UFC announces deal with EA Sports

EA Sports has announced that it will be the maker of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) series of video games in the future.

An agreement between EA and THQ, the current developer of UFC games, means that the license will be transferred while an undisclosed cash payment is made to THQ.

UFC President Dana White seemed excited about the news, saying: “We look forward to joining forces with EA to leverage their sports platform and expand our brand in the video game space.”

The UFC Undisputed games have been developed by THQ since 2009, culminating in three critically acclaimed titles.

Chairman and CEO of THQ, Brian Farrell, said: “We have relished our relationship with UFC over the last several years and believe that the UFC gaming brand is in great shape.

“THQ’s more focused strategy moving forward meant that transferring the license to EA made sense to all parties.”

THQ will continue to publish its existing console and mobile titles through to 31 March 2013.