EA Games truly is The Suck

[Rob]

We have debated over EA's acquisition of the NFL licence and who was truly to blame, EA or the NFL. Since then, they have acquired the AFL (Arena Football League) and, according to Gamestop, have now acquired the NCAA Football License (http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/sports/ncaafootball2005/news_6121995.html) as well. In other words, EA owns your football game. Looks like my copy of NFL 2k5 is going to have to last a long... long time.

[Donshyoku]

I think it is ridiculous that people are buying exclusive licenses. What ever happened to Antitrust? Or does that only apply to Microsoft and Intel? :p

[Chylde Roland]

I think it is ridiculous that people are buying exclusive licenses. What ever happened to Antitrust? Or does that only apply to Microsoft and Intel? :p
That's what I was just thinking.

[One-Winged Angel]

Actually, it doesn't even apply to Microsoft anymore.

I agree with this being pure crap. Here's to hoping to either:

a) EA manages to make the best football game ever made for the next 5 years or so, or

b) EA tries to pass off an alpha version of Madden '00 (heck, put any version of previous Madden games in here) as all of their football games, never innovates beyond what they've already done, and fails miserably, thus causing them to lose money from purchasing their exclusive licenses.

[OmegaBob]

Nothing different with this and say having the "official" soft drink/beer/bank/hot dog/car (you get the point) of X team or X sports league.

This was inevitable so deal. Welcome to 2005.

[Chylde Roland]

This was inevitable so deal. Welcome to 2005.
Based on the way I avoid sports game like a plague, it won't be hard for me to "deal."

However, I can understand the frustration some gamers face due to the lack of competition and therefore innovation in this case. Because there's no competition, why should EA get creative? Just repackage the same old, same old, with new names and better eye candy. Big deal. Game devs aren't going to want to develop and "no-name" version football game, when gamers like building teams from their fave players.

It's a big time loss and a bad omen for those gamers, IMHO.'

In terms of "offical" bank and all that jazz, it's completely different. Other than cars, there's no innovation in those fields, and no one cares. A hot dog/soda/credit card/bank is pretty much the same no matter where you get it. This is completely different because innovation is involved.

[SupaTroopa]

This was inevitable so deal. Welcome to 2005.

So we can't have an opinion about it or be frustrated by it and express it?

I've lightened up some on my POV, mainly because I've tried ESPN's other sports games and they suck bad, honestly, and every time I play an EA Sports game, sans Madden, they are all superior for various reasons. ESPN NFL 2K5 is simply the best football video game every made to-date, and THAT is precisely why so many people have heated opinions about it's demise at such an early juncture in the franchises' life span.

March Madness 2005 and MVP Baseball 2005 are two good examples of games I like a lot better than their ESPN counterparts, from a pure gameplay perspective.

So I will assume EA won't get fat and lazy as a result of this hopefully, and until they prove otherwise will have to buy their games as I like sports games, always have, always will.

But either way it looks like I'll be doing some heavy roster management/changing in my 2K5 game this fall/summer.

[Rob]

Nothing different with this and say having the "official" soft drink/beer/bank/hot dog/car (you get the point) of X team or X sports league.

There is a big difference. So what if Pepsi says they are the offical soft drink of so and so, I can still go out and buy a Coke if I prefer. But what if Pepsi made an exclusive deal to be the only cola you could buy. Hope you like Pepsi. And lets be honest, the vast majority of people will only buy a game with those licenses. And, because money will not be made, the other publishers will not even bother making a realistic football (we will get an Blitz style game, but those are not for me.) As much as I was upset about EA making an exclusive deal with the NFL, now they have closed off all channels for any league of football. If you followed Madden since '92, then you could personally see the lack of innovation... until strong competition arose. No competition to soccer here in the US, no innovation to their games. I personally preferred NFL 2K games and feel cheated as a consumer that EA put the big FU all over my choice as a gamer.

Imagine if a company were able to make one particular (and popular) genre an exclusive. Football games were its own genre and now one company has an exclusive. So lets see, EA now owns the rights to the NFL, FIFA, Nascar and have been working on the NBA (fortunately who have told EA no... so far).

Lets hope neither Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft pisses EA off or no more sports games for their respected systems.

[OmegaBob]

In terms of "offical" bank and all that jazz, it's completely different. Other than cars, there's no innovation in those fields...
Not different. So if Burger King releases a new Whooper... that isn't innovation? Free checking? Hello? New clothing material that doesn't stain?

...A hot dog/soda/credit card/bank is pretty much the same no matter where you get it.
Apparently you really haven't had a REAL Philly cheese steak then…. or a REAL Chicago deep dish pizza… or…

...This is completely different because innovation is involved.
Sorry, you haven't proven your point. I stand my my words.

