Good news for MMA and video game fans, as EA Sports MMA Producer Jeff Ecker announced on a radio show that the sequel is in fact coming to market. I suspect that they don't intend an annual follow up, but that they'll release the title in an 18 month window (Spring 2012).
EA Sports MMA 2 a matter of "when", not "if"
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Charles Awad
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Great News
EA was way better than UFC 2010. I am happy that the negative crap about EA MMA being DOA was just UFC propaganda.
by 110 South on Dec 1, 2010 10:33 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
it wasn't just propaganda.
most people thought it was dead because it wasn’t going to sell well… and it didn’t.
by Anton Tabuena on Dec 1, 2010 10:46 PM EST up reply actions
Um the negativity was out before the game came out
I remember even when the screen shots came out and people were complaining how they looked so cartoony
by Papercut Elbow on Dec 1, 2010 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
Subjective
I think the UFC graphics don’t look very good
by Papercut Elbow on Dec 1, 2010 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
Those were valid criticisms,
can’t just label those stuff as propaganda. haha.
by Anton Tabuena on Dec 1, 2010 11:29 PM EST up reply actions
I tried really hard to like it, honestly I did.
But I couldn’t stand how you move so damn fast when you barely touch the stick.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not. | SB Nation Bay Area
...that's it?
Such a minor aspect completely ruined the game for you?
When a ball goes into a net, it only means something because we decide it means something. When somebody punches somebody in the face it always means something.
by lowellthehammer on Dec 2, 2010 2:41 AM EST up reply actions
... Moving your fighter is a minor aspect?
That’s the entirety of the game. Controlling your fighter. Don’t take such an issue with the fact that I don’t like the game. I played the demo, hell, I even put it on my Gamefly because I honestly wanted to drop sixty bucks on this game. I told myself before it came out that I would drop sixty. But it just doesn’t feel right to me. I don’t like the game, I’m sorry if that offends you some how, but I can’t afford to spend sixty bucks on a game right now, let alone a game I don’t like to play.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not. | SB Nation Bay Area
I hear you on the motion
It’s the core of the gameplay in a fighting game, and the animation and motion controllers were just poorly executed. I personally thought the game looked better than the UFC games in stills, but the actual gameplay was depressing to watch.
Jab, jab, towards, short, fierce.
by asa on Dec 2, 2010 7:29 AM EST up reply actions
Considering the motion you're referring to is outside of punching range
then yeah, it is minor. Most of your time fighting should be spent inside the pocket, so I’m not sure how the way you walk to the center of the ring/cage at the start of the round is such a deal-breaker.
Honestly though you’re entitled to your own opinion, no matter how misinformed it is. :)
When a ball goes into a net, it only means something because we decide it means something. When somebody punches somebody in the face it always means something.
by lowellthehammer on Dec 2, 2010 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
That's the thing. How am I misinformed when I've played the game for more than a couple hours?
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not. | SB Nation Bay Area
Maybe misinformed is the wrong word.
Seems to me like you’re missing the forest for the trees (or a single tree in this case).
When a ball goes into a net, it only means something because we decide it means something. When somebody punches somebody in the face it always means something.
by lowellthehammer on Dec 2, 2010 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t like the game, man. I’m sorry that bothers you, maybe I’m missing out. But it’s not for me. For what it’s worth, I’ve an in with a few people at EA through my Madden connections and I’ve voiced my concerns with EA MMA. I ended up getting a call from them, talked for about twenty minutes about what I did and did not like, and then they sent me a bunch of free stuff. So hopefully I helped a little and I can enjoy EA MMA 2.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not. | SB Nation Bay Area
As I said before
you’re entitled to your own opinion
I’m just curious as to what other issues about the game bothered you. I have a hard time believing that something that small completely ruined the whole game for you, and I was hoping that you might elaborate on some other things you didn’t like. If you don’t like it you don’t like it, it doesn’t affect me in the least. I’m just trying to get a feel for what turned people off from this game since I found it to be highly enjoyable.
And since we’re here, do you think that Undisputed 2010 is a more enjoyable game?
When a ball goes into a net, it only means something because we decide it means something. When somebody punches somebody in the face it always means something.
by lowellthehammer on Dec 2, 2010 8:43 PM EST up reply actions
It doesn’t affect you, but you still find it necessary to be incredibly condescending … I’d love to discuss the game with you if you can avoid nice little tidbits like “even if you are misinformed,” when were talking about one’s ability to enjoy a video game … I don’t very much enjoy pissing contests over the internet.
