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Former NCAA athletes' lawsuit against EA is so on
EA's request to dismiss a class action lawsuit from former NCAA athletes has been denied, meaning the trial will movie forward and EA stands to lose more than $1 billion if found at fault.The former NCAA athletes claim EA conspired with the NCAA and the CLC to have players sign away their likenesses and names to be used in video games without compensation. The players allege that in order to participate in NCAA sports they were required to sign a form allowing EA their likenesses in games, even after their college sports careers ended.The federal judge previously dismissed other claims in the lawsuit, but denied EA's attempt to have an antitrust claim thrown out.EA is facing more than a few lawsuits at the moment, but it did recently settle a two-year-old lawsuit with Activision, with as-yet undisclosed concessions from either side.
EA: Battlefield 3, FIFA 12 sell over 10 million units each, Madden 12 over 5 million
EA has revealed the sales numbers of a handful of its major titles, including FIFA 12 and Battlefield 3, which have both sold through over 10 million units since their respective launches in September and October. Meanwhile, Madden NFL 12 has sold through over five million units since launching last August.Remember that "sold through" actually refers to copies that have been sold to consumers -- as opposed to copies sold to retailers -- meaning that it's probably safe to call all three titles "hits" at this point.
EA picks NY Giants as Super Bowl XLVI winner in Madden simulation
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.
MLB: The Show dev leaves to become creative director on Madden
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.
Virgin Gaming hosting million-dollar EA Sports online tournament
If you're convinced that you're the best at virtual kicking, throwing, catching and running, Virgin Gaming and EA have teamed up to make your skillset into a profitable exercise. Well, potentially profitable -- the two are hosting an EA Sports online tournament for the PS3 versions of three titles: Players can compete for a $400k cash prize in both Madden NFL 12 and FIFA 12, and a $200k prize in NHL 12. Why half as much for the latter of the three? Simple: Hockey is way easier. (Please don't beat us up, hockey-people.) Before you start chasing the dream of free money, you'll want to read the fine print -- to become one of 1,000 finalists (who must pay their own way to the finals in New York City), players must drop a $10 entry fee, then win six games in a row. If they break their six-game streak, they'll have to start all over, shelling out another $10 to enter again. Of course, folks who are uncertain in their abilities can drop a cool $400, and automatically become one of the finalists. We suppose that's the ultimate sport: Having lots of money to begin with. Interested parties can read the full rules and enlist on the Virgin Gaming site -- just keep an eye out for, you know, fees.
This Madden curse might actually be a real thing: Peyton Hillis is injured
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.
September NPD: Madden, Gears, Dead Island are hits (Updated with Nintendo hardware numbers!)
It should come as no surprise that Madden NFL 12 beat everything else in NPD's software chart for the month of September, unless you're really not into sports games and forgot it came out. Second place is also pretty expected, with the massive rollout of Gears of War 3 massively rolling into people's homes. Third place, however, is a bit more interesting -- Dead Island, from semi-obscure publisher Deep Silver, outsold almost everything else based on the strength of that trailer and the word "zombies." Find the top ten after the break. In hardware, Microsoft reported Xbox 360 takes the top hardware spot once again, touting 438,000 units sold in the month. Nintendo reports sales of 360,000 3DS units in the five week September reporting period, as well as 240,000 Wiis and 145,000 DS systems. Sony has not released official sales numbers for the PS3 or PSP. In larger trends, total industry sales are down 6 percent year over year, with a mere $1.16 billion changing hands in September.
Nielsen taps most anticipated games, Modern Warfare 3 on top
The Nielsen firm has compiled a list of the top twenty most anticipated games this holiday season. The survey ranks games based on the percentage of players that ranked them in their top five choices for the holiday. Unsurprisingly, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was at the top of the list, with fully 27 percent of those surveyed placing it in their top five. Rounding out the top five, Gears of War 3 and Madden NFL 12 both pulled 19 percent, Assassin's Creed Revelations made 17 percent and Batman: Arkham City reached 15 percent. The holiday's major Wii exclusive, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword made the sixth slot with 14 percent. Battlefield 3, Modern Warfare 3's major competition, reached number seven at 12 percent. Also worth noting: Dead Island, at 7 percent, marks the only game on the entire list that isn't part of an established franchise. The survey also includes a fascinating peek into the psyche of various players, making note of the online conversations surrounding each title. For example, Modern Warfare 3 fans are looking forward to launch parties, and Skyward Sword devotees are hoping to rekindle that old Ocarina of Time feeling. Madden armchair quarterbacks, meanwhile, are planning to call in sick in order to squeeze in a few more touchdowns.
