Electronic Arts has been hit with a lawsuit due to their exclusive deal with the NFL, AFL, and NCAA Football leagues. As readers may know, EA secured the exclusive deal back in December of 2004. Prior to the signing, competition with Take-Two Interactive had led EA to bring their MSRP on the Madden games down to $29.95. Once the deal was signed, Madden 2006 hit the shelves at a $49.95 price point; a jump of nearly %70.

“The plaintiffs have requested a class action and want restitution and damages for buyers of EA football game since August of 2005.” says the San Jose Business Journal.

Weather this suit will bear any real fruit for the plaintiffs, is up for speculation. We would love to hear your thoughts on the news in our forums section.  

Source

-glitch-

In a public statement published by 1up, Itagaki has announced his resignation from Tecmo.  Along with his departure from the company on July 1st, Itagaki also reveals a lawsuit filed against Tecmo Co., Ltd. and Tecmo President, Yoshimi Yasuda, for unpaid bonuses and “demeaning remarks”. 

There is much speculation surrounding Itagaki’s next move and we look forward to bring you the news on any future announcements.

Full resignation letter after the jump:

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Sega announced yesterday they have formed a new partnership with PlatinumGames Inc. Why should we care? Simple: PlatinumGames is a studio founded (in part) by ex-members of Clover Studios, the sweet little studio who brought us Okami and God Hand.

It seems PlatinumGames has four titles lined up which will now be released under the Sega banner. The first, a Wii exclusive title MadWorld (pictured above) is set for release in early 2009. Madworld is directed by Hideki Kamiya, creator of the Devil May Cry and Veiewtiful Joe franchises. He also directed Okami, and with all that credit, this is a title to keep your eye on over the next 12 months.

Also announced was Bayonetta, another Hideki Kamiya directed action game set for 2009 release on the 360 and PS3. Sega tells us this game will push the limits of the action genre as you take the role of a hyper powered witch who slays “angelic” enemies.

The last title announced was Infinite Line (working Title), a Sci-Fi RPG for the DS. Infinite Line is said to include over 200 characters and 150 customizable spaceships to play with. So if you’ve been looking for a nice in-depth RPG you can play with a stylus, look no further.

Check out the official Sega announcement, and then let us know what you think here.

-glitch-

We all knew Rockstar’s GTAIV would do very very well but this well? Probably not. Selling 6 million copies globally making $500 million dollars in its first week, GTAIV officially breaks Halo 3’s record of $300 million for its first week. GTAIV sold 3.6 million copies globally on its opening day which translates into approximately $310 million. Now that’s damn impressive. I’m sure Take-Two are patting themselves on their backs right now and breaking out the victory champagne. For the press release hit the jump.

Discuss

- Tiberian

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It’s official, Europeans finally get a break. Each console will fall 40 GBP, except for the Premium package, which falls 50 GBP. This makes the Xbox 360 Arcade console the cheapest console in Europe. This is good news for all of our European members, as well as good news for Microsoft.

Be sure to thank kuraigu at the forums, for letting us know!

“Microsoft will officially lower the prices of all its Xbox 360 units in Europe from 14th March.The biggest saving will be made on the Premium unit, which drops by GBP 50 (EUR 80) down to GBP 199.99 (EUR 269.99).Elsewhere the Arcade model will become the cheapest new-generation model at GBP 159.99 (EUR 199.99), while the Elite will fall to GBP 259.99 (EUR 369.99). That’s GBP 40 off the current price in both instances.”Xbox 360 is now mass market in Europe,” said Chris Lewis, bigwig at Microsoft Entertainment Europe. “We have reached and surpassed several key milestones that form part of our long term strategic plan to achieve critical mass in Europe; and our portfolio now offers the kind of mainstream entertainment experiences that secure wider appeal for Xbox 360.”History shows that GBP 159.99 is the price point where a console’s audience begins to expand, and with these new ERPs in place we’re ready to bring more consumers into the Xbox 360 world.”The announcement comes after the German Financial Times reported that the platform holder would reduce the cost of its console throughout our region.”SOURCE

I have no idea what they have in mind to put it public, but all morning I’ve been seeing EA’s desire to buy out Take-Two Interactive.  They had made a proposal earlier this month to buy them out, and Take-Two rejected.  Prepare yourselves, I’m about to use the site as a soapbox.

