<p><span data-contrast="auto">The world of video games is a dynamic place, where everything from graphics to gameplay is constantly being fine</span><span data-contrast="auto">-tuned or revolutionized on an almost monthly basis.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259,";335559991";:360,";469777462";:[720],";469777927";:[0],";469777928";:[8]}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">In so many ways sports are </span><span data-contrast="auto">the same</span><span data-contrast="auto">, with fans growing bored if they are not fed with new storylines a</span><span data-contrast="auto">longside</span><span data-contrast="auto"> different competitions and tournaments to feast their eyes on.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259,";335559991";:360,";469777462";:[720],";469777927";:[0],";469777928";:[8]}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">Unfortunately, one product that spans both these industries has failed to keep pace, despite the huge demand for it, and that is the sports video game.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259,";335559991";:360,";469777462";:[720],";469777927";:[0],";469777928";:[8]}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">In this article we look at why sports video games fail to deliver on a perennial basis and what can be done to turn their fortunes around.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259,";335559991";:360,";469777462";:[720],";469777927";:[0],";469777928";:[8]}"> </span><b></b></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><i><span data-contrast="auto"><a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/08/10/06/06/controller-2618897_1280.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/08/10/06/06/controller-2618897_1280.jpg" width="1280" height="960" /></a></span></i><b><span data-contrast="auto">Tired Formats</span></b><b><span data-contrast="auto"> and Franchises &#8211; </span></b><b><span data-contrast="auto">US Sports Suffer the Most</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259,";335559991";:360,";469777462";:[720],";469777927";:[0],";469777928";:[8]}"> </span></h4>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Some sports video games simply haven’t changed for years, with only the gloss of better graphics painting over the cracks of the same old game </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wQKwt6MrMo"><span data-contrast="none">in dir</span><span data-contrast="none">e</span><span data-contrast="none"> need of a complete re-work</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259,";335559991";:360,";469777462";:[720],";469777927";:[0],";469777928";:[8]}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">In this regard i</span><span data-contrast="auto">t</span><span data-contrast="auto"> appears to be US sports fans who get the short straw, with the likes of the Madden franchise in the NFL and EA’s NHL series of games </span><span data-contrast="auto">acting as</span> <span data-contrast="auto">a </span><span data-contrast="auto">case in point.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259,";335559991";:360,";469777462";:[720],";469777927";:[0],";469777928";:[8]}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">T</span><span data-contrast="auto">his has even led to games regressing, with many NHL video game fans clamoring for a return to the days of NHL 09 or 10, when the game featured innovative side challenges such as three-on-three.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259,";335559991";:360,";469777462";:[720],";469777927";:[0],";469777928";:[8]}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">Although such gaming titles still sell by the bucketload every year, the danger is that their popularity will be overtaken by other forms of games. After</span> <span data-contrast="auto">all, none of the top streamed games on the likes of Twitch or Mixer </span><span data-contrast="auto">are sports related.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259,";335559991";:360,";469777462";:[720],";469777927";:[0],";469777928";:[8]}"> </span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span data-contrast="auto">Other Sports Entertainment Platforms Show the Way</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></h4>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">When it comes to innovation that sports game developers can turn to for inspiration there are plenty of options in other areas of sports entertainment.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">Behind the scenes shows run by major sports television networks go on the hunt for rich storylines to mine as well as giving fascinating detail about what it takes to reach the top. So few sports games ever bother to do this and almost never feature backroom staff or practice squad players, all of whom could feed into richer and more engaging storylines.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Another place where innovation has outstripped that shown in video gaming is in the world of online sports betting</span><span data-contrast="auto">. In this arena,</span><span data-contrast="auto"> companies have adapted quickly to the surge in mobile gaming around the world, producing apps and products that allow customers to </span><a href="https://www.vegasbetting.com/"><span data-contrast="none">access sports odds whether they are in Las Vegas</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> or the UK. They combine this ease of access with intuitive controls and real time stats, two things that are sadly missing in mobile versions of sports </span><span data-contrast="auto">video </span><span data-contrast="auto">games.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span data-contrast="auto">Rights Deals Kill Drive for Creativity</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></h4>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">One of the main issues blighting the sports video game </span><span data-contrast="auto">is</span><span data-contrast="auto"> the rights package deals that large developers acquire from sports leagues. </span><span data-contrast="auto">This has led to a seeming stagnation of creativity and willingness to take risks, because the developer who owns the rights know</span><span data-contrast="auto">s</span><span data-contrast="auto"> they will make a profit no matter how their game plays.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">As competition among sports leagues mounts, as well as the threat from eSports</span><span data-contrast="auto"> looming on the horizon</span><span data-contrast="auto">, it may be time for leagues such as the NFL and NBA to test the waters with other developers who </span><span data-contrast="auto">can</span><span data-contrast="auto"> do a better job of promoting the</span><span data-contrast="auto">ir</span><span data-contrast="auto"> league’s brand.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span data-contrast="auto"><a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/10/22/18/04/freerider-498473_1280.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/10/22/18/04/freerider-498473_1280.jpg" width="1280" height="828" /></a></span></b><strong>Some Games Shine a Light for Others to Follow </strong></h4>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">When it comes to true innovation in sports video games the market leaders tend to come from places you wouldn’t expect, such as niche extreme sports.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">If you haven’t </span><a href="https://bagogames.com/dirt-world-championships-to-be-sponsored-by-volkswagen-r/"><span data-contrast="none">played Dirt Rally yet then yo</span><span data-contrast="none">u</span><span data-contrast="none"> should</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">;</span><span data-contrast="auto"> likewise with SSX</span><span data-contrast="auto">,</span><span data-contrast="auto"> which allows you to snowboard in wild locations</span><span data-contrast="auto"> and adds extra dimensions to an already radical sport.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559685";:720,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>This article contains sponsored links.</em></p>

BagoGames > Articles > Opinion > Why Sports Video Games Need to Get Better and Think Outside the Box
Why Sports Video Games Need to Get Better and Think Outside the Box
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By Chris Newton
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