EA Sports creates zombies. Here's why.

Their consumers will do anything for Madden. Literally and it's like watching a drug addict. I watched three customers while visiting my friend today. 1st one had brought in Madden 11 to get his disc resurfaced and then forced his grandfather to buy him Madden 10. It was obvious how he damaged the disc because he was carrying the game under his armpit.
2nd one complained about his credit card being declined when he couldn't get Madden 11. What really freaked me out was while talking to my friend, he stared at me with cold eyes. Lifeless they looked and downright scary.
This 2nd customer continued to argue with my friend whom was working, about why they didn't have a Madden Tournament in the store and offering suggestions. When my friend said there was a fighting game tournament coming up, the customer said "But only few people play that!" Which didn't make his narrow minded ways any better than appearing as a lifeless zombie.
The 3rd Customer was a young boy, who continued to keep asking which Madden and NBA Live was better on PS1 and ranted on about how the PS2 was too expensive. (Remember, this is Waco, Texas. There are many low budget income housing in this area. So don't judge.)

The only thing these three random customers had in common? The cold dead look of hunger for a sports game that seems to control their lives.

I mean sure we have fan bases for Halo, Call of Duty, Final Fantasy, and such. Yet, the demographic EA Sports attracts is something out of a "Thriller" music video that rises ONCE A YEAR. These particular non-gamers don't care for video games and will automatically purchase a brand new system for the newest Madden video game. One to two months after the football season has ended will sell the system and the game later on. Only to return the very next August to purchase another new system and the next Madden game. It's a cycle that makes me wonder does "Madden" = "Brains" for these types of Zombies?

I have always hated the Madden Series with a passion specially because no matter how you look at it.. it is the same game over and over and over and over and over again... how do i know this? because ever since i came to this country my dad had the idea of buying at least 2 or 3 of these because he wanted to understand American football (a sport i despise for multiple reasons... specially because when i say futbol people think i am talking about american football).

actually i wouldn't mind if it was the same game over and over and over again... but this is yearly deal and it doesn't even have a good or interesting style and its american football.... the most uninteresting sport in my opinion.

Just my 2 cents.

Ah, Madden and NHL...my two favorite video game franchises of all time..or at least now in my top 10.

However, I will disagree that most of these gamers lie dormant until their respective sports title comes out. At the midnight launch for Madden 11, I realized just how many people there were hardcore gamers that played everything like I do.

But come on now, Madden gamers are nothing like WoW gamers, who make me think of drug addicts (the ones on ega don't). I see them come into Gamestop not wanting to hear a simple hello or chat about any games. It's just "WoW Card"...not even a "please" or "thank you".

This reminds me...

Vikings vs. Saints!!!

Go Vikings!!!


That is all.

Strubes said:

Ah, Madden and NHL...my two favorite video game franchises of all time..or at least now in my top 10.

However, I will disagree that most of these gamers lie dormant until their respective sports title comes out. At the midnight launch for Madden 11, I realized just how many people there were hardcore gamers that played everything like I do.

But come on now, Madden gamers are nothing like WoW gamers, who make me think of drug addicts (the ones on ega don't). I see them come into Gamestop not wanting to hear a simple hello or chat about any games. It's just "WoW Card"...not even a "please" or "thank you".

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I think the people are the problem not the games themselves (as much as i hate madden) so the madden zombie gamers imo are just as bad as the WoW players you mentioned

Stereotypes are stupid.

GamingMaiden said:

Stereotypes are stupid.

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Yar.

I'm not so big on Madden, but the NHL series is both the reason I got into gaming and the reason I continue to do so.

I'm not a one trick horse, once I buy the system I definitely play other games too, but those gaming sessions are usually book ended by a game of NHL.

And when I'm playing it, yeah, I'm pretty much a zombie.

Strubes said:

But come on now, Madden gamers are nothing like WoW gamers, who make me think of drug addicts (the ones on ega don't). I see them come into Gamestop not wanting to hear a simple hello or chat about any games. It's just "WoW Card"...not even a "please" or "thank you".

