Dispelling the myth that Madden is a casual game

I'm going to lay out the evidence for you nerds who think this is a casual game. No offense, but that's how I view it, nerds who don't like sports and dismiss this game as casual. (You can get offended over that term, but I say it in love, I joke about myself as a video gaming nerd too. So please don't rush to the Gamespot mods because you're overly sensitive.)

There's no denying it has huge sales and attracts people who normally don't play video games, but the essence of this game IS NOT casual. My point is that it's no different than a first-person-shooter. Big sales because the overall concept is appealing and commercial but it attracts a large hardcore community that follows the game religiously.... especially online!

POINT 1: Premium strategy websites

Did you know there are websites that have been in operation for years that make money off of custom strategy guides (NOT the generic Brady Games guides) and online film rooms? These people cover every playbook in full detail, find every exploit available, and the best sites make enough money that the guy who strated the site can quit his regular job. Would you EVER see that in most video games? Can you imagine a game that can keep a site like that in business? An MMORPG is as close as you'll come.

Here's a sample site like that: http://www.maddentips.com/

POINT 2: Online leagues

The PC version has the most online activity from this. People will meet at a designated time, just like they would a real NFL draft, and custom draft their entire team. Someone will then modify the roster to match this, and someone will design a custom website that keeps all stats logged. Gamers will output text files with all their stats to keep this updated. There are even sites for consoles such as www.leaguedaddy.com that offer premium services to keep this updated, just like you would find for many online first-person-shooter communities.

POINT 3: Online fan communities

There are websites that have been in existence for years with fans dedicated to this game. Their message boards are busy 24/7, the tips and files are abundant..... you'll need to find games like Final Fantasy and Half-Life to match this dedication. You WON'T find this with games like Driv3r, movie adaptations, and other typical "casual" titles. There's been a decrease ever since EA announced it wouldn't support the PC version, but you can easily find hundreds of these sites through Google.

POINT 4: The Madden lexicon

Quick! What's a cheeser? Give up? It's someone who plays unrealistic football. (i.e. always going for it on 4th down, constant hurryup, always passing deep, etc.) What does it mean to play str8 football? That means you're a player who coaches your team like a real coach would. Good combination of running/passing, strategically sound choices, etc..... Really now, how many games have communities with their own lexicons? Only the hardcore of the hardcore games have that. For example, MMORPGs coined several terms like PK and griefer. After MMORPGs, Madden might have the most custom gaming terminology.

POINT 5: Madden Tournaments

Does anyone call shooters casual because they have professional gamers who earn thousands of dollars in tourneys? The Madden National Tourney is a HUGE event, that starts in regional locations and spawns upward. You won't find a national tourney for many games, ESPECIALLY not games that are predominantly casual. These thousands of competitors have to come from somewhere. Joe Average won't bother competiting, you need people who spend their every waking hour on video games to create such a big event. The best players even become somewhat of a quasi-celebrity, with their own segments on G4 and such.

SO PLEASE STOP WITH THE MADDEN IS TEH CASUAL JUNK. IT'S NO MORE CASUAL THAN ANY POPULAR SHOOTER OR RPG. JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE SPORTS, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S TEH CASUAL. IT'S SINGLED OUT FOR THE WRONG REASONS WHEN IN FACT IT HAS ONE OF THE MOST HARDCORE GAMING COMMUNITIES OF ANYTHING ON THE MARKET.

No I still think it is, and sports games suck.BigDaddyPOLO

that's fine if you don't like sports games. i'm not a big fan myself. but its hard to deny there is a great bit of strategy and depth to the gameplay.

I still haven't played a Madden game with the depth that NFL 2K, 2K1, and 2K2 had on the Dreamcast. And the fact that they make minimal changes to the game and release a new one every year relying on the strength of the NFL license to sell it makes it a casual title in my book.famicommander

Explain what the added depth was on Dreamcast 2ks that makes Madden appear so casual?

There really is no point to labeling it one way or the other. Some people play it hardcore and some people play it casually. Same thing can be said for just about any game.

I agree, but your missing the point, there are games that are casual, and there are games that are popular with causals, Madden's gameplay is not simple, but it is extremly popular with casuals.

I agree, but your missing the point, there are games that are casual, and there are games that are popular with causals, Madden's gameplay is not simple, but it is extremly popular with casuals.

spidadragon1

No, that's what I stated, and read the above post by Bigboi that better explains this. My point is that too many "hardcore gamers" on Gamespot simply stereotype this game as casual when they dismiss popular shooters, RPGs, and other genres that have the exact same demographics. Large commercial appeal because of the concept, but at its heart, a very big hardcore community.

I'm sorry, it is casual. That's not a bad thing though. It's about as casual as Grand Theft Auto or Halo is. Hardcore gamers can still play them, but there are an overwhelming amount of people that don't even follow games closely that play all those titles as well.-Wheels-

Madden is far more hardcore than GTA. Halo is a hardcore shooter, as far as consoles go, but as far as shooters overall (including PC), it's probably average.

