EA Sports to produce UFC Video Games

One big piece of news coming out of EA’s E3 Conference earlier today is the licensing rights to UFC video games, to be branded under the EA Sports lable. THQ made three previous UFC titles with developer Yukes, whereas EA tried to branch off into their own MMA title, and apparently that didn’t work out too well.

Kind of odd seeing this deal happen after UFC President Dana White so vehemently criticized EA about a fall through on a deal to bring UFC to them originally. But hey, time heals all wounds, right? Or maybe that’s money.

Regardless, here’s the full press release below.

EA SPORTS TO PRODUCE UFC VIDEOGAMES

UNDER LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH ZUFFA, LLC

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. ? June 4, 2012 ? Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA) announced today a licensing agreement with Zuffa, LLC, to produce and distribute videogames bearing its Ultimate Fighting Championship? (UFC) brand.  The new multi-year, multi-product partnership will provide EA the exclusive rights to develop UFC videogames, which will be developed and marketed under the EA SPORTS? brand.

?We?re thrilled to begin a long-term partnership that will bring fans incredibly authentic, and deeply connected, UFC videogames,? said Andrew Wilson, EVP and Head of EA SPORTS.  ?UFC has become a global powerhouse because they have the world?s best fighters, competing in the world?s best mixed martial arts events.  We share UFC?s passion for the sport, and we look forward to capturing all of the intensity and excitement of the action with unique new game experiences across a range of platforms.?

Zuffa has licensed to EA the UFC rights previously held by THQ, Inc. (THQI).

?We?d like to thank THQ for creating some of the most critically-acclaimed sports videogames of this console generation, and we?re excited to enter a new relationship with EA that will help us deepen our connection with fighting fans around the world,? said UFC President Dana White.  ?There?s no one better at creating authentic sports videogames than EA SPORTS, and we?re excited to have a partner who shares our vision of deep, connected and multi-platform global game experiences.?

?We?ve 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,? said THQ CEO Brian Farrell. ?We?d like to thank the UFC for their great support and partnership and wish EA all the best moving forward.?

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences.  EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, content and online services for videogame consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, tablets and social networks. EA SPORTS game franchises include Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL? hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA? Football, Fight Night boxing and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR? golf.

For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game communities, please visit www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.