Yes, we all hate that evil corporation Electronic Arts has an
exclusive license deal with the NFL, but I think this is good, and let me tell you why. EA believes it has no
competition with Madden games, so it will raise the profits very high. Some consumers will buy, but others will
look for non-licensed games that are cheaper. So developers will make cheap and creative football games to
attract attention. And then we might get a sequel (at least, a spiritual successor) to Mutant League Football,
which is my favorite football game of all time. Midway is already bringing NFL Blitz back to its roots, which not
only attract football players but casual non-sports fans like myself. So I think EA is shooting themselves in the
foot with this license, but I think us gamers will benefit from it with cheaper, more creative sports games. But
that's just a theory, of course.
This editorial is a good read, and it's always nice to give attention to other weblogs out there who could use the
attention. It's a quick read, so check it out.
Reader Comments (14)
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
One of the thing's I've noticed whilst playing the latest Madden is that Madden himself doesn't talk nearly as much as he used to (which is a good thing - he may be the worst thing about the game).
One of the reasons I think EA wanted the exclusive deal is so they can dump Madden from the game. Yeah, it's an amazing brand name, but they can't keep Madden on the game forever, and he adds little to nothing to the game. If EA drops Madden, they've still got the ESPN deal and the promotional strength that comes from that, and they don't have to worry about customers defecting to another NFL title because they are literally the only game in town.
One of the reasons I think EA wanted the exclusive deal is so they can dump Madden from the game. Yeah, it's an amazing brand name, but they can't keep Madden on the game forever, and he adds little to nothing to the game. If EA drops Madden, they've still got the ESPN deal and the promotional strength that comes from that, and they don't have to worry about customers defecting to another NFL title because they are literally the only game in town.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
Blitz : The League (Midway's new Blitz football game) is looking good and has me excited.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
Yeah, the possibility of more interesting football games is exciting. Perhaps it'll lead to a sequel to my beloved Deathrow (for Xbox), one of the best mutant sports games to get no love?
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
Whoa. Mutant League Football reminds me of one of my favorites: Base Wars on the NES. Baseball played by upgradeable robots who fight to the "death" to resolve close plays at the plate.
I'd like to see more stuff like that on modern consoles.
I'd like to see more stuff like that on modern consoles.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
I've been saying the same thing about mutant league, but others don't agree with me! If a successor to that game could be made with todays graphics, holy cow. I think it's time for a long bomb.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
lol, i remember being linked to "gamepolitics" before, he was being retarded.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
Mutant League Football was made by EA. ; )
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
I just figured someone should point out that Mutant League Football was published by EA
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
yea, you can see the Word Elect... Arts in the pic. Damn EA, now they have everything.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
Will they ever do a proper rendition of the board game of "Blood Bowl"? The Halflings versus the Ogres, a short game.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
I wish somebody would bring back my old buddy Bones Jackson... too bad that EA did make that one...
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
BASEWARS!!! The most important game to never get a sequal.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
I'm glad I'm not the only person that absolutely loves Mutant League football. I'm not sure if another company could pull off its' "magic" though..
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM (Unverified) said
EA may own Mutant League but they don't own the rights to different styles of foot ball. Yeah like the above Blood Bowl. Or Fantasy Football(as in Orcs and Stuff). Or heck Cyber Ball. Anything. Something new and different needs to be brought to the Genere before I buy another Football game anyway.
