As I mentioned when we migrated to this new format for the blog a couple of weeks ago, one of the things I was looking forward to being able to do was to share more videos.  As we get deeper into the production and launch cycle for our 2008 games, we’ll have plenty to share.  To get things started, I wanted to give you a behind-the-scenes taste of life at EA Redwood Shores, where I am based full time.  Obviously, our two main development studios are just outside of Vancouver (EA Canada) and in Orlando (Tiburon), but I thought you may like a look at what goes on back in the Bay Area, including our player’s lounge, sports bar, my desk and video conferencing area.  Take a look. 

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By now, I gather you’ve all seen our news last week about our Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition.  As anticipation starts to grow for August, there were a few common themes that I wanted to pick up on from many of the posts and chatter on the boards the past few days.

1.    Reviews were mixed when we shipped NFL Head Coach a couple of years ago.  Believe me, I think I’ve heard most of the good and bad on that one, mostly from our development teams who are acutely aware of everything you liked and didn’t like…down to the finest details.  From what I’ve seen of new Head Coach, this is an entirely new game.  I know you don’t want to just hear that from me, so listen to our producers over the next few months talk and show you everything they’ve done to re-work a concept that has a ton of potential, especially with how we’re creating a connected experience between Madden and Head Coach.

2.    We knew that our decision to not develop this year’s Madden for the PC would be an unpopular decision in some circles.  But I’ll reiterate what I said a couple of weeks ago in this space…the PC presents some very serious business challenges to us in the sports category, particularly because so many of you all are playing your favorite sports games on the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii.  We are committed to shipping a limited number of our games on the PC this year, but we’ve also had to cut a few of our games from the platform.  We do have ideas for how to revitalize the PC for sports games and the types of games that are best suited to the platform, and we’ll continue to explore those.

Couple of other quick notes…  

Last time I mentioned that I’d be speaking with Will Brooks, founder of MyFootballClub.co.uk.  We had a terrific conversation late last week, and I’ll be sharing some of that over the next couple of weeks on the blog.  You don’t have to be a football fan to find what Will is doing fascinating, so hopefully that will be something to look forward to.  

You’ll no doubt be happy to hear that I have climbed out of the basement of the EA SPORTS March Madness bracket (which, by the way, benefits a great charitable organization, the Jimmy V Foundation -  http://www.jimmyv.org/). I head to San Antonio for The Final Four on Friday, and I will report back to you on what goes on during this great sports weekend.

Liverpool produced a workmanlike performance to beat Everton on Sunday morning, and unlike last weekend, made the early alarm call worthwhile. Big game versus Arsenal on Wednesday night – wish us luck.

Oh, and play ball!!! Go Sox…