EA's NFL monoploy

[tz101]

In your opinion, is it good for gaming fans that there is only one company allowed to publish and sell NFL football games for the latest consoles?

I personally miss the uniquely different play calling menus and touches of 989 and 2K Sports. I wonder if enough people petitioned the NFL about this, maybe they would rescind their decision?

[oldmanwinters]

No, consumers are the losers when one company gets a stranglehold on the market. SEGA scared EA with their unprecedented combination of quality and affordability, and they struck back with vicious financial might.

[FoxHound]

I simply dont buy them, Why give money to my only choice..EA forget that..

[NCrouther]

Madden seems very stale and uninteresting. A shot of competition would probably do quite a bit of good.

[j_factor]

I never cared about football games to begin with, but I'm definitely not a fan of this state of affairs.

In any case, 2K's affordability may have been what led the NFL to go ahead with the EA deal, feeling that their brand was being devalued.

I also thought it was really stupid of Sega to sell off Visual Concepts and their sports line to Take-Two. NFL 2K and NBA 2K were among the most successful Sega-published games between '99 and whatever year was their last.

[gamevet]

I personally miss the uniquely different play calling menus and touches of 989 and 2K Sports. I wonder if enough people petitioned the NFL about this, maybe they would rescind their decision?


989 had a couple of solid years, but they became irrelevent after that, with sloppy upgrades and a very poor showing on the PS2. 2K Sports, on the other hand, innovated with every title they had released.





In any case, 2K's affordability may have been what led the NFL to go ahead with the EA deal, feeling that their brand was being devalued.

I don't buy that crap for one second. EA definitely pulled some kind of behind the curtains deal, no matter what the NFL says.


I also thought it was really stupid of Sega to sell off Visual Concepts and their sports line to Take-Two. NFL 2K and NBA 2K were among the most successful Sega-published games between '99 and whatever year was their last.

Sega really didn't have any other options. The best selling title they had was NFL2K1 on the Dreamcast, and it only sold about a million units. They had to find a way to bring cash back into the company, and VC was the best option they had at the time.

[FoxHound]

Wasnt 989 studios actually just Sony...Syphon filter anyone..

[EddieJ1984]

NFL Blitz > any of EA's arcadey type nfl games theyve recently been putting out.

[Dirt Ball Gamer]

I have NFL 09 on the 360 but I hate it. Its impossible to do open field tackles for some reason, your dude usually just falls on his face even if he is right next to the guy you are trying to tackle. Ive heard the new one is better, but I really miss the 2k series. Recently (after reading online reviewers rave about the gameplay) I picked up NFL2k5 on the x-box (new for like 4 bucks), which I think is the lask 2k football game. I really like everything about it. The graphics can't compete with the new games, but they are not bad at all. Kind of arcadey looking which I like. The gameplay is just exciting and solid. I even like the half time report better than EA 09, and the coolest thing is after the game a reporter actually interviews the star player of the game. I think I read that in a few years EA's contract will be up and 2k might again have a chance at making football games. Screw EA.

[snume]

I picked up NFL2k5 on the x-box (new for like 4 bucks), which I think is the lask 2k football game.<snip> I think I read that in a few years EA's contract will be up and 2k might again have a chance at making football games. Screw EA.

It was the last NFL game that 2K/VC/Sega made, and if I recall correctly, the original exclusivity contract EA signed with the NFL was for 5 years, but it was extended in FEb of 2008 to last through the 2012 season and the 2013 Super Bowl. So at least 3 more years of EA only NFL football.

I personally have only owned 2K football games since 9/9/99 (there was no Madden for DC and I didn't have a PS1 or PS2) and I've only played Madden a few times at friends and relatives. I bought All Star 2K8 day 1 and it was OK, certainly didn't live up to the 2K5 game.

[KnightWarrior]

Fuck EA

[VinnyT]

What really pissed me off the most about the NFL license thing was that EA soon lost the MLB license, which means no more MVP Baseball! I miss my MVP baseball, since now all we get is The Bigs which is a button masher, and the new MLB 2K stuff, which is like typing in a missile command to pitch the fucking ball.

MVP kept it simple and fun. I want it back! On 360!

[shinobimusashi]

the competition defenitly kept ea on its toes for sure, ever since they signed the deal the games have gotten worse and worse. madden 10 is alot better than 06,07,08,09 but it still just isnt as good as they got it in 05. thats the best(3d) madden as far as gameplay which was the last one they released that had to compete with other titles.

[gamevet]

Madden 05 is just as crappy as the rest. Until you can actually play a solid defensive game on Madden, it's still going to be crap.

