Update: EA does *NOT* cancel Madden. Details inside!!!!

**Heavens Gate** · 03-28-2003

They only cancelled online support . According to EA, there's just not any incentive to use Xbox Live because Microsoft runs the servers(a money thing). Madden is alive and well. Just without online play.

**BCan** · 03-28-2003

It's a money thing, but it's really a control thing - having the ability to remove LIVE support as EA sees fit is their issue. They have made a practice of milking money out of the public with their yearly sports games updates. So, to not to be able to force customers to upgrade by disabling LIVE support, is against their current financial planning.

If they actually decided to spend more time developing the games, rather than getting the same game out 2 or 3 years in a row, then making a major change, they might have a little bit more respect by gamers, and by other competitors. Seems like quantity over quality at EA.............

**bbchs_trash** · 03-28-2003

**Xbox Owner** · 03-28-2003

Must give it to..

<img src="http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/negative16.jpg">

**JimmieDoogan** · 03-28-2003

What kind of money do they get from the PS2 users? NONE... they're wasting resources by allowing PS2 users to play for free... but I heard it's because MS won't allow them to shut down servers for older versions of games so they can FORCE people to buy the new version. If you ask me, EA is the shady one this time... imagine that, someone more shady than MS.

**bbchs_trash** · 03-28-2003

Who the hell cares... EA is a bull**** company... if it wasn't for NCAA College Football they wouldn't get any business from me!

**Viper87227** · 03-28-2003

sega sports is 10x better so why is this really an issue?

**mrmp3** · 03-28-2003

As much as I hate EA, their football games are better than Sega. I played 2k3 and I just can't stand it. I mean charge up the arrow press the tackle button and you can dive like 10 yards to tackle someone it's bull****. I always play the franchise mode with my friend in Madden and have a blast. It's just a same EA doesn't use the Xbox's capabilities so the graphics can be top notch. Either way, 2k3 sux, Fever is mediocre, and Madden is good but if their isn't a serious improvement in Madden 2004 (i.e. If John has the same stupid comments as usual so help me god I don't rip the CD out of my system and take a sledge hammer to it) then I see no need to buy it. As much as I disliked 2k3, I have a feeling next years will make leaps and bounds setting some new standards for football games. Signing off..

**MerimacHamwich** · 03-28-2003

Pff.

**CharlieHustle** · 03-28-2003

Originally posted by mrmp3
As much as I hate EA, their football games are better than Sega. I played 2k3 and I just can't stand it. I mean charge up the arrow press the tackle button and you can dive like 10 yards to tackle someone it's bull****. I always play the franchise mode with my friend in Madden and have a blast. It's just a same EA doesn't use the Xbox's capabilities so the graphics can be top notch. Either way, 2k3 sux, Fever is mediocre, and Madden is good but if their isn't a serious improvement in Madden 2004 (i.e. If John has the same stupid comments as usual so help me god I don't rip the CD out of my system and take a sledge hammer to it) then I see no need to buy it. As much as I disliked 2k3, I have a feeling next years will make leaps and bounds setting some new standards for football games. Signing off..

I actually agree with him. I do believe that 2k4 will have madden by a mile with live support. Im not a great EA fan, but i still do buy the best game for me. Which was madden for this year. Its realistic and accurate, and their franchise mode is deep as hell. If Nfl 2k4 makes progress like wsb 2k3, then sega will have my money for my next football game.

**Casper** · 03-29-2003

And again, my lack of support for EA will go for another game...why can't they just suck it up and put it on MS' servers and get off of Sony's nuts, do they realize how much $$ they are losing?

**Variation-XBA** · 03-29-2003

/yawn

like I'll support EA now anyways

**Flood** · 03-29-2003

i like EA hockey better than sega's....been playing EA's NHL games since 93 for genesis.....i bought nhl2k3....played it twice against Thatroger on live....lost both games.....hated the controls......returned it the next day and got Ghost Recon

**Heavens Gate** · 03-29-2003

IMO, SEGA makes the best sports games ever. EA is rehash after rehash. The look to 2k3 is just soooo real. The faces are spectacular. EA's football players look and run like constipated midgets on the field. Casper's right. EA needs to get their heads out of Sony's asses. EA doesn't even utilize the power of X. It's PS2 leftovers. EA is on a serious power trip. Look at the console industry as a 3 piece band with EA being the arrogant lead singer. Well, lead singers get screwed in the end.

**CrazyCougar** · 03-29-2003

Hmmm, I wonder if Madden went to Live how many people would jump the fences. I think that would kill NFL 2k3 online. Personally I would go to Madden if it went online. As for hockey, it would probably be a toss up. But I have loved EA sports titles for the past decade and nuthins going to stop me from continuing to like them. NCAA Football 2003!!! Best damn football game ever!

**Kraft** · 03-29-2003

EA wouldn't even have to make their entire lineup live. I mean, if we just got NFL live or even better NCAA football live, just imagine how many freaking units of that game would sell next fall. I'm not sure why EA is having a pride issue on this one: they've proven that they sucks at online managment, why not leave it up to someone with money to burn?

**Bigwig** · 03-31-2003

I wont buy NASCAR 2004 unless its online. I might buy Madden but come on EA by the time Madden is out in late 2003 there will be more then half a million XBL users.

**MerimacHamwich** · 03-31-2003

NHL 2k3 blows but so does NHL 2003. I want to see Hitz on live. Its the best hockey game out there. If they made a good sim mode it would be even better.