Madden sells 1.4 million copies in first week
After somewhat disappointing launches for Maddens 10 and 11, first-week sales for Madden NFL 12 seem to have bounced back a bit. USA Today reports that in its first seven days on store shelves, the annual football franchise moved 1.4 million units, a 10 percent increase over last year's opening week. What could have been the cause of this bump? The incremental changes to the Franchise mode? The improved player animations? The relative beefiness of cover player Peyton Hillis? Some combination of all three? No, no. It's almost certainly the beefiness.
Metareview: Madden NFL 12
You already know how we feel about Madden NFL 12. But did the rest of the gaming press feel the same way about this year's virtual tailgaiting-enabler as our reviewer did? In short: kinda. GameTrailers (8.5/10): "Despite the bugs and quirks, Madden NFL 12 still manages to play a convincing game of pigskin. Your tolerance for the gaffes will be directly proportional to how much you have on the line in each game. It doesn't always function realistically, but we like the idea behind dynamic player performance." IGN (8.0/10): "If you're worried that EA has fumbled among the rough and tumble of sports politics, relax. Madden NFL 12 is a solid, tighter football game, even though it's a largely similar one." Game Informer (7.5/10): "Like a desperate team that has stocked up on high-profile free agents thinking it's on the cusp of a championship, Madden NFL 12 looks good in practice, but where it counts it's a jumbled mess of frustration, unmet expectations, and sloppy play ... Past Maddens either delivered new features or fixed old problems, but this year you get neither. In too many instances Madden 12 takes you down promising paths that only lead to dead ends. For more discussion, you can listen to a podcast roundtable of Madden NFL 12 reviewers featuring Mike Suszek (Joystiq), Kat Bailey (GamePro), and Rich Grisham (GamesRadar). %Gallery-131740%
Madden NFL 12 review: Vacuum-sealed
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-131740%
Madden NFL 12, Need for Speed: Shift PSP bundle announced
We imagine anybody in the market for a PSP has already gone and tracked one down (or is simply waiting for the PlayStation Vita) but regardless EA and Sony have teamed up on a new bundle. As you may have gathered from the headline to this very post, the bundle comes with a copy of Madden NFL 12 and Need for Speed: Shift. It also throws in the requisite black PSP-3000 and a 2GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, all for $159.99. Sony will release the bundle on August 30, the same day that Madden will be released on basically every platform in existence including the PSP. [Thanks, Rahul]
European PSN releases for August 10
Are you ready for some (North American) footbaaaaaaaall? Because the Madden NFL 12 demo arrives on the European PlayStation Store today. Oh, that's not your bag? Well, are you ready for some steeeeealth aaaaaction? The Splinter Cell Trilogy is also available. There's also Galaga Legions DX, on the off chance that you're ready for some twiiiiin stiiiick buuuuullet heeeeeell shoooooooting. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Driver into Madden with new Xbox Live demos
Disclaimer: The headline of this post in no way endorses the vehicular assault of one John Madden, professional sports announcer. It is instead intended to humorously present the fact that demos for both Driver: San Francisco and Madden NFL 12 have arrived on the Xbox Live service. Though it's not necessarily our purview, the AOL legal team would also like to take a moment to apologize for the editorial quality of said headline. Not only is no mention made of the Madden NFL 12 demo appearing today on PSN, but the haphazard way in which the titles have been truncated are in no way representative of either AOL or the Huffington Post Media Group. Plus, Driver isn't even a verb.
