EA hoping to see MMA sequel

EA Vancouver has said it hopes to see an MMA sequel to come out of EA Tiburon despite initial weak sales of the first game.

"I hope so; I really think that the sport is still blossoming, it's extremely popular but I don't think its hit the peak yet," Mike Mahar, producer on Fight Night Champion, told CVG when asked about a sequel.

"The guys that made the game did a fantastic job and I think it's a far better game than it got rated.

"I think we'll stick around the genre and next time that we make a game, if they make another MMA game soon, it'll be bigger and better, it will be undeniable what the best fighting game is for sure."

Mahar also said the induction of Live Broadcast, the mode that was introduced in MMA that allowed fights to be viewed outside the game, would probably be included in the next Fight Night.

"The technology for Live Broadcast came in a little bit too late for us to take into Fight Night Champion but users can expect that whatever we make next, whether it be MMA or Fight Night, will share and use that technology."

EA released MMA last October for PS3 and 360 to slow sales. Despite that, EA COO John Schappert remained "optimistic" of the IP's validity.

EA Sports president Peter Moore said back at E3 2009 that both Fight Night and MMA would alternate years.