MMOEXP: Expect another exciting game feature coming to Madden 25
In the following days, Riccitiello listed EA's "strong expanding franchises" as "Madden 25 coins, Need for Speed, Medal of Honor, Battlefield...Mass Effect...Dragon Age and the only one that's still not confirmed to be that it will be released later in our budget would be Star Wars[: The Old Republic." Then he added, "Now that excludes Dead Space since I believe it's likely to require Dead Space 3 before we reach the 5 million-unit frequency versus, say, 3,4 [million]." (Emphasis added.)
Riccitiello has also commented on the news earlier this week that the EANFL exclusive agreement was extended until 2022. He said, "What was reported in the media was more than I was hoping to make known at this time regarding our relationship with the NFL and how they've granted us relief...against the royalties we have been granted in the event of an emergency lockout this year. What was reported through the press...it is safe to say that it is mostly accurate."
He added, "We did negotiate our P&L in the case of a lockout to ensure we don't suffer more than we normally would. We also extended the contract which was excellent. One issue that was difficult to figure out of a sense that we will pay a higher price later for [National Football] League rights than in the past, and this isn't the case. Therefore, we've extended the relationship, however, there's no quid pro-quo in 2022 or 2022 fiscal year for a greater amount at any point at a later date."
The executive also discussed his hopes regarding Battlefield 3, due out on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox 360 later in the year. "I've given no reason to doubt that I'd like market leadership in the business of first-person shooters," said Riccitiello. "In several ways, I think we invented the first mass-market shooter for first-person shooting with cheap Mut 25 coins Medal of Honor. But, as we transitioned to the PS5 timeframe we lost the Medal of Honor. We're after it now."