The Gamer Blog: Five Bold Predictions for 2009

EA Sports

NHL 3 on 3 Arcade gives Jon hope for the future of EA Sports.

If you're a die-hard gamer, 2008 hit some of the highest highs in the history of cyber sports. From NHL 09's EA Sports Hockey League, to the ability to play an online dynasty in NCAA Football 09, to the style and presentation of Sony's MLB 08, games not only did their sports proud, they provided some truly innovative experiences the likes of which had never been seen on home consoles.

On the other hand, 2008 will also be remembered for some of the lowest lows that, as a gamer, I've felt since the NFL decided to sell the exclusive license (or to some, their souls) to EA. Not only did 2K Sports decide to give up the NCAA Basketball license (abandoning one of my favorite games, College Hoops, in the process), but EA Sports decided to dedicate millions of dollars in order to capture the "mainstream" with some of the worst sports games I've ever played, including Facebreaker, Celebrity Sports Showdown (Reggie Bush playing volleyball against Fergie?) and the brutal collection of All-Play titles on the Wii.

What will 2009 have in store?

Here are some thoughts of what gamers might expect in the coming year:

EA Sports will finally get "mainstream" right
The biggest lesson EA learned by releasing disasters like Facebreaker and NCAA Football 09 All-Play is that "mainstream" gaming doesn't mean dropping your standards to the lowest common denominator. For a game to break mainstream, it doesn't need to be dumbed down for the masses. Madden, for example, is one of the most mainstream games on any system and, at the same time, it's also one of the most complicated sports game on the market. Just because my grandmother wants to try Wii Sports, doesn't mean that she's out there looking to pick up a new system and a simpler way to play NCAA Football. It just means that the old lady needs exercise.

But the reason I think EA learned their lesson is a game that recently came across my desk called 3 on 3 NHL Arcade. It's NBA Jam on ice—a simple, fast, big-hitting, big-headed hockey experience gamers haven't seen in years. It's also EA Sports' first attempt at the direct-to-download market of Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network and will cost around ten bucks. If that price doesn't hit the mainstream, I don't know what will.

If successful, look for EA to deliver even more download-only games on the cheap. Hopefully, an NBA Jam clone isn't too far behind.

Less is more
As EA Sports moves forward with downloadable games, I also predict they will cut some of the titles from their roster. If quality is any indication, NCAA Football All-Play for the Wii should be the first to go, as I don't know why anyone would want to settle for a game that is so stripped of features and gameplay. The only thing it has in common with the great series is its title.

2K Sports will be sold
Take Two might have held off EA's bid to takeover the company, but the 2K Sports brand continues to struggle financially. How bad is it? I predict if MLB 2K9 isn't a million seller, Take Two will look to sell the brand to the highest bidder.

Think about a company like Activision buying the brand and adding Tony Hawk to the 2K Sports mix. The combination of Hawk and NBA 2K10 could be a potent one-two punch for the holidays.

Ubisoft is another company who has always flirted with sports gaming and could add the popular Shaun White series to the brand to help boost numbers.

Either way, a sale could be the only way 2K Sports gets the money it needs to continue to compete with EA.

UFC 2009 Undisputed will be a surprise hit
Even though past UFC games have been big busts, look for Undisputed to break out of the pack and become one of the more talked about sports games of the year. When I first saw this game, I simply couldn't believe what I was seeing on the screen was actual gameplay—it looks that good.

The game has been in development for almost two years now and THQ's patience with the development team looks to have really paid off. Undisputed features all five UFC weight classes, a roster that includes everyone from Brock Lesnar to Rampage Jackson and an amazing physics engine that will have gamers pummeling polygons for months.

Definitely be on the lookout for this game when it drops in June.

A defensive player will be on the cover of Madden NFL 10
The Madden cover is one of the most closely guarded secrets in gaming, and that has always kind of baffled me, because really, who cares who's on the cover? (Besides me, of course, as I have this strange obsession with the topic that I'll get into at a later time.) But really, does anyone buy the game based on whose picture is on the box?

But people do care, and gamers can actually get quite passionate on the subject, so let me offer my prediction: For the first time since Ray Lewis appeared on Madden NFL 2005, there will be a defensive player on the cover.

Call it a hunch, but I just think it's time the defensive side of the ball gets a makeover in the game, and with that makeover, EA will need a spokesman to explain the new ball hawking system or the new pass rushing mechanics or whatever EA Sports comes up with for the 2010 version of the series.

Right now, my money is on Troy Polamalu, but don't count out Ed Reed or even a second cover for Ray Lewis. The Madden cover is all about creating buzz, and making Lewis the first-ever two-time Madden cover athlete would certainly get sports gamers and fans talking, especially since Ray managed to avoid the curse the first time around.

Would anyone dare test the curse two times?

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