Madden 10 Top Sports Game in November

by pastapadre
Posted December 11th, 2009 at 7:09 pm

madden101211b

NPD released the official sales numbers for November yesterday. With the number of big titles that came out during the month the top 20 included just one sports game. What sports game that was does come as mild surprise.

Madden 10 for the 360 finished #20 while NBA 2K10 dropped completely off the chart. While 2K10 was sure to be frontloaded it was still expected to finish higher than its sports competition. It was entering just its second month compared to Madden was which was in its fourth. 2K10 had finished #5 (360) and #7 (PS3) in its opening month showing large gains from the previous year but didn’t quite carry that momentum over to November.

NBA 2K10 had a massive opening in October. So these sales for 2K10, despite falling out of the top 20, are not necessarily disappointing. Based on extrapolated data NBA 2K10 would have fallen approximately 66% to around 105K on the 360 and 74K on the PS3. That would represent an average drop-off for an October release given how the retail environment in November cushions the fall. At this point there is little debate that the NBA franchise alone is sustaining the 2K Sports label.

Madden sales continue to be stronger than last year and the main driving factor at this time seems to be the influx of new console owners. The PS3 sold really well in October and that resulted in the limited decline from the previous month. But in November the 360 charged back and that meant lots of copies going out for both consoles. Madden appears to be the sports game of choice for those getting a 360 or PS3 for the first time.

It comes as absolutely no surprise that NCAA Basketball 10 is no where to be found in the sales charts. No official data will be made available for the game but all signs continue to point to a franchise in trouble that may not be around come next year.

Tags: sales analysis

JJames

kinda funny that Madden beat it out in Nov. it bothers me that 2k10 has sold so much when it released a game in such a bad condition and its almost like they got rewarded for it. maybe its a sign of bad WOM that will carry to next year

oktaine

Meh, in my mind it's just that people are willing to deal with some release problems for a while. All sports games run on a short development cycle and unless people want to wait extra time to buy the game while waiting for some patches it doesn't matter.

JJames

thats kinda understating it though. online leagues still dont even work and that is one of the big features. they just dont seem to care

…

online leagues is terrible anyways..its the same bullshit madden had in 09
oktaine

I never liked the "they don't care" theory. I'm sure they're working on fixing it or at least have a plan to do it, 2K is in a bad spot right now.

JJames

kinda funny that Madden beat it out in Nov. it bothers me that 2k10 has sold so much when it released a game in such a bad condition and its almost like they got rewarded for it. maybe its a sign of bad WOM that will carry to next year

oktaine

Meh, in my mind it's just that people are willing to deal with some release problems for a while. All sports games run on a short development cycle and unless people want to wait extra time to buy the game while waiting for some patches it doesn't matter.

JJames

thats kinda understating it though. online leagues still dont even work and that is one of the big features. they just dont seem to care

…

online leagues is terrible anyways..its the same bullshit madden had in 09
oktaine

I never liked the "they don't care" theory. I'm sure they're working on fixing it or at least have a plan to do it, 2K is in a bad spot right now.

trev

glad Madden is doing so well this year. should go to prove to them that the better they make the game people will respond and buy it

Da Ville

Im not, the game sucks very unrealistic

oktaine

Actually if you bother to spend 5 minutes customizing your settings it can be one of the most realistic sports games I've ever played.

Historicgamerosters

Oktaine,
For $60 you shouldn't have to customize the settings to make the game more realistic, this should have been taken care of during the developmental and testing stages.

blondeviking64

LOL, oh wait its a video game. I dont expect most people to understand since fans are all like tony kornheiser these days (fantasy football fans- not real football fans). The fact is that I dont believe that any REALISTIC football game will come out during my lifetime. Example, did you know that the zone play in madden is really 5 different plays. Not a run, then a cutback, then something else. All of that is one play. Most Pro teams that run zone schemes have 5 versions or so of inside zone and 5 versions of outside zone. Youll never see that in a video game. Its just an unrealistic expectation because most people dont even know, including the people making the game. Plus the game has to be available to more than just hardcore older football fans/ gamers or else they are limiting their output. Madden is just a game. get over it
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Curious. What game would you say you havent had to customize to make it better? I generally don't mess with defaults, but I see the hardcore crowd adjusting sliders on EVERY game.
dumbass

too bad i can put them all to the max for cpu and min for me and still own the cpu like its a 2 year old child trying to run a 2 minute drill

trev

glad Madden is doing so well this year. should go to prove to them that the better they make the game people will respond and buy it

