Don't Expect a Change in the NFL License Status Quo

[Big FN Deal]

Re: Don't Expect a Change in the NFL License Status Quo

I could see a customizable football game being embraced on PC somewhat, but console no way. I just can't see it happening.

That's just it though, the new consoles are being touted to be far more like developing for a PC game than for this gen consoles. Likely the old dogmas for console gaming this gen won't apply for the next. I think this will have a big impact on what is going down with the exclusive because it just seems like an obsolete notion going into this new era of gaming.

By opening up the capability of the new consoles, it's also likely opening up the capability of the modding community and given the prospect of non-licensed football games becoming viable, I think with no company willing to pay a premium for a NFL exclusive license, the NFL is quick to offer multiple open licenses again, maybe this time at an upfront cost though.

[Big FN Deal]

Re: Don't Expect a Change in the NFL License Status Quo

I will agree with Big, that the potential is feasible, but probably not profitable. All other companies need to do is look at the profits of BB and APF going up vs Madden and they will probably turn the other cheek.

I don't know many companies out there that want to lose money or stay even.

Let's just say I need to be proven that a non-licensed game will make money before I jump on that bandwagon.

Two tried, but didn't succeed from a profit standpoint.

I can dig this Road but in most cases businesses don't determine what they think can be accomplished, just off what happened to other businesses. If a gaming company thinks they can turn a profit with a non-licensed football game, that's what they will try, regardless of other companies past efforts. Maybe they try to glean something from the past actions of other companies but for the most part, business is about trying to do something better or offering something different than others.

So with the new consoles that premise could be motivation for even more companies to attempt non-licensed football games, if necessary due to a NFL exclusive, than this gen.

[SageInfinite]

Re: Don't Expect a Change in the NFL License Status Quo

That's just it though, the new consoles are being touted to be far more like developing for a PC game than for this gen consoles. Likely the old dogmas for console gaming this gen won't apply for the next. I think this will have a big impact on what is going down with the exclusive because it just seems like an obsolete notion going into this new era of gaming.

By opening up the capability of the new consoles, it's also likely opening up the capability of the modding community and given the prospect of non-licensed football games becoming viable, I think with no company willing to pay a premium for a NFL exclusive license, the NFL is quick to offer multiple open licenses again, maybe this time at an upfront cost though.

I'm usually rocking with you BIG and I feel your optimism, but I just cant see a company in todays climate taking a chance on an unlicensed football game. 2k took a chance because they thought the fan base and the legends factor would be enough to carry the game. Natural motion took a chance because they had some cool new tech that might spark some interest in generate sales. Neither were really successful enough to justify sequels. Now if companies received profits from used game sales maybe these game might have generated some more money, but that didn't and isn't happening.

I only mention PC because there hasn't been a real PC football game in a long time, so people might gravitate toward it if it came out looking good, plus it's a lot easier to mod. I still don't see the PS4 or any other consoles being too mod friendly. Some companies make it easier to mod and embrace it, some don't.

This generation of gamers is just fine with Madden, and honestly it would have to take something truly unbelievable to even garner the attention of the public, and even then it would probably be a huge undertaking with something that isn't a guarantee. I just can't see companies risking it. I would love to have another option to play, but I don't see companies justifying the cost and effort it would take to take on the juggernaut known as Madden.

[roadman]

Re: Don't Expect a Change in the NFL License Status Quo

I can dig this Road but in most cases businesses don't determine what they think can be accomplished, just off what happened to other businesses. If a gaming company thinks they can turn a profit with a non-licensed football game, that's what they will try, regardless of other companies past efforts. Maybe they try to glean something from the past actions of other companies but for the most part, business is about trying to do something better or offering something different than others.

So with the new consoles that premise could be motivation for even more companies to attempt non-licensed football games, if necessary due to a NFL exclusive, than this gen.

I can understand how and why you feel that way, and I don't know about non-profit business, but profit orientated businesses do a lot of market research before they set sail off to the promised land. You can't just ignore past companies experiences in the same field, it's there in black and white.

Companies can't just think they will turn a profit, they must know without a showdow of a doubt they will be profitable or else why jump in?

I must see it before I believe it.

My business sense tells me it would be difficult to pull off, maybe not impossible, but difficult.

[howboutdat]

this news flat out SUCKS! if ea listens to the players that much , then why are so many unhappy with it? but honestly its ok , cause the NFL is turning the NFL into flag , dont hit no one , just hug them to the ground ball anyways . so in a few years we wont want to be playing an nfl video game anyways. all these new rules they keep making , makes the nfl suckier , not healthier. so . with that , i say , go for it ea..... ride this failue right on out on ur own! so im saying the NFL and EA are made for each other...... enjoy

[JayMizzle]

IN ORDER FOR THE NFL TO LISTEN TO US (Simulation Fans) WE MUST BOYCOTT MADDEN. Plain and simple....capital falls, so does the exclusive license. Money is the only way to catch their attention...Sad, but it's the world we live in. Greed man....greed.

