We came across a cool video in GameTrailers regarding the NFL draft weekend. Everyone was pretty excited about it and we got the chance to see how the guys at EA Sports have innovated how pro football has been covered through the years.

As it turns out, EA actually gets all the feeds of the games that it wants, just like every legitimate team in the league. Obviously, the footages are a valuable part of game construction. This helps influence the level of realism in the game in terms of stats, presentation, and movement to get the best results possible that reflect in the Madden NFL series.

At the tail-end of the video, we can see real life NFL players speaking their mind on how it feels to be in the game's cover. It was pretty nice to know that these athletes actually played the game themselves when they were kids and that they really dig the series. One thing that they don't completely find satisfaction in is their individual rating stats. A lot of them felt that they should have higher stats in speed, toughness, offensive awareness and more.

Still, everyone had a lot of fun during the day. If you want to see it for yourself, check out exactly what happened in the video below.

This coming Tuesday, we would know who would follow the footsteps of Shaun Alexander, Donovan McNabb, Eddie George, and Ray Lewis. The next cover athlete for EA's Madden NFL 08 will be a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday (or Wednesday depending on where you live). Anyhow, Kimmel is a friend of the Madden game franchise - Shaun Alexander appeared on the show last July and Maddenoliday (last August). The show also featured bands showcased on Madden NFL 07.

Revealing who the cover athlete is on a late night show is a new publicity approach for EA. Usually, QJ and other sites would just get a press release about this kind of news, but now they've upped the ante. Anyhow, there has been speculation as to who the coverboy would be - names of NFL Pros like Peyton Manning, Chad Johnson, Reggie Bush, Tom Brady and Devin Hester have been mentioned. Although Hester had the longest odds because he is a kicks-and- punts kinda player.

Anyhow, let's just wish that the future Madden NFL 08 cover athlete won't succumb to the Madden Curse that has plagued all of the Madden cover athletes.

Here's the "Madden 2007 EA SuperBowl Simulation" video from Electronic Arts. Watch along and keep score. It's less than three minutes long, so the game is over in a hurry. We're pretty sure you won't all agree with the outcome.



Madden 2007 is a top-selling title in the US. It is available on the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii. There are also versions for PSP and DS.

If you've already updated your roster for Madden NFL 2007 (for PS3 and 360 owners), then you can always have your own Superbowl game before the real Superbowl XLI comes around. And if you're lucky enough to have bought a 360 porn copy, then you can have your own halftime show complete with wardrobe malfunction.

The minds behind GameStop have just come up with a new Wii bundle that's slated to ship on January 17. Called the "Nintendo Wii Most Wanted" bundle, it includes the Nintendo Wii system (system, remote controller, nunchuck, stand, sensor, and Wii Sports), a Wii 1GB memory card, and an extra Wiimote.

Apart from Wii Sports, six other titles also come with the bundle. Included are Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, Red Steel, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz, and Madden NFL 2007. It also includes a 1 Year Product Replacement Plan.

You can order the Nintendo Wii Most Wanted bundle from GameStop for US$ 679.90. Yeah, the price is a bit high, but with 7 games, at least you won't get bored for quite some time.

They may be a magnet for bad publicity, but it certainly can't be denied that their franchises sell well. Two of Electronic Arts' games have reached rather high sales, making EA games a high seller on two continents.

In the United States, EA Sports' Madden NFL '07 has sold over 5 million copies across the different consoles. As a result of these figures, a press release EA sent out, they proclaimed Madden to be "North America's most popular game of 2006".

Over in the United Kingdom, it's their underground racing game that's taking up the Electronic Arts banner. Gamasutra reports Need for Speed: Carbon as the new leader of the pack by pushing another EA title, FIFA '07, out of the top spot and into second place.

With best-selling games in two countries, as well as additional games in their lineup in the top ten lists, EA should be quite pleased with their results this year. This is one of EA's best years in the business, making them a company to watch out for yet again in 2007.

Wii fans can rev up their consoles as EA's Need for Speed Carbonhits European stores December 8. The game provides an immersive environment of the most dangerous and adrenaline-burning form of street racing. NFS Carbon for Wii combines the classic Need for Speed controls and Wii's unique controller scheme. The innovative Wiimote allows players to recognize and feel the physics differences between the 50 plus Muscle, Exotic, and Tuner cars, as they use their crew to win Canyon races, customize their cars using Autosculpt, and battle to take control of the streets of Palmont.

Need for Speed shares the spotlight with another title custom designed for the new console: Madden NFL 07. Madden NFL 07 uses an all-new Madden FreeMotion controls to create a new Wii controller-focused experience. The Wii version of the blockbuster title features a number of Wii-exclusive features including:

• Multiplayer mini games designed to support four player gameplay
• New multiplayer enhancements including a multiplayer sprint
• New play calling system designed for basic football fan knowledge
• Madden in-game tutorials on the FreeMotion controls and allow users to practice within the game

Need for Speed Carbon is rated 12+ and Madden NFL 07 is rated 3+ by PEGI.

While our industry is teeming with Madden and EA disillusioned fans, it looks like the Wii version of the game just made a friend and that friend's name is innovation. The Sports division of Electronic Arts is very proud to announce (with fingers crossed?) that they incorporated a couple of mini games within the game.

