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Forums - Gaming Discussion - EGM Rumour: EA launches own console in 2010

@Onimusha12: That would be very interesting. The sixth gen repeating itself. IF EA were to make a console, in my eyes it would be one of the only things in history that pleases me.

Yes, I would love EA to have their own console. Of course because of the interesting things that would happen in the industry, but also because it would either make their games better, or it wouldn't and we would be rid of them, and there would be a possibility for EA to go bankrupt.
Damn, I hate EA.

@Gamnerace: half of the games you mentioned won't be EA-exclusive, because they're Ubisoft, and I don't think EA will buy all of them. They already have 20% or so of the company, why would they focus on a Take Two buyout when they can have Ubisoft for a lot less trouble? Yes, I know there's GTA, but still...



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EA might have the hubris to try this.

And it would make life very difficult for "hard core" gamers as many titles in the EA universe (and T2 universe if EA succeeds in buying it) may not be available except on the EA-Arro (pronouced "error").

Meanwhile, the only non-sports game in this category that comes from EA or T2 that was a big seller on the Wii was Carnival Games -- a financial but not a critical success.

The sports liceneses have different characteristcs. For example, MLB allows first-party baseball games but no other third-party baseball game. Thus, there is MLB the Show on Sony platforms. Meanwhile, Madden appears on everything (08 was actually the last release of both the Gamecube and the original Xbox). Then some titles only come out on certain consoles (there is no hockey by EA or 2K on the Wii).

Just remember though that T2 has not specified a platform for Bioshock 2. 8*>

Mike from Morgantown



      


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I actually think that this rumour could be true (doesn't mean I believe it) and that the console could succeed.
Wasn't EA's refusal to support the Dreamcast considered to be one of the main reasons for the faliure of that system and how much did M$ pay EA in order for it to start supporting Live back in the original Xbox days.
Also remember that it was Trip Hawkins that was reasponsible for The 3DO not EA, in fact didnt Trip have to resign from EA due to a conflict of interests.
Also hasn't EA been losing money for several years now, could this be them trying to break out of the cycle of deminishing returns. After all I think that Nintendos philosiphy is gaing more creadence within the industry.
Dont forget that Take Ubiarts 2 would have an almost unrivelled development base with which to support a console.



'You should try everything once in your life except incest, homosexuality and morris dancing' - Oscar Wylde (sort of)

Since several of you requested it, I tried to track down a link stating that EA must produce a version of Madden for all viable gaming platforms each year. I wasn't able to find any article explicitly stating this (which I HAVE read before, trust me!), but this press release from the latest extension of the exclusivity agreement is pretty close:

EA EXTENDS INTERACTIVE VIDEOGAME AGREEMENTS

WITH NFL AND NFL PLAYERS

Exclusive Agreements Renewed Through 2012 Season

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - February 12, 2008 - Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:
ERTS) today announced an extension of its exclusive licensing
relationships with the National Football League and NFL PLAYERS to
develop, publish and distribute interactive football video games.  These
agreements - which were negotiated separately and are extensions of
contracts originally signed in December 2004 - provide EA continued
rights to NFL teams, stadiums and players for its critically-acclaimed
and best-selling football videogames through the end of the 2012 season,
which culminates in February 2013.

Both agreements include all aspects of the interactive experience,
including console and handheld games as well as console-based online
features.
 The agreements also provide EA access to both NFL Films and
the NFL Network to enrich its game experiences.  Financial terms of the
agreements were not disclosed.

"This is all about bringing authenticity and realism to NFL videogames,"
said Eric Grubman, President of NFL Ventures.  "EA SPORTS continually
works to maintain the cutting edge for NFL products across a variety of
gaming platforms.  We like the fact that they never rest."

"This is great news and it means we can continue to produce the best
interactive experience possible.  It also allows NFL PLAYERS, the NFL
and EA to continue to build our brands," said Gene Upshaw, Chairman of
NFL PLAYERS and Executive Director of the National Football League
Players Association.  "We offer a very unique experience. "

"We are excited about the opportunity to extend and expand our
relationships with the NFL and NFL PLAYERS," said Peter Moore, President
of EA SPORTS(tm). "For nearly two decades, EA SPORTS has been bringing
sports fans closer to the great game of football through the
breakthrough interactive experiences of our videogames.  Game quality is
our top priority, and we're committed to pushing our gameplay
innovation, connecting football fans via rich online experiences and
delivering the most visually stunning sports games on the market."

