Madden Challenge 2006 Platform Announcement

We have gotten the much awaited final word from EA Sports regarding the Madden Challenge. The main tournament will be on Xbox Current Gen with the Rookie Challenge taking place on Xbox 360.

I know that many of the guys that invested in Xboxes for last year's event will appreciate the change. To me this shows EA making a move to best present the best looking version of the game possible. Even though PS2 tournaments were attended more heavily, they look look crap when televised.

With Xbox they can get a much better picture for productions sake. I'm sure there were a number of factors that went into this decision...many that we will never know.

VG Sports to appear in Beckett Magazine

VG Sports has put together a nice 8 page strategy piece for the upcoming Beckett video gamer magazine coming out in August. Be sure to check it out!

Madden NFL 07 Unveiling in New York

Gamespot attending the unveiling of Madden NFL 07 in New York last week. Check out the video as they talk with Running Backs, Shaun Alexander, Warrick Dunn, Marshall Faulk, Reggie Bush, and Larry Johnson. Also prepare yourself for the in-game footage.

Madden NFL 07 in New York

Madden 06 Virtual Filmroom - July 3rd Edition

Singleback Tight Galloway Option - The Tight formation is a set that can be effective when you have the right routes to get the full potential out of it. I wanted to look at a play that I use often in my Singleback Compressed sets. The play that I want to talk about is the Galloway Option. This play allows you to attack man or zone with no problems if you’re good at pre-reading defenses. Even if you’re not it’s still a hot play.

Shotgun Empty Trey Stick Strong Overload - The Shotgun Empty Trey Stick Strong Overload is effective against man coverage as long as you know where to throw to based on what the defense does. If you lock onto one receiver, you will be in for a world of hurt.

Shotgun 2RB 3WR HB Deep - If you know how to read defenses, you don't know need a bunch of senseless shifts just to beat the pass coverage. In this write up, we show how we like to run the Shotgun 2RB 3WR HB Deep to open up several passing options.

For more information about the Virtual Filmroom, visit www.maddenfilmroom.com

The Season Behind the Season: Strategy Site Owner Perspective

EA Sports just posted the their latest Season Behind the Season Article. Go check it out:

"My name is Bert Ingley and I am the owner and operator of the web’s largest Madden strategy site, www.maddentips.com. Since the site began running in early 2002, there has been a literal explosion in the number of people who are searching for strategies and tips on the net. During this time we have grown from an initial one-man show into a staff of six who eat, sleep and breathe Madden football.

I am continually amazed at the hardcore nature of the Madden fan base. I watch the video game industry pretty closely, and with the exception of a couple of Massive Multiplayer Online RPGs (MMORPG), I don’t think there is a more rabid group of gamers than Madden players. Guys take this game VERY seriously.

Many members of our site have played some level of competitive football during their lives. Everything from Pop Warner to the NFL is well represented, and they all have one thing in common -- they are incredibly competitive! While they want to win at all costs, most have a genuine respect for the game of football. They don’t want to glitch their way to victory; they want to learn the X’s and O’s behind the game so they can play it like it’s played on Sundays."

Click here for the Full Article

EA Community Email Address

EA has set up an email account in order to answer fans questions. They are encouraging podcast listeners and anyone else who has a question to shoot an email to the new address. This will be a great way to get some of your community related questions answered, so don't miss out. If you do send in a question, make sure and let them know you're from VG Sports!"

The email address is maddencommunity@ea.com

First look: "NFL Head Coach"

Here's a bit more about NFL Head Coach:

By Jeff Rider
Staff writer
Have you ever watched an NFL telecast and found yourself second-guessing a coach’s decision?

It’s OK, you’re not alone. And now EA Sports is giving you your own video game.

In the 3D sports strategy game “NFL Head Coach,” you’ll make the calls on game day. Do you run out the clock late in the game when you’re nursing a lead or be aggressive and throw deep? Give the ball to your fullback on fourth-and-short or have your quarterback sneak for the first down?

