September 1, 2010

Madden Football. On Facebook….I hope everyone is ready.

EA Sports launched the newest version of its ‘Madden’ franchise of video games on the world’s largest social networking site.  The game, dubbed “Madden NFL Superstars” marks the first time that Madden has appeared as a social game.

Apparently, EA Sports realized what millions of people already know; people like to waste obscene amounts of time on Facebook.

“We’re really chasing after consumers in places where they are spending more time,” said Peter Moore, president of EA Sports.

Of course, hardcore gamers expecting the greatness that is Madden 2011 2010 (zing!) will be disappointed.  EA worked with social gaming company Playfish — they acquired Playfish last November — to create the Madden NFL Superstars game.  The game plays much more like an NFL team manager game, than an actual football game, as players manage and acquire players, but never control the actual players on the field.

The company hopes the game will encourage Facebook gamers to play “Madden” on the console, Moore said.

And how does EA Sports plan to monetize the Madden NFL Superstars game?  The same way everyone monetizes on Facebook:  allowing users to buy credits for player upgrades, frequent game play and the like.

I don’t know if the game will have the desired effect (make people play the console game) but I certainly expect good returns for EA.  Those small purchases of credits add up quickly…just ask all of the people that play Farmville.

h/t to J.W. Cannon

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