I have a bone to pick with EA sports and the NFL...

First off, I'll explain what happened, in case you don't already know.

Apparently on Monday December 13th EA Sports bought exclusive rights to the NFL. What does this mean you ask? Well, simply put, no other company can use any NFL player's name, likeness, stadium, team, ANYTHING associated with the NFL in a video game. So, why does this make me angry?? Well, I'll tell you.

First of all, I bought ESPN 2k5 this year, the biggest competitor to EA Sports' Madden 2005. That line of games will now be gone. Along with any other NFL game there was on any other system or by any other company. So that's what it means for EA's competitors, like Sega and ESPN. What does this all mean for EA Sports? Well, EA Sports no longer has any reason to improve Madden, other than to get people to buy it. They're no longer going to go after the devoted NFL gaming fan, they're going to go after the person who wants the next NFL game no matter what it is, or how bad it is. The simple reason that EA Sports, the NFL, and the NFL Player's Association did this was for profit. The exclusive rights earned the NFL and the NFL Player's Association a lot more money than they would have, had they sold rights to multiple companies. Most importantly for EA Sports, is that they don't have to compete with ESPN's 2K series' $19.99 price tag. They lost a lot of money in sales this year due to ESPN's price and they knew they needed to something drastic. So rather than spending more on advertising, doing better marketing, or *Gasp!* making a better game, they decided they would just eliminate their competition entirely.

The Government tried to dismantle divisions of Microsoft for including Internet Explorer with Windows, which hurt Netscapes sales. I believe this to be much higher on the monopolistic scale. I just took Economics, correct me if I'm wrong, but having exclusive rights to your resources, being the NFL, is a monopoly by definition.

I've read many message boards about this now, and I'm happy to see the number of people who are concerned at what might happen to the sports video game world because of this. EA Sports already owns exclusive rights to NASCAR, FIFA soccer, and two other sports, NHL maybe?, it's probably only a matter of time before they take over the NBA and MLB. There is a small bit of hope I suppose, that EA Sports will come through and actually make a superior video game, but realistically, what are the chances.

I'm almost more disappointed with the NFL in this situation. Much like them having Reebok as their exclusive apparel retailer, Gatorade as their exclusive drink, and Sirius as their exclusive satelite radio broadcaster, this limits consumers options, and more than likely will drive up costs. It has to, there isn't going to be a $20 Madden game. The fact that the NFL would sell out to it's fans and supporters, just for the bigger check, says a lot. But alas, there is a small glimmer of hope I suppose. Hopefully all isn't lost, but for now I'm boycotting EA Sports games, and I suggest you to do the same. If nothing else, sign this petition that will be sent to the NFL and the NFL Player's Association. Tell them what you think. http://www.petitiononline.com/nfleacon/petition.html

Rant Concludes...

Have a nice summer!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EC in the summertime..

In theory it's a good idea. No parents, lot's of money from work. Take some extra credits. WRONG! The reality of it all is that until the two of my room mates that are staying for the summer return, I'm going to be bored out of my mind! I've looked in the fridge like 50 times in the last 10 minutes. I watched a movie that was a good way to kill a couple hours, but I just keep thinking, until I start class monday, what can I do in my spare time?? So, any ideas, let me know. Let's see what you guys can come up with, just post them as comments, it'll be a game. We'll see who can come up with the best idea for what Ryan should do when he's bored. Have a nice summer!
Read more

RIP Mitch

Image
Mitch Hedberg was found dead in his hotel room yesterday morning. What a sad day. December 27th 2003 David, Mark, and I went to the Rosemont theater in Rosemont, IL. Very near to Chicago. We had tickets to see Lewis Black, Dave Attell, and "Special Guest." I don't think any of us knew who the special guest was, until he was announced. That was probably the coolest part of the trip, not only did we get to see Lewis and Dave, but Mitch Hedberg as special guest. I'm so glad we got to see him. If I remember correctly David and I were going to see him again, but it didn't work out. Now I really wish that would've worked. Anyway, I would like to commemorate this as Mitch Hedberg weekend. I'll put a random Mitch Hedberg joke up as often as I feel like doing. At least one per day. What a terrible loss to the comedy community, you'll be missed.
Read more
So, I just woke up at 11:19 or so. Which is only 49 min. late for class. and only 40 min. left in class. So i figured, by the time I found some clothes and put them on, and ran down there, walked up the three flights of stairs, there would probably only be 10 or 15 min. left. So i just went on my computer. And Adam was logged on in the lab that our class is held in, so he let me know what was going on. Well andyway, I gotta work tonight 4-12, and I'd just like to congratulate Tara on single handedly defeating the giant cricket type thing that even shadow (her cat) was afraid of. I didn't like it much either, but it ran away from me, so I couldn't kill it. In other news... I need to put up a new Fun Fact so here goes... Fun Fact #2: Americans, on the average, eat 18 acres of pizza a day. Have a nice summer!
Read more