On the road this week for business, I was excited to pick up my copy of USA Today this morning and see a terrific story on the history of Madden. 

Click here to read it.  

As I’m quoted as saying in the story: “We don’t so much as launch Madden any more, we celebrate its arrival”, and it’s quite a celebration at Tiburon this week.  Our Madden development team has put together a truly breakthrough game this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this great franchise – something we’re extremely proud of.  And it’s nice to see the critics agree.  Madden was named best sports game of E3 in the official “Game Critics Best of Show Awards” that were announced yesterday.  Congrats also to EA’s other nominees for this category, including: NBA LIVE, Skate It and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR.

And so much for what I said in yesterday’s post about welcoming Brett back to Green Bay.  As we all continue to watch this saga unfold, reports have Brett heading to Tampa Bay next year.  Who knows.  But since I’ve had many people asking, I just want to set the record straight – Madden NFL 09 will hit stores next Tuesday with Brett wearing his Packers green and gold, as we celebrate his legacy as one of the great QBs to ever play the game and someone’s who’s been with us from the early days of John Madden Football.  But what’s most important is what’s in the game – and by the start of the season, we’ll have a roster patch that will ensure that, in the game, Brett is on whatever team he’s playing for this season.    

Who could have imagined the offseason would be this fun?

We’re under a week to go until Madden launch.  Don’t forget to look for me next week at Maddenpalooza.