OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

[Bgamer90]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

If you think that a media exec is going to compromise a competitive advantage so a gamer can have a more authentic experience you are grossly overestimating the importance of a video game brand.

Exactly.

NFL comes on 3 major networks... FOX, ABC, and CBS. Those three channels compete against each other for ratings and are pretty much the main channels for the top media conglomerates.

Them coming together just for the sake of a football video game would never happen.

And even if it could happen, in terms of video advertisements for Madden, the in-game previews would have to show off the presentation of each network equally so that a network doesn't say that EA is favoring one network over another. It would just be a mess.

[Big FN Deal]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

Exactly.

NFL comes on 3 major networks... FOX, ABC, and CBS. Those three channels compete against each other for ratings and are pretty much the main channels for the top media conglomerates.

Them coming together just for the sake of a football video game would never happen.

And even if it could happen, in terms of video advertisements for Madden, the in-game previews would have to show off the presentation of each network equally so that a network doesn't say that EA is favoring one network over another. It would just be a mess.

My question is, just putting out there I know you don't work for them, why can't Madden use the NFL Network and possibly ESPN since EA has an exclusive with both?

I know all about that ESPN/NFL Network beef stuff but evidently it's no that big of a deal if ESPN has Monday Night Football and the NFL renewed it.

[Dogslax41]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

Exactly.

NFL comes on 3 major networks... FOX, ABC, and CBS. Those three channels compete against each other for ratings and are pretty much the main channels for the top competing media conglomerates.

Them coming together just for the sake of a football video game would never happen.

And even if it could happen, in terms of video advertisements for Madden, the in-game previews would have to show off the presentation of each network equally so that a network doesn't say that EA is favoring one network over another. It would just be a mess.

It could happen, but it would have to be done from the NFL exerting their pressure on the network and why would the NFL even think about going to the negotiating table for their video game? They want to be hands off. That's part of why they signed the deal in the first place, that and a boatload of guaranteed money. So the NFL is getting paid anyway, why cause friction with the networks over something they could not care less about.

[Dogslax41]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

My question is, just putting out there I know you don't work for them, why can't Madden use the NFL Network and possibly ESPN since EA has an exclusive with both?

I know all about that ESPN/NFL Network beef stuff but evidently it's no that big of a deal if ESPN has Monday Night Football and the NFL renewed it.

My guess is that FOX,CBS,ESPN, NFL Network would all have to be part of it based on their deals with the NFL. The exclusive deal between ea and the NFL is what throws the wrench on the whole thing. If you were an exec at any one of the networks and were giving the NFL a ton of money would you want to see a competitors name plastered all over their exclusive product? If there were no deal with 3a and the NFL then I think they could pull it off because any network not featured on eas game could theoretically be featured on a competitor that still carried the NFL brand.

[Bgamer90]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

It could happen, but it would have to be done from the NFL exerting their pressure on the network and why would the NFL even think about going to the negotiating table for their video game? They want to be hands off. That's part of why they signed the deal in the first place, that and a boatload of guaranteed money. So the NFL is getting paid anyway, why cause friction with the networks over something they could not care less about.

And that's the thing... Why would the NFL put pressure on competing TV networks to do it just for a video game? It would be silly.

[ryan36]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

I think they screwed the pooch and missed a huge opportunity here.

They needed to make passing harder with a new more subtle mechanic...not easier.

And they need to add defense. A lot of defense and penalties and ol/dl.

CC's will be fun, but I'll still roll w/the browns or something and go 16 -0. That's what makes the game a "wait for the price drop " title to me.

[Dogslax41]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

Just want to clarify, in case its not obvious, that everything I said is 100% speculation on my part, but having worked in licensing and royalties for two major companies I can't imagine this is very far from the truth. And it certainly explains why despite paying for one of the most powerful brands, ESPN, ea has chosen to include it in NCAA but not in Madden.

[Dogslax41]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

I think they screwed the pooch and missed a huge opportunity here.

They needed to make passing harder with a new more subtle mechanic...not easier.

