My Game Center

Electronic Arts’ sales of FIFA series of video games on gaming consoles such as the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii have been increasing steadily by our estimates.

The company launched FIFA 12 last month that hit a record by selling 3.2 million units across all consoles worldwide in less than a week after launch, by their own estimates. [1]

Looking at these numbers, it looks like FIFA 12 will easily be able to surpass FIFA 11 sales, something we discussed in a previous note, “FIFA Soccer 12 Can be bigger Than Fifa 11 For EA.” the growing market for sports genre video games will continue to benefit Electronic Arts in the future.

EA’s main competitors include game developers like Activision Blizzard, Take-Two Interactive Software and casual gaming mainstays such as Zynga and Playdom.

See our complete analysis for Electronic Arts’s stock.

FIFA 12 Sets Historic Record

Electronic Arts has sold an estimated 3.2 million units of FIFA 12 within the first week from its 27 September launch, which the company estimates is an increase by 23% over last year’s record launch. [1]

With astounding features such as Impact Engine, Tactical Defending, Precision Dribbling and the all new EA Sports Football Club and rapidly increasing orders, FIFA 12 could become one of the highest selling franchise game in history for Electronic Arts, beating FIFA 11.

The game has received rave reviews and ratings by critics and news publications like 1UP, USA Today, GamePro and the Guardian. While Gamescom calls it “Best Console Game,” it has also received the prestigious E3 Game Critics award for “best Sports Game” at E3 2011.

Growth in Sports Video Game Genre

According to a report by the Entertainment Software Association, video gaming demographic is becoming more diverse, with people of different ages and gender being attracted to video games. the report also suggests that the sports games constitutes 16.3%, which is the highest, of all video gaming genres in 2010. [2]

This growth in sports genre will particularly benefit EA as the company makes sizable revenues from sales of sports-related video games like Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer and need for Speed.

While we estimate Electronic Arts’ sales of FIFA soccer video games will increase from 11.8 million in 2011 to around 12.5 million by the end of our forecast period, Trefis members expect an increase from around 13 million to 15 million during the same period.

Date: Friday Oct. 7, 2011 12:23 PM ET

Would Gordie Howe’s legendary elbow be as fearsome in today’s NHL?

Would The Great One in his prime dominate in 2012 as easily as he did in 1986?

as much as hockey fans love to debate these types of what-if scenarios, we will of course never know the answers. but if you’re willing to settle for a video game’s take on whether Patrick Roy would be a match for Sidney Crosby in a shootout, “NHL 12″ can deliver — if you’re patient enough.

The latest in the popular sports series developed in Burnaby, B.C., by EA Sports, “NHL 12″ largely stays the course and sticks to what made the franchise successful. The most notable addition amongst the many minor game play tweaks is the addition of such Hall of Famers as Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Gordie Howe, Patrick Roy and Ray Bourque.

also, for the first time since “NHL 96,” the Winnipeg Jets are a selectable franchise. while the Jets’ new logo made it into the game, the new team’s jerseys did not. The Jets take the ice in either generic jerseys with the NHL logo or the classic Jets jersey used from 1979 to 1990.

The basic premise of “NHL 12″ has remained unchanged throughout the series’ lifespan. you pick your favourite NHL team and try to lead it to victory. you can pit your skills against the computer or a friend, either at home or online. “NHL 12″ also features teams from the American Hockey League, Canadian Hockey League and several European leagues.

The controls have remained largely unchanged since they were redesigned in “NHL 07.” The left analog stick controls the player’s movement, and the right stick controls the player’s stick. Moving the right stick left or right will perform a deke, while moving it toward the goal will take a shot. Holding the stick opposite the goal before shooting will put more power into the shot. The controls are easy enough for new players to grab the basics quickly, while more experienced players can experiment with advanced techniques saucer passes, drop passes and blocking shots.

There are several game modes to test your one-ice prowess, whether you prefer a quick one-off game, playing through an entire season, or acting behind the scenes making trades and managing a salary cap in the “Be a GM” mode. The outdoor Winter Classic is available for the first time. There’s also the “Be a Pro” mode, where you can control a single player’s ascent from minor-league prospect to NHL superstar.

