Madden 07 sets career sales record

Electronic Arts' estimate puts latest football game at 2 million copies sold in first week--most ever for 17-year franchise.

If Electronic Arts' estimation of the sales success of Madden NFL 07 is accurate, this year's game could be headed to the Hall of Fame in no time. The publisher believes that more than 2 million copies of the game have been sold across all platforms in just its first week of release.

This year's first-week sales are up 12 percent over Madden NFL 06's 1.8 million units sold over the same period last year, says EA. Though the franchise has always performed well in retail during its 17-year career, EA's estimation makes Madden NFL 07 the best-selling game in the franchise's history of first-week performance.

Earlier today, Microsoft claimed that the Xbox 360 version had logged more than 2 million hours of online play over Xbox Live--the equivalent of 228 years in just one week.

Of course, one of the reasons the game could be selling well is because football fans who want to get their game on don't really have any other choices. In late 2004, EA struck a five-year deal to obtain the exclusive rights to make NFL-licensed games--it later also acquired Arena Football and NCAA college football licenses. The only other high-profile pro-football franchise is Midway's Blitz: The League, which focuses on a seamy, drug-addled, violent, and completely fictional football league.

Madden NFL 07 is rated E for Everyone and was released on all current-gen platforms and the Xbox 360 on August 22. PlayStation 3 and Wii versions are currently in development. For more information on the game, read GameSpot's review.

195 Comments

  • puppiemaster

    Posted Sep 3, 2006 2:36 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • unleashed_dw

    Posted Sep 2, 2006 7:26 pm PT

    "Of course, one of the reasons the game could be selling well is because football fans who want to get their game on don't really have any other choices."

    Of course we don't have any other choices and that is not one of the reasons it's the only reason. The 2K series in basketball and football alike is better than that garbage EA makes. I mean EA's sports games look nice but that's it and i don't think i'll buy another football game soon but i'll buy NBA 2K7 because it does not have E A on it and i don't care what you EA fanboys say i'm not changing unless Ea changes!!

  • Da1ShrpSh0trGrl

    Posted Sep 2, 2006 9:54 am PT

    I guess a good cover for this game review should be: "When Bad Games Happen to Good People." :p

  • tomservo51

    Posted Sep 2, 2006 9:06 am PT

    Depressing when bad games do so well. Bad for the industry as a whole.

  • Killagorilla27

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 11:25 pm PT

    *Heavy Sigh* This is exactly what EA wanted. They make maximum profit from minimal effort. While most have lauded EA's NFL takeover manuver, idiots who don't care about quality in their football games go out in droves and buy the hell out of it. The smartest business decision they could've made, but the gamers lose big time on this one...

  • Sickboy_NOLA

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 2:09 pm PT

    This is the Madden I bought in years. Go Saints!!!

  • PrinceAdam11

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 1:53 pm PT

    EA has been doing a disservice to fans for quite sometime. The fact that majortiy ppl that play madden have a playstation, it is obivious that EA didnt care and went to where the money was. If EA or sony cared the playstation would have been at the challenge. Nov. 7 from the same ppl that delayed the console over and over again.

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 1:41 pm PT

    im pretty sure EA didnt want to display the game on the old systems and ps3 aint coming out anytime soon so the 360 was the only choice.

    The Madden Challenge isn't a showcase. It's the biggest nationwide gaming tournament there is. The XBOX (1) is the main console in the tournament this year, the 360. To be more exact, 512 people can register in each city to play in the XBOX tourney. Only 32 (or maybe it was 64) can register to play on the 360 in each city. They have a duty to make sure all their Madden fanbase is represented and considering over 50% of Maddens sold are for PS2, I'd say they're doing their "fans" a disservice. Oh, and by the way, the PS3 is coming out in November. I'd say 2 and a half months is pretty soon.

  • PrinceAdam11

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 1:34 pm PT

    im pretty sure EA didnt want to display the game on the old systems and ps3 aint coming out anytime soon so the 360 was the only choice.

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 1:23 pm PT

    EA has the same ego trip that sony has!!!

    or maybe Microsoft considering they paid EA (sponsored) to have only Microsoft consoles at this year's Madden Challenge

  • PrinceAdam11

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 1:19 pm PT

    EA has the same ego trip that sony has!!!

