SEC, Pac-12, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

[Jadakiss88]

Can't say I didn't see this one coming.....the conferences make so much money that giving it up a percentage via Lawsuit would put some of these conferences in Jeapordy. Two of the most respected have bowed out and I am fairly certain the schools within those conferences will follow suit. If the Pac 12 bows out I believe EA will just scrap any and all plans for a future NCAA Game or any future NCAA Games. And if EA ain't touching it 2k won't and no other major developer will.

Face it we have been spoiled and developers know that they won't sell as many games without some type of resemblance to the real world. RIP NCAA Football

[pietasterp]

Re: SEC, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

I totally disagree. There are thousands of die hard college football fans out there. And if a solid customizable football game is created, I guarantee it will sell like hot cakes.

I don't know...All Pro Football 2k didn't do very well at all, and there are a lot of pro football fans...

[RaychelSnr]

New Update with a statement from the CLC to Joystiq. Have put in a question to the CLC ourselves about the meaning of the last sentence, as it certainly seems to indicate CLC schools/institutions can still opt out of participation in the game -- which would seem feasible.

[LowerWolf]

Re: SEC, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

My best guess: If the SEC is pulling out, Mike Slive will "suggest" that its member schools do as well. And they'll most likely listen to that suggestion.

And after years of pushing up against the line in terms of using player likenesses, EA won't go near that line when it comes to conferences and schools.

[pietasterp]

Re: SEC, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

Well, it's been a fun 20+ years of sports gaming, but it looks like we're headed into some dark times ahead for the sports gaming scene...

[aholbert32]

Re: The SEC Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

Time will tell; you may be right. But I think some people (myself among them) view this as a dominos situation, with one falling after another in succession. I think without the cover of the conferences and CLC, the individual schools may be more exposed in a legal sense to future similar litigation (which I would guess is what all of these pre-emptive moves are about).

It's true that not having to shell out for a license saves EA money in a direct sense, but if the number of people that don't buy the game because there is no "SEC" (no SEC title game, branding, etc.) results in a loss of revenue greater than the upfront fixed cost of securing the license, it will be a net loss for EA. My guess is that there are a lot of people that won't buy the game if there is no "SEC" in it, since most purchasers of the game are casual gamers, not hardcore, and just want to take Alabama or LSU to the SEC title game.

Who wouldnt buy the game because of a logo? The SEC logo isnt prominent on NCAA football 14's packaging so its not like people will know that the SEC isnt in next year's game from the cover.

So lets say I'm a casual video gamer who loves college football specifically Alabama and I read ESPN's headline that the SEC isnt going to be in the game. I assume that means Bama wont be in the game. So that means I wont buy the game, right?

The problem with that is its August 2013. EA has a year to use its marketing machine to let people know that all the teams are in the game. Ea can use its cover (like it did in the past) to make it clear that all the teams are in the game. Also, there is the internet. Bama fan can easily google search to see if Bama's in the game. Or even after release discover that Bama is in the game.

Finally, the title game will still be in the game. It just wont be called the SEC title game. It will still be at the GA dome in the game and still occur right before the bowls.

[aholbert32]

Re: SEC, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

My best guess: If the SEC is pulling out, Mike Slive will "suggest" that its member schools do as well. And they'll most likely listen to that suggestion.

And after years of pushing up against the line in terms of using player likenesses, EA won't go near that line when it comes to conferences and schools.

There is no line. Likenesses are completely different than trademarks. The could call the league the "South 14" and be fine.

[pietasterp]

Re: The SEC Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

Who wouldnt buy the game because of a logo? The SEC logo isnt prominent on NCAA football 14's packaging so its not like people will know that the SEC isnt in next year's game from the cover.

I would guess a not-insignificant number. Honestly, not having the "B1G" in the game is a huge negative for me. Verisimilitude is a big part of the appeal of these games.

So lets say I'm a casual video gamer who loves college football specifically Alabama and I read ESPN's headline that the SEC isnt going to be in the game. I assume that means Bama wont be in the game. So that means I wont buy the game, right?