The big addition to the game is the “Be a Legend” mode, which plays like the “Be a Pro” mode except you control a Hall of Fame superstar in his prime on the NHL team of your choice. All-star power forward Jeremy Roenick is available immediately, but all other legends need to be unlocked by meeting objectives in the “Be a Pro” or “Be a Legend” modes. The problem is unlocking some of the high-tier legends can be very time consuming, and difficult. as you play through “Be a Pro” or “Be a Legend,” your player gains experience and ranks. However, one of the criteria for advancement is having a good plus-minus, so if you had your heart set on playing with a defensively weak team, unlocking other legends becomes that much more difficult.

EA says “NHL 12″ boasts more than 300 game play improvements over last year’s version, although many of them are largely cosmetic tweaks meant to capture the visceral nature of the sport. For example, a hard check can now send an opponent’s helmet flying off his head, or launch him into the player’s bench. although development on the game began before the Brendan Shanahan era in the NHL fully took root, these additions are likely not enthusiastically received by a sport trying to clean up its image and deal with the spectre of head injuries.

Goaltenders are no longer the immovable objects they once were, meaning you can bowl them over as you charge into the crease. The end result — a justifiable penalty for goaltender interference — remains the same. Goaltenders can also get into fights in “NHL 12,” which is amusing the first time it happens but is really not a selling point. Anyone who remembers the Carey Price versus Tim Thomas fight from last season should agree that goalie fights are hardly a staple of the NHL experience.

A neat game play mode that makes its return from last year’s instalment is the Hockey Ultimate Team feature, that adds an element of card collecting to the mix. you start with a set of cards featuring players from all the available leagues and build a team from the available players. you then take that team into online and offline tournaments to earn currency to buy better cards. you can also put cards on the trading block or bid on cards in an auction.

“NHL 12″ is another excellent instalment in the series, and is highly recommended for those who are just getting into the series or who haven’t bought a version of the game in a few years. If you have “NHL 11″ there may not be enough new features here to warrant a purchase, but if you’re a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, want updated rosters or are interested in the new legends, it’s worth a look.

“NHL 12″ is rated E 10+ and is available for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

If you have not yet got over the FIFA frenzy Madden 11 cheats are just for you The excitement of playing video games and gaming in the online zone has got a new definition with the advent of Madden 11. Feeding your satisfaction of competing with others and the will to win, this game is becoming more popular than ever. If you feel you are about to master the game, learn how to reach win at the topmost level. Use Madden tips to gain a stronghold over the game and reduce the number of mistakes to minimum.

The game was developed by Electronic Arts for EA Sports. It has been named after the famous footballer John Madden. The game has a licensing deal with NFL and NELPA. The license gives authority to use NFL’s stadiums as well as players. The players get a real-life experience as if they were playing real football.

One of the most important things while playing any game is to understand the strength of your rival. Similarly, while playing this game, you should be aware about your opponent’s strong and weak points. You should be knowledgeable about their attacking and defensive skills. this way you can make an action plan and accordingly plan your moves. You should also count the players in the box. If you feel something is weird, then you can assess these changes and plan an effective strategy.

Like any other game, you have to think the way your rival is thinking. get into his shoes using Madden 11 cheats and attack him when he least expects it. Learn to use Madden cheats and codes effectively so you can use special moves to get out of a challenge. Learn about the man and zone coverage; keep abreast of the developments to enhance your gaming skills. Also, prepare yourself to play in different weather conditions like snow, mud, and rain to recognize the sports shirts of the other players when they are covered in snow or mud.

You should also be aware of aspects like slide protection, bluff play art, ball carrier combo moves, post-play continuation, return missed field goals improved foot pinning, live pre-play defense, and new wrap-up tackling system before you start playing. You can become an advanced player if you get acquainted with these terms as well as the cheats. Many sites give tips and advice on this game. The Madden 11 demos can now be seen on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This game is only 30 minutes long and you can spend more time on the field and less in the playbook. So, it is like full games played in half the time. The game has enhanced animations, better instinctive controls, and the Madden Ultimate team. The games have been a bestseller. They have been hugely popular and sometimes even spawned TV presentations when the players compete.

