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Posted
Apr 01 2008, 07:34 PM
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.
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…
Posted
Mar 27 2008, 03:14 AM
So it’s 6am Sunday and I’m here in the office at Redwood Shores. Why? Workaholic? Nope. Stupid? It has been said. No, I’m watching my Mighty Reds vs. Man U on Setanta Sports in the EA SPORTS Bar…
And I wish I had never bothered. Down to 10 men after Mascherano’s completely avoidable red card (never get in the referee’s face while you already have a yellow card), Liverpool look second-rate in the face of the United onslaught, and any dreams of a Premier League title this year are now dashed once-and-for-all.
On a more positive note, as you probably know, all of our development work and brand and product marketing is conducted in our studios in Vancouver (EAC) and Orlando (Tiburon). I spend a lot of time at both studios, and this past Thursday was a particularly fun trip for me up to EAC in the Vancouver suburb of Burnaby. Purpose of my trip was to spend a day with our very talented FIFA team. It was both an educational as well as motivating day for me. I got to visit with many of the team at their workstations, and get a deeper understanding of the work we doing to maintain our positive momentum in the very competitive soccer category. It was also personally fulfilling to me to interact with so many teammates that are supremely passionate about their work (as well as “the beautiful game”).
While I can’t divulge much about what I saw as we prepare for a busy soccer year, with our Euro 2008 game shipping in advance of the tournament being held in Austria and Switzerland, and then of course our FIFA game later in the year, I can tell you that the team continues to do stellar work. Anyone that is a fan of the franchise has every reason to feel excited about what is on tap for 2008. I also should mention that one of the best moments of my day was getting out on the pitch and playing some soccer at lunch time with the team. Here’s a picture of the team.
You’ve also heard me start to talk about what a special year this is going to be for EA SPORTS with the 20th anniversary of Madden upon us. As our planning and development continues to kick into high gear, I can promise you this is going to be a year to remember. Even though I have people starting to stop me in the halls even at EA trying to get the latest scoop on this year’s game — who’s going to be on the cover, what bands are on the soundtrack, what are Tom Brady’s ratings going to be, etc. — I’m sworn to secrecy to not divulge too many details until next month. But I can tell you this, we do have some news to announce in the next day or two. Keep an eye out for the first in what will be a series of announcements over the next few months about the Madden 20th anniversary...
As a preview to my next posting take a look at the following web site: http://www.myfootballclub.co.uk/index
For the princely sum of £35 (about $75), I am an part “owner” of the club. It is a fascinating experiment in social networking applied to sports. Stay tuned for a interview with Will Brooks, a UK sports journalist who is the creator of the concept.
I'd be remiss if I didn’t mention the start of the NCAA Tournament last weekend. If only I had put a little more faith into the simulation we ran with our NCAA March Madness 08 game engine, which correctly predicted 13 of the Sweet 16, I wouldn’t be bringing up the rear in our friendly EA office pool. That’s right, I’m in DEAD LAST. I have to say, kind of an embarrassing. But, what do I know about college basketball?
- Peter