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Actually I've seen Madden gamers like this as well. I'm not saying every gamer is like this, just a percentage.

@Stealth, you already proved you are not a zombie. Since this is more of how EA drives the market of hardware and software sales.

@GM, Stereotypes are stupid. Yet, what more can we add to this?

@ Creepin. See this is a fan, not a zombie.

One phrase: $10 DLC update

Do you know how many more copies that could move if they just released a "Universal" Madden game with a $10 update to it each year. Notice how much a game like TF2 has changed over the years? If TF2 was handled like Madden, then there would probably be about 4 different versions of TF2 out there. Those update were free, and I can understand that EA would be missing out on tons of money to just release free updates (like it or not, that would cut into their profits, which could, in turn = less Dead Space-ish games).

A $10 DLC update would cut publishing and development costs too. Now just jump into the future EA.

GamingMaiden said:

Stereotypes are stupid.

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That.

And yes Creepin, go Vikes!

Zidart said:

I think the people are the problem not the games themselves (as much as i hate madden) so the madden zombie gamers imo are just as bad as the WoW players you mentioned

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See, it's definitely the people...I'll agree with you there. But it seems more prevalent in WoW players to me.

CreepinDeth said:

This reminds me...

Vikings vs. Saints!!!

Go Vikings!!!


That is all.

Click to expand...

I hope Brett Favre breaks his hip so somebody who actually wants to lead a team will play. A real leader wouldn't sit back and let his team go through everything just because he's "thinking" and "wondering" how his body's gonna hold up.

With that said, WHO DAT? WHO DAT? WHO DAT SAY THEY GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS?! WHO DAT?! :lol

Hylian7 said:

One phrase: $10 DLC update

Do you know how many more copies that could move if they just released a "Universal" Madden game with a $10 update to it each year. Notice how much a game like TF2 has changed over the years? If TF2 was handled like Madden, then there would probably be about 4 different versions of TF2 out there. Those update were free, and I can understand that EA would be missing out on tons of money to just release free updates (like it or not, that would cut into their profits, which could, in turn = less Dead Space-ish games).

A $10 DLC update would cut publishing and development costs too. Now just jump into the future EA.

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Sorry for the double post.

Now see, sometimes I would agree with this...however, if you see the changes that were made to this year's Madden, you would realize it's not just something a simple update could add. It feels like a true sequel for the first time in forever. That's why the critics are giving it great scores.

Okay let's rewind this since everyone is brushing this off as stereotyping. Seems people want more evidence. When in reality, it's one day of observation.
Let's try this, how about I tell you this is over 10 years of video game retail of observation? Would that change your minds?
Every single year we have to endure the same fans, who complain about the same things or a new problem. Let me tell you what I had to endure.

2001-2003: People trading in an Xbox or GameCube because it has "No games besides Mario or Halo" in their own words. Demanding a PS2 instead. Yet remember NFL Fever on XBox? Remember how glitchy the first one was that pretty much killed the series? Sure, another game comes along to tackle EA's Madden. Yet the fans do not like change. Much like how country music lovers don't care for nothing else. Which amazes me how many classic country songs are STILL played while a Rock Station has to call an older song a "Classic Rock Block" sadly. To them, it's not "classic" it's just a song. Kudos to them and I wish more people would learn from this

2004-2006. The first Xbox 360 Madden was unbearably bad to play with online problems that continue with every other Madden. Many fans agreed that Madden 04' on PS2 was far superior in gameplay.

2007-2009. So many problems with the grid system in 08', online problems continue. People trading in a Wii because of the "Kiddie" approach that "Everyone Plays" Madden edition went. While others traded in an Xbox 360 due to loyalty of the Playstation controllers and it was affordable by then.