Madden 11 cheats are becoming popular even though the game will hit the market on August 10th. The screenshots and the videos of the game look terrific. Sign up for free forums online for updates on tips, videos, and strategies of the game.

With the football season in full swing and the hockey season just about to start, their video game counterparts are now in stores to capitalize on all that fan frenzy (sorry NBA). Here’s quick reviews of the two most popular games in those sports.

Along with their annual FIFA soccer series, this is where EA Sports really shines in the sports sim market. “NHL 12” (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) continues to be the prime example of a video game replicating the real-life sport. The new version has better puck and player physics (seeing a hard body check on the ice is a sight to behold), and the control is as tight as ever. There’s also a superstar mode that allows you to bring in some of the legendary players of yesteryear, including Wayne Gretsky and Jeremy Roenick. while the new default control scheme of using the right analog stick for shooting may take some getting used to (thankfully, you can go back to the “classic” controls of previous games), the game play is intuitive and easy to handle. best of all, the whole presentation of “NHL 12” just bleeds authenticity, right down to the accumulating skating marks on the ice, the crowd reactions and the exciting play-by-play commentary.

EA Sports has been the only provider of an officially-licensed NFL game for years now and that lack of competition has begun to show in the lazy upgrades for the “Madden” franchise. “Madden 12” (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) is a good if not great football game that definitely has the look and feel of a Sunday game, especially with new collision animations and a new television-like presentation that replicates the same camera angles as the networks. but the new versions from last year’s iteration are slight, and the play-by-play commentary is still lagging behind the action. still, this annual football sim won’t disappoint ardent fans who have no other place to go to for a realistic football game. The graphics are crisp, and the game play feels solid. and the franchise mode continue to be robust and full of depth. still, a little competition might force EA to work harder at giving fans a bigger upgrade for their hard-earned bucks.

Google+: +Vincent Horiuchi

Press Release Source: TransGaming inc. On Tuesday September 27, 2011, 8:30 am EDT

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Sept. 27, 2011) – TransGaming inc. (TSX VENTURE:TNG – News), the global leader in the multiplatform deployment of games, today announced that EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA Soccer 12 has been brought to the Mac platform using TransGaming’s Cider Mac enablement product. FIFA Soccer 12 launches today and will be available on Mac through many EA SPORTS distribution channels, including TransGaming’s leading digital distribution site for Mac games, GameTreeMac.com.

TransGaming’s Cider Mac enablement product gives publishers the ability to quickly and cost-effectively enable their games on the high-growth Mac platform. FIFA Soccer 12 is an example of how quickly and easily sophisticated titles with complex online capabilities can be supported by Cider. TransGaming’s Cider has become an excellent enablement technology for many of the world’s leading game publishers, including EA, to bring rich, authentic gaming experiences to the Mac platform.

“This marks the first time ever that the best-selling FIFA Soccer franchise is being made available to the Mac gaming community, and it was made possible by our Cider enablement technology,” commented Vikas Gupta, CEO & President of TransGaming inc. “Adding yet another complex, sophisticated game like FIFA Soccer 12 to the rapidly growing portfolio of Cider-enabled products proves once again that Cider is the pre-eminent solution that top-tier publishers look to for Mac platform enablement.”

“TransGaming’s unique Cider technology is the right enabler for us to bring a rich FIFA Soccer experience to fans all over the world,” said Kaz Makita, Vice President and Executive Producer with EA SPORTS. “We’re excited about bringing the world’s most popular sports video game to gamers on the Mac platform for the first time.”

About Electronic Arts inc.

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS – News) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. the Company’s game franchises are offered as both packaged goods products and online services delivered through Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones and tablets. EA has more than 100 million registered players and operates in 75 countries.