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 1:18 pm PT

    At least in those games we get new levels or areas, story and much more.

    Come on, that's all? I could come up with a detailed story with plot twists and everything in a week by myself. New areas/levels? Come on, they HAVE to have new areas/levels. Madden also technically has new areas/levels if you talk about the redesign of the stadiums for the next-gen versions. First tell me how much different Dragon Warrior 3 is from 2 or how different Megaman 3 is from 2 and then you can make fun of Madden.

  • FlashNovice

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 1:18 pm PT

    Keep up da good work EA...

    Although I don't tihnk it won't sell as good as Halo:CE or Halo 2

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 1:11 pm PT

    Makes me laugh that people want to play the same boring game year after year. The gameplay is exactly the same yet people willing to pay $50-$60. And the people who compare this to Zelda, Resident Evil, Mega Man got to stop. At least in those games we get new levels or areas, story and much more. Madden is just the same rehashed crap year after year really wish people would stop buying this junk, just reinforces companies to make bad games.

    I made that comparison and I stand by it. First off, the development cycle for all those other games are MUCH longer than that of Madden. Secondly, let's take Megaman 3 for example (one of my favorite games). What was so different between that game and Megaman 2 really? The base game is almost exactly the same. All that's different are the levels (which take a while, but they have a long time), weapons and enemies (plus story, but that's usually the job of 1 or 2 guys). That's not much. They're not rehauling the gameplay or graphics system and if they do it's very minor. I doubt you even play Madden. I agree that Madden this year may actually be a step backwards, but from the way you talk I doubt that you ever gave Madden a chance.

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 1:03 pm PT

    Good for the madden team I guess. I just hope that Live 07 on the 360 wont be a joke.

    or PS3 considering they're both coming out around the same time

  • mat2g

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 1:01 pm PT

    Good for the madden team I guess. I just hope that Live 07 on the 360 wont be a joke.

  • Paulf001

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 12:59 pm PT

    Makes me laugh that people want to play the same boring game year after year. The gameplay is exactly the same yet people willing to pay $50-$60. And the people who compare this to Zelda, Resident Evil, Mega Man got to stop. At least in those games we get new levels or areas, story and much more. Madden is just the same rehashed crap year after year really wish people would stop buying this junk, just reinforces companies to make bad games.

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 12:48 pm PT

    Since when does one game out selling another make it a better game???FIFA outsells Winning Eleven/Pro Evo every year, is it a better game?? HELL NO.The reason this happens is cos all the kiddies want to play the "offical game", and others just recognise the "madden" name, so automatically assume it's the better game. This really sucks, cos I love football games and to have only have madden as a choice hurts, cos there's no way I'm buying another EA Sports made game.

    Where did I say that Madden was better because it outsold NFL2K? I said that Madden 2005 was very good because many 2K5 supporters forget to add (or don't even know) that Madden had a solid outing that year as well.

    Also, you're wrong about "kiddies" wanting to play the "official game". Kids don't care about that. When 2K was out, trust me, kids did not buy Madden for the "official game". I don't even believe that Madden was the "official game" when 2K was out.

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 12:43 pm PT

    in fact I think that every Madden since at least 04 has sold more than the previous year's

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 12:41 pm PT

    YOu guys are ridiculous. The article says it set FRANCHISE RECORDS! That means that they set personal best records. Generally, I expect each year's Madden to beat the previous versions' sales.

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 12:37 pm PT

    Madden 08 will be better. Mark my words. The Madden team had to concentrate on developing a decent next-gen experience so the XBOX/PS2 versions were screwed. Although the PS2/XBOX versions may not get much extra next year, Madden 08 will be great for 360/PS3. They'll have a solid base to work on with the 360 version of Madden (unlike 06 which was HORRIBLE for 360). Quote me or whatever, but that's what's going to happen.

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 12:33 pm PT

    madden doesnt have a competitor either

    Madden had NFL2K and to a lesser extent Gamday (Gameday was solid in the PS1 era). NCAA never really had any good game to compete with. Visual Concept's NCAA2K wasn't very good.

  • LordBrittish

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 12:32 pm PT

    So, they have a "Football Video Game Monopoly?"

