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2015 featured three sports games that finished in top ten of sales
Every year there are three constants in the final end-of-year NPD sales rankings. Madden, NBA 2K, and FIFA are undoubtedly going to be found taking up 3 of the 10 slots.
For the third time in the last four years the Madden NFL franchise has finished second in sales in North America over the 12 month period. Madden NFL 16 only sold fewer copies than Call of Duty: Black Ops III. Along with Madden NFL 15 and Madden NFL 13, which were second place finishes, and Madden NFL 25 which came in third, it has consistently been the strongest selling sports series in North America on a calendar year basis.
That has continued to be the case despite the rise of NBA 2K which came in sixth. Far stronger overseas than Madden, and with a much longer tail that will have it as a top seller for another six months, NBA 2K16 will end up beating out Madden 16 in total sales. Sixth is as high as the NBA 2K series has peaked for end-of-year sales in the region.
FIFA 16 finished eighth for the year which is also a new high finish for the series that first cracked the top 10 in 2012. It too has a tremendous following in foreign markets, and will end up either the highest selling video game worldwide released in 2015 or second only to Black Ops III.
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Beta announced for EA Sports UFC 2
After teasing it for over a week the official announcement of a beta for EA Sports UFC 2 was made today and signups are now open. To be eligible for the beta one must own a copy of the first EA Sports UFC game on PS4 or Xbox one, or have an active subscription to EA Access on XB1. The beta is only available in North America and those interested must register by January 21. There appears to be an issue with the signups right now however, as some eligible people including myself are being told they are ineligible.
The beta will run from January 28 through February 4. It includes Quick Fights with a limited number of fighters, online fights, Ultimate Team, Practice Mode, and Skills Challenges. Any stats or progression earned will not carry over to the full retail game.
This is the second online beta that EA Sports has run, but features more than was offered with the EA Sports Hockey League beta last year for NHL 16. What this will allow for is developer EA Canada to make adjustments based on feedback not just to online but also general gameplay.
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LeBron James moves into tie with Stephen Curry atop NBA 2K16 ratings
For the first time since late November Steph Curry does not stand alone as the highest rated player in NBA 2K16. In today’s roster update LeBron James moved up a point to 95 and now shares that honor with him. From November 5 to November 26 the two were tied at 94, and prior to that LeBron had been the top rated player in the NBA 2K series for over five years.
LeBron was boosted in all of the shooting categories. In the six games played so far this month he’s shooting 58% from the field.
Other notable movement in today’s roster update includes Kawhi Leonard (-1 to 91), DeMarcus Cousins (+1 to 89), Kyle Lowry (+1 to 88), Carmelo Anthony (+1 to 88), Klay Thompson (+1 to 86), LaMarcus Aldridge (+1 to 85), Al Horford (+1 to 83), Reggie Jackson (-1 to 83), Tyreke Evans (+2 to 82), Danilo Gallinari (+2 to 82), Marc Gasol (-1 to 81), Jeff Teague (-2 to 80), Avery Bradley (-2 to 79), and Tobias Harris (-2 to 77).
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New PC free-to-play game Winning Putt now in open beta
Today BANDAI NAMCO announced a new free-to-play multiplayer PC game called Winning Putt. Golfers begin unskilled but improve and level up over time, earning new abilities and upgraded gear. It’s now in open beta, which offers up seven courses, foursome matches, and challenges against other golfers in betting rounds where in-game currency can be wagered. The beta can be joined through the website for the game. Read more
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Moving the Rams to Los Angeles in Madden NFL 16
With the news of the Rams move to Los Angeles being official, and the Chargers possibly heading there as well, it’s an awful development for the former fans in St. Louis plus those in San Diego and Oakland who have been left hanging in the wind with zero finality to their situations. However those in the LA market excited for a team are feeling far different emotions. They don’t have to wait until Madden NFL 17 to play with the Los Angeles Rams in Madden.
The relocation feature in Madden NFL 16 provides an opportunity to move the Rams to LA beginning with the second season in Franchise Mode.
The key weeks when playing or simming through the 2015-16 regular season are five (declare intention to relocate and select a city), six (choose the team name which can remain the Rams), and eight (decide between stadium options). After that, it can be simmed ahead to free agency and the draft or all the way through to the beginning of the 2016-17 season. The video below goes through the process for those who haven’t utilized the feature before.
Madden NFL 17 is going to be more intriguing for a fair number of conusumers because of the one or two teams in Los Angeles, the addition of LA Memorial Coliseum, and possibly even Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Falcons in year two of Franchise.
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First Set of 2015 Pastapadre Community Award Winners
After a few weeks of collecting votes – the total of which exceeded 28K – it’s time to announce the winners of the 2015 Pastapadre Community Choice Awards. In this half of the reveal the categories being examined are Best Gameplay, Best Presentation, Best Post-Release Support, Best Career Mode, and Best Team-Building Mode. Read more
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New video looks at the major gameplay improvements found in EA Sports UFC 2
In a new video that went out today some of the previously announced improvements to gameplay coming with EA Sports UFC 2 are further examined. The game is now just over two months away from release and those with Amazon Prime can pre-order the standard edition for $48 or the deluxe edition for $56.
KNOCKOUT PHYSICS SYSTEM
With the new physics-driven hit reaction system, every knockout will feel different from the last. Fighters will fall in response to their momentum and the blow they receive, making each knockout feel responsive and rewarding.NEXT-LEVEL SUBMISSIONS
Dominate the mat like Ronda Rousey. From chaining your moves, quick transitions, and the ability to do standing submissions, there are more ways to defeat your opponent.DYNAMIC GRAPPLING
Great names like Fabricio Werdum, Johny Hendricks and Demian Maia have always been incredible on the ground. In EA SPORTS UFC 2, we’re bringing the ground game to life with more variety and responsiveness, featuring freedom and control not seen in any previous MMA game.ULTIMATE DEFENSE
When you watch a fighter like Jose Aldo, who is able to frustrate an opponent by simply making himself unhittable, it can sway the outcome of a fight. In EA SPORTS UFC 2, we’ve put more control in how you’re able to defend yourself. Greater head movement lets you slip and dodge incoming strikes while our improved blocking and parry system will make your opponent think twice before attempting a strike. -
EA Sports UFC 2 and MLB The Show 16 among pre-orders discounted at Amazon
Last year many Amazon offered $10 promotional credits on many video game pre-orders in order to compete with the Best Buy Gamer’s Club. Now the online retailer has gone even further by discounting practically all game pre-orders by 20% for Amazon Prime members.
Upcoming sports titles EA Sports UFC 2 and MLB The Show 16, both slated to release in March, are among the deals now available. That makes each $48 for the standard versions or $56 for the versions that include extra content.
EA Sports UFC 2: Standard Edition – Deluxe Edition
MLB The Show 16: Standard Edition – MVP EditionThe discount may not be seen on the product page but rather applied at checkout. As with all pre-orders on Amazon the charges are not made until the games ship and can be cancelled at any time prior to then. The promotion will extend beyond the pre-order period with 20% off even through the two weeks that follow release.
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