The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/12/17 ... 15293.html

Any truth to these? I kinda hope not. I know the Madden sayings can get boring, but i like the name and the gameplay of madden.

Chris (local game expert).. ....do you know anything about this?

I'm not sure about Madden, but I know EA will put out the only NFL game from now on! I'm glad I never switched!

December 17, 2004


Last year, there were at least a half-dozen NFL-themed video games on the market. Next year, expect there to be just a couple.

Days after video-game maker Electronic Arts signed a five-year deal with the National Football League that gives it exclusive access to the league's brands, stadiums and players, backlash against the arrangement has swelled, with the California-based company taking a beating in Internet newsgroups and the video-game press.

What the deal means is that beginning next season, only EA will be able to produce mass-market video games bearing the NFL's trademarks and players. Although the company produces the best-selling Madden NFL series, critics are concerned that with no competition, there will be no innovation, and EA essentially could put out the same football game every year with minor tweaks and updated rosters, and then sell it for full price.

http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bznf ... -headlines

As reported in the "rumors" section...

Rumor #1: The next Electronic Arts football game will not feature the likeness or name of John Madden.


Source: Sources close to EA Sports.

The official story: EA Sports reps declined to comment.

What we heard: For those who haven't heard, EA shocked gamers worldwide Monday by announcing that it had signed a five-year exclusivity deal with the NFL for the rights to the league's teams, stadiums, and player likenesses. Besides casting the shadow of doom over all rival football franchises--which will have to resort to alternate leagues (arena football or the CFL) or completely made-up ones (like Midway's upcoming Playmakers title)--the deal also spawned a slew of rumors. Most were about how EA could afford the industry-shaking deal's price tag, which speculation put at anywhere between $300 million to $1 billion, or about the possibility of a $59.99 NFL game. But the deal also spawned some interesting theories on how EA might wring greater earnings from its monopoly--one of which was presented to GameSpot editors from a source with ties to EA Sports. Under the source's scenario, EA would up its profit margins by ending its licensing deal with John Madden, thus saving royalty fees. Though Madden has been synonymous with football games for 15 years, the sports personality's in-game commentary has been cited by many critics as the series' biggest weakness. Given the commentator's age and the fact EA no longer needs the cachet the Madden name brings, it is definitely in the realm of possibility.

Bogus or not bogus?: Lest we get sacked by EA's überaggressive PR department, we're tagging this one too early to call.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/1...ws_6115293.html