Madden really wants you to Ring in '08

by Kevin Kelly { Jul 16th 2007 at 2:59PM }

Want to wear your Madden skillz on the street as bling? EA is giving you the chance this season with a customizable, unlockable "Ring of a Champion" that you can actually order from Jostens -- ring maker of the Super Bowl ring ... and countless graduation rings across the nation. You might even be able to convince some gullible soul that you actually scored a real Super Bowl ring, and possibly get yourself bumped up to first class on occasion. Plus, if you get into a street brawl, you've got some serious hardware on your fingers.

The rings are unlocked by progressing to various levels as you play the game. Once you reach level three, you'll get a code in the game that will let you order the ring. The further you progress, the more you can customize your ring. You'll also be able to stick any of the NFL teams on there, and you can get the cheapo version in a "non precious ring" (Gollum will be so upset) for $149, or the flamboyant 14k gold version for $495. The finger bling comes studded with cubic zirconium, but Jostens will let you add real diamonds if you have a bottomless savings account and a real desire to toss your money away.

The rings will be available only on the "next gen" (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) systems, sorry Wii-ers. Check out the pix of the bling below, and you can read the press release after the break.

Gallery: Madden 08 "Ring of a Champion"

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., - July 16, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc and Jostens. Inc. today announced that the highly anticipated Madden NFL 08 for next generation consoles will give players the opportunity to extend the Madden NFL 08 experience to the real world by giving them the ability to purchase their own custom-designed "Ring of a Champion". Based on the player's Madden Gamer Level, the Ring of a Champion showcases the progress of a Madden NFL 08 gamer, and each ring can be customized to recognize the player advancements through the game. These rings are a direct representation of a player's achievements and game skills. Madden NFL 08 will be available for purchase beginning August 14.

"We wanted our gamers to have something tangible to recognize their achievements within Madden NFL 08 and we kept coming back to Super Bowl rings," said Madden NFL 08 Lead Producer David Ortiz. "We wanted to remain authentic to the real Super Bowl ring therefore we forged a great partnership with Jostens to allow our gamers to proudly display their Madden NFL 08 skills."

The Ring of a Champion series will serve as a visual tracking system for a player's success within the game. As Madden NFL 08 gamers accomplish various achievements, they will progress through five different levels. Once a player has reached level three, the ring can be purchased through Jostens' website utilizing the code provided within game. In addition to the 32 NFL team logos players can incorporate into their ring, the tops and sides of the rings can also be customized. If a player is able to execute an extraordinary achievement they can obtain the Epic ring status, which allows for enhanced design and uniqueness.

"We know that Madden NFL players are passionate about their game and take pride in their skills," said Mike Bailey, president and CEO, Jostens. Inc. "We've had fun designing the rings with EA and hope they add a new dimension of reward to the game."

Minneapolis- based Jostens, creators of 27 out of the 41 Super Bowl Championship rings, and EA have worked together to create the collection of Madden NFL 08 rings, incorporating a unique ring design feature embedded in the game. Jostens will offer three unique ring designs that are available in non-precious metals as well as 10K white and yellow gold. Gamers can also choose from a variety of colors to add to further customize. Rings will range in price from $149 for a non precious ring to $495 for a 10K Gold ring. Each ring incorporate simulated stones chosen by the gamer as well as cubic zirconium stones in the design and gamers will also be given the option to add genuine diamonds if they prefer the ultimate in their Ring of a Champion.

Coming into its 18th year and with more than 60 million copies sold and having generated over $2 billion in retail sales, Madden NFL football continues to stand out as one of the most popular videogame franchises of all time. Developed in Orlando, FL by EA Tiburon, Madden NFL 08 will be available in August on the Xbox 360™ and Xbox® videogame and entertainment systems, PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™, Wii™, PC, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system. For more information check out www.madden08.com.

Tags: bling, Madden 08, Madden08

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

sheppy @ Jul 16th 2007 3:04PM

I think I've blown a funny fuse....

[.sm0ke.] @ Jul 16th 2007 3:04PM

Silly EA, do they really think anyone is going to buy one of these?

EihBeir @ Jul 16th 2007 3:05PM

Umm....what?

Grant @ Jul 16th 2007 3:06PM

wow, that might be the biggest waste of money i've ever seen.
Not to meantion, guys wearing rings (besides a wedding band) should be reserved big fat tacky italians, people who ACTUALLY win the superbowl, and homosexuals.
Otherwise, your just going to look stupid.

Mr Khan @ Jul 16th 2007 4:03PM

Jostens makes its bread and butter off of getting people to waste money on frivolous features ad nauseum

Dave @ Jul 16th 2007 3:07PM

I'll bet there are guys out there who would buy this crap. They already wear the jerseys. Might as well wear the entire costume.

Grant @ Jul 16th 2007 3:07PM

*reserved for big fat....

mccomber @ Jul 16th 2007 3:09PM

I'd have to kick my own ass if I somehow ended up wearing one of those. Truly awful, but I know they'll sell more than a few.

Trenchalicious @ Jul 16th 2007 3:10PM

Makes since, Wii is only considered to be part of this gen because Nintendo put it out not long after the Xbox 360 and PS3, it's just using last gen stuff with a few minor upgrades and 'waggle'.

vidGuy @ Jul 16th 2007 3:17PM

Wait, let me guess - it's a "gimmick", it's graphics suck, and it's for "teh casual" not "teh hardcore", right? Any other drivel you feel like repeating?

