Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

[threes_co]

This is really good news. Hopefully, this is really stirring up the folks at EA. I only bought 11 b/c I didn't buy '10.

[Flamehead]

Quote: Originally Posted by MMChrisS

Game industry sales are down to flat this year overall, depending on your source. That's not a good sign in ANY industry. With one of the yearly staples likely not doing well at all, that's just not good news for the industry as a whole. The guy CNBC quoted is usually pretty good at forecasting these types of things in the gaming industry. I still think AAA titles will do just fine, but if you have a game like, say, NBA Elite or something just as niche, you'd better hope you have a lot of quality because the sales might not come otherwise. Talked about this on my blog earlier this week: http://www.operationsports.com/MMChr...me-developers/ With us beginning another leg down or recession in an ongoing depression, there has been a secular shift in the economy away from spending on things like games. Just how it is when you are worried about keeping your house, cars, etc. It's not unlike the '30s, Hollywood had to go through a similar situation then.

I don’t disagree with your general point, but what I disagree with is the underlying premise of the article: that if Madden’s sales are flat, it just HAS to be because of factors external to the game itself.

In other words, there’s an assumption that Madden is (still) a high-quality title that people can’t get enough of. Therefore, if it’s selling less, it MUST be the economy or general trends in the industry. Very convenient excuse for EA to remain complacent.

Never is there a remote possibility in articles like these that among various reasons for flat sales, one of them might be that the title itself has become subpar and stagnant and people are just getting tired of it. One can get the sense that if Madden is such a struggle to get right on this gen’s consoles this many years in, we may as well just move on.

I can understand why more people are saying “why bother?” when there’s so many other outstanding games worth our money and attention.

[NDIrish98]

This is what 'license exclusivity' will get you. Not sure exclusivity is even a word but you get my point.

[thdudeabides]

This article reminds me of something from a college statistics course. There is a direct correlation between fatalities of children in the US under 18 years of age and the sales of ice cream. As the sales of ice cream go up the number of children who die in the US goes up. A knee jerk reaction to that fact is (Ice cream kills kids) for course thats not true. The truth is ice cream sales go up in the summer. Also in the summer, kids are outside doing things like biking, climbing trees, crossing the street etc. that are more likely to get them killed then sitting in the house during the winter. Just because theres a correlation does not mean they are related. If Madden was producing a quality game, people would buy it. Without a doubt people are more sane with their spending habits now, but AAA games that are not stale and broken as Madden has been for years will continue to sell, even at $60, even in this economy.

[charter04]

I did buy Madden, but this is the first year I didn't buy it first day. I really wasn't even that excited about it. The only reason I got it was to play online franchise and use the players from NCAA 11 in Madden. I still feel like I waisted 60+ dollars but what choice do I have? I love football and the NFL to much to not get Madden. If they came out with a great game, then I could get buy with not getting the new one becuase the last one would be good enough. But, if it was great you would be excited for a the new game and wouldn't do that. Just a lose, lose. I just can't believe or even understand why they just can't seem to do what they need to do to make a great game. I know they make a lot of money, but you can't tell me the main developers don't want to make a great game. I just don't get it.

[Only1LT]

As Roadman said, there is no mention of actual sales data in the article. Just using the fact that there were price drops to form this opinion.

Now I have thought, and still think, that sales will be down. The fact that preorders were down is definitely an indication. Throw in that they had a trade in Madden 10 for $40 credit towards Madden 11 deal, which I have never seen a deal like that where you could get so much return value from the previous year's version, ever, and it doesn't take a genius to know that, at the very least, retail was a little concerned about sales forecasts.

But again, this article isn't confirmation of decreased sales, only speculation at this point. Although I have little doubt that real confirmation is on its way.

[jdr4693]

After playing the NHL 11 demo, it really is a shame that Madden 11 could not implement the "real time" physics engine that NHL 11 is using. Madden would look 10X better with those physics on its hits and tackles.

[DubTrey1]

Bottom line, like so many have already stated on here - gamers (consumers) want more bang for the buck. So in the case of Madden, gamers want immersion, innovation and solid gameplay thru and thru. NCAA11 delivered overall in that dept. and basically set the tone for Madden11. Madden in many ways fell short and those who in the past (myself included) bought both NCAA and Madden are now content with one or the other. Not both. Especially when what you get just does not add up to any more fun than the other in the long run. At this point, gamers want innovation and a long gaming life cycle.... Right now, I think all developers will suffer until the quality as well as gaming quantity goes up.