And they need to add defense. A lot of defense and penalties and ol/dl.

CC's will be fun, but I'll still roll w/the browns or something and go 16 -0. That's what makes the game a "wait for the price drop " title to me.

To take your thought a bit further my thought was that, to use your appropriate phrase, they screwed the pooch by not linking the added passing capabilities to qb ratings. This offered a perfect opportunity to differentiate between qbs and the throws that some can make and others can't. I thought it would have been great to eliminate the ability to put touch on the ball for poorly rated accuracy qbs.

[Big FN Deal]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

My guess is that FOX,CBS,ESPN, NFL Network would all have to be part of it based on their deals with the NFL. The exclusive deal between ea and the NFL is what throws the wrench on the whole thing. If you were an exec at any one of the networks and were giving the NFL a ton of money would you want to see a competitors name plastered all over their exclusive product? If there were no deal with 3a and the NFL then I think they could pull it off because any network not featured on eas game could theoretically be featured on a competitor that still carried the NFL brand.

I don't agree because I don't see how any of that prevents EA from using the actual NFL Network in Madden, an officially NFL licensed video game. I even went back to find some Head Coach 09 footage and to my surprise, they used Adam Schefter and the NFL Network in that NFL game.



This pic is too big to post;

http://media.teamxbox.com/games/ss/1947/1207801406.jpg

and this video at around

http://youtu.be/KGRUFTnBEAY

[Dogslax41]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

I don't agree because I don't see how any of that prevents EA from using the actual NFL Network in Madden, an officially NFL licensed video game. I even went back to find some Head Coach 09 footage and to my surprise, they used Adam Schefter and the NFL Network in that NFL game.



This pic is too big to post;

http://media.teamxbox.com/games/ss/1947/1207801406.jpg

and this video at around

http://youtu.be/KGRUFTnBEAY

I haven't seen, but is the NFL network used this year or are the draft and tweets generic?

[SFNiner]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

Personally I think the presentation is the best its been. I think the game play is the best its ever been....The fact they completely jacked up my offline franchise mode........Complete pass for me. Thanks for saving me $60 EA Sports....Until next year (maybe).

[Dogslax41]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

Personally I think the presentation is the best its been. I think the game play is the best its ever been....The fact they completely jacked up my offline franchise mode........Complete pass for me. Thanks for saving me $60 EA Sports....Until next year (maybe).

I would say take a look before you write it off. Not saying its going to be mind blowing because I haven't played retail. but if it has the depth of head coach you might be surprised at what you don't miss. would be a shame to walk away if you like the other two so much.

[Big FN Deal]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

I haven't seen, but is the NFL network used this year or are the draft and tweets generic?

As far as I know, no but the point is if EA could use the NFL Network like that in one of their NFL video games, I don't see why the couldn't with the other IF they wanted to. I think all this competing network stuff is bs and they just wanted to do it with their own branding instead of the NFL Network. SMMFH

[SFNiner]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

I would say take a look before you write it off. Not saying its going to be mind blowing because I haven't played retail. but if it has the depth of head coach you might be surprised at what you don't miss. would be a shame to walk away if you like the other two so much.

I just know Im not going to like it. Every year since, God I dont know when...Maybe Primetime Football '95? (When did we get to start creating players lol)....Ive created myself and put myself on the 49ers. Nothing stupid special like 99s all around. Usually i just copy the person Im taking the place of ratings and release them (thus this year it was going to be Ahmed Brooks). Now I cant do that. It just seems like one feature that *should* be in any sports game. The ability to give you an "NFL career" without having to be steroided up LOL.

[Dogslax41]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

As far as I know, no but the point is if EA could use the NFL Network like that in one of their NFL video games, I don't see why the couldn't with the other IF they wanted to. I think all this competing network stuff is bs and they just wanted to do it with their own branding instead of the NFL Network. SMMFH

That could very well be the case if their contract stipulates that they would owe the NFL network additional royalties if they used the brand. That would make them cheap and stupid for nor being willing to ponyup for an already established brand...not like that would be completely counter to some of the decisions recently made by EA's executives.