Madden Sales Down 18% Y-o-Y in October

[Joshua1207]

EA, sim gamers equal success. Year in and year out. Casual gamers will only play you one year and move on. Anybody still playing Mario Party 79098? Didn't think so.

Do as we say and you'll get the money. Just ask Mike Wang.

I still play Mario Party :|

[Other Guy]

Re: Madden Sales Down 18% Y-o-Y in October

I'm not saying that the economy doesn't play a factor. It plays a factor in everything we do.

I will say one thing though. The economy factor goes right out the window for anyone who bought even one game since Madden has been released. If you had $60 to spend on a game, and you bought one besides Madden, then that isn't the economy affecting Madden's sales. That's Madden affecting Madden's sales.

The economy argument only works, potentially, for those that have not bought a single game since Madden has been available. And even then, I'm sure that some number of those people would not have bought it even if they had the money.

The economy is thrown out there in defense of Madden a lot, and again, it is a factor, but it is a factor for every game, and every purchase in general, as well. If you are still making luxury purchases, especially if it is a game purchase, other than Madden, then that is NOT the economy.

Absolutely nailed it! I can't get behind the economy argument because the sales drop (from what I can tell) is specific to Madden. If the economy was putting that much strain on people, it would hit the entire video game market. If so, this thread title would probably read, "All video game sales down 18%".

[Only1LT]

Re: Madden Sales Down 18% Y-o-Y in October

If you don't mind, what's specifically?

Not sure what you are asking.

[Only1LT]

Re: Madden Sales Down 18% Y-o-Y in October

Absolutely nailed it! I can't get behind the economy argument because the sales drop (from what I can tell) is specific to Madden. If the economy was putting that much strain on people, it would hit the entire video game market. If so, this thread title would probably read, "All video game sales down 18%".

Video game sales are down overall. A lot of that has to do with the fact that the video game industry was growing in **** proportions year over year, and that could not continue into perpetuity, but the economy plays a role in that as well. Pro and con.

The video game industry has benefited some by the economy because it is a relatively cheap form of entertainment when you consider how many hours you get out of it. With Movies in the $10 to $20 per person range or higher in some places for 90 mins or so of entertainment, spending $60 for a game that can give you 6hrs, on the low end, to years of enjoyment on the high end, isn't such a bad proposition.

In any event, even with the gaming industry, overall, seeing some down sales numbers, there are specific titles that have flourished in the same economic downturn. Just goes to show, that recession or no recession, "If you build it, they will come."

This is Madden's biggest hurdle to garnering more sales. The recession is a hurdle to be sure, but definitely not the biggest one.

[ryan36]

Re: Madden Sales Down 18% Y-o-Y in October

I think there are a lot of gamers who if they could only buy one game per year, Madden would be it- if it was good enough to be the best game released that year.

THAT should be their goal

[NikeDunk]

This year i bought ESPN NFL 2K5 and not Madden 11.

I think everybody know why ...

[Vikes1]

Re: Madden Sales Down 18% Y-o-Y in October

I think there are a lot of gamers who if they could only buy one game per year, Madden would be it- if it was good enough to be the best game released that year.

THAT should be their goal

Very well said Ryan.

If Madden's game play was simply the best in the sports video game market, and it's franchise mode was as deep and correct as they come....I'd happily spent nearly all my gaming time with this one sports game.

As an older gamer...I just don't have the time to spent playing several games. So I can't really justify spending hundreds of dollars on multiple games each year. Give me one outstanding football simulation game...and that's where I'd spend all my gaming time.

And I completely agree with you Ryan. With Madden's sales position in the sports gaming market...there really shouldn't be a sports game to rival it. Imo.