Madden NFL 11 News Post

Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

02:22 PM - August 20, 2010 by RaychelSnr

CNBC has the story on Madden's weak sales numbers and it's impact on the industry as a whole. Sounds like a blog coming from yours truly soon.

Quote:


	Just one week after its flagship franchise hit the streets, EA is already seeing retailers dramatically discount this year�s installment of �Madden NFL�. Amazon, Wal Mart, and GameStop have all dropped the price from $60 to $50. One possible way to interpret that is the 2010 version of the game hasn�t been selling at the same pace as the 2009 version (which, incidentally, failed to match the 2008 numbers). That�s troubling, since EA relies heavily on Madden for up to 10 percent of its annual revenues. Admittedly, there were concerns about this year�s game prior to its launch. Pre-orders were flat and Colin Sebastian, an analyst with Lazard Capital Markets, noted that the 2010 installment was �a �show-me� story � People who are tired of what �Madden� has become are saying �I know some of my fiends are going to pick it up and I�ll see what they have to say first.'�

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# 21 HokieB @ 08/20/10 03:08 PM

All my friends have dubbed Madden "the same game every year" and stopped buying a while ago. It's not like they are hating on Madden (they aren't passionate enough about it to "hate" on it). They would simply buy Madden every year out of habit, come to realize that it's not that different from the previous year, and simply stop buying it. And terms like Pro-tak, Locomotion, Gameflow, et al have not peeked their interest in the slightest. They'd never really taken issue with the gameplay or anything -- they just got bored with it.

Madden's actually becoming kind of a joke in my circle. "Are you getting the new Madden this year? I heard you can change the color of your shoes!"

# 22 Step2001 @ 08/20/10 03:09 PM

Gameplay is always going to have it's faults. It's Franchise mode that keeps people playing this game. I would think that would cover all sports games.
Playing Franchise mode put's you on the Owner/G.M./Head Coach/Players seat. Everyone wants to take there team to the Super Bowl. That's what it's all about Offline or Online.

Reading allot of write-ups on Madden 11 and untouched Franchise mode was always brought up.

Even people who had not followed the news over the last few months on Madden were let down. Mentioning how they could not wait to get into Franchise mode and start rolling with there team. Then to be told that it was the same as last year, total deflation.

I know the dev team is good, they just need to vbe given the leeway to make the game they want. Because that's the game we all want as supporters of the Madden Franchise.

You build, they'll buy it, Guaranteed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

# 23 bxgoods @ 08/20/10 03:10 PM

Its way too early to judge like the article even says itself, I remember they said the same thing last year, and Madden 10 winded up selling more than 09.

# 24 Dollar Theater @ 08/20/10 03:14 PM

First year since the late 90's I didn't buy Madden. The demo felt flat, and I rented it from Blockbuster, played it twice, and took it back. Same ol, same ol. Hopefully weak sales will force them to revolutionize the product. The FIFA and NHL teams understand that, and that's why their games get better and better, despite already being the best-reviewed sports games available.

# 25 MAzing87 @ 08/20/10 03:16 PM

I'm actually shocked in a way to read this. I always thought that the majority were gamers who bought Madden by tradition, hype machine, the extravagant galas they do for the game, word of mouth, or all of the above. I didn't realize that the people getting fed up or refusing to buy the game was growing at this pace. It's great to see though. Though I don't think EA will do anything, if at all. Not until a very significant low output really dents their pockets. I hope I'm wrong and they focus on putting out a Madden game dedicated to the hardcore faithful that has followed the franchise from the very first game.

# 26 Hooe @ 08/20/10 03:28 PM

This article has me curious about two things:

if video games are due for a price drop across the board
if yearly sports games such as Madden might operate better using a subscription model with periodic downloadable title updates and boxed expansion packs, a la World of Warcraft

I think that a subscription model in Madden's case would be viable if online leagues were fleshed out a TON. Like, at least on par with the NHL games' online component.

