To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

[EddieV]

Re: To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

Actually, EA does miss your $60. But that only means they're sitting around thinking of new ways to get more DLC money from the folks who will never bail on 'em. If you read any of their ceo's statements, it's all about increasing digital revenue these days for EA.

[lordnate]

Re: To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

Every year, the NFL increases in fan size. The NFL this year, might be more popular than it has ever been as the NFL has had record breaking TV ratings this post season.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/01/29/nfl-gets-record-tv-ratings-in-post-season/

Every year, there are more and more gamers. For most of us, our parents and grandparents weren't/aren't gamers. But more and more parents are becoming gamers and the gamer generations are getting older. The new generation of kids also plays video games. (this fact should be obvious)

Despite all of this, EA's CEO in 2010 said its sales were discouraging. In an article from Gamespot, it explains they have not been well for several years.

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/maddennfl10/news.html?sid=6217163

But what about this year? Sales for Madden 11 were down 18% in November compared to Madden 2010's sales by November.
http://www.operationsports.com/news/...-y-in-october/

FYI, I didn't buy Madden 11.

[jfsolo]

Re: To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

Wow. Seriously? It's the only NFL licensed game out there and people STARVE for one. And you have to ask this question? They overlook the shortcomings and buy the game. End of story. That doesn't mean the game is good. It means that the game is available.

If a person doesn't think that a game will be good, it is 100% on them if they buy the game and don't enjoy it. "The only NFL game in town" reality is not a metaphorical gun to their heads.

As a 360 owner I haven't bought a Pro football or baseball game in three years and didn't buy the last two college basketball games that were release either. I love those sports, and didn't have any other options for my system, but once I determined that each of the versions for that year were not going to be to the standards that I expect, I wasn't going to buy those games anyway and reward those publishers for their mediocrity, just because they have(had) the only games available in those sports genres.

Giving them your money says to the publisher that the game was good enough.

[chiefs314]

This article should have never been written only reason madden is even selling is because its the only football game available. does anybody remember Gameday,QB Club, NFL Fever,an of course ESPN 2k5. Madden bought the rights cause I guarantee you what happen to NBA Elite would have happen to madden 11

[dickey1331]

This article should have never been written only reason madden is even selling is because its the only football game available. does anybody remember Gameday,QB Club, NFL Fever,an of course ESPN 2k5. Madden bought the rights cause I guarantee you what happen to NBA Elite would have happen to madden 11

Really? Madden was really good back in 05 and you don't know it would of turned into NBA Elite. I can almost guarantee that it wouldn't turn into Elite.


Do you really care where I sent this from?

[TNT713]

Re: To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

To me, Madden is the only football game I'll play... Even when it sucks, Madden is more attractive to play than whatever else is out there.

WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS?

Because I don't care about Franchise, Superstar, or any of the features... I only care about getting a game whenever I want to play a game. 24/7, 365 I can get a game of Madden.

As far as I'm concerned Madden will always be a success as long as a game is just a button away.

When the day comes when Madden no longer has the appeal that makes players want to prove their worth at the mere suggestion of the title. OR there isn't enough interest to get a game against someone somewhere in the world within 5 minutes - Madden will have lost it's luster.

Fortunately, people care about who's better in Madden. Where other football games (NFL2K, BB, etc) are about playing the game. Madden is about the socialization of playing the game AGAINST someone.

I've met many people that once Madden is mentioned, will want to test their skills. I have met exactly 0 people playing other football games that creates the same 'challenge' between people. No one cares who's better at 2K, or BB. It has less to do with the NFL license because when the license was available to other games no one cared who was better at those games then either...

Might just be me... But Madden has no substitute - even when it sucks.

Later

[TheCreep]

Re: To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

To me, Madden is the only football game I'll play... Even when it sucks, Madden is more attractive to play than whatever else is out there.

WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS?

Because I don't care about Franchise, Superstar, or any of the features... I only care about getting a game whenever I want to play a game. 24/7, 365 I can get a game of Madden.

As far as I'm concerned Madden will always be a success as long as a game is just a button away.

