http://mmajunkie.com/news/15059/ea-sports-to-release-mma-videogame-ea-sports-mma-in-2010.mma THQ isn't the only videogame maker entering the mixed-martial-arts game market. Electronic Arts Inc.'s EA SPORTS brand will issue "EA Sports MMA" in 2010 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 platforms. The California-based company, which has delivered massively popular videogame series such as "Madden NFL" and "Tiger Woods PGA TOUR," today announced some basic details of the game. The announcement comes just weeks after THQ released "UFC 2009 Undisputed," the most sophisticated MMA videogame ever produced. The game, which features the likenesses of more than 80 UFC fighters, has won rave reviews from the videogame and MMA media. The title is part of a multi-year deal between the UFC and THQ. Last week, at the 2008 Video Game Awards on Spike TV, UFC President Dana White announced "UFC 2010 Undisputed" will be released next year, signaling what possibly could be annual releases of the highly anticipated title. EA Sports, meanwhile, will work with developers EA Tiburon on the "EA Sports MMA" title. "Fans have been begging EA SPORTS to get into the cage, and 'EA SPORTS MMA' will put them in control of the sports unique combat experience while finally, in an ...interactive experience, capturing the raw intensity that has made mixed martial arts one of the fastest growing sports in the world," EA SPORTS President Peter Moore stated. "We're ready for the fight." Few other details about the game were revealed. However, sources tell MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) Frank Shamrock and Frank Trigg are two of the likenesses expected to be in the game. Current UFC heavyweight Randy Couture, who spent much of 2008 in a contract dispute with the UFC, is also a rumored fighter in the game. Dozens of additional (non-UFC) fighters are expected to be in the first release. EA Sports, founded in 1982, has produced additional sports titles geared around NCAA football and basketball, the NBA, NHL, FIFA and NASCAR, among others.
I wonder what the line up will be comprised of seeing as how the bulk of the well known fighters are under contract to the UFC? Perhaps Randy Couture's forethought to hold onto his rights and likeness will finally pay off. Maybe we'll finally see Fedor vs Couture after all.
Good news. EA just need to sign up non ufc fighters and put in a deep create a fighter mode and let everyone else create the UFC fighters and fighters not in the game. Also hopefully this game will be MMA and not so boxing orientated like the UFC game is.
