Sports video games have been a staple in gaming since the start, but recently sports games have gotten the reputation of being terrible. The downfall of sports games is very real, but there was a golden era.
The NFL made it known that they were looking to have an exclusive partner make their video games. They didn’t wanna have to keep tabs on all these different companies, making sure they presented the NFL in a way that the NFL liked. Can’t blame EA for forming over the cash.
Every sports game for the past several years is literally the exact same thing as the last with a few tweaks. Companies like 2K and EA have figured out that they could double their profits off of Ultimate team modes, which meant placating a portion of the population that doesn't care about gameplay. Just packs of cards they pay for which become moot the second next year's game drops. (This is a huge reason why I also fell off with NBA 2K). No one plays games for fun or creativity anymore everything has turned into a competition. Franchise mode in sports games today are barely playable. The franchise mode in NFL 2K5 was SO deep and detailed. Simply put they just don't care as much about the gamers anymore. Companies like EA, 2K, Ubisoft, etc see games less of entertainment/art and are now designing them to be money making machines. They don't seem to take any pride in making sport games the best that it can be or to resemble the sport the closest they can. The worst part is they have absolutely no inventive to improve any of these aspects of the game. I can't envision any scenario going forward where sports games see any meaningful improvements. The more popular ultimate team modes have become, the more the games as a whole have suffered. Sucks man.
I wish you mentioned fifa and how soccer games played a role in where sports games are today. Madden wasn't the first game with Ultimate team, it was actually fifa 09. I still really enjoyed the video!
I definitely agree with you. Back then I was just content in staying in my own little bubble and not venture into the unknown(Soccer for me). Trying to do better at that now.
I just want to go back to a simpler time.....Me, friends, snacks and drinks to pass the time and a sports game where all you do is JUST PLAY. that's all you did! I enjoyed the video btw.
In my opinion myteam mode single handedly ruined Madden & NBA 2k. Thats all they focus on nowadays they dont even care about gameplay & having multiple good features
Wrestling was good back then with Kurt angle, Eddie Guerrero, Batista, edge, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, undertaker, RVD, triple H, HBK, JBL, Jeff Hardy. Now it's just not entertaining enough in my opinion.
Had I know what the sports genre of video games would become and devolve into what it is now , I would have kept all my old hardware, games, etc If you told a 14 year old me In 2004 that we would have less depth, features and choices in games in general nearly 20 years later, I would have thought you were crazy
Sports games monetization, story management, gameplay design and price have been atrocious for a long time but people still buy these games and spend a lot of money on them even if in some months the new game will come out. Until that changes sports games will be in my opinion the worst video games
This is an excellent insight into a topic I too feel strongly about. It always seemed when I would go back to playing madden or the newest NBA game it never felt the same as it did when I played them as a kid in the 2000’s. Great video! 👍
That's because we had competition back then now ea sports has a monopoly nowadays you can't even make another simulation football game because it has the exclusive agreements for the nfl to make games
From my experience, no. There are some little alterations like in Madden Longshot where your draft position changes and you can even go undrafted, but it doesn't change the story because at the end of the story, you'll end up on an NFL team.
I mean if you found out you could dump out shit gambling games that people still buy no matter the price than of course you would exploit the idiots buying the games for all their money.
The only sports game I personally own is Tennis on the gbc. It is a bummer that Sports games aren't doing well, but I think a lot of game genres have that issue but maybe not as bad, I might be wrong on saying that.
The NFL has exclusive deals with everyone. I'm not sure why EA is made the villain and Microsoft, Bose, or Nike get a pass. Players can't even wear their own personal logos to promote their own brand the NFL is absolutely the catalyst for consumers complaints but EA gets the blame for being greedy lol.
I remember I had NHL 2K5 and 2k8. They had a mini game mode where you would play a bunch of hockey related games. My brother and I spent more time on those than we did on actual hockey. I miss those kinds of things.
If any of you are madden youtuber stop giving ea money same with 2k who care about having the best team possible when gameplay sucks stop funding there greed
Great video except we got another "the MLB" guy. Incorrect English. Just say "MLB" or "Major Leagues." "The Major League Baseball" is extremely cringe to baseball people. This is sadly a growing trend. Great video otherwise. Keep up the good work but please no more "the MLB."
