Sports games have come a long way since the days of Tecmo Football or Blades of Steel, although who doesn’t like to fire up the old Nintendo system and throw the ole pigskin the length of the field in Tecmo? Over the years as technology developed, the games did as well, from better graphics to more complex game play, and sports games are no exception. Sports titles, for the most part, have become more realistic in player models, overall play, and available modes. While advancements in technology have made sports games more realistic, as evidenced by the Madden franchise, there is still a demand for the arcade-like sports titles, games that allow players to defy the laws of physics in a sort of fantasy sports world. Is one style of sports gaming superior to the other? I’m here to try to help the sports gamer out, outlining the pros and cons of both styles, hopefully helping the indecisive gamer to decide which style they would enjoy more and getting the most out of their purchase.

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We’re only two weeks away from the Major League Gaming Pro Circuit National Championship in Las Vegas, NV.

The winner is looking at six figures in prize money and the best attainable bragging rights.

There’s money, fame, national titles and groupies. Sounds like what we’d expect from professional sports. But the explosion of attention on professional gaming revives the debate- will it ever be a sport?

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While gamers around America are still putting in pre-orders for the August 12th release of Madden ‘09, EA is already looking forward to Madden ‘10 and they aren’t afraid to talk about it. Their first order of business isn’t what you might think, though: rather than focusing on some aspect of gameplay, they have announced that there will be a download service available to bolster the game’s soundtrack.

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Reality or ridiculous, the Madden curse is always an intriguing aspect to ponder as the upcoming NFL season approaches. The last eight cover boys have seen their share of bad luck after gracing the front of the fabled football franchise. This year looks to be as interesting as any; and with Brett Favre adorning the cover, we can let the Madden curse analysis begin.

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With the undeniable popularity of Sims 2 and the hype and universal appeal tied to Spore, EA continues to be a big hitter in games that aren’t based around the typical RPG/shooter elements that have become the industry’s bread and butter. With development on the Hasbro licensing it acquired last fall, as well as first-looks at the Wii line of EA games under the All-Play branding, EA is sure to attract an even larger and more casual demographic to its own brand of fun.

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Do you remember when you had a choice when it came to your football games? Yes, it has been ages (well, 4 years), since gamers had a say in how they chose to play their NFL football games, when they could freely choose whether they wanted the ultra-realistic football simulation of Madden, or the slightly more arcade-like NFL 2K series. Times have, unfortunately, changed. As of 2004, EA has had the exclusive rights to release football games depicting realistic portrayals of NFL, NCAA and AFL football teams.

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Massive, the in-game advertising arm of Microsoft, claims to have evidence that in-game ads not only sell stuff; players think they’re “cool.” But game forum discussions all over reveal plenty of resistance. While many gamers don’t mind seeing ads in natural contexts, that’s hardly an endorsement of ads in games in general. Accustomed as we are to getting software free in exchange for ad exposure, we know the value of our brand awareness. So if we expose ourselves to ads, we want something back.

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Stealing a page from Take-Two’s play book, the Boston Celtics have flipped EA the proverbial avian critter and let them know exactly where they can shove their fancy predictions. In open defiance of an NBA LIVE ‘09 prediction that the LA Lakers would triumph in 7 games, the Celtics unceremoniously tossed the Lakers out of the 2008 NBA finals. It may well be the gaming EA’s biggest setback since SimPresident1870 predicted Samuel Tilden would obliterate Rutherford B. Hayes in the second overtime of the 1876 elections.

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