That said, if a subscription model does emerge, I hope it doesn't come at the expense of the single-player experience.

# 27 roadman @ 08/20/10 03:36 PM

Upon further review of the article, I didn't see where the article stated that Maddens sales were off from last years. Just indicators that retailers were cutting the prices of Madden.(doesn't prove a thing, just draws speculations)

Madden still has the beginning of football season and the holiday area where it spikes up in sales.

# 28 JaymeeAwesome @ 08/20/10 03:38 PM

To a casual gamer madden has gotten amazingly better. Ea just needs to figure out what will get the hardcore gamers back in. They lost many hardcore gamers throughout the years

# 29 reverend_heat @ 08/20/10 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markprior22


	This is the first year I wasn't even the least bit tempted to buy Madden. I am an offline franchise player and the franchise mode is going to need quite an upgrade to pull me back in.

Ditto, just about had it with the series.

# 30 Palo20 @ 08/20/10 03:42 PM

While sales may be down, will they still bring in the same revenue from all the Online stuff they're selling now? Scouting reports, Madden coins, etc.

That's why Ultimate Team > Franchise this year. Cause it might bring in extra $$.

# 31 RayAllen20 @ 08/20/10 03:43 PM

Many of my friends are casual gamers and they don't like Madden at all. Not much changes, and they'd rather play Blitz on the nintendo. Now they all liked playing NFL 2K5, and they enjoy NCAA 11 a decent bit, but not Madden. If it's not going to change a lot then why?

And Madden is catering to the new gamer but I don't think they realize how hard it is to understand for the new gamer. They can't get a good game out of the box, you need sliders. For franchise mode, you need to control all 32 teams and do a lot of work for it to be somewhat realistic. Way too much work for the new gamer who wants to just pick up and play, or take the Lions to the super bowl.

# 32 mvb34 @ 08/20/10 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWYORICAN


	$60.00 + is just too much for a sports video game that dosn't change much. They are going to have to lower their prices on sports games. I say bring it down to $35.00 to $40.00. peace

Not just sports game but all games should be lowered...

# 33 MAzing87 @ 08/20/10 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dollar Theater


	First year since the late 90's I didn't buy Madden. The demo felt flat, and I rented it from Blockbuster, played it twice, and took it back. Same ol, same ol. Hopefully weak sales will force them to revolutionize the product. The FIFA and NHL teams understand that, and that's why their games get better and better, despite already being the best-reviewed sports games available.

Is it really to revolutionize or innovate? I think everyone just want what they feel should be included in the game. What is actually seen on a typical Sunday game. I have similar expectations in that I just want to see the fundamentals of blocking/tackling/fighting or jocking for position and other physical contacts in the game because I think this gen, we have consoles powerful enough to deliver that type of realistic yet fun content.

It wouldn't wow me if all that I mentioned was in the game, since I'd have those expectations but I'd be very very happy and content!!!

# 34 NDIrish98 @ 08/20/10 04:09 PM

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

# 35 thdudeabides @ 08/20/10 04:37 PM

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.

# 36 charter04 @ 08/20/10 04:39 PM

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.

# 37 Only1LT @ 08/20/10 04:40 PM

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.

# 38 jdr4693 @ 08/20/10 04:42 PM

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.

# 39 DubTrey1 @ 08/20/10 04:46 PM

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.

# 40 charter04 @ 08/20/10 04:47 PM

The thing that scares me the most about this is the possibilty of video games becoming like network TV. I can't get into a new show because they all get canceled. Was really enjoying flashforward. Got canceled. Hero's, journey man. The list goes on an on. Wipe out is on, all these stupid reality shows are still on. It because it cost too much to make a great show. What if it becomes like that with games. I would just have to find a new hobby if the only games you could find where casual. Don't think that is a crazy possibility either. Wii, Move, and kenect. Those three things are all you need to here.

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