Legal Niches

EA Skipping EA Sports MMA Scandinavian Release over Energy Drink Branding

By james_fudge

EA is serious about retaining the authenticity in its upcoming mixed martial arts game, EA Sports MMA - to the point of not releasing it in regions that want to alter it in any way. One such place where it would have to be altered to have any such chance of a release is Scandinavia. According to Computer & Video Games, a Scandinavian law which prohibits any form of marketing for energy drinks (how odd is that?) is a serious concern for EA Sports.

Why? Because EA Sports MMA features energy drink-branded fighter shorts and environments that the company believes is an integral part of the game. Or is it because stripping those elements from the game would cost them money? Integrity or money aside, EA Sports won't publish the game in that region if it has to take the branding out.

So, sad to say, MMA game fans won't be playing EA Sports MMA because of some sports drink they have probably never heard of.

Full post as published by GamePolitics.com on August 27, 2010 (boomark / email).