EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

[SageInfinite]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

I could not agree with you more, Sage...(you've been getting that a lot lately, huh? ). I am in no way, shape, or form defending Tiburon - they are simply not a top-tier, AAA house, it's just that simple. Visual Concepts and SCE San Diego eat Tiburon's lunch annually, and the difference in attention to detail is astronomical.

I guess the only point I was trying to make was that some (not all, but some) of the problems with animations, glitches, and presentation might be due not to their unwillingness (or inability) to deliver on those fronts but rather interference/meddling from EA's end, in the sense that maybe EA tasks them with adding "x" number of new "back-of-the-box" features every year, and either does not stress (or explicitly instructs them not to spend time on) the things that we know are important in a great sports game. Things like TV-style presentation, immersion, stat overlays, Offensive/Defensive Line interaction, blocking logic, tackling logic, physics...the list goes on. It's possible Tiburon knows they could be doing better, but maybe they are getting pressure from above to focus time and resources on other, "flashier" things to move units. I don't have any evidence that this is the case, but given what we know about Madden's development and occasional candid comments from developers past, I think it would not suprise anyone if this turned out to be true. Not to mention, probably 90-cents out of every dollar of the Madden budget is spent on marketing, so you know where EA's priorities are...

Having said all that, Tiburon just doesn't deliver, and that's the bottom line. If Visual Concepts were EA's sole football development house in an exclusive-licensed world, would we have a better game of football for 360/PS3 right now? I would be willing to bet on it.

I totally see where you're coming from, good post. The priorities/direction is mixed up somewhere within EA and Tiburon, and we as the fans are suffering.

It's great if you enjoy madden, I don't knock anyone that does, but I don't see how anyone can deny the lack of authenticity and that "alive" feeling, when compared to the other sports games mentioned.

Thanx Roadman.

[coogrfan]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

That wouldn't make much sense for the NFL. They could cut their current price in half, but award licenses to two companies and make just as much.They could award three publishers licenses for 80% and make %40 more than they were making with EA.

It doesn't really work that way. The incredibly favorable deal the NFL currently enjoys (doubled annual revenues and a flat fee up front as opposed to the time honored, industry standard "royalties based on number of units sold") is based on being able to offer added value to a publisher in the form of exclusivity in the marketplace. Without it, the value of an NFL license to a publisher is diminshed to the point that no one in their right mind would even consider such a deal.

If the NFL went back to a multiple partner model it would almost certainly mean that the total amount of money the league brings in though video game licensing annually would return to something like pre-exclusivity levels. To the best of my knowledge the NFL has never accepted lower rights fees for anything. For that reason, I believe exclusivity in one form or another is here to stay.

[videlsports]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

@ SageInfinate: you posted some very good points.. I had to step back and re think things. Ea' sports developer just does not get it when it comes to important things to us gamers like Presentation, and Graphics. I for one would like Larger Player models Start from there then change the way the Game is played. Get Rid of the most of the Code, and Start fresh, but the BIg wigs won't do that. I would like for the FIFA team or the NCAA team to Handle madden for me to even look in it's direction.

well @ least I Like NCAA
They might have my money in JULY, BUT THEY WON'T HAVE IT IN AUGUST.

[LiquorLogic]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

It doesn't really work that way. The incredibly favorable deal the NFL currently enjoys (doubled annual revenues and a flat fee up front as opposed to the time honored, industry standard "royalties based on number of units sold") is based on being able to offer added value to a publisher in the form of exclusivity in the marketplace. Without it, the value of an NFL license to a publisher is diminshed to the point that no one in their right mind would even consider such a deal.

If the NFL went back to a multiple partner model it would almost certainly mean that amount of money the league brings in though video game licensing annually would return to something like pre-exclusivity levels.

I know that, but the point is that the exclusive deal is really expensive because there's only one company that revenue is coming from. An exclusive contract, and a reduced rate, probably wouldn't be worth it financially to the NFL; if it was, EA, if they had the mind set that they weren't paying for an exclusive license, probably wouldn't think it was worth it financially.

Exclusive licenses are really expensive; they have to provide the licensor with a higher amount of money than they would make with multiple licenses. Remember, simulation style publishers, 2k and EA, aren't the only publishers that would receive licenses if the the NFL went the multiple route. There would be games on people's Iphones, there would be arcades style games, and many more types of games using NFL teams, players and trademarks. No exclusive license at a reduced rate is going to make up for all that. There would be a lot more than two or three licensees.

[DaReapa]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

As much as I don't like what EA and the NFL have done, I'm more mad at the fact that Tiburon can't make a football game that can rival The Show and NBA2k. It's just disappointing year after year to see that they just don't provide the type of football experience I'm looking for.

I would LOVE to have a choice, but if Tiburon would make football games that made me not care if there was a choice or not it would be great. They still haven't made a football game that compares to what we got last gen as far as providing a total experience. It's just sad for me to think that they just don't have it in them. I skipped Madden 11 for the first time ever, and I'll probably be doing it again this year.

And while NCAA 11 is the best it's been this gen, as far as a total football experience during gameplay, it's still lacking.

I fully agree with what you have posted. But I think others are upset by the partnership between EA and the NFL particularly because for an entire generation of gaming, Tiburon hasn't shown that they have, or will ever have, the capabilities of developing a complete experience along the likes of what we've all witnessed last gen. And the EA/NFL partnership does nothing more than create a vessel to allow that trend to continue.

As for me, personally, I'm not upset with neither EA, the NFL, nor Tiburon - but moreso the consumers who continue to blindly purchase Madden annually giving EA the fuel it needs to keep the license exclusive.

And for the record, I feel the exact same way as you about NCAA 11. NFL 2K5 has become a standard for me to measure all others by.

