Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

[charter04]

The thing that scares me the most about this is the possibilty of video games becoming like network TV. I can't get into a new show because they all get canceled. Was really enjoying flashforward. Got canceled. Hero's, journey man. The list goes on an on. Wipe out is on, all these stupid reality shows are still on. It because it cost too much to make a great show. What if it becomes like that with games. I would just have to find a new hobby if the only games you could find where casual. Don't think that is a crazy possibility either. Wii, Move, and kenect. Those three things are all you need to here.

[bigsmallwood]

Maybe the 5.4 Metacritic USER score for the game will help people understand why....or how about the fact that Madden has not progressed? Let's be honest here 2K basketball sells....Modern Warfare 2 sold big....Even though $60 is a lot to pay for a game, if Madden was high quality, it would sell....trust me. Watch what happens next...

[FBeaule04]

Quote: Originally Posted by jdr4693

After playing the NHL 11 demo, it really is a shame that Madden 11 could not implement the "real time" physics engine that NHL 11 is using. Madden would look 10X better with those physics on its hits and tackles.

Wait wait wait! It took a real low in the NHL series a few years ago and a strong push from NHL2K on the market for EA to come with innovations and the EASHL to make NHL2k irrelevant to the hockey gamers.

Since the market limits aren't yet reach, EA is still working really hard to get the best hockey game and get customers to buy the game. They are pushing harder this year and I guess that NHL 12 will also be a gem.

I don't think that EA NHL and NFL games are in the same boat at all. Madden cannot have a push in the back other than a drop in sales, and until further evidence, there's nothing so far saying it's the case.

[T3AMGEIST]

Thats why exclusive licence is bad for sport games, in every other sport there is at least one opponent. If you dont make your game better, people will buy the other one!

[tomriddle]

truthfully i havent bought a madden game since the PS2 days except for Madden 10 (aka the return of coach mode)

it's become painfully obvious EA wants to make an arcade game and has lost their identity of Madden being first and foremost, a sim-game

just mnho..

EA is basically about gimmicks now, every year, they have a basket full of gimmicks aka "if it's in the game, it's in the game" ideas and they ration trickle it out year in and year out

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by T3AMGEIST

Thats why exclusive licence is bad for sport games, in every other sport there is at least one opponent. If you dont make your game better, people will buy the other one!

Well, let's look at the NHL games. NHL EA was down in the dumps for awhile and NHL 2k was selling well. NHL EA started bringing it to the table and now is entering a physics driven engine era.

NHL 2k has been slumping in sales and EA Canada let go around 40 people and some if not most were working on the hockey game. It appears that game is history.

So, is competition really that good that it forces one company to sell like gangbusters and drive another company out of business and you are back to no more competition.

Food for thought?

[Rashad19]

Every time I read threads and articles dealing with declining Madden sales I can't help to think of an old quote from the movie Field of Dreams "If you build it he will come!"

Who is he? The hardcore madden gamer. Madden is a niche market game so for the life of me I don't understand why they don't go all out and make a totally sim style game catered to the football fanatic. A quality in-depth football experience would have cash registers ringing like mobile phones!

I would love to know what is going on behind closed doors at EA. To leave all that money on the table year after year is mind boggling.

[Tiko7523]

I was just on vgchartz and I saw the #'s they were improved from last year it seemed ....