When the day comes when Madden no longer has the appeal that makes players want to prove their worth at the mere suggestion of the title. OR there isn't enough interest to get a game against someone somewhere in the world within 5 minutes - Madden will have lost it's luster.

Fortunately, people care about who's better in Madden. Where other football games (NFL2K, BB, etc) are about playing the game. Madden is about the socialization of playing the game AGAINST someone.

I've met many people that once Madden is mentioned, will want to test their skills. I have met exactly 0 people playing other football games that creates the same 'challenge' between people. No one cares who's better at 2K, or BB. It has less to do with the NFL license because when the license was available to other games no one cared who was better at those games then either...

Might just be me... But Madden has no substitute - even when it sucks.

Later

Completely different angle that hasn't occured to many people. Now that I've read this, I have to agree. Its the legacy of Madden. **** aint never gonna die.

[guaps]

Re: To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

Fortunately, people care about who's better in Madden. Where other football games (NFL2K, BB, etc) are about playing the game. Madden is about the socialization of playing the game AGAINST someone.

I've met many people that once Madden is mentioned, will want to test their skills. I have met exactly 0 people playing other football games that creates the same 'challenge' between people. No one cares who's better at 2K, or BB. It has less to do with the NFL license because when the license was available to other games no one cared who was better at those games then either...

During the last-gen days, I would have agreed somewhat with you. My friends and I were often battling and especially the Packers (short passing routes Farve to Ahman Green) vs. Ravens (me - running between the tackles with Jamal Lewis) matchups was something that entertained us all year long. But with this generation neither me or my friends talk Madden anymore, even though we talk more football than we've ever done before. I cannot name a single friend that still plays Madden - my cousin still plays Madden 09, but that's about all I can think of.

Now we are mostly playing NCAA (Army vs. Navy is a classic) or sometimes a good game of APF 2k8, because we appreciate the realism and beauty of the game.

But while Madden and NCAA might be more about socializing, I hardly remember any spectacular plays from the games I've played. However, with APF 2k8 there is at least one memorable play per game, and that makes me appreciate that game even more. To me that's the experience I get from watching the NFL. I often don't remember the scores or specific players, but I remember a lot of plays from the games I watch.

[roadman]

Re: To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

I hardly remember any spectacular plays from the games I've played. .

I just had one of those last week with Madden 11. To think I almost traded it before the surprise December patch.

That patch saved the game for me.

Anyway, it was a beautiful spectacular int, one of those over the shoulder int's.

[guaps]

Re: To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

I just had one of those last week with Madden 11. To think I almost traded it before the surprise December patch.

That patch saved the game for me.

Anyway, it was a beautiful spectacular int, one of those over the shoulder int's.

True, you do get them from time to time. I remember a sideline catch in the second Madden 10 game I ever played - Dolphins (me) versus Jaguars (one of my friends). It was a deep pass from Pennington to Camarillo -- or at least a deep pass by Pennington's standard. Possibly the only sideline catch I ever saw in Madden 10, but anyway... it was beautiful.

The problem is that when you've played 5 games of Madden you've seen all the "usual" animations and then gameplay becomes stale, emotionless and - in my opinion - often forgettable.

Yet I do remember plays where a 200 lbs HB stiff arms a 350 lbs DT, then continues to break out of a tackle (by a 250 lbs LB with people falling all over the place) and goes 60 yards for a TD. But that only because those plays are so stupid they shouldn't be in the game at all.

[roadman]

Re: To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

Yet I do remember plays where a 200 lbs HB stiff arms a 350 lbs DT, then continues to break out of a tackle (by a 250 lbs LB with people falling all over the place) and goes 60 yards for a TD. But that only because those plays are so stupid they shouldn't be in the game at all.

Ah, yes, I've seen those as well. I will say, though, those plays show up less in 11 than they did in 10 and before.

The fact they still show up at all, though, especially on some kickoff's, is memorable enough.

I asked that question on the first podcast and they said they would try to address. Plus, the YT generation will be on a podcast in the near future and I would be surprised if that question doesn't come up.

[LiquorLogic]

Re: To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

To me, Madden is the only football game I'll play... Even when it sucks, Madden is more attractive to play than whatever else is out there.

WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS?

Because I don't care about Franchise, Superstar, or any of the features... I only care about getting a game whenever I want to play a game. 24/7, 365 I can get a game of Madden.

As far as I'm concerned Madden will always be a success as long as a game is just a button away.

When the day comes when Madden no longer has the appeal that makes players want to prove their worth at the mere suggestion of the title. OR there isn't enough interest to get a game against someone somewhere in the world within 5 minutes - Madden will have lost it's luster.

Fortunately, people care about who's better in Madden. Where other football games (NFL2K, BB, etc) are about playing the game. Madden is about the socialization of playing the game AGAINST someone.

I've met many people that once Madden is mentioned, will want to test their skills. I have met exactly 0 people playing other football games that creates the same 'challenge' between people. No one cares who's better at 2K, or BB. It has less to do with the NFL license because when the license was available to other games no one cared who was better at those games then either...

Might just be me... But Madden has no substitute - even when it sucks.

Later

True, due to Madden's popularity there has always been some bravado, amongst guys, with Madden that there wasn't with other football titles. This was because Madden was King of football video games for a while. They basically started it all.

2k was a serious threat to all of that, which is why EA sought after and bought out the license. Had they not done that, everybody would be trying to prove themselves with 2k rather than Madden.

It takes a while to replace a household name, but Madden would have been replaced by now had they not acquired the exclusive license.

Completely different angle that hasn't occured to many people. Now that I've read this, I have to agree. Its the legacy of Madden. **** aint never gonna die.

Unless another publisher kills it. What has gone on during the last 6 six years has definitely made the Legacy of Madden vulnerable. Back when Madden had competition, and was putting it's best foot forward, people were happy with Madden.Their curiosity regarding other games was non-existent.

2k5 was light years ahead of Madden 05, in terms of game-play, as it's light years ahead of Madden 11, and you know what ? I never even considered purchasing 2k5 back then. It's not like having both was impractical or a waste of money. It was $20 for goodness sake! A friend of mine owned it, and I never even asked about playing it.

My, just like a lot of other people's, curiosity was non-existent. I can't say that now; people are open to another football title from another company.

The longer a game, or product has been top dog, the harder it is for a competitor to over come that. Look at Live: they were the king of basketball games, but live debuted only five years prior to 2k basketball, so it was easier for 2k to take the throne.

The only thing protecting the legacy of Madden is the shield, or the NFL's exclusive deal with them. Once that shield is removed, somebody is going to kill the legacy of Madden. The longer EA has the license, the more angst it will create amongst gamers, and the easier it will be to kill.

[f3niks]

This reads like a press release. Nice try.

[WhosAuthority]

Re: To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

Why?

Why?

Why???

[cstaterams2]

Total garbage! I can't find the proper words (without being derogatory) to explain how EA has manipulated and brainwashed consumers into buying this same old illusionary simulation sports game. To say that madden has been a success is true to a slight measure and that measure is skewed in the direction of the company and their earnings. When you have a company that has NO competition, the product they offer is sub-par (to say the least)! I have not watched an NFL game and limited my college football television time (even my alma mater, maybe because they suck) and this is partly due to their collusion in this oligopoly in the gaming industry for the sole purpose of making more revenue. It is another sad day in this supposed FREE REPUBLIC (Not DEMOCRACY)! Corporations are running out of ideas for creativity and inventiveness. The way they earn revenues is to suck the little earnings from the sheeple population. Do you mean to tell me that they cannot see there is no change from years of development of this game? We need to fight this corruption with our dollars and not buy this garbage year after year. The extension of this exclusivity is just another indication of corporations disdain for the consumer. If you want to see the physics and complete simulation and gameplay...you have to refrain from buying this garbage of a product and force them to produce a quality product. This is simple mathematics and economics that the beautiful general public does not understand. Wake up people and vote to end this atrocity and REFRAIN from buying the 2011 version that is just a patch from previous years! EA cannot make a complete game in only 12 months! PLEASE bring the free market back to this once free nation and lobby for a better product! We need competition to elicit this action!