[stp2081]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

I echo the many posters here who have expressed extreme disappointment, when I say that this is extremely, extremely disappointing.

But seriously, I blame the NFL much more than EA. The NFL needs to learn to appreciate its fans more like the NBA does (at least in this major regard).

[ComfortablyLomb]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

I honestly dont even care if Madden's presentation is as good as 2k5.

DONT GET ME WRONG, I would love it if it was, but hell, at this point Id be happy just seeing it get in the same ball park.

Until the commentary is overhauled, in game presentation will always seem lackluster. People keep blaming the commentators, but thats not the real problem at all. Its the choppy, pieced together way EA does their audio announcing and the fact that all the comments are horribly generic and cheesy. Makes immersing yourself into the game practically impossible.

Presentation in Madden lacks booth banter - the sort of running chatter that fills otherwise dead air. Until the devs decide to invest major time and effort into weaving some sort of banter in between the play by play calls the "television presentation" is going to feel soulless and empty.

And so as to not be completely off topic... news of the extension is terrible news for us lowly consumers.

[coogrfan]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

I know that, but the point is that the exclusive deal is really expensive because there's only one company that revenue is coming from. An exclusive contract, and a reduced rate, probably wouldn't be worth it financially to the NFL; if it was, EA, if they had the mind set that they weren't paying for an exclusive license, probably wouldn't think it was worth it financially.

How do you figure?

If the NFL was making "x" per year back in 2004, and they're making "2x" now, then surely a renegotiated exclusive deal would be better for both parties? After all, from EA's pov having exclusivity is better than not, and as far as the league is concerned "1.5x" is still greater than "1".

Exclusive licenses are really expensive; they have to provide the licensor with a higher amount of money than they would make with multiple licenses. Remember, simulation style publishers, 2k and EA, aren't the only publishers that would receive licenses if the the NFL went the multiple route. There would be games on people's Iphones, there would be arcades style games, and many more types of games using NFL teams, players and trademarks. No exclusive license at a reduced rate is going to make up for all that. There would be a lot more than two or three licensees.

Those sort of deals already exist, EA's contract with the NFL covers console titles only.

[SageInfinite]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

I fully agree with what you have posted. But I think others are upset by the partnership between EA and the NFL particularly because for an entire generation of gaming, Tiburon hasn't shown that they have, or will ever have, the capabilities of developing a complete experience along the likes of what we've all witnessed last gen. And the EA/NFL partnership does nothing more than create a vessel to allow that trend to continue.

As for me, personally, I'm not upset with neither EA, the NFL, nor Tiburon - but moreso the consumers who continue to blindly purchase Madden annually giving EA the fuel it needs to keep the license exclusive.

And for the record, I feel the exact same way as you about NCAA 11. NFL 2K5 has become a standard for me to measure all others by.

Good post. Like we've said the partnership does nothing but excuse any short comings of Tiburon/EA with the Madden series this gen.

I also agree with you about the fans. I was one who got suckered into the hype, last year I stood strong and did not purchase because EA showed me nothing that I was interested in. I wish we all could show EA we deserve better by holding out.

I can't knock EA for trying to make as much money as possible from a business standpoint, but with the constant shortcuts and tactics(discouraging you from buying used), it just seems obvious that they don't have us as gamers in mind.

[STLRams]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

I don't want to see ANY company with an exclusive license. Its all bad no matter who would have it cause we are limited to one game. 2K has no vote of confidence because of MLB 2K....that game is not good and unless u go buy a PS3 you are limited to only that game for MLB on the 360. NBA 2K11 has had NBA Live to push it to good heights,but yet you can't ignore the horrible online experience..so there's really no vote of confidence with 2K other than the nostalga of 2K5's greatness...

I want CHOICE....I want competition....i want to be able to have a choice to go get a different brand if I don't like the other one.And it is proven these companies(EA with the NFL and 2K with MLB)rest on their laurels and don't give 100% when they have no one to push them...

bring back choice in NFL simulation football and break us out of this prison NFL...down with this exclusive license and make video game football fun again by giving us CHOICE...

And I agree with you there. I don't think no company - not even as great as 2K Basketball should have a exclusive deal. We the buyers are the ones who suffers from this because we don't get a choice of what to buy and play. The NFL,NBA, MLB need to realise this, so do EA Madden and 2KBaseball - We the fans don't like this, plain and simple.

[Keenan G.]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

Well, that sucks. Another sub par Madden game by EA. No matters I wont be getting M12. I will be playing The Show until NBA2k12 comes out.

Having bad Madden games have put me on to other games ie The Show. Never realized how great and detailed that game was until I played it last season. Excellent game.

[EddieV]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

After all, from EA's pov having exclusivity is better than not.

You don't think the same 5 million people wouldn't buy Madden if EA didn't have the exclusive license?

[coogrfan]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

You don't think the same 5 million people wouldn't buy Madden if EA didn't have the exclusive license?

Some would, some wouldn't, but that's beside the point. There are inherent advantages to being "the sole videogame of the NFL" that extend beyond just sales numbers.

[EddieV]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

Some would, some wouldn't, but that's beside the point. There are inherent advantages to being "the sole videogame of the NFL" that extend beyond just sales numbers.

Besides the point? Really? It would seem to me to make more sense to pay 1x for those 5 million copies sold than pay 2x for the same 5 million in sales. But that's just me.

[coogrfan]

Re: EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

Besides the point? Really? It would seem to me to make more sense to pay 1x for those 5 million copies sold than pay 2x for the same 5 million in sales. But that's just me.

Don't get me wrong--sales are important. I'm saying there are also certain intangible benefits to being "The Official ______ of the NFL".