EA Contemplating Dedicated MLS Game
by 
An article today discussing the success of the Seattle Sounders and the team’s sponsorship with Xbox 360 mentions that EA Sports has been in early talks to create a game for the league. MLS teams have been included in FIFA but they could potentially do a lot more with it as its own dedicated game.
We believe there’s a natural connection between our sport and their games, and there have been initial talks, very preliminary, but that’s something that both sides will have to look at.
It has been interesting to see just how successful the new franchise here in Seattle has been. When first announced I didn’t envision it as something that would become an attraction. But the crowd and excitement for the first game was crazy, all the games have sold out, and word of mouth about the experience has spread. It has been somewhat remarkable to follow the developments.
What would be the outlook for an MLS branded game? Tough to say at this point but it seems like sooner or later the league will be getting its own game.
April 22, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I think this would be a really good idea at $40 or $50 tops. I would be interested in it.
April 22, 2009 at 1:48 pm
In a word…NO!
April 22, 2009 at 1:59 pm
At a reduced price, I would definitely buy it.
April 23, 2009 at 3:48 pm
rangers suck
April 22, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Write your comment here…
April 22, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Well, it really all comes down to the quality of the game. League affiliation or not, sports games come down to gameplay. I'm not a huge soccer fan but would play the game if the gameplay was tight and the graphics rocked. If it's just a second rate game like the MLS is compared to the other soccer/football/futbol leagues around the world, then it's a waste of time.
It would also be a good game for the casual soccer fans that just want to play the game in a league structure that we are familiar with, without all the loaning of players and division changes and countless teams and players to keep up with.
Who knows. My guess is it either won't happen, or if it does there won't be enough money behind it to make it the game it should be and it will be budget price and budget quality.
April 22, 2009 at 7:31 pm
If they took the FIFA engine, slapped MLS all over it, and added an MLS-specific franchise/management mode, it would be a very good game. The FIFA engine is terrific.
April 22, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I would be happy if the current FIFA 09 game offered for possibly $15 bucks a updated MLS download which would include the new Seattle team and current rosters. The MLS is lost in the current game. The new game comes out in October when the MLS season is practically over. Current FIFA 09 owners can't really get into playing the MLS teams and with no Seattle team why play that league. Give me a updated MLS download so I can enjoy the MLS until FIFA 10.
April 22, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I would be happy if the current FIFA 09 game offered for possibly $15 bucks a updated MLS download which would include the new Seattle team and current rosters. The MLS is lost in the current game. The new game comes out in October when the MLS season is practically over. Current FIFA 09 owners can't really get into playing the MLS teams and with no Seattle team why play that league. Give me a updated MLS download so I can enjoy the MLS until FIFA 10.
April 22, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Wow! Is that a screenshot???!!! Game looks great! EA has outdone itself again! Oh wait, just a picture.
April 22, 2009 at 3:19 pm
make it dlc of the seattle team def would not buy an mls game fr 60 bucks
April 22, 2009 at 3:33 pm
As an international reader and former college soccer player, I am firstly happy to see more Americans embracing the beautiful game. Although you do have fantastic sports (Baseball, Football etc..), the MLS is growing fast, whether it warrants its own game, NO. IMO, FIFA is good enough right now, I dont know if soccer is yet mainstream, when I see superbowl like halftime shows in the MLS, then EA can move in. Not now!
April 22, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I agree that it's not the right time if they are trying to make money off of it, but EA is definately on to something. When I lived in the D.C. area about 10 years ago, all the kids there were crazy about soccer and the MLS. That's just my personal experiance, but the signs of soccer's rise are all over, with the Sounders being the most recent.
Although I don't think it will ever get as popular as football, and probably not baseball, I'll bet soccer will soon be a big time sport in America whether we like it or not.
April 22, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I agree that it's not the right time if they are trying to make money off of it, but EA is definately on to something. When I lived in the D.C. area about 10 years ago, all the kids there were crazy about soccer and the MLS. That's just my personal experiance, but the signs of soccer's rise are all over, with the Sounders being the most recent.