[jesse_8711]

Re: Don't Expect a Change in the NFL License Status Quo

For the Record: If I don't see glitches taken out of the game i will not buy it, if there are no new OL/DL interactions i will not buy it, if there are no new WR/DB interactions i will not buy it, if there are no TRUE physics i will not buy it, if CCM isn't fixed i will not buy it.......this is all i have to say

[tbook24]

ok so you wanna licensethe game thats cool.but then dont license it to a certain system afterward. the gameplayed better prior to tis exclusive 360 deal. we need both systems all hands on deck if this is going to be the only nfl game

[balcobomber25]

If I had said 5 years ago that THQ would not only lose the WWE license but go through one of the ugliest bankruptcies in modern history, people would have called me a lunatic. Anything can happen in the world of video games. EA isn't in the financial climate that they were when they first acquired the exclusive deal, in December of 2004 when EA inked the exclusive deal they were trading at $55 a share, today they are down $17 a share. EA is on the verge of hiring a new CEO, no body knows what his vision for the company is going to be, or when he is going to be hired. The board of directors most likely have a freeze on any long term commitments till a new CEO is hired. Everyone is forgetting that we are on the verge of the next gen system, no matter which company (if any) gets an exclusive deal they have to build a new game from the ground up, including EA, so that is a moot point.

[roadman]

Re: Don't Expect a Change in the NFL License Status Quo

I think people here are aware of EA's financial situation and this means EA could renogiate a deal that is much lower than what they paid before as CrimsonTide alluded to previously in here.

We'll all find out soon enough.

[balcobomber25]

I think people here are aware of EA's financial situation and this means EA could renogiate a deal that is much lower than what they paid before as CrimsonTide alluded to previously in here.

We'll all find out soon enough.

Why in the world would the NFL, a multi-billion dollar organization who has shown its ruthless when it comes to business decisions, agree to a lower deal than what was paid in 2004?? If anything they would be looking for a bigger deal. The NFL does not care about EA's financial troubles, they care about the NFL's bottom dollar, if EA doesnt agree to their terms its on to the next highest bidder. Don't assume just because Take Two and EA are the only main sports game publishers that they would be the only bidders either. Activision Bizzard, Ubisoft, and Square Enix have just as much capital as those two and have all been known to bid on high profile franchises, not to mention the big 3 (Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo). How much do you think Msoft would pay to make NFL games exclusive to the Xbox?

[roadman]

Re: Don't Expect a Change in the NFL License Status Quo

Why in the world would the NFL, a multi-billion dollar organization who has shown its ruthless when it comes to business decisions, agree to a lower deal than what was paid in 2004?? If anything they would be looking for a bigger deal. The NFL does not care about EA's financial troubles, they care about the NFL's bottom dollar, if EA doesnt agree to their terms its on to the next highest bidder. Don't assume just because Take Two and EA are the only main sports game publishers that they would be the only bidders either. Activision Bizzard, Ubisoft, and Square Enix have just as much capital as those two and have all been known to bid on high profile franchises, not to mention the big 3 (Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo). How much do you think Msoft would pay to make NFL games exclusive to the Xbox?

The NFL lowered the last liscense agreement, didn't they?

So, you don't think negotiations ever take place? NFL offers one price, EA counters with another? I'd say that is pure speculation that the NFL doesn't care about EA's financial troubles. They currently are business partners. They have established a relationship. Businesses extend discounts a lot in the business world to their business partners. It's not all black and white, I'm sure there are other considerations to factor into the equation.

John Madden is also an advisor to the NFL. As I stated earlier, if people feel that Goodell and company will kick John Madden to the curb, not positive that would happen.

We'll see in the coming year.

Bottom line, I hope it doesn't come down to one bidder, I hope it's an open liscense and bring in more competition, but the NFL chooses exclusive business models

[JaymeeAwesome]

At this stage in the game a non exclusive will hurt football gaming for a few years before it gets better. Madden 13 showed EAs willingness to finally listen to its gamers with the new physics engine. Lets not lose this momentum. I hope for another long term exclusivity deal. I'm loving the direction we are going.

[Big FN Deal]

Re: Don't Expect a Change in the NFL License Status Quo

At this stage in the game a non exclusive will hurt football gaming for a few years before it gets better. Madden 13 showed EAs willingness to finally listen to its gamers with the new physics engine. Lets not lose this momentum. I hope for another long term exclusivity deal.I'm loving the direction we are going.

[Stafford2Johnson]

Re: Don't Expect a Change in the NFL License Status Quo

At this stage in the game a non exclusive will hurt football gaming for a few years before it gets better. Madden 13 showed EAs willingness to finally listen to its gamers with the new physics engine. Lets not lose this momentum. I hope for another long term exclusivity deal. I'm loving the direction we are going.

one too many tonight sir