Operation Sports Forums - View Single Post - OS Roundtable: Should EA Be Worried About a Potential NFL Lockout?

khaliib · 12-08-2010, 05:16 PM

To me, with limited developers compared to several years ago, Sports games have utilized the "Baby Steps" concept for games on these Next Gen consoles. Still, until this day, we have yet to get that sports game on the level we anticipated them to be with these consoles.

The Football arena is so far behind where it should be. Maybe it's the lack of competition, maybe it's the lack of creativity needed, but I think we all will agree that there hasn't been anything revolutionary like the jump in football from the Madden's, Gamebreaker's etc... to NFL 2k5. From what was out at the time to what we saw in that football game, was revolutionary. That's what we've been wating for with these $300-$600 consoles (some are on their 3-4 console) that have greater capacity across the board.

As always, suites that don't play the games get it twisted when commenting. There is no NFL hungry audience. Most just want a "Football" game that fits the capabilities of these expensive consoles they've purchase.
Point blank, EA has fallen way short in this area while having these Exclusive Licsenses

When a bar is set for a particular sports game, you can't continue to put out games that satisfy your personal in-house standards and expect the consumer to lower their expectations and purchase just because.

The financial climate that game consumers are facing will impact what games they purchase from here on out. It used to be that gamers had the cash to purchase the game and decide if they liked or took a loss by exchange or resale, but those days are over. You will still have some, but many will not be waiting in line for a 1st day purchase Madden next year. Through the forums, I'm finding that many gamers that have been burnt by EA Football titles, are renting first before they buy to see if it's worth it.

Ian is doing a great job by visiting the forums for feedback this year, but this has been done the prior two years and the game is still far behind the bar set by 2k5.
(Developers of football games need to understand that this is the bar that is set for Pro/College games. You go forward from there, not ask us to take 10 steps backwards and wait for all these "Baby Steps" to be taken).

For those who say they can put a game out, even through a lockout. They can't for this reason:
Under contract, players are employees under the unbrella of the NFL as employer. But when there is a lockout and negotiations are ongoing, players are no longer under the NFL umbrella. Meaning, that unlike college football players, Pro players have the rights for their "Likeness" until an agreement is reached that brings them back under the NFL Product. The agreement is between EA and the NFL as a product and a lockout separates the components that make up the NFL. There is the administrative side of NFL, the owners/teams and the players. Each having power to negotiate its own interest. Also, remeber that the National Players Association is a Union and as a union, they have an obligation to protect the "Likeness" of their members which many receive perks/$$$ through the usage of that "Likeness". If one high profile player says don't use me in your game, EA may not be able to, even while there is an Exclusive Agreement with the NFL
(I might be wrong, just my understanding for being in a employee union).

Oh well, either way, I don't buy Madden because I got tired of my excitement/expectation getting burned. So I'm waiting for another game developer to put something out and give them a shot.

12-08-2010, 05:16 PM	#9
khaliib MVP OVR: 19 Join Date: Jan 2005 Blog Entries: 1	To me, with limited developers compared to several years ago, Sports games have utilized the "Baby Steps" concept for games on these Next Gen consoles. Still, until this day, we have yet to get that sports game on the level we anticipated them to be with these consoles. The Football arena is so far behind where it should be. Maybe it's the lack of competition, maybe it's the lack of creativity needed, but I think we all will agree that there hasn't been anything revolutionary like the jump in football from the Madden's, Gamebreaker's etc... to NFL 2k5. From what was out at the time to what we saw in that football game, was revolutionary. That's what we've been wating for with these $300-$600 consoles (some are on their 3-4 console) that have greater capacity across the board. As always, suites that don't play the games get it twisted when commenting. There is no NFL hungry audience. Most just want a "Football" game that fits the capabilities of these expensive consoles they've purchase. Point blank, EA has fallen way short in this area while having these Exclusive Licsenses When a bar is set for a particular sports game, you can't continue to put out games that satisfy your personal in-house standards and expect the consumer to lower their expectations and purchase just because. The financial climate that game consumers are facing will impact what games they purchase from here on out. It used to be that gamers had the cash to purchase the game and decide if they liked or took a loss by exchange or resale, but those days are over. You will still have some, but many will not be waiting in line for a 1st day purchase Madden next year. Through the forums, I'm finding that many gamers that have been burnt by EA Football titles, are renting first before they buy to see if it's worth it. Ian is doing a great job by visiting the forums for feedback this year, but this has been done the prior two years and the game is still far behind the bar set by 2k5. (Developers of football games need to understand that this is the bar that is set for Pro/College games. You go forward from there, not ask us to take 10 steps backwards and wait for all these "Baby Steps" to be taken). For those who say they can put a game out, even through a lockout. They can't for this reason: Under contract, players are employees under the unbrella of the NFL as employer. But when there is a lockout and negotiations are ongoing, players are no longer under the NFL umbrella. Meaning, that unlike college football players, Pro players have the rights for their "Likeness" until an agreement is reached that brings them back under the NFL Product. The agreement is between EA and the NFL as a product and a lockout separates the components that make up the NFL. There is the administrative side of NFL, the owners/teams and the players. Each having power to negotiate its own interest. Also, remeber that the National Players Association is a Union and as a union, they have an obligation to protect the "Likeness" of their members which many receive perks/$$$ through the usage of that "Likeness". If one high profile player says don't use me in your game, EA may not be able to, even while there is an Exclusive Agreement with the NFL (I might be wrong, just my understanding for being in a employee union). Oh well, either way, I don't buy Madden because I got tired of my excitement/expectation getting burned. So I'm waiting for another game developer to put something out and give them a shot.