EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

Again, my apologies for not being tidy there.

I think the game that has The Masters exclusively is going to dominate in a way that seems hard to understand for many of us. That was a huge huge coup.

But - as we've both acknowledged -- who knows what the full rosters will look like for either game.
We just don't know the full picture yet.

I think you need to consider acknowledging what a black swan event the 2k21 story was, also, though.
There is NO chance they put up numbers like that with a direct PGA competitor from EA... that also has the Masters exclusively.

I'd wager $1000 that a 2k executive would tell us that in confidence over cocktails.
They know the game changed here.

Again, agree. They won't do 2.5 million. But that's got to factor into their ongoing planning and expectations here in the future.

I also think that, if they dropped the PGA Tour license, 2K's sales plummet and they can't even do a TGC game...even with Tiger on board. It's expected that 2K's golf game is going to be a PGA Tour game in perpetuity now - one that will have Tiger Woods as part of it.

No one, outside of us geeks, even probably remembers the TGC series.

[scagwi]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

They did huge numbers in a game with the PGA Tour license.

They did huge numbers as the only licensed golf option during a pandemic where everyone was around the house a ton.

They will now be going up against a well financed legacy competitor who locked up the exclusive license for one of the most recognizable and desirable golf brands in the world. (The Masters).... and one that has shown better graphical prowess (to this point anyhow -- subject to change)... and one that will also be doing PGA stuff.

I don't even know what we are arguing about -- lol

This is all good for all of us honestly.

The LIV angle still intrigues me though at some point, as the PGA won't be partnering with anyone who also has LIV content (unless something big changes)... meaning someone will perhaps have an exclusive opportunity there. Users don't like that, but companies love exclusives.

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

They did huge numbers as the only licensed golf option during a pandemic where everyone was around the house a ton.

They will now be going up against a well financed legacy competitor who locked up the exclusive license for one of the most recognizable and desirable golf brands in the world. (The Masters).... and one that has shown better graphical prowess (to this point anyhow -- subject to change)... and one that will also be doing PGA stuff.

I don't even know what we are arguing about -- lol

This is all good for all of us honestly.

The LIV angle still intrigues me though at some point, as the PGA won't be partnering with anyone who also has LIV content (unless something big changes).

Yep, it was in a pandemic and all that. Definitely played into their sales, for sure.

But they can not drop the PGA Tour license now. Could you imagine? It would be like handing EA free money for no reason.

Calling EA a "legacy" competitor is true, but their legacy also comes with some unsavory bits, too. That cannot be ignored.

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

Just wanna add a post-script on this.

None of this is personal, and I am glad to have fellow golf gaming nerds to chat with about this. Thanks for the discussion and debate.

And please, for the love of all that's holy, let's hope and pray we get some actual golf game news soon!

:-)

[bigkev]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

I thought a huge appeal of the TGC series was the course creator?

(endless content)

I think there's a big market for a game that leans into the user created content side and let's a fully fleshed out worldwide golf tour be "created" by third parties.

As I've always said - sort of the Super Mega Baseball ... but for Golf

The bummer to me with the 2k pivot to licensed PGA stuff is how it's apparently been making them censor the user created content.

Have you heard/read what Tiger thinks about LIV? He ripped them into pieces. There's no way he's going to have those clowns in his golf game.

[scagwi]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

Have you heard/read what Tiger thinks about LIV? He ripped them into pieces. There's no way he's going to have those clowns in his golf game.

I haven't kept up on that, no

I think we need to be careful about the "his golf game" part though.

The extent of the relationship seems "unknown" right now.

I also expect a lot of tunes to change about LIV if it really does stick around and particularly if it garners more and more participants from the PGA.

At some point even the PGA's hand could get forced or they'd end up with pretty uncompelling tournament products (assuming bans of everyone who participates in LIV)

As I've made known, I'm not supporting anything about the LIV tour.
That said, I think the PGA is out of bounds here with threats of bans and the like.

Make their own product more compelling and let players play where they want to (and ideally in both if they want to).

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

I haven't kept up on that, no

I think we need to be careful about the "his golf game" part though.

The extent of the relationship seems "unknown" right now.

I also expect a lot of tunes to change about LIV if it really does stick around and particularly if it garners more and more participants from the PGA.

At some point even the PGA's hand could get forced or they'd end up with pretty uncompelling tournament products (assuming bans of everyone who participates in LIV)

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/34230611/tiger-woods-says-just-understand-how-liv-players-give-chance-play-major-championship

"I know what the PGA Tour stands for and what we have done and what the tour has given us, the ability to chase after our careers and to earn what we get and the trophies we have been able to play for and the history that has been a part of this game," Woods said.

"I know Greg [Norman] tried to do this back in the early '90s. It didn't work then, and he's trying to make it work now. I still don't see how that's in the best interests of the game. What the European Tour and what the PGA Tour stands for and what they've done, and also all governing bodies of the game of golf and all the major championships, how they run it. I think they see it differently than what Greg sees it."

"I disagree with it," Woods said. "I think that what they've done is they've turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position."