Although I don't think it will ever get as popular as football, and probably not baseball, I bet soccer will soon be a big time sport in America whether we like it or not.
April 22, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I agree that it's not the right time if they are trying to make money off of it, but EA is definately on to something. When I lived in the D.C. area about 10 years ago, all the kids there were crazy about soccer and the MLS. That's just my personal experiance, but the signs of soccer's rise are all over, with the Sounders being the most recent one.
Although I don't think it will ever get as popular as football, and probably not baseball, I bet soccer will soon be a big time sport in America whether we like it or not.
April 22, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I agree that it's not the right time if they are trying to make money off of it, but EA is definately on to something. When I lived in the D.C. area about 10 years ago, all the kids there were crazy about soccer and the MLS. That's just my personal experiance, but the signs of MLS's rise are all over, with the Sounders being the most recent one.
Although I don't think it will ever get as popular as football, and probably not baseball, I bet soccer will soon be a big time sport in America whether we like it or not.
April 22, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Does anybody else hate Soccer jerseys? The players are nothing more than moving billboards
April 22, 2009 at 4:18 pm
i believe the ads on jerseys are suppose to compensate for the lack of advertisement during the game…..if you watch a soccer game, they don't have any commercial breaks except during halftime and at the beginning and end of the game.
April 22, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Part of what the game does though is help to grow the sport. The league could see benefits in that regard by having a game, even if it wasn't a huge seller right away.
April 22, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Having also played soccer for 15 years as well as college ball I would have to agree that now is definitely not the right time. I cannot believe that making a league specific soccer game, especially based on the mls, would be as financially successful as the last itineration of NCAA College Lacrosse.
I have to agree with mculberson that it either won’t get made or will be made in a very poor fashion as I’m sure the games development budget would be pretty slim.
Also, the level of the MLS is so poor I don’t think you could honestly warrant a specifically dedicated game for the league. Soccer has played a huge roll in my life and I can’t stand to watch MLS games unless I personally know some of the players playing.
Its nice that the sounders have started off with such a bang and the city of Seattle finally has an exciting franchise again, but talks of an MLS game………not so much.
April 22, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Having also played soccer for 15 years as well as college ball I would have to agree that now is definitely not the right time. I have to believe that making a league specific soccer game, especially based on the mls, would be as financially successful as the last itineration of NCAA College Lacrosse.
I have to agree with mculberson that it either won’t get made or will be made in a very poor fashion as I’m sure the games development budget would be pretty slim.
Also, the level of the MLS is so poor I don’t think you could honestly warrant a specifically dedicated game for the league. Soccer has played a huge roll in my life and I can’t stand to watch MLS games unless I personally know some of the players playing.
Its nice that the sounders have started off with such a bang and the city of Seattle finally has an exciting franchise again, but talks of an MLS game………not so much.
April 22, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Yes and that makes an advertisement on a soccer shirt fine by me. Sports in America take double the time they should because of commercials.
April 22, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I see. Thank you gentlemen. I was unaware of that.
April 22, 2009 at 7:01 pm
With Philly getting a team next year, I say yes. I might watch soccer a lot more with a team in the area. If they make the game solely for MLS than they could actually put real stadiums in the game.
April 22, 2009 at 7:11 pm
MLS is gay and it sucks stick to fifa ea and spend more time on your football games
April 22, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Same
April 22, 2009 at 7:47 pm
The key to this is going to be price. It would almost have to be a budget title to make any money in it's first few years
April 22, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I agree that it's not the right time, but EA is definately on to something. When I lived in the D.C. area about 10 years ago, all the kids there were crazy about soccer and the MLS. That's just my personal experiance, but the signs of soccer's rise are all over, with the Sounders being the most recent.
Although I don't think it will ever get as popular as football, and probably not baseball, I'll bet soccer will soon be a big time sport in America whether we like it or not.
