ESPN Football 2k5 release date moved up to 7/20

[Kodos]

Gamespot

EBgames

Another aggressive move by ESPN. NCAA next week, ESPN the week after that. Woohoo!

[sabotai]

Sweet!

[Sun Tzu]

WOOOHOOOOOO!

[Maple Leafs]

Good news, but...

I'd be very nervous about a last-minute change of release date. Sure, maybe it was the plan all along and they just hid it so EA couldn't respond. But this smells like a case where advance sales/buzz aren't where they need to be, so they panic and tell the engineers to bring their sleeping bags because the release date just moved up two more weeks.

[Cards4ever]

Maple Leafs=Canada's Buccaneer?

[Sun Tzu]

Anybody that thinks Madden still isn't going to come out the same day as ESPN is a fool. Expect in the next few days for EA to announce a new 7/20 release date for Madden 2005.

[Kodos]

Supposedly, Dave Zydrko, one of the guys who used to work for IGN (and then went to Sega), said that this was the plan all along. I'm confident the game will be solid, and for $20, who cares if I'm wrong? Madden will be coming along anyhow.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Sun Tzu

Anybody that thinks Madden still isn't going to come out the same day as ESPN is a fool. Expect in the next few days for EA to announce a new 7/20 release date for Madden 2005.

I dunno. I think EA is kinda like Sony in that they believe they can release a product on their time schedule without fear of losing too much in terms of sales. Or lowering their price if they don't feel it is necessary.

Of course, I'll be happy if they do match the release date.

[Rich1033]

I have always thought that the biggest move ESPN could make is to beat Madden to the shelves. I think this will end up helping them even more then the price cut.

[Cards4ever]

Originally Posted by Rich1033

I have always thought that the biggest move ESPN could make is to beat Madden to the shelves. I think this will end up helping them even more then the price cut.

Hmm, could be, but, I wouldn't have bought it without the price cut, I would have just stuck with NCAA 2005.

[Kodos]

I heard somewhere (probably on the IGN boards) that Madden is still being preordered at a 10-1 clip over ESPN. Take this unfounded rumor however you like.

[Logan]

ESPN should get off their asses and start marketing this game if they want to take advantage of an early release. I doubt many people are expecting an NFL game to be released this early.

[Anthony]

i for one will buy NCAA 2005, and just milk that till Madden. there's just osmething about ESPN's games that don't feel right to me, i guess cuz i grew up on Madden.

the only thing the price cut is good for are the impulse buyers, you know, the guys with a spare $20 burning a hole in their pocket, they're browsing the game store, and oh look - here's a new football game for only $20. why not?

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

i for one will buy NCAA 2005, and just milk that till Madden. there's just osmething about ESPN's games that don't feel right to me, i guess cuz i grew up on Madden.

That's another thing...I'm not ready to play an NFL game yet. That usually doesn't happen until I do my big fantasy draft in mid-August.

Off topic, I know...but for anyone planning on buying NCAA next week...it will of course be $49.99 in all the big stores, but Circuit City is including a $10 gift card. Best Buy and Target are (for whatever reason) offering discounts on/free Coke.

Any other deals known?

[MizzouRah]

Excellent!


Todd

[sooner333]

Originally Posted by Logan

Any other deals known?

Haha, the only deal I am taking advantage of in Norman is getting it from Game Stop who is driving to Dallas to pick up the games so I can play on Monday night. Also, since I preordered it and payed it all off, I can skip the line of people waiting to pay off the whole thing...now that's a deal.

[Sharpieman]

Just wondering, I know Madden had roster updates that you could load from online play with the PS2. Does ESPN have the same thing? If they don't stupid move.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Sharpieman

Just wondering, I know Madden had roster updates that you could load from online play with the PS2. Does ESPN have the same thing? If they don't stupid move.

I have an action replay for my xbox, so I'm all set.


Todd

[Sharpieman]

I hope EA makes a move and bumps up the release date, but I highly doubt it. Evil Artists is too confident people will still flock to their product.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Logan

That's another thing...I'm not ready to play an NFL game yet. That usually doesn't happen until I do my big fantasy draft in mid-August.

Off topic, I know...but for anyone planning on buying NCAA next week...it will of course be $49.99 in all the big stores, but Circuit City is including a $10 gift card. Best Buy and Target are (for whatever reason) offering discounts on/free Coke.

Any other deals known?

My local EB games is also talking about making it available Monday night Otherwise, I don't know about any special deals.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

My local EB games is also talking about making it available Monday night Otherwise, I don't know about any special deals.

Last year, I was taking a summer class that met on Monday nights, and I left it early because I heard that my local EB was selling Madden early. Hoping it will do the same this time around too...

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

My local EB games is also talking about making it available Monday night Otherwise, I don't know about any special deals.

The below won't mean much to anyone not near New Orleans.

I figure you're talking about the new store on Tchopitoulas, but the guys at the EB in New Orleans Centre said that they're trying to make it available on Monday too. I hope both stores do it so we can get acquainted with the game and maybe get one going against each other early next week.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

The below won't mean much to anyone not near New Orleans.

I figure you're talking about the new store on Tchopitoulas, but the guys at the EB in New Orleans Centre said that they're trying to make it available on Monday too. I hope both stores do it so we can get acquainted with the game and maybe get one going against each other early next week.

Yes, I'm talking about the new store on Tchopotoulous (I never have memorized how to spell that street even though I drive down it every day) The manager seems really cool, and with the store being less than a 2 minute drive from my place, I will be making that store my main place for new games. I've already preordered Madden and College Football for the X-Box from them. Also, since they are a fairly new store, I'm hoping the lines won't be too long for either game.

Edited to add: I'll also be looking forward to an online game some time early next week after getting acquainted with the game a bit.

[Comey]

In Harrisburg, PA...I was told that if the sticker is on the boxes instructing no sales before the 13th, then that's how it goes. However, I was told that it would PROBABLY be available the night before (after 7:30pm).

This is for NCAA. I don't know about ESPN, other than I can't wait to get it.

[RPI-Fan]

the only thing the price cut is good for are the impulse buyers, you know, the guys with a spare $20 burning a hole in their pocket, they're browsing the game store, and oh look - here's a new football game for only $20. why not?

You mean, me?

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Sharpieman

Just wondering, I know Madden had roster updates that you could load from online play with the PS2. Does ESPN have the same thing? If they don't stupid move.

Last year's iteration (ESPN NFL) had roster updates available from Xbox Live.

[Yossarian]

anyone know any web sites that will ship this game to UK?