http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=271491 MMA is currently not in the top 30 selling games on the market in North America. THQ's UFC Undisputed 2010 has sold 550,000 copies, a far cry from 2009 which sold 1.25-million units.
I really hope THQ brings it with UFC in 2012 because there needs to be a solid MMA game on the market...it was looking like EA could've been that...too bad they didn't jump on the UFC when they had a chance.
I can't see EA giving up after only one try... they are a huge company and I'm sure the people they hired to make this game are being brought in for more than just one go round. If Undisputed is any indication THQ really needs competition to push the designers.
its tough to sell a MMA game with the UFC imo. Shit its tough to sell MMA the sport without the UFC brand. If EA gives it another go around, even if they make great game mechanics, I think they will have trouble selling.
From what my friend at EA told me, EA and UFC had a deal in place when the game was first being developed. UFC at one point backed out, suddenly, and went with THQ. EA was far enough along in the development process that they decided to move on without the UFC. I think there's a good shot they give up after one try.
^ UFC president Dana White has declared himself "at war" with EA over the development of the EA Sports MMA video game. White assumed that he initially wanted EA to develop UFC 2009 Undisputed and remarks "EA Sports told us, 'You're not a real sport. We wouldn't touch this thing. We want nothing to do with this.'" "We put our asses on the line, THQ and the UFC, to make a video-game deal in the worst economy in the world," White told reporters recently. "We go out there and do this thing, and it's successful, and now [expletive] EA Sports wants to do a video game.[11] In response to these allegations, EA Sports have since claimed that Dana White held a meeting with EA in Los Angeles, who are responsible for such games as The Sims; a separate entity from their EA Sports brand. White warned the fighters who intend to be included in the upcoming EA Sports MMA game release, claiming that "If you do business with EA, you won't be in the UFC". Former UFC heavyweight champions Tim Sylvia[12] and Andrei Arlovski, as well as still under contract Frank Trigg (who has now been released from his UFC Contract following his loss to Matt Serra [13]) and Vladimir Matyushenko[14] confirmed their presence in the EA Sports MMA video game. Fan favorite Randy Couture was under contract with UFC before agreeing to be a part of EA Sports MMA, but is able to take part in the game due to never signing over his likeness to the UFC for use in video games. White has since changed his standpoint on this subject.[15] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EA_Sports_MMA
I don't think EA is dumb enough to think they could release a football game without the NFL attached. That's what an MMA game without UFC pretty much is.