    No wonder they are setting records?!

  • smithers101

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 12:32 pm PT

    arthururatani
    "The sales would still be up there with 2K still out. While 2K is a great franchise in the opinion of many, it's always been the underdog to Madden. Even 2K5, the supposed high point in the series was outsold by a Madden at least 2 to 1 (Madden 05 was very good that year as well). Although I don't have final sales numbers, I think Madden 05 sold NFL 2K5 3 to 1 or 4 to 1."

    Since when does one game out selling another make it a better game???
    FIFA outsells Winning Eleven/Pro Evo every year, is it a better game?? HELL NO.
    The reason this happens is cos all the kiddies want to play the "offical game", and others just recognise the "madden" name, so automatically assume it's the better game.
    This really sucks, cos I love football games and to have only have madden as a choice hurts, cos there's no way I'm buying another EA Sports made game.

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 12:31 pm PT

    Great - thanks to all the Madden clones, we can count on 3 more years of sub-standard efforts from EA.

    why? What happens after that. 3 years of great Maddens?

  • SnakeBit

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 12:26 pm PT

    The game is on 8 platforms, has no competition, would have been a huge disappointment had they not set records. Sad that the record gets set with such a sub-par offering.

  • gamerTag-shank

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 12:09 pm PT

    Great - thanks to all the Madden clones, we can count on 3 more years of sub-standard efforts from EA.

  • staticxwm

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 11:59 am PT

    madden doesnt have a competitor either

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 11:29 am PT

    Coheed, NCAA Football unlike Madden hasn't had a strong competitor, so buying the license won't be as "bad" as it was for Madden

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 11:26 am PT

    crck, I wasn't denying that EA was scared of the 2K series or whatever. I was simply responding to the comment that said Madden would have sold 1/2 of what it's currently selling if the 2K series was still around.

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 11:23 am PT

    although I've been supporting Madden throughout this thread, I say screw EA for allowing Microsoft to only have an XBOX and 360 Madden Challenge tournaments this year (no PS2 Madden Challenge this year). Guess, they won't find out who really is the best this year...Again, EA you suck

  • foxhound_fox

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 11:18 am PT

    Ah... monopolies, always screwing us consumers.

  • CoheedIV

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 10:57 am PT

    This just shows that a company, with good advertising, can get away with putting out medicore games after the fact they have monopolized the license. Now that EA has the exclusive rights for NCAA college football, the same thing will happen, more people will buy a less stellar game every year. I still find it funny that people pay $10 more for the Xbox 360 version for less features, not just for Madden, other EA titles too. Not to mention EA's bugs in the Madden Euro version and some issues with games for PSP. You may ask, "why is Madden 07 not that good this year?" The answer is in the article.

  • crck

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 10:38 am PT

    arthururatani
    "The sales would still be up there with 2K still out." So I guess EA just forked over 300 mill to the NFL for fun. They bought the rights for a reason because 2k series was gaining and they were scared.

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 9:24 am PT

    The sales would still be up there with 2K still out. While 2K is a great franchise in the opinion of many, it's always been the underdog to Madden. Even 2K5, the supposed high point in the series was outsold by a Madden at least 2 to 1 (Madden 05 was very good that year as well). Although I don't have final sales numbers, I think Madden 05 sold NFL 2K5 3 to 1 or 4 to 1.

  • huskynu13

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 8:53 am PT

    Madden 07 is on seven systems and is the only football game so its not that big of a deal.

  • saiyanlarry

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 8:43 am PT

    Well obviously. There is only one football franchise out in videogames now so if people want the newest NFL game they all had to buy this one. The sales number would be half what it is if there were an NFL2K7.

  • ssjtrunks6

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 8:36 am PT

    Bravo, but I dont care too much for sports games

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 8:31 am PT

    Again, people like football and people like the core gameplay elements in the Madden franchise. Fans don't want drastic change from year to year. They want to be able to jump into the game they love and have grown accustomed to over the years and not feel like they have to relearn how to play. The same can be said of other types of games (not only sports games). Disgaea 2 recently released for PS2 is basically Disgaea 1 with a few new gameplay elements, new story, and improved art. Yet, no one (including myself) complains. In fact everyone I've talked to loves it. Take the classics for example, Dragon Warrior 3 is almost exactly the same as Dragon Warrior 2. Megaman 3 is almost exactly like Megaman 2. Final Fantasy 5 is almost exactly like Final Fantasy 4. Suikoden 2 is very similar to Suikoden 1. Ninja Gaiden Black is an upgraded Ninja Gaiden. Yet all these games are loved. Are you starting to get the picture? So what if Madden intoduces very little every year? I don't expect that much and wouldn't want that much change anyway considering a new one comes up EVERY year.