In fiscal 2011, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.6 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster franchises such as the Sims(TM), Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, need for Speed(TM), Battlefield, and Mass Effect(TM). more information about EA is available at info.ea.com.

The Sims and need for Speed are trademarks of Electronic Arts inc. Mass Effect is a trademark of EA International (Studio and Publishing) ltd. John Madden, NFL and FIFA are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About TransGaming inc.

TransGaming, inc. (TSX VENTURE:TNG – News), is the global leader in the deployment and distribution of electronic entertainment across multiple platforms. TransGaming works with the industry’s leading developers and publishers to enable and distribute games for Smart TV set-top boxes, Mac computers, and Linux/CE platforms. TransGaming is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with offices in Ottawa and Atlanta. To learn more about TransGaming visit transgaming.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Distilling the world’s most popular sport into a video game isn’t an easy task. Aside from capturing the atmosphere of the game–the satisfying thump of boot on football, the on-pitch dramas created between player and referee, and the ferocious roar of the crowd as the ball sails into the back of the net–there are other considerations too. some players want to manage their teams. Others want to live out their dreams of football stardom. still others want to put their skills to the test against the best in the world, all the while clamouring for as realistic an experience as possible. FIFA 12 lets you do all of these things and more. A new tactical defending system, player impact engine, and head-to-head seasons are just some of the excellent new features it offers. But it’s the new EA Sports Football Club that’s the real draw, bringing with it an addictive levelling system that pits you against the world’s players, keeping track of your own progress and that of your favourite team too. not only is FIFA 12 the best game in the series, it’s also one of the most exciting, accurate, and complete sports games around.

6336886Playing for Bayern Munich, Ajren Robben scores against Manchester United.

If you’re a longtime FIFA player, then the changes to defending in this year’s game might come as a bit of a shock. A new tactical defending system has been implemented that drastically changes the way you play. In previous versions of FIFA, a common tactic when defending was to hold down the two “pressing” buttons, which sent players in to close down attackers and win the ball, requiring little in the way of skill. that tactic no longer works. Instead of rushing in to take the ball, your player now just tracks the attacker and remains a few feet away, keeping him held back. this system of containing the opposition requires more thought than simply sticking a leg in and hoping for the best. you have to actively time when to tackle or decide if it’s better to simply hold a player back, rather than rush in for the ball, miss the tackle, and have the opposition pass.

If the opposition does get past, you now have the option of jostling them–that is, pulling on their shirt or using your player’s arm to hold them back. this is a neat feature that brings the game closer to how the real-life sport is played, with new player animations making it look more realistic. be warned, though; pull too many shirts, and the referee won’t hesitate to throw a yellow, or even a red, card your way. Other improvements to the animation lie in the new player impact engine. this adds a physics system that simulates the impact between two players during tackles or other forms of contact. if you go in for a particularly aggressive tackle and slam into the player, the resulting animation is rarely the same twice, depending on the build and strength of the two players in question. both or just one of you may end up in a heap on the pitch, while passing players leap over fallen bodies to get past. On the whole, the system works well, adding another layer of realism to the game. It’s not infallible, though, and there are times when you see some comical rag-doll-physics-like animations as players flop over the pitch.

Sending one to the back of the net is as satisfying as ever.

More tweaks to the controls come in the form of precision dribbling, which enable you to control the ball more accurately in close quarters. for example, when you get near the touchline, your player automatically knows he’s there and retains tighter control of the ball to keep it in play. The system also affords you the ability to use small, quick touches to control the ball, letting you perform sharp turns and making it easier to beat the opposition’s defence. you can shield yourself from other players while dribbling too, rather than being rooted to the spot like in previous games, giving you another way to get past defenders. these enhancements make FIFA 12 the most realistic representation of the sport yet. Scoring goals is trickier, with teams working together to implement strong lines of defence, but the game is all the better for it. you have to work harder, with a greater amount of skill required than ever before. these changes make those moments when you manage to score all the more satisfying.

