Now that John Madden is retiring, what will future EA NFL games be called?

[kabob983]

Since Madden is retiring, what will future EA Sports NFL games be called? I guess they could still go with "Madden" but seeing that he has no ties with the NFL franchise now...

[noobman]

I see them sticking with Madden.

Alternatively they could drop the Madden title and just call them NFL 20xx

[ScreamingBroccoli]

Yeah he does,

That's like saying Mohammad Ali has no ties to boxing,
Michael JORDAN has no ties to basketball,
Arnold Palmer has no ties to golf,
Richard Petty has no ties to racing,
Wayne Gretzky has no ties to hockey,
etc.

It will be Madden forever.

[batteriesnotincluded]

Michael Jackson has no ties to basketball


Pedophilia, skin bleaching, gender breaching, and burning Pepsi, yes...but basketball? No.

[kabob983]

Pedophilia, skin bleaching, gender breaching, and burning Pepsi, yes...but basketball? No.

Exactly what I was thinking as soon as I saw the name.

Reminds me of the Chappelle's Show skit with Prince playing basketball.

[Slade]

lol MJ != Micheal JORDAN
e.fail = true;

Yes I am a CS nerd @ <3

[adhask1]

He's retired from broadcasting. I can't imagine that would affect any agreements he may have with EA.

[kabob983]

But how long will that last, eventually the name recognition.

[ScreamingBroccoli]

holy shit, I typed michael jackson instead of jordan................... I think i'll go kill myself now

[Gott]

holy shit, I typed michael jackson instead of jordan................... I think i'll go kill myself now
I don't want to know why you were thinking about Michael Jackson playing basketball in short shorts sweating wearing no under shirt playing tight defense against you trying to steal your.. ball.

[IcedEmotion]

They'll probably keep the name a few more years, then they'll switch to Troy Aikman Football... or does another company still own the rights to that name?

[kabob983]

Wasn't there (once upon a time) a "Joe Montana" football or am I imagining it? I know that Madden is a much bigger name but it seems that eventually it'll have to die off.

[JustinSane]

I think they will keep the Madden name forever. It'd be dumb to drop it.

[IcedEmotion]

Wasn't there (once upon a time) a "Joe Montana" football or am I imagining it? I know that Madden is a much bigger name but it seems that eventually it'll have to die off.

There was, I think it was a Sega franchise if I remember correctly.

[Version_3]

Wasn't there (once upon a time) a "Joe Montana" football or am I imagining it? I know that Madden is a much bigger name but it seems that eventually it'll have to die off.

Yes. I remember it from Genesis, back in the early 90's. I think they made Montana games until he left the 49ers. Not too sure about that last part.

[Redshirt #24]

Name recognition will keep the Madden name around for at least another few iterations (say, through Madden '12 or so), but after that I honestly don't know. Unless they go with a player's name, is there really a "good" replacement that's that well-known?

[kabob983]

I think they will keep the Madden name forever. It'd be dumb to drop it.

True, but as I mentioned above, I'm guessing most football fans knew who Joe Montana was back in the day, I'm guessing if you asked alot of the youth today they'd have no clue. How long until Madden's name recognition dies off?

[kabob983]

Name recognition will keep the Madden name around for at least another few iterations (say, through Madden '12 or so), but after that I honestly don't know. Unless they go with a player's name, is there really a "good" replacement that's that well-known?

Exactly my point, sooner or later (it might not be for 10 years, who knows), they're going to have to drop it.

[IcedEmotion]

Name recognition will keep the Madden name around for at least another few iterations (say, through Madden '12 or so), but after that I honestly don't know. Unless they go with a player's name, is there really a "good" replacement that's that well-known?

I can see it now... EA presents Tony Kornheiser Football.

[Creepingdeath1977]

Yeah I think EA's already said it will stay the same for awhile.

I personally think it should be Collinsworth 2010:p

[earnstaf]

Wasn't there (once upon a time) a "Joe Montana" football or am I imagining it? I know that Madden is a much bigger name but it seems that eventually it'll have to die off.

There was a Joe Montana game. I had it for the Genesis (probably around '92) and it was one of the first that had actual play by play commentating. I think it's arguable that Madden is a bigger name than Montana. Well, maybe the younger generation doesnt know Joe Montana, but they would if they were actually football fans. Johnny Unitis is well before my time and I know who he is :)

As for the Madden name in regards to EA football games, I imagine it will live on forever. I bet there are guys/kids who love playing Madden but could not tell you a single thing about the man's career as a football coach or even as a broadcaster. Madden is synonymous with console football and I doubt that want to lose that "brand".

[IcedEmotion]

Yeah I think EA's already said it will stay the same for awhile.

I personally think it should be Collinsworth 2010:p

I think it will be an ex-player who is now doing broadcasting as they would have the largest recognition among fans. Collinsworth and Aikman were the two that I thought of first, which is why I was only half-kidding when I mentioned Aikman.

