Boxing Licenses??

[infemous]

With the news that Fight Night is on hold and will be suspended in favour of UFC, I have a couple of questions...

Firstly, what is the deal with boxing licenses? Are they exclusive like the NFL one? Or can there be multiple boxing sim titles?

Is there any interest in making a boxing game for the next generation?

I feel that with the new technology we could see a completely revolutionary approach to graphics, damage and physics.

I also feel that a more immersive but standard career mode involving interviews and presentation elements would really help a boxing title.

[aholbert32]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

With the news that Fight Night is on hold and will be suspended in favour of UFC, I have a couple of questions...

Firstly, what is the deal with boxing licenses? Are they exclusive like the NFL one? Or can there be multiple boxing sim titles?

Is there any interest in making a boxing game for the next generation?

I feel that with the new technology we could see a completely revolutionary approach to graphics, damage and physics.

I also feel that a more immersive but standard career mode involving interviews and presentation elements would really help a boxing title.

There is no license. Games have to sign each fighter individually. There can be multiple boxing sim titles. The problem is the demand being somewhat low and difficulty in signing each fighter makes it difficult to make one.

2k has been rumored to be interested but with the low sales of the last boxing game they made and their recent acquisition of the WWE license, I dont think its likely anytime soon.

[Dos_Santos]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

What the above said.

The best route for a new boxing game would be to do whatever you can to get Mayweather on the cover and in name. The fact that EA put a random actor on the cover of the last Fight Night is singlehandedly one of the funniest marketing mishaps in sports gaming history.

Then, you would approach GBP and TR and get agreements worked out with them. Those two stables alone would fill a healthy roster (similar to what 2k did with Don King).

Then, pick and choose the remaining big names that are missing. I personally would not mess with too many historic fighters. I would just get the bare essentials (similar to what Top Spin 4 did).

Finally, market and advertise the game behind the scenes to various arms of the sport. Quite a few name fighters wanted to be in Fight Night and would have done it for free but were never asked nor had the opportunity to do so.

The right group with the necessary drive and ambition could get the job done.

Personally, I am worried about the fight game in general from a videogame perspective. Both the last boxing and UFC games were just terrible sellers and awful products.

[LakerFan56]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

Personally, I am worried about the fight game in general from a videogame perspective. Both the last boxing and UFC games were just terrible sellers and awful products.

If they make another boxing game they're gona have to revamp the game play. Making it more simple is the way to go.

[Dos_Santos]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

If they make another boxing game they're gona have to revamp the game play. Making it more simple is the way to go.

I absolutely agree.

The boxing aspect needs to be a very simple process that only becomes nuanced when two people are fighting that know how to play the game (like chess).

[SHAKYR]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

What the above said.

The best route for a new boxing game would be to do whatever you can to get Mayweather on the cover and in name. The fact that EA put a random actor on the cover of the last Fight Night is singlehandedly one of the funniest marketing mishaps in sports gaming history.

Then, you would approach GBP and TR and get agreements worked out with them. Those two stables alone would fill a healthy roster (similar to what 2k did with Don King).

Then, pick and choose the remaining big names that are missing. I personally would not mess with too many historic fighters. I would just get the bare essentials (similar to what Top Spin 4 did).

Finally, market and advertise the game behind the scenes to various arms of the sport. Quite a few name fighters wanted to be in Fight Night and would have done it for free but were never asked nor had the opportunity to do so.

The right group with the necessary drive and ambition could get the job done.

Personally, I am worried about the fight game in general from a videogame perspective. Both the last boxing and UFC games were just terrible sellers and awful products.

I was the one who had a ton of boxers ready to be in Fight Night. The producers were pick who they wanted and not giving fans what they want.
The amount of boxers in Fight Night has nothing to do with spaces or slots. EA could a million if they wanted. I heard this straight from the source.
Historic athletes shouldn't never be taken from a game or not at all. They are fans favorites. Fans love what if senarios and classics.

Fight Night didn't sell because fans like me didn't support the game. I was one of EA's biggest community leader for the Fight Night series. The Fight Night developers were not pushing for realism. They say keep saying casuals are their priority. We saw how that worked for Fight Night Champion. They think they can push a hybrid arcade and sim game down fans throats but they refused and walked away from the series.

If they make another boxing game they're gona have to revamp the game play. Making it more simple is the way to go.

