Mike Windu Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 EA Nabs ESPN as 15-Year Exclusive First the NFL, now the most recognized brand in sports media. January 17, 2005 - With thundering force, Electronic Arts may have just swung the final punch to sports rival SEGA: the gaming giant just announced it has entered a 15-year exclusive licensing deal with ESPN. Under the agreement, EA has exclusive video game rights to ESPN-branded print, telecast, and online content -- in addition to other ESPN media properties. The agreement covers all gaming platforms -- consoles, PC, handhelds, and wireless, and will begin in 2006, upon completion of ESPN's current licensing commitments. The agreement most clearly affects Take Two and SEGA, which jointly publish a series of ESPN-licensed sports titles. The companies are still reeling from EA's announcement last month that it had acquired exclusive video game rights to NFL properties -- a direct challenge to SEGA's ESPN NFL franchise. Obviously, the challenge is now doubled. Electronic Arts explains the ESPN agreement as helping gamers: "This relationship was created to benefit consumers who are passionate about sports games," said EA CEO Larry Probst. "EA SPORTS recreates the real life experience fans enjoy while watching or playing their favorite sport; while ESPN programming captures the look, sound and excitement of the sports they follow. Together, we believe we can significantly grow the interactive sports category." Until recently, EA's sports titles, such as the Madden NFL series, have faced vigorous competition from SEGA's ESPN Videogames brand, which saw success last year with a strong critical reception and prices cut in half. We'll be back with more on the situation as soon as new details emerge. -- David Adams http://sports.ign.com/articles/580/580401p1.html *shakes fist at EA* Bastards, soon all sportswill be owned by EA. Is there no justice in the world of sports games? What the hell happened to friendly competition?
TK-8252 Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 It's like a friggen empire. Pure evil I tell you!
Boba Rhett Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 Originally posted by Mike Windu What the hell happened to friendly competition? I saw EA take him out back, beat him with a shovel and shoot him in the face.
ET Warrior Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 That's it. EA has earned my complete and total boycott. I don't care HOW badly I want a game of theirs, I will NOT support them.
El Sitherino Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 I don't play sports games, but this is ****. Just wait for the prices to go up.
abcd1234 Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 WOW. I was already sorta boycotting EA but with this buying out their competition and not having to worry about any kind of run for their money makes me call for an all out boycott of EA products.
IG-64 Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 EA needs to stop, it's not helping anyone by taking over everything and claiming it for themselves. But as long as they come out with better and better sports games still, then I won't complain. But if they only come out with corbon copies of the games they already have then I say boycott EA Sports.
TK-8252 Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 Originally posted by KBell They do make one mighty fine football game Yeah, one. Then update its rosters every year and repackage it and sell it for $50 like a new game.
KBell Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 Originally posted by TK-8252 Yeah, one. Then update its rosters every year and repackage it and sell it for $50 like a new game. I can play Madden 04 and 05 and plainly see the difference between the two
IG-64 Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 Madden 05 was a dissapointment because in maddens since 02 my bro and I have had our own full custom team. But now they took away an option to turn of some kinda salary cap so now theres not enough money to make a whole team.
KBell Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 Originally posted by IG-64 Madden 05 was a dissapointment because in maddens since 02 my bro and I have had our own full custom team. But now they took away an option to turn of some kinda salary cap so now theres not enough money to make a whole team. You can still do that.....just turn off salary cap in the franchise mode screen.
kipperthefrog Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 I don't get it:confused: Are you saying that EA bought copyright to sports games and now they don't get any competition in sports games? is THAT what they mean?
Samuel Dravis Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 Gotta love 'em. I don't play sports games, but a 15 year contract? What? That's insane.
BongoBob Posted January 18, 2005 Posted January 18, 2005 This is pure BS on EA's part. I mean this is freakin rediculous. Now instead of getting a great game a t a discount price, we get Madden. For years. And Years. And Years. I really freakin hate EA right now
El Sitherino Posted January 18, 2005 Posted January 18, 2005 Originally posted by kipperthefrog I don't get it:confused: Are you saying that EA bought copyright to sports games and now they don't get any competition in sports games? is THAT what they mean? pretty much. Now unless someone makes college football games, and nothing with an ESPN title, EA will be unchallenged in sporting games. Basically having a monopoly on the genre, infact I think that's what they're going for.
TiE23 Posted January 18, 2005 Posted January 18, 2005 They've got the NFL and ESPN, all that is left is NCAA football. TiE
El Sitherino Posted January 18, 2005 Posted January 18, 2005 Originally posted by TiE 23 They've got the NFL and ESPN, all that is left is NCAA football. TiE oh and then arena football! and then baseball.
TiE23 Posted January 18, 2005 Posted January 18, 2005 Originally posted by InsaneSith oh and then arena football! and then baseball. ....and basketball, soccer/football, and others like Nascar. (not like we can't live without Nascar ) TiE
Sabretooth Posted January 18, 2005 Posted January 18, 2005 NOW competition gets owned. Literally. I just hope all gamers get the message and boycott EA. Satyagraha always works!
Astrotoy7 Posted January 18, 2005 Posted January 18, 2005 aw, but I couldnt live without mu EA NHL and FIFA Football !!! bugger boycotting, just steal/pirate JK mtfbwya
GothiX Posted January 18, 2005 Posted January 18, 2005 Isn't illegaly obtaining also a form of boycotting?
BawBag™ Posted January 18, 2005 Posted January 18, 2005 Originally posted by Astrotoy7 FIFA Football !!! Dangit Astro. You know Pro Evo > FIFA.
Astrotoy7 Posted January 18, 2005 Posted January 18, 2005 Originally posted by BawBag™ Dangit Astro. You know Pro Evo > FIFA. PFFT ! That explains your lack of skillz with the ladiez....women *only* want FIFA playin studs mtfbwya
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