was a good business deal at the time. Madden was at a very high point that really lasted two years. Due to some mismanagement on EA part they have felt the sting. Whether a lockout could encourage a better product I doubt. But rather more money to invest in people is what going to bring madden back. You can only do so much with limited man power. That cut made a couple more jobs in EA, whether we as the consumer see any benefit is anybody's guess.

# 47 roadman @ 02/22/11 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjcheezhead


	There would be hundreds of millions saved by doing away with an exclusive license. That alone would make up for a small chunk of sales lost. Also these possible lost sales wouldn't even be a threat for at least 2-3 years after the license expires and then it would only happen if the new game could top Madden's name recognition and 9 year head start.

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.

# 48 Hova57 @ 02/22/11 06:22 PM

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.

# 49 roadman @ 02/22/11 06:26 PM

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.

# 50 kjcheezhead @ 02/22/11 06:45 PM

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.

# 51 roadman @ 02/22/11 06:49 PM

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.

# 52 kjcheezhead @ 02/22/11 06:52 PM

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".

# 53 roadman @ 02/22/11 06:54 PM

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

# 54 kjcheezhead @ 02/22/11 06:59 PM

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.

# 55 kjcheezhead @ 02/22/11 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


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

I don't. Sorry, but it was the one with Pasta actually.

# 56 pietasterp @ 02/22/11 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjcheezhead


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

Except red ink and quarterly losses...

# 57 roadman @ 02/22/11 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjcheezhead


	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.

It was big talk around here and in the respective forum.

In business, you are always looking over your shoulder.

Nobody knows if there is 0 fear down the road if they don't partner with the NFl on a license.

No one will change my mind that the NFL and EA won't have a long term partnership for the foreseeable future.

If you don't feel that way , I'm not going to change anyone else's mind, either.

# 58 kjcheezhead @ 02/22/11 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pietasterp


	Except red ink and quarterly losses...

Lol, do you mean future quarterly losses or are you refering to these past few years?

# 59 rooney8 @ 02/25/11 04:14 PM

What a well written article. Common sense, realism, no bias or agendas a rarity on the net.

# 60 KBLover @ 02/28/11 05:46 PM

Why does the NFL want just one company making NFL games?

MLB evidently doesn't have just one company making baseball games. There's All Pro and The Show at the minimum (I believe OOTP uses real players/teams by default these days)

So why wouldn't the NFL want more people paying them for right to use NFL images, teams, etc? Wouldn't that mean more money?

I mean if Backbreaker or some other company comes up with a game that does capture the attention of Madden fans and has some sales success - wouldn't the NFL want that company also paying them for rights?

Then if in some fantasy fairy land I came up with a FB game that was awesome - now there's Madden, Backbreaker, and Knuckleball Lover Football. (Hey, KLF!! LOL). Wouldn't NFL want all of us paying them for rights, not just EA? I mean, why not bleed EA and getting money from two other companies?

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