Build Your NFL Dream Team with Madden Ultimate Team (Press Release)

[Steve_OS]

EA SPORTS Introduces All-New Game Mode for Madden NFL 10

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – November 4th 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today the addition of Madden Ultimate Team, a new, strategic game mode for the critically acclaimed Madden NFL 10 on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system. Take the challenge to create the definitive NFL team, by collecting virtual cards that include everything from NFL superstars, head coaches, stadiums and much more. Perfect for card collectors and fantasy football gurus, Madden Ultimate Team provides a unique football experience, giving you total control over building a single team in the quest to be crowned the ultimate Madden team.

The award-winning Madden NFL 10 has achieved new franchise records for online play, with over 45 million online games played on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, since its worldwide launch on August 14, 2009. With more than 2 million online users waiting for a new challenge, Madden Ultimate Team provides the opportunity to put your personally crafted team up against the rest of the world.

“Madden Ultimate Team is yet another example of how EA SPORTS is expanding the Madden NFL experience to all types of gamers. Card collecting and fantasy football are huge parts of an NFL fan’s lifestyle and we took the best of both worlds and combined it with Madden NFL 10,” said Jeremy Strauser, Executive Producer for Madden NFL 10 and Madden Ultimate Team. “It’s not just about building a team of players, as you have to also manage coaches, injuries, and team chemistry. It doesn’t matter if you’re a hardcore Madden NFL player, a fantasy football fan, or just an NFL fan – Madden Ultimate Team brings something for everyone.”

Madden Ultimate Team allows fans to collect up to nine types of cards through, platinum, gold, silver and bronze virtual packs. The customization options are endless as you are responsible for selecting everything from the team playbook to the uniforms. Earn coins to buy new cards or card packs through your performance on the field, acquire new cards through the auction block, or purchase card packs through the in-game store. Collect cards with players from the same pro and college team to get an on-field chemistry boost. Collect rare, legendary player cards to put your team over the top, like the 1999 Vikings Randy Moss and the 1995 Packers Brett Favre player cards. You can even back up Brett with his 2009 Vikings player card. Build a dynasty through weekly online deals or find the final missing piece to your team’s puzzle.

Easily select the starting offense, defense, and special teams or have Madden Ultimate Team do it for you. Once your team is set to your liking, put it to the test against human opponents or against the CPU. See how your team stacks up against other Madden Ultimate Team players via online learderboards and prove you are the best of the best.

The Madden Ultimate Team game mode will be available free for Madden NFL 10 in January, via Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network. NFL fans can experience the new game mode by creating a team with the provided starter pack of players and other virtual cards, and jump right onto the field. Madden NFL 10 and an internet connection is required for play.

Madden Ultimate Team is rated E for everyone by the ESRB and is developed in Orlando, Florida by the EA Tiburon studio, which also produces NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® and EA SPORTS™ MMA.

[Valdarez]

Bronze, Silver, Gold players... with the possibility of Legends. Players play like they did in their prime... gee... now where have I heard that concept before???

APF2K8 ripoff anyone???

[SmashMan]

Couldn't go one reply before the bashing continued.

The press release didn't really say any more than the Gamespot preview, but I guess it's nice to see "officially". Thanks for posting it.

[Valdarez]

There's no bashing here, it's easy to see the comparison between the two though for anyone whose played APF2K8.

[maademperor]

edit-reading it more closely, it seems you can earn this stuff by playing but still....

how come they are going to put coach/chemistry type stuff in this but not in a standard franchise mode????

[jethrotull]

Another money grab. If you have played NCAA Football 2010 then I am sure you have enjoyed what an online dynasty is all about. Madden is a great game, but you would think they would fix the online dynasty option first with DLC or whatever. This is a stupid idea and a waste of money. The starter pack is free, but we all know how it works.

[rspencer86]

Quote: Originally Posted by jethrotull

Another money grab. If you have played NCAA Football 2010 then I am sure you have enjoyed what an online dynasty is all about. Madden is a great game, but you would think they would fix the online dynasty option first with DLC or whatever. This is a stupid idea and a waste of money. The starter pack is free, but we all know how it works.

Of course it's a money grab. EA runs a business, not a charity.

Plus, you can play this mode without ever paying a cent, so I don't see what the big deal is. Sure, I would rather they devote the extra resources to beefing up online franchise or something of more substance, but this could be a fun distraction for some.

[jaymee13]

Seems like this is put in place to give football fans a new option that will bring them through the 6 months of no football on tv. Coming out in January is genious.

[oregonelite]

Quote: Originally Posted by jaymee13

Seems like this is put in place to give football fans a new option that will bring them through the 6 months of no football on tv. Coming out in January is genious.

Exactly right, it is a way to keep people interested in the game after the Super Bowl. Honestly, I think it will be great fun.

[Valdarez]

Quote: Originally Posted by jethrotull

Another money grab. If you have played NCAA Football 2010 then I am sure you have enjoyed what an online dynasty is all about. Madden is a great game, but you would think they would fix the online dynasty option first with DLC or whatever. This is a stupid idea and a waste of money. The starter pack is free, but we all know how it works.

Agreed, but I would much rather see them adding features like this where they can get a new revenue stream as opposed to adding overlay Ads that obscure gameplay. If this makes 'em more $$$ then more power to them on it.