WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2005
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SA
Virtual CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
According to its Web site easports.com, the company produces 27 titles that consistently sell more than one million copies a year. The yearly Madden football game is by far the most popular sports video game on the market. It sold more than five million copies in 2004, according to msn.com. The game is so popular that gamestop.com reported that it sold 1.3 million copies in its first week alone.
other to and er. cost
EA Sports declined to comment on the number of copies of "NCAA March Madness 2004" it had sold, but msn.com reported that the company has sold more than one million copies of "NCAA Football 2004."
According to its Web site, Electronic Arts is estimating revenue of $3.1 billion for this fiscal year.
Sports are a large part of the gaming business. They account for more than $2 billion, or 20 percent, of the $10 billion industry, said Tom Harlin, public relations manager of Nintendo of America. He attributed the high level of sales to the intensely loyal video game players, who tend to buy the yearly release of each game.
Gamers like to live vicariously through the games, Harlin said.
"Sports have become an integral part of people's lives, and yet there are only a few people that are able to play at either the collegiate or professional level," he said. "Video games allow people to not only simulate that game experience, but have fun with some unique and playful twists."
All good sports video games need to have licensing agreements with their respective leagues, he said. If a game isn't realistic, no one will buy it.
EA Sports recently reached an agreement with the Collegiate Licensing Company — which represents more than 200 colleges, universities, bowl games and conferences, as well as all NCAA Championships — for an
exclusive college football license. The company also has a non-exclusive license for college basketball.
The agreement allows EA Sports' games to include replicas of every stadium for both "NCAA Football 2005" and "NCAA March Madness 2005," and most mascots and cheerleaders can be seen on the sidelines.
Junior forward Christian Moody has seen the game and thinks the atmosphere and players match reality.
"My younger siblings play the game, and when I'm at home they'll call me upstairs and show me a replay of some fantastic play I just made," he said. "It's pretty neat to see yourself doing cool stuff in a
game like that."
The University of Kansas received $13,000 for "NCAA March Madness 2004," said Jim Marchionh, associate athletics director for external affairs. The University also received $40,000 for "NCAA Football 2004."
Cashing in
"Two-thirds of it goes to scholarships at the University, and the other third goes to the athletics department budget," Marchiony said.
The University has a licensing agreement with EA Sports, which allows the video game company to use Kansas' name, logo, mascot, team uniforms, player numbers, player attributes and the likenesses of Allen Fieldhouse and Memorial Stadium.
The money the University received was based on the number of video games sold. The other 322 schools involved received a similar amount of money, NCAA Director of
better the game does, the more money the NCAA makes."
Self also received money for a cameo appearance in the game. "NCAA March Madness 2005" introduced a new feature called "The Floor General," which allowed gamers to control the game through their starting point guard.
In the game, Self explains how to use its new feature and gives a tutorial that shows him speaking in Hadl Auditorium. During the explanation, the screen cuts to animated footage of the Kansas men's basketball team demonstrating how to use the feature.
Screenshot contributed by gamespot.com
"I've known the people from EA Sports for a while now because they've helped to sponsor exhibition games and the Maui Classic," Self said. "They just called me up, and I did it for very minimal compensation."
Self declined to comment specifically, on the actual dollar amount, saying he was paid only for his time.
Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson appeared in "NCAA March Madness 2004," and Change Mariner, a business Web site, reported that he received a few thousand dollars for his role.
for scouting reports to create realistic teams and playbooks, according to its Web site.
Self said his work for the game took about an hour and a half, but it was worth it because of the exposure Kansas received.
"I know that there are prospects out there that play the game and will notice," he said. "I'm sure there have been positive benefits for everyone involved because it's exposure for your school."
student athletes, but the situation is different for the professionals.
In professional games such as "Madden NFL, 2005," "NBA Live 2005" and "Tiger Woods 2005." actual players are used. Every athlete's body and face are re-created in the game. Even individual player celebrations
are featured
To be able to use such detail, EA Sports pays big money.
SEE VIRTUAL ON PAGE 6A
LAWRENCE AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS INC.
842-8665 2858 Four Wheel Dr.
TRADITION KEEPERS JOIN TODAY!
Runner's Clinic
Wed. April 20th 1:00-4:00pm Thurs.April21st 9:00-11:00am
All KU students, faculty and staff are invited to attend. Sponsored by the Physical Therapy Department at Watkins Memorial Health Center. Come to the south entrance (Inclement weather site: Physical Therapy Dept. 2nd floor)
Wear your shorts and usual running shoes for a free evaluation of problems experienced by running, walking and aerobic exercise. This clinic is staffed by physicians and physical therapists. (Aerobic stress test not included.) There is a charge for supplies, if needed.
To register, call 864-9592 (appointments preferred)
The University of Kansas