Separate Card Games from Other Game Modes
The most lucrative, and arguably most popular, modes in each of the major sports titles are their respective card game modes. EA Sports has Ultimate Team, NBA 2k has MyTeam, and MLB the Show’s equivalent is called Diamond Dynasty.
In these modes, players attempt to build their teams from the ground up by opening packs of cards that can contain athletes, uniforms, stadiums, or other boosts. As they play they can earn credits that can be used to buy individual cards or packs with varying degrees of guaranteed rarity. Not interested in earning the credits by playing the game? Not a problem, real money can be used to purchase the credits needed to buy new cards.
It was recently reported that EA Sports’ three card game modes — Madden Ultimate Team, FIFA Ultimate Team, and Hockey Ultimate Team — generate about $365 million of revenue annually. These are modes the require very little maintenance and very little change to be profitable. Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer attempted, at least, a part of this model when they launched their myClub mode as a separate FTP mode. EA has also implemented this model on mobile versions of Madden and FIFA.
Sports games have two separate audiences. Those who are interested in the team-building card game modes, and those who are interested in the career modes. By separating out the two modes and making the card game FTP, companies create a low-risk entry point for those unfamiliar with the game, assimilate customers with the card marketplace by freeing up money that would have otherwise been spent on the game itself, and ensures career mode players that they are not paying for game modes they are disinterested in.
