Joystiq

EA picks NY Giants as Super Bowl XLVI winner in Madden simulation

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST

Are you wondering who has the upper hand in this Sunday's National Football League sporting contest, but you're beyond trusting those silly old sports journalists? Let EA answer that for you, with its annual simulation of the Superbowl as conducted in Madden NFL 12 on Xbox 360. As evidenced in the video above, the New York Giants are set to overtake the New England Patriots in Superbowl 46 by three points (GO GIANTS WOOOO), with a field goal in the final quarter locking the win for big blue.

We might seem a tad dismissive, but EA has set a precedent in the past with annual predictions being spot on (at least in terms of a winner ... less so in terms of actual scores). That either tells us that Madden's numbers game has been spot on for several years, or that football is easily predicted. We'd rather avoid the pummeling that will assuredly result in supposing the latter, so we're gonna go with option A.

EA picks NY Giants as Super Bowl XLVI winner in Madden simulation originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MLB: The Show dev leaves to become creative director on Madden

David Hinkle — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 EST

Kolbe Launchbaugh may not be a name you recognize (or pronounce correctly), but for the past 15 years he's been climbing the corporate ladder over at SCEA. He started out as a tester and, ever since the first edition launched back in 2006, has contributed to MLB: The Show's rise to prominence. Now he's leaving SCEA to take on the position of creative director at EA Sports.

More specifically, Launchbaugh will oversee the Madden franchise and take over the vacancy left by Ian Cummings back in April. In his farewell letter over on Operation Sports, Launchbaugh says he'll officially start at EA on January 9.

MLB: The Show dev leaves to become creative director on Madden originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why JRPGs should look at the NFL's playbook

Jason Schreier — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:16:00 EST

This is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.

Joystiq's Ben Gilbert once bemusedly pointed out that my taste in games oscillates between "kawaii!" and "yeah bro!" This is true. Two of the games I enjoyed most this year were Radiant Historia and Madden NFL 12, which is about as huge a disparity as you can get without diving into the terrifying click fields of games like FarmVille.

But wait a minute. Are they really all that different? Sure, the National Football League athletes who lend their images to Madden might not have much in common with the anime-like sprites of a Japanese RPG, but in terms of game design, there are some striking similarities.

As Kill Screen Editor-in-Chief Chris Dahlen pointed out in a GameSpy article last year, football is, at its core, a strategy role-playing game. Each team gets several turns to move the ball down the field, during which they can select from a variety of different attacks. Competing teams match wits over field position and strategy in an attempt to wrest an advantage. At the end of the game, whichever team does the most damage -- or scores the most points -- wins.

Though it has been tweaked quite a bit over the past century, the core rules of football have remained the same since the forward pass was introduced over 100 years ago. It is America's most popular sport for a reason: it is an extraordinarily well-designed game.

Perhaps it could teach JRPG developers a thing or two about combat.

Continue reading Why JRPGs should look at the NFL's playbook

Why JRPGs should look at the NFL's playbook originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This Madden curse might actually be a real thing: Peyton Hillis is injured

Jessica Conditt — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST

Peyton Hillis should have known better. During the haze of jubilation when he was voted to the cover of Madden 12, the rational voice in the back of his mind should have warned him. The Curse. Hillis has missed the Cleveland Browns' past two games, and he is expected to sit out Sunday's game at Houston with a hamstring injury that seems so stubborn that it's almost supernatural.

The higher the climb, the harder the fall -- on your hamstring, Hillis. Enjoy your cover art. Muhahahaha.

This Madden curse might actually be a real thing: Peyton Hillis is injured originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Madden NFL 12 review: Vacuum-sealed

Mike Suszek — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST

Reviewing, let alone investing in an annual sports game series is difficult. In my experience, Madden fans are typically the reluctant type; they hope for vast improvements every year and expect a new game that will blow them away. Madden NFL 12 is not that game. It's not the kind of game that answers every problem players have with football games. But this year, EA Sports tackled some core issues that elevates this game as one of the best in the series.

Gallery: Madden NFL 12 (8/25/11)

Continue reading Madden NFL 12 review: Vacuum-sealed

Madden NFL 12 review: Vacuum-sealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Class action suit filed against EA Sports over football monopoly

JC Fletcher — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST

The Madden lawsuit season is beginning! If you bought one of EA Sports' Madden, NCAA, or even Arena Football games between 2005 and now, you might be receiving an email naming you as part of a "class" of plaintiffs in a class action suit against EA.

The case "Pecover V. Electronic Arts, Inc." claims that EA's exclusive licenses "foreclosed competition in an alleged football video game market." Because of this lack of competition, the plaintiffs in the case claim that this monopoly allowed EA to overcharge for its games (even though EA Sports games cost the same as most other mass-market console games).