You can break out your newfound dribbling and defending skills in a number of modes, many of which have carried over from last year. these include Career mode, which lets you compete as a single player working through a 15-year career; as a player manager, where you manage your team’s lineup and compete on the pitch; or as a manager, where you take a backseat to the on-pitch action and instead focus on tactics and building up your squad. There’s something for everyone, and if you tire of one mode, you can easily switch between them at any time to mix things up. There’s also an array of tournaments to play through, from the F.A. Cup through to custom leagues and knockout tournaments.

hide Review Next page

FIFA 12's realism puts Madden to shame.

(Credit:EA Sports)

Change is not always greeted favorably when it comes to sports video game franchises, so a lot of folks were wondering how EA Sports’ latest makeover–including a new “Player Impact” physics engine–would go over in this year’s FIFA 12. Well, the verdict’s in and we have to say the game looks fantastic and plays really well, with an overall more realistic feel all the way from the collisions on the field to the career mode to the impressive in-game commentary and player models.

Along with that new Player Impact Engine, EA’s other significant changes include something called “Tactical Defense” and “Precision Dribbling,” which gives you the chance to make a couple of quick moves to open up space for a shot or get past a defender. Naturally, timing is of the essence and the player’s skill level (both yours and the virtual player’s) is a factor, so, like the real game, you end up frequently getting dispossessed of the ball.

The Tactical Defense is also designed to play more like the real game with player containment and proper positioning being more of a winning formula than aggressive slide tackling. it takes some getting used to and you can actually toggle off some of the new features, but most players will probably opt for the new scheme.

Some of the changes are subtle, but the new physics engine is apparent from the opening kickoff. Bumps, collisions, and 50-50 balls appear more realistic (most of the time anyway) and vicious slide tackles can end up causing serious injuries depending on how hard a player is hit and how he falls.

When playing using the high TV camera angle, you don’t get the incredible detail you see in the screen shot above, but the replays are a lot of fun to watch and even goal celebrations look smoother and more realistic. The game’s producers say they worked hard to eliminate the clipping issues (where a player’s arm goes through another player’s body) that you saw in last year’s game.

We’re not going to get into the tweaks to all the game modes, but suffice to say the game just feels deeper and more realistic all around, with improvements to the CPU AI during the transfer window that make the trading experience seem that much more authentic.

Fans of Konami’s excellent Pro Evolution Soccer franchise will be happy to note that PES 2012 has also been released today and early word is that it’s a solid step forward after last year’s somewhat disappointing outing. However, EA’s extensive player and team licensing deals have always given it a certain advantage over PES and now, with

The big question, of course, is whether FIFA 12 offers enough of an improvement to go out and spend $60 on it if you already own last year’s version (the game is available for all of the major platforms, but obviously looks and plays best on thePS3,Xbox 360, and PC). like EA Sports’ NHL 12, this was already an impressive game, but the new features give it a polish–and enough of a new feel–to make it hard to go back to an earlier version. in our book, that makes it worth buying.

The Chicago Blackhawks battle the Boston Bruins in EA Sports’ “NHL 12″ (for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, $59.95).