JodyAnthony @ Jul 16th 2007 3:18PM

one day I hope to be as cool as you.

reedwetzel @ Jul 16th 2007 3:15PM

umm josten huh , when i bought my my high school class ring with small diamonds that was expensive , but i guess if your a true fanboy of a team and money is no object it actual to me seems neat, also Grant are you Jealous of guys that can afford diamond rings just for a style , so you call them all gay , honestly i wear a diamond ring just as a fashion statment and im straight

Grant @ Jul 16th 2007 9:20PM

"i wear a diamond ring just as a fashion statment and im straight"
then you're a tool.
men should not wear jewlery unless it has some sort of meaning behind it(hence a wedding band).

but hey, if you really wanna bling yourself out, become a big fat mobster, a rapper, win the superbowl, or just look gay. The choice is really yours... but don't be surprised when you see women snickering when they see your pretty ring.

Most people that wear gaudy jewelry miss the fact that they can wear nice clothes to show affluence, instead of wearing a rediculous valor track suit and more rings and chains than can be made from a gold brick. Look at any of the worlds richest men, you will be hard pressed to find any jewelry on them short of a wedding ring.

Matthew @ Jul 16th 2007 3:17PM

I hope I can be good enough to be given the privilege of spending way too much money on a ring.

Greg @ Jul 16th 2007 3:24PM

By "good enough" you mean hit the X button enough times, right?

Greg @ Jul 16th 2007 3:14PM

When I was 8, I had a Captain Planet ring that came with an action finger. I liked to wear it around, pretending to be a Planeteer.

When I was 8.

vidGuy @ Jul 16th 2007 3:23PM

Hahaah, I want an action finger! ;)

Greg @ Jul 16th 2007 3:15PM

*...with an action FIGURE"

Although an action finger would be pretty cool, too.

nerrrrrd @ Jul 16th 2007 3:20PM

isn't madden one of the top selling games in the US every year despite being the same as the year before with minor tweaks? yet idiots still pay $60 each year for the newest copy. Believe me, these will sell like crazy.

Alex S. @ Jul 16th 2007 3:23PM

U DONUT UNDERSTANDZ THE ROSTARS R UPDATED ITS TOTALLY WORTH $60 I SWARE

Also I own a Wii, it's definitely not a next-gen console.

Brooks @ Jul 16th 2007 3:28PM

And we thought that the Guitar Hero 2 downloads were a rip off? Come on now, this is just ridiculous!

Greg @ Jul 16th 2007 3:30PM

Suddenly Horse Armor sounds like a bargain.

Shagittarius @ Jul 16th 2007 3:30PM

Too bad they dont have it for the Wii , it seems like the perfect compliment to the snackstation.

Charli3 @ Jul 16th 2007 3:32PM

Some poor sucker with more bank than brains will guy this crap!

Jojo @ Jul 16th 2007 4:47PM

I love all the Madden hate. Keep bitching moaning and whining about it and I'm sure it will put a dent in the 2 million copies it will sell the first week.

Almack64 @ Jul 16th 2007 3:51PM

It seems they're limiting their money making. Regardless of whether something is "next-gen" or not, you would think they would want people to spend more money.

I guess I don't understand why a feature like this couldn't be implemented for the DS yet alone the PS2 or Wii.

Any Comments?

Shagittarius @ Jul 16th 2007 4:33PM

Poor people buy the Wii...they can't afford a ring like this.

JodyAnthony @ Jul 16th 2007 4:42PM

I'm pretty poor.

Shagittarius @ Jul 16th 2007 5:10PM

Are you buying the ring?

vidGuy @ Jul 16th 2007 6:25PM

I can afford this but it's pretty similar to the PS3 - expensive and worthless.

Almack64 @ Jul 16th 2007 3:54PM

Almack64 @ Jul 16th 2007 3:57PM

Err double post.

Anyways after rereading the press release it doesn't say anything about the feature not being on all systems. Maybe that was just another piece of 'stiq flame bait.

Kevin Kelly @ Jul 16th 2007 6:43PM

No, I actually phoned EA in Florida, and they told me the codes would only be available through the Xbox 360 and the PS3.

GaryM @ Jul 16th 2007 4:31PM

Will the 360 versions come in red?

Shagittarius @ Jul 16th 2007 4:35PM

+1 internets for you.

Jacob P. @ Jul 16th 2007 4:49PM

Gary wins the thread

razer @ Jul 16th 2007 7:30PM

I hear the PS3 version you get just the band and then they send you 1 diamond at a time over 12 months. Plus it comes bundled with a necklace, ankle bracelet and pinky-toe ring and is about $200 more.

Kizzle @ Jul 16th 2007 4:43PM

::Simpsons radio announcer voice:: Gooooooooo JOSTENS!

Shmil @ Jul 16th 2007 4:47PM

10 bucks says EA will allow you to pay for download-able "cheats" that allow you unlock the code for the ring without ever playing madden
you get to pay for a cheat so you can get a code to pay for a ring
EA ftl

muchmaligned @ Jul 16th 2007 4:49PM

sadly, this is the first and probably only time i'll ever see a Chargers Superbowl ring.

so close but yet so far.

Ratchet the Lombax @ Jul 16th 2007 4:50PM

I pretty good at madden so I wonder if I played the game enough and got the "ultimate code" could I sell it on e-bay to someone who wanted the ring but wasn't good enough to"win" the code.

LaughingMan @ Jul 16th 2007 5:00PM

Meh, this is really not that surprising. There are companies that offer "Fantasy Football Champion" rings and trophies- this is just more of the same.

Joshua Trigsted @ Jul 16th 2007 5:00PM

The idea of someone wearing one of these rings is funny, indeed, unless it's Crazy Ray or some other Super Fan that actually makes a living off of being a Super Fan.

However, something that would be a little more sane would be a ring awarded to the winner of the Madden Challenge or some huge online tournament. In all honesty, I would wear that to my wedding. Madden is serious competition and I would give real value to any trinket given to me for winning a Madden contest against thousands of hard-core Michael Vick's.