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2008, EA's Madden NFL franchise has
consistently been one of the videogame industry's best-selling and
top-rated products, generating more than $2 billion in retail sales.
Madden NFL 08 earned awards from the 2007 Game Critics Awards at the E3
Media and Business Summit, The SpikeTV Video Game Awards, and the
GameSpot Readers Choice Awards last year.  The game is available on the
PLAYSTATION(r)3 and PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment systems, Xbox
360(tm) and Xbox(r) videogame and entertainment systems from Microsoft,
Nintendo DS(tm), Wii(tm), PC, PSP(r) (PlayStation(r)Portable) handheld
entertainment system, mobile handsets and Mac.  EA also produces the
arcade-football game NFL Tour which hit stores in January 2008, and NFL
Head Coach, which was released in 2006.  EA SPORTS recently hosted
Madden Bowl XIV in Scottsdale, Ariz., as part of Super Bowl XLII
festivities.

Both agreements grant exclusive rights for action simulation,
arcade-style and manager games on the PC, handheld game devices and
consoles.

http://www.destructoid.com/ea-maintains-exclusive-rights-to-the-nfl-69924.phtml

It never says that EA has to produce Madden for all of these platforms, but the bolded text essentially implies it. Sorry, that's the best I could do...



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End of 2008 totals: Wii 42m, 360 24m, PS3 18.5m (made Jan. 4, 2008)

To be honest, a lot of people will buy a console just to play EA Sports. This may work.



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mariozeldametroid said:
@Onimusha12: That would be very interesting. The sixth gen repeating itself. IF EA were to make a console, in my eyes it would be one of the only things in history that pleases me.

Yes, I would love EA to have their own console. Of course because of the interesting things that would happen in the industry, but also because it would either make their games better, or it wouldn't and we would be rid of them, and there would be a possibility for EA to go bankrupt.
Damn, I hate EA.

@Gamnerace: half of the games you mentioned won't be EA-exclusive, because they're Ubisoft, and I don't think EA will buy all of them. They already have 20% or so of the company, why would they focus on a Take Two buyout when they can have Ubisoft for a lot less trouble? Yes, I know there's GTA, but still...

If this is EAs plan (to create there own console) then you can bet Ubisoft will be bought-up as soon as they're done with T2.  The writing has been on the wall for that one for a long time.  If Ubisoft succeeds in fighting off a take-over EA will still increase their shares and guarantee themselves the 'best' versions of all Ubisoft games.

@ Mike_intellivision: That not really true, Madden sells well on Wii (just not as well as on other systems) and Tiger Woods sells very well (but VGChartz isn't tracking it for some reason).   Madden is still guaranteed as we know, and there are a lot of other good golf games for Wii, so neither is a big loss still.



 

Is EA big enough to sell a new console at a loss? Next Gen's technology is going to be super expensive. EA would likely have to go the Wii route -innovation over performance. Is EA really innovative enough for that? Electronic Arts could release a console. I still doubt that they will. It's an interesting thought to entertain, though.



Why would they even want to?

They'd probably lose money rather then make it do to loss leading.



I would like to point out that every point brought up against the possibility of EA making their own console is in stark contrast to Microsoft's presence in the video game market. But surprise surprise, Microsoft did make their own console in spite of all the reasons you claim EA can't or won't.

And the only real major difference I see between MS or EA is that EA has a harem of AAA franchises people will gladly jump ship from any other console for. As the second largest developer and publisher, it won't be hard to convince investors that EA could become a Nintendo themselves.

@ d21lewis

if you honestly think any company can push a console more expensive than the PS3 next gen and not drop off the face of the earth, you have another thing comming. Suffice to say MS and Sony are most likely both regretting the technology arms race which has made their console's so expensive. Next generation, expect to see all the consoles with graphics comparable to the PS3 at a more reasonable price.



OMG!! If this rumor is true and the one about apple is there will be 5 Consoles.

PlayStation 4 by Sony.

Xbox 720 by Microsoft.

Wii 2 by Nintendo.

iGame by Apple.

Crap Box 4D0 EA.

And even 3 handhelds maybe 4 if Microsoft joins.

PSP2 by Sony.

DS2 by Nintendo.

iPod Touch/iPhones by Apple.

WOW. Some people will be a  PSWii2720iGame4D0DSP2pod

 



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