EA Sports’ National Hockey League franchise froze out the competition a few years ago, winning fan devotion with its stunning graphics and true-to-life gameplay. Maybe that’s because the programmers work out of Canada, eh?whatever the reason, EA hasn’t let the quality of “NHL 12” (for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, $59.95) slide. This season’s incarnation builds on previous triumphs, with numerous subtle enhancements that make a big difference. but that doesn’t mean a fan can’t nitpick.Computer-controlled skaters now anticipate where the puck is going and are better at reading plays. you can interact more with the goalies by bumping or hitting them. The net comes off when players crash into it, and collisions and hard shots can break the glass. Helmets pop off and players can be knocked over the bench.EA Sports has upgraded its physics engine, so size and strength truly do matter. that means bigger hits and more muscling for the puck, and if you line up a skater just right, you can send him spinning.The new “be a Legend” mode puts you in the skates of all-time greats like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Gordie Howe. there are also improvements to the “be a Pro” feature that allow you to create your own player from head to toe and lead him from the minors to the big show. In the past, once your shift was over on the ice, you’d have to watch and wait for your next turn. Now, you can simulate the time in between shifts so you can get back to playing sooner.“NHL 12” also features the newest tradition and spectacle in the NHL, the Winter Classic outdoor game. while it defaults to last season’s contest between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Heinz Field, you can choose any two teams and watch the snow fall on the ice as they skate around.Now the gripes.while the new physics engine makes gameplay more realistic, it also causes some frustration. The hitting and bumping moves the game closer to what you’d see in an NHL game, but it also leads to more turnovers and lost pucks and slows the game more than necessary.This season’s “Legends” team includes greats like Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe and Patrick Roy, but leaves out many of the game’s greatest players and some notable Hall of Famers. In their place are newer “legends” like the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, the Vancouver Canucks’ Roberto Luongo and cover athlete Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning.EA Sports has come close to perfecting the hockey video game experience. Despite a few small issues, any hockey fan will enjoy “NHL 12” — and even gamers who aren’t devoted to the sport will find much to enjoy.3-1/2 stars out of 4.Online:ea.com/nhl

• Return to Paging Mode

Madden NFL 12 is back this year and while the number goes up every year the settings, features and upgrades Madden fans requested have arrived.  I have to give it to EA Sports for keeping the franchise fresh year in and year out.  Before an official NFL season even begins EA Sports is working on everything that makes up a Madden NFL 12 game that includes the much debated front cover.  while the front cover can possess this so called “Madden Curse” many active players are honored by the annual recognition.  This year the award was narrowed down to two players.   Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Michael Vick and the Cleveland Browns Running Back Peyton Hillis. Ultimately Hillis was chosen by the fans to be the front cover athlete for Madden 12.  So we begin…

Lockout CBA. the NFL lockout may have impacted players on the field but gamers were not that affected.  For those paying attention, the NFL lock out lasted a long winded 132 days.  the owners and players eventually agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement.  Those on-the-field changes were immediately implemented with one of the first updates pushed down from EA Sports.  The first change I noticed was the placement of kickoffs on the 35 yard line which almost always results in a touchback.  Hey, similar to Thursday Night opener, Saints at Packers.  thanks CBA!

Madden Ultimate Team. MUT has returned this year and EA Sports left it very much like they did in Madden 11.  Just to elaborate a bit on it’s features, here’s what MUT is all about.  your start off with a sub-par team mixed with players from different teams.  Think of the bad News Bears with shoulder pads. As you play games either in head to head or vs. the CPU you gain Madden Coins.  Here’s where the fun begins.  you can make several moves with your coins; buy Madden cards or buy/sell players through Auctions.  Buying packs is the most fun and a dynamic experience in the game.  you don’t know what players you’ll get but you are informed what tier of player you are buying determined on price.  low level player packs sell for 1000, low-medium 3000, medium for 6000 and High’s for 9000.  Legend packs are sold for cash.  you know, George Washington’s and Alexander Hamilton’s.

Be a Superstar.  this year Superstar mode gives you the option to walk-on and choose a team or enter the draft.  Since I decided to play as a QB, I was selected by the Browns and had to beat out Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace.  As long as I listened to the QB Coordinator and executed the plays, it was easy to become the starting QB in Cleveland.  Since most plays are sent down to you as Quarterback, you don’t have the option to call your own play.  I found myself hitting the audible button and elected to pass over the run.  Yes, I know it sounds greedy but I wanted to maximize my skill points.  to start, you’re given 1500 skill points.  this year, you’re also able to earn skills points in practice… practice?  Yup, practice man!  with those accrued skill points, you can level up your Superstar with the qualities you want in your player.  I like QB’s who can throw on the run, so I moved that slider first with accuracy and power following.  Play enough games, and you can beef up your guy to 99, but take too long doing that and he will age, forcing you to retire him.  I was able to play with him for 2 years strong since I entered him as a 30 year old.  Customizing his helmet, throwing style and skin color are all there and more.  in fact, I found myself in customization for 5 minutes then leaving the rest on default because there were too many options for me.  I guess people need hazel eyes and a good chin structure.

