To EA and Madden Consumers, Madden Is a Success

[TNT713]

To me, Madden is the only football game I'll play... Even when it sucks, Madden is more attractive to play than whatever else is out there.

WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS?

Because I don't care about Franchise, Superstar, or any of the features... I only care about getting a game whenever I want to play a game. 24/7, 365 I can get a game of Madden.

As far as I'm concerned Madden will always be a success as long as a game is just a button away.

When the day comes when Madden no longer has the appeal that makes players want to prove their worth at the mere suggestion of the title. OR there isn't enough interest to get a game against someone somewhere in the world within 5 minutes - Madden will have lost it's luster.

Fortunately, people care about who's better in Madden. Where other football games (NFL2K, BB, etc) are about playing the game. Madden is about the socialization of playing the game AGAINST someone.

I've met many people that once Madden is mentioned, will want to test their skills. I have met exactly 0 people playing other football games that creates the same 'challenge' between people. No one cares who's better at 2K, or BB. It has less to do with the NFL license because when the license was available to other games no one cared who was better at those games then either...

Might just be me... But Madden has no substitute - even when it sucks.

Later

[TheCreep]

Quote: Originally Posted by TNT713

To me, Madden is the only football game I'll play... Even when it sucks, Madden is more attractive to play than whatever else is out there. WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS? Because I don't care about Franchise, Superstar, or any of the features... I only care about getting a game whenever I want to play a game. 24/7, 365 I can get a game of Madden. As far as I'm concerned Madden will always be a success as long as a game is just a button away. When the day comes when Madden no longer has the appeal that makes players want to prove their worth at the mere suggestion of the title. OR there isn't enough interest to get a game against someone somewhere in the world within 5 minutes - Madden will have lost it's luster. Fortunately, people care about who's better in Madden. Where other football games (NFL2K, BB, etc) are about playing the game. Madden is about the socialization of playing the game AGAINST someone. I've met many people that once Madden is mentioned, will want to test their skills. I have met exactly 0 people playing other football games that creates the same 'challenge' between people. No one cares who's better at 2K, or BB. It has less to do with the NFL license because when the license was available to other games no one cared who was better at those games then either... Might just be me... But Madden has no substitute - even when it sucks. Later

Completely different angle that hasn't occured to many people. Now that I've read this, I have to agree. Its the legacy of Madden. **** aint never gonna die.

[guaps]

Quote: Originally Posted by TNT713

Fortunately, people care about who's better in Madden. Where other football games (NFL2K, BB, etc) are about playing the game. Madden is about the socialization of playing the game AGAINST someone. I've met many people that once Madden is mentioned, will want to test their skills. I have met exactly 0 people playing other football games that creates the same 'challenge' between people. No one cares who's better at 2K, or BB. It has less to do with the NFL license because when the license was available to other games no one cared who was better at those games then either...

During the last-gen days, I would have agreed somewhat with you. My friends and I were often battling and especially the Packers (short passing routes Farve to Ahman Green) vs. Ravens (me - running between the tackles with Jamal Lewis) matchups was something that entertained us all year long. But with this generation neither me or my friends talk Madden anymore, even though we talk more football than we've ever done before. I cannot name a single friend that still plays Madden - my cousin still plays Madden 09, but that's about all I can think of.

Now we are mostly playing NCAA (Army vs. Navy is a classic) or sometimes a good game of APF 2k8, because we appreciate the realism and beauty of the game.

But while Madden and NCAA might be more about socializing, I hardly remember any spectacular plays from the games I've played. However, with APF 2k8 there is at least one memorable play per game, and that makes me appreciate that game even more. To me that's the experience I get from watching the NFL. I often don't remember the scores or specific players, but I remember a lot of plays from the games I watch.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by guaps

I hardly remember any spectacular plays from the games I've played. .

I just had one of those last week with Madden 11. To think I almost traded it before the surprise December patch.

That patch saved the game for me.

Anyway, it was a beautiful spectacular int, one of those over the shoulder int's.

[guaps]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

I just had one of those last week with Madden 11. To think I almost traded it before the surprise December patch. That patch saved the game for me. Anyway, it was a beautiful spectacular int, one of those over the shoulder int's.

