In what way can they have an exclusive deal to that database? I mean isn't this information available to everyone? I mean, if you just get the game, start up the editor, load the database and voila, you've got all the scouting help you could ever hope for, right? Regardless if you're the manager of Everton or some backwater low level team that no one cares about. Interesting idea though.
@Djungelurban: I think the visible ratings you see in-game are the tip of the iceberg with respect to the actual data assembled for each player. If memory serves, each player has a rating in something like 35 different categories, all of which is based on their scouting info (which SI obtains from various sources). Plus, the visible ratings aren't "straight" ratings anyhow -- they're "colored" by the quality of your scouts.
I assume that they're giving Everton a license to use the "raw" data. What I don't know is whether someone with a minimum amount of talent could just pull that from the game's data files on their own...
10/05/09
Sony Online Entertainment, a company even less in sync with Sony's gamedivision than their different regional studios?
10/05/09
08/18/09
08/18/09
GEN 5: Lego People
GEN 6: Paper Doll People
GEN 7: Plastic People
IT JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER.
08/19/09
11/14/08
11/14/08
I assume that they're giving Everton a license to use the "raw" data. What I don't know is whether someone with a minimum amount of talent could just pull that from the game's data files on their own...