Gamers in California and Washington, D.C. have sued Electronic Arts Inc. over what they call "blatantly anticompetitive conduct" in its football gaming niche.

The suit against Redwood City-based EA (NASDAQ:ERTS) says after early competition in football games between EA and Take-Two Interactive Inc., EA cut the price of its Madden 2005 game from $49.95 to $29.95.

"Electronic Arts could have continued to compete by offering a lower price and/or a higher quality product," the suit said. "Instead, Electronic Arts quickly entered into a series of exclusive agreements with the only viable sports football associations in the United States: the National Football League, the Arena Football League, and NCAA Football."

The suit says EA raised the price of Madden 2006 by 70 percent.

The plaintiffs have requested a class action and want restitution and damages for buyers of EA football game since August of 2005.