Right now, you're a member of the "class" of allegedly fleeced football fans if you bought any of the games, unless you bought them on a mobile platform, pre-owned, directly from EA, or while working for EA. If you want to opt out of the class (what -- you don't want to be part of something?), you can do so by following the instructions here. We've contacted EA for comment.

Class action suit filed against EA Sports over football monopoly originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: EA and NFL restructure exclusivity deal amid work stoppage fears

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST

The NFL has cut EA a break, reports SportsBusiness Journal, reducing the Madden maker's licensing fee by an undisclosed amount for the next football season, which remains in jeopardy as the current collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union is set to expire March 4 and, so far, renegotiations have been futile. If a new CBA is not drawn between the two sides before the current contract expires, it could result in a work stoppage -- in other words, no football come fall.

While such an outcome wouldn't prevent EA from releasing Madden 12 in early August (the series' traditional launch window leading up to the start of the NFL regular season), it could certainly devalue the expensive NFL-related licenses that EA has secured. Last October, anticipating such a scenario, EA reportedly requested a $30 million dollar discount on its payment owed to the NFL this year. The five-year deal inked in 2008 between the two sides is believed to be worth "well into nine figures" -- that's hundreds of millions -- and is likely the NFL's most lucrative non-TV contract, according to SBJ.

"For one of our core partners in a difficult environment, we say let's look at this, and maybe it makes some sense to extend something out longer and give our partner some relief in the short term, but gain something on the back end," Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, chairman of the NFL's business ventures committee, told SBJ, alluding to the nature of the restructured deal with EA. According to SBJ's sources, EA has been granted some form of relief for this year's fees, and its NFL exclusivity deal has been extended one year through the 2013-14 football season.

EA maintains a separate, concurrent contract with the NFL Players Association for which the players' union receives $30-40 million, annually (according to the union's Labor Department filings), for the publisher's right to use NFL players in its games. It's as yet unknown if EA has sought to reduce its fees owed to the union this year or extend the deal another year to remain consistent with the companion contract with the league. EA declined our request to comment on its NFL-related licensing agreements for this article.

Report: EA and NFL restructure exclusivity deal amid work stoppage fears originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown appeals dismissed lawsuit against EA

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Jim Brown, nine-season running back for the Cleveland Browns and NFL Hall of Fame inductee, filed a lawsuit against Electronic Arts in 2008 for using his likeness in Madden '09 without first obtaining his permission. Last September, U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper (who passed away in January from lymphoma) ruled that EA was protected by First Amendment rights -- a decision which Brown is now attempting to overturn in a San Francisco appellate court.

Brown requested the review earlier this week at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. According to the Associated Press, EA representative Jeff Brown emailed the New York Times, saying the industry juggernaut is "confident" the ruling won't change. So, for those of you keeping score: EA's Jeff Brown says Jim Brown from the Browns won't win.

NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown appeals dismissed lawsuit against EA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Browser-based QuickHit Football catches NFL licensing deal

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Browser game developer Quick Hit, Inc. has announced that it has secured the rights to use NFL teams, logos, uniforms and all other trademarks associated with the league during the next "season" of its flagship online sports title, QuickHit Football. The game will also feature current NFL coaches and players, as well as legends, like Barry Sanders.

When the license goes into effect this fall, users will be able to play through a season or go head-to-head using their favorite professional teams and will have the ability to customize the rosters and sign new -- and old -- players using Coaching Points they've accrued over their careers. You can check out the current version of QuickHit for free on the game's official site.

Clarifying that Quick Hit's deal does not violate EA Sports' exclusivity agreement with the NFL, an EA representative told Joystiq that "the exclusivity agreements we have with the NFL and NFLPA have always been specific to football simulations on video game consoles."

Hopefully 2K will get this message and start working on one of those electric, vibrating football board games.

Browser-based QuickHit Football catches NFL licensing deal originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Supreme Court ruling states NFL teams are separate entities

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:30:00 EST

According to USA Today, a recent Supreme Court ruling has denied the National Football League antitrust law protections, stating that its 32 constituent teams must be considered separate entities. The court reversed the dismissal of a suit filed against the league by American Needle, Inc., a company which was locked out of the football-themed hatmaking business after the NFL penned a 10-year exclusivity agreement with Reebok. Gee, that sounds awfully familiar.

The case of American Needle v. NFL has returned to the lower courts, where a decision in favor of the former could drastically change the face of the NFL's licensing business. In short, if the district courts find the league in violation of antitrust laws, it could repeal exclusivity agreements like the one with Reebok -- or, likely more pertinent to your interests, the one with EA Sports, which brought a hasty end to the NFL2K series. We'll keep an eye out for further developments in this lawsuit.

