The World of Madden Video Games

To some, Electronic Arts Madden NFL series is just a video game, but for a rising number of people ages 14 - 40 this has become a way of life. The game has become somewhat of a pop culture phenomenom. With a yearly series on ESPN and Best Buy promoted tournaments held throughout the country with a payout of $50,000 gift card, people of all ages are traveling to cities far and beyond to compete at a chance to make the finals. They are forming "crews" in cities and on the internet. They travel to other cities to play in tournaments that are not highly promoted for prizes of $500 to $5000 dollars. I have come across dozens of forum style websites where they discuss strategy and talk smack to one another.

I recently participated in one of these tournaments held at a local gamestore that was promoted by a local "Madden Crew". They were offering $3000 dollars to the winner of a double elimination competition. The thing I could not help but notice was the amount of arrogant players I came across. They would talk smack to the guy standing next to them and some would even slam the controller when they made a mistake or just lacked the skill to compete. I noticed that there were guys who brought playbooks and cheatsheets to study before their turn at video game glory. If a respected player was playing then the people would crowd them to "oooh" and "ahhh" their every succesful play.

So I ask myself, what is so great about this game? Well, the best answer I could come up with was the whole Offense vs Defense is rather addictive. You choose the plays and control your Quarterback along with your fate. So, I guess the whole control factor an the incentives of cash could be what does it. I have to admit I had fun in the tournament I participated in, but I can't say that I can excuse the somewhat grown men that sit in a game store surrounded by kids and they speak vulgar and have fits of rage when they play. I would have overlooked this 2 years ago pre-fatherhood. The Madden community has become another social network. Its the Myspace of video games, except with less sexual predators. I hope!

photo taken from http://www.madden09.com