OT: WarGames
No, not the 1983 computer film classic, but the fight between EA and it's top rival, TakeTwo Entertainment, known mainly for GTA.
What makes this interesting is that EA's subdivision, EA Sports, has one of the longest standing licenses in the gaming world with John Madden, famed NFL coach and current ABC analyst. Because of this relationship and it's huge appeal, Sega Entertainment's own sports division, Visual Concepts competed using the ESPN brand name and look i.e. skycam and recognizable faces and analysts. However, their first inception was not enough to make a dent in the Madden franchise. So in 2004, TakeTwo acquired Visual Concepts and along with a much better graphical-interface, gameplay, and $20 dollar price tag, ESPN 2004 was a very successful competitor.
In early 2005, EA Sports negotiated with the NFL and NFLPA total licensing rights which meant that allow likenesses, teams, players and stadiums, could only be seen in EA Games. But this was not enough; EA then acquired the ESPN brand name to effectively kill TakeTwo's chances of competing. Well, TakeTwo has now shot back and is working to become the sole creator of MLB licensed games. Now MLB videogames are not on the same level in volume of games sold but if TakeTwo became the only publisher, the entire market could compete with the NFL games.
I hope that Sony realizes this and works together with TakeTwo because the EyeToy feature is one extra-feature that makes gameplay and player creation that much better.
What makes this interesting is that EA's subdivision, EA Sports, has one of the longest standing licenses in the gaming world with John Madden, famed NFL coach and current ABC analyst. Because of this relationship and it's huge appeal, Sega Entertainment's own sports division, Visual Concepts competed using the ESPN brand name and look i.e. skycam and recognizable faces and analysts. However, their first inception was not enough to make a dent in the Madden franchise. So in 2004, TakeTwo acquired Visual Concepts and along with a much better graphical-interface, gameplay, and $20 dollar price tag, ESPN 2004 was a very successful competitor.
In early 2005, EA Sports negotiated with the NFL and NFLPA total licensing rights which meant that allow likenesses, teams, players and stadiums, could only be seen in EA Games. But this was not enough; EA then acquired the ESPN brand name to effectively kill TakeTwo's chances of competing. Well, TakeTwo has now shot back and is working to become the sole creator of MLB licensed games. Now MLB videogames are not on the same level in volume of games sold but if TakeTwo became the only publisher, the entire market could compete with the NFL games.
I hope that Sony realizes this and works together with TakeTwo because the EyeToy feature is one extra-feature that makes gameplay and player creation that much better.
posted by Genaro at 6:07 PM
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