    It's like Fry said in Futurama, "I learned something growing up watching TV my whole life - people don't want something new and exciting, that scares them and makes them angry...they want the same thing they've seen a million times."

  • makemeweak

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 8:29 am PT

    In EA's defense, the game of football doesn't change every year and it is still awesome - so the fact that their series doesn't change dramatically shouldn't affect the "fun" factor of the game. And that's what it's all about, isn't it?

    And I'm no fan of Madden - I haven't picked up a copy since 2000. Hopefully these profits will be spent on other EA developed games.

  • Mercenary19

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 8:24 am PT

    Just means Madden will get worse and worse. I was disappointed with Madden 06 and 07.

  • Robinvd

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 8:21 am PT

    Good job EA.

  • FoxHoundADAM

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 8:19 am PT

    Way to fuel the empire Madden buyers. I hope you're happy when every game you buy in the future is a cheap EA port.

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 8:15 am PT

    Go, EA!!

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 7:51 am PT

    some more great games that are very similar to their predecessors:

    Dragon Warrior 3 to Dragon Warrior 2
    Suikoden 2 to Suikoden 1
    Resident Evil 2 to Resident Evil 1
    Marvel vs. Capcom 2 to Marvel vs. Capcom 1

    Ninja Gaiden Black to Ninja Gaiden (why would people shell out money for basically the same game in this case? Because they love the original XBOX Ninja Gaiden and think the minor upgrades are worth it and make it a better game overall)

  • somuch4gravity

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 7:51 am PT

    i wish tecmo bowl was still around...

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 7:41 am PT

    DoctaStrangelov, it's really quite simple. People like football and people like the core gameplay elements in the Madden franchise. Fans don't want drastic change from year to year. They want to be able to jump into the game they love and have grown accustomed to over the years and not feel like they have to relearn how to play. The same can be said of other types of games (not only sports games). Disgaea 2 recently released for PS2 is basically Disgaea 1 with a few new gameplay elements, new story, and improved art. Yet, no one (including myself) complains. In fact everyone I've talked to loves it. Take the classics for example, Ninja Gaiden 2 is almost exactly like Ninja Gaiden 1. Megaman 3 is almost exactly like Megaman 2. Final Fantasy 5 is almost exactly like Final Fantasy 4. Yet all these games are loved. Are you starting to get the picture? So what if Madden intoduces very little every year? I don't expect that much and wouldn't want that much change anyway considering a new one comes up EVERY year.

    It's like Fry said in Futurama, "I learned something growing up watching TV my whole life - people don't want something new and exciting, that scares them and makes them angry...they want the same thing they've seen a million times."

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 7:31 am PT

    i disagree stewart 24, for their times Madden 01, 02, 04, 05, and 06 were better than 07. Even if we were to compare Madden 06 to Madden 07, I'd almost give the edge to Madden 06 because of faster gameplay and less lame pass interference calls (you get a lot of really cheap PI calls on you when playing as the safety on deep bombs which is EXTREMELY annoying because everyone online loves to bomb the ball. Even if you get called one out of 4 bombs, the calls are WAY TOO SENSITIVE this year. I am in no way trying to disrupt the receiver's route. Fact is most times I have better position/right to the ball than the receiver. The PI calls are bull this year). NCAA 07 is better this year (except for all the gimmicks - momentum, option, impact, home field, etc.)

  • hagame

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 7:27 am PT

    How can you not be the top selling football game when there are no other football games out there to compete against you.

  • arthururatani

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 7:25 am PT

    Dead Rising was the only high profile title to come out on the 360 in while. What else are people going to buy (that only have a 360)? It's not that impressive it sold 500K. It's a great game though, I'm not going to hate.

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