Madden NFL 25 News Post

Madden Sales Down Significantly This Year

10:33 AM - September 6, 2013 by RaychelSnr

It appears, on the surface at least, fans are no longer happy with the Madden status quo.

EA Sports reported sales of just over 1 million copies of Madden in its first week on store shelves. While EA was touting the success of Madden NFL 25, those sales numbers are down significantly from last year's number of 1.65 million in the same time span, a nearly 40% drop in sales.

The obvious culprit does seem to be many gamers are holding out for next-gen Madden, which makes a lot of sense. However, with incentive programs to upgrade to the next-gen game around and being touted by EA, it also does seem a large chunk of consumers simply are tired of Madden's current form and waiting for something new.

This puts even more pressure on the next-gen product to deliver a new and unique experience to the series, as fans are likely looking for that with the new game. However, for a year at least, it is likely the next-gen version of Madden will be a huge seller when the new consoles hit store shelves in mid to late November.

Game: Madden NFL 25Reader Score: 5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 54 - View All

Madden NFL 25 Videos

Member Comments

# 41 friscob @ 09/06/13 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xanmank


	A guy at work doesnt even play video games period, but he bought the SE to get Sunday ticket and sold the game to me for $50. Cant beat that since I was gonna buy it anyway (skipped last years, so this was the year to buy)

Did the same thing. Bought a brand new copy for $48 off ebay from somebody who only wanted the Sunday Ticket. Also skipped last years after seeing gameplay videos and am enjoying this years so far. Nowhere near where I want the game to be but still enjoyable

# 42 Sausage @ 09/06/13 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Profit89


	Knowing EA they'll probably blame it on PC Piracy.... Oh wait

They will blame it on the game being to realistic and the casual crowd couldn't figure out which way to hold there controller or even how to put the game in the disc tray.

# 43 spacedog @ 09/06/13 04:19 PM

lol well to echo others' sentiments, good can come from this. It might be what pushes them to really make substantial improvements to the franchise. But I'm not gonna lie, even though there are some beyond infuriating moments (the CPU offense just being unstoppable sometimes with my defenders not covering or not even trying to tackle after I manually switch to them!), this game has been very fun IMO. Maybe that's because the last Madden I bought was 09 lol But anyway the game was a good purchase for me, since I haven't bought one in so long. Hopefully they step it up big time though, there are still tons of things that need work

# 44 Hiro1 @ 09/06/13 04:19 PM

I know OSers and many other hardcores like to believe they are madden's base, but its just not true. Many of the problems people on this forum have w/ the Madden series aren't even known to the avg Joe Schmo Madden consumer. I too was going to skip madden, but the combination of Madden playing better than Ncaa and being in a 32-user online franchise influenced my decision to buy.

# 45 MuchToLearn @ 09/06/13 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMChrisS


	It appears, on the surface at least, fans are no longer happy with the Madden status quo. EA Sports reported sales of just over 1 million copies of Madden in its first week on store shelves. While EA was touting the success of Madden NFL 25, those sales numbers are down significantly from last year's number of 1.65 million in the same time span, a nearly 40% drop in sales. The obvious culprit does seem to be many gamers are holding out for next-gen Madden, which makes a lot of sense. However, with incentive programs to upgrade to the next-gen game around and being touted by EA, it also does seem a large chunk of consumers simply are tired of Madden's current form and waiting for something new. This puts even more pressure on the next-gen product to deliver a new and unique experience to the series, as fans are likely looking for that with the new game. However, for a year at least, it is likely the next-gen version of Madden will be a huge seller when the new consoles hit store shelves in mid to late November.

honestly speaking.. i don't think EA's "flagship" product is madden anymore..

that belongs to FIFA

hasn't FIFA absolutely obliterated madden in terms of sales the past few years?

# 46 roadman @ 09/06/13 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuchToLearn


	honestly speaking.. i don't think EA's "flagship" product is madden anymore.. that belongs to FIFA hasn't FIFA absolutely obliterated madden in terms of sales the past few years?

In terms of world wide sales, yes.

FIFA caters to a much more world wide audience vs Madden.