Supreme Court ruling states NFL teams are separate entities originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 May 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad Roundup: Here's the stuff that may interest you

David Hinkle — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST

With the iPad set to launch April 3, we know a lot of you out there are wondering what types of games and apps there are to look forward to. Well, we reprogrammed the Joystiq bots to scour the iTunes App store for information on updates and new games, culling the data for you all. There's plenty to look forward to, so don't waste time reading this -- head past the break for the goods!

Continue reading iPad Roundup: Here's the stuff that may interest you

iPad Roundup: Here's the stuff that may interest you originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA Sports honors 'Game Changers' in its online communities

Mike Schramm — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST

Over the weekend, EA Sports announced a new community influencers program that it's calling "Game Changers" -- the idea is that the publisher will choose big EA sports fans who use their online community know-how "to improve the experience and overall growth of the EA SPORTS Community." Presumably, you have to yell "EA Sports" whenever you say it, which would be why the name is in all caps. The chosen few will get early access to EA games, as well as represent the community while giving feedback on future releases.

They've picked nine guys (no girls) so far, all of whom are active in the various EA communities and forums. They've also posted a video of the program's kickoff, and while we were totally going to make fun of it for sounding like a cliched sports team ("It's the dream of a lifetime, we just go out there to do our best" and so on), that Anton B dude actually gets a little choked up at the end after being honored with Game Changer of the Month. So all right, Anton, we get it. This Game Changers thing may not mean too much to the rest of us (just like the Xbox Ambassador program, it's just a way for the company to connect directly with their community), but everybody's got to have their thing, and this is yours. Rock on for that.

EA Sports honors 'Game Changers' in its online communities originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Madden NFL Arcade coming to XBLA & PSN; $15 this Dec.

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:15:00 EST

Click for more highlights!

Dear Download-only Record Holder,

You had a good run -- time to move over. Madden NFL Arcade is coming to town. EA has detailed, priced and dated its bite-sized Madden for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. Targeted for the holiday season, Madden Arcade is described as fast-paced, 5-on-5 football. It's a classic backyard scenario -- first to 30; 4 plays per possession; no penalties; no field goals -- draped in NFL glamour.

Following in the tradition of its arcade-football predecessors (NFL Blitz, NFL Street, etc.) and EA's 3-on-3 NHL Arcade, Madden Arcade will feature a 'toonish art style, downsized playing field (60 yards) and 13 "Game Changers" (power-ups), including the ability to freeze your opponents, turn off their passing icons, or enlist an army of lineman to pretty much guarantee a sack. Each match is customizable, too, by altering skill level, points to win and other options, and supports up to 4-player co-op on a single console or 1-vs-1 online.

Madden NFL Arcade will be released this December on XBLA (1200) and PSN ($14.99). And shortly thereafter, the game is the odds on favorite to become the best-selling download-only title ever. How's the saying go: Don't hate the player? Hate the ...

Gallery: Madden NFL Arcade

Madden NFL Arcade coming to XBLA & PSN; $15 this Dec. originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL jerseys hit Avatar Marketplace, wallets

Randy Nelson — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:45:00 EST

Is everybody ready for some pricey Avatar football jerseys? Microsoft hopes you are, having launched men's and women's tops for all 32 NFL teams at 320 ($4) a pop on the Avatar Marketplace.

Just for comparison, national soccer (or football for most of the world) jerseys are ... oh, that's right, they're free. Most licensed game shirts sell for 80 ($1). We can only imagine the extra $3 in this case gets divided up between the NFL, the teams, EA and the Coalition for Expensive Avatar Clothing. It wouldn't be quite so bad if purchasers could actually pick their jersey number, instead of feeling like a total zero.

NFL jerseys hit Avatar Marketplace, wallets originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Madden curse strikes back, Polamalu suffers knee injury in season opener

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:20:00 EST

Steelers fans witnessed a horrifying scene during last night's season-opening matchup against the Tennessee Titans -- while trying to recover a blocked field goal in the first half, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu sustained an injury to his left knee, preventing him from playing out the rest of the game. If that name sounds familiar, it's because Polamalu was featured on the cover of Madden 10 -- a promotion that has proven to be troubling for NFL players due to the titular "Madden curse."

Polamalu is expected to be out for 3 - 6 weeks, making this one of the least severe examples of cosmic retribution dished out by the curse to date. However, that could just be because said retribution has to be shared between two players this year. For the sake of our fantasy football standings, we urge Larry Fitzgerald to take every safety precaution imaginable during these trying times.

Madden curse strikes back, Polamalu suffers knee injury in season opener originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA looking to add Michael Vick to Madden 10 on August 19

David Hinkle — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:29:00 EST

Earlier today, Kotaku reported everyone's favorite animal lover (sarcasm, ahoy!) could make his way into Madden 10 via an update. See, yesterday he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, cementing his return to the NFL. But, since Madden 10 already shipped, many wondered if he would even be in the game.