That being said, I enjoyed Undisputed 2010 more because I found the controls to be pretty good and knocking people out was fun, but I sold Undisputed about a week after getting it once I realized how shallow and broken of an experience it provided.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not. | SB Nation Bay Area
Thought the emoticon was enough to let you in on the fact that I was joking.
Since it wasn’t, let me clearly state that I was messing with you. There is no pissing contest. This is, believe it or not, an attempt at rational discourse over the intertubes.
Did you play both games online? That’s where the majority of my time has been spent on both games and thus that’s where the majority of my opinions, good or bad, were formed. The biggest problem I found with Undisputed is it feels like a chore to do anything in the game. The movement is labored, the striking is slow and focused on single shots (rendering any type of regular punch completely useless), and the grappling is mind-numbing. Takedowns are difficult to stop against any good wrestlers and it’s tough to get up from the bottom. When playing online all matches devolved into one of two scenarios – exchanging the same left bumper super punches rapid fire until someone falls down or grinding grapplefests against the cage. Both are unappealing for different reasons: the former because it underlined the pointlessness of having a variety of techniques on the feet, the latter because it became incredibly dull. Also, the de facto health bar system that Undisputed operates on means once you’re knocked down or rocked you’ve pretty much lost all effectiveness and there’s no coming back.
The EA game, on the other hand, is less realistic but more focused on player enjoyment. Grappling is based on strategy and is easier for the guy on the bottom than the guy on the top, meaning that it takes more skill and planning to get to dominant ‘endgame’ type positions on the ground like mount. Striking is fluid and based on combos as opposed to single power shots. (although those are also available) Getting knocked down is not an endgame if your fighter has enough heart, and decisions are much more frequent between evenly matched players.
When a ball goes into a net, it only means something because we decide it means something. When somebody punches somebody in the face it always means something.
by lowellthehammer on Dec 3, 2010 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
EA said on Luke's show
that they would release Fight Night next year and then EA Sports MMA II the following year. So many people were expecting EA to abandon MMA and it was never going happen this early into their foray in the market. The Fight Night engine covers so many of their development costs that they can stay in for another 6 years and be fine. The game is better that UFC’s, as the fighters grow in recognition and a company like Strikeforce grows the game will too. EA isn’t going anywhere for some time when it comes to MMA.
There's a mystic event on tonight haha
The game is pretty ridic when it comes to the online stuff. I think it’s very innovative hopefully it can become a cult classic and start to sell more
by Papercut Elbow on Dec 1, 2010 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, the online aspect can be pretty campy, but fun. They understand how to make the most of the game for those who are playing. I think in two years so much is going to change. If Overeem lives up to his potential (big if) he can become a huge star outside of the UFC. It would be a smart move for EA to get more involved with Strikeforce and marketing their fighters. I think we are going to start seeing a lot more of that. The Paul Heyman promos were just the beginning.
What a silly comment about the engine covering costs
You obviously don’t realize the amount of man power and resources that go into developing a game of this stature. EA can afford the liability, but it isn’t cheap. And people were never bullshitting about them considering calling it quits— crazier things have happened at EA, and there was plenty of internal discussion regarding the possibility of putting the concept on ice, particularly in the face of sagging sales.
"I'm gonna go after number one, whoever it is. If it's Anderson, or I gotta go up after the guys at 205, or go on a diet and go after Jose Aldo-- it doesn't matter." -Chael Sonnen
by Charles Awad on Dec 2, 2010 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
I wonder if Strikeforce has made any sort of commitment to helping market the game. It seems obvious to me that they originally planned a huge fall event (Fedor vs Overeem at Cowboys Stadium I was guessing) to help kick off the sales. I wonder if Strikeforce made a presentation to EA with what their plans were to capture public awareness? And if those plans were good/realistic enough for them to say “hey, it’s worth another shot”. Both sides seem to be pretty dependent on the other for success.
by John Nash on Dec 2, 2010 1:08 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
no way thay do another
when it only sells 100-150k in the first month there is now way they do another . sorry but thats the reality
EA has alot of money, they’ve made many EA sports games that were shit and sold like shit. i don’t think they are gonna give up just yet.
