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RaychelSnr · 12-08-2010, 11:52 AM

Should EA be worried about any potential NFL lockout?

Chris Sanner: I think the short-term interests of the Madden brand would be relatively unaffected by any potential lockout. You are hearing a lot on both sides about whether there will even be a lockout, so it's a full wait and see on that issue altogether. However, if a lockout occurs, I'd think Madden sales would slip -- probably modestly -- but Madden can make up for much of the potential slip in the short term by putting out a great product to a NFL-hungry audience.

The real problem lies with the long-term interests of the Madden franchise. What sport has not taken a hit from a lockout on the popularity front? It's very possible that the NFL could be set back quite a bit, especially if the 2011 season never happens. That will have a very tangible effect on Madden's sales long term if the NFL brand cools significantly. At that point, EA might have to ask if the NFL license is worth the exclusive cost they are paying for it.

Robert Kollars: I don't think that EA should worry too much. Even if there is a lockout, the NFL and Madden fanbase will still be there. It may even cause fans of the real NFL to want to grab a copy of Madden even more. If you can't watch the NFL on TV, at least you can try to replicate it on a console.

And while what I am about to propose simply will not happen, especially after the Elite fiasco, if the NFL is locked out, I would love to see Madden go without a release next year. I can only imagine the improvements the developers could make to this game if they had a full two-year developmental cycle.

Read More - OS Roundtable: Should EA Be Worried About a Potential NFL Lockout?

Goffs · 12-08-2010, 12:19 PM

this would affect me if 2k still made and NFL game...

Blitzburgh · 12-08-2010, 12:37 PM

I see this as a huge opportunity for a game like BB2. They have a solid foundation to build upon as it is. If they do indeed release a BB2, since there wouldn't be any NFL games, that would open up the door for more people to create their own teams and leagues and give this game a chance IMO.

RJTurneR · 12-08-2010, 01:34 PM

Backbreaker isn't the solution though. Very short term.. maybe. But Europhia engine is so rag doll it makes everything look pretty goofy. It's a good game that has done a good job. But I'd still pick Madden.

Blitzburgh · 12-08-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJTurneR


	Backbreaker isn't the solution though. Very short term.. maybe. But Europhia engine is so rag doll it makes everything look pretty goofy. It's a good game that has done a good job. But I'd still pick Madden.

Each to their own my friend...I can barely even play Madden anymore it is so stale to me...

TreFacTor · 12-08-2010, 02:56 PM

Ea still has the right to make an NFL game even if there isn't an NFL season, they have the license until FEB 2013. I don't think they have even given it a second thought. Business as usual.

statum71 · 12-08-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzburgh


	Each to their own my friend...I can barely even play Madden anymore it is so stale to me...

You're right.....to each his own. I have ZERO interest in Backbreaker. No License, no thanks.

bxgoods · 12-08-2010, 04:26 PM

If theres no football season, people would still buy Madden 12 to get their fix of football.

12-08-2010, 11:52 AM	#1
RaychelSnr Executive Editor OVR: 57 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 4,846 Blog Entries: 490	OS Roundtable: Should EA Be Worried About a Potential NFL Lockout? Should EA be worried about any potential NFL lockout? Chris Sanner: I think the short-term interests of the Madden brand would be relatively unaffected by any potential lockout. You are hearing a lot on both sides about whether there will even be a lockout, so it's a full wait and see on that issue altogether. However, if a lockout occurs, I'd think Madden sales would slip -- probably modestly -- but Madden can make up for much of the potential slip in the short term by putting out a great product to a NFL-hungry audience. The real problem lies with the long-term interests of the Madden franchise. What sport has not taken a hit from a lockout on the popularity front? It's very possible that the NFL could be set back quite a bit, especially if the 2011 season never happens. That will have a very tangible effect on Madden's sales long term if the NFL brand cools significantly. At that point, EA might have to ask if the NFL license is worth the exclusive cost they are paying for it. Robert Kollars: I don't think that EA should worry too much. Even if there is a lockout, the NFL and Madden fanbase will still be there. It may even cause fans of the real NFL to want to grab a copy of Madden even more. If you can't watch the NFL on TV, at least you can try to replicate it on a console. And while what I am about to propose simply will not happen, especially after the Elite fiasco, if the NFL is locked out, I would love to see Madden go without a release next year. I can only imagine the improvements the developers could make to this game if they had a full two-year developmental cycle. Read More - OS Roundtable: Should EA Be Worried About a Potential NFL Lockout? Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3

12-08-2010, 01:34 PM	#4
RJTurneR MVP OVR: 17 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom Posts: 2,185	Re: OS Roundtable: Should EA Be Worried About a Potential NFL Lockout? Backbreaker isn't the solution though. Very short term.. maybe. But Europhia engine is so rag doll it makes everything look pretty goofy. It's a good game that has done a good job. But I'd still pick Madden.

12-08-2010, 02:56 PM	#6
TreFacTor MVP OVR: 24 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philly, Pa. Blog Entries: 8	Re: OS Roundtable: Should EA Be Worried About a Potential NFL Lockout? Ea still has the right to make an NFL game even if there isn't an NFL season, they have the license until FEB 2013. I don't think they have even given it a second thought. Business as usual. __________________ Proud Beta tester for NFL 2K Dreamcast "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

12-08-2010, 04:26 PM	#8
bxgoods MVP OVR: 11 Join Date: May 2009	Re: OS Roundtable: Should EA Be Worried About a Potential NFL Lockout? If theres no football season, people would still buy Madden 12 to get their fix of football.

	New OS Forums Are Coming on May 1
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12-08-2010, 12:19 PM	#2
Goffs New Ork Giants OVR: 30 Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 12,298	this would affect me if 2k still made and NFL game...

12-08-2010, 12:37 PM	#3
Blitzburgh Pro OVR: 11 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pittsburgh	I see this as a huge opportunity for a game like BB2. They have a solid foundation to build upon as it is. If they do indeed release a BB2, since there wouldn't be any NFL games, that would open up the door for more people to create their own teams and leagues and give this game a chance IMO.