EA locks up AFL

[mikeetler]

No chance of Sega/Visual Concepts/T*HQ going in the arena direction either now since EA has an exclusive with the AFL as well. They sure have their bases covered.

Story http://biz.gamedaily.com/articles.asp?article_id=8667#8667

[Cmosfm]

*sigh*

What next?

EA is taking over everything! Honestly, within the next 2-3 years, I expect them to announce there own system. I mean, why not? There soon gonna own everything!

Sad.

[Captain Wrong]

I hope EA buys Nintendo just to make the fanboys meltdown.

[mikeetler]

EA is taking over everything! Honestly, within the next 2-3 years, I expect them to announce there own system. I mean, why not? There soon gonna own everything!

Nah, why take the risk and exspense of R&D on hardware when you pretty much have the power to dictate your terms to the hardware manufacturers and to make or break systems based on the titles you release for them?

I really looks like EA has more money then they know what to do with. Perhaps they should consider putting some it into R&D for ORIGINAL games and niche titles. Never happen though.

-Mike

[Sylentwulf]

Original EA game? Isn't that like saying an adult Nintendo game? or (almost) like saying a japanese xbox game?

[badinsults]

Well, they don't have the CFL yet...

[le geek]

I hope EA buys Nintendo just to make the fanboys meltdown.

LMAO!

I don't really care about Realistic Sports games. But in all seriousness, I hope Ubisoft doesn't get bought out by EA. I can't see that being "a win" for gamers. At least with all the EA news, Sony hasn't been bashed as much...

Cheers,
Ben

[scooterb23]

So, this means I may see a decent Arena Football game in the near future? THANK GOD!!!

[JJNova]

The articles states that EA has the exlusive rights to develop "a" AFL game for the 2006 Season. Not an Exlusive 5yr deal with the NFL. If I was president of the AFL, I would have done the same thing, to bring the AFL into the homes of millions of people, therefore expanding the franchise. Simultaneously, not signing a contract that lasted for 5 years gives the AFL the ability to expand their franchise, then make deals with Numerous Developers in the future.

[Rogmeister]

I don't see this as being a major deal since no one gives a crap about the AFL anyway :D

[Kamino]

I hope EA buys Nintendo just to make the fanboys meltdown.
HA HA HA
I've said it before; EA and the big N are not too different.
EA Rides on the waves of their year-after-year sports games and legions of zombie-like fanboys, and used to create high-quality, original titles in the 16 bit days.
Nintendo rides on the waves of pokemon, re-releases, and legions of zombie-like fanboys, and also used to make high-quality original games in the 16 bit era.
I've got not much respect for either company anymore.........

[mikeetler]

I don't see this as being a major deal since no one gives a crap about the AFL anyway :D

It's only interesting that they are shutting down every avenue that Sega could have explored with the ESPN series.

-Mike

[Kroogah]

OH NOES BOYCOTTSZ

[Ed Oscuro]

I hope EA buys Nintendo just to make the fanboys meltdown.
Ew. I don't mind what EA makes, but the idea of EA putting out Zelda games is icky and nasty. :P

That said, I'd like to see an EA system (with sound provided by EAX LOL )

[ig88vsbobafett]

please sign this

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?nfleacon

[krbrunn]

please sign this

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?nfleacon

Signing an online petition is like pissing your pants while wearing a dark suit.
You get a warm feeling, but no one seems to notice.

[goatdan]

It is extremely interesting how EA is slowly making all of the console maker's slave to it. With the NFL License wrapped up, and the rather quick snapping up of so many other things (AFL, Ubisoft, etc), it will be really interesting to see how console makers handle EA. I think that at this point, the only way to limit their power is either through mass consumer action (which realistically, will not happen) or if console manufacturers all gang up and decide that EA cannot sell their products on all of their systems. Since I doubt either will happen, it will be interesting to see how EA tries to rape consumers over the next few years. I'm curious to see how much Madden is for the next installment. I don't think that $60.00 is out of the question.

[Promophile]

So, this means I may see a decent Arena Football game in the near future? THANK GOD!!!

All your going to see is a AFL game with the same engine as Madden NFL but with different names / teams. That is, if they even decide to make a AFL game, which I doubt. The only reason they bought the rights was to block Sega.

[kainemaxwell]

Intresting news that they bought the AFL. hate to say it, but maybe EA getting them might actually bring more coverage to this sport.

[xaer0knight]

what else is new.....? everyone at one point of time has merged, been bought out, or claimed a Chapter 11. It seems there will be less and less compitition in the Sports area, and we will see less and less innovations, just better graphics and up to date rosters and announcers.

*SIGH*

even tho this AFL contract might be good for the AFL, GO NY Dragons and Philadephia Soul!

[scooterb23]

All your going to see is a AFL game with the same engine as Madden NFL but with different names / teams. That is, if they even decide to make a AFL game, which I doubt. The only reason they bought the rights was to block Sega.

That's fine with me, I'd like to see a good quality AFL game.

Yeah, they spent all that money, and makde all these agreements JUST to screw Sega, yep...uh huh...no intentions of ever making an AFL game...nope, just to hose Sega... :roll:

[Promophile]

All your going to see is a AFL game with the same engine as Madden NFL but with different names / teams. That is, if they even decide to make a AFL game, which I doubt. The only reason they bought the rights was to block Sega.

That's fine with me, I'd like to see a good quality AFL game.

