BREAKING NEWS – UFC transition the rights of their video games from THQ to EA Sports
THQ Inc and Zuffa LLC, today announced that they have reached an agreement resulting in Zuffa licensing to Electronic Arts Inc. the right to publish videogames based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship brand, effective today. The agreement results in an undisclosed cash payment to THQ. Additionally, THQ will continue to publish its existing console and mobile titles through March 31, 2013.
UFC President, Dana White said via a press release:
“Over the last three years, THQ has delivered best-in-class, all-encompassing experiences to MMA fans, sports enthusiasts and fighting gamers around the globe with its UFC Undisputed series. We want to thank them for their stewardship of our brand. We look forward to joining forces with EA to leverage their sports platform, and expand our brand in the video game space.”
Brian Farrell, THQ’s Chairman and CEO, added:
“We have relished our relationship with UFC over the last several years and believe that the UFC gaming brand is in great shape. THQ’s more focused strategy moving forward meant that transferring the license to EA made sense to all parties. We would like to thank UFC for their great support and partnership and wish EA all the best moving forward.”
Dana was hardly the biggest fan of EA just a few months ago after it was revealed the video game developers turned their nose up at the chance of working with them in the beginning. EA did put together a rather unsuccessful MMA video game offering featuring the likes of Fedor Emelianenko and Randy Couture, a title that failed to capture the imagination of the fans.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
Why not tell us what you think about this story and get your thoughts featured in this week’s edition of MMABay Radio? Email Mailbag@mmabay.co.uk, start the subject with the word ‘RADIO MAILBAG’ and we’ll talk about our favourites on the next show.