# 47 roadman @ 09/06/13 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Profit89


	FIFA blows Madden out of the water in sales. I think it's 4 or 5 times as many. That's not to say that it's a better game though (not that you are saying that). Imo, they are both crap games, it's just that the sheeple gamers buy into marketing, which EA is a master at. That and hording all the licenses.

So, it's not the fact FIFA has a world wide audience vs Madden?

Interesting, I thought it was because FIFA has more world wide appeal.

# 48 jyoung @ 09/06/13 04:37 PM

Madden still sold more than FIFA in North America as of last year.

Though that could change this year.

# 49 MuchToLearn @ 09/06/13 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyoung


	Madden still sold more than FIFA in North America as of last year. Though that could change this year.

has it really? i thought maybe FIFA had eclipsed that as well..

i was certain that FIFA has broken first week sales records in the states as well as worldwide

but i guess im wrong

but yea.. Madden gets all the hype/glory because America loves the NFL

but in terms of being a "moneymaker".. Madden's not EA's cow anymore, i don't think

# 50 kjcheezhead @ 09/06/13 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyoung


	Madden still sold more than FIFA in North America as of last year. Though that could change this year.

When Madden is outsold by FIFA in North America, I don't think you explain it any other way than quality. Soccer/futbol is little league vs the NFL here.

# 51 lilwillski @ 09/06/13 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyHolmes


	I didn't buy it, because Madden 12 is a better game IMO. Physics would be a awesome feature if they worked and looked right, but Madden 25 looks weird in motion to me. Madden 12 is a much more complete game on the field to me, so why spend money on 25? The only good things I can say about Madden 25 over 12 is pass traject(and I have madden 13 if I have to have this), better looking grass(only matters to some), and ball hawk. Maybe the zoom camera is better, but no big deal as Madden 12's is playable too. What I find interesting is I could snap a photo of a Madden 12 replay zoomed in close, and you would think it was next gen graphics. Shiny helmets with fleck, reflected mirror like visors(just like next gen showed off with Vick), and just a great look to it IMO. Was really close to the next gen photo's EA released(specially if it had 1080p resolution).The only thing bad with Madden 12 visually was the grass with many stadiums. Gameplay wise, it isn't even close. Madden 12 plays a much more competitive game. Everything feels more polished to me, and you don't see as much last minute speed adjusting by the cpu. It just looks nice. It was on it's way to becoming a great game. Madden 12 is the best NFL game this generation IMO.

B.D Holmes, you Sir are a genius!
I agree, I bought Madden 13 and felt it inferior to Madden 12. So I've kept playing Madden 12 and see no need to upgrade until PS4.
Let us hope it is true step up in quality!

# 52 friscob @ 09/06/13 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuchToLearn


	honestly speaking.. i don't think EA's "flagship" product is madden anymore.. that belongs to FIFA hasn't FIFA absolutely obliterated madden in terms of sales the past few years?

If you're talking EA Sports then yea. Think Battlefield is their "flagship" nowadays

# 53 Only1LT @ 09/06/13 05:42 PM

I think people are being EXTREMELY optimistic to think that the drop in sales is due to the looming of next gen consoles. Let's keep things in perspective.

Sony has said that they have received record preorder numbers in excess of 1mil. MS is also happy with their preorder numbers, but refuse to give an actual figure. It is believed that PS4 numbers could possibly be as high as 2 times the number of X1's available at launch, based on retailers polled for their allotments. Regardless, let's just say that combined, they have about 1.7mil consoles at launch between them. These figures are not just the US. These are world wide numbers. If they are somehow both able to exceed preorder demand at launch, and offer even double that number on day one, again, it's not only US numbers.

Madden sales are down every year. This year they are down by 650k approximately. Let's say there are 3mil day one consoles available in the world in November. How many will the US get? This is the largest market for games in the world, so they will definitely try to allocate a good portion of stock here. Let's say that half that hypothetical 3mil is here, so 1.5mil. You honestly believe that more that about half the people that purchase a PS4 or X1 are getting Madden? Let's not forget, I inflated these numbers for best case.

It's not happening. I'm not saying that the decline is solely a reflection of Madden 25's quality, or that there won't be Madden 25 next gen purchases, but if you think that every single person that buys a PS4 or X1 in the US is getting Madden, which is basically what would need to happen just to match last year's numbers, then I don't know what to say other than go check yourself in for inpatient therapy right now.