Da Ville

Im not, the game sucks very unrealistic

oktaine

Actually if you bother to spend 5 minutes customizing your settings it can be one of the most realistic sports games I've ever played.

Historicgamerosters

Oktaine,
For $60 you shouldn't have to customize the settings to make the game more realistic, this should have been taken care of during the developmental and testing stages.

blondeviking64

LOL, oh wait its a video game. I dont expect most people to understand since fans are all like tony kornheiser these days (fantasy football fans- not real football fans). The fact is that I dont believe that any REALISTIC football game will come out during my lifetime. Example, did you know that the zone play in madden is really 5 different plays. Not a run, then a cutback, then something else. All of that is one play. Most Pro teams that run zone schemes have 5 versions or so of inside zone and 5 versions of outside zone. Youll never see that in a video game. Its just an unrealistic expectation because most people dont even know, including the people making the game. Plus the game has to be available to more than just hardcore older football fans/ gamers or else they are limiting their output. Madden is just a game. get over it
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Curious. What game would you say you havent had to customize to make it better? I generally don't mess with defaults, but I see the hardcore crowd adjusting sliders on EVERY game.
dumbass

too bad i can put them all to the max for cpu and min for me and still own the cpu like its a 2 year old child trying to run a 2 minute drill

http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

What happened with Nba Live 10…lol…drop off in 2k10 came when people probably read and asked around and found that the game is a complete mess.
http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

What happened with Nba Live 10…lol…drop off in 2k10 came when people probably read and asked around and found that the game is a complete mess.
Keith.

Pasta, how can you say that Madden's numbers are up over last year? According to the figures at vgchartz, they are down…way down.

Keith.

Just read the Madden Ultimate story over at IGN, and I'm even more convinced Madden's numbers are down. They're trying to milk us consumers for every penny to pay for the exclusive license, since sales of the game aren't cutting it. Sorry EA…FAIL!
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

VG Chartz are not are not official numbers.

Keith.

Pasta, how can you say that Madden's numbers are up over last year? According to the figures at vgchartz, they are down…way down.

Keith.

Just read the Madden Ultimate story over at IGN, and I'm even more convinced Madden's numbers are down. They're trying to milk us consumers for every penny to pay for the exclusive license, since sales of the game aren't cutting it. Sorry EA…FAIL!
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

VG Chartz are not are not official numbers.

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

When you factor in sales from all consoles (that means including PS2 and Wii) they are down (for obvious reasons) but for the 360 and PS3, Madden sales are up compared to last year.

Keith.

I know that's what Pasta wants you to believe, but, according to vgchartz, Madden 09 for the 360 has sold 2.39 million copies, while Madden 10 has sold only 1.5 million copies. Similarly, Madden 09 for PS3 has sold 1.65 million copies, while Madden 10 has sold only 1.13 million. I seriously doubt that Madden 10 is going to make up the difference between now and the end of January (after that, next to no copies of Madden 10 will be sold).

If Madden 10 sales for PS3 and 360 were really better than 09's sales, don't you think EA would've issued a press release trumpeting that fact? To my knowledge, they haven't issued any such release (other than Pasta's usual blatherings).

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

VGcharts has Madden 09 sales recorded for 60+ weeks. The sales of Madden 10 on the other hand have been tracked for less than 20 (for obvious reasons).

There have been articles from sites like gamespot stating that the sales for the 360/PS3 versions of madden have gone up 5%. So yeah…

(Also, VGcharts isn't really credible at all. Oh and, why even bring Pasta in on this? If you think he's skewed why even come on his site?)

