This just in….Brett Favre has officially put an end to the so-called Madden Curse. He’s been selected as the cover boy for this year’s Madden NFL 09 and because he’s retired, it’ll be literally impossible to have a football injury. Well, he hasn’t actually turned in his retirement papers so there’s still a slight chance that this “curse” will get him.
Peter Moore dropped the news to fans on his EA Sports blog today. It’s an awesome selection and a fitting end to an incredible career. Even though I’m a Dallas Cowboys fan, I’ve always enjoyed watching Brett Favre play. I still remember him being drafted and announced as Brett “Favor”. And I wonder if he’ll actually be playing Madden NFL 09 to replace playing on Sundays?
I was in the middle of preparing some last minute details for my trip to PAX tomorrow when the Konsole Kingz hit me up with some teaser footage for their Maddenoliday coverage. The teaser was really good so I wanted to share it before I finished up my Penny Arcade Expo packing tonight.
You can see that KingSoul and the crew were doing it big at the event. As always, that ever-so-crazy Griffy 2 Trillion was on blast. I’m going to introduce you all to a cool beta feature I ran across tonight. Look for it after I come back from PAX.
In the meantime, check out the Maddenoliday Teaser below.
It’s not everyday that a video game gets its own celebrated event. But then EA Sports’ Madden NFL franchise isn’t exactly just a video game to millions of fans out there. It is a lifestyle; an event. The event got even bigger with last night’s Maddenoliday in Times Square.
Madden NFL is all over the media world with events like Maddenoliday and the upcoming third season of ESPN’s Madden Nation reality TV show. It’s hard to ponder when, if at all, Madden NFL will ever be knocked off its throne.
Get ready for Madden NFL 2008!
The Konsole Kingz are lining up for the extra point with an amazing opportunity for one lucky Madden NFL fan. They’ve teamed up with one of the hottest stations in Atlanta (Hot 107.9), Xbox Live and EA Sports to offer a trip to the upcoming Madden Holiday event in New York! It goes down next week in Times Square! The event will feature former NFL players such as Tiki Barber and Marshall Faulk. It’s going to be one of the greatest Madden launch events to date.
Do you have what it takes to be the last one standing from a pool of 64 Madden NFL players? That’s what it will take to win a first class trip to one of the hottest Madden NFL 2008 releases around.
If you’re in the area, click here to get the scoop straight from the Konsole Kingz.
Players firing up Madden NFL 07 for the Xbox 360 should be prompted to download a new update for the game. This new patch supposedly addresses the fatigue issue in the game. Reports are in that some notice a change and others don’t…but that’s why we’re all so different.
This is an auto update. Players must be connected to Xbox Live to receive the update.
4th and 1 from the goalline…5 seconds remaining. You’re down 23-20. A field goal only gives you breathing room into overtime but a touchdown sends the opposing team home for the holidays. What do you do?
You buy Madden NFL 07 for the Xbox 360 and live that moment over and over. The gridiron returns to retail stores and the Xbox 360 today! This year’s version is sure to be a top seller after Madden NFL 06 topped more than 6.5 million copies!
“Madden NFL Football has become a cultural phenomenon and, with Maddenoliday, we are honoring all the Madden gamers across the country who line up at midnight and then take off the day to play Madden NFL 07,” said Todd Sitrin, VP of marketing for EA Tiburon and EA SPORTS brand. “We continue to bring innovative changes to the game every year, and now with the improvements in the running game, Madden NFL 07 is even more authentic. You will know how it feels to be actually on the field playing with the pros.”
U360 posted the list of Madden NFL 07 Achievements for you so let the unlocking and gaming begin. Before you do though, I’ve compiled a courtesy listing of hot reviews and news surrounding the title.
Madden NFL 07 Quick Routes:
For the Gamerscore and Achievement seekers out there, take a quick sneak peek at the 46 Achievements for EA’s Madden NFL 07.
Thanks to the boys at Achieve360points.
1. Madden Gamer Level 2 - Successfully reach a Madden Gamer Level of 2.
2. Madden Gamer Level 10 - Successfully reach a Madden Gamer Level of 10.
3. Madden Gamer Level 20 - Successfully reach a Madden Gamer Level of 20.
4. Madden Gamer Level 30 - Successfully reach a Madden Gamer Level of 30.
5. Madden Gamer Level 40 - Successfully reach a Madden Gamer Level of 40.
6. Madden Gamer Level 50 - Successfully reach a Madden Gamer Level of 50.
7. Season Record - Receive TD - Set the season record for Receiving Touchdowns.
8. Season Record - Receiving Yards - Set the season record for Receiving Yards.
9. Season Record - Receptions - Set the season record for Receptions.
10. Season Record - Rush Touchdowns - Set the season record for Rushing Touchdowns.
That’s right…EA and ESPN are taking Madden to new heights…well new $20 heights that is.
Beginning August 4 at 8 p.m. ET., ESPN and ESPN.com will offer an exclusive pay-per-view event with Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) - Inside Madden NFL 07 – produced by ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE) and available to gamers through affiliates on television and also online.
In this special, available 18 days before the release of Madden NFL 07 from EA SPORTS™ on August 22, fans will get an early look inside one of this year’s most anticipated video game releases. EA game designers and some of the best Madden players will lead gamers on a guided tour through new changes and advances in all aspects of the game. Included in the special are the exclusive release of player ratings and tips from top Madden gamers and behind-the-scenes details about the making of the next generation of Madden NFL games.
#edit - one note that many have inquired about as it pertains to Madden NFL 2007. It will not include co-op or same team play. The feature was left off both Madden 2007 and NCAA 2007.
I made mention of this the other day but wanted to be sure U360’s audience didn’t miss it. So for those sports fans out there, will it be a dose of the slim Madden or the extra plump Madden with gravy? 
Madden NFL 07 will be putting out a special Madden NFL 07 Hall of Fame edition for the Xbox 360 and PS2 only. These special editions will also be available in stores on August 22 for PS2 and Xbox 360 and feature more than two hours of bonus DVD content including:
Xbox 360 edition features:
- Hall of Famer: John Madden —A career retrospective highlighting Coach Madden’s days as Oakland Raiders head coach and award-winning calls from the broadcast booth.
- Madden Nation , Season One—Heroes are born and dreams are shattered in the eight-part mini-series. Revisit the complete first season of the original ESPN program.
- Inside Madden Studios —ESPN’s Trey Wingo delivers game production insights and exclusive interviews with the team behind the game.
- Exclusive Music Interviews— The hottest acts featured in Madden NFL 07 reveal the inspiration behind their music.