So we can't have an opinion about it or be frustrated by it and express it?
1 – Don’t put words in my mouth … errr… post.
2 – I was expressing MY opinion. Sorry if that differs from yings. Just Deal.
3 – Ever hear of “Tough Love”?

From all intents and purposes, EA’s college football games are the best. The Madden games are not. I am not saying that they will stay at that quality level (one would hope that they do); however, if they did or didn’t, EVERYONE will still have to JUST DEAL. Why? B/c there will not be any other choices. Period.

Notes:

1 – In no way did I say that I was in favor of the way things are/have been going.

2 – I suggest that anyone who is upset about this, DO NOT PURCHASE ANY SPORTS GAMES from this point on… EVER. Show them how much you are upset about where it hurts them the most… their bank accounts.

You don’t like it, then don’t purchase the games – that’s the reality here that we all must face & deal with.

However, eventually the protestors/complainers/naysayers will cave in, try a demo disc or rent the game… say to themselves, “hey this isn’t as bad as I thought,” then their complaints will wash away and the seeds of whatever protest will be lost forever.

[OmegaBob]

There is a big difference. So what if Pepsi says they are the offical soft drink of so and so, I can still go out and buy a Coke if I prefer.

Not at the stadium (unless you sneak it in).

I stand by my words.

[Jagndeke]

2 – I suggest that anyone who is upset about this, DO NOT PURCHASE ANY SPORTS GAMES from this point on… EVER. Show them how much you are upset about where it hurts them the most… their bank accounts.

I agree on this point. The only thing that will sway future decisions by companies buying up licenses is for current companies to fall flat on their fiscal face. If EA is suppported by the marketplace and cashes in big time on sales, expect to see other companies initiate the same strategy in greater force.

If you really hate what they've done, make them pay in the pocket book and have to answer to their investors and it'll be a long time coming before they go down the path of buying exclusive licenses again.

[Rob]

The problem is, not buying any sports games until the contract is up hurts me. Too many people are still going to buy their games, especially now that they are the only game in town. EA will still get their money because people still want to play football games but have only one place to turn to, no matter how the game plays. So again, FU to the consumer.

Not at the stadium (unless you sneak it in).

I stand by my words.

That is so irrevelant to the EA situation. Going to a stadium event and being locked out of one choice effects you at most a day, you can then leave and pick it up somewhere else. We are talking about many years here with no other place to pick up the item. You should have quoted my next line as well as that was the main idea. We are talking about exclusives, not 12 hour situations.

I am not saying that they will stay at that quality level (one would hope that they do); however, if they did or didn’t, EVERYONE will still have to JUST DEAL. Why? B/c there will not be any other choices. Period.

That is the whole point! So, if EA does start producing bombs or does not innovate, we have to sit buy and do nothing because we have no choice. EA removed our choice to have an alteranative. They removed their reason to improve. They removed my way of voting with my wallet by purchasing a product I prefer. That is like the Republicans removing my choice to vote for the Democrats. I can decide not to vote (or to purchase a Madden game) but, either way, I lose. And no, I do not want to debate Republicans or Democrats, that was just an example.

[Chylde Roland]

Not different. So if Burger King releases a new Whooper... that isn't innovation? Free checking? Hello? New clothing material that doesn't stain?
It's a freaking hamburger, EVERYBODY has some form of free chequing, and new material can be developed by anyone because ANY company can make clothes or their own brands of fabric. There's no single company that is the only one allowed to make clothes/material. Now, EA is the ONLY company that can make an NFL endorsed football games.

Apparently you really haven't had a REAL Philly cheese steak then…. or a REAL Chicago deep dish pizza… or…
I have, and yes, some places make them better than others. But again in your example, MANY, MANY competitors are making those products. MANY claim to have the original. But it would be pretty damn hard to make a cheesesteak of only one restaurant in the industry was allowed to make it.

Sorry, you haven't proven your point. I stand my my words.
I think my words pretty much prove the point I'm getting at, based on the entirety of my argument. You're more than welcome to stand by your words; you can believe what you want to believe, as will I.

Originally Posted by Jagndeke

I agree on this point. The only thing that will sway future decisions by companies buying up licenses is for current companies to fall flat on their fiscal face. If EA is suppported by the marketplace and cashes in big time on sales, expect to see other companies initiate the same strategy in greater force.

If you really hate what they've done, make them pay in the pocket book and have to answer to their investors and it'll be a long time coming before they go down the path of buying exclusive licenses again.
I agree on that point also, but I also see merit in Rob's concerns.

