Last week the world of video games opened up its arms to the rest of the world in what I call “Casual Tuesday.” Yes, the new Madden is here and let me tell you something, Internets: you’d better get used to it. I know the Wii fans are used to it by now, but then again, if you’re a Wii fan you’re most likely already dressed in flip flops and a Hawaiian shirt, ready for the weekend.
Several times throughout the year, Microsoft and Sony roll out the red carpet to the casual crowd and invite them to stick their grubby little fingers on the same controller that I use to chainsaw grubs in Gears of War 2, and... well, nevermind. I don’t do anything on my PS3, besides watch movies. You get the picture, though. Upon the launch of a new Madden or NBA Live -- excuse me, NBA Elite -- title, the casual fans come out in droves to experience the midnight launch. Much like the rest of us do whenever a GTA, Halo or Call of Duty title gets released, these casuals line up like jerks, yell “Wooo!” at the checkout stand, and act like idiots for a new game. Yes, they finally get to participate in what we have come to take for granted.
Grab your Gamestop/Wal-Mart/Best Buy exclusive pre-order swag and hit the jump.
Electronic Arts has survived and thrived for numerous years, all thanks to their bread and butter: the Madden franchise. Granted, they’ve had some great studios waving their flag, but for the most part Madden is their baby. It has allowed them to become a successful company, because honestly, Mail Order Monsters just wasn’t going to do it for them. Because of the greatness that is John Madden Football, EA made quality hardcore and niche titles, respectively. The Battlefield series, Mirror’s Edge, Mass Effect, Crysis, Dante’s Inferno and Army of Two are all EA games that the hardcore and niche audience could enjoy, thanks to the casual pandering that is John Madden Football.
A good comparison comes from an old episode of Living Single, where the snooty character of Regine is utterly disturbed when she discovers that the owner of a swanky, uppity boutique she adores also runs a chain of bargain bin thrift shops. His explanation is that the thrift shops help keep his boutique afloat, whereas the boutique claims “brisk” business is they sell one pair of socks throughout a week. The same could be said for EA and the Madden franchise.
I’m not saying that these games can’t stand on their own, but a niche game like Crysis or Mirror’s Edge can’t go toe to toe sales-wise with Madden. Casuals will buy it... every year, blindly. They won’t gripe or complain because one minute detail isn’t the way they want it to be, or because, by golly it’s the same game as last year with updated rosters! Hardcore and niche gamers complain. They complain because the sash on the sprite’s waist doesn’t match the color of their eyes, because the rendering doesn’t match specifically the way it looks in real life, because when throwing a knife it doesn’t bounce realistically, or maybe because the shadows on the ground aren’t pin-point accurate to the positioning of the sun, the big dipper and that star that their significant other purchased for them instead of buying a real gift.
EA doesn’t hear want to hear your whining.
So yes, they gladly roll out the red carpet to these Madden guys, who will gladly plop down 60 dollars for a roster update and wavier grass. Why would they complain? Casual gamers for the most part don’t play online, so they’ll never know the outrage and utter disgust of playing a game online, winning, then having your opponent rage quit on you. It’s enough to make you yell “Khan!” into the mic... that is, if your opponent’s name was in fact Khan.
Casual gamers don’t have that problem, which is why EA has never bothered to truly address the issue of rage quitting. I guarantee you if the hordes and hordes of bro’s, Joe’s, investment bankers, high school gym teachers, gangsta’s, wanksta’s and pranksta’s brought rage quitting up to the EA gods, John Madden himself would appear in his party bus to hold a press conference to talk about the evils of rage quitting.
For all you casual gamers, go ahead and host your Madden tournaments at the frat house. Be my guest and cut in line at the launch party. Try that at any other launch party and we’ll... we’ll... glower at you then write in our blogs about the jerk who cut in front of us at the launch party. But we’ll do it angrily, and IN ALL CAPS!!! Enjoy yourselves, casual Maddeners, I’ll hold onto my 2005 edition and blog about how it’s the last great Madden game out there. Enjoy your keggers, Four Lokos, St. Ides and wine tastings with your Madden game. I’ve got chinese food, Red Bull and an all night session of Darksiders to keep me happy. And in the end, I just might blog about it! Cheers.
PS: Save Carmine!
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