Time to Boycott EA SPORTS

TRI · Post by **TRI** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:58 am

I will NEVER buy another EA product again EVER and let us all join together and boycott all EA products forever! I am a capitalist but this NFL agreement with EA reveals a weakness in capitalism: MONOPOLYS and the consumer be damned! Please do not reward this, it is immoral and awful. It is the consequence of the most wicked evil of all and the root of all sin: the love of money - covetous or lust.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:01 am

Who would have seen this one coming?

If anything, as it stands you should boycott the NFL as they apparently were the ones seeking bids. Even if that was not the case I would not go as far as boycotting a video game or company that produces them.

Save the boycotting for something importaint.

TRI · Post by **TRI** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:03 am

bdoughty wrote:Who would have seen this one coming?

If anything, as it stands you should boycott the NFL as they apparently were the ones seeking bids. Even if that was not the case I would not go as far as boycotting a video game or company that produces them.

Save the boycotting for something importaint.

Bdoughty......You make a great point that the NFL shares a lot of blame too. I am going to boycott the NFL also.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:06 am

TRI wrote:
bdoughty wrote:Who would have seen this one coming?

If anything, as it stands you should boycott the NFL as they apparently were the ones seeking bids. Even if that was not the case I would not go as far as boycotting a video game or company that produces them.

Save the boycotting for something importaint.

Bdoughty......You make a great point that the NFL shares a lot of blame too. I am going to boycott the NFL also.

I also hear that Oxygen and Hydrogen were partly to blame. Feel free and boycott those also.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:12 am

Unless EA over-reaches with pricing or really cut back development resources, I will evaluate their games on the merits relative to other games (including non-sports games) and things like DVDs.

I will still watch NFL games. But even that has limits. For years, people have predicted that NFL would go to an all pay-TV model. That would be the ultimate sign of arrogance if they did that.

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:16 am

TRI wrote:
bdoughty wrote:Who would have seen this one coming?

If anything, as it stands you should boycott the NFL as they apparently were the ones seeking bids. Even if that was not the case I would not go as far as boycotting a video game or company that produces them.

Save the boycotting for something importaint.

Bdoughty......You make a great point that the NFL shares a lot of blame too. I am going to boycott the NFL also.

*Bdoughty* makes a great point?!? Better check, I think I'm in your killfile...

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:19 am

But even that has limits. For years, people have predicted that NFL would go to an all pay-TV model. That would be the ultimate sign of arrogance if they did that.

Step One: Test Waters to see if people will pay for NFL Packages on PPV (Check)
Step Two: Create your own cable channel dedicated to NFL 24/7 (Check)

They are on there way. One could say people playing for NFL Sunday Ticket are paving the way for the NFL get to a position to one day be PPV only.

Ooooh wait a sec you should all Boycott NFL Sunday Ticket.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:28 am

I don't subscribe to NFL ST.

I think the NFL channel and all this talk about an all pay-TV model is posturing to get leverage from the broadcast networks.

They would lose a lot of distribution if they were no longer on network TV. A lot of fans might sign up but a lot won't or can't.

That not only affects ratings, it could hurt attendance and merchandising as they would risk their fan base shrinking.

We will see if for instance Howard Stern moving from broadcast distribution which could reach potentially tens of millions of listeners to a pay audience with a potential base of only about a million (now) will work economically.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:34 am

I'm done buying EA games. WCO, how can you evaluate EA's games on the merits, when it's the only game in town? If not for VC, we'd never know it was possible to have gang tackling, non-Mario Running, or a football game that utilizes actual pocket passing instead of the 20 yard drop back.

I still feel like this is all one REALLY bad dream and I'll wake up tomorrow and all will be okay in the videogame world. F*cking EA. Pricks.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:40 am

I would evaluate against what other games or other products my entertainment dollars would buy me. I enjoy NFL games, especially online, more than most other games.

However, if EA demands $75 as some people speculated or demand exhorbitant fees to play online, I will look elsewhere for entertainment. At least wait it out until these attempts fall flat on their face and they're forced to cut prices.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:46 am

Kazuya wrote:
TRI wrote:
bdoughty wrote:Who would have seen this one coming?

If anything, as it stands you should boycott the NFL as they apparently were the ones seeking bids. Even if that was not the case I would not go as far as boycotting a video game or company that produces them.

Save the boycotting for something importaint.

Bdoughty......You make a great point that the NFL shares a lot of blame too. I am going to boycott the NFL also.
*Bdoughty* makes a great point?!? Better check, I think I'm in your killfile...

Seriously about that avatar you are sporting. Any chance you can do a rollback? I just can't get her SNL characters out of my head when I see that.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:50 am

We will see if for instance Howard Stern moving from broadcast distribution which could reach potentially tens of millions of listeners to a pay audience with a potential base of only about a million (now) will work economically.

Yea but now he gets to be really dirty and do all the things he could never do on the show right? I used to follow Stern and heard of the Sirrus? deal but not into the satellite music stations thing-a-ma-bobs and what all you can or can not do on those.

If he is allowed to be as profane as he wants that could be a plus or hurt him. Some of the sock is seeing a shock jock go against the FCC. If I want durty talk I just DL porn.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:03 am

GTHobbes wrote:I'm done buying EA games. WCO, how can you evaluate EA's games on the merits, when it's the only game in town? If not for VC,we'd never know it was possible to have gang tackling, non-Mario Running, or a football game that utilizes actual pocket passing instead of the 20 yard drop back.