[kabob983]

I agree, Madden is synonymous with football video games, but there will eventually be a time where kids ask "umm, who is this Madden guy and why is his name on this game?"

I agree, they'll use it as long as it still makes sense to do so, but eventually it'll have to change.

[Spaceman_Spiff]

I think a lot of people, especially younger ones, know madden first and foremost as the video game guy, followed by a broadcaster. They don't recognize him as a great coach, which is what got him his start in all of this in the first place. Its all name recognition, and the people buying it don't know the history anyway, so why would anything change? Also, his being on the air all the time was in no way crucial to the success of the franchise. Now that I think about it, good for him for not plugging and promoting at every opportunity...a lot of other companies and people would definitely have done so.

[Technoob]

You don't throw away an established brand name just because madden's not broadcasting anymore.

[IcedEmotion]

You don't throw away an established brand name just because madden's not broadcasting anymore.

No, but there will be a time in the next decade where the young kids buying games ask 'Who's Madden and why does he have his own football game?'. At or before that point they will likely change the name, which is why we are having this discussion.

I don't think anybody expects a change in the next few years.

[Zellio2009]

Now is the time to be honest!

Call it: Glitchy buggy football game with new player models this year.

[kabob983]

As a photoshop I saw called it, "Roster Update 2010!!"

[LeviathanZERO]

No, but there will be a time in the next decade where the young kids buying games ask 'Who's Madden and why does he have his own football game?'. At or before that point they will likely change the name, which is why we are having this discussion.

I don't think anybody expects a change in the next few years.

Anybody that knows football, also knows football history.
Ex. The Super Bowl Trophy is called the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

If you know the name of that trophy, you know who Vince Lombardi is. Madden isnt going anywhere.

[IcedEmotion]

Anybody that knows football, also knows football history.
Ex. The Super Bowl Trophy is called the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

If you know the name of that trophy, you know who Vince Lombardi is. Madden isnt going anywhere.

This assumes that the majority of Madden fans 'know football'. ;)

[LeviathanZERO]

This assumes that the majority of Madden fans 'know football'. ;)

You do make an excellent point...;):D

I'm with Kabob on this one, "Roster Update" has an honest conotation.... but this is an EA game, soooooooo................

[kabob983]

This assumes that the majority of Madden fans 'know football'. ;)

About as much as most NASCAR fans know driving... :P

[kuyaglen]

Tecmo Bowl

[bigdogchris]

Just because he's not announcing anymore doesn't mean he can't still collect checks in the mail from a company slapping his name on the box. I see them removing the Madden name from their football game hurting their business more than him not announcing anymore.

[kabob983]

Yeah, but it's about how long will his name carry enough clout to justify putting on the game?

[inotocracy]

Does it matter? It'll still be Madden even if the name changes.

[MetalX]

Too lazy to read the thread but what the hell do you think they'll be called OP? Why would the name change?

[ScreamingBroccoli]

Wow, if it ever becomes Chris Weeniesworth football I'll never play it again.

[Spaceman_Spiff]

Yeah, but it's about how long will his name carry enough clout to justify putting on the game?

At this point, he's not the one selling the game, it sells itself. His name is ubiquitous with football video games.

[kabob983]

At this point, he's not the one selling the game, it sells itself. His name is ubiquitous with football video games.

I understand, 100% on the same page, but in 2020 when a kid goes to a store to buy "Madden 2021" they're not going to know who the heck he is.

Just watch, eventually it'll be "Flutie 2021" and such.

[Spaceman_Spiff]

I understand, 100% on the same page, but in 2020 when a kid goes to a store to buy "Madden 2021" they're not going to know who the heck he is.

Just watch, eventually it'll be "Flutie 2021" and such.

I really don't think it matters though. Someone else brought up Lombardi, who is a good example. Most people may not know why exactly he was revolutionary, what kind of a coach he was, what kind of offensive and defensive schemes he ran, etc, etc, but they at least recognize his name and know he was a really good coach. It goes the same for other sports also, doesn't jordan still have a shoe line?

[Draax]

Tur-duck-in sports?

[tuaarita]

All EA sports games will be called 'cancelled' I hope.

[IcedEmotion]

All EA sports games will be called 'cancelled' I hope.

That's harsh, they make a great NHL game... other than that I agree.

[kabob983]

It goes the same for other sports also, doesn't jordan still have a shoe line?

Methinks Jordan was a bigger name than Madden will ever be, plus he's still very active. Not necessarily in basketball but he's got his own line of shoes, he owns a relatively big motorcycle racing team, and of course everyone's trying to wear his underwear.

But I do get the point.

[IcedEmotion]

I just think you guys are overestimating the marketing types at EA. Eventually sales will dip, or at least not meet expectations. As soon as that happens they'll make the assumption that the brand isn't relevant any longer and needs a new name. So while football types will remember Madden for decades, hot-shot marketing types will say "Why do we have this dead guy on the cover of our game?".

[Superfly3176]

He barely did any commentary in the last madden. Collinsworth is annoying too.