EA and UFC on MMA VG's

EA is set to expand their sports gaming franchise now that the UFC has teamed up with them to produce the next edition of the UFC's fight-based video game. Recently announced at E3, White said on the partnership, "We've hooked up with the biggest video game company on the planet. We can now distribute this game to the 175 countries, 22 different languages, and over half-a-billion homes worldwide that we're in. This is a huge day for the UFC, a big day for the fighters, and more importantly, for you, the fans."

Odd words from a man who once declared himself as being "at war with EA." As White says, he had once approached EA to work on a UFC game. However, "EA Sports told us, 'You're not a real sport,'" White said. " 'We wouldn't touch this thing. We want nothing to do with this.' "  White then worked with developer THQ to make his own UFC game, without EA. But shortly after THQ released the game, EA released their own MMA game shortly after. 
 
Understandably, White was not happy about it, once declaring "EA sucks" in a 2010 interview, and even going so far as to blacklist any UFC fighter that signed over likeness rights to EA. 

But that was then, and this is now, and for now, both EA and White seem to have buried the hatchet, White saying, "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." EA seems to share in the sentiment, EA Sports Executive Andrew WIlson saying "UFC is the number one MMA brand in the world. They have world-class athletes, world-class fights, and they put on great shows. And without tooting our own horn, I think we're the world-class sports interactive brand, so I think the relationship is the right one. I'm amazed it took us this long to pull together, but it has, and good things come to those who wait."

The deal is a "multi-year, multi-product partnership." No word on when the first title under the EA label launches, but we'll let you know as soon as we hear anything.