No More ESPN NFL 2K...
 

From Businesswire:

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/...91&newsLang=en

EA Enters into Exclusive Agreements with NFL and PLAYERS INC to Expand and Integrate Customer Entertainment Experience

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2004--Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced exclusive licensing relationships with the National Football League and PLAYERS INC to develop, publish and distribute interactive football games. These five-year agreements -- which EA negotiated separately -- give EA the exclusive rights to the NFL teams, stadiums and players for use in its football videogames. Both agreements also include exclusive rights for console online features. Financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.


For the first time, all aspects of the interactive experience -- including console-based fantasy football features and handheld game devices -- will be fully integrated with one EA game. This also provides the opportunity for new games and for EA to access both NFL Films and the NFL Network for use in the games.

"We are pleased to expand our agreement with Electronic Arts, the leading video game manufacturer and a valued NFL partner," said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. "We look forward to working with EA to continue to enhance the quality of NFL video games that our fans have enjoyed for many years."

"For more than a decade, EA has produced the most authentic football product for fans of the game," said PLAYERS INC Chairman Gene Upshaw. "This exclusive relationship will maximize the value of NFL players through EA's continued commitment to bring fans closer to the game."

"We are excited about the opportunity to further enhance our relationship with the NFL and PLAYERS INC," said Larry Probst, Chairman and CEO of Electronic Arts. "The five-year agreements will usher NFL fans through the console technology transition with new ideas and innovative game play experiences."

Both agreements are exclusive for action simulation, arcade-style and manager games on the PC, handheld game devices and consoles -- including console online features. The agreements do not include exclusive rights to other types of games or games accessible from the Internet or wireless devices, including cellular phones.

Madden NFL Football from the EA SPORTS(TM) brand has sold more than 42 million copies over the franchise's 15 year history. Madden NFL 2005, the most complete football game ever, is available for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Xbox(R) videogame system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(TM), Game Boy(R) Advance, the PlayStation(R) console and PC. NFL STREET 2 for the PlayStation 2 console, Xbox system and Nintendo GameCube will be on store shelves by December 26, 2004. Both games were developed by EA Tiburon, and rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB. The games official websites are www.madden2005.com and www.nflstreet2.com.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, EA posted revenues of $2.96 billion for fiscal 2004. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. In 2003, EA had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES(TM) and EA SPORTS BIG(TM). EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

About PLAYERS INC

Formed in 1994, PLAYERS INC is the for-profit licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. Representing more than 1,800 active and 3,500 retired NFL players, PLAYERS INC "takes the helmets off" the players and markets them as personalities as well as professional athletes. PLAYERS INC activities include retail licensing, corporate sponsorships, special events, radio and television projects, publishing and other promotional programs. PLAYERS INC schedules more than 2,500 NFL player appearances each year. For more information, please visit www.nflplayers.com.

Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA GAMES, EA SPORTS BIG and John Madden Football are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Officially licensed product of PLAYERS INC. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft and Xbox are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance are trademarks of Nintendo.

Booo!

:(

At least we got one great year out of 2K5. Sadly I think this will mean next year's NCAA games will be my lone football game as I have never really liked the Madden series on this generation of consoles.

I think exclusivity is stupid. A dumb move on the NFL's part. Choice is a good thing, and Profesional sports leagues should keep things open. I hope this doesnt start a trend :(

That is absolutely ridiculous. Screw the NFL. I guess I won't be buying a football game next year. And fuck EA.

I'll just add this to my pile of reasons why I hate EA.

EA = Bad for Videogames and gamers everywhere.

Looks like i've bought my last football game.


:thumbsup:

I have no love for EA but i don't fully blame them for this. I think the NFL is largely to blame. EA was one of 5 companies bidding on this license. If they didn't get it some other company would have and that woulda been the end of the Madden games.

Curse you EA .......... :(

This is just plain stupid. Why only license to one company? What if EA starts making crap football games? Then we have no options. No competition is not going to help EA make better games.

And you're saying that's a bad thing?

I've been saying that for years.. (SSX is awesome, though).

I am still pissed at EA for not making any games for the Dreamcast. Oh well at least 2K5 was good.

No competition = bad move by the NFL. Too bad. The ESPN 2k games were really starting to make EA sweat.

So EA now has a monpoly of the NFL market, great. EA must have realy been killed by NFL 2K5's $20 price tag (even though it was a one year deal, or atleast exclusive to this generations systems).

Looks like I have bought my last football game. I thought Madden already sucked, and with no competition they will not be in any hurry to update and add new things to the games. Like everybody else, I do not blame EA...this was stricktly a NFL thing....they like to have monopolies on the stuff they offer.....thing Sunday Ticket.

having only one choice is usually not a good thing....and I"ve never been all that big on Madden either

Wow, I didn't no so many people hate Madden. Oh well, hopefully it will get a graphical overhaul cause it needs one, otherwise I love it.

Why should they overhaul it? They have no competition now..... This is a PERFECT reason to finally make a GREAT Arena Football game.....

I think the deal sucks and i'm a huge Madden fan.

wtf?

hopefully this type of deal doesn't make its way into other sports.

also it sux big time for madden fans. As already said, no incentive to improve since there's no competition..

insanity..

That's pretty shitty. EA buys out James Bond from Rare continues to make shit, EA buys out Marvel continues to make shit, now this. Well EA you officially suck ass.

This is Bulll. I will probably continue buying ESPN even if they don't use players names.

I was talking about overhauling Madden's graphics, and I think thats insane to say that there is no incentive to improve, just because there is no competition doesn't mean Madden won't continue to improve. Only time will tell though.

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. :confused:

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

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. :mad:

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...