Newsbrief: If you watched the Microsoft Xbox Reveal presser yesterday, you probably caught the section of the presentation devoted to Microsoft's new exclusive deal with the National Football League, which will involve an Xbox One app that integrates Skype, Microsoft SmartGlass, and viewing of NFL matches, with potential for real-time fantasy football features. You might have wondered what Microsoft was investing in such a partnership.
The figure, as reported by the Associated Press on NFL.com, comes in at over $400 million, paid over five years.
The Associated Press's source is speaking on condition of anonymity, and when reached for comment by Polygon, Microsoft said only:
We do not comment on rumors and speculation and we do not disclose the financial terms of our partnerships.
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Anyway, this reminds me a little of their move on aQuantive: a $6.2 billion write down on a $6.0 billion purchase. Or paying Take-Two $50 million for timed exclusivity for DLC that wouldn't arrive for a year. Speculation and losses had forced Take-Two to deaths door - had they not given them the injection they could have bought the whole company for a knock down price and had a real exclusive! Where did ruthless and brilliant Microsoft of lore go?
Because the core game industry no longer allows consumers to define their objectives and goals. They don't care about the whole world, they only develop whatever they think will make the most money. Then they market it to the whole world under the pretense it is "mainstream." Which is why is why Madden, FIFA Halo and COD will be the launch titles. 70 percent or more of the 360 and PS 3 worldwide base don't buy or play those games. Microsoft doesn't care because they make a crap load of money off the subsegment of players who do. So instead of getting games that could actually appeal to a wider audience, we keep getting Madden, FIFA Halo and COD sequels. If Epic wasn't in flux, I'm sure there would have also been a Gears of War launch sequel too. *facepalm*
Madden still hasn't decidedly put up a better game than NFL 2k5 yet... and that was more than eight YEARS ago... and that game cost $20 brand new then.
Sad to think that this is what it has come down to.