Analyst: Madden Sales to Fall 50% if NFL Season is Cancelled

[spit_bubble]

The whole premise of his analysis is flawed, because there will never be a time when the season is "canceled". It's not like sometime before the the first game they are going to announce that there will be no NFL football in 2011. The scenario will play out much different than that.

If the lockout drags on into the season, then sure, sales will likely start to dip. But considering there will always be potential for them to come to an agreement and get the season going, I don't think we will see that many people keep from buying Madden '12.

[raz77]

I don't know about a 50% drop, but I can see a big drop. The season goes and most of the storylines, highlight reels, and a lot of the general media presence that gets people hyped for football goes with it. I know sometimes I have no interest in playing madden or any other sports game then I see something cool on ESPN or in a game and I just have to play.

[waytofailself]

Patcher likes pulling numbers out of the wind -- his words have little credence and I'm not sure why people still listen to him. If anything, his madden prediction + nintendo dying because they haven't released a Wii HD yet prediction = probably only 1 copy of Madden 12 will sell on the Wii (and that might be more than last year with the way they've gutted the franchise on that console).

I don't think 50% is going to happen -- a lot of people who buy madden are VERY happy to simply buy a glorified roster update (note: not users of this forum obviously). They could release substantially the same game for a few years and do alright. I agree that it's possible for more people to buy Madden to replace NFL, but I'd put my money on some kind of drop off -- but more like 10%.

[JustinJones]

if theres a lockout more ppl might buy madden just to get their nfl football fix

[falconfansince81]

Quote: Originally Posted by justinjones.us

if theres a lockout more ppl might buy madden just to get their nfl football fix

why would MORE people buy it? if someone doesn't buy it in the first place it's probably because they're not satisfied with the product and have the willpower to pass on it. the only circumstance i foresee an increase in sales from this situation is EA putting out a quality sim product that rivals such titles such as MLBTS and NBA 2k11.

like Raz77 said, a lot of people will get the itch to play madden after seeing a game or watching espn. if there's nothing to watch, there would be no impulse buying. while i disagree that 50% is a realistic or even researched figure, i wouldn't be surprised to see a large drop in numbers solely based off the 'itch' gamers or the ever-so-popular 'casual' gamer.

[turftickler]

I recant my last statement of over 50% lost sales. Madden NFL sales will not drop, because there are too many people who play Madden NFL games that start to believe that whatever they seen in Madden NFL games is real. So, no Madden NFL game sales will not skip a beat. The same recycled Hot Girl graphics with weak @$$ gameplay will rule the Madden NFL world once again this year. Take that to the bank, family!

[mestevo]

I feel like I click on 4-5 different threads and it's the same people saying the same negative things over and over.

[JustinJones]

I'm just saying that 50% sales lost is ridiculous. it's not like were not going to have any football we'll have college and other smaller leagues (if the NFL somehow messes this labor deal up) and everyone that buys madden will probably continue to buy this game for their professional football fix. but yeah i do agree that other games will get some of their revenue if the nfl is indeed locked out