If two sports games (one licensed and one not licensed) played exactly the same, I would go with the licensed game, even if the licensed game was a little more expense. If the licensed game clearly sucked wind compared to the unlicensed game, I may pass all together unless the unlicensed game had a lot of extras (play modes or whatever) that made it worth my while.

I did mention that this rule was only for console games. I do not mind a text based simulation (football or baseball sims come to mind) that does not have a license. To me there is something different about running a simulation vs. playing a console game.

When did I reach this point? Probably between my first and second kid … so between 1998 – 2002. By the time I hit kid number three (2007) I have very limited console gaming time, so I want to play as Georgia, Texas, or the Atlanta Falcons … not as some generic team. Of course I do not mind playing old versions of games; I do not have to have the latest, greatest version, if the newer versions as not close to some of the older releases.