EA and Hockey sitting in a tree....

[JJNova]

So Electronics Arts signed an exclusive deal with the National Hockey Leagues Player Association, so that only EA can use Hockey Players names. Of course, we all know this.

Well since the NHLPA made the negotiations, they get the money and the league does not. So the NHL is in talks to extend their contract with the NHL 2K franchise, unless NHLPA grants the 2K series the ability to use players names also, in which case the NHL will allow EA to make their damn hockey game.

It seems like a big jumble of a mess, but I am very proud of the NHL for not settling with EA's 44 Million Dollar proposition (like the NHLPA did) and using their leverage in an attempt to break a contract that would stifle consumer options for Hockey Games.

Source is Games Industry. (http://gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=13770)

[hydr0x]

it would be kinda funny to see one game with correct players and one with correct team names, lol

[segagamer4life]

man oh man, does this ignite, my hatred for EA.. damn them all damn them

[CartCollector]

If you were in EA's position, wouldn't you do this? I mean, come on. "EA is horrible. They rehash their stupid games year after year. Boo hoo hoo." Yup, and just look the other way when they release an SSX or Need for Speed. x_x

[segagamer4life]

If you were in EA's position, wouldn't you do this? I mean, come on. "EA is horrible. They rehash their stupid games year after year. Boo hoo hoo." Yup, and just look the other way when they release an SSX or Need for Speed. x_x



the good thing is I am not in their position, so I have the luxury of being able to freely crap on their parade, yes I know they put out SOME good titles, each year, but their sports brand blows, and as a consumer, I shouldn't be FORCED, into not having any alternative and that blows..

[Zilla]

Hopefully they fix this. I dont mind EA like most people but I am not a fan of this exclusive shit. There needs to be at least 2 of all the sport franchises so they can keep each other honest.

[Buyatari]

Great move by the professional hockey leagues. They don't share one fat contact. They get the cash from two exclusive contracts.

[devils advocate]

I think this just goes to show how poorly the NHLPA and Natinal Hockey League work together, and the animosity they continually show towards each other and their fans.

Also shows that EA will capitalize on anything if it moves them closer to a monopoly on something........... Even if the outcome isn't viable.

[ClassicGameTrader]

I honestly hope that this explodes in both EA's face and the NHLPA. I think the NFL should be ashamed of itself for starting this trend. Other major sports should of realised that this was wrong and not allowed it to happen. I really enjoy the NFL 2K series and they have already taken away football! Now I hear that EA lost the baseball contract or something like that (I'm not a fan so I don't know) and they supposedly made a great baseball game.

[EricRyan34]

Yeah you have to realize though that everything is about money money money, not what people THINK.

[s1lence]

I honestly hope that this explodes in both EA's face and the NHLPA. I think the NFL should be ashamed of itself for starting this trend. Other major sports should of realised that this was wrong and not allowed it to happen. I really enjoy the NFL 2K series and they have already taken away football! Now I hear that EA lost the baseball contract or something like that (I'm not a fan so I don't know) and they supposedly made a great baseball game.

Baseball is held by take-two if I remember correctly. I'm really getting tired of this sports shit that EA has started.

Granted the NFL isn't any better agreeing to the deal, but its all about money and the mass consumer who will buy the next version year after year.

[Lothars]

Good for the NHL to go the way they did

I really hope it backfires on the NHLPA but hey I would rather have the team names than the individual players name anyway.

[njiska]

League, Players, didn't we get enough of this bullshit last year?

[hezeuschrist]

If you were in EA's position, wouldn't you do this? I mean, come on. "EA is horrible. They rehash their stupid games year after year. Boo hoo hoo." Yup, and just look the other way when they release an SSX or Need for Speed. x_x

Yeah, they don't rehash the shit out of Need for Speed, SSX, Fight Night, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Sims... x_x

[CartCollector]

Rehashingis a fact of life for gaming companies. Every major publisher does it. Why? Developers are risk-adverse because publishers are risk-adverse because marketing is risk-adverse because CONSUMERS are risk-adverse. Admit it, all of us here are more likely to buy a game from a series that we know and love than buy a game that is new and alien.

Rectorical question time: If Twilight Princess was the first in the Zelda series released, would it garner so much attention?

My guess? Twilight Princess probably would have been noticed as much as Geist and Odama.

[/rant]