14 DAY TRIAL // Electronic Arts' Sports division has been doing extremely well in the last few years, thanks to the FIFA soccer and Madden NFL football simulators, so the company isn't ruling out the possibility of seeing new, more arcade-like titles appear that focus on the two disciplines.
EA Sports is once again looking forward to the release of two of its biggest money makers, in the form of FIFA 12 and Madden NFL 12.
But while these two titles really drive the company forward, EA Sports Vice President of Worldwide Development, Andrew Wilson, doesn't rule out the possibility of seeing new versions of classic arcade sports games like FIFA Street or NFL Arcade, similar to how last year's NBA Jam delivered a stylized basketball experience because the proper NFL Elite 11 simulator couldn't be finished in time.
"We just did some great stuff with NBA Jam and that was very well received, and there's absolutely a place in our portfolio for those types of products. We're at a point where we have a much more direct relationship with our consumer than ever before, and we work very closely with them on what they want to play.
"So we'll talk to them about whether it makes sense for an arcade soccer or (American) football title, because there's absolutely a place for them in our portfolio - at the point that people want to play them."
Wilson also talked with CVG about the possibility of seeing the return of games that tackle less popular sports, like rugby or cricket, which appeared many years ago, but failed to generate sales for EA Sports.
"I've been on this rugby and cricket journey for the 11 years I've worked at EA, and in all honesty I actually think things are starting to shift," he said. "I think the expectations are much higher today, and rightly so. We want to make sure we can deliver great games, and I just don't think we're in the right place for that today."
As you can see, EA Sports wants to publish lots of other titles besides its traditional FIFA, Madden or NHL ones, but it's going to take some time before we see arcade or other sports projects come to life.