footsnoop

Here we go..in answer to your question....this article reports (in essence)that EA is moving to corner/monopolize yet another genre of athletics. We have already seen their handy work with Madden and the NFL. They squeezed out the competition (2k5 - which many argue is still superior to today's Madden game) and have rewarded their fans with games that have only seen marginal (at best) improvement. As it turns out, the competition with Sega's 2k may have better for their creative effort than the sole proprietorship they now enjoy. Regardless, we as the consumer lose the most in this battle because there are fewer voices hence fewer choices in football games.

I take issue with your equating industry success with sales numbers. Yes more games are being purchased, but that does not mean that the quality for the consumer is also increasing. Most games being developed in this current gen are little more than drivel. Big license, great eye candy, but often lacking in gameplay and length. We as consumers are paying more for less. Yes, corporations are cashing in but we won't see that returned to us in the form of improved game experiences. Many gamers are already noticing that our "quality" experiences are lessening even though we are spending more money than we ever have. It is totally natural for corporations to turn even greater profits by decreasing the money spent in investment/overhead (skilled developers/innovative ideas).

The decline in overall quality may be a large factor for this recent surge in retro gaming. Many gamers pine for older games and while much of that may be nostalgia, a good amount might be attributable to the feeling of emptiness after playing this gen's latest offerings. Of the 15 games I purchased in 07, there are only three I hold up to the standard of game experience I enjoyed in past generations….and I know I am not alone in this sentiment.

Baberg, please remember that others are just as entitled to their opinions as you are and spouting knee jerk reactions to the concepts of others is not what discourse is about. I understand your opinion, I just do see the matter the way you do. I actually hope I am wrong, but my understanding of corporate practice leads me to believe otherwise.

GameraTheGreat

gogators88

RawSteelUT

Honest opinion is the exclusive relationship with NASCAR will continue because of the planed relocation of the franchise to Mooresville, NC. Plus thats the way NASCAR rolls.

NFL will be renewed but exclusively.... maybe not? The Madden franchise is an EA Sports cash cow and fan facvorite yopu you know thats not going away any time soon.

dvdman98

InEffectMode

@Braburg: Totally agree. It's the same people (fanboys/too beaucoup hardcore) that demand that their opinions be treated as facts and dominate the forums.

baccardi84

Funny thing is, you saw a LOT more comments in the previous article about this condemning EA, yet none of them admitting they jumped the gun in this one.

Man people, you want credibility, admit when you over-react.

EnigmaNemesis

evilkoala

Otherwise, definitely agree.

Ampillion, Dayman. Fighter of the Nightman.

Enigma_20XX

InEffectMode

- "I like grapes."

- "..."

Wyld

wisconsinista

I'd say demanding unwarranted advancement kills things. The kind of gamer who screams on the Internet "If your game doesn't have 4.8 gigapixel texture maps, it's not worth playing!" could falsely lead developers to think that graphics innovation alone is enough to sell their game. Similarly those who dismiss games for being "too short" or "too long" or "no multiplayer, no thanks" could also make developers hesitant to take risks with more unique games while sending mixed messages. Not every gamer needs an 90-hour grindfest RPG, just like not every gamer cares about multiplayer.

So in a way, demanding advancement can kill things, if the advancement is falsely hyped. Because come on, everybody knows that 4.5 gigapixel texture maps is plenty.

baberg

I already barred myself from buying any EA sports games, and now I will not buy anything related to EA.

telekinesis

Moonshadow101

I'll go further to say that if anything kills video gaming, it'll be the *gamers*. What I mean by that is this recent trend to always want "the next thing", instead of being happy with what we have. It's always "when is X coming?" instead of really focusing on the games at hand. At least, that's my perception of things. I think it results in game companies giving us too many quick, window-dressing games, and not enough really thought out fare.

MrBionic

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus

/agree

I have a stack of them I have yet to even come close to getting 25% through!

EnigmaNemesis

How can you even say that after the year we just had? If I never buy a game in 2008 I'll still have fresh games to play in my backlog, and even more games that I'd like to give a try but didn't buy straight off.

Games are a long way from their deathbed. All that's changed is your perception of them.

baberg

Irenicus-the one and only

MrBionic

kemicon

The Vampire Raziel

DigitalHero

aeonpulse

gils0n

GameraTheGreat

If this is any indication of what is to come, than yes, expect more saturation and homogeneous gaming to be produced from EA Sports. I hope other licenses remain free from exclusivity, because in the end, the consumer will benefit from the work of many, rather than one studio.

mr_dimsum

Oh come on now, give Moore some slack, EA was buying up exclusives and studios, long before Moore arrived!

Unless Moore was secretly bred by EA to enter gaming and compromising MSFT, then go to his rightful position on the EA Sports tower!

*dum dum dum* the mystery ensues!

EnigmaNemesis

Monopolies are a dangerous thing. I certainly hope that the sports video game world isn't heading to a "sole source" style of gaming. It's bad for the consumer.

baberg

DigitalHero

DigitalHero

Wouldnt that be a shitter?

EnigmaNemesis

Another sad day for gaming..

mr_dimsum