Enter: Rob Semsey, EA's resident dude to pass all Madden questions to, who told Kotaku that EA was trying to get him into the game and promised "an announcement in the near future." But, see, here at Joystiq, that doesn't cut the mustard, so we grilled Semsey for something more. He had this to say: "Michael Vick will be added to the Philadelphia Eagles roster in the next Madden NFL 10 roster update, pending NFLPA and NFL approvals. The next roster update will go live approximately on August 19th for Xbox 360 and PS3, with additional platforms to follow shortly thereafter." So, yes, he'll even make his way to the Wii game and, in all likelihood, we could all see Vick sporting some green as early as this Wednesday.

EA looking to add Michael Vick to Madden 10 on August 19 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Economist: EA overcharged Madden buyers up to $926 million

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:05:00 EST

Most sports game fans are none too happy about EA's monopolization of the NFL -- but only because of the limited choice of official football games they're afforded. A little over a month ago, two game enthusiasts, Geoffrey Pecover and Jeffrey Lawrence, filed a class-action suit against EA -- not due to the loss of fun that resulted following the eradication of the competing NFL 2K franchise, but rather, due to the loss of funds.

The two men called University of Michigan economics professor Dr. Jeffrey MacKie-Mason (for those keeping count, that's three Jeffs in this story so far) as a witness in the case. His findings, which he admits are based on incomplete data, are shocking -- he claims that with no direct competitor, EA was able to raise the price on the Madden series. By his estimate, EA effectively overcharged the game's purchasers between $701 million and $926 million from 2006 to 2009.

Wedbush analyst and Joystiq celebrity Michael Pachter responded to the estimate with vitriol, claiming that the professor had based his claims on faulty figures -- for instance, EA only made about $800 million off the Madden franchise during that period, and the series' average price only increased by a few cents after the NFL 2K series bit the dust. Thanks for the clarification, Pachy -- but we could have guessed the estimates were bunko. A billion dollars is a difficult thing to take from a group with such a keen eye for acts of corporate Ledgermain.

Economist: EA overcharged Madden buyers up to $926 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA denies NFL lawsuit rumors

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST

Responding to questions regarding allegations made by retired NFL player Bernie Parrish, perennial Madden publisher, EA, told GamesIndustry.biz that it is, "Not aware of any legal action." Parrish wrote an open letter recently to the 2,062 retired NFLers who won $28 million in a lawsuit with the NFL last January, asking that they each put $1,000 of their stake from the last victory into a "litigation War Chest."

Considering the tenacity of the folks involved (the $28 million was won in appeals court, mind you), we think it may be worth pointing out that they may just not be organized yet -- after all, the statements made by Parrish were published just over one week ago. Either way, EA seems to contest the allegations, stating, "This is a dispute between the retired players and their union." Another lawsuit it is then!

EA denies NFL lawsuit rumors originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Madden 10 cover to curse two athletes: Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:25:00 EST

Click to see the full cover.

EA continues reinventing the Madden cover. This year's cover features not one, but two players, in a stylized cover that's reminiscent of Street Fighter IV. The Cardinals' wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, and the Steelers' safety, Troy Polamalu, will share the spotlight on EA Sports' annual NFL game when it goes on sale on August 14th. The two teams should be familiar to anyone who watched last year's Super Bowl -- y'know, people that play Madden.

In addition to debuting the cover athlete, EA Sports released more screenshots, which you can peruse in our gallery.

Gallery: Madden 10

Continue reading Madden 10 cover to curse two athletes: Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu

Madden 10 cover to curse two athletes: Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Retired NFL players planning to sue EA and Madden for royalties

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:30:00 EST

A story on GamePolitics recently pointed our attention to the blog of NFL retiree Dave Pear, where fellow former football player Bernie Parrish announced that a number of retired NFL players are planning to sue Electronic Arts and John Madden for using their likenesses in a number of Madden titles without paying them any royalties.

If this story sounds familiar, it's because the same group of 2,062 retirees filed a similar suit against the NFL Players Association last fall, ultimately receiving $28 million in damages. Parrish is asking each of the players involved in last year's lawsuit to put $1,000 of their respective settlements into a "litigation War Chest" with which to seek legal action against the publishing juggernaut and the recently retired commentator, who reportedly "collected over $100,000,000 in royalties while paying the retired NFL players used in those games absolutely nothing."

