It's Madden Day. Thousands of people have been furiously thumbing away since midnight, thousands more will pick up the game today. The Madden franchise has become such a cultural touchstone that it's release is now one of those big, sloppy late news stories waiting to happen: look at the crazy gamers! They've been waiting for hours!
Which is to say Madden is something people will queue up for like funnel cakes or really big Powerball tickets. I will not be in the queue. I'll be happily sitting and playing my sixth season of NCAA 08.
Now I'm not a huge NFL guy. My Sunday's--following marathon Saturday's of course--are just as happily spent watching a movie as whatever pro game I happen to get, but that really has nothing to do with video games. Have you seen some of the guys on Madden Nation? I don't think half of them have ever seen a real, live football game so you can be a fan of the franchise without being a fan of a franchise.
I'll probably fiddle with Madden 08 somewhere down the road, possibly a rental, more likely with somebody who's more serious about video games than I am, but I'm not buying it. I'm a college guy and I happily embrace everything that statement means, both good and bad. For example:
- I care more about the names on the front of the jerseys than the ones on the back. That's a cliche and I love it.
- I am willing to sacrifice superior gameplay for the ability to recruit fake high school kids and run the option.
- I like fight songs better than foolish rap songs written about video games.
- I don't purchase Madden out of loyalty.
How do you get your video football fix?
The options are at right, vote early and vote often.
Last week's result: Two-thirds of the voting public feels that Sam Keller will exceed Zac Taylor's numbers from last year, but given the fact that the Sunshine State Slinger threw for 20(!) touchdowns(!) in only seven(!) games I thought the victory would be even more decisive.
Not trying to take anything away from Keller, I just have a feeling that at the end of 2007 we'll realize how well Zac actually played while in Lincoln.
3 comments:
I was woundering if you got into Madden. One of the nerds I work with has this week off to play M08. Rental for me as well... could be interesting on my Wii though.
For the last I-don't-know-how-many years I've picked up Madden on the first day...But I've sworn off that this year (as every year, I'm so consumed with NCAA that I never play more than a game or two of Madden until about February). Not this year...I'll buy it, but I'm gonna wait until it comes down to 30 bucks or so.
My favorite detail from NCAA 08 so far: I was recruiting the #1 HB in the country out of Loozeanna and he wanted me to promise him his lucky number. I couldn't say yes quick enough considering he wanted #79. Not sure how he got it or what made it lucky but every carry brings me joy, and, it left more single digits for my defensive front seven.
I don't care how bad you are, if you're a d-end and you're wearing #6 you're instantly two-tenths of a second faster in the 40 and increase your draft position by two rounds.
Post a Comment