Matt Matthews from Edge-Online has posted his analysis of the recently released August 2008 NPD.
In his analysis, he reviews the hardware and top ten software rankings released in the NPD's public report, and also outlining or taking note of possible trends that are emerging in the industry right now.
"To begin, notice that faces have been enhanced to fit NFL counterparts better, as well as jersey and arm muscles have been modified to look more realistic. Improved stadium and player self-shadow casting has been added, in addition to better field effects such as fuller precipitation, footprints in the snow, and better looking field grass.
Other improvements that would need to be seen in motion include more animations, now in 60fps for PS3, and better camera presentation."
"Listen up sports fans, Electronic Arts has announced today that the next iteration of the long-running Madden NFL series will arrive in North America on August 12. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, special editions of the title will also be shipped, complete with a copy of NFL Coach 09, which includes exclusive classic Madden NFL gameplay, and an extensive library of exclusive bonus video content. Sadly, however, this addition seems destined only for the PS3 and Xbox 360, not the Nintendo Wii."
The supercharged American holiday shopping season has passed us by, and the NPD results all show great increases. With their December 2007 report, the NPD Group has also released their Annual 2007 numbers also. As always, many thanks to the NPD Group and sonycowboy at NeoGAF for reporting and the actual numbers.
As far as I know, it is a standard four-week tracking week, from December 5 to January 1.
Without further ado:
December 2007
Hardware Sales:
PlayStation 2 1.1 million
Play...
"Take a liberal dollop of shameless sexism and pop it in a blender with half a pound of evil media marketing genius and one whole tasteless videogame award show. Place in the YouTube oven for maximum heat and, when attention has risen, sprinkle in 6 naked models, a few gallons of body paint, some high-profile videogames looking for cheap exposure and what appears to be a male Madden fan in drag."
"Hello everyone. When we last spoke, I posted some ads for PS3 third-party heavy hitters Assassins Creed and Call of Duty 4. Well, as promised, we have more up our sleeves and have a couple more spots to debut for you all before they officially air the week of November 19th.
Weve brought back the same pulsating music track (Salivas Ladies and Gentlemen) from our PS3 brand spots and feature games from our 3rd party friends like Burnout Paradise, WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008, Madden NF..."
The September NPD numbers were released today, and many thanks to sonycowboy at NeoGAF and the NPD for reporting and the actual numbers.
The September NPD tracking period is a five-week period: September 2 - October 6. With the software sales, I will also put the release date of each title, so you have a frame of reference.
Without further ado:
Hardware Sales:
PlayStation 2 215K
PlayStation 3 119.4K
PlayStation Portable 284.5K
Xbox 360 527.8K
Wii 501K
Nintendo DS 495.8K
Game Bo...
The latest roster update that is due out today will remove Michael Vick from the Atlanta Falcons roster. Seems that the decision was made a lot easier when he pled guilty.
"Electronic Arts has hit back at a report published yesterday by USA Today, in which it was claimed that Madden NFL 08 on the Microsoft Xbox 360 is superior to its Sony PlayStation 3 counterpart. Specifically, the paper cites the huge difference in frame rates between the two versions as the main reason, with the Xbox 360 version running at a silky smooth 60fps, while the PS3 trundles along at just 30fps."
"It took a couple of next-gen tries, but Madden has finally punched one across the pylons.
Electronic Arts' cash cow, Madden NFL 08, returns with a fresh arsenal of weapons and gameplay as silky smooth as a LaDainian Tomlinson scamper into the end zone.
The release of Madden 08 marks the first time owners of Xbox 360 have a truly complete version of the NFL franchise. The 06 iteration, released with the console's launch, was horribly thin on all fronts. Last year's release, while markedl..."
"Although GamerSquad would suggest that youve perhaps set your quality alarm a week too early, there are obviously vast sways of American Football fans wholl be wiping the sleep from their eyes and pulling on their favourite team jersey right about now. And why? Because EAs sporting granddaddy Madden NFL 08 hits the stores tomorrow.
However, beyond that single multi-platform highlight of the week which you should fully expect to reach the top of the gaming chart the remaining ru..."
