Again, why pump millions of dollars into Major graphical improvements when you have no competition? They want to make money, not make you happy that it looks 20 times better. People will buy it because that is all there is. It will have new rosters, teams, stadiums, etc.. to make 90% of the people buy it year after year. Heck, I'll keep playing my NFL 2K1 on my Dreamcast....... Kurt Warner's Arena Football on PS1 sux bad though....

i don't get why the hate for EA exists on this forum... but EA keeps making money hand over fist.

personally, i don't like exclusive agreements b/c i think it is inhibits competition and we're supposed to promote the idea that competition breeds excellence.

I really hope the NBA never does this stupid shit.

I have a feeling that EA will make significant improvements to Madden for next year. There are two reasons for this. The first is that they will be trying to convince everyone that their monopoly is not impacting quality. The second is that they will be trying to crush Sega's non-licensed game (if in fact there is one).

Ultimately, this deal will result in poor quality games and higher prices. I believe that EA will not raise prices next year, but I can see Madden with a MSRP of $59.99 year after next.

If there are to be Sega football games in the future, they will have to resort to the NCAA.

Nascar has a similar deal with EA, as I think EA is the sole maker of games for them nowadays.

ESPN could make a "generic" pro football game though in the vein of those older games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. Ken Griffey Baseball only had the MLB license for Super Nintendo so they just made up fake names for the rest of the players. There's no reason ESPN couldn't sign-up 5-10 players on a separate basis (or even get a legend like Elway, Montana or Marino to be the star if current players can't based on Players Inc. rules) and make something like an ESPN Pro Football 2K6 just using city names, colors and stadiums.

Evil
Assholes

Sign petition to NFL requesting they reconsider deal with EA

Maybe we'll get 2k6 for even cheaper without the licensing cost... Everyone plays college football with just the numbers; I wouldn't mind playing the nfl game that way if its a better made game. But not having the real teams hurts.

You can always take a couple days off from work and enter all the player names Exclusive deals suck

Fuck EA.

NFL 2K5 was much better than Madden in terms of price, graphics, and play. And now there won't be a NFL 2K6.

It looks like I've bought my last football game.

I hope this move screws over the NFL too.

very lame. I bought 2k5 over Madden this year and was not dissapointed at all. Going through my 7th straight season in season mode.

This is terrible news. I only play the ESPN football, basketball, hockey, and baseball games. If EA also gets the NBA or MLB license I will be a very angry person. I refuse to buy any future Madden games. Not because they are bad compared to ESPN, just because EA is such a whore. Does this mean Sega is not allowed to keep support for ESPN 2k5, for seasons and roster updates..?

Terrible...just terrible...

Man. This. Sucks. I loved ESPN NFL 2K5. I don't see how they are going to be able to stay in business. The NFL game is their main seller.


wlj

I will still buy an ESPN game with generic team names and player numbers over Madden.

Well, I now plan to buy whatever game ESPN produces. I was really unhappy with this year's EA NCAA game. I'll gladly support ESPN with or without the NFL.

...I just don't know how many gamers like us are out there...

"I will still buy an ESPN game with generic team names and player numbers over Madden."


Me too. I remeber the days of Front Page Sports Football and my favorite aspect was the "generic" players you could start a franchise with. Drafting a team from scratch was more fun (to me anyways) than just picking my lousy Lions and winning the Superbowl in the first season.

I just honestly hope they don't try this with any of the other sports licenses. I couldn't imagine going back to EA's NHL games after so many years of loving the Sega ones.

Competition is the way to go. I hate that EA got exclusive rights.

Now I wonder if Sony or MS will try to work a deal with EA for Madden exclusivity for the next generation console battle?

Anyone remember the fight that EA had with MS about X-Box Live? EA wanted more control over the multi-player experience than what MS was willing to give up? I think this deal strengthens EA's bargaining position.

I wonder if Sega or Sony will now run out and start signing exclusive deals with other sports organizations to lock EA out and to possibly reach some kind of deal in the future?

This deal sucks big time........ I like NFL 2k5 for its realistic gaming.....


I am a madden fan too and am really disappointed in this...

Realistically they wont overturn this..... guys.... just sit back and watch....... this will be going for 5 years...

also, it takes two to tango... NFL is as much at fault, imo.

Fuck'em... I havn't bought an EA game in years (except SSX, but I bought it used) and I won't be buying one in the forseable future.
I wonder though if Sega might have a way to screw EA a little, there's talk that John Madden might be moving from MNF to ESPN Sunday Night. If Madden's on ESPN doesn't that mean Sega would own the rights to his likeness.

It's true. Look how bad the WWE has gotten since they bought out WCW.