All in all, I think this is a ****** deal for sports gamers, and I stand by my initial thought that this definitely smacks of what MS used to be up to: trying to become the only game in town.

[OmegaBob]

The problem is, not buying any sports games until the contract is up hurts me. Too many people are still going to buy their games, especially now that they are the only game in town.

Again, my crystal ball knows all.

Everyone: either do or don't purchase the games. It's your choice. However, if you do decide to buy, remember that all of you could have made a difference by NOT purchasing the games (if you are against this), that you are lining the pockets of those you despise.

When the day comes, I hope you can sleep well... very well...

[Rob]

I think you are missing the point. Lets say I choose to use the power of my wallet and not buy the next game (for the next 9 years). I A) Suffer from not being able to enjoy a quality football game, a genre I enjoy. B) Listen to EA laugh at me because so many freaking other people purchase the game anyway that my and a few other hold outs dollars mean nothing to them.

Or, I can purchase the game, thus giving EA more reason to continue looking at ways of screwing me over with exclusives.

The day you can convince millions of people to boycott the product, sign me up. I am willing. But it is not going to happen because the hardcore can never compete with the power of the uninformed masses.

[MatW]

THe evil empire strikes again.

[OmegaBob]

It's not up to me to organize a revolt/protest. It's up to the people who care about this genre to do it.

IMO, anyone who spends $50 every year for a sports game with an updated roster list is foolish.

That being said, Sega/Take 2 (whoever) had the right idea to change the retail price of their sports games to $20.

[One-Winged Angel]

Too bad that "right idea" is now down the drain.

[SupaTroopa]

IMO, anyone who spends $50 every year for a sports game with an updated roster list is foolish.

That being said, Sega/Take 2 (whoever) had the right idea to change the retail price of their sports games to $20.

- Yep they did have the right idea. I would assume all those people who buy expansions, add-ons and in some cases sequels are foolish also in other genres? It's the same principle.

Furthermore most sports games cost no more than $40 and always include new features, graphic models and textures, sound tracks, voice overs, an updated engine etc..., it's more than just updated rosters ultimately - and again I can't remember the last sports game I paid $50 for honestly.

- BTW I didn't mean to "put words in your mouth" but your implication was "just shut up and deal with it."

It's up to the people who care about this genre to do it.

Unfortunately the people who care about this genre are as mainstream, varied and numerous as the target market of the next Star Wars movie, thus Rob's point - it's not going to happen via a protest.

My protest last year was to buy NFL 2K5 and not buy a Madden game for the first time since probably 1994, give or take an off year or two. EA's answer to that, because someone put out a better product finally and forced people to NOT buy Madden, was to gobble their product up in an all too typical backdoor corporate way.

It's the system that allows this, not the "dumbed down masses."

It's the same reason most people run Windows instead of Linux. Or play games on a console rather than a PC.

[OmegaBob]

- Yep they did have the right idea. I would assume all those people who buy expansions, add-ons and in some cases sequels are foolish also in other genres? It's the same principle..
Not really. Expansions are usually LESS than the original game (unless the original game has been out for a while)

Again... more assuming of my meaning on your part. :rolleyes:

Furthermore most sports games cost no more than $40 and always include new features, graphic models and textures, sound tracks, voice overs, an updated engine etc..., it's more than just updated rosters ultimately - and again I can't remember the last sports game I paid $50 for honestly.
My translation = a nice, fresh coat of paint and new rosters = FULL PRICE?

So two years ago, the console EA sports games were not $49.99? You are correct that they are less now (b/c of Sega/Take 2); however... you WILL be spending $50 starting next year for sports games. New memories for $50 going to EA will be formed.

BTW I didn't mean to "put words in your mouth" but your implication was "just shut up and deal with it.".
My meaning was stated above. Take a moral stand or deal. Nothing more.

My protest last year was to buy NFL 2K5 and not buy a Madden game for the first time since probably 1994, give or take an off year or two.
heh! Too bad Madden games have sucked like since the PS2 came out.

It's the same reason most people run Windows instead of Linux. Or play games on a console rather than a PC.
I play games on all systems. I don't discriminate and I'm not a gaming snob.... well... except when it comes to Apple b/c... well... they suck (much like their crappy computers and craptastical iPods). But that is an argument for another day.... hehehehe

[Zaphod]

Nothing different with this and say having the "official" soft drink/beer/bank/hot dog/car (you get the point) of X team or X sports league.

Something along these lines.... sortof, but they're going to start throwing adds into games now, especially MMO's. So if you're flying along in your little spaceship or driving down the highway in NFS, be sure to look out for the giant Coca-Cola billboards. :thumbup: