EA Has Acquired the UFC License, Will Develop New UFC Game

[RaychelSnr]

Who said Press Events were boring? In a shocking announcement just minutes ago, EA Sports has announced a "multi-year, multi-product agreement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship." Dana White was on hand to tout the announcement. This means THQ is no longer developing UFC products. A huge coup for EA.

What do you all think?

Update: Press Release Just Issued By THQ, looks like EA made them an offer they couldn't refuse.

"

THQ AND ZUFFA ANNOUNCE TRANSFER OF ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP

VIDEOGAME LICENSE AGREEMENT

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. & LAS VEGAS, Nev., June 4, 2012 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Zuffa, LLC, today announced that they have reached an agreement to transfer THQ’s exclusive, worldwide license with Zuffa to publish videogames based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship^® (UFC^®) brand to Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), effective today, in exchange for an undisclosed cash payment to THQ.

“Over the last three years, THQ has delivered best-in-class, all-encompassing experiences to MMA fans, sports enthusiasts and fighting gamers around the globe with its UFC Undisputed^™ series. We want to thank them for their stewardship of our brand," said Lorenzo Fertitta, Chairman and CEO of Zuffa. “We look forward to joining forces with EA to leverage their sports platform, and expand our brand in the video game space.”

Brian Farrell, THQ’s Chairman and CEO, commented, “We have relished our relationship with UFC over the last several years and believe that the UFC gaming brand is in great shape. THQ’s more focused strategy moving forward meant that transferring the license to EA made sense to all parties. We would like to thank UFC for their great support and partnership and wish EA all the best moving forward.”

[bostonchipster]

Re: EA Has Acquired the UFC License, Will Develop New UFC Game

Very cool...hope the game is really good, really kept the surprise in the dark

[Entiae]

Re: EA Has Acquired the UFC License, Will Develop New UFC Game

My jaw almost hit the floor when I realized it was the UFC! Such a total shocker, for me at least.

[MFarrer74]

THQ didn't have the resources that Ea Sports has. I'd imagine the basic control system will stay in place, but the overall experience will be enhanced greatly in my opinion

[jb12780]

Re: EA Has Acquired the UFC License, Will Develop New UFC Game

WOW. Didn't see this coming at all.

This could be HUGE for both the UFC and EA.

I guess Christmas came early here at OS today.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: EA Has Acquired the UFC License, Will Develop New UFC Game

mind blown !!!

That means we get to finally edit the fighter ratings !!!!!!! Finally.

[Jaymistic]

I think with the Fight Night Champion Engine and EA's marketing to other places, it will be a better look for UFC.

[aholbert32]

Re: EA Has Acquired the UFC License, Will Develop New UFC Game

The news almost leaked earlier today. One of the mods on THQ's UFC site posted something about this being a sad day for him and all the rumors leaking about EA MMA.

I bet this will be one of EA's first next gen games just like fight night was for the xbox 360.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: EA Has Acquired the UFC License, Will Develop New UFC Game

Oh please let them use EA MMA's spectator mode for their UFC game.

[miami01]

When the video came on I was like "no way could it be", when i finally realized it was, i jumped out of my chair screaming haha. Absolutely awesome and what a shocker!!!

[toine2983]

Re: EA Has Acquired the UFC License, Will Develop New UFC Game

Press release from THQ:

THQ AND ZUFFA ANNOUNCE TRANSFER OF ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP

VIDEOGAME LICENSE AGREEMENT

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. & LAS VEGAS, Nev., June 4, 2012 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Zuffa, LLC, today announced that they have reached an agreement to transfer THQ’s exclusive, worldwide license with Zuffa to publish videogames based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship^® (UFC^®) brand to Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), effective today, in exchange for an undisclosed cash payment to THQ.
“Over the last three years, THQ has delivered best-in-class, all-encompassing experiences to MMA fans, sports enthusiasts and fighting gamers around the globe with its UFC Undisputed^™ series. We want to thank them for their stewardship of our brand," said Lorenzo Fertitta, Chairman and CEO of Zuffa. “We look forward to joining forces with EA to leverage their sports platform, and expand our brand in the video game space.”
Brian Farrell, THQ’s Chairman and CEO, commented, “We have relished our relationship with UFC over the last several years and believe that the UFC gaming brand is in great shape. THQ’s more focused strategy moving forward meant that transferring the license to EA made sense to all parties. We would like to thank UFC for their great support and partnership and wish EA all the best moving forward.”

About Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® is the world’s premier MMA organization and produces over 12 UFC live Pay-Per-View events annually around the globe. In 2012, FOX will broadcast four fights annually. In spring 2012, The Ultimate Fighter®, UFC’s signature weekly reality TV show, debuts on FX. UFC content is also distributed commercially to bars and restaurants through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 149 countries and territories, reaching a half a billion homes worldwide, in 20 different languages.
UFC® also boasts a powerful presence online, with UFC.com attracting over seven million unique visitors per month, while also possessing one of the most powerful social media followings in all of professional sports. To date, UFC has over six million fans on Facebook and over 400,000 followers on Twitter. In addition, UFC President Dana White is one of the most accessible and most followed executives in sports with more than 1.7 million followers on Twitter. On January 22, 2011, UFC continued to set trends in social media, becoming the first major sports league to stream live, broadcast quality action on Facebook.
Ancillary businesses include best-selling DVDs, a magazine, the best-selling UFC “Undisputed” videogame franchise distributed by THQ, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel, trading cards, and articulated action figures.

[unfriendlyghst]

Sign me up.

EA MMA was and is the only Xbox 360 game that I have completed all the achievments for!

1800 wins online baby, all with the sticks. Hit me up when this drops WOOT!

[aholbert32]

Re: EA Has Acquired the UFC License, Will Develop New UFC Game

Oh please let them use EA MMA's spectator mode for their UFC game.

I think thats a given. If EA doesnt use the online foundation it already has in place with the UFC game they are idiots.

This also shows that no matter how much **** Dana talks about a company, he can be bought for the right price. I'm glad the UFC license is off that sinking ship THQ.

[ManiacMatt1782]

Re: EA Has Acquired the UFC License, Will Develop New UFC Game

Oh please let them use EA MMA's spectator mode for their UFC game.

For the love of god this. I remember the first night I had EA MMA, Phobia got it early too. We were up half the night in a fight card just Observing and commenting on eachothers fights, throwing friendly trash talk, the OMFG moment of the 1 punch KO 6 seconds into the fight countering an overhand with a superman. Spectating the fight card was 1 of the biggest features in a game ever as far as my enjoyment level from it.

[aholbert32]

Re: EA Has Acquired the UFC License, Will Develop New UFC Game

When the video came on I was like "no way could it be", when i finally realized it was, i jumped out of my chair screaming haha. Absolutely awesome and what a shocker!!!

LOL. I was in my office at work. Saw the first screen of a cage and said "who the hell did EA get to do another MMA game?" I see the picture of Jon Jones and yelled "Get the **** outta here!" Still kind of shocked.