"When it comes to Madden, 2Ks recent All-Pro Football 2K8 made a decent enough effort to wrestle free some of that loyal and purist fan base, as did Maddens own college-inspired stable mate NCAA Football 08.
But Madden remains untouched, waltzing gracefully through crunching tackles from the competition in order burst free into the endzone once again to revel in the adulation of the winning score.
Has GamerSquad bigged it up enough yet? No? Then check the source for extensive t..."
The highly anticipated Madden NFL 08 is set to be released by next week. EA say that this year, they have done a major improvement and have gone with the 'full circle' meaning there will be much more to look forward to this year. EA readies Madden NFL 08 for release next week despite criticisms that the game has recently become more of an "NFL Roster Update" than a true next-gen video game. EA remain optimistic that this year's Madden will indeed surpass last year's Madden. Only time will tel...
Massive Inc.'s online video game advertising network was purchased by Microsoft last year, and now the console giant intends to leverage this in-game ad muscle in upcoming sports titles from Electronic Arts. Both EA and Microsoft announce that five EA Sports titlesfor the Xbox 360 and PC platforms (Nascar 08, NHL 08, Skate, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 and of course Madden NFL 08) will tap into Massive's dynamic in-game advertising.
Electronic Arts today announced that the highly anticipated Madden NFL 08 for next generation consoles will give players the opportunity to extend the Madden NFL 08 experience to the real world by giving them the ability to purchase their own custom-designed "Ring of a Champion". Based on the player's Madden Gamer Level, the Ring of a Champion showcases the progress of a Madden NFL 08 gamer, and each ring can be customized to recognize the player advancements through the game. These rings are...
Football is easily the best selling sports video game. The PS3 is having trouble keeping up with competitors on these Football games. The XBOX 360 versions of Madden 08, All-Pro Football 2K8, and NCAA Football 08 are running at 60 frames per second where the PS3 editions run at 30 frames per second. The 360 games are much faster and will run smoother.
"The annual goal of the Madden NFL soundtrack is to give unprecedented exposure to new artists, bring established stars to a whole new level, and single-handedly define the sound of the coming year via the biggest sports franchise in video game history, said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing at EA. Radio is adding songs based on a band's inclusion in the game. Video channels are creating their playlists based on the soundtrack. Simply put, Madden moves music forwa..."
American football, or 'run and catch' as we Brits call it (there's scant enough football involved to merit such a name), is getting its own NFL fantasy league, courtesy of the mighty Electronic Arts. What's more, useless head coaches can tap up EA for advice on how to not suck. Get a real 'ball' and then kick it, would be our advice. *toothy grin*.
Whether it be EA's NHL or 2K's NHL 2K series, whether it be EA's FIFA or Konami's Pro Evolution series, there's generally only one genre title that we gravitate toward when faced with a sporting choice. Here comes EA's win-win choice of Madden NFL 08 and NCAA Football 08...which will you go for? Check out the gameplay footage to decide.
"You've heard the rumors and read the betting odds (IGN called LT even and Vince Young 3-2 favorites), but nothing was made official until John Madden's radio show on KCBS when the man behind the biggest sports franchise in gaming officially named Titans QB Vince Young as the Madden NFL 08 cover athlete.
"Vince Young is going to be on the cover
why, is that not out yet
did I just let something out of the bag?" Madden said on his show this morning as the hosts asked him about the rumors.
..."
"Two things I learned about Devin Hester this week: His singing makes Sanjaya sound like one of The Three Tenors, and despite all the rumors floating around, the Chicago return specialist will not be on the cover of Madden 08. Hear that? It's the loud sigh of relief from every Bears fan across the country who doesn't want to see "Anytime" turn into "Sometime" or "NoTime" by tearing his knee on the first return of the season due to the curse."
![Box shot of Madden NFL 08 [Europe]](http://i.neoseeker.com/boxshots/R2FtZXMvUGxheXN0YXRpb25fMi9TcG9ydHMvRm9vdGJhbGw=/madden_nfl_08_frontcover_small_AQYl6zco5olN4Ne.jpg)