True, you do get them from time to time. I remember a sideline catch in the second Madden 10 game I ever played - Dolphins (me) versus Jaguars (one of my friends). It was a deep pass from Pennington to Camarillo -- or at least a deep pass by Pennington's standard. Possibly the only sideline catch I ever saw in Madden 10, but anyway... it was beautiful.

The problem is that when you've played 5 games of Madden you've seen all the "usual" animations and then gameplay becomes stale, emotionless and - in my opinion - often forgettable.

Yet I do remember plays where a 200 lbs HB stiff arms a 350 lbs DT, then continues to break out of a tackle (by a 250 lbs LB with people falling all over the place) and goes 60 yards for a TD. But that only because those plays are so stupid they shouldn't be in the game at all.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by guaps

Yet I do remember plays where a 200 lbs HB stiff arms a 350 lbs DT, then continues to break out of a tackle (by a 250 lbs LB with people falling all over the place) and goes 60 yards for a TD. But that only because those plays are so stupid they shouldn't be in the game at all.

Ah, yes, I've seen those as well. I will say, though, those plays show up less in 11 than they did in 10 and before.

The fact they still show up at all, though, especially on some kickoff's, is memorable enough.

I asked that question on the first podcast and they said they would try to address. Plus, the YT generation will be on a podcast in the near future and I would be surprised if that question doesn't come up.

[LiquorLogic]

Quote: Originally Posted by TNT713

To me, Madden is the only football game I'll play... Even when it sucks, Madden is more attractive to play than whatever else is out there. WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS? Because I don't care about Franchise, Superstar, or any of the features... I only care about getting a game whenever I want to play a game. 24/7, 365 I can get a game of Madden. As far as I'm concerned Madden will always be a success as long as a game is just a button away. When the day comes when Madden no longer has the appeal that makes players want to prove their worth at the mere suggestion of the title. OR there isn't enough interest to get a game against someone somewhere in the world within 5 minutes - Madden will have lost it's luster. Fortunately, people care about who's better in Madden. Where other football games (NFL2K, BB, etc) are about playing the game. Madden is about the socialization of playing the game AGAINST someone. I've met many people that once Madden is mentioned, will want to test their skills. I have met exactly 0 people playing other football games that creates the same 'challenge' between people. No one cares who's better at 2K, or BB. It has less to do with the NFL license because when the license was available to other games no one cared who was better at those games then either... Might just be me... But Madden has no substitute - even when it sucks. Later

True, due to Madden's popularity there has always been some bravado, amongst guys, with Madden that there wasn't with other football titles. This was because Madden was King of football video games for a while. They basically started it all.

2k was a serious threat to all of that, which is why EA sought after and bought out the license. Had they not done that, everybody would be trying to prove themselves with 2k rather than Madden.

It takes a while to replace a household name, but Madden would have been replaced by now had they not acquired the exclusive license.

Quote: Originally Posted by TheCreep

Completely different angle that hasn't occured to many people. Now that I've read this, I have to agree. Its the legacy of Madden. **** aint never gonna die.

Unless another publisher kills it. What has gone on during the last 6 six years has definitely made the Legacy of Madden vulnerable. Back when Madden had competition, and was putting it's best foot forward, people were happy with Madden.Their curiosity regarding other games was non-existent.

2k5 was light years ahead of Madden 05, in terms of game-play, as it's light years ahead of Madden 11, and you know what ? I never even considered purchasing 2k5 back then. It's not like having both was impractical or a waste of money. It was $20 for goodness sake! A friend of mine owned it, and I never even asked about playing it.

My, just like a lot of other people's, curiosity was non-existent. I can't say that now; people are open to another football title from another company.

The longer a game, or product has been top dog, the harder it is for a competitor to over come that. Look at Live: they were the king of basketball games, but live debuted only five years prior to 2k basketball, so it was easier for 2k to take the throne.

The only thing protecting the legacy of Madden is the shield, or the NFL's exclusive deal with them. Once that shield is removed, somebody is going to kill the legacy of Madden. The longer EA has the license, the more angst it will create amongst gamers, and the easier it will be to kill.

[f3niks]

This reads like a press release. Nice try.