Report: Retired NFL players planning to sue EA and Madden for royalties originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Madden NFL 10 tackles retail on August 14th

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:30:00 EST

It's another year, it's another Madden. The ~~best~~ only NFL game in town will make its return this year on August 14th, promising "all-new animation technology." The Madden line follows EA's newfound love for Nintendo, as the Wii version gets special attention this year with a "unique, genre-defining art style" that "epitomizes what fun looks like on the Wii." Cel-shaded Madden, perhaps?

We don't know much more about this year's iteration of the Madden series, except for details garnered from the game's only screenshot. The infamous cover athlete is also currently unknown and will be revealed later this year on April 24th.

Madden NFL10 will be available on Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PSP and Wii. Update: Big Download has confirmed that no PC version is in the works. "We have no plans to release Madden NFL 10 on the PC this year."

Madden NFL 10 tackles retail on August 14th originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA dished out $35 million to NFL Players' Union in 2007

David Hinkle — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:28:00 EST

With the drama surrounding EA and the NFLPA right now, all kinds of dirty laundry is being pulled out from the bottom of the pile and paraded to one and all. Enter former Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Dave Pear, who has posted the NFLPA's 2007 LM-2, a report required by the U.S. Department of Labor that lists the money EA payed out to the NFLPA.

It's best to keep in mind that this figure is for the NFL Players' Association alone, and does not include money EA had to shell out to the league for licensing stadiums, team names, logos, uniforms, etc. If we were to see how much EA paid the league for those things, it would probably be much larger than the $35 million the NFLPA received.

[Via GamePolitics]

EA dished out $35 million to NFL Players' Union in 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL to pay $28 million to retired players in Madden royalty dispute

David Hinkle — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST

Here's the deal: John Elway is relaxing at home, enjoying a cold glass of iced tea, perhaps watching clips of his glory days. His son Jack comes into the room and asks if he can play his Madden football game, because the Elways only have one huge TV for the whole family to share. John allows it, anxious to check out what his child is into these days, and little Jack loads up the game and picks an all-star team, with his daddy as Quarterback. John Elway sees himself in the game, but doesn't remember getting a royalties check and flips out. Well, John, no need to worry. You're going to get yourself some money now.

2,062 former NFL players filed a lawsuit over royalties for in-game likenesses recently, and Judge William Alsup upheld a jury's decision to pay these players upwards of $28 million after an appeal had been filed. This money will be coming directly from the NFL Players' Association, which violated the terms of group licensing agreements. With the NFL being worth quite a bit, it may seem like a drop in the bucket, but we're talking about a significant chunk of change here.

See also: LGJ: Mo' Madden Madness

[Via GI.biz]

NFL to pay $28 million to retired players in Madden royalty dispute originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Madden 09 predicts Pittsburgh Steelers victory in Super Bowl XLIII

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:22:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Sports

The Super Bowl is only a few days away, and as expected, EA has run a Super Bowl simulation using this year's Madden. This year, the publisher expects the Pittsburgh Steelers to achieve a narrow victory over the Arizona Cardinals, with a final score of 28-24.

The annual Madden prediction has been fairly successful, with the exception of last year's surprise victory from the New York Giants:

2004 - Madden: Patriots ; Reality: Patriots
2005 - Madden: Patriots ; Reality: Patriots
2006 - Madden: Steelers ; Reality: Steelers
2007 - Madden: Colts ; Reality: Colts
2008 - Madden: Patriots ; Reality: Giants

Super Bowl XLIII kicks off February 1st, when the NY Giants will somehow manage to pull off an even more startling victory this year. Go NY!

Madden 09 predicts Pittsburgh Steelers victory in Super Bowl XLIII originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL retirees awarded $28m in Madden suit, appeal pending

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:54:00 EST

Filed under: Sports, Business

Score one for the old guys! A U.S. District Court jury in San Francisco has ruled in favor of a group of retired NFL players who filed a class-action lawsuit against the National Football League Players Association for the underhanded use of their likenesses in various Madden games. Basically, the guys were owed some dues, and the jury set the outstanding tab at $28 million ... or, split 2,062 ways, $13,000 per former player. Not surprisingly, the defense called the ruling "unjust as a matter of law" and will no doubt appeal the decision, despite some pretty scummy emails penned by NFLPA execs out on the evidence table; look no further than: "their identity must be altered so that it cannot be recognized" [NFLPA exec LaShun Lawson to Madden producer Jeremy Strauser].

A joyful and teary-eyed Herb Adderley told the L.A. Times, "If you look at the 1967 Green Bay Packers in [Madden], you'll know that the only left cornerback that year had to be Herb Adderley, but they scrambled my face and took the number off of my jersey. Yet, they had my correct height, weight and years of experience."

