Competition doesn't always equate to great improvements and a better game, that is a myth people cling to. Competition didn't help games like NHL 2k and MLB 2k or NBA Live for many years. To be honest Madden has never really had true competition, they have always been the most dominant football video game. 2k was a great game but it was never a serious competitor to the Madden throne, it took a $20 price cut to even come close to the sales of Madden. Innovation comes from great designers not competition.