Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

[Only1LT]

Re: Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

As Roadman said, there is no mention of actual sales data in the article. Just using the fact that there were price drops to form this opinion.

Now I have thought, and still think, that sales will be down. The fact that preorders were down is definitely an indication. Throw in that they had a trade in Madden 10 for $40 credit towards Madden 11 deal, which I have never seen a deal like that where you could get so much return value from the previous year's version, ever, and it doesn't take a genius to know that, at the very least, retail was a little concerned about sales forecasts.

But again, this article isn't confirmation of decreased sales, only speculation at this point. Although I have little doubt that real confirmation is on its way.

[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.

[DubTrey1]

Bottom line, like so many have already stated on here - gamers (consumers) want more bang for the buck. So in the case of Madden, gamers want immersion, innovation and solid gameplay thru and thru. NCAA11 delivered overall in that dept. and basically set the tone for Madden11. Madden in many ways fell short and those who in the past (myself included) bought both NCAA and Madden are now content with one or the other. Not both. Especially when what you get just does not add up to any more fun than the other in the long run. At this point, gamers want innovation and a long gaming life cycle.... Right now, I think all developers will suffer until the quality as well as gaming quantity goes up.

[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]

Re: Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

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]

Re: Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

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]

Re: Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

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]

Re: Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

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]

Re: Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

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]

Re: Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

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

[Methlab]

Re: Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

Until they dramatically change the game, or the NFL allows other companies to make games, this is going to happen.

There is a simple magic to certain games that is hard to put on paper and that is why they are hits. As much as many people loved 2k5, some of the releases like 2k2 were not so hot.

[blakty]

Re: Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

Much easier to believe you've overcomplicated it rather than produced a game more people are becoming disenchanted with because you're not responding to repeated community requests and instead implementing changes no one asked for.

Exactly what I've been saying and why I can't keep coming to Madden year after year.

[TIm]

Re: Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

Until they dramatically change the game, or the NFL allows other companies to make games, this is going to happen.

There is a simple magic to certain games that is hard to put on paper and that is why they are hits. As much as many people loved 2k5, some of the releases like 2k2 were not so hot.

It's simple.. If Madden improved and not simplified things, I think it would still sell like hotcakes... What we are seeing is people being fed up with the way Madden isn't moving with the times.. Nba Elite and NHL 11 have a type of physics engine.. Why is Madden not advancing on their darn annimation or whatever you call it.. Improve on what people want.. I think Madden is a decent game having purchased it for the first time in many years.. But I tell you.. I played the NHL Demo and I don't even want to put Madden back in.. They have made tons of improvements... Can't watch videos and see it but as someone said, You can feel it through the controller.. I will keep Madden for a football fix every once in a while and won't trade it in.. But they need to do something... Again I think people are just tired.. The same annimations for ever..

[jasce23]

Re: Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

i won´t buy Madden this year...i am a offline franchise player

The franchise part of the game is the same as last year...so no madden 11 for me this year