The EA Podcast: Madden NFL 07, Part I

EA Sports has posted a new podcast on Madden NFL 07.

This is from the Rookie Premiere event from last week. This first podcast features conversations with:

- Vernon Davis

- Brandon Williams

- Maurice Drew

- Derek Hagan

- Laurence Maroney

- Demetrius Williams

The theme is transition. EA discusses their transition to the pros as well as transition into playing and being in Madden 07

Tye Hill Interview

This one is pretty funny. It's cool to see how guys don't always get their props in the game, and how everybody knows it:

Talking Deion and the draft with the Rams top pick. New Madden screens included.

May 24, 2006 - Whatever stat you quote to Tye Hill, there's one that gets him fired up. "I'm not 5-9, I'm 5-10," he says with a laugh. "That 5-9 thing is a bad rumor. They pushed my head down at the combine and now everyone thinks I'm short. Of course I'm 5-9 when you push my head down."


Whatever his size, there's no doubting Tye Hill stands tall on the field. The first cornerback taken in the draft instantly became one of the fastest men in the NFL when his name was called by the commissioner, and his athletic ability could make him one of the standout rookies in 2006. Not bad for a track star who started his football career as a running back and only started to play corner, a position many feel is the hardest in the sport, as a sophomore at Clemson.

Madden Next Gen Interview with David Ortiz

Next Gen Madden Producer David Ortiz sits down and sheds some light on the Offensive and Defensive lines and the running game. Short but good read.


Check it out here: EA Sports Next Gen Interview 5/22/2006

Dan Bertholomey aka Packwolf sounds off on Madden 360

All Games Interactive Podcast

Today's installment of All Games Interactive comes to a screeching halt when the king on the non sequitur Arena Lounge's very own Ron hits us with his breaking news involving . . . Paul McCartney? Doesn't sound very gamer oriented to me. Luckily Scot Rubin is here to save the day with his thoughts on Saint's Row, the new Blue Ray copy protection solutions, the Phantom gaming system fiasco, and gaming publishers' doubts about the PS3.

We also hear from Microsoft MVP and purveyor of all things Madden Packwolf a.k.a. Dan Bertholomey. He and Scot talk about their experiences with the next generation of Madden games at E3. With madden 07 on the PS3, Xbox 360, and The Wii these two Madden maniacs have much to say on how each one stacks up. Packwolf also brings us a Madden related exclusive that you can only hear first on All Games Interactive. So what are you waiting for!? It's All Games Interactive and its just one click away.

Click here to listen

EA Community Manager Mike Johnson on Air Tonight!

Madden Nation Radio will feature a special guest tonight. New EA Madden community Manager Mike Johnson (MJ) will join us to introduce himself and discuss some of his plans to make this the biggest and best year ever for the Madden online community.

To listen live, go to the following link at 9:05 PM EST. click here.

Madden 07 goes Mobile

This article comes from the UK. I know, it's an odd place for Madden news, but info is info so here you go:

"Okay, so most of us Brits aren't exactly clued up when it comes to American football. After all, it's just another U.S. stop-start sport played by men too wussy to do without the helmets and padding and play rugby, innit? (Letters to the usual address...)

Actually, there are plenty of gridiron fans in the UK, as shown by the popularity of EA's Madden franchise down the years, and those are the people who'll be getting excited by EA's announcement of the mobile version of Madden NFL 07 at E3 last week."

Click here for more on Madden Mobile

Xbox and PS2 Madden 2007 Trailer

EA/Tiburon has released a new Madden 2007 Trailer.

Check it out here: PS2 and Xbox Madden 2007 Trailer

Madden 07 Current Gen Interview with Phil Frazier

Here's bit of the EA Sports Interview with Phil Frazier

Phil Frazier Current Gen Interview
Phil Frazier, Lead Producer for Madden NFL 07 Current Genenration
Q: Talk to us about the all-new defensive playbooks. How did you come up with those?