The problem with that is its August 2013. EA has a year to use its marketing machine to let people know that all the teams are in the game. Ea can use its cover (like it did in the past) to make it clear that all the teams are in the game. Also, there is the internet. Bama fan can easily google search to see if Bama's in the game. Or even after release discover that Bama is in the game.

Finally, the title game will still be in the game. It just wont be called the SEC title game. It will still be at the GA dome in the game and still occur right before the bowls.

Look, I started my comments by readily admitting that you may be right. I gave my opinion, but since none of us knows how this is going to turn out, I intentionally couched all my statements with "if" and "my guess is...". All I'm saying is, I don't think any of us can make any declarative statements or state what is going to happen with future releases with any certitude whatsoever.

[DJ]

Re: SEC, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

Not time to panic yet, but as soon as a school like Alabama or Oregon opt out (if they are allowed to under terms of the contract), than it's likely a wrap for college football video games going forward.

[aholbert32]

Re: The SEC Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

I would guess a not-insignificant number. Honestly, not having the "B1G" in the game is a huge negative for me. Verisimilitude is a big part of the appeal of these games.



Look, I started my comments by readily admitting that you may be right. I gave my opinion, but since none of us knows how this is going to turn out, I intentionally couched all my statements with "if" and "my guess is...". All I'm saying is, I don't think any of us can make any declarative statements or state what is going to happen with future releases with any certitude whatsoever.

Hold on. I'm not attacking you. This is just a discussion. I'm really trying to understand your thought process here. I just dont get in this age why someone would not buy the game because of a logo. The confusion should be lessened by marketing and by the amount of info available on the web.

Back in 1994-95, when EA released its last unlicensed game, I could see people being confused because most people didnt have the internet and marketing budgets were much smaller. Just cant see that happening now.

Also saying "there are dark times ahead" is kind of a declarative statement.

[BizDevConglomerate]

It's not big to me. I look at what Backbreaker did and say to Hell with all trademarks. Just open up the teambuilder and ability to upload custom teams. This is all we need. Make a generic game for all sports and offer DLC content. Give us a college game worth 60$ that mimics intercollegiate sports, postseason, stadiums, recruiting, etc. We can upload the schools and structure the conferences, sane with basketball.

My thoughts are with good graphics, and a similar layout to NCAA now, my proposal would bring more exciting times and less complaints. It's all custom. All community efforts.

[prowler]

I totally disagree. There are thousands of die hard college football fans out there. And if a solid customizable football game is created, I guarantee it will sell like hot cakes.

A large majority of the people who play this game still don't know named rosters exist, there's no way they'll get on board with a game that requires heavily customization just to get to the baseline. That being said, if it were any other company I could see them taking a gamble on that type of game but not EA.

NCAA Football was never one of their big ticket games to warrant all the extra effort it would take to sustain it. They'll cut their losses and funnel NCAA users toward Madden.

[LowerWolf]

Re: SEC, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

There is no line. Likenesses are completely different than trademarks. The could call the league the "South 14" and be fine.

True, but if the schools pull out and the "South 14" contains schools named "Knoxville", "Gainesville" and "Tuscaloosa" I bet the SEC would find a way to go after them.

[aholbert32]

Re: SEC, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

True, but if the schools pull out and the "South 14" contains schools named "Knoxville", "Gainesville" and "Tuscaloosa" I bet the SEC would find a way to go after them.

It would be a waste of money and the case would get tossed at the motion to dismiss stage. The SEC has smart attorneys. They wont waste money suing EA for that especially because EA's use doesnt open the SEC up to lawsuits from other parties.

[fistofrage]

Re: SEC, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

If EA had just made 1 solid NCAA title this generation, it really wouldn't be that much of an issue. We could just update rosters and customize conferences and still be able to play until all the legal matters get hammered.

But instead they released inferior products year after year. I never envisioned a new fall season going by without rushing out and getting NCAA football. I owned every one since Bill Walsh. But now I'm actually happy if this is the end. EA got a free pass for too long. They made piles of money while rehashing the same engine and finding a way to break some working feature or delete a working feature every year.

Oh well, all things eventually come to an end, and apparently so does the era of college sports video games.