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Monday, Jun 04, 2012

UFC and EA Sports Announce Deal; THQ Transfers License

By FCF Staff

In an announcement today, which just a few years ago seemed impossible, Electronic Arts has announced that they have signed a multiyear agreement with The Ultimate Fighting Championship to produce video games for the MMA promotion.

The deal came to pass as a result of EA Sports acquiring a license from competitor THQ, who has produced three best selling versions of the “UFC Undisputed” game to date.

“We’re thrilled to begin a long-term partnership that will bring fans incredibly authentic, and deeply connected, UFC videogames,” Andrew Wilson, EVP and Head of EA Sports was quoted saying in a press release from the company.  “UFC has become a global powerhouse because they have the world’s best fighters, competing in the world’s best mixed martial arts events.  We share UFC’s passion for the sport, and we look forward to capturing all of the intensity and excitement of the action with unique new game experiences across a range of platforms.”

“We’d like to thank THQ for creating some of the most critically-acclaimed sports videogames of this console generation, and we’re excited to enter a new relationship with EA that will help us deepen our connection with fighting fans around the world,” said UFC President Dana White.  “There’s no one better at creating authentic sports videogames than EA Sports, and we’re excited to have a partner who shares our vision of deep, connected and multi-platform global game experiences.”

White has been critical of EA in the past, for, according to the UFC President, not showing interest in producing a UFC, MMA feature. The company eventually produced a MMA game featuring competitors from promotions like Strikeforce, after THQ had success with the “UFC Undisputed” brand.

“We’ve relished our relationship with UFC over the last several years and believe that the UFC gaming brand is in great shape. THQ’s more focused strategy moving forward meant that transferring the license to EA made sense to all parties,” said THQ CEO Brian Farrell. “We’d like to thank the UFC for their great support and partnership and wish EA all the best moving forward.”

No terms of the deal, or a timeline for when the first EA, UFC produced game will be released, were disclosed.

EA continues to produce top selling games like Madden NFL, FIFA (soccer), Tiger Woods PGA and its NHL series, among others.

 

posted by FCF Staff @ 6:11 pm
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