So is it really the industry John? - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

So is it really the industry John? Stuck

Posted on December 2, 2009 at 08:14 PM.

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I love it when I can catch a corporation in double talk. Check out what John Riccitiello said about Madden and it's disappointing sales back in September:

�It is discouraging that one of our highest-rated and best-marketed �Madden� titles in years is facing strong headwinds,� Chief Executive Officer John Riccitiello told employees in an e-mail released today. Industry trends �present a challenge,� he said.

Yet, just yesterday, EA touted 'record setting' sales of FIFA 10:

"Based on internal sales projections, FIFA 10 has sold through more than 4.5 million units worldwide since launch, a 26 percent increase over the same period a year ago (eight weeks in Europe and five weeks in North America). FIFA 10 also became the fastest-selling sports videogame in the world with 1.7 million units sold through at European retail in its first week after its launch on October 1, and it�s the top selling game overall in Europe in 2009."

My only question is...is it a depressed economy or perhaps something else leading to Madden's lower sales? You can't have it both ways.

Personally, I liked Madden but I love FIFA. And while FIFA does have a much more global reach, it's also breaking it's own records whle Madden isn't. In fact, Madden sales are actually lower this year.

What do you think is the cause of our little conundrum here?

Comments

# 1 AInquisition @ Dec 2

Let me put it to you like this; FIFA 10 is the best game of the year, and soccer is my 4th favorite sport.

# 2 Rocky @ Dec 2

You simply have to blow people away with sports games nowadays....

FIFA, NBA2K10, The Show, NHL 10, does this....thus you see the increase in sales. People just aren't purchasing mediocre games anymore.

# 3 CreatineKasey @ Dec 3

There is definitely some truth to your blog. People on here put a lot of time and thought into these games that we're passionate about. Not all posters who are mad about a game want to be that way.... they legitimately don't like it. If M10 is an indicator of anything, though... EA seems to be taking a better direction with the series at this point. I like Ian's ideas.

# 4 marcoyk @ Dec 3

I think you can just see the quality in FIFA 10 compared to Madden 10. Physics, gameplay, controls, they're all there in FIFA 10 out of the box. In Madden 10, you have to tweak sliders to get good gameplay and stats, etc. Even after messing with Madden 10 for a while, you'll never obtain good physics and such, which pretty much makes Madden constantly flawed. I own both games by the way.

# 5 superstarshad @ Dec 4

The only reason Madden sales were down this year were due to the recession. It had zero to do with the product. You can't compare Madden sales with Fifa, but Madden sales should be compared to NBA 2k10 and possibly Live 10. Any guess why?????? The majority of gamers who purchase these two titles (madden and 2k basketball) are of what ethnicity? Which ethnicity do you believe were effected most by the recession? Also, take a stab in the dark and guess which ethnic group, IN THE US, purchased FIFA? Take the aforementioned information gathering and apply it to next year's MLB The show, and ask yourself what will the numbers look like for this title? It is what it is... I criticized this year's Madden following the release, but have grown to recognize it as one of the top 5 madden's of all-time.