So, is the ECA getting behind this?  Cuz that would seriously kick some ass.

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So speak I, some random guy.

Once again, it was the NFL that went to EA. EA has pretty much nothing to do with this. Nor is the NFL under any obligation to sell the rights to their franchise to tons of people. They can sell it to who they want to.

And stop blaming EA.

 Both points of view have merit, but in the end I think that the NFL would make more money with 2 competing game franchises licensing their stuff.

I have a hard time seeing this going very far. Licensing deals aren't against the law, neither is attempting a hostile takeover of another company, and I'm not entirely sure if private citizens can even bring an anti-trust action against a corporation. EA's business practices are crappy and don't always benefit the consumer, but that isn't against the law - if consumers hated it that much they'd either stop buying Madden or another company would step up and create a competitor.

This is going be laughed out of court.

While the exclusivity deal sucks, it's not illegal. For the exclusivity deal to be an illegal monopoly, the deal would have to prevent other companies from making video games in general, not just football video games, and it doesn't even do the latter.

Plus, a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs would blow away ALL exclusive game licenses (which comprise the majority of game licenses out there, it's just that the NFL one gets the attention and this unfair "monopoly" label because they went from non-exclusive multiple licensees to an exclusive licensee), and no court will ever go there.

It is an interesting idea, however I doubt it will fly.  It is like ESPN having a monopoly over SportsCenter.

I don't like Madden in the first place, but since they have been the sole company to make NFL titles, they have become a new level of crap-tastic. They do little more than change the number in the title every year and people still buy their crap.  The reason why this is not a monopoly though is because game companies can make all the football games that they want to, just not NFL football games. (On a personal note, maybe it will get them off their asses and I will be able to finally get a sequel to Mutant League Football.)

Not a monopoly, in my opinion, although I would like EA to get burned for being so greedy with this franchise.

Boffo97

CRAP!  You are right......  Well it should still make way for similar games.  Like Base Wars did with baseball on the NES.  If you can't get the official licensing, you might as well make it crazy and over the top.  I want my Defensive line to have shock shield, my running backs need jet packs, and my quaterback should have cyber arms for insanely fast throws (all limited uses things) just to make the game frigging fun again.

I really hope this doesnt get thrown out. I know it most likely will but I hope this pisses off EA and makes gamers wake the freak up. EA makes some BAD games now a days. Even BF: Bad Company is so average it isnt funny and it is from their good studio.

It's still likely to get thrown out. The NFL is a horrible company as well, but horrible companies are good at fooling the law and the public because people still support them.

Besides, EA won't get pissed until legislation passes on them, not the threat of it happening, especially since this class-actoin suit won't really be damaging if it happens. It'd be a silly refund worth very little in the end, and its likely Gamestop would profit more from it since they have the stockpiles of the games, while the basic idiot fan rebuys the game each year after trading in the old one.

Unfortunately, stupid people exist, and will reproduce.

I bet the gamers had to lie through thier teeth to even get the lawyers to listen to them. There is nothing illegal going on here.

I want to hear Overlawyered's point of view on this.

Having a license does not give EA monopoly power over the football videogame market. Any company can make football games and compete with Madden. This would be the equivalent of gamers suing Nintendo because they are the only company with exclusive rights to make Mario games. Or suing Rockstar because they own the rights to make games with Grand Theft Auto in the title. Owning the NFL team names and players in no way prevents any other company from making great football games. Dennis appears to have the idea that NFL licensed football games are an entire industry in and of themselves. Any and all companies have a right to make products to compete with Madden. It's just that none of them have yet succeeded. As much as we would all like to see the NFL license its name to multiple companies, they have a right to sell it exclusively to whoever they want. They can choose not to sell it at all if they don't want to. EA's buyout of Take Two may violate antitrust laws but their deal with the NFL is completely within legal boundaries. I do believe these gamers suing EA are about to get the legal bludgeoning of a lifetime.

Why cant we go back to the good old days when most sports games were not licensed and they came up with unique leagues and over the top characters. If someone would make a whacky over the top football game with great gameplay and memorable characters I would absolutely consider making a purchase. I'm actually getting quite tired of this desire to make videogames more "realistic." A license is nice to have but I truly believe it is completely unnecessary to excel in the football games market.      

@Corey/Uh...

But are people not buying those games because they aren't into whacky & over the top anymore or because people went through the "Oh my god, this has got Jerry Rice on the cover!!" phase & then companies only want to make licenced stuff now because thats what the demographcs indicate that people have been buying?

If you want an over the top football game, have a look at Blood Bowl, that's looking like it'll be really good. It''s a bit of a risky premise, licencing a board game which was of relatively low popularity (As far as I can tell, it'd not being made anymore) with weird teams of orcs, goblins, humans, elves & the like and turning it into game where you can play either an action football game or playing it as a board game. It's risky, adventurous & has the potential to capture a really big audience if it's done right. Much like what EA used to do. Here's hoping it doesn't end up sucking...

I do agree that EA suck nowdays though, I can count on one hand the number of EA games I've gotten since they changed to their current logo

Edit: Meant to reply higher up, added reference to who the hell I was talking to

As a lifetime NFL fan I must say that Madden never was my favorite football game.  I did honestly prefer the cheaper and funner NFL 2K games.  What do they do to Madden every year to make it worth $50?  Increase polycount?  Update the names, numbers and statistical information, add a few new players and coaches?  Good job, but that isn't worth $50.  I see it as EA abusing their consumer with overpriced games.  I wouldn't mind if they put a lot of effort and time into bringing us a better Madden every year but dude... cut us a break.  Its the same game every year!

damn, no spell checker for my post above :)

That is all I have to say. And win. I hope other big monopolies get the treatment too. I'm looking at you IGN owner Murd[er]doch.