So, let me get this straight. First it was no way they make a sequel to EA MMA after the bad sales and now you are predicting no way they make a third game. Got it.
by memitim on Dec 1, 2010 11:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
if you are replying to me
you post makes no sense . i said they would not make another game ( sequel ) where did i mention a third game
What the he’ll are you talking about? They just announced they are making a sequel. That’s what this article is about. Did you read it?
by memitim on Dec 2, 2010 12:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
when the sequel hits the shelf i will belive it. 100-150k sales in one month against cost of making and marketing the game we will see. and dont say oh it wont cost much to tweak it a little and release crap
Ok, so I will listen to your analysis when one of EA’s head producers has publicly confirmed they are making the sequel. Unbelievable.
by memitim on Dec 2, 2010 12:28 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
so ea have never said the were going to do something then pulled the plug before lol give me a break. i also doubt the ea mma producer jeff ecker is involed in the meetings that count. one day he will come to work and at the end of the day he will be working on some other game or looking for a new job
Yeah, EA public relations sets up the interview for Ecker to announce there will be a sequel just to punk him. Please stop, you don’t know what you are talking about.
by memitim on Dec 2, 2010 12:45 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
No, I just don’t live in the fantasy world you live where facts don’t matter. The reality is, despite your nonsense here, is that there will be a MMA 2 from EA. Everything your spouting is pure bullshit.
by memitim on Dec 2, 2010 12:57 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
whatever champ. i see 100-150k sales and laugh at you belief that the sequel is a definate. im sure losing millions is all in the EA game plan lol
And I laugh at your juvenile use of words like nuthugger when a EA prized employee who works on some of their top games confirms, as a rep for the company, there will be a MMA 2 is just lip service. Stop playing Candyland and join the real world junior. You’re ridiculous.
by memitim on Dec 2, 2010 1:05 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
ive been living in the real world for 40years why dont u try sometime lol. things change all the time without warning but i guess thats easy to overlook living in your parents basement.
Stop being such a child. You have zero clue how things work in the real world and can only resort to teenage insults, like nuthugging and parents basement, when you are so clearly wrong and full of shit. Grow up, small fry. You can’t be taken remotely seriously when you ignore facts for your own fantasy.
by memitim on Dec 2, 2010 1:18 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is the world’s fastest growing sport, and Trump’s Affliction-M1 Entertainment Company is the fastest growing organization in MMA. Since June 2008, when Donald J. Trump became involved with Affliction Entertainment, the company has been able to attract the sport’s best heavyweight fighters away from the UFC, the longstanding MMA premier league, retaining die-hard MMA fans and reaching a new, broader audience.
how did that work out for them.
so this press release could be just as meaningless
And I love when you use lol at the end of every statement like a 13 year old girl texting her friends. Keep it up.
by memitim on Dec 2, 2010 1:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
oh ouch insulting me calling me a 13 year old girl. the horror how will i manage to live with myself.
fuckwit
Grow the fuck up.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not. | SB Nation Bay Area
I am sorry. This game was not better than THQ's
EA has proven time and time again that when it comes to making sports titles, it is just out of touch. I consider myself somewhat of a gamer. Not a pro gamer but I try all kinds of games and I blog about them too. EA is just not doing the job in sports games.
"Turn yourself not away from three best things: Good Thought, Good Word, and Good Deed" - Zoroaster
catch me if you can @ MMA Answers
Have you played both?
I’ve been playing EA for awhile now after playing Undisputed regularly. I recently switched back to the UFC game to compare the two and it’s not even close when it comes to entertainment factor. Undisputed is dull and it feels like work to do anything. The EA game blows it completely out of the water in everything but graphics and even there it’s close.
When a ball goes into a net, it only means something because we decide it means something. When somebody punches somebody in the face it always means something.
by lowellthehammer on Dec 1, 2010 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
I have tried both
I was a big fan of EA titles 4 years ago or so. But then they started doing some crazy stuff with their gaming engines. My problem is not that this game does not have good characters or whatever. It’s that I just am not feeling it. I am not saying UFC’s game perfect. Still.. Hope the second iteration is better. Who knows.
"Turn yourself not away from three best things: Good Thought, Good Word, and Good Deed" - Zoroaster
catch me if you can @ MMA Answers
by SheepleBuster on Dec 1, 2010 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not talking about characters or the production company though.
Neither of those are relevant and neither shape my view on the game itself. In straight gameplay, EA crushes THQ’s product. I mean for Christ’s sake you can’t even throw a combo in Undisputed, and the grappling system is so broken it’s not even funny. Combine that with a stats based career that’s so dull and mundane that you practically have to clock in for it and it’s a landslide victory for EA MMA.
