It seems some have taken exception to Electronic Arts' actions, as Gamespot reports that a pair of gamers in Washington, DC and California have filed suit against the company for "blatantly anticompetitive conduct." The suit mentions the company's acquisition of the NFL license as well as the price hike of Madden 2006 the year following the acquisition. Furthermore, the suit notes EA's ongoing attempt to acquire of Take Two, which would "remove one of the few companies with the ability and expertise to compete in the market for interactive football software." That's assuming EA ever lost its hold on the NFL license, of course.
The plaintiffs seek "restitution and damages" for anyone that purchased an EA football game since August 2005 and "disgorgement of all profits made as a result of anticompetitive actions, and that the infringing agreements be declared null and void."
Update: The suit also makes note of EA's licensing agreements with NCAA Football and the Arena Football League. Along with the NFL, this gives EA the exclusive rights to "the only viable sports football associations in the United States."
[Via Joystiq]
A UEFA Champions League 2006-7 demo was announced yesterday, and is will be available before the titles late March release. In it you'll be able to participate in half of the Arsenal and Barcelona finals match from last year. Included will be a tutorial video showing off the "Ultimate Team Mode" feature, where you can acquire cards that if played, could tip the scales of the game to your advantage. Do you plan on downloading the demo and giving this a shot?
EuroGamer discusses Microsoft's dominance at the Leipzig Game Convention. Choice quotes:
In a Zidane-style head butt to the World Cup dreams of PS3 fanboys across the globe, Microsoft announced that both FIFA 2007 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 will be exclusive to the Xbox 360 for at least a year. Always eloquent Xbox Europe boss Chris Lewis said it best: "Xbox 360 owns football." This shut out probably won't shatter too many shins stateside, but it should provide an added edge in the football-crazed international market. GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!
Richard form AeroPause has a pretty good idea for an Xbox Live Arcade title:
Major Nelson is on the road at the present time, so his regular show is an on-the-run collection of interviews with the folks behind Madden 07. Is there a football-obsessed soul out there planning on paying for this pay-per-view special they're talking about?
Alright, enough with the headbutting Frenchmen. Time for some red-blooded American pigskin action, in the form of the NCAA Football 07 demo, now available on XBLM. Last year's rushed EA Sports games for the 360 were disappointly bare bones. After giving this demo the old college try, do you feel better about the prospects for their 07 line-up?
