Twenty years after he programmed the first Madden game, Robin Antonick is suing Electronic Arts for millions in royalty payments.
Antonick has filed for a jury trial in California on Wednesday, claiming that EA didn't honor a contract they signed in 1986, giving Anotonick royalty rights on "derivative versions" of the Madden franchise. The Madden franchise has sold more than 85 million units to date and made $4 billion in profits.
"Only recently, as a result of publicity surrounding the 20th Anniversary of the Madden videogame did Antonick become aware that Electronic Arts did not independently develop subsequent versions of its Madden NFL software," the complaint reads. "Instead, according to recent statements by Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, the current generation of software apparently derived from software developed by Antonick."
Some sources claim that Antonick and EA have engaged in confidential settlement negotiations over the last two years, but EA denied it.
"The complaint and its 20 year-old claim are utterly without merit," EA spokesperson Tiffany Steckler said. "We never offered to pay Antonick a penny."