Yeah, they spent all that money, and makde all these agreements JUST to screw Sega, yep...uh huh...no intentions of ever making an AFL game...nope, just to hose Sega... :roll:

There is no mercy in the business world.... The purpose of their license agreement wasn't to make AFL games, it was to try and destory Sega. They were afraid because they actually had competition.

[bargora]

In the future, all videogames are Madden.

[ECWSandmanECW]

Should be a good game. I like EA's football games.

[Griking]

*sigh*

What next?

EA is taking over everything! Honestly, within the next 2-3 years, I expect them to announce there own system. I mean, why not? There soon gonna own everything!

Sad.


You know what would be hysterical? If the NFL went on an extended strike like the NHL is currently on. How much would that exclusive license be worth then?


So, this means I may see a decent Arena Football game in the near future? THANK GOD!!!

Probably not. I bet this was more of a move on EA'a part to prevent anyone else from releasing one.
What's EA going to license next, Pop Warner?

[mhsy2a]

Actually, when I was watching The Screen Savers on G4Techtv today, they were talking about this and claimed that the AFL approached EA before the whole NFL thing happened. So, EA certainly isn't going out of their way to screw Visual Concepts or anything like that. If anything, once this game gets released it will certainly benefit the AFL way more than it will benefit EA.

Am I the only one who finds it strange people want to boycott EA and their games, but then all loyally go out and support Nintendo by buying a Mario Party every year and every Mario rerelease on Gameboy and DS.

[Raedon]

I could care less about sports games after they went 3D.

[Joelius]

Well, i'm happy that at least the NCAA is still available to Sega for football development. I love college football a lot more than Pro in my opinion, but it would also give a great basis to still try and keep their football series alive.

And for the record...i'm disliking EA more and more as the days wear on...

[thegreatescape]

Har har har har har LOL

http://afl.com.au/
Maybe EA thought they were getting the real AFL instead of some crappy gridiron league :P

[JJNova]

Am I the only one who finds it strange people want to boycott EA and their games, but then all loyally go out and support Nintendo by buying a Mario Party every year and every Mario rerelease on Gameboy and DS.

So what you are saying is that because people boycott EA, they are Nintendo fanboys? Sounds stereotypical to me. Why can't they be people that Boycott both EA and Nintendo? Or why can't they be boycotting EA becaus of their work ethics? Or Because of their Business Practices? That's just as viable you self righteous, money loving, stereotyping, white people hating prick.



....see, I can stereotype too! :cheers:

[-hellvin-]

It looks like EA is the Rockefeller of the game industry now.

[kainemaxwell]

I could care less about sports games after they went 3D.
You and me both.

[Nature Boy]

I don't think that $60.00 is out of the question.

I think it is. They'll sell *way* more copies by sticking at $50.

[Ed Oscuro]

Har har har har har LOL

http://afl.com.au/
Maybe EA thought they were getting the real AFL instead of some crappy gridiron league :P
Heh, calling the AFL crappy...well I can see that.

(For the record, my favorite hat is a Kellogg's Nutri Grain hat with the NRL logo on it, though I know little about Aussie sports so I'd be happy with an AFL hat as well, most likely)

[scooterb23]

Maybe EA thought they were getting the real AFL instead of some crappy gridiron league js_tongue.gif

Actually, I was hoping this as well, as Aussie Rules is my favorite form of football. I know I saw screenshots once of an Aussie Rules game in development my EA, but I have no idea if it ever made it out anywhere...

And go Collingswood :P

[The Manimal]

So, this means I may see a decent Arena Football game in the near future? THANK GOD!!!

LOL

[oesiii]

I really looks like EA has more money then they know what to do with. Perhaps they should consider putting some it into R&D for ORIGINAL games and niche titles. Never happen though.


I've been thinking the same thing and then I was reading a Golf Digest magazine and it listed Tiger Wood's combined salary for last year as $87 million. And the biggest source of his income? Not anything he earned on the course but EA's 7.5 million dollar contract with him. They do make a good golf game but damm, almost 10 million an athlete for their games.

A good AFL game might be fun to look at. Someone started and there's a proto somewhere of an AFL game for the Atari Jaguar that was done 10 years ago.

http://metalstuff.com/area64/Games/lost/arenafootball2.jpg

[SoulBlazer]

The only AFL game I can think of that ever got released was Kurt Warner's Arena Football for the Playstation -- and not a very good game.

I also would love to see a high quality AFL game.....I suspect EA had this in the works long before the NFL deal, but I would'nt doubt they also bought it just to keep anyone else out.

[xaer0knight]

Am I the only one who finds it strange people want to boycott EA and their games, but then all loyally go out and support Nintendo by buying a Mario Party every year and every Mario rerelease on Gameboy and DS.

So what you are saying is that because people boycott EA, they are Nintendo fanboys? Sounds stereotypical to me. Why can't they be people that Boycott both EA and Nintendo? Or why can't they be boycotting EA becaus of their work ethics? Or Because of their Business Practices? That's just as viable you self righteous, money loving, stereotyping, white people hating prick.

....see, I can stereotype too! :cheers:

Hrrmmm sterotypes well JJNova, it common in this age of gaming. Sony is popular because someone "cool" own ones and someone own a Gamecube is "just a kid", just like high school (of gaming). Everyone is entitled to there own opinon and if they chose to boycott, go ahead! On the other hand, EA did "boycott" the Dreamcast, and this article will make you mad/cry: http://dreamcast.ign.com/articles/076/076056p1.html

[Nature Boy]

Believe it or not, I had no idea that EA didn't make a DC game until I read that article...

[Nature Boy]

Believe it or not, I had no idea that EA didn't make a DC game until I read that article...