[QUOTE="spidadragon1"]

I agree, but your missing the point, there are games that are casual, and there are games that are popular with causals, Madden's gameplay is not simple, but it is extremly popular with casuals.

The__MCP

No, that's what I stated, and read the above post by Bigboi that better explains this. My point is that too many "hardcore gamers" on Gamespot simply stereotype this game as casual when they dismiss popular shooters, RPGs, and other genres that have the exact same demographics. Large commercial appeal because of the concept, but at its heart, a very big hardcore community.

Let me put it like this. If mostly all you play is Madden, then it's casual. If Madden is one of the many different genres you play, then that's hardcore. I don't like to use those terms, but if you had to have an explanation, there it is.

[QUOTE="The__MCP"][QUOTE="spidadragon1"]

I agree, but your missing the point, there are games that are casual, and there are games that are popular with causals, Madden's gameplay is not simple, but it is extremly popular with casuals.

-Wheels-

No, that's what I stated, and read the above post by Bigboi that better explains this. My point is that too many "hardcore gamers" on Gamespot simply stereotype this game as casual when they dismiss popular shooters, RPGs, and other genres that have the exact same demographics. Large commercial appeal because of the concept, but at its heart, a very big hardcore community.

Let me put it like this. If mostly all you play is Madden, then it's casual. If Madden is one of the many different genres you play, then that's hardcore. I don't like to use those terms, but if you had to have an explanation, there it is.

So the people who spend everyday on World of Warcraft or Everquest and no other game because WoW consumes them that much are casuals?

[QUOTE="-Wheels-"][QUOTE="The__MCP"][QUOTE="spidadragon1"]

I agree, but your missing the point, there are games that are casual, and there are games that are popular with causals, Madden's gameplay is not simple, but it is extremly popular with casuals.

The__MCP

No, that's what I stated, and read the above post by Bigboi that better explains this. My point is that too many "hardcore gamers" on Gamespot simply stereotype this game as casual when they dismiss popular shooters, RPGs, and other genres that have the exact same demographics. Large commercial appeal because of the concept, but at its heart, a very big hardcore community.

Let me put it like this. If mostly all you play is Madden, then it's casual. If Madden is one of the many different genres you play, then that's hardcore. I don't like to use those terms, but if you had to have an explanation, there it is.

So the people who spend everyday on World of Warcraft or Everquest and no other game because WoW consumes them that much are casuals?

No, those people are just insane. They are beyond hardcore. It's like crack I swear.

Sport games are casual.vash47

So you have to be casual to enjoy a sports game? Being good at a sports games take more time than being good at Halo or COD4, I know because I've played all of them. But, being a sports game fans usually mean you enjoy sports and everybody know so-called "hardcore gamers" (lurkers) don't like.

Which leads perfectly into my theory that gamers, and not the games themselves, are casual and hardcore.SpruceCaboose

That's pretty much how it is. It's the player, not the game.

[QUOTE="famicommander"]I still haven't played a Madden game with the depth that NFL 2K, 2K1, and 2K2 had on the Dreamcast. And the fact that they make minimal changes to the game and release a new one every year relying on the strength of the NFL license to sell it makes it a casual title in my book.The__MCP

Explain what the added depth was on Dreamcast 2ks that makes Madden appear so casual?

He's looking through nostalgia goggles. The super NFL 2k fans all harp on about how much better the series was and still is than Madden, but they ALL fail to mention how All Pro 2k8 got destroyed in every way by Madden 08.

Which leads perfectly into my theory that gamers, and not the games themselves, are casual and hardcore.SpruceCaboose

Common sense is a rare thing in here. Well done!

[QUOTE="The__MCP"]

[QUOTE="famicommander"]I still haven't played a Madden game with the depth that NFL 2K, 2K1, and 2K2 had on the Dreamcast. And the fact that they make minimal changes to the game and release a new one every year relying on the strength of the NFL license to sell it makes it a casual title in my book.svetzenlether

Explain what the added depth was on Dreamcast 2ks that makes Madden appear so casual?

He's looking through nostalgia goggles. The super NFL 2k fans all harp on about how much better the series was and still is than Madden, but they ALL fail to mention how All Pro 2k8 got destroyed in every way by Madden 08.

My biggest memory from any 2k game is how freaking easy it is to run. No following blocks required whatsoever, anyone can be a superstar.

The game is for both. Ive played madden, and you gotta give it to EA. They know how to make games for the masses. It has a great deal of features that a person who knows NOTHING about formations or playcalling can still get plays. They have features where hardcore gamers can sub out players at every position with ease from the play call screen.

Anywhoo....the game is for both hardcore and casual gamers. The game has alot of depth. Madden 09 gives you alot of bang for your buck.

I still haven't played a Madden game with the depth that NFL 2K, 2K1, and 2K2 had on the Dreamcast. And the fact that they make minimal changes to the game and release a new one every year relying on the strength of the NFL license to sell it makes it a casual title in my book.famicommander

2K series had depth? I'm sorry, but what are you smoking. Its depth has always paled compared to madden's.

I coulda sworn by now people would have stopped saying madden releases the same game each year, especially with this year's...