NFL retirees awarded $28m in Madden suit, appeal pending originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LGJ: Mo' Madden madness

Mark Methenitis — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Features

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq ("LGJ"), a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

New developments in the Madden franchise's ongoing legal troubles have provided a unique opportunity to talk about the so-called "right of publicity" that has become an issue with retired NFL players. As reported by GamePolitics, there are allegedly documents showing that EA altered aspects of Madden to keep from having to pay the NFL Player's Association (NFLPA), which kept the NFLPA from having to pay all of the former NFL players that appear in the game. The lawsuit is by the players toward the NFLPA to recover royalties for the use of their likenesses. The idea that EA would have to pay the NFLPA and the NFLPA would have to pay the players for the use of retired players likenesses rests in the "right of publicity."

The right of publicity is rooted in the concept of privacy, and has evolved in part from the ideas of libel, slander, and "passing off," which is often associated with a trademark-like protection. The basic concept is that you alone have the right to profit from the use of your likeness, which may include your name, physical appearance, voice, personality or other defining characteristics. So, if Nintendo wanted to make "Super Mark-io Brothers" with me as the main character, then they would have to pay me royalties. But it gets a lot deeper than that.

Continue reading LGJ: Mo' Madden madness

LGJ: Mo' Madden madness originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NPD: Top 5 best-selling PS3 games from January to August 08

Alan Tsang — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:10:00 EST

Filed under: Business

The NPD, in collaboration with Gamasutra, disclosed the top 5 bestsellers for each platform today, including the PS3. Without further ado, let's take a look at what they are:

Grand Theft Auto IV
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Madden NFL 09
Gran Turismo 5: Prologue

Note that specific sales numbers were not provided and the final tally does not include any collector's editions, games sold via digital distribution or games bundled with a system.

No one is really surprised that GTA IV, MGS4 and Madden 09 made it to the top of the charts. However, Gamasutra remarks on the tremendous momentum Call of Duty 4 has had so far in 2008, especially considering the game was released early November of 2007. They were also surprised to see Gran Turismo 5: Prologue beating out Devil May Cry 4; they even speculate that if the sales on the PS Store for Gran Turismo 5: Prologue were counted, it might have even trumped the sales of the PS3 version of Madden 09. Did any of these games surprise you guys? Is there a game you would have liked to see on the chart? Fire away in the comments below.

NPD: Top 5 best-selling PS3 games from January to August 08 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metareview: Madden NFL 09 All-Play

David Hinkle — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:37:00 EST

Filed under: Metareview

This year's Madden NFL 09 All-Play on the Wii has gotten a lot of buzz. The title has tried to cater to the Wii's casual crowd. Yet, it also attempts to keep its hardcore audience and not alienate them with all kinds of casual additions. It's a tough line to toe. Has EA Sports done it?

On to the review scores!

Nintendo Power (90/100) is of the mind the game is the sports title to beat on Wii: "So while EA may not have lived up to its marketing directive, it's succeeded in creating quite possibly the best, most fully featured sports sim available on the Wii." [Sept 2008, p.85]

IGN (86/100) says it's good, but hardcore gamers might not like some of the changes: "Madden 09 has done a great job of giving every type of player a little to love, but for the Wii-only hardcore out there, you're going to need to realize that times are changing, and Nintendo is synonymous with "everybody" now"

GameDaily (80/100) thinks the game is easily recommendable: "Even though it lacks complexity, Madden NFL 09 on the Wii achieves more than enough to earn a recommendation. Its user-friendly controls and various modes will keep you scoring touchdowns well into next season."

Games Radar (80/100) believes the game is a solid title: "Even so, Madden NFL 09 All Play is blazing an important trail to reintroduce lost football fans to the franchise. It's an undeniably fun experience that will please many in its target audience, and even includes roster updates and online play. Not to mention we're really starting to like a little waggle with our football. We may be old curmudgeons, but fun is fun, and Madden does a lot more right than not."

Metareview: Madden NFL 09 All-Play originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq goes to Maddenpalooza

Kevin Kelly — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Features, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sports, Galleries

The Rose Bowl was Madden-ified yesterday to make way for the 20th anniversary of Madden games, as well as the new Madden NFL 09 game that went on sale at midnight last night... or 9 PM Pacific if you were lucky enough to be in the stadium in Pasadena. The upper deck was wrapped in gigantic Madden sail cloths promoting the game and featuring poster boy Brett Favre in his Packers gear. The playing turf featured autograph sessions with NFL legends, skill games, free Pepsi schwag (which we forgot to photograph, whoops), a Slurpee booth complete with Hooters-esque booth babes, a mini Wal-Mart store, and a giant gaming tent full of tons of Xbox 360s, and a scant few Wiis, PS3s, and PSPs.

Read on, dear gamer, to discover the rest, including a confab between rapper Busta Rhymes and EA's Peter Moore. Plus you can click on the gallery below for loads of photos.