---

And again, as this was brought up either here or in another thread, there is historical evidence to support that Tiger is going to be very hands on in anything he's approached to be a part of. He had to OK all aspects of previous TW games that EA did. I don't know why that would change, especially when it was announced that he's also Executive Director and consultant on the 2K series now, not just a name and likeness in the game.

[scagwi]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id...r-championship

"I know what the PGA Tour stands for and what we have done and what the tour has given us, the ability to chase after our careers and to earn what we get and the trophies we have been able to play for and the history that has been a part of this game," Woods said.

"I know Greg [Norman] tried to do this back in the early '90s. It didn't work then, and he's trying to make it work now. I still don't see how that's in the best interests of the game. What the European Tour and what the PGA Tour stands for and what they've done, and also all governing bodies of the game of golf and all the major championships, how they run it. I think they see it differently than what Greg sees it."

"I disagree with it," Woods said. "I think that what they've done is they've turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position."

---

And again, as this was brought up either here or in another thread, there is historical evidence to support that Tiger is going to be very hands on in anything he's approached to be a part of. He had to OK all aspects of previous TW games that EA did. I don't know why that would change, especially when it was announced that he's also Executive Director and consultant on the 2K series now, not just a name and likeness in the game.

Thx for links and context...

Tiger is in a position of immense privilege here

For some of these guys this is life altering and generational money and I don't begrudge them a bit.
We'd all do the same thing and I think we are lying if we say otherwise.

I think Tiger himself would be doing something different if sponsorship money wasn't what it has been for him. This is a guy who was screwing everything that moves (maybe still does) while married. I love him as a golfer, but I'm not getting my morality or loyalty takes from him.

It gets more mixed the higher up we go with players that perhaps "don't need the money"..

That said, I feel the need to be careful if I'm telling other people what to do/not-do as it relates to their livelihood and providing for their families.

(this is different than my position of not watching or supporting it -- I'm not being offered lifetime money to do it -- if I were, I would)

Honestly the PGA tone on all this reminds me of the years and years of "they're just amateurs" BS out of the NCAA in relation to college football and basketball athletes.

In reality a massive pile of money was being made off their labor and simply getting diverted to those in control.

The PGA needs to do more moving forward and any talk of "bans" needs to cease, at least in my view.

[bigkev]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

I mean, if we go all crazy.... there were numerous rumors earlier that EA could be bought by several companies. I guess the Saudis could find some changes in their deep pocket and buy EA, do some gamewashing. Then they could force LIV into the game, keep all 4 Majors and let the PGA walk out if they want to. If not, the LIV golfers would always be at the top of the leaderboard and win all tournaments, no matter the AI difficulty.... Tiger and Rory always at the bottom. Could even have old Greg Norman in the field and win all the Majors.

And since they're good friends with Putin, could even have some tournaments in Russia, Putin will enter those and always win.

[bigkev]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

Nothing good will come with LIV. It reminds me the start of the Indy Racing League, where the owner started by taking away Indy 500 from Cart and poaching some of the best drivers. It ended up killing both leagues and the sport.

[bigkev]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

Talking about the Saudis and sportswashing...

it seems a Saudi club has offered Cristiano Ronaldo a 2 year deal worth 275M euros.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/cristiano-ronaldo-set-reject-staggering-111936024.html

[scagwi]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

Talking about the Saudis and sportswashing...

it seems a Saudi club has offered Cristiano Ronaldo a 2 year deal worth 275M euros.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/cri...111936024.html

If it were an offer to go to a top flight competitive situation, I'm sure he wouldn't bat an eye and would take the cash.

As the article mentioned - luring him isn't about money at this point

"But Ronaldo is expected to reject the proposal – perhaps no surprise given his desire to play top level football, with United’s lack of Champions League football a key part of his frustration."

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

I can remember a day not to long ago where I'd be passionately involved in discussions about upcoming golf games. The delays in both of these already overdue games, along with the knowledge that there's a virtually unmanageable contract variable (LIV) in the equation, casting even more uncertainty on their future has deflated my interest to nothing.

[scagwi]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

I can remember a day not to long ago where I'd be passionately involved in discussions about upcoming golf games. The delays in both of these already overdue games, along with the knowledge that there's a virtually unmanageable contract variable (LIV) in the equation, casting even more uncertainty on their future has deflated my interest to nothing.

Same man .... same

Really could use some info and screenshots or something, from either game!

[VoltSwoosh]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Releases in Spring 2023

I can remember a day not to long ago where I'd be passionately involved in discussions about upcoming golf games. The delays in both of these already overdue games, along with the knowledge that there's a virtually unmanageable contract variable (LIV) in the equation, casting even more uncertainty on their future has deflated my interest to nothing.

Yeah I was so excited all last year for ea pga, but now i feel as if I’m living the movie “Groundhogs Day” with EA repeating last year’s marketing over again. Some down to the exact same pictures.


Now I’m honestly getting more excited for college football 24. Ea needs to do something for sure. Drop another course at Least. Even if it’s wolf creek.