Press Pause 08.13.07: Madden NFL
Posted by Cory Moore on 08.13.2007
This Tuesday brings about what football gamers anticipate each year: the release of the newest Madden NFL game. Treat this as an appetizer to the main course.
No matter the situation, it seems as though EA Sports' Madden NFL series is always on the tongue of sports gamers year after year. If the series has a down year, the hardcore fan base will certainly let you know about it. Likewise, if the latest game has improved by leaps and bounds over its predecessor, it'll sell a million copies and attract more gamers than before. It's spawned worldwide competitions, has helped bring online gaming to the forefront, and has even had a reality TV show based on it. With the latest installment coming out on Tuesday, I thought we'd take a look at the pop culture phenomenon, and just why it's so special…
Mad for Madden An in-depth look at the NFL video game powerhouse
Emerging from the Tunnel
The legendary coach and broadcaster's video game franchise debuted in the 1980s on the Commodore and the NES. Like another NES football classic, Tecmo Bowl, John Madden Football did not include licensed teams, though the teams in the game did closely resemble NFL franchises. The early days of the Madden series set the blueprint in which the series would build upon for the future. Instant replay, environmental changes, cooperative play, season mode, and overturning calls were all implemented by the Genesis' exclusive '92 installment. John Madden Football '92 also started the series' annual cycle that continues today.
John Madden's likeness was the driving force behind early editions of the series.
The Madden franchise really got rolling in the 1990s. The series took another step forward by finally acquiring the rights to NFL likenesses in 1993. This acquisition allowed the SNES and Genesis versions of Madden '94 to include 38 past Superbowl teams. In addition, the '94 installment was the first to use the now-famous "EA Sports – It's in the Game!" introduction. As the decade progressed, so did Madden NFL. Madden ‘96 gave birth to the create-a-player option, and Madden '98 was the first to cross over into true 3D on the Playstation and Sega Saturn.
Today, Madden NFL is one of the dominant franchises in all of gaming. With advanced defensive schemes, online play, and deep career modes, the series has become arguably the most recognizable sports game on the market year after year. In 2004, EA Sports inked a deal to secure exclusive rights to NFL properties, further establishing the developers' commitment to the annual football game. The franchise added another feather to its cap when Madden 06 for the Playstation 2 became the best selling game PERIOD in the United States in 2006. That, my friends, is impressive for a sports game. (Source: Mobygames.com)
Why is Madden So Dang Popular?
Part of the Madden appeal comes from its source material, the National Football League. The league does not suffer from the extensive schedules of its other pro-league counterparts; pro football only plays roughly 20 games in a season. The NFL also doesn't have the widespread image problems of pro basketball (the "thug" lifestyle) and baseball (steroid use). The NFL is not perfect by any means – one look at the Michael Vick dog fighting allegations will tell you that much – but for the most part, football is still a wholesome sport. You can watch it with the family after church, with your buddies at the sports bar, and with out-of-towners during the biggest sports event of the year, the Superbowl. The price of advertising alone for the big game does more than suggest that football has a substantial place in American culture.
It only makes sense, then, that the most realistic football experience in virtual form has become wildly successful. In its early days, Madden did not play much differently than other football games. But as Madden gained a following through the years, EA Sports has really rewarded the loyalists by offering the most complete control experience in a football game. Some elements are obviously designed with the hardcore player in mind. For example, defense has been given special treatment in Madden. Features such as the "Hit Stick" may seem like a trivial endeavor, but the execution goes a long way to making an emphatic statement towards your opponent. Madden's simulation style may be tailored for football freaks, but even casual gamers can get into it thanks to well-organized menus and the "Ask Madden" advice box, which suggests specific plays according to the game situation.
Big hits are just another day on the job for these gridiron greats.
