NFL Owners Likely to Vote in Favor of Extending EA Sports Madden NFL Exclusive License

[Junior Moe]

I never really understood thought process behind thinking anything would change regarding the NFL license and EA. It makes sense for all parties.

2K has their own "Madden" with NBA 2K. The NFL license isnt the be all end all in sports gaming as we see NBA 2K outsells Madden every year. The NFL is valuable, no doubt, but 2K has a more open partner with the NBA in regards to what they can do with their game.

I feel like anything that has the NFL shield on it will be sterilized, even a simulation NFL 2K. IMO, Madden is fine. Its sterile and stale but I can enjoy it for what it is.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Operation Sports mobile app

[bigboyc]

Quote: Originally Posted by J_Posse

I think it is less about how high Take-Two will be willing to bid - it has long been rumored that EA wasn't the highest bidder in 2004 or '05 - and more about the brand recognition & consumer equity (to make up a term) EA/Madden already possess. Why lose out on a known, marketable commodity like Madden football to hand over your license to any company that lacks branding, marketing and development time (historically) that EA Sports already has. Your overall points about market share, sells likely not supporting two titles (with the high cost of licensing & development) & Madden selling based on brand/name recognition are all valid points. I completely agree and think your points are valid, but at the same time we won't know that unless a competitor is allowed to compete. Their are multiple games within genres and styles of games that both sell well. The NFL would just rather stay with the devil they know and dictate or control aspects of the final product (no late hits, concussion injuries, etc.). The biggest negative though is that should Madden fall short (in a grander way like Madden 96 PS1 or NBA Elite) of expectations the NFL is ****ed. They would have no other partner that could just quickly make an alternative. Similar to how WWE was ****ed by the debacle that was WWE 2K20. The NHL & MLB are similarly married to their video game partners. To the point where MLB has more or less forced Sony's hand to have MLB the Show become multiplatform. Sent from my SM-G935V using Operation Sports mobile app

2K screwed themselves with the $20 stunt. The NFL has a LONG memory. That's why EA got the exclusive contract...that 2K stunt. NFL like to control their image/brand. EA has been a good soldier in promoting the NFL brand (whether you like the game or not).

Um, the Show is NOT multi-platform and never will be. Sony uses that game as a Playstation selling point. MLB has tried to get EA to do baseball again (after 2k dropped it). EA hasn't bitten (yet). There is a rumor MVP Baseball may return on the next gen consoles.

[redsox4evur]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigboyc

Um, the Show is NOT multi-platform and never will be. Sony uses that game as a Playstation selling point. MLB has tried to get EA to do baseball again (after 2k dropped it). EA hasn't bitten (yet). There is a rumor MVP Baseball may return on the next gen consoles.

Don't wanna derail the thread, but you're wrong the bold. See this memo from the MLB_PR department from December of last year. https://twitter.com/MLB_PR/status/12...253451264?s=20

"In addition, the historic expansion of the long-standing partnerships will bring MLBTS, for the first time ever, to additional console platforms beyond Playstation platforms as early as 2021."

[sva91]

Would be cool if some small market owner like the jags or chargers took a stand and became a cult hero amongst gamers. If they were to convince owners to end exclusive agreement, I would support that team by buying some team Merch.


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[The Black Redneck]

As the old saying goes “Money talks Bull***t walks.” The owners and the NFL don’t care about the gameplay and what features and modes are left out of the game. They are looking at it from the business side of things and this deal make sense for them. Madden is a household name rather you know the name from the game, or you know and remember the man himself you have heard of Madden. Madden really is a fun game that anyone can pick up and play. You can adjust the sliders and make it harder if you want or even make it easier. It’s a game that a all ages and skill levels can enjoy.

They can call it a sim NFL game because they do use the NFL rules, logos , real teams and players, and things that you can only find in a NFL game. The NFL is making a large and easy profit with their partnership with EA. Madden is one of the best way to promote their league, and EA has the deep pockets. to pay for it. With the success of NBA2k those guys probably aren’t willing to pay as much as EA and will take the arcade route.

The sim stuff that we all what back in our franchise is not what the average gamers what now. The competitive group that just want to play H2H games online , and the mut crowd is the target audience and that’s not the NFL fault, it’s just the changing of the times. With micro transactions for just a swipe of your debit card you can play with a team of super stars. It’s a popular mode and a huge money maker, and 2k would be doing the same thing.

EA did give us a fully simulation football game. Remember the NFL head coach games? There is a reason they stop making them. Maybe I am the odd man out here but I think Madden is a fun game. It’s not what it use to be as far as franchise mode, and some of the gameplay staff. But rather then look back at the past with teary eyes and we embrace what Madden has become. If they improve on what they have and keep adding new features or bring back some old features I will be happy.

[gbgen]

Well, I guess I will plug an Xbox original and get 2k5 used and ncaa 06. Haven't bought a MAdden game in a long, long time. (last one was Madden 12)

People are playing MUT and buying micropacks to cheese in the online world and EA is totally disregarding the sim and franchise players.

Man I'm 48, and still play my NCAA 14 on the PS3, but now, guess I will go back old school.

Stay Safe

[tuckermaine]

I’m just so tired of having to fix, adjust, tweak, test, this game so it plays a little like a true football game.
Every year there is some glaring issue, some years I’ve skipped all along. Slider guys do most of the work but then finding the right set ...it’s like chemistry. Then you get the game kind of sort of running ok and then the patches start coming ...reset again ..you find yourself adjusting testing messing with player attributes ect ect

I’m just exhausted. The PS5 technology won’t make a difference for EA. They are so close minded it seems it’ll be like giving a Neanderthal a brand new laptop. He’ll dig with it..but he will show it off as the best digging tool. Just won’t change his habits, just a shiny dig tool.

No confidence any longer in Ea and just to much work to make said product “be like “ said product.

[capa]

The main culprit in current Madden poor gameplay has less to do with sliders and more to do with player ratings and playbooks. That's always been the way.

Guys spend months tweaking sliders...some are still at it with 20. Once you get a good roster set with players re-rated and use a custom playbook with non-working plays removed and blitzes toned down, you get a much better representation of football on the field.

Slider tweaking is still a huge rabbit hole and it can help a bit, but you are just masking bad stuff, and usually affecting other areas. Whack a mole.

C