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EA Nets Another Exclusivity Deal
GamesIndustry.biz has the news that EA has signed an exclusive deal with the Arena Football League to produce games for that organization. From the article: "The move will see the creation of a new AFL title in the EA Sports line-up, joining other football franchises Madden, NFL Street and NCAA, with the first title due to hit the market before the 2006 AFL season starts in a year's time."
Wowie. I wonder if it would be possible to license classic players from the NFLPA. Anyone know the full extent of the exclusivity deal?
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why? forty-two.
I think Sega should take this opportunity to try something different. Right now, the two biggest selling pieces in video games are boobs and violence. Why not create a M-rated football game? Similar to NFL Blitz, but it goes that next step...You sack the quarterback? Pull his arm off on your way up! Not too mention the stripper level cheerleaders on the sidelines.
If anyone remembers Mutant League Football for the Sega Genesis, that is very close to what I am talking about. The game can still have standard football rules and play...it's the little bit extra that will make it stand out from Madden Turducken 06.
How Jaded Are You?
M-rated football game? No thanks. I don't want to see a reenactment of the recent playoff game, but with Randy Moss goatse'ing the audience.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
Looks like I need to turn to EA for my Arena Football League fix.
Wait a second... Who the Hell would ever possibly need an AFL fix? I mean, really... Arena football?
Go Sega. Make a more comedic football game where you can make your own stars. Throw in a few, good, fluffy characters and you're good to go.
See parent.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
I'm in shock that there is a demand for an AFL game. Because no one seems to want to see it in person or on TV.
"Electronic Arts grabs exclusive rights to Arena Football League videogames. Next up: exclusive rights for Milwaukee YMCA Basketball and Warren G. Harding Middle School Hopscotch"
Fark
e.
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EA's exclusive deal with the AFL just confirms the suspicions of many that they want to kill competition in video football games. The AFL is not popular enough to warrant anyone's interest and EA wants to make sure that competitors like Sega don't even get a chance to make this any different. Now any competing game has to go with made up players, leagues, and stadiums. Yeah, I know about the CFL, but that's probably even less popular in the U.S. than the AFL.
My guess is that EA is interested in sewing up American football ahead of the day when they have to stop using the Madden name. Stiff arming the competition is one way to do this. On the flipside though, a really good game with fully customizable players, leagues, and even stadiums could have a chance. Coupled with strong marketing and online league play, it could overcome the lack of real league licenses. I'd love to see someone try this. Oh, how about a MMO football game too? I heard that this is being tried for baseball by someone.
To the making of books there is no end, so let's get started
We all know why they did this. So Sega doesn't have any other licensing options in terms of football. Nobdy actually wants an AFL game, and I bet they won't even make one. It's just so Sega can't. EA sucks monkey balls.