Madden isn't just about on-the-field action, though. EA Sports allows gamers to take the reigns of an NFL team in Franchise Mode and guide an up-and-coming football hotshot in Superstar Mode. In Franchise Mode, gamers are put in charge of everything from parking prices to cutting and signing players. To succeed, you must straddle the fine line of being a ruthless entrepreneur and the friendly, accessible face of the franchise. Similarly, Madden 2006 introduced Superstar Mode, where you create your virtual counterpart and witness the life of an NFL superstar. You hire an agent, enter your name in the NFL Draft, play through full seasons, manipulate the media through interviews, and demand trades if you're dissatisfied with your team's direction. The objective, of course, is to cement your name as an annual Pro Bowl selection with the eventual goal of being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Making a long story short, these modes are some of the defining elements that have made the Madden NFL name synonymous with great sports video games. There is simply no other package that is this complete year after year.
More Than Just a Silly Video Game
EA Sports has made a name for Madden NFL by encouraging a high level of competition through its titles. The Madden Challenge is the largest official tournament each year to determine the best "amateur" Madden gamer in the world. Preliminary rounds are hosted in almost every NFL city and international markets, with the winner of the finals (held in Times Square) taking home a $100,000 prize. See? That's why professional gaming isn't such a pipe dream anymore! Another spectacle is the Madden Bowl, held annually on Superbowl weekend since 1995. This competition pits invited NFL players against each other to determine who the best Madden gamer in the league is. The banter that comes out of such matches never ceases to entertain me.
Dwight Freeney is all smiles as he displays his Madden Bowl 2003 trophy.
Madden has also gained mainstream attention by the fabled curse bestowed upon the game's cover boys. For more than half of the franchise's lifespan, John Madden had graced the cover. In 1998, the legendary coach-turned-broadcaster stepped aside and allowed NFL players to endorse the video game's packaging. The supposed curse started the same year, as each athlete has suffered misfortunes not long after appearing on the game's cover. The first victim was San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst, who broke his ankle in a divisional loss against the Atlanta Falcons the same year he graced Madden ‘99. Madden 2000's Barry Sanders retired before training camp of the 1999 season. Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George had a stellar 2000 season when he appeared on Madden 2001, but fumbled the ball in the playoffs (resulting in a loss to the Ravens) and his career went south from there. Perhaps the most devastating incident yet, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick missed all but five games of the 2003 season once modeling for Madden 2004. The latest victim was Madden 2007's Shaun Alexander, who broke his left foot three weeks into the 2006 campaign, just a season removed from the Seahawks' Superbowl appearance. (Source: http://www.snopes.com/sports/football/maddencurse.asp)
Where to Next?
Madden NFL is clearly a video game dynasty. After all, it has produced a steady stream of games for 18 years and counting. That's consistency for you. With the exclusive NFL license and a constant flock of gamers itching to take the virtual gridiron, the series will surely be a console staple for the foreseeable future.
For the present, Madden 08 sounds like it may be worth your time, especially if you've held out on purchasing the less-than-stellar installments of the past two seasons. On the field, new animations give players more freedom to twist and contort their bodies as in real life, and the new player-specific tendencies could add a nice spice to the pot, too. Those looking to play with friends should know that cooperative play and online tournaments have been reintegrated into the experience. Fans looking for off-the-field excitement will be pleased to know that the much-heralded fantasy draft is back, and Superstar Mode and the returning Owner Mode are deeper than ever. Indeed, Madden 08 looks to be pulling out all the stops this year. The game drops this Tuesday, August 14.
Last year's Offensive Rookie of the Year, Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, will try to break the Madden curse in the 2007 season.
Now, let's pause and reflect on today's topic…
• Madden NFL has been chugging along for 18 years, making waves on the NES to the PS3.
• Madden's wide variety of features and its mass appeal have led the series to the top of the video game mountain.
• Madden 08 should be just the beginning of the greatness that will continue on next-gen systems.
That's it for this edition of Press Pause. I hope you guys have enjoyed this closer look at the Madden franchise! As always, feedback, questions, and comments are welcome! Until next time, peace.