Gallery: Maddenpalooza

Continue reading Joystiq goes to Maddenpalooza

Joystiq goes to Maddenpalooza originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Channel video updates take a look at Madden NFL 09

David Hinkle — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:23:00 EST

Filed under: News, Interviews, Video

We're excited about Madden NFL 09. Oh no, sports on a game blog, run! But, in all seriousness, this year's Madden NFL 09 looks like it's going to be a solid title and unique from the other versions available. Plus, the All-Play stuff looks fun. If the video up top tickles your fancy, then the one past the break is going to blow you away.

Also, check out the latest video updates to the Nintendo Channel tucked away back there as well.

Continue reading Nintendo Channel video updates take a look at Madden NFL 09

Nintendo Channel video updates take a look at Madden NFL 09 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Get the 'free' Madden Xbox 360 demo for only $5.97

Kevin Kelly — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:55:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sports

We walked into 7-11 today while representatives were setting up the massive marketing onslaught of Madden NFL 09, and it's a full blitz. There are standees, posters, chip racks, Big Gulp plastic collectible cups, and even Madden sandwiches. That's right, Madden sandwiches. Boom. We feel as confused as the digital Terrell Owens in that photo.

As a "special deal" they're offering a FREE Xbox 360 Madden NFL 09 demo... if you purchase a "Madden Sub" ($3.59 for a turkey and cheddar sub, with maybe half a leaflet of lettuce on it), a .99 bag of Doritos (your choice of scent/flavor!) and any "Gulp" or larger drink. We didn't even know there were just plain old "Gulps."

Find out what kind of idiot buys something you can get online at home free, after the break.

Continue reading Get the 'free' Madden Xbox 360 demo for only $5.97

Get the 'free' Madden Xbox 360 demo for only $5.97 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blitz: The League II E3 screens

Majed Athab — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:30:00 EST

Click for high-resolution image.

Midway announced Blitz: The League II last week. Now we've got some bone-crackingly new screens to show you from E3. Ouch, doesn't that look like it's going to hurt? Check out the rest of the gallery for some more hard-hitting football.

Blitz: The League II E3 screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Midway announces Blitz: The League II

Majed Athab — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Blitz is back according to a Midway press release announcing Blitz: The League II for the PS3 and also the Xbox 360. The football series is set come back to PlayStation consoles after sitting sidelined since 2005. The new game is said to have an "all-new story mode penned by former ESPN "Playmakers" writer, Peter Egan" and will also feature the return of football legend, Lawrence Taylor. Pretty interesting stuff for all you "Foosball" fans. A release date has yet to be set, but if you're looking for on Blitz: The League II, then scout out the official site.

[Via press release]

Midway announces Blitz: The League II originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Madden NFL 09 sticking the boot in with new trailers

Phil Larsen — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Video

Are all football players blockheads? That's what EA might be trying to say with those giant bobblehead players in the above trailer for Madden NFL 09. Here's an idea -- grab a copy of the game and head down to the local arena. Find a group of guys and taunt them with your nerdish ways, saying EA are right to parody player intelligence and the meaning of life is 42. It's a foolproof plan.

If you're an NFL fan or not, Madden has been an acclaimed addition to the Wii library in the past and this year's entry looks to be no different. The bobblehead players are taken from the arcade-style 5-on-5 mode, but simulation fans can still duke it out with the traditional, realistic style. Head past the break for another, correctly-proportioned video of a full stadium experience.

Continue reading Madden NFL 09 sticking the boot in with new trailers

Madden NFL 09 sticking the boot in with new trailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Law of the Game on Joystiq: The Madden Suit

Mark Methenitis — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Features

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq, a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

Summer is typically a "low season" for game releases, except for one particular annual tradition: new football games. As of late, those games have been all from EA, most notably the Madden and NCAA franchises. Last week it was made public that two gamers brought suit to disrupt EA's stranglehold over the football game market. Since the pleadings are online, I thought I would take the opportunity to offer some commentary on the issues presented. Of course, these are just my thoughts on the matter, not a prediction as to what result a trial may bring. EA's actual response may vary.

Professional sports are no strangers to antitrust and other anti-competition based legal actions. More or less every major professional sports league has faced these suits in the past, and some of them even hold specific anti-trust exemptions. For example, the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is a specific anti-trust exemption for the NFL to be able to negotiate the broadcast rights for all teams. While none of the leagues have a true monopoly over the sports they represent, the barriers to entry are fairly great and most leagues are ultimately unable to compete (need I remind you of the XFL?). From the perspective of the NFL or MLB, exclusive licenses are likely viewed the way TV rights are, and I'm somewhat surprised that exclusivity has only become an issue in recent years.