When a ball goes into a net, it only means something because we decide it means something. When somebody punches somebody in the face it always means something.
by lowellthehammer on Dec 1, 2010 11:57 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Completely agree. EA’s game is far and away the better game from fight controls to training to overall gameplay. EA is superior in every area. If I wasn’t a MMA fan I could see how the roster seems anemic but I love playing as Bas or Jacare. So much more fun.
by memitim on Dec 1, 2010 11:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Whoa Whoa Whoa...wait a minute here!
What’s with all the positive comments about this god awful game? The graphics are crap and the controls were horrendous. They have some good ideas for online modes and titles but everything else is garbage. It’s no wonder the sales suck.
I think too many people are UFC fans and draw a strict line in what products they will purchase
That sucks since the sport in general is growing and this game could help MMA get some more eyes on it
It’s great that you love the game. Honestly, EA MMA is good for the sport, and if I liked the game, I’d buy it. But just because you like it and others don’t doesn’t mean you need to invent excuses as to why people dislike it. Sure, UFC sold more because it says UFC on it, but this is like the fifth time you’ve said what you’ve said. Some of us just … did not like EA MMA, that’s how it is.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not. | SB Nation Bay Area
The idea that UFC fans refusing to buy a non-UFC game due to some kind of strict brand loyalty is a bit silly. That UFC name on the box has brand recognition but it’s not hardcore UFC loyalist that drive the MMA video game market it’s people who like fighting video games.
Thats the whole point of brand loyalty or more so brand awareness
UFC has brand awareness wether people follow the sport or not people know what it is. Casual watchers would buy UFC or MMA because they think UFC is the sport and plus the fighters in the UFC also have their own following.
by Papercut Elbow on Dec 2, 2010 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
Brand loyalty and Brand awareness are two very different things:
Brand awareness is a marketing concept that measures consumers’ knowledge of a brand’s existence. At the aggregate (brand) level, it refers to the proportion of consumers who know of the brand.
Brand loyalty, in marketing, consists of a consumer’s commitment to repurchase or otherwise continue using the brand and can be demonstrated by repeated buying of a product or service or other positive behaviors such as word of mouth advocacy.
Brand loyalty is more than simple repurchasing, however. Customers may repurchase a brand due to situational constraints (such as vendor lock-in), a lack of viable alternatives, or out of convenience. Such loyalty is referred to as “spurious loyalty”. True brand loyalty exists when customers have a high relative attitude toward the brand which is then exhibited through repurchase behavior. This type of loyalty can be a great asset to the firm: customers are willing to pay higher prices, they may cost less to serve, and can bring new customers to the firm. For example, if Joe has brand loyalty to Company A he will purchase Company A’s products even if Company B’s are cheaper and/or of a higher quality.
Brand awareness undoubtably played a real part in this but I would imagine that EA brand loyalty(or lack of it) was a bigger issue than UFC brand loyalty in terms of these video game sales numbers. A casual fan isn’t being loyal to the UFC brand if he is unaware of EA’s MMA game or if he thinks it’s just a generic MMA platform. He didn’t draw a strict line as to what he would or wouldn’t buy he just chose the product he was actually aware of. EA may of been better served to of called their game Randy Couture MMA in terms of brand recognition.
In terms of hardcore internet MMA fans there is a strong UFC brand distaste involved. I would imagine in these circles the numbers of brand loyal UFC followers and the number of people who would root for pretty much anything outside of the UFC probably balance out (of course in terms of video game sales the relative handful of hardcore MMA fans probably isn’t statistically relevant either way).
I just can't get into the fighting with the analog stick thing.
I pre-ordered FNR4 and didn’t go pick it up from gamestop until they released the patch that lets you punch with face buttons.
by Brandon Starr on Dec 2, 2010 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
Not really a surprise
Programming a video game is a sunk cost. EA might regret investing time and resources in making an mma game at all, but it costs them virtually nothing to upgrade it a little and re-release it.
What do people keep saying this?
Eh.. it’s going to be an 18-24 month window. Tons of development costs go into these titles. Do you have any idea what they spend on Madden annually? It’s not a coat of paint.
