NFL
UBS Securities' Ben Schachter on Madden Sales: "Just Okay"
by Ray Almeda | 08/13/08 | 12:36 PM PST

The preorder numbers for Madden were down around the 30% range prior to its release yesterday. Still, one industry analyst reiterates that total sales are still on pace with last year's version despite the unfavorable early reports.

Find out what UBS Securities' Ben Schachter had to say about Madden 09's initial game sales inside.

NFL
Madden NFL 09 Release Celebrates 20 Years of Madden
by Ray Almeda | 08/12/08 | 2:42 AM PST

Today marks the biggest day annually for every sports gamer out there. Electronic Arts and EA SPORTS today releases Madden NFL 09 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and the PlayStation 2.

EA Sports has also included the coveted roster update for the game, with the ability to also download the alternate Madden boxart here.

Celebrating 20 Years of Innovation and counting, Madden NFL 09 delivers its most complete NFL football package ever. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or picking up the game for the first time, players of all skill levels will enjoy a unique, yet challenging experience with the innovative Adaptive Difficulty Engine, which tailors the game to match your playing style. Instantly improve your game with the all-new virtual Training Center or incorporate feedback with EA SPORTS BackTrack, allowing you to learn from your mistakes on the fly. With a new broadcast presentation and online leagues, plus more than 85 new features and enhancements, Madden NFL 09 is the most authentic and adaptable game in sports video game history.

Madden NFL 09 is now available at MSRP prices of $49.99 and $59.99 with the 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition priced at $89.99.

Expect our full review soon.

NFL
Madden Curse: A Retrospective on Sports Gaming's Sinful Pleasure
by Ray Almeda | 08/11/08 | 7:36 PM PST

Ah. The "Madden Curse." Evoking that name brings a broad range of responses. "Stupid." "See! Told ya!" "I hope so-and-so isn't on the cover next year." "He'll be the one to break it!" "I am SO glad LT isn't on there!" "Maybe if Madden got back on there, there wouldn't be a curse anymore." Okay, so that last one is more my styling than most, but it's true. As popular as the Madden video game franchise is, the curse might be more popular for the simple fact that pundits and statheads alike can form their own conclusions as to whether or not a printed picture on a piece of plastic that happens to sell millions of copies a year truly affects the play of a certain player. Of course, thanks to the great site that I now write for, I've been given the platform in which to not only explain the theory, but to give my own opinion on it! Hence... the editorial.

Find out why each NFL cover-star was chosen, how the curse has affected each, and the prognosis for future victims inside.

NFL
EA to Release Downloadable Madden 09 Cover, Sporting Brett Favre in Jets Uniform
by Sean O'Neill | 08/07/08 | 5:35 PM PST

Madden 2009 releases on August 12, and it's too late for EA to change the cover it ships with, which has Bret Favre wearing his old Packers uniform.

However, the publisher will be releasing an updated version of the cover art with him on it, which fans can download, print out and use in place of the original Madden 2009 boxart.

NFL
Video: John Madden Discusses Madden NFL 09
by Ray Almeda | 08/06/08 | 4:28 PM PST

Casual sports fans won't even recognize that Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster John Madden actually led the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl XI victory. In fact, young teenagers these days attribute Madden's likeness and name to Madden NFL Football, the most successful sports-gaming franchise of all-time.

In this sit-down video interview with Madden, the football legend discusses his humble beginnings with the gaming industry and his expectations towards the 20th anniversary of the Madden NFL game franchise.



For those not sleeping under a rock next week, Madden NFL 2009 releases early during the evening of August 11th at the Rose Bowl. Everyone else will have to keep their helmets on until the nationwide release the next day, Tuesday August 12th.

More information on Madden inside.

NFL
EA Details Maddenpalooza
by Ray Almeda | 08/06/08 | 12:31 PM PST

Everybody knows that Madden games receive a fair share of attention from bands hoping to get their newest song onto the soundtrack.




On August 11th, sports gamers and music fans alike will have the opportunity to partake in a festival that's more than just a glorified session of Madden in-game music.

Details about the exclusive event inside.

NFL
Editorial: Are You Ready?
by Ray Almeda | 08/05/08 | 3:31 AM PST

For anyone who has followed football, especially in recent times, the fandom of the game itself is almost being overshadowed by the fandom of football video games, with NCAA 09 having already provided the appetizer for the biggest meal of the year for any fan of sports games: Madden 2009. This year, however, is special for the football fan. EA will celebrate 20 years of John Madden football, and with it being the only football-sim remaining after receiving the exclusive licensing of the NFL three years ago, Madden has solidified its place as the king of all sports games. Think about this. ESPN has an ENTIRE SERIES dedicated to the hardcore Madden gamers, complete with the contestants visiting their favorite players that agree to represent them in a winner-take-all tournament. While people loved Madden and the game's popularity grew over a long period of time, I'm not sure anybody realized exactly what was going to happen when the greatest sports gaming franchise on Earth decided to make Madden their hallmark.




Then again, maybe it was the fans that made it so. The millions of copies that fly off the shelves year after year have made it the pinnacle of sports gaming, with everybody wanting a piece of the action. And for that, it's simple to see why football is sought after for so long. With the coverage of everything from national high school football games of the week to an entire network dedicated solely to everything having to do with the NFL, how could you NOT be a fan of football at this point?

NFL
E3 2008: Media: Brand New Madden 09 Screens
by Ray Almeda | 07/15/08 | 10:28 PM PST

With the 20th anniversary of Madden NFL 2009, EA Sports certainly has a busy August.



The full feature set from EA Sports' press release is below:

• Real Football Intelligence – Madden NFL 09 is a game for the masses and is constantly monitoring your performance. No matter if you are a long-time Madden player or a rookie, an all-new Adaptive Difficulty Engine assesses your proficiency in the core skill areas of football, then tailors the experience to match your playing style. An innovative, all-new Virtual Training Center allows you to fine-tune your game in a holographic environment, while EA SPORTS BackTrack provides customized feedback, giving you a chance to learn from your mistakes. Then, take what you've learned and run the play again with EA SPORTS Rewind.

• Beyond Broadcast Presentation – Set your sights on the Vince Lombardi Trophy in an all-new network television-style broadcast as Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond call the action from the booth and gamers will benefit from their authentic football knowledge. A more immersive and visually stunning presentation package also includes a new Options OnDemand Picture-in-Picture playcall window giving you access to a wealth of stats, customized tips, and in-game options – all at your fingertips without having to pause the game.

• Online Leagues — Avid Madden fans have been asking for online leagues and Madden NFL 09 delivers. With a full online league experience, gamers can make a run for the postseason for the first time online. Featuring trades and statistical tracking for Online Leagues, up to 32 teams can battle it out using all-new flex scheduling.

• A New Look and Feel — With an enhanced graphics engine and new player models, lineman battle in the trenches with more bulky physiques while backs and receivers fly around the field with a more sleek and slimmer look. Featuring the most realistic-looking grass and field turf ever in a sports game, new weather and stadium lighting effects, and active exterior stadium views, Madden NFL 09 is hands down the best looking sports game ever made!

Here's a few images to satisfy those who hope to return to the gridiron in just a few weeks.