Earlier this week, EA Sports announced that seven (7) players would begin Madden NFL 19 rated 99 overall — a prestigious number for a video game whose ratings are watched more closely than any other sport’s. Seven 99s seemed like a really high number to me. I went back over 20 years worth of launch-day ratings and discovered that, yep, it is. The last time the Madden NFL series had seven 99s was Madden NFL 07, which was the series’ debut on PlayStation 3. The last Madden to have more was Madden NFL 99, which was the first edition that didn’t publish on either of the 16-bit consoles that made it famous in the 1990s. The launch-day 99s for Madden NFL 19 are New England quarterback Tom Brady, Pittsburgh flanker Antonio Brown, L.A. Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechley, Denver linebacker Von Miller, and State Farm insurance pitchman Aaron Rodgers. It’s Brown’s first time as an … [Read more...] about Madden NFL 19 has the most 99-rated players in a decade
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Madden NFL’s Longshot comes back with a more intense sequel
I was crestfallen to learn that Jack Ford will not return to Madden NFL 19 for the next chapter of Longshot, the story mode introduced in last year’s game. Actor Rus Blackwell, with the writing and direction of EA Sports’ Mike Young and his friend and co-writer Adrian Todd Zuniga, delivered so much of the humanity that made the first Longshot the feel-good hit of sports video gaming in 2017. So it feels painful to realize Ford won’t be there to mentor the hero Devin Wade as he embarks on his NFL career in Longshot’s second chapter, coming this August. And yet, it’s almost good news if you really dug Ford as a character, the way his dialogue was written and the way he was presented in the first Longshot in Madden NFL 18. Ford’s Ultimate Team persona was the most-used cosmetic item in last year’s game (i.e., putting him on the player’s sideline). From the depths of a cheesy reality TV show, Ford coached his kid into the league. And now, … [Read more...] about Madden NFL’s Longshot comes back with a more intense sequel
Overwatch producer joins EA to take charge of Madden NFL series
By Shabana Arif, Thursday, 17 May 2018 14:37 GMT Overwatch producer, Carlos Guerrero, has stepped up to take the helm of Madden NFL after the departure of creative director, Rex Dickson. Dickson announced his departure earlier this month, saying that the franchise could go in a “new direction” going forward. Carlos Guerra, who joined EA in 2017, has taken over as senior producer on the series according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to joining EA, Guerra worked for Blizzard Entertainment, with his most recent role being the senior producer on Overwatch. Guerra’s experience with a popular esports title will no doubt come into play as the Madden series moves forward, with EA and many other developers jostling to find their footing in the arena. If the series does start to move in that direction, it’ll be interesting to see how well that will be received by the franchise’s more stalwart fans. When Dickson left EA, he posted a statement on Twitter … [Read more...] about Overwatch producer joins EA to take charge of Madden NFL series
Madden NFL’s creative director departs after six years
Rex Dickson, the creative director of the Madden NFL series for EA Sports since 2012, has left the franchise and the company. Dickson made the announcement yesterday evening via Twitter. “There is no drama or deeper story here,” Dickson said, though his departure is effective immediately. “This decision was made after many discussions with other leaders on the team. We collectively agreed that this was the best path forward for everyone involved. “This is as much for me and my family as it is about giving the team, the community and the Madden franchise a chance for a new direction,” he added. Dickson’s tenure was one largely of turnaround, coinciding with Madden’s launch on the current console generation in late 2013. He arrived one year after Cam Weber was brought on board as group president (later becoming president of the EA Tiburon studio) to give the series a new long-term vision after a period of repeated changes in priority and focus. … [Read more...] about Madden NFL’s creative director departs after six years
Madden NFL 18 predicts Patriots victory over Eagles at Super Bowl 52
There's no shock on the cards in this Sunday's Super Bowl, if EA Sports' Madden NFL 18 simulation of the big game turns out of be accurate: it tips New England to top Philadelphia 24-20. Before I go on: yes, it does sound like madness to think that a videogame, however realistic, can accurately preview real life. Yet when GamesRadar+ ran its own similar prediction ahead of Super Bowl 50, the engine got both the winner (Denver) and their points telly (24) 100% correct. Here, then, is this year's prediction vid featuring the Patriots and Eagles: [Great though this year's game is, I did chuckle at K1LL3RBURR1TO's Youtube comment that, "They’ve put more effort into this then they did for Franchise mode in Madden 18."] EA's sim tips Philly to take the lead with a Jay Ajayi rushing touchdown, only for the Pats to answer when Tom Brady finds Rob Gronkowski in the end zone. New England leads at half-time, 17-13. Momentum then swings back and forth between both teams as Danny … [Read more...] about Madden NFL 18 predicts Patriots victory over Eagles at Super Bowl 52