Virgin Gaming and EA Sports holding Madden tournament at GameStops
Are you ready for some football? Virgin Gaming wants you and all your rowdy friends to come over to GameStop for some Madden NFL 12 tournaments. Registration for the "Battle of the Gridiron" event takes place from August 30 through September 18 for Madden pre-orderers and buyers, with the actual tournament happening from September 11 through October 16 in GameStop stores. For your virtual athleticism, you could be one of four winners of a "VIP trip to LA" to compete in the Madden NFL Challenge Series final -- or one of four runners-up who get the same trip to go watch the final. That's kind of a backhanded prize.
EA Sports Season Ticket launches today, offers full-game demos and DLC discounts
Electronic Arts is launching the "EA Sports Season Ticket" today, an annual $25 (2000 MSP) program that provides a premium service alongside five of the publisher's titles. The "deal" will grant full access to digital versions of games three days before their retail launch, offer a 20-percent discount on DLC, and enable "free premium web content" and brand you as a paying customer (i.e. "membership recognition"). Now, obtaining full, early versions of games sounds fantastic, until you read the fine print. Let's allow EA to do the talking: "The digitally downloaded game will time out when the game is available at retail and consumers have the option to purchase the same full game on disc at retail." If we're reading that correctly, it means you get to download the game three days early, but you still have to go to the store to actually buy it. This probably explains why GameStop is "excited to be selected as the exclusive retail marketing partner for the roll-out of EA Sports Season Ticket." (Note: According to Videogamer, EA is still working out specifics with Sony Europe, making it an Xbox 360 exclusive in that region for the time being.) The "Free Premium Web Content" will kick off with the "Creation Center" in FIFA 12. It claims to allow greater customization tools, including team and tournament building. It'll all be available "until the membership to the program has expired." The participating Season Ticket games will be this month's Madden NFL 12, along with NHL, FIFA, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR golf and NCAA Football going forward. You'll be able to easily recognize those who bought into the program with their "exclusive membership" recognition badge that is displayed in-game and online. Welcome to Project 25 Dollar.
Madden NFL 12 demo coming August 9, pits Bears against Packers
Whether you're a diehard Green Bay Packers or Chicago Bears fan, you've probably had last year's NFC Championship game running through your mind on repeat, refilling you with the thrill of victory or agony of defeat, respectively. Today, EA Sports announced that you'll be able to have a hand in the proceedings August 9, when the Madden NFL 12 demo arrives on Xbox Live and PSN, giving you a 20-minute, four-quarter recreation of the Packers-won contest. The rosters of each team will be, of course, a tad outdated thanks to the very, very recent settling of the NFL lockout. EA Sports confirmed on Twitter that a launch day update will reflect the free agent changes that happen over the course of this week. Until then: Just relive that thrill/agony in its purest form.
Madden NFL 12 video highlights Madden Ultimate Team changes
Since debuting in Madden NFL 10, EA Sports' card game version of football, Madden Ultimate Team, has apparently resonated with fans as it will be returning for a third year in Madden NFL 12. In this trailer, EA Sports highlights some of the changes in this year's version.
Electronic Arts opening EA Sports retail store in Charlotte airport
It's a situation that the non-sporting chapter of the games community is likely familiar with -- you stop by your local GameStop on an early fall evening to grab a copy of some non-athletic title therein, but are prevented from crossing the building's threshold by an impenetrable wall of Madden enthusiasts. We've got great news for folks living in the vicinity of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport: EA plans to open an EA Sports retail location in said airport's terminal, potentially limiting your run-ins with prospective wedgie-executors. News of the store's construction came from EA Sports VP of brand marketing Chris Erb, who told Forbes the megapublisher hopes the retail location will be the first of three stores opening across the nation. No details were given on where the other two locations will be planted, but we suggest they take their business to a place that's a little more accessible than an airport terminal. You know, like literally any other place on the planet.
Four EA Sports games in 2011 to feature Kinect
Peter Moore just took to the stage at the Microsoft E3 2011 press conference to announce some new Kinect-compatible sports titles. Four upcoming games will sport Kinect functionality -- PGA, Madden, FIFA and "one we'll announce later." Moore did not reveal how Kinect would be utilized in these games, though he did hint at being able to physically call audibles in Madden.