Franchise your team.  Most people love Madden for Franchise mode alone.  this year I decided to take advantage of selecting my team via Fantasy Draft with salary cap.  you are given a timer just like regular Fantasy draft leagues, but not as rushed.  You’re given 10 minutes to select your team, filling in your roster.  For my first 10 rounds, I selected the best overall player for each position with a focus on salary.  Jamaal Charles and Michael Vick were the exceptions.  but players like Dwayne Bowe are making little money compared to Donald Driver.  As I entered in Round 11, I allowed the CPU to auto-pick.  with enough patience –3 minutes later– I saw the draft end near the 49th round with my team complete.  Franchise mode allows you to evaluate each player and cut those you feel aren’t fit for the team.  this is one of the new features for Madden 12.  you can also scout rookies via the new scouting system and made bids based on your needs.  Another new feature available in Franchise mode and MUT are hot and cold streaks.  Performances from previous games will result in either hot or cold icons in the player profile which can have huge payouts.  It’s like a power-up vita-pak for your player.  Quick tip, throwing 5 more consecutive passes with your QB is a good way to get hot.

DPP.  Dynamic Player Performances keep Madden NFL 12 fresh, each and every game.  my issue with DPP was EA’s ability to make it feel like an uphill battle.  Harder to go up, easier to come down.  I find running is by far the most realistic in this year’s Madden and I have to thank DPP for that.  with some big runs my Running Back, Jamaal Charles was threading the needle thanks to my Offensive Line collapsing like a house of cards.  he still managed to get 8 yards per carry and shoved off manny secondary blockers while he was in a hot streak.  those streaks only last for 3 games.

EA’s Law.  Playing EA games since I was a child, I always noticed the challenge of play increase or decrease… dynamically.  in other words, when you play the CPU, there will always be a time where I will say, “there goes EA Law… again”.  EA Law is the inexplicable talent from a CPU player used in his advantage to level the playing field.  I still feel that in Madden 12.  on two separate occasions, I was winning vs. the CPU.  I knew since I was up, throwing even a conservative pass would somehow end up in the defenders hands, so I did what anyone with EA Law knowledge would do.  I ran consecutive plays up the middle.  the result, a fumble.  an unexplained fumble that was caused by running into the back of my own Center.  And speaking of running over Passing, I also theorized that after the first interception is made by which ever player first, there is a 99% the opponent will have an interception relatively soon, thus balancing the game.

Fantasy and Video Games under one roof.  EA Sports and NFL.com have combined forces to bring you Fantasy Football included within Madden 12.  the setup is quite easy.  on the main menu, go to Online then Fantasy.  Once you enter in your NFL.com user name and password, you’ll be able to see your league standings, player stats and transaction wire.  you also have the option to turn on the in-game notification of your Fantasy players’ performance.  to sweeten the deal, EA Sports is offering a 3000 coin incentive to link your accounts.

Visuals.  One of the first enhancements I noticed was how great and shiny all the helmets were.  in between downs, the camera will focus in on a player– most of the time the QB — and I was impressed.  some other on the field detail was streaking grass on wet fields and seeing yourself on the huge jumbotron in Cowboys Stadium.  while most of the in-game detail was enhanced last year and carried over to Madden 12 a much needed area is still the fans in the stands.  EA needs to understand that this minor realism will set the standard that much higher for those not looking for it.  when you watch a real NFL game, there are several references to fans showing appreciation on a 25 yard pass or the anxiousness on 4th and goal on the 1.  A couple of cheese heads with face paint is enough for me to be satisfied.

In-game Commentary.  Cris Collinsworth and Gus Johnson blend surprisingly well.  I found many of Gus Johnson’s enthusiastic calls to be properly timed although repetitive.  Collinsworth on the other hand throws football (no pun intended) tidbits at you such as how wide the football field is, 53 1/3 yards.  with my favorite quoting a Star Wars line “It’s a trap”.  Most times, they are accurately depicting the on field plays but remember people, it’s all pre-recorded.  unless you fly those two to your living room and ask for live commentary, you getting last nights dinner.  some minor number calls were awkward such as, the new England Patriots 24 – new York Giants 112 — where the 112 was said in a different tone.  you know that robot voice number calling I’m talking about, right?