Basically, 2-on-2 is schoolyard football and the objective is to score as many points possible through touchdowns. There would be a total of four players on the field at given any time, a QB and receiver on offense and a DB and Linebacker on defense. Four downs on offense, then four plays on defense and after that, switch back. Of course, what kind of schoolyard football is it without the classic 5 Mississippi counts before rushing to the QB? Drumming the controllers up and down would commence that for you.

Y.A.C. Attack, another mini game, challenges players to complete passes to a receiver on offense and then gain as many yards after the catch as possible. Each of the four players gets one turn on offense per round. While playing defense, a DB would be assigned to the player and there's a receiver that he or she has to cover.

Finally, EA thought of including Kicking Combine, a multiplayer mini game. What's noteworthy about this is that non-kicking players can drum up their controllers, and press the "Control Stick" to blow wind wherever the controller is pointed at. Kickers on the other hand, will have a hard time earning points.

Even if you think the Madden NFL franchise sucks, you should watch this video. Because it is fun. Yeah. There's a big online crowd that says Madden NFL 07 hasn't been innovative enough. And EA took some flak with the bug in the Xbox 360 version. In fact, not everybody in the QJ team is a big EA or Madden fan, but it's interesting how we all kinda agree that this looks like fun.



Look at how gameplay can be enhanced by the Wii remote (or Wii Remote or Wiimote - depends on what your preferred nickname for it is).

Second, look at the totally unique features in Madden for the Wii. Finally, let's shoot the bull (bullsh@t?) about EA - we have some honest reactions about this one.

• Free motion controls. The Nunchuck and Wii remote detect what you're doing. To hike, you snap it back. To throw, you throw it forward (the ball, not the Wiimote, because that would, like, break your TV and stuff). To stiff arm (our favorite part), you move your arm.
• In-game tutorials and Learn Madden mode. Learn what you're doing right or wrong. Gosh, even my mom can figure this out (Mommy, if you're reading this, you know what to get me for Christmas).
• Multiplayer minigame. Just mentioned in passing. Is that it in the background?

Yeah. Electronic Arts really tried with this one. We checked the comments at GameTrailers (where we found this video), and a lot of them agree. Rodimus563 said, "Looks like the first truly innovative Madden in the last decade. I'll definitely look into this," and Hoodz said, "I can't stand Madden but I have to admit this looks fun... I feel dirty..." And let's leave it at that (somewhat) positive note, shall we?

Are you one of those still baffled after countless explanations on how in the world you can play Madden NFL 07 using the Wii remote? It'll crunch tie for your occipital lobe, as you process these Madden gameplay slash tutorial videos on how to use the Wiimote.

Forget about Wiimote fatigue because as you can see, there's no absolute need to make extremely large, over the top movements to throw the football or to make a tackle. Simple flicks of the wrists are enough to make that winning pass.

Matt Casamassina gives thoughts and first impressions after playing EA's Madden NFL 07 first hand. Expect a detailed report on the game's controls, the FreeMotion feature and exclusive multiplayer offerings on the Wii version of the game when you click on the read link juts below this article.

    

Download: [Madden NFL 07 Gameplay Videos]

Electronic Arts today announced that Madden NFL 07, the EA Sports best-selling football franchise, and Need for Speed Carbon, the latest iteration in the world’s most popular street racing franchise, will be available with the Wii launch on November 19, 2006. 

 

“Both Madden NFL 07 and Need For Speed Carbon were able to really bring out the innovation in the new FreeMotion Controller on the Wii and will attract a whole new sector of gamers,” said John Schappert, Senior Vice President and General Manager, EA Canada. “We are honored to be a part of the launch of this new exciting platform and are inspired by the new creative ideas it will let us explore." 

 

With the launch on the Wii, Madden NFL 07 takes advantage of the revolutionary controller design and all-new Madden FreeMotion controls to create a new controller-focused experience, bringing Madden’s gameplay depth alive in a whole new and immersive way. Key Wii-only features for Madden NFL 07 include exclusive multiplayer mini games designed to support four player gameplay, new multiplayer enhancements including a multiplayer sprint, new play calling system designed for basic football fan knowledge, and Madden in-game tutorials that teach the users how to use new FreeMotion controls and allow users to practice within the game. Madden NFL 07 on Wii will also include the popular key features lead blocking control, NFL Superstar: Hall of Fame mode as well as all-new Highlight moves that allows you to run like the NFL players run.

 

In its 17th year and with more than 53 million copies sold life to date, Madden NFL Football continues to stand out as the most popular football videogame franchise of all time with a combination of innovative new features and the most authentic football gameplay. Madden NFL 07 for Wii is being developed by EA Canada and is not yet rated by the ESRB. 

 

The battle starts on the streets of Palmont city, but is won in the canyons as Need for Speed Carbon immerses you in the world’s most dangerous and adrenaline-filled forms of street racing.  Need for Speed Carbon and the Wii introduce the world to a whole new way to play Need for Speed. Offering the classic Need for Speed controls and immersive gameplay experience, with the addition of the Wii's unique Remote style controller scheme takes Need for Speed Carbon gameplay to levels previously not possible. A simple yet intuitive control scheme using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, the player will instantly recognize and feel the physics differences between the 50 plus Muscle, Exotic, and Tuner cars, as they use their crew to win Canyon races, customize their cars using Autosculpt™, and battle to take control of the streets of Palmont.