[shinobimusashi]

my madden 05 defense shuts kids down fool!

[gamevet]

my madden 05 defense shuts kids down fool!

Money plays say hello.

[Da_Shocker]

I don't buy that crap for one second. EA definitely pulled some kind of behind the curtains deal, no matter what the NFL says.

No Roger Goddell is straight up BITCH!

[gamevet]

Do you honestly believe Roger gives a shit about EA's exclusive deal?

[Da_Shocker]

What do you mean? As someone said earlier it could've been him seeing that Sega was selling the game for 19.99 that they were devaluing the NFL product hence they wanted only EA to sell it.

[The Sports Guy]

What really pissed me off the most about the NFL license thing was that EA soon lost the MLB license, which means no more MVP Baseball! I miss my MVP baseball, since now all we get is The Bigs which is a button masher, and the new MLB 2K stuff, which is like typing in a missile command to pitch the fucking ball.

MVP kept it simple and fun. I want it back! On 360!

You almost made me utter my first cuss word on this forum, you are the rightest of anyone in this argument so far.

If you have been paying attention to Xbox 360 Baseball games, you'll notice that the majority of them take SO long to play a single game and aren't as fun as the earlier PS2 counterparts, mainly MVP 2005 (the one with Manny on the cover). Oh god, do I love that game. It's the perfect baseball game. Seriously.

Now when it comes to Madden: I usually stay about 1.5 to 2 years behind the current one, as to make sure that none of my money gets back to EA for Madden.

I was never a loyal fan to either game (madden or ESPN or 2k5), but I really liked all of them and played multiple seasons on all of them. I still do. I really can't do anything about the exclusive license besides buy the new one, so I just do my part. Because what's the use in getting mad about something you have no control over?

[gamevet]

What do you mean? As someone said earlier it could've been him seeing that Sega was selling the game for 19.99 that they were devaluing the NFL product hence they wanted only EA to sell it.

989 sports was doing far more damage to the NFL image than any company. NFL Gameday on the PS2 was a total turd of a game.

Unless Sega's contribution to the NFL was profit sharing, I can't imagine the price effecting the NFL, one way or another. If that was the case, you'd think that the NFL would shut down Walmart, with it's off-brand NFL licensed t-shirts.

The first NFL deal happened under Paul Tagliabue. ;)

[j_factor]

989 sports was doing far more damage to the NFL image than any company. NFL Gameday on the PS2 was a total turd of a game.

989 Sports never properly developed any game, they just shit them out. To this day I can't believe that some of their sports games were given high praise.

[gamevet]

989 Sports never properly developed any game, they just shit them out. To this day I can't believe that some of their sports games were given high praise.

The first NFL Gameday was great.

[MitsuruX]

I'm pretty sure EA had been tossing the idea of an exclusive deal with the NFL for a while before it actuall went down...

Anothing thing that is interesting to think about.. EA wanted to be the exclusive "Sports game" makers on the dreamcast.. rememebr that little nugget of info from the past..

Either way.. exlusive deals suck for the customer.. at least with the MLB deal, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo could (can) make a liscesed MLB game..

[Da_Shocker]

It's funny that the government didn't bother to intervenve in this monopoly that EA and the NFL has but oh well.

[Speedle]

I do like the nfl madden games but i resent having to buy the same game the next year every f-in year, a stat update DLC would do the job. I personally thought the 2k nfl games on dreamcast were bloody brilliant and wouldnt mind seeing them make a return on the newer consoles.

Its tough enough being an NFL fan in the uk without having to keep buying a new game every five mins, not to mention the fact I've got no mates on live to play against! stupid soccer! Hate Soccer love American Football ;)

[sheath]

Yup, even when they get busted it's too late for it to matter.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-07-23-ea-settles-USD27m-madden-monopoly-lawsuit

Banned from signing new NCAA deal for 5 years, must refund consumers

EA has settled a class action lawsuit that claimed its exclusive rights to NFL Football were an illegal monopoly. The $27 million settlement means a restriction on further exclusive deals between EA and the NCAA, and a minimal refund for consumers.

Kotaku reports EA now has a five year ban on signing another exclusive deal with the NCAA. This doesn't mean that when its current deal ends in 2014 EA can't continue to make titles like its mega hit Madden, it just can't do it exclusively.

Meanwhile the $27 million will go to consumers who bought an NFL, NFLPA. NCAA or AFL title after 2005, and on Xbox 360, Wii or PS3 and those who bought a game on PS2, GameCube or Xbox, who can claim either $1.95 or $6.79 respectively.

Analyst Michael Pachter thought it seemed unlikely this would mean a sudden surge in new American sports titles from other publishers.