Detailed Player Characteristics.  Big Running Backs such as Mike Turner and Brandon Jacobs have a high and tight styles while smaller guys like Darren Sproles and Maurice Jones-Drew run with quicker steps with their short strides.  Style for tall wide receivers like Andre Johnson use long strides.  several sacks on the Quarterback saw my defensive lineman pick up a fumble and slowly run towards the end zone like a kid holding a dozen eggs.  Even kickers have a swagger about them but I’m glad kicking is now easy again. the dreaded and annoying kicking mechanics for Madden 2011 are no more.  EA sports brought back the original kicking mechanism which makes kicking field goals and punts much easier and more accurate.

Bottom Line:  the year in an year out Madden will always live.  Madden fanatics want the latest game, with updated rosters (even though a digital push can update Madden 11) and new modes.  to say this year is better than Madden 11 is difficult.  If you purchase Madden every year, you will buy Madden NFL 12.  If you’re waiting, what for?  For your money, Madden NFL 12 is worth the purchase even if you’re a rookie looking to start.

Related posts:

1. Vote Michael Vick Cover Athlete for Madden 12
2. Steelers Win Super Bowl XLV, Madden NFL 11 Prediction of Course
3. Review: NBA 2K11, you Can be “like Mike”
4. Review: NBA Jam
5. Review: Mario Sports Mix

I’ll admit it – I was biased against Wii Fit. since I got my Wii system a little over a year ago, I’d been hearing from everyone about how great the Wii Fit program was, but with one negative comment – it didn’t provide workouts, just a bunch of activities you could do as often as you wished.

As someone who enjoys a good, structured workout, Wii Fit didn’t seem like the right game for me. Then EA Sports Active was released, and I bought it for myself for Christmas. I started a 30-day challenge on December 27th. at first, it was tough. for the first two days, I couldn’t walk up and down stairs without a good deal of pain, and I had started on the lowest intensity setting after those initial days, however, I grew accustomed to the workouts and exercises, and I’m breezing through them now.

What I love about EA Active Sports is that it provides a workout for me, a list of usually 15 exercises that can take anywhere from 11-19 minutes to complete, and each workout is a little different from the last with some new moves added in each time around. The game comes with a resistance band for awesome strength training, plus it has plenty of cardio activities like running, boxing, tennis, volleyball, baseball, and more.

It stays interesting for me, and I can feel the burn as I’m working out Plus, the game has a handy calorie-counter, so I know exactly how much I’m burning

Then I heard about Wii Fit Plus, and how it is purportedly better than its predecessor. It sounded like fun, plus I’d been wanting that balance board for other games. So my husband bought the game as an early birthday present for me. I have to say it was a wise purchase.

Though Wii Fit Plus lacks the strict routine of EA Sports Active, it is a little more fun. It has a host of activities in different categories including Yoga, Strength Training, Aerobics (for cardio), and balancing games. It focuses a good deal on balance and posture, which is another big difference between the games. Like EA Sports Active, Wii Fit Plus counts your calories for you.

Some have complained about having to weigh in every day. you don’t HAVE to weigh in by doing the Body Test, though it’s a good idea. The thing about Wii Fit Plus is that it’s honest. if your BMI (Body Mass Index, basically your amount of body fat) places you in the obese category, it will tell you. Day after day. The thing is to use that as your motivator Don’t be discouraged by the truth; allow it to inspire you

So I can’t really say one is better than the other. to me, it’s a matter of taste. if you love a good, strict workout with moves like bicep curls, lunges and squats, go for EA Sports Active. if you’re the type who needs to be tricked into working out by doing fun activities or by competition, Wii Fit Plus may suite you better. me, I’m enjoying both