"I'm gonna go after number one, whoever it is. If it's Anderson, or I gotta go up after the guys at 205, or go on a diet and go after Jose Aldo-- it doesn't matter." -Chael Sonnen
by Charles Awad on Dec 2, 2010 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
Madden uses its own graphics / physics engine, while EA MMA had a lot of the very difficult foundational engine work done for them in the Fight Night 4 engine (particularly the very impressive muscle contract/extend stuff).
Not to mention that a large slice of the budget for a major sports game is spent outside of programming and mechanics development — it’s mostly spent in securing rights and marketing and on art and that kind of stuff. Small mechanical changes and slight engine updates (usually netcode and physics stuff) are a fraction of the overall costs. The only really major costs would probably be middleware purchases.
EA MMA’s overall costs were probably quite a bit lower than Fight Night Round 4 (it’s closest sibling in the EA family), because they didn’t have to spend as much money getting their fighters and proprietary technologies. Even Fedor Emelianenko and Randy Couture would be a small cost by comparison to, say, Ali and Tyson and Pacquiao.
I’m not saying EA MMA did well, but… well, look at how the game was marketed and prepped. EA were never full behind it and the fact that they’re letting it go for a second iteration is either because they’d planned it as a two-title investment (kinda standard fare) or they felt that the technology value of the development (things that could potentially feed back into the Fight Night series, for example) was high enough to let it run another cycle.
YUSSS.
I enjoyed EA MMA immensely, I found it much deeper and more fluid than Undisputed 2010. Here’s hoping the next one actually sells….
Good to hear...
Comptetition breeds better quality products, as THQ is even having surveys for their next game. Shows that they need to build something for their fans, before EA MMA hurts their sales.
I just hope EA makes a significant jump in their next installment. EA MMA felt like EA MMA .5
by A K I R A on Dec 1, 2010 11:57 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Thrilled about this.
Regardless of which game you feel is superior it’s still great to have more MMA on the market.
When a ball goes into a net, it only means something because we decide it means something. When somebody punches somebody in the face it always means something.
by lowellthehammer on Dec 1, 2010 11:58 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I don't know how anyone could not like the EA MMA game.
You can bawwww about “bubububut no UFC fighters” and “bububut it’s not selling well” all you want, it’s a damn good game and way more fun to play than Undisputed.
Just because some of us don’t like it doesn’t mean we aren’t buying it because of sales or lack of UFC fighters.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not. | SB Nation Bay Area
Am I the only one who enjoyed 09 better than 10 and MMA?
Hard core MMA fan since UFC 99
by ChiCubs23 on Dec 2, 2010 1:54 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I did, but I chalk that up to absence making the heart grow fonder. 09 was the first MMA game in ages and was the first one for the present generation of consoles. The console was jonesing for an MMA title and 09 filled the bill. By the time 10 and EA rolled around, the craving for an MMA game was not as strong.
by Steve4192 on Dec 2, 2010 8:35 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I have the game and like it,
but a lot of things about lack compared to UFC. Ground game lacks the same depth, regarding positioning, and moves. Things like difference in speed with Total Stick Control vs. Classic Control. Disproportionate statistics, and damage (2 heel kicks from inside someone’s guard shouldn’t take away half your stamina. Etc. The movement also.
The total stick control is awesome (i love fn3, and 4). The design is cool, and the arenas are pretty cool as well as variations in rule sets. People touting this game as much better than the UFC game are off imo.
"In this fight, Anderson showed he was human," Nogueira said. "He showed he could be weak. But he showed he is a fighter and he brings something from his heart. It was beautiful."
by Broke Lesnar on Dec 2, 2010 7:31 AM EST reply actions
even standup seems to lack uniqueness amongst fighters
"In this fight, Anderson showed he was human," Nogueira said. "He showed he could be weak. But he showed he is a fighter and he brings something from his heart. It was beautiful."
by Broke Lesnar on Dec 2, 2010 7:51 AM EST up reply actions
I agree with Broke Lesnar, I bought this off the strength of some of the comments around this Blog and others and since having it I’ve been very disappointed, there’s really only 2 modes, as far as the fighting itself the reaction to the controls are VERY slow…I’ll press to throw a punch and it’s never thrown or takes a second or two for the fighter to throw it….plus the graphics are horrendous, Shinya Aoki looks like something that’d be on a PS2 game…and like someone said the ground game isn’t as good as Undisputed, however I do like the fact that pulling off a submission is WAAAAAAAAAY easier….the different rules are cool but don’t really add what it should….I wish this had a PPV mode like Undisputed too
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