Frazier:We watched a lot of game-tape. We've got two guys that are dedicated year-in and year-out to making Madden playbooks great. They're the most hardcore football guys that we have in this building. One of the guys actually played college ball at Florida, and the other one aspires to be a head coach somewhere. The two of them combined watch hours and hours of game tape that we get directly from the NFL. Using that footage, we're able to create plays in Madden that look exactly like plays that NFL teams run, and we also get a lot of different systems and formations in there as well.

This year, we have team-specific defensive playbooks in the game. Instead of having just the schemes, like 3-4 and 4-3, we actually went in and looked at team-specific things. Teams will run things based on specific personnel, and we wanted to capture that in Madden.

Q: You've expanded last year's Superstar Mode? What's new in that?

Frazier: Superstar Mode was something that a lot of people were excited about in concept last year, but at the end of the day, when the game shipped, there was no real difference in playing a Superstar game than there was in playing a Play Now game or a Franchise game. The in-game experience was exactly the same. This year, we wanted to change that, so we went in there and now we lock you to your position. If you create a quarterback, you play quarterback and only quarterback. If you're a wide receiver, you play only wide receiver, and so on. It's called Superstar: Hall of Fame mode and it's a big improvement over last year.

We really wanted to kind of focus on you being the guy you create, and that's more than just the off-the-field stuff -- that's with in-game stuff as well. As you're playing with these guys, we've also added position-specific cameras so you actually get to experience what it's like to play at that position. When you're on defense, you're not looking at the standard camera where you're looking down the field -- you're actually looking from behind the defensive player's shoulder. You get to watch the quarterback as he's looking at you or into your zone, you get to cover wide receivers as they're running all over the field, and you have to react to plays like a normal defender would.

Click here for the full article

Madden E3 Info on the EA Sports Site

EA Sports has relaunched their Madden website with a bunch of new content:

Innovative rushing controls give you a game-breaking ground attack featuring all-new jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct running styles of your favorite backs. Between the tackles or in the open field, run to daylight with Madden NFL 07.

Key Features

Lead Blocker Control: Throw the perfect block and create a running lane with all-new lead blocking control, and then take command of the tailback and rip off a big gain.

NFL Superstar: Hall of Fame Mode: Play your way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame by taking complete control of any position on the field. Your actions on and off the field determine your impact on the game.

Run Like the Players Run with the All-New Highlight Stick: Bust out player-specific running styles matching those of real NFL players (e.g., smaller backs slash to break tackles, while bigger runners bowl over defenders in the open field). All-new jukes, cutbacks, and power moves.

Additions to Franchise Mode: Scout collegiate prospects with the all-new NFL Draft Scouting System and the College All-Star Game, or watch players around the NFL impact their teams with the new Franchise Player Roles feature.

Team-Specific Defensive Playbooks: For the first time, use actual plays from your favorite team's defensive playbook to shut down the running game, pressure the quarterback, or force key turnovers.

Online Play: Climb the leaderboard as you take on your biggest rivals from coast-to-coast in Play Now or Session Match games.

Click here for the full article

Gamespy looks at Madden Wii

Football fans have often thought of the Madden games as less of a simulation and more of an arcade-styled pigskin experience. While it may not have been conceived with this intention in mind, Madden NFL 07 on the Wii may just come closer to simulating what a gridiron athlete goes through over the course of a game.

If the idea of playing Nintendo's simplified sports party games doesn't appeal to the hardcore sports enthusiast in you, then Madden NFL 07 may be right up your alley.

Click for full article

E3 2006: Hands-On Madden NFL 07 Wii

IGN has posted some hands on thoughts about the Nintendo Wii version of Madden NFL 07.

I personally am interested in playing the game, but I don't know if it will be anything beyond just a gimmick. I know that when I am playing a video game, I want to be lounging back on the couch, not having to get all involved waving my hands in the air to get stuff to happen.

