New Franchises Could Be Coming From EA Sports

by pastapadre
Posted March 6th, 2013 at 6:30 pm

easlogo2010

As first noted today by Polygon, EA CFO Blake Jorgensen spoke at the Wedbush Technology Conference and dropped an interesting line that the company could have “a couple of new sports franchises” on the way. Statement from EA Sports has since been provided to Kotaku, predictably that Jorgensen was just referring to UFC and some overseas projects, but the company wasn’t going to announce anything new at this time so that doesn’t eliminate the possibility that new franchises could be in the pipeline.

In 2011 EA Sports hinted at three new franchises being announced. They ended up being NFL Blitz, FIFA Street, and Grand Slam Tennis 2. It’s important to keep that in mind because a “franchise” doesn’t necessarily equate to a big project. It could be an offshoot arcade title or otherwise a sport directed towards selling in a stronger overseas territory.

Obviously the potential return of the MVP Baseball series is what will get people excited. The MLB license is available for the taking if EA wants it as the transition to the next generation of consoles is made. The timing would appear to be right for such a deal from both sides. 2K Sports has evidently given up on baseball, cancelling the series only to resurrect it for one more year as an embarrassing rehash, and building MVP from scratch for the new systems makes more sense than coming in at the tail end of the current generation.

Another possibility to consider is a dedicated MLS game. EA was in talks to branch off from FIFA with an MLS project in 2009 but that never materialized. In the time since the league has grown immensely and FIFA has picked up traction in North America taking it from an afterthought in the region to the tenth best selling video game in all of 2012. This would be another step in legitimizing and further expanding the reach of the league which has surpassed both the NBA and NHL in average attendance. The exposure for MLS would be important in cultivating a greater fan base for the long term and relatively low development costs could be appealing to EA.

NBA Live is apparently going to try and release again this fall, UFC could debut later this year, and 2014 will also bring with it a new FIFA World Cup game. There is already a ton on EA’s plate so while MLB and MLS (or anything else new) would be exciting to have it’s smart to temper expectations until any concrete news on future projects arrives.

Tags: latest news

Kofi

They should concentrate on downloadable NCAA basketball and baseball games, no new features, just roster updates for about 15 20 bucks a pop.
- The Rock
  
  People would still manage to find something to complain about believe it or not. I’d be happy to purchase an update yearly for that price.
  - http://pastapadre.com/ pastapadre
    
    UEFA EURO was a DLC add-on for cheap and it got lambasted by people, myself included. Though maybe there were some unrealistic expectations (they weren’t going to upgrade gameplay like they have in the past with the standalone releases) they were deceptive in how many countries they had licensed. That’s the kind of thing that comes with a discount though. It’s a trade-off. Take the richer content that comes with more money or live with them cutting costs to make it a budget add-on/DLC.
BA

A retail MLS game would be a bust waiting to happen. If they try a new engine it’s gonna be worse as a first attempt compared to FIFA’s polished engine, but if they use the same gameplay most people would rather FIFA’s multiple leagues.
- http://pastapadre.com/ pastapadre
  
  I think they’d be branching off with the gameplay engine…look to the World Cup and UEFA strategy of tweaking FIFA’s previous release. MLS would come out in Feb/Mar, providing some distance from FIFA’s Oct release.
  
  Because dev costs would be very low (many assets are already in FIFA and the license would be dirt cheap/already secured) big sales numbers would not be needed for it to be successful. FIFA numbers have skyrocketed in North America but not necessarily because people here are becoming fans of European soccer leagues.
  - curtis jackson
    
    I would personally be shocked if this wasn’t just an announcement to move ncaa, madden, and nhl back to pc with origin now being an established service they would be stupid not to sell those games there too.
    - http://pastapadre.com/ pastapadre
      
      Interesting idea. They could go always-online like SimCity and screw people over that way!
CSaint1994

They need to try and bring back ncaa basketball
- http://pastapadre.com/ pastapadre
  
  Don’t expect any company to take a shot on college basketball until the player likeness lawsuit is concluded. Only chance anyone might want to make another college bball game, which barely sells, will be if that lawsuit ends in the favor of NCAA/CLC/EA.
  - CSaint1994
    
    What i dont understand about the whole not selling well thing is, i see a ton of people saying they wish they had a ncaa basketball game to play. If so many people want it why doesnt it sell? I have been itching for a college basketball game, for the last what 3 years now? Either make a new game or open the online servers for ncaa basketball 10 so i can get updated rosters
    - curtis jackson
      
