January 18, 2005 - I can't ever remember a more tumultuous time in the history of sports video games. And just when you think you know it all, another bomb is dropped on your lap.
EA buys the NFL exclusive. EA buys the ESPN exclusive.
But now, here comes the counterpunch.
Rumors are circulating that the Take Two/Visual Concepts team is in negotiations to buy the exclusive MLB license, and negotiations are almost final. Visual Concepts is the company I had mentioned in a previous column as the ones who went out and locked up a long term deal with Major League Baseball after the NFL exclusive was announced, and now it looks like they were not only granted a long term deal, but are about to make it an exclusive. Word is, it could be an exclusive third party contract, meaning first-party publishers like Sony (989), Microsoft, and Nintendo will still be able to publish games using the real players and teams, but surprisingly, it's mega power EA who will be cut out of the loop.
If this turns out to be true, I imagine some people over at EA are being fed to sharks with laser beams attached to their heads. EA will not tolerate Mr. Bigglesworth being disappointed.
Wow, fantastic if it's true.....EA sports games seem to have gone downhill in quality (or at least in annual progress) since they dropped their kickass "EA Sports - It's in the game!" tagline.
yeah, fuck you EA.
Yeah I said it so what wanna fight about it?
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Fear the Backstab! "Plato said the virtuous man is at all times ready for a grammar snake attack." - we are lesion "Hell is other people." -Sartre
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