College Hoops 2k is done

[JaoSming]

http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/6 ... Hoops.html

Take 2 has officially dropped the College Hoops franchise. Here's what they told Kotaku:

2K Sports has decided not to continue negotiations with the CLC for the license for its top-rated College Hoops franchise, which would have been released next in November 2008. We are committed to providing fans with high-quality, critically-acclaimed sports games, but given our disciplined approach to the business, we do not believe the current discussions would result in an acceptable outcome.

Whether or not this has anything to do with EA looking for exclusive rights, like they have with the NFL, remains to be seen, but we think it probably has something to do with it.

I hate yearly sports games not having competition more than I hate the fanboyism that comes with competition...

[J@3]

I hate EA.

[The X]

I think I might cry this is why I got a PS3....stupid, I know, but it was the underlying reason....of course I play other games & still like the PS3, but it's just sad....I hope this isn't true though, but I would be naive to think it wouldn't be....

I'm probably just going to wait for 2k to release a patch and just play long legacies....

I echo Jae's comments....I hate EA....but I'm guessing this was a business decision due to money....I'm hoping that someone else picks up the franchise....what is the gaming world coming to when games like NFL 2k5 & College Hoops 2k8, which are both considered the best in that year, are the last games produced....I wonder if NBA 2k series is next....just wait for that exclusive licence in 2 years

[Matthew]

What is frustrating about this situation is all this time the NCAA has refused game companies to use real players names in an attempt to not be about profit with the series, and now they are looking to secure a big deal from ea or 2k from the license.

ContradictionMUCH?

And if its the NCAA pushing for this, you really cant blame EA for whats going on.

And the x, dont worry about the nba2k series: it's outselling nba live on the "next" (which is really current nowdays) gen consoles significantly.

[JaoSming]

If in NBA 2k9 they update their Create a Team to something really worth having (custom jerseys, courts, colors) and keep that 200+ CAP limit I dont think I'd really mind them "losing" CH if we can recreate it in the NBA game.


But still out of all of the EA Sports games, March Madness is the worst and least deserving to have an exclusive license.

[benji]

What is frustrating about this situation is all this time the NCAA has refused game companies to use real players names in an attempt to not be about profit with the series, and now they are looking to secure a big deal from ea or 2k from the license.

ContradictionMUCH?

How is that a contradiction? The teams of the NCAA are not allowed to license out the names of their players.

In the NBA, all the players are part of the NBAPA, and that gets paid by EA/2K/etc., and they dole out those royalties to the players. The "student athletes" are not allowed to be paid in this manner.

EA already owned the NCAA license to all other major sports, I assume this is just finalizing an exclusive NCAA license.

[jonthefon]

March Madness needs an EXTREME shake-up now to be any good. The only thing I've liked about the series are the dunk animations, the rest is just slow and cumbersome. The next-gen series has been mediocre at best.

Well, I think it was kind of coming anyway, with EA dropping MVP NCAA Baseball. So it shapes up as:

B'ball: EA
Football: EA
Baseball: Nobody

Depressing outlook for college sports indeed.

[Matthew]

Teams are not allowed to license the players out, but the NCAA can license out to video games.

[benji]

The NCAA and its teams can license themselves to video games or soft drinks or anyone. The teams do not have the rights to the players names and images, the players are not allowed to play in the NCAA and recieve compensation for selling their name or image.

[BIG GREEN]

I hate EA.

Better hope they don't send a hitman to your house. Cause i'm sure they still read this board.

[Matthew]

The NCAA and its teams can license themselves to video games or soft drinks or anyone. The teams do not have the rights to the players names and images, the players are not allowed to play in the NCAA and recieve compensation for selling their name or image.

It doesn't have to goto the players directly. It can goto the schools or whatever, or if thats such a huge issue just let the players be listed for free?

[benji]

I'll say this again, the schools do not own the players names and image, they cannot sell them.

[Matthew]

Why does it need to be sold? Are the players demanding they be paid for this?

[benji]

You can't give away someones image and name without compensating them. How are they going to get all 4,000+ players to sign away their image rights individually?

[BIG GREEN]

It might make me shallow but i dont play college bball games simply cause the real players aren't in it. It detracts me away from the game....I can't enjoy any sport if I can't ID the players instantly..and that includes the NFL.

[Matthew]

The students all have to sign scholarships, right? Why, when they sign, cant they be offered a form so they can be included in videogames? Use the players that give authorisiation and do what they're currently doing for the players who don't give consent?