Continue reading Law of the Game on Joystiq: The Madden Suit

Law of the Game on Joystiq: The Madden Suit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gamers sue EA over football exclusivity

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Football gamers will remember 2004 as a dark year in video game football history. 2004, you see, was the year that EA acquired the exclusive rights to publish NFL licensed football games. Gamers will also remember that the reason why EA acquired the license is because Sega's ESPN NFL 2K5 released that year for a paltry $19.99, which resulted in a huge sales boost and in EA lowering the price of Madden 2005 to $29.95 in response. Once EA acquired the NFL license and effectively eliminated all football competition, it released Madden 2006 for the price of $49.95 the following year.

It seems some have taken exception to Electronic Arts' actions, as Gamespot reports that a pair of gamers in Washington, DC and California have filed suit against the company for "blatantly anticompetitive conduct." The suit mentions the company's acquisition of the NFL license as well as the price hike of Madden 2006 the year following the acquisition. Furthermore, the suit notes EA's ongoing attempt to acquire of Take Two, which would "remove one of the few companies with the ability and expertise to compete in the market for interactive football software." That's assuming EA ever lost its hold on the NFL license, of course.

The plaintiffs seek "restitution and damages" for anyone that purchased an EA football game since August 2005 and "disgorgement of all profits made as a result of anticompetitive actions, and that the infringing agreements be declared null and void."

Update: The suit also makes note of EA's licensing agreements with NCAA Football and the Arena Football League. Along with the NFL, this gives EA the exclusive rights to "the only viable sports football associations in the United States."

[Via Joystiq]

Gamers sue EA over football exclusivity originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Favre: Some young players better at Madden than the real thing

Xav de Matos — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Recently announced Madden NFL 09 coverboy, and retiree, Brett Favre was vocal on his future and video game honor in an interview with the Associated Press last Friday. The three-time NFL MVP discussed his future off the field along with his legacy and was very candid when the Madden honor was mentioned. "I'm not savvy enough to play this game," Favre said. "Most of the younger generation has no idea [John Madden] coached."

Favre ended the Madden discussion by taking a quick shot at the younger generation of NFL Pros. "Some of our guys play Madden better than they play on Sundays. And they spend more time talking about playing Madden." Well, based on Green Bay's 2007-2008 playoff record, the team clearly didn't spending time talking about beating the New York Giants. Ba-zing!

Favre: Some young players better at Madden than the real thing originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 May 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA announces NFL Head Coach 2009

Xav de Matos — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Game announcements

During the dog days of summer in 2006, EA Sports released their first console sports management simulator to great success. That's commercial success, not critical. While NFL Head Coach was initially popular the game and it's many exploits turned many players off. Well, in a move that seems incomprehensible, EA waited a few years to work on a sequel and has just announced NFL Head Coach 2009.

With two-time Super Bowl winner Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, gracing the cover, the EA Tiburon developed title makes the jump to the Xbox 360 and PS3 with an expected summer release. We (Read: Just me, Xav) are actually pretty excited about playing a revamped version of NFL Head Coach. Let's just hope EA was actually working on the title and not investing in more 19-0 hat factories.

EA announces NFL Head Coach 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA extends NFL license into 2012 season

Xav de Matos — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

Today, industry powerhouse, Electronic Arts announced that it would be extending its exclusive licensing agreement with the National Football League and NFL Players Club until the end of the 2012 season, leading into early 2013. Sports gamers may remember 2004 when EA purchased the exclusive rights to produce NFL licensed games from under the competition, namely 2K Games. The Madden series from EA continues to be a successful brand, as the 20-year-old franchise has accounted for over $2 billion in sales alone. After the announcement, former Xbox head honcho turned EA Sports president, Peter Moore said, "Game quality is our top priority, and we're committed to pushing our gameplay innovation, connecting football fans via rich online experiences and delivering the most visually stunning sports games on the market." To be honest we're when someone going to buy the license for the lucrative Curling market, that's like an excuse to print money.

EA extends NFL license into 2012 season originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA extends NFL lock to 2012

Justin McElroy — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sports

Those hoping to get their NFL gaming fix from anywhere other than EA anytime soon are apparently in for a long wait: EA revealed today that it had extended its exclusive contract with the organization until the end of the 2012 season, which falls in February of 2013. A similar deal was also made with the NFL players association.

If you had been anxiously praying for the return of NFL2K, we'd be willing to bet that's never going to happen, as by 2013, we're fairly sure football will be played on the moon with jet packs, and our Earth laws will no longer apply. But take heart, Peter Moore says that EA won't be marking the 2008 20th anniversary of the game with just any Madden year. No, it's going to be above and beyond. Wait ... you mean you're rewarding our $60 with genuine effort put into the product? Just for us? Oh, Pete, you shouldn't have.

EA extends NFL lock to 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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