Analyst: Madden Sales to Fall 50% if NFL Season is Cancelled

[Flamehead]

Re: Analyst: Madden Sales to Fall 50% if NFL Season is Cancelled

The problem is that if the game sells poorly, they will blame it on the NFL being cancelled and not because it's a very mediocre game that only sells as well as it does because people love the NFL.

+1. I don't frequent the Madden forums as much as I used to, since I've already decided not to buy this year regardless of any changes made. I'm just done for awhile--not enough innovation and lots of coasting, IMHO. Couple that with a library of other attractive games I've yet to touch and I'll be just fine.

But if sales decline, there will be no way of knowing what % is attributable to the lockout vs. disinterest, and of course EA will blame it only on the lockout.

[Galarius]

50%!!!..No WAY!If anything they might drop 10-15%, but many will need their football fix even more...?????..And NCAA sales should also go up a bit

[spit_bubble]

Re: Analyst: Madden Sales to Fall 50% if NFL Season is Cancelled

The whole premise of his analysis is flawed, because there will never be a time when the season is "canceled". It's not like sometime before the the first game they are going to announce that there will be no NFL football in 2011. The scenario will play out much different than that.

If the lockout drags on into the season, then sure, sales will likely start to dip. But considering there will always be potential for them to come to an agreement and get the season going, I don't think we will see that many people keep from buying Madden '12.

[raz77]

Re: Analyst: Madden Sales to Fall 50% if NFL Season is Cancelled

I don't know about a 50% drop, but I can see a big drop. The season goes and most of the storylines, highlight reels, and a lot of the general media presence that gets people hyped for football goes with it. I know sometimes I have no interest in playing madden or any other sports game then I see something cool on ESPN or in a game and I just have to play.

[waytofailself]

Patcher likes pulling numbers out of the wind -- his words have little credence and I'm not sure why people still listen to him. If anything, his madden prediction + nintendo dying because they haven't released a Wii HD yet prediction = probably only 1 copy of Madden 12 will sell on the Wii (and that might be more than last year with the way they've gutted the franchise on that console).

I don't think 50% is going to happen -- a lot of people who buy madden are VERY happy to simply buy a glorified roster update (note: not users of this forum obviously). They could release substantially the same game for a few years and do alright. I agree that it's possible for more people to buy Madden to replace NFL, but I'd put my money on some kind of drop off -- but more like 10%.

[JustinJones]

if theres a lockout more ppl might buy madden just to get their nfl football fix

[falconfansince81]

Re: Analyst: Madden Sales to Fall 50% if NFL Season is Cancelled

if theres a lockout more ppl might buy madden just to get their nfl football fix

why would MORE people buy it? if someone doesn't buy it in the first place it's probably because they're not satisfied with the product and have the willpower to pass on it. the only circumstance i foresee an increase in sales from this situation is EA putting out a quality sim product that rivals such titles such as MLBTS and NBA 2k11.

like Raz77 said, a lot of people will get the itch to play madden after seeing a game or watching espn. if there's nothing to watch, there would be no impulse buying. while i disagree that 50% is a realistic or even researched figure, i wouldn't be surprised to see a large drop in numbers solely based off the 'itch' gamers or the ever-so-popular 'casual' gamer.

[turftickler]

I recant my last statement of over 50% lost sales. Madden NFL sales will not drop, because there are too many people who play Madden NFL games that start to believe that whatever they seen in Madden NFL games is real. So, no Madden NFL game sales will not skip a beat. The same recycled Hot Girl graphics with weak @$$ gameplay will rule the Madden NFL world once again this year. Take that to the bank, family!

[mestevo]

Re: Analyst: Madden Sales to Fall 50% if NFL Season is Cancelled

I feel like I click on 4-5 different threads and it's the same people saying the same negative things over and over.

[JustinJones]

I'm just saying that 50% sales lost is ridiculous. it's not like were not going to have any football we'll have college and other smaller leagues (if the NFL somehow messes this labor deal up) and everyone that buys madden will probably continue to buy this game for their professional football fix. but yeah i do agree that other games will get some of their revenue if the nfl is indeed locked out

[poliscilawguy]

Madden alienates it's own players by not taking big enough steps forward each year. I stopped buying last year. Three of my friends won't be buying this year. I'm sure that others are doing the same.

[JustinJones]

ya me two i havn't had a madden game since 09 im completely content with my ncaa football

[Raheemdadream]

What incentive do you have to buy a new version of Madden if there is potentially no season? There is no free agency which creates hype. I agree they will take a solid hit that will only get worse the longer the lock-out goes on.

[mestevo]

Re: Analyst: Madden Sales to Fall 50% if NFL Season is Cancelled

The NFL season isn't a 'reason to buy Madden', it's merely a loss of marketing.

[ODogg]

Re: Analyst: Madden Sales to Fall 50% if NFL Season is Cancelled

Something else to consider, Madden has always come out before the season begins. When Madden is released this year we won't know if there is a season or not at that point for sure so I really don't see how it's going to affect Madden sales, since a good portion of Madden copies are sold when the game initially comes out. Even later on in the year I think people would still be apt to buy it to play football even if there is no real NFL. A lot of folks buy games just to play them, not to emulate exactly the sport they are based off of. For instance I always buy FIFA, NHL and the Show but really watch very little soccer, NHL or baseball. It'll take some of Madden's sales away if there is no season but not that much and certainly nowhere near 50%.