2010-2011. Play-calling gets a big streamline and not just within Gameflow, the new mode in which an offensive coordinator is calling the plays and advising you on their execution. How long did you guys wait for this feature? Hylian7 has pointed out that it's time for the Madden series to get updates that cost $10 a pop or such instead of dishing out $50-60 per year. Not to mention that a graphical update finally kicks in!

These detail aside, the fact reminds that many of the problems with the Madden series is the fans need to learn that it's time to stop being suckered into these gimmicks. It's as bad as the Call of Duty now.


I'm not including NHL in this entire thread, I dismiss it since the NHL series is an entirely different class of it's own. Hockey is awesome but Canadians are cool, funny, and adorable. So Stealth you get a hall pass, a free lunch, and a day off. <-- NOW that's Stereotyping people. See the difference now? Even though Canadians are very awesome and have super Saiyan powers.

Seriously, when I say the word "ZOMBIE". I am pointing to the fact who is more controlled over a name brand versus someone who can make their own decision no matter what system they purchase and to stick with it! Is it so hard that someone can honestly say to them, "Hey hold onto that system, there are more games for that and the next Madden for next year." Is the point I'm trying to get across here.

Yeah, see...it took EA a while to get used to the 6 month development cycles on the next gen (or current gen rather) consoles. Madden 11 is finally a true testament of what football games can be like on the PS3 and 360.

Strubes said:

Yeah, see...it took EA a while to get used to the 6 month development cycles on the next gen (or current gen rather) consoles. Madden 11 is finally a true testament of what football games can be like on the PS3 and 360.

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Which is a valid point. Which probably explains why Madden 04 PS2 and Madden 93/94 on SNES/Genesis still hold a candle to the test of time.

Strubes said:

I hope Brett Favre breaks his hip so somebody who actually wants to lead a team will play. A real leader wouldn't sit back and let his team go through everything just because he's "thinking" and "wondering" how his body's gonna hold up.

With that said, WHO DAT? WHO DAT? WHO DAT SAY THEY GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS?! WHO DAT?! :lol

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I hope he doesn't get hurt, but only because I don't wish for athletes to get hurt. With that said, I didn't want him to come back. I wanted Tavaris Jackson to start, but it seems like the organization really wanted him back. All I can hope for is a win regardless.

Hylian7 said:

One phrase: $10 DLC update

Do you know how many more copies that could move if they just released a "Universal" Madden game with a $10 update to it each year. Notice how much a game like TF2 has changed over the years? If TF2 was handled like Madden, then there would probably be about 4 different versions of TF2 out there. Those update were free, and I can understand that EA would be missing out on tons of money to just release free updates (like it or not, that would cut into their profits, which could, in turn = less Dead Space-ish games).

A $10 DLC update would cut publishing and development costs too. Now just jump into the future EA.

Click to expand...

Not going to happen. People love their Madden and are willing to pay $60 for it every year. I'll repost what I wrote in the other Madden thread -

Madden is a freak of nature. America loves, and I do mean loves, Football. It's the reason why it still sells every single year. Which is why all other developers/publishers should not attempt to replicate the success by making new games every year, even EA. Because the passion for the sport is not there for all other franchises.

Exactly. USA loves Football, so it's only natural that Madden sells so well. I guess I just don't see the big deal in it. We have all done something rabid and fanatical for gaming at one point or another, so I won't judge anybody else for doing it.

Well I do find it hilarious how many of the psycho sport game fans can figure out why there games keep losing all of there value when they trade them in about year after there release given how they release them pretty much every year. Although guys we may have a year without Madden coming up in the next couple of years the talks aren't going well with NFL players union and if there is no season is probably means no Madden as well.

redneckgamer 213 said:

Although guys we may have a year without Madden coming up in the next couple of years the talks aren't going well with NFL players union and if there is no season is probably means no Madden as well.

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I have a feeling that won't be a problem. As long as EA has secured rights to both the Players Association and the NFL, then there most likely still be a game. EA will still add new functionality and such to the game, the only thing that probably won't get updated is the roster.

Or maybe, this might be the year that it only gets a patch?