Madden 2005 initial impressions.

this is the last year with madden's name in the title/game unless he does a complete reversal and signs a new contract. But I have a feeling now that he's with abc(which of course owns espn), there may be a chance, all be it slim, that he'd possibly join up with espn and sega's football title next year.

This is from Friday's Charlotte Observer

Madden Says He'll Stick with EA Video Game

John Madden video football fans -- and execs at EA Sports -- can rest easy: Madden plans to stick with his namesake game.

In an interview Thursday, Madden told the Observer he has no plans to leave EA Sports. His contract only covers the current edition of the game, Madden NFL 2005, which sold 1.35 million copies its first week early this month.

The 15-year-old Madden series is EA Sports' signature title and one of the most popular video games of all time.

"I started the game (a long time ago)," Madden said, "and I'm going to be there for a very long time. That's not going to go away."

EA Sports' Jordan Edelstein said he couldn't discuss Madden's contract, beyond confirming it ended after the current product run. Asked if Madden would be on board for future EA Sports titles, Edelstein said, "I hope so."

Madden's statement should also end industry rumors that had him jumping ship and possibly signing with ESPN Videogames, makers of NFL 2K5. That might have been a natural fit since ESPN and ABC are sister companies, and Madden is an analyst on ABC's "Monday Night Football."

There's also been some television-industry speculation that ABC might jettison "Monday Night Football" after the 2005 season and let ESPN take it over. Under such a scenario, a Madden move would be a boon to ESPN Videogames, which could then create a true "Monday Night Football" sim using Madden and play-by-play man Al Michaels.

I wonder how much that would hurt the Madden franchise if Madden jetted for the 2k series. I don't think EA is interested in finding out.

Man I really fear change!! But this is eve worse. It might drive me to a nice shotgun sandwhich if the Madden series ever got screwed up.

just goes to show the power of branding. most of EA's millions come from moms and pops who buy for their kids at walmart or casual gamers who never pick up a game mag or read a review. that's why Madden's gotten so huge but stagnated as a game.

Ill, you have to admit that Madden has a huge and very loyal following of hardcore gamers who know and understand football, I'd bet those types of consumers outnumber the casual shopper you speak of. Sure branding helped along the way, but despite what you may think they're still pumping out a quality product. If Madden stunk and 2K5 rocked, I'd be the first to dump Madden for 2K5. They're still pretty even though.

By the way I picked up 2K5 two weeks ago. I've messed around with it a bit here and there, but I just can't get in to it right now. Once I start to get a little bored with my Madden franchise I'll try to get in to it more. I'm still not a big fan of the player models, I don't know what it is, they just look kinda funky. Too lanky maybe? And they still run like they have a stick up their butts.

Ill, you have to admit that Madden has a huge and very loyal following of hardcore gamers who know and understand football, I'd bet those types of consumers outnumber the casual shopper you speak of. Sure branding helped along the way, but despite what you may think they're still pumping out a quality product. If Madden stunk and 2K5 rocked, I'd be the first to dump Madden for 2K5. They're still pretty even though.

By the way I picked up 2K5 two weeks ago. I've messed around with it a bit here and there, but I just can't get in to it right now. Once I start to get a little bored with my Madden franchise I'll try to get in to it more. I'm still not a big fan of the player models, I don't know what it is, they just look kinda funky. Too lanky maybe? And they still run like they have a stick up their butts.

oh glad to hear you picked it up. lots of good stuff in there, try it on All-Pro (but learn all the audibling). check out the DB,RB,WR and Linemen animations and replay the gang tackles. those aren't no canned animations. yeah the stick up the butt is still there, what frickin gives? nice cuts on the big movements tho.

oh of course Madden has a legion of hardcore game fans, didn't mean to imply it doesn't. i would never claim Madden JUST appeals to the casual gamer. casual gamers don't drool over Franchise mode or Owner mode, in fact i'd say ESPN has more casual appeal cuz of its presentation and graphics.

but what's really made Madden EA's biggest cash cow year after year is the name and its history. WalMart is the biggest store in the nation for a reason, the volume would scare you. as many hardcore gamers as there are out there, there are even more casual folks who pick it up cuz of the name and cuz it was good LAST YEAR. people buy Madden because its a fun game, and they buy it again cuz it will be fun again only with the new players. obviously, EA doesnt need to be messing with that formula. does it make it a better game of virtual FOOTBALL? thats the big debate. they tweak here and there, but the sport of football obviously has more movements than those and players just dont look like that (as much as we've all gotten used to it). basically they see it as not broke why bother fixing it, while us minority hardcore football fans always want and ask for more. EA's been giving the least in that dept. imo.

I hear ya, good points across the board

Madden gets it's UK release 17th September.

At last... :cheeky-sm