Now, reading the proposal, you can see EA is trying to make themselves sound like good guys.  They know their reputation, and they know they need to make a lot of internal changes.  We’ve been seeing EA try some new risks with IP (Dead Space and Army of Two), and have been doing a lot of internal re-workings in order to improve.  I respect them for that, but does that mean they should right out and buy Take-Two?

They state that the company is facing some potential problems that mean they’ll be dying out soon.  Given how well Bioshock did, does the company really seem that in trouble?  Or how about the upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV?  I’ve already seen speculation that EA really just wants to grab some of the profits to that game’s release? Given how much money Take-Two has already made from it through exclusive content for the Xbox 360, I’d say that title alone is likely to carry the company quite well.

My real problem with this, however, is that EA wants to buy yet another game company.  How many more do they plan to buy until there is no more?  It is commonly said that competition breeds innovation, and I personally would like to see companies like EA stop buying studios, especially ones that are as large as Take-Two.

If you in the community agree or disagree, leave your comments in the forums.  Since EA put this proposal out to the public, they should be able to witness feedback from the community.  If you disagree, make it known.  Let them know that we need to see these changes first, because as it is a lot of their “new risks” and “changes” have yet to come to fruition.  I’d like to give them a chance, but I need to see if they themselves are going to become a respectable game development company before they go out to buy good talent.

- Chris Cesarano (Grohdinger)

This is sure some incredible news to start your week. The President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios will resign on February 29. Phil has been with this branch for almost 16 years now, and he’s resigning. He says goodbye formally, by saying:

“The past 15 years at Sony Computer Entertainment has been the defining journey of my life so far. I am grateful to all the PlayStation family for their incredible support, guidance and friendship. It has been a privilege to serve as part of the team and be inspired by them on a daily basis. I am so proud of everything PlayStation has achieved and will continue to support its future in every way I can.”

I’m in awe here. First Ken leaves, and now Phil? Makes you wonder if something’s up.

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-Thomas

Playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl earlier than the rest of North America is a treat in itself but Nintendo and Best Buy are teaming up to offer this opportunity to a fortunate few and throwing in some nice prizes to boot!

Super Smash Bros. Brawl tournaments will begin sweeping across America starting in Los Angeles and San Fransisco, then to Boston and finally in New York where the tournament will be held during the midnight madness launch event for the game itself.

“Each regional tournament will provide the first 256 people in attendance the chance to “brawl” one-on-one with other contestants in a single-elimination tournament to determine a winner in each market. Regional winners will face off in a final multiplayer “brawl” at the New York City tournament.”

The lucky contestants will have a chance to participate for the grand prize, a crystal covered Wii, a home theater system and copy of the game.  Second through fourth place will receive a Wii, a Wii remote, a coppy of SSBB and a $1000-$250 Gift Card at Best Buy.  The consolation prize for everyone else however, a $10 Gift Card at Best Buy, isn’t a bad deal either.

So if you’re confident in your ability to win at a game you’ve never played (or imported it already and want to exercise that advantage) and live anywhere near one of these cities, then don’t miss this opportunity!  Meanwhile those of us stuck in the midwest can grumble about the tournament not making a stop in Chicago or Houston.

For additional information including tournament dates and addresses check out the official Press Release here.

To discuss this in our forums click here and don’t forget to visit our Official SSBB thread for all things Brawl!

-EarthViper

US games retailer Play N Trade has revealed it is to take on the current monopoly of high street stores enjoyed by the GAME/Gamestation group in the UK, with its stores potentially coming to these shores by the end of the year.

Speaking to industry magazine MCV, Play N Trade CEO Roger Lloyd outlined the plans for the retailer in the UK, claiming that, “Our entry point into the UK will move the evolution of games stores forward faster. We’re going to raise the bar.” Play N Trade currently has around 125 stores throughout the US and aims to be the fastest growing chain with plans to have 1,000 stores by the end of 2010. (more…)

Well it seems Nintendo continues to market to new audiences which is good. But their choice here and the implementation is rather sad. Way too over the top and I think rather insulting to most girl gamers. Given whats on the cover I really would like to see their Wii will will rock you list and the games it entails as I’m sure they are just as insulting.

Anyways, Nintendo has a new official magazine so if you have a strong need to exercise your gag reflex then pick it up.

-JJ