Keith.

If you think madden 10 for the 360 is going to sell another 900 thousand copies between now and when 11 drops, then it really doesn't pay to argue with you. My money says it won't.

I like Pasta's site. He's just got a clear agenda when it comes to EA games…I thought everyone knew that? Might want to start paying attention, son.

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

Well according to VGchartz, around the same time last year Madden 09 had basically the same sales as Madden 10 now. So if according to VGchartz, Madden 09 did it, why don't you think 10 will? Also again, VGchartz isn't even accurate so yeah…

Anyways, I view pasta as fair. Don't really this "EA agenda"… he was the first one (at least to my knowledge) to bring out NBA Live 10's poor sales.

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

When you factor in sales from all consoles (that means including PS2 and Wii) they are down (for obvious reasons) but for the 360 and PS3, Madden sales are up compared to last year.

Keith.

I know that's what Pasta wants you to believe, but, according to vgchartz, Madden 09 for the 360 has sold 2.39 million copies, while Madden 10 has sold only 1.5 million copies. Similarly, Madden 09 for PS3 has sold 1.65 million copies, while Madden 10 has sold only 1.13 million. I seriously doubt that Madden 10 is going to make up the difference between now and the end of January (after that, next to no copies of Madden 10 will be sold).

If Madden 10 sales for PS3 and 360 were really better than 09's sales, don't you think EA would've issued a press release trumpeting that fact? To my knowledge, they haven't issued any such release (other than Pasta's usual blatherings).

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

VGcharts has Madden 09 sales recorded for 60+ weeks. The sales of Madden 10 on the other hand have been tracked for less than 20 (for obvious reasons).

There have been articles from sites like gamespot stating that the sales for the 360/PS3 versions of madden have gone up 5%. So yeah…

(Also, VGcharts isn't really credible at all. Oh and, why even bring Pasta in on this? If you think he's skewed why even come on his site?)

Keith.

If you think madden 10 for the 360 is going to sell another 900 thousand copies between now and when 11 drops, then it really doesn't pay to argue with you. My money says it won't.

I like Pasta's site. He's just got a clear agenda when it comes to EA games…I thought everyone knew that? Might want to start paying attention, son.

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

Well according to VGchartz, around the same time last year Madden 09 had basically the same sales as Madden 10 now. So if according to VGchartz, Madden 09 did it, why don't you think 10 will? Also again, VGchartz isn't even accurate so yeah…

Anyways, I view pasta as fair. Don't really this "EA agenda"… he was the first one (at least to my knowledge) to bring out NBA Live 10's poor sales.

ogkush

Pasta,why wasn't there any mention of NBA Live10? What's their sales looking like?

http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

looking like garbage next……
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

The top 20 is as deep as the reporting goes. It wouldn't have even made the top 20 this month if it had its October sales.

ogkush

Pasta,why wasn't there any mention of NBA Live10? What's their sales looking like?

http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

looking like garbage next……
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

The top 20 is as deep as the reporting goes. It wouldn't have even made the top 20 this month if it had its October sales.

SweetDWilly

I Love You
SweetDWilly

I Love You
WhatHappened2Madden

REALLY ? NO WAY MADDEN IS SELLING MORE VIDEO GAMES 30 DAYS AWAY FROM CHRISTMAS THAN ANYONE. Who would have thought Probably a boatload of Returned copies. LOL
WhatHappened2Madden

REALLY ? NO WAY MADDEN IS SELLING MORE VIDEO GAMES 30 DAYS AWAY FROM CHRISTMAS THAN ANYONE. Who would have thought Probably a boatload of Returned copies. LOL
http://www.facebook.com/a.j.gadberry Anthony A.J. Gadberry

dude stfu

SweetDWilly

I Love You 2

http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

Somebody's kid is on here playing on the computer again and going into forums that he is not suppose to be on

http://www.facebook.com/a.j.gadberry Anthony A.J. Gadberry

dude stfu

SweetDWilly

I Love You 2

http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

Somebody's kid is on here playing on the computer again and going into forums that he is not suppose to be on

Bo1508

nba 2k10 has fell off because people are tire of playin 2k9 for the second str8 year and ncaa basketball 10 is a very playable game and its nice
Bo1508

nba 2k10 has fell off because people are tire of playin 2k9 for the second str8 year and ncaa basketball 10 is a very playable game and its nice
Anti-Propoganda

hahahaha Madden sales are actually way down, not up like pasta says.