Simple isn't the problem. They need to make Fight Night like NBA 2K made their NBA series. The game gave each player their real life tendencies and abilities.
When I gave the producers the wish list for Fight Night Round 5(Champion) they added it in the way they wanted. They did so much wrong with the wish list I gave them to make too casual friendly..

I absolutely agree.

The boxing aspect needs to be a very simple process that only becomes nuanced when two people are fighting that know how to play the game (like chess).

If the producers followed the blueprint of really boxing they will gain a larger demographic of fans, young and old.

[infemous]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

any way we'll see a good boxing game on PS4?

[TjJunior]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

any way we'll see a good boxing game on PS4?

The only real shot I can think of is Floyd or Oscar decide to make a game full of Golden Boy or TMT fighters. It won't ever be any studio to step up and invest like EA did with fight night, the video game market is too wide open for any of them to risk it.

[SHAKYR]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

There is no license. Games have to sign each fighter individually. There can be multiple boxing sim titles. The problem is the demand being somewhat low and difficulty in signing each fighter makes it difficult to make one.

2k has been rumored to be interested but with the low sales of the last boxing game they made and their recent acquisition of the WWE license, I dont think its likely anytime soon.

Why are you keep acting like you want a boxing game and keep undermining it!?! Their is a huge want for a boxing.game. If EA put a poll up to see which game fans rather have a boxing game or a MMA? Boxing would win hands down. This is factual! I know how the GameChanger thing works. I was asked numerous times when I was a Senior Moderator on the EA Fight Night forums. I thought for myself and didn't lie to the fans. Many of the Gamechangers were put in place to help to boost fan's interest in a game.

[pk500]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

Why are you keep acting like you want a boxing game and keep undermining it!?! Their is a huge want for a boxing.game. If EA put a poll up to see which game fans rather have a boxing game or a MMA? Boxing would win hands down. This is factual! I know how the GameChanger thing works. I was asked numerous times when I was a Senior Moderator on the EA Fight Night forums. I thought for myself and didn't lie to the fans. Many of the Gamechangers were put in place to help to boost fan's interest in a game.

Come on, man: If there was a huge market demand for a boxing game, as you insist, then a developer and producer would make it.

I LOVE boxing; it's my favorite sport. But it's folly to insist there's a huge public clamoring for a boxing game.

Why do franchises like Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, Madden and Halo see regular sequel after sequel? Because they sell. Why did Fight Night halt after Champion? Because it didn't sell enough to justify the cost of licensing, development and promotion in EA's eyes.

It's really that simple.

[SHAKYR]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

Come on, man: If there was a huge market demand for a boxing game, as you insist, then a developer and producer would make it.

I LOVE boxing; it's my favorite sport. But it's folly to insist there's a huge public clamoring for a boxing game.

Why do franchises like Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, Madden and Halo see regular sequel after sequel? Because they sell. Why did Fight Night halt after Champion? Because it didn't sell enough to justify the cost of licensing, development and promotion in EA's eyes.

It's really that simple.

I can't believe you just posted this when the UFC franchise hasn't sold better than the worst Knockout Kings or Fight Night game. Fight Night Champion sold well and I really don't know where you are getting your information from.
Boxing is the money making sport, period! If you are so sure about the market for boxing beg EA or Operation Sports to put up and official poll to see which do fans want more.

[pk500]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

I can't believe you just posted this when the UFC franchise hasn't sold better than the worst Knockout Kings or Fight Night game. Fight Night Champion sold well and I really don't know where you are getting your information from.
Boxing is the money making sport, period! If you are so sure about the market for boxing beg EA or Operation Sports to put up and official poll to see which do fans want more.

OK, then explain to all of us imbeciles why EA hasn't made a Fight Night game since 2011 or why no major developer has made a boxing game since Fight Night Champion was released.

You want a boxing game. I want a boxing game. All of us in this Boxing forum want a boxing game.

But we're tiny voices in a big wilderness. If there was enough market pressure and desire for a boxing game compared to other sports, EA would make it. Just because 50 guys at OS want a boxing game doesn't mean EA will allocate development capital and rush into production.

Good Lord, dude: Rugby union, rugby league, lacrosse, cricket and handball games have been produced and brought to market in the United States since 2011. Yet no boxing. Why?