I still feel like this is all one REALLY bad dream and I'll wake up tomorrow and all will be okay in the videogame world. F*cking EA. Pricks.

Actually Gameday was the first franchise to have gang tackling and then ESPN had it the next year.

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:18 am

bdoughty wrote:
Kazuya wrote:
TRI wrote:

Bdoughty......You make a great point that the NFL shares a lot of blame too. I am going to boycott the NFL also.
*Bdoughty* makes a great point?!? Better check, I think I'm in your killfile...

Seriously about that avatar you are sporting. Any chance you can do a rollback? I just can't get her SNL characters out of my head when I see that.

Sorry, my friend... she's here to stay. I will be rotating the picture at regular intervals, though...

bayousooner · Post by **bayousooner** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:47 am

This exclusive agreement is wrong, but I will not boycott EA Sports games. I have bought Madden and ESPN(Sega) and I like both, that may put me in a minority with this group. I will still purchase Madden 2006 even with the exclusive agreement, unless they want to charge too much. It would not suprise me if they charge $60 next year because the success they had with the PS2 Collectors Edition.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 11:02 am

I'm with Bayou on this one. EA has us by the shorthairs, and it knows it.

I love the NFL. I want an NFL game every fall. I need an NFL game every fall. I will buy an NFL game every fall. And if the only NFL game is an EA game, so be it.

The only exception I envision is if NCAA 2006 is drastically improved. I've really gotten back into college football this year, and I want to play as my boy Mike Hart with Michigan next year.

But buying NCAA 2006 is a pretty limp protest. The profits still are going to EA.

The only other genre in which I even consider EA is NASCAR, as it's the only choice there, too. And if NASCAR 2006 is anywhere near as good as NASCAR 2005, I'm getting it. I've lost hope for the NHL series after NHL 2005. I don't even consider EA in any other genre -- soccer, baseball, pro and college hoop -- as I think its products in those genres are inferior.

Take care,
PK

kicko · Post by **kicko** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 11:45 am

i went with madden this year, i did buy both but madden seem to play better, i surprised myself because espn was really not bad it looked nice, but needed a bit more work to bring it up to the front. i now am a bit downed from this news, i think it made EA look twice at the way they produce games. madden dropping $20 i thought i never would have seem that, i think they still charged $30 for PS1 versions. Sega/VC must have f-ed with EA so much with $20 games that it was worth more to pay the NFL for that license, then to handle the comp. that has to be the 1st time EA was really feeling like if we don't act soon Sega might be trouble. it was talked about last year so why Seag/VC didn't take that threat for real would be like G.Bush saying what Al-Quida on 9/10 ???

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 11:50 am

TRI wrote:
Bdoughty......You make a great point that the NFL shares a lot of blame too. I am going to boycott the NFL also.

Man, this is a Siam reply......

Hmmmm.......

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:04 pm

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:
TRI wrote:
Bdoughty......You make a great point that the NFL shares a lot of blame too. I am going to boycott the NFL also.

Man, this is a Siam reply......

Hmmmm.......

LOL, Javi, I thought I recognized that posting style. Not enough typos or references to being a poster in Africa who plays lion hunting games

I'm with PK, I won't go so far as to boycott EA. The bottom line is, they have spent the last 20 years building themselves up as the biggest development house. If they put out good games, I will buy them, no matter if there is competition. What is bothersome about the licensing deal is, if they don't put out a good game, you're stuck. I am also concerned about online charges. If they implemented a league system like what Sega has done, I'd be hard pressed to stay away, even if there were additional fees.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:20 pm

I'd love to check back in next August with anyone who says they're boycotting EA products.

I'll bet that 90 percent of them will buy Madden 2006, as their willpower will break down when they want a new NFL game.

This deal sucks for gamers, but EA has us all by the shorthairs, and it knows it. Jesus H, we flood the pro football gaming boards with hundreds of posts per day in late July and early August, and all of the sudden that zeal for NFL gaming is going to die because EA has an exclusive deal?

Please. Let's get a grip on reality here. We're all going to swim like lemmings to our local game store next August to buy Madden 2006, as our need for virtual NFL football will far outweigh our disgust over this deal.

Take care,
PK

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:39 pm

The issue for me isn't necessarily Madden. I like Madden, Madden 2006 will probably be a good game. I'll be sad to lose ESPN's online leagues more than anything.

The issue is if this spreads into the MLB and NBA. Let's say that MVP 2004 was the only baseball game available this year because of licensing. It was a bug-ridden piece of crap. I would not have stuck with it even if I had no other baseball choice. I wouldn't be boycotting EA per se. I would simply decide not to waste my time with a bad game. But then I would be disappointed to not have a baseball game to enjoy.

At the same time, there are plenty of games to play. If EA makes poopy sports games, it may just open the doors to other games I don't usually play because I'm playing sports games.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:42 pm

I quite liked MVP, but then I don't know enough about baseball to have picked up the lefty bug. I couldn't hit them right handed either, so didn't spot it.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:53 pm

For what it's worth, I signed the petition over at espnvideogames.com.

3600 signatures plus so far. Unfortunately, there are some typos in the petition statement.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:55 pm

I have joined the boycott. At least the NFL part of it.

I will NOT watch the Houston at Chicago game on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Additionally, I will NOT watch the New Orleans at Tampa Bay game at 4:05 p.m.

I bet that will rock the NFL offices!!

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:02 pm

As a Giants fan, I have a headstart on everyone because I stopped watching football 3 weeks ago

.