More Links

RaychelSnr · 04-23-2008, 01:34 PM

Does competition really make for better sports games? Timothy Martin takes a look at why that is the case by examining the 2003 lineup of baseball games in his article, Life Before Sports Gaming Darwinism.

Quote:


	"If you look up the word “monopoly” on Wikipedia as a common noun and not a proper one, you will find around 14 examples of historical monopolies. Among those examples of historical monopolies are U.S. Steel and Ma Bell. Another couple that might ring home to sports fans are both Major League Baseball and the National Football League."

baa7 · 04-26-2008, 01:41 PM

So MLB: The Show, once the laughing stock of a once well-stocked genre, is reaping in the praise because of little competition. Again, I wonder how the game would have stacked up against an MVP Baseball 2008?

Sure, Take Two released a competing football game on the PS3 last year and Backbreaker looks interesting, but without seeing the logos and players from the teams we cheer and support, there will always be limitations and likely failures.

Entirely disingenious to suggest The Show's success is a result of having no competition. Please explain then why it is The Show has outsold MLB 2K8 by a 4 to 1 margin on the PS3. Those sales numbers have absolutely nothing to do with lack of competition or lack of choice. They have to do with product quality, period.

And it's just as disingenious and entirely ridiculous to then compare sales of non-licensed NFL games with Madden... as if somehow the same logic and principles apply here. If that's the case, then please show the sales numbers comparing Madden with all other NFL-licenced games on the PS3, for example. And you can't, because there's nothing to compare.

The reason the state of NFL video games currently stinks, is because of an exclusive license deal, correct. There is but ONE choice that gamers have. On the other hand, the reason the best video sports game ever - The Show - exists is because MLB DID NOT grant an exclusive license; is because there is competition; is because there is MORE THAN ONE choice.

I understand you don't want to upset EA with your articles here on OS, but to suggest these two exclusive license deals are even remotely similar, is laughable:

EA killed all NFL game competition.
Competition is alive and well with MLB games.
BOTTOMLINE.

04-26-2008, 01:41 PM	#2
baa7 Banned OVR: 26 Join Date: Jul 2004	So MLB: The Show, once the laughing stock of a once well-stocked genre, is reaping in the praise because of little competition. Again, I wonder how the game would have stacked up against an MVP Baseball 2008? Sure, Take Two released a competing football game on the PS3 last year and Backbreaker looks interesting, but without seeing the logos and players from the teams we cheer and support, there will always be limitations and likely failures. Entirely disingenious to suggest The Show's success is a result of having no competition. Please explain then why it is The Show has outsold MLB 2K8 by a 4 to 1 margin on the PS3. Those sales numbers have absolutely nothing to do with lack of competition or lack of choice. They have to do with product quality, period. And it's just as disingenious and entirely ridiculous to then compare sales of non-licensed NFL games with Madden... as if somehow the same logic and principles apply here. If that's the case, then please show the sales numbers comparing Madden with all other NFL-licenced games on the PS3, for example. And you can't, because there's nothing to compare. The reason the state of NFL video games currently stinks, is because of an exclusive license deal, correct. There is but ONE choice that gamers have. On the other hand, the reason the best video sports game ever - The Show - exists is because MLB DID NOT grant an exclusive license; is because there is competition; is because there is MORE THAN ONE choice. I understand you don't want to upset EA with your articles here on OS, but to suggest these two exclusive license deals are even remotely similar, is laughable: EA killed all NFL game competition. Competition is alive and well with MLB games. BOTTOMLINE. Last edited by baa7; 04-26-2008 at 03:31 PM.

	MLB The Show 24 Review: Another Solid Hit for the Series
	New Star GP Review: Old-School Arcade Fun
	Where Are Our College Basketball Video Game Rumors?