"Take-Two Interactive was burned by Major League Baseball, and only Konami and Take-Two make sports games (soccer and NBA, respectively)," he told GamesBeat.

"Nobody wants to compete with [Electronic Arts]."

The lawsuit was filed in July 2008, and open to all who had purchased a Madden NFL, NCAA Football, or Arena Football League between January 1 2005 and the present.

"Plaintiffs in the case are purchasers of Electronic Arts football video games, and they claim that Defendant Electronic Arts entered into a series of exclusive licenses with the National Football League (NFL), National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), and Arena Football League (AFL), which plaintiffs claim foreclosed competition in an alleged football video game market."

In 2011 EA renegotiated its exclusive NFL Madden deal, reportedly requesting a $30 million reduction in the price because of disputes between the NFL and its players.

[Obviously]

Yes, lest we forget it's not just the NFL here. They went after every single goddamned football league that matters from the collegiate level up.

While I don't play these games, it sucks for the people who do. To give a hasty analogy it would be like one company having exclusive rights to the entire platforming genre.

[madmax2069]

This isn't the only genera that is effected with this. The racing genera is affected as well, EA also had the rights for nascar but Activision now holds.

EA owns the rights to use Porsche in their games exclusively, and Microsoft owns the rights to use Ferrari exclusively in their games. I think exclusive rights such as all of these are absolute rubbish.

It stifles competition witch leads to a monopoly, which can turn the game/s stale due to no competition.

[Baloo]

I wonder if that class-action lawsuit will have any affect on EA renewing their NFL license?

Regardless the fact that only one company can hold a license for any sports league or player's association is frankly, bullshit.

[sheath]

Is this lawsuit just about EA's illegal monopoly on the NCAA or does it included the NFL as well? I think the writer was confused about which organization's exclusivity was covered by the case.

[Da_Shocker]

I wonder why the government never interfered till now. I mean well this did happen on Dubya's watch.

[Breetai]

...Microsoft owns the rights to use Ferrari exclusively in their games. I think exclusive rights such as all of these are absolute rubbish....
So THAT who f'ed up Outrun. Screw you, Microsoft!

[sheath]

So THAT who f'ed up Outrun. Screw you, Microsoft!

What happened to Outrun? I recall EA preventing Microsoft from using Porches in the latest Forza game as well. Also, Acclaim used to own Ferarri and almost stopped Ferarri 355 Challenge from being released in the US on the Dreamcast as a result. These companies are like sociopaths man.

[Breetai]

What happened to Outrun? I recall EA preventing Microsoft from using Porches in the latest Forza game as well. Also, Acclaim used to own Ferarri and almost stopped Ferarri 355 Challenge from being released in the US on the Dreamcast as a result. These companies are like sociopaths man.
Outrun Online HD was pulled from both XBLA and PSN because someone (I guess Micro$oft) bought the exclusive rights to use Ferrari cars in games. I suspect that is also maybe why it didn't ever appear on the PSN outside of EU territories.

When greedy companies make exclusive contracts to certain properties, it hurts gamers.

[sheath]

Outrun Online HD was pulled from both XBLA and PSN because someone (I guess Micro$oft) bought the exclusive rights to use Ferrari cars in games. I suspect that is also maybe why it didn't ever appear on the PSN outside of EU territories.

When greedy companies make exclusive contracts to certain properties, it hurts gamers.

Huh, I thought they put Outrun back up again. Man the Xbox website seems to be marginalizing XBLA big time, it took me minutes just to find the games, and everything is catered to what's new. I couldn't find Outrun though. I'm kind of glad that I got it when it was out and saved it to a thumb drive, but I already have Outrun 2 and 2006 on the original Xbox. The graphics are much better in the XBLA release, I hope it makes it back out.

[Furnessly]

About the OutRun thing, Sega's reason was because of their deal with Ferrari expired. It could be that System 3 was the one who removed it since they released Ferrari: The Race Experience (a downloadable version of Ferrari Challenge) on PSN at the same time as OutRun Online Arcade was removed however it doesn't explain the XBLA version. Doesn't someone else* own the rights to make Ferrari based games now with that Test Drive: Ferrari Legends has come out in the US and Germany?

* - I don't know who owns it now, Atari? Big-Ben? Rombax? Evolved Games?

[Lan Di]

I have never bought an EA sports game and I never intend on ever buying one.

[tz101]

I read the link to the case against EA, but still cannot tell if they remain with a death grip on NFL games. It looks like they cannot negotiate an exclusivity agreement with the NCAA, but I never knew that to be the case anyway. Can 2K, 989, and whoever else get back in the NFL game now?