# 54 ggunnerr @ 09/06/13 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGkaos


	I'm glad I'm getting a PS3 :P Also, good news in general. This company needs to go belly under for us to have a good football game. Didn't buy it for the first time ever, glad to see others are on the same page. For the record, I LOVE football as most of you do too. However, i didn't pass on the game because I wanted to wait for next gen, I passed because it sucked. I assume most people who didnt buy are in the same boat (aircraft carrier) I am in. I struggled not to buy it, and being a hardcore football fan just shows how much this game sucks. I won't even buy it for the next gen incentive and I'm forcing myself to wait months in the hopes next gen is playable. So yeah, the people who didnt buy, didnt buy because it's trash.

Im right there with you. I bought Madden 06 on PS2 and didn't blink at buying it at launch, bought Madden 06 launch day for 360 without hesitation (it also was the only game I bought at launch) 9 years later I DID NOT BUY MADDEN FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE MADDEN 93!!!

Me buying next gen had nothing to do with me skipping it this year, it all came down to it isn't a fun experience anymore. I have no plans to buy next gen Madden this fall either. With NO NEXT GEN FOOTAGE, how anyone can expect all that ails the franchise to be fixed in 2 months is just laughable, or just plain optimistic hope with no basis.

Oh btw, with EA doing the next gen trade up promo, (for the first time ever on a console launch) if people were into your game and are buying a X1/PS4 they already bought Madden 25 anyway. There is not going to be any uptick in sales for them Next Gen launch WHATSOEVER!!

# 55 centauris @ 09/06/13 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friscob


	Sunday Ticket definitely helped sell a lot of copies of games that instantly got put on Craigslist and Ebay b/c the people wanted nothing to do w/ the actual game

lol yep.

mine finally sold today

# 56 roadman @ 09/06/13 07:03 PM

Unfortunately, listening to the Ian podcast, I don't have much hope for next years Madden.

If sales are down overall, then external depts will have their say. ie marketing and suits

He explained pretty clearly this is what happened between 10 and 11. 10 became more sim orientated, but didn't sell well. 11 was a step back in sim.

# 57 MuchToLearn @ 09/06/13 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	Unfortunately, listening to the Ian podcast, I don't have much hope for next years Madden. If sales are down overall, then external depts will have their say. ie marketing and suits He explained pretty clearly this is what happened between 10 and 11. 10 became more sim orientated, but didn't sell well. 11 was a step back in sim.

i'm confused.. did they just say Madden 25 is more sim then?

..really? o_O

# 58 roadman @ 09/06/13 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuchToLearn


	i'm confused.. did they just say Madden 25 is more sim then? ..really? o_O

No, they didn't say that, only 10 was more sim than 8 and 9.

My point, less sales this year, more gimmicks next year?

# 59 debauchlord @ 09/06/13 07:42 PM

Don't want to defend Madden but this has more to do with simple options. There are a TON of great games out right now. GTA V is in less than two weeks. It could be a pure numbers game; better games available means less money to spend on games. It is also the end of the consoles lives. Next Gen is around the corner. There could also be "game burnout", whereas so many good games where released in a relatively short amount of time that people are playing catch up. All the money spent could also mean people are waiting for it to buy used. There are a ton of factors that go into this and quality is tertiary.

Madden isn;t released in a vacuum anymore. And those people that ONLY bought Madden, all year? I am betting that they have either discovered the grand universe of gaming or have moved on.

# 60 TurboTitan @ 09/06/13 10:52 PM

I think the people waiting on the XB1 or PS4 versions of Madden to be somehow "better" will be sorely disappointed. EA has proven that they are pretty bad at finding bugs in their games.....this is only magnified when moving to a whole new system. This is obviously just my opinion, but I expect M25 on the new consoles to be a straight up port of the current gen version, maybe with some snazzy new graphics thrown in. I wish I were more optimistic, but, I just have zero faith that the game will somehow be magically "fixed" on these new consoles. I think the more likely thing to happen is, the game is just as busted as when they moved to 360 in 2006.

I really hope I am 100% wrong......

« Previous 1 234 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next »

More Links

Madden Sales Down Significantly This Year