The NFL got owned

[NINJAK2]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1fortheroad

Man this is a strange place. When EA puts out statement it is spin doctoring. When the NBA does the same thing it is not. If the NBA was worried about quality that last NBA Jam game would have never made it to the shelves. Is that same pressure that is on EA, also on Visa and reebok?

Lousy comparison. As a consumer, if I want a credit card is Visa my only option? No. As a consumer, if I want tennis shoes is Reebok my only option? No. If I want to play a new NFL video game is Madden my only option? Yes.

The NBA deal got close to the same amount of cash as the NFL and kept competition alive. They don't need to spin anything as they didn't eliminate any developers with their transaction. If the NFL wanted to do the same thing they could have easily, but they chose to put all their eggs in one basket which was their choice as a business. Unfortunately for EA, they caught the brunt of the backlash from gamers but they sure shouldn't be surprised by people's reactions.

EA's response that Madden is competing with GTA and Halo did not help matters and was a very poor attempt at calming down the hardcore gamer's outrage that blew up various message boards. If I want an NFL Game I will buy Madden, not GTA or Halo. Do they assume the public buys only one game a year or something? Heck, I might have had more respect if they said we wanted to ensure Madden's survival and eliminate our closest competitor in the process rather than going to the "We are competing with Halo and GTA" line.

Anyways, props to the NBA

[1fortheroad]

What public outrage, the only people complaing are on message boards.

[NINJAK2]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1fortheroad

What public outrage, the only people complaing are on message boards.

I changed it for you

[coogrfan]

Quote: Originally Posted by NINJAK2

Lousy comparison. As a consumer, if I want a credit card is Visa my only option? No. As a consumer, if I want tennis shoes is Reebok my only option? No. If I want to play a new NFL video game is Madden my only option? Yes.

You missed his point. Both VISA and Reebok are have exclusive deals with the NFL, so if you want to do business with the league (whether it be buying a ticket with your credit card or buying a new jersey of your favorite player), they are your only option. He was pointing out that much of the outrage over the exclusive nature of the NFL's licensing agreements seems to be somewhat selective, mostly being limited to a single company that most VC fans didn't like to begin with.

I have yet to hear anyone present any compelling arguement as to why EA's deal is different from any of the NFL's other deals.

[grunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1fortheroad

What public outrage, the only people complaing are on message boards.

There are alot of people on message boards. If our complaining didnt mean alot why would they fly guys from Madden fan sites(message boards) to see the new Madden. We are an important focus group for these companies.

When the general public finds out then you will see the EA backlash.

[1fortheroad]

Quote: Originally Posted by NINJAK2

I changed it for you

Thanks, it is nice to know there are some people who see things as they are, not as they want them to be.

[grunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by blackceasar

I dont really think the NBA gives a monkey's azz about the fans of the videogames in the sense of how WE want to see it. I think they care about revenue which is generated BY the fans. I think what they did was took the safe route with thier deals. I think they looked at the backlash thats going on with fans pertaining to the EA/NFL deals. Now Im not saying they did this for US, but they did it so they would not isolate themselves to one set group of people. Why sign with one developer and piss off everyone else when they can keep getting money from the EA lovers, The Take Two lovers, the Midway Lovers, and the 989 Sports lovers. The NBA was smart because if t hey signed a 5 year deal with just EA, and say Live sucked (which it does now) for 5 years,, even though after the contract isup they can go with someone else, what if they go with Take Two come year 6 , 7, 8, 9, and 10 and cut EA out this time and what if Take Two's bballer takes a nose dive in quality because they are the only show in town? Now youve pissed of some not all but SOME people who you WERE making money off of. Its like this...and please dont ban me for being a perv....... If Britney Spears said shed let me have my way with her every night for the next 5 years but I cant mess with anyone else... OR I can just get a BJ from her for the next 5 years BUT I can have my way with Jessica Alba, BJ's from Pamela Anderson, Shoot porno flicks with Beyonce' and Marry all 4 of them..what would you do???? Why buy the one cow when you can get different flavors of milk for free from 5 different cows lol.

I think the NBA had the advantage to learn fron the two other deals. They took a long term view on their product. Maybe, I am kind of hard on the NFL but I was blaming EA a lil too much. I think the NFL could have dictated the terms but they let EA do it for them.

[1fortheroad]

Quote: Originally Posted by grunt

There are alot of people on message boards. If our complaining didnt mean alot why would they fly guys from Madden fan sites(message boards) to see the new Madden. We are an important focus group for these companies. When the general public finds out then you will see the EA backlash.

Yet none of that info was shared with the people on the message boards. So that point is mute. The general public plays Madden Football, and most did not know or care about the 2k Game. The NFL pretty much said Madden was the game of choice, when they put it in the hall of fame.