I haven't played the game personally, but I get the feeling that the gimmick will only be fun for a limited period of time. I don't see this being a game for the serious competitor. In any event, here's the article:

How does it play with Nintendo's revolutionary new controller? IGN goes hands-on to give you the scoop.
by Dan Iverson

May 10, 2006 - One of the most anticipated games for any system has to be Madden NFL 07. The Madden football franchise has always been solid, but it always seems to lean on familiar ways by simply updating the roster, giving the graphics a face-lift, and maybe adding a new play mode. However, here in the seventeenth installment of Madden we are given a new way to play. Using the Wii remote is a shock at first, but within a short amount of time you feel like you are getting completely immersed into the game of football.

Click here for the full article

Madden NFL 07 PS3 hands-on preview and screens

I've included a bit of themanroom.com's look at Madden 07 at E3 below. One thing to bear in mind is that these are very early builds of the games. I have to wonder if the guys from themanroom.com have ever been to E3 before. They seemed really surprised at the early builds.

Like many others, they are beating up the PS3 version of the game. Well at E3 last year, all we had for Madden 360 was some player models to look at.

PS3 already has full 11 on 11 game play. It should be on par with 360 by August and they still will have more time to get stuff done before the November release. The producers for the game stated that the PS3 version would be everything you see in Madden 07 for the 360 PLUS some more. That is encouraging!

In any event, here is the article:

If the E3 2006 demo for Madden NFL 07 for the Xbox 360 was rough, then the Playstation 3 version was non-existent. It was obvious that the demo was quickly thrown together just so something, anything, was playable at E3. The developer stated that the Xbox 360 version was almost 60% complete while it's PS3 counterpart was closer to 30. The graphics and player control were obviously rushed versions and the developer was quick to point that out as well. The screenshots on the right do not look anything close to what was shown at E3, a good guess would be that they were polished up a bit.

When questioned about the different play features that would be included in the PS3 version the same answer was given each time... "We're not allowed to talk about it." Hmmmm, not very promising. Could we be looking at the Playstation equivalent of the bare-bones Madden 06 debut on the Xbox 360? Based on the lack of answers, a good guess would be yes.

Click here for the full article

Madden Filmroom Updates

46 Bear Buzz Weak -This week we take a look at another blitz from the 46 Bear that I ( Kobra) have had success with over the course of the 2006 season. What I like about the 46 Bear Buzz Weak is I get good pass coverage down the field, plus over the short middle. Another reason I like this blitz is there are three different gaps I can move the MLB to blitz through. This keeps my opponent off balance.

Big B's 46 Normal Mike Blitz - Me and Kobra was talking one day and he said that he wasn't finding any CPU blitzes in the game that were consistent. I told him that they were several of them and I would show a few in the filmroom since I’m down from Madden till 07. The 1st blitz I saw this year was the Mike Blitz. I saw something there, but the high passes ran me away from it. Then a crew member made a adjustment or two and found a decent safe blitz to run. I will show this blitz so that you can add it to playcalling when you need to get pressure on the QB.

I-Form Twin TE Series - The I Twin TE is a formation that Chow of The Firm, and Vinny of The WBC use quite well. These two labbed this set last year and became very good with it. Many feel that the lack of WR speed can be a problem passing effectively. Since this year is about size and jumping ability, the Twin TE can be deadly. Let’s take a look.

Madden 07 HB Draw Preview - We have a bit of a surpise for you here. The screen aren't the greatest since we had to work with camera shots of the E3 Madden 360, but you'll get the drift. We are not going to go in depth into this play but merely show you something to look forward to in the upcoming game. Lets get right to the new stuff.

E3 Hands On with David Ortiz - Many of you reading this now get those thoughts in your head that no matter what the situation is there should be some exclusive information for you when we go to events such as E3 or EA Community days. We value your opinion and understand your desire for exclusive content that is not on our message boards. Here you will find a video with David Ortiz, Lead Producer of Madden Next Gen. This was taken while on the floor of the E3 Expo.

If you don't have the filmroom, you can find out more about it at www.maddenfilmroom.com