      I want a new college basketball gmae but only if 2k makes it. Ea has shown they are incapable of making a basketball game these last few years
    - http://pastapadre.com/ pastapadre
      
      If there was that many people who would buy it, someone might make one. But realistically there isn’t. Both EA and 2K (and whoever else) could pick up the NCAA rights for it but their internal research shows it wouldn’t be worth the investment. In the past college basketball games have sold somewhere in the range of only 10% or so of what NCAA Football ends up selling to give some perspective.
SMH

how bout a new football game.
- Chiryder
  
  from the same makers? how much of an improvement will that be?
Bosfan

MVP please!!!
Keith.

Saw EA closed yet another studio last week — they need some sure fire hits to come from somewhere, since Dead Space 3 and Crysis look like they’re following in the same sales disappointment footsteps as Grand Slam 2, SSX, TW13, NHL13, and NCAA13. Battlefield 3 and FIFA alone can’t keep the ship afloat forever.
Thrash13

I’d love an MLS game! The league has definitely come a long way, and FIFA doesn’t even come close to showing off the league and its fanbases. A game with all the stadiums, supporter groups, etc. would be a very nice addition by EA Sports. I know I’d be buying it day one! I won’t get my hopes up too much though because it’s been rumored for a few years now.
chris

there needs to be a freaking rugby union game.
jimmie

An MLS game would be awesome! Maybe not worth $60 but as a digital download for $15-20 would be great. I’d buy that every year.
HV

What I’d like to know from EA is at what stage is NBA Live. Last year they started promotion during the All-Star weekend.
- http://pastapadre.com/ pastapadre
  
  I doubt we hear anything until E3. They had opportunity to take advantage of the time frame last year and blew it. No one is going to believe anything they say at this point. They have to *prove it*
http://pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

Yeah! Had a ton of fun playing that. Though if I remember right interest started to wane after a while…kind of like the 1vs100 game on Xbox Live.
al

only games I would pay for would be a new March Madness series and a NBA/ NFL street remake
Evander Young

EA Sports should try and remake NFL Street or NBA Street for the newer systems very enjoyable games
AmazinsCowboys

bring back MVP baseball!
http://www.facebook.com/jaxon.wright Jaxon Wright

an NFL Street would be nice, but keep it similar to the first three.
Phil

LOL, nice!
49ersfan1

noooo not a specific MLS game :/ in FIFA 14, i was planning to make a pro and start him in the MLS then go to Europe once he is good enough.
49ersfan1

NBA STREET!
49ersfan1

bowling and fishing arent sports. they are activities.
Keith.

Good to hear from you Jwaan. Have you or jpdavis gotten into the Game Changers yet?
- http://profile.yahoo.com/PRNYYXZW5CPECODQZM2VGFZKI4 Jwaan
  
  Funny, I just traded Madden in the other day, put it towards Tomb Raider (which is a great game, might I add). Got tired of it.
  
  I’d have to agree with the majority at this point about their CCM mode – it’s needs to be revamped (basically with a “GM” mode) or changed back to Franchise.
  
  Other than that, yeah, it’s getting old dude. Let it go.
Khadeem

right
CSaint1994

They have college lacross games already
DaStrongMANIGGA

Yea, it’s time EA try the Live franchise again. 2K been disappointing, at least to me, since after 2K11 was released. Feels too like an arcade game rather than simulation now.
http://twitter.com/Juukbox Aaron Jennings

I think at this point EA needs to get ppl to trust them first so they’ll probably gear toward current gen to get the ball rolling on the NBA live franchise. I don’t think it will help or hurt just because of the fact that we havent heard anything from 2K either.
BRING NCAA BASKETBALL BACK

def need and miss a college basketball game. I loved NCAA 10 and thought it was pretty good. It would be nice if they brought it back… especially come tournament time I’m always itching to play, but I’m not one that can be content in playing old games such as something from 3 years ago.
http://www.facebook.com/dennis.bowen.52 Dennis Bowen

I have 2k8 college hoops and the rosters are updated with names. I doubt one of the new anouncements would be a nascar game (though their are rumors that NFS and NASCAR might combine together like gran tourismo 5)…I can see nba live and MVP coming back, but seriously, Dead Space 3 not getting the sales…weird