April 22, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I think definately at a reduced price. Between $20 and $40. Use the Fifa engine and gameplay. Include be a pro, franchise, create a team modes, online, etc. But the other thing that should be done is two things. I like Fifa, but use American announcers & include an arcade game like Nhl 3 on 3, maybe like Nba Jamz version of Fifa, like the Street series but good. I actually think if it was marketed correctly and had both gameplay styles it would turn a profit. With good marketing it could sell like NHL or NCAA bball in a few years.
April 22, 2009 at 1:03 pm
If you included both versions an arcade style version and the FIFA sim version at $40 it could grow the sport and soccer game genre by appealing to hardcore and casual audiences all at once. If you had online be a pro, online franchise, and online leagues you could get some pretty awesome rivalries. Not to mentin quick, easy to pick up and play arcade game with family and friends. There is a unique opportunity for EA to help grow the sport as opposed to capitalizing on an existing popular sport.
April 22, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Not a good idea
April 22, 2009 at 11:36 pm
It would be a waste of time. Just include it in the regular FIFA series, as most of you have already mentioned. The MLS is BARELY in the top 15 leagues of the world as far as quality goes. They haven't done this for the cash cow that is the EPL, why waste the money by doing it for the MLS.
Even though the MLS is the domestic league in North America, FIFA is a more worldly based game. I think a DLC addition with Seattle would be cool for teams who want to play as them. For me, I've played 200-400 games of each FIFA for the past 4 years and I can count the amount of times I used an MLS team on my hand.
I wouldn't be opposed to it if it was done right, and it worked out in the end to help promote the game. I hope the MLS can continually grow, but I don't think I would buy an MLS 2010 if it was anymore than $10.
April 23, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Good job EA. Try and squeeze more money out of people. Only fanboys will buy this lousy game!
April 23, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Fortunately for us, the Capitals suck a whole bunch more.
April 23, 2009 at 8:41 pm
MLS does not need it's own game… what it needs is the correct format in FIFA. I can't imagine it's going to take a whole game just to get conferences in the damn thing, but if that's what they've gotta do, I guess. I'd probably buy it because I love soccer and I love MLS, but I wish they'd just get the damn alignment right in FIFA in the first place.
April 24, 2009 at 5:04 am
touche 110% agree
April 27, 2009 at 9:09 pm
EA isn't going to get the MLS right in FIFA. That's just obvious. If they made a dedicated MLS game and got things right, I'd definitely buy it. It would be nice to have the USL included as well, but I won't get too greedy.
I do watch other soccer leagues, but I watch the MLS the most by far. I enjoy the American style of play regardless of what others may say. I'm a huge fan of the league, and I'd support it by buying the video game. I don't think the game would be worth $60, but I'd pay $40 or $45 for it.
April 28, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I love fifa…but an MLS game like Madden would be great. A big plus would be adding the semiprofesional A-lague and college drafts. That plus a create a team and stadium option would make for a complete game. I wouldnt mind paying 60 bucks for this game as long as I can import and export players into the fifa game.
July 29, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I agree. Madden NFL is the best format to do a MLS game with franchise mode. build your teams. create expansion teams because the me MLS is growing like crazy might as well throw that in. but also have the play ability like FIFA when your playing the game. LETS just make it where when our players becomes stars they stay in the league rather then leave for and euro league. Another thought the Reserve teams can be ran like the last EA MLB game (where Pujols was on the cover) ran their minor league system. i think there should be MLS draft college to PRO. thats a game i would play. but yea that is the game i envision.
July 29, 2009 at 10:21 pm
The MLS needs this game. The Cities that have their MLS teams love them and it is time. Soccer is growing here. Oh and it should have a MLS superstar mode. to bad we cant create a NCAA MENS SOCCER GAME. The (suposedly) BIG 12 doesn't even have mens soccer just women's. the BIG 12 is so sexiest.