Topic: Madden NFL 2003 Released

[Mike Works]

Released on an amazing six seperate platforms, including GameCube and Game Boy Advance, football fans have some spending to do.

Courtesy of Electronic Arts, the latest incarnation of the ever popular Madden series is now available.

Best-Selling Football Videogame, Madden NFL 2003, Launches on Six Platforms

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - August 12, 2002 - Football season officially starts today with the launch of Madden NFL(tm) 2003 from Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), the best-selling football videogame. The ship date was moved up a day due to the high demand from consumers. Available on six platforms, the PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube, the Xbox(tm) video game system from Microsoft, the PlayStation console, Game Boy(r) Advance and PC, the Madden NFL Football franchise enters into its 13th year as the undisputed leader in authentic NFL football simulation. In its history, the franchise has sold more than 25 million copies including more than four million copies of Madden NFL 2002

EA has also taken the effort to add some enticing modes that should excell Madden 2003 over it's previous version.

Two new modes will please everyone from the first-time Madden player to the most hardcore Madden NFL 2003 football fans. The innovative Mini-Camp mode allows players to join John Madden's Cruiser Bus traveling to all 32 NFL cities to compete in fun and challenging mini-games. Gamers have the opportunity to take controls of players in practice gear and become an expert in eight positions while trying to earn unique Madden cards. The new Create-a-Playbook mode allows you to customize receiver routes, player formations and a team's entire playbook for both offense and defense; allowing the gamer to create virtually any play imaginable and play it on the field immediately.

Madden NFL 2003 includes the expansion Houston Texans, the new NFL divisional alignment and new features in its signature franchise mode, making it the deepest such mode available. Gamers will also find dramatically improved graphics and presentation with new signature player animations like sidearm throws, gang-tackles, new high-emotion celebrations and cut scenes, more than 300 realistic player faces, animating 3D crowds and completely redone stadiums and fields that provide the most realistic playing environment possible. With new game play mechanics, the game speed of Madden NFL 2003 is significantly faster and features tighter control with quicker animations, an all-new interior running game and a more finely tuned passing game.

Debuting in Madden NFL 2003, EA SPORTS TRAX, showcases new songs from today's hottest bands with songs throughout the game from artists such as Bon Jovi, Andrew W.K., Nappy Roots (featuring Marcos from P.O.D.), Good Charlotte, OK GO, Audiovent, (hed) p.e., Seether and Quarashi. Many songs from these artists can be heard in Madden NFL 2003 before their albums are available.