As you may or may not know, arguably the greatest commentator in sports history, John Madden, announced his retirement today. Madden was known for his great insight and in-depth of analysis of the game that millions around the world love to watch. He also has a videogame named after him that happens to be one of if not the most successful videogames in console history. Unfortunately, over the years, EA has managed to spread a considerable amount of tarnish on that name. Not only has the Madden franchise turned into the poster child for incompetent development, it has also become the laughing stock of the entire industry.

I have to say that I’ve been a Madden fan since ‘92 on the Sega Genesis. You know the one that featured the ambulance that would drive on the field to pick up an injured player while at the same time running over any innocent bystanders in its wake. Yea that one. But I must say, ever since the franchise made its appearance on the next gen console, circa 2005, the series has really went downhill. EA Tiburon is infamous for milking its fan to no end with nothing more than a yearly roster update. Fans of the gridiron have been nothing less than forced to buy this title if they want to have an interactive experience with the sport that they love the most. Some fans have gone so far as to continue to play NFL 2k5 and update the rosters, which is in itself a testament of the atrocity that the Madden series has become.

While I do not choose to embark on the never-ending rundown of everything that is wrong with Madden, I do give EA a few tips:

1. Change the name. Completely scrap the name “Madden” and start over. I know that this isn’t beneficial to your bottom line, but at least you will potentially lose the stigma of mediocrity that is attached to the name. Start off with a new title with a fresh new format. Your fans will still recognize you as the guys that made the Madden series, so it won’t set you back too far.

2. Skip a freaking year. Hey, EA, you have made enough money from the last 5 years of doing absolutely nothing to actually take a year off and produce an actual, true to life football game. Also, with the invention of dlc there’s no need for a annual addition of your game. I wish people would really just wise up to EA’s practices and just not support these guys

3. License the Euphoria Engine. I read somewhere that one of the main producers behind the Madden franchise, Ian Cummings, stated that he wasn’t impressed by the use of the engine in the Backbreaker title. Is he serious? And your 10 tackle and 5 catching animations are the pinnacle of sports game physics? He must be sipping the same kool-aid that the suits over at Sony are gulping down by the gallons. But that’s another issue altogether.(Sorry Sony Fanboys… not really)

There you have it EA, three simple ways to fix the atrocity known as Madden. I am fully aware of EA’s efforts with Madden 10. At the same time, I no longer trust anything they say, so from now on I’ll be taking a wait and see approach.

Written By: bakerboy

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