How much did EA pay you to write this article pasta?
Anti-Propoganda

hahahaha Madden sales are actually way down, not up like pasta says.

How much did EA pay you to write this article pasta?
the truth

LOLOLOL I love how you think VGchartz isn't credible even though all they do is track numbers but you think pasta "I'm on EA's payroll and i bash 2k every chance I get" padre is fair.

You need a reality check son

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

VG Chartz is nothing but guesses at numbers. NPD are the only official sales numbers that are released.

the truth

LOLOLOL I love how you think VGchartz isn't credible even though all they do is track numbers but you think pasta "I'm on EA's payroll and i bash 2k every chance I get" padre is fair.

You need a reality check son

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

VG Chartz is nothing but guesses at numbers. NPD are the only official sales numbers that are released.

David Stern

I heard NBA Live's sales are really strong. They sold at least a couple dozen copies last month
David Stern

I heard NBA Live's sales are really strong. They sold at least a couple dozen copies last month
Get a Clue

Apparently pasta doesn't consider Forza Motorsport, Pro Evolution Soccer, FIFA Soccer, or Mario & Sonic Olympic Winter Games as sports games. All of which sold more than Madden, which wasn't in the Top 20 of sales, it was 42nd.

I can't believe anybody takes this EA employee seriously.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Sorry…try again

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26492/NPD_Top_…

fail

Your linked article doesn't even provide numbers for games outside of the Top 10.

EPIC FAIL

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

????

When you scroll down it shows the top 20.

Get a Clue

Apparently pasta doesn't consider Forza Motorsport, Pro Evolution Soccer, FIFA Soccer, or Mario & Sonic Olympic Winter Games as sports games. All of which sold more than Madden, which wasn't in the Top 20 of sales, it was 42nd.

I can't believe anybody takes this EA employee seriously.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Sorry…try again

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26492/NPD_Top_…

fail

Your linked article doesn't even provide numbers for games outside of the Top 10.

EPIC FAIL

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

????

When you scroll down it shows the top 20.

David

Just downloaded the new update and now it appears no one is on IR anymore. Can EA not have players on IR and still allow create-a-player to be on the roster? If this is how EA games all are, the Madden staff has assured I will never buy another game made by EA. Thank you for ruining NFL football for the 360 and PS3
David

Just downloaded the new update and now it appears no one is on IR anymore. Can EA not have players on IR and still allow create-a-player to be on the roster? If this is how EA games all are, the Madden staff has assured I will never buy another game made by EA. Thank you for ruining NFL football for the 360 and PS3
SMH@Pasta

WOW…so the fact that madden was like 25 bucks for black friday didnt have anything to do with it huh?? Man Pasta, im starting to see why people call you an EA fanboy

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

So? Many other sports games were on sale during Black Friday too including NBA 2k10 which was $25.

You guys are getting desperate at (for whatever reason, I have no clue) trying to link pasta @ being an EA fanboy lol.

SMH@Pasta

WOW…so the fact that madden was like 25 bucks for black friday didnt have anything to do with it huh?? Man Pasta, im starting to see why people call you an EA fanboy

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

So? Many other sports games were on sale during Black Friday too including NBA 2k10 which was $25.

You guys are getting desperate at (for whatever reason, I have no clue) trying to link pasta @ being an EA fanboy lol.

Annoyed

Did anybody notice those annoying "Madden Arcade" ads in the game? Kinda hard to miss when they pop every other f***ing play.
Annoyed

Did anybody notice those annoying "Madden Arcade" ads in the game? Kinda hard to miss when they pop every other f***ing play.