Name me one other sports gaming franchise that "sold well" that went more than six years without a sequel and wasn't locked out of the market by an exclusive rights deal (NFL 2K, NHL 2K, etc.).

I'm all eyes, man. Enlighten me.

[aholbert32]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

Why are you keep acting like you want a boxing game and keep undermining it!?! Their is a huge want for a boxing.game. If EA put a poll up to see which game fans rather have a boxing game or a MMA? Boxing would win hands down. This is factual! I know how the GameChanger thing works. I was asked numerous times when I was a Senior Moderator on the EA Fight Night forums. I thought for myself and didn't lie to the fans. Many of the Gamechangers were put in place to help to boost fan's interest in a game.

What is wrong with you?

No one is undermining it. In fact I've been vocal DIRECTLY to the devs that I want a boxing game. With that said, I'm not blind to the financial aspect of creating games like you appear to be.

The fact is when you factor in the total sales (digital and retail) of UFC 2 and FNC, the difference isnt that significant. According to VGChartz, FNC sold 1.89 million physical copies. UFC 2 sold 1.22 physical copies.

What VGChartz doesnt include is digital sales and 75% of all video game sales are now strictly digital. So that 700k difference is likely much smaller once you factor in digital sales.

Now you factor in the fact that EA gets 250 plus fighters for the cost of its UFC license which is a significant savings vs. the cost of signing each boxer individually....the cost advantage is in the UFC's favor and that all that matters to a corporation. Profit. Its that simple.

No one is arguing that Boxing isnt more popular overall than the UFC. No one is arguing that more people would likely by a boxing game with licensed fighters than a UFC game. No one is arguing that if you ran a poll here or on Twitter or Facebook or Reddit that more people would want a boxing. ****, I'm not even arguing that there will never be a EA boxing game again because it could happen.

What I am saying is right now it makes more financial sense for EA to move forward with the UFC because the cost is lower and the sales arent significantly different anymore. But you will ignore that as you always do.

Keep going with your crusade and ignoring reality. Its been 6 years and there hasnt been a hint of an AAA boxing game. Why do you think that is?

[aholbert32]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

OK, then explain to all of us imbeciles why EA hasn't made a Fight Night game since 2011 or why no major developer has made a boxing game since Fight Night Champion was released.

You want a boxing game. I want a boxing game. All of us in this Boxing forum want a boxing game.

But we're tiny voices in a big wilderness. If there was enough market pressure and desire for a boxing game compared to other sports, EA would make it. Just because 50 guys at OS want a boxing game doesn't mean EA will allocate development capital and rush into production.

Good Lord, dude: Rugby union, rugby league, lacrosse, cricket and handball games have been produced and brought to market in the United States since 2011. Yet no boxing. Why?

Name me one other sports gaming franchise that "sold well" that went more than six years without a sequel and wasn't locked out of the market by an exclusive rights deal (NFL 2K, NHL 2K, etc.).

I'm all eyes, man. Enlighten me.

Whats funny is many of those games have released multiple titles during the 6 yrs FNC has been gone.

Everybody loves to say how EA is only focused on money and how much it can make from a game. If thats the case and if a boxing game is so profitable...where is the damn boxing game? Why are all these top companies ignoring this pot of gold and making other sports games?

[SHAKYR]

Re: Boxing Licenses??

OK, then explain to all of us imbeciles why EA hasn't made a Fight Night game since 2011 or why no major developer has made a boxing game since Fight Night Champion was released.

You want a boxing game. I want a boxing game. All of us in this Boxing forum want a boxing game.

But we're tiny voices in a big wilderness. If there was enough market pressure and desire for a boxing game compared to other sports, EA would make it. Just because 50 guys at OS want a boxing game doesn't mean EA will allocate development capital and rush into production.

Good Lord, dude: Rugby union, rugby league, lacrosse, cricket and handball games have been produced and brought to market in the United States since 2011. Yet no boxing. Why?

Name me one other sports gaming franchise that "sold well" that went more than six years without a sequel and wasn't locked out of the market by an exclusive rights deal (NFL 2K, NHL 2K, etc.).

I'm all eyes, man. Enlighten me.

It's a very simple answer. EA has a contract with Dana White to make a UFC gamebjust as big as Fight Night in sales numbers if not bigger. I see you weren't following the transition when EA got the contract from Dana White.