News / Science & Technology
Madden 2008 Comes Out Today!
Madden 2008, the latest installment of the world's highest-selling sports video game franchise, was released today with Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young on its cover. The game, named after former Oakland Raiders coach and Hall of Famer John Madden, has become a cult classic for video game players and sports fans alike. The Madden franchise has sold over 60 million copies in 17 years.
Today, the game, distributed and created by Electronic Arts (EA), was premiered to over 10 different video game consoles, with the type of fanfare that is only rivalled by the release of blockbuster movies such as "Transformers" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix".
In 2006, EA sold 7.4 million copies of Madden, including 2 million in its first week, making it the highest-selling video game title of the year.
In 2005, EA entered an agreement with the National Football League that prohibits any other video game company to make a football game with actual NFL teams players. They also have an exclusive agreement with ESPN to use its brand for its Madden franchise.
The only bad thing associated with the Madden brand is the so-called "Madden Curse". Legend has it that the player on the cover is cursed after making it. Every single player who has been on its cover has suffered an injury during the season. Barry Sanders retired the season after being on the cover, while Marshall Faulk was injured and never reached over 1,000 rushing yards in a season afterwards.
