Okay, so I'm not big fan of football and its video games...

Zeta · Post by **Zeta** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 1:58 pm

Yeah, I had heard about that. Remember that one game in which Sonic, the Chao, Tails and et all were a playable team? I think it's like that - but with Mario, Yoshi, and the gang.

Man, I'd play a basketball game if it was just a bunch of random famous videogame characters squaring off. Sonic vs Mario on the hoopshoots? Ulala and Peach dribbling? NiGHTs passing the ball to a Burning Ranger, over the head of Samus? That would give me a fangasm.

Post by **Esrever** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 2:05 pm

I really like the way that the Mario characters clash with the "hip urban" look of the box. Unintentional hillarity!

I would still like to see an edition of Smash Brothers that spanned classic franchises from multiple game companies. I secretly hope that negotiations for such a concept are the reason why Nintendo has not cranked out another sequel yet, but who am I kidding? Only myself.

Double-S- · Post by **Double-S-** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 6:11 pm

Zeta wrote:Yeah, I had heard about that. Remember that one game in which Sonic, the Chao, Tails and et all were a playable team? I think it's like that - but with Mario, Yoshi, and the gang.

Yeah, but that was an in-house Sega game. Virtua Striker someyear.

Zeta · Post by **Zeta** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 7:47 pm

I would still like to see an edition of Smash Brothers that spanned classic franchises from multiple game companies. I secretly hope that negotiations for such a concept are the reason why Nintendo has not cranked out another sequel yet, but who am I kidding? Only myself.

Well that one toy company did a toy version of Super Smash Bros with Transformers, Beyblade, the Japanese Barbie and so on. Optimus Prime vs Sonic vs Mario would be even BETTER.

j-man · Post by **j-man** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 9:46 am

Double-S- wrote:
Zeta wrote:Yeah, I had heard about that. Remember that one game in which Sonic, the Chao, Tails and et all were a playable team? I think it's like that - but with Mario, Yoshi, and the gang.
Yeah, but that was an in-house Sega game. Virtua Striker someyear.

Virtua Striker 2002. I keep seeing it in the local HMV, but I just can't bring myself to purchase a football game out of choice AND with my own money.

Ngangbius · Post by **Ngangbius** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 4:42 pm

Looks like EA's on a roll this month. *gags*

EA Invests in UbiSoft Entertainment
Monday December 20, 2:02 am ET
Acquires Approximately 19.9 Percent Equity in Global Game Company

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 20, 2004--Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS - News) today announced an investment in international game developer and publisher UbiSoft Entertainment, headquartered in Rennes, France. The investment represents approximately 19.9 percent interest in the company -- shares purchased as a block from Talpa Beheer B.V. to be completed upon obtaining antitrust clearance from the U.S. government. Financial terms were not disclosed.
About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, EA posted revenues of $2.96 billion for fiscal 2004. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. In 2003, EA had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES(TM) and EA SPORTS BIG(TM). EA's homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at

Source: http://info.ea.com/

Protodude · Post by **Protodude** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 4:44 pm

Why did they go with Ubisoft, of all people?

Locit · Post by **Locit** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:57 pm

Because Beyond Good and Evil was the shit.

Protodude · Post by **Protodude** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:00 pm

Yeah, but it didn't sell well. Neither did Prince of Persia, I think. Or maybe they're doing it for the quality of their games?

j-man · Post by **j-man** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:04 pm

But Prince Of Persia was equally the shit! What's wrong with humanity?!

Baba O'Reily · Post by **Baba O'Reily** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:00 pm

Ubisoft? Like Rayman Ubisoft?

Limbs are for pussies.

Locit · Post by **Locit** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:52 pm

Still, I would just as soon not have EA own every damn game company on the face of the planet. It's a bit scary, not unlike that boxart.

Post by **Esrever** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:56 pm

Beyond Good and Evil sold like shit worldwide. Prince of Persia sold extremely well in Europe, but was only moderately successful in North America. The "hardcore" changes made for Prince of Persia 2 basically reveal what the French think Americans enjoy in their games.

Ubisoft is my favourite developer... or at least, they were last year.

Double-S- · Post by **Double-S-** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:41 am

Well, some <A HREF="http://sports.ign.com/articles/574/5745 ... ?fromint=1" target="_blank">good news</A>, at least.

Post by **Esrever** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:03 am

Geeze... I hope that wasn't the REAL reason they bought part of Ubi.

Baba O'Reily · Post by **Baba O'Reily** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:32 am

Ick, 989's releasing another game? I thought they went out of buisness.

Kishi · Post by **Kishi** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:56 am

You'd be surprised how long companies can stick around producing nothing but garbage. After releasing Ninja Gaiden III in '91, Tecmo went a good five years without releasing a single game that was even vaguely noteworthy before putting out Dead or Alive.

Double-S- · Post by **Double-S-** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 11:12 am

If EA goes their usual way Ubisoft will disappear in a few years, with everybody either being fired or moved around to EA's studios to develop mediocre games in the EA lineup.

Post by **Esrever** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:49 pm

Aaaaaannnd now EA has just purchased the exclusive video game rights to the ESPN name, properties and personalities for 15 years.

Electronic Arts explains the ESPN agreement as helping gamers: "This relationship was created to benefit consumers who are passionate about sports games," said EA CEO Larry Probst.

"And as an asside," Probst added, "I'd just like to say, 'Fuck you, Sega. Bend over and take it up your tight little Japanese asses.'"

http://cube.ign.com/articles/580/580403p1.html

Locit · Post by **Locit** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 7:25 pm

Woah.

Protodude · Post by **Protodude** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 8:24 pm

That was a bit.....harsh......

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:24 pm

I weep softly.

Ngangbius · Post by **Ngangbius** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:30 pm

Looks like SEGA is screwed. They can say good-bye to Take-Two purchasing Visual Concepts.

I find this news both hilarious and sad at the same time.

Post by **Squirrelknight** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 10:37 pm

With Acclaim and 3do gone, EA is fast becoming the videogame publisher I hate the most.

Their offices are in LA, a little less than an hour from here. I'm gonna go spit on people as they walk in and out of the building.

Psxphile · Post by **Psxphile** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:32 am

Give 'em hell.