Good marketing move by EAsports.

and ECG has a point, I think it won't work as well in sports like football, people want the player names.

But that's the breaks, it's a marketing move.

Nothing different then how you can only use Visa to pay for you're patriots season tickets, or get Coke products at McDonalds.

I personally like both of them, but meh, whatever. You know your all gonna by ESPN Madden NFL 2006, and whatever unliscened game Sega comes out with.

People like their real names in soccer games, too, which is why FIFA (EA) still sells so tremendously well, every single year, despite it being absolute shit. It sells on the names alone, because PES (Konami) is much, much better.

PES has only caught up in sales recently, but in doing so it has been able to purchase more licenses.

But since clubs, players, leagues etc. are a mulitnational thing, and clubs run as private or publically owned businesses, there are a lot more licenses up for grabs.

Has EA settled the lawsuit filed by its own workers yet?

Quote:

NHL 2006 :(

Is EA sports going to do a hockey thing seeing as though its ummmm dead?

Update
 

January 30, 2007 - Quietly and in its own way, 2K Sports never gave up the dream of making another, better football game. Today, with little aplomb, Visual Concepts announced the return of non-Madden football in the name of All-Pro Football 2K8 -- news that will surely excite the masses.

Other than its arrival on next-generation videogame systems this summer, 2K Sports provided no other details. The site says the game will feature the "legendary gameplay, innovative features, and outstanding visual quality sports gamers have come to expect from 2K Sports." IGN predicted this in a recent article, including speculation that 2K will sign up individual former pros to get around EA's strangehold on the licensed football market.

"Football gamers have been awaiting the return of the 2K series," said Greg Thomas, president of Visual Concepts, a 2K Sports studio. "All-Pro Football 2K8 will deliver an authentic next generation gridiron experience and we are happy to give fans another choice in the football category."

We'll have more on All-Pro Football 2K8 soon.

So much for that "death blow."

I suppose in hindsight the thread title was abit of hyperbole...

ENJOY THE INCREASED PRICES!!!!!!!!!!

I wouldn't mind paying $60 for a 2K Sports football title. The hell with buying any of the last 2 Maddens that amount; though I like '07.

I just picked up NFL 2k5 on XBox yesterday for £10 brand new :cool:

So this 2k8 won't be NFL?

Can you blame them? They know people are going to buy it either way, just now they can charge more, and people like yourself will probably end up buying.

Didn't really read the topic through, did ya?

I'm so pumped we got the ESPN license. The only thing I liked about ESPN football was the cool replays and pregame they did. I was hoping for a game with the Madden gameplay and ESPN's other stuff. MADDEN 08 IS GOING TO BE UNREAL! THANK YOU EA!

DEATH BLOW BAH GAWD STUNNER!

Madden 08 better be kick-ass, the 2K guys had two years to see what not to do with a football game. They will embarrass EA. Blitz already proved people will buy a non-NFL product (even if it sucks), so All-Pro Football should do well. 2K5 was so damn good years ago, I expect good shit on 360 and PS3. ...And something inventive on Wii.

Blitz didn't suck.

Okay it didn't suck-suck but I'm just sayin...