The evolution of American Football into a video game #videogames #sport #Madden #NFL #gridiron #AmericanFootball

American Football has, like many other sports with a reasonable global following, manifested into a video game. The American Football video game franchise is title 'Madden,' followed by the year in which the game is desired to represent. For example, the current edition of 'Madden' is 'Madden NFL 16,' referring to the upcoming 2016 season. 'Madden' is the name given to the game, as it is the name of one of the most prominent NFL players of all time (remember - NFL is the largest American Football organisation / competition in the world). John Madden, the man in which the game was named after, is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, the highest individual accolade one can receive upon playing American Football. John Madden has also won the Super-Bowl as a coach following his playing career.

Above: John Madden as depicted when receiving his Hall of Fame induction. 

The Madden gaming franchise, taking into account all of its incarnations, has sold over 100 million copies world wide. To put that into perspective, that is around 5 times the population of Australia!!! The game is now seen as an extraordinarily realistic simulation of real life American Football, with coaches and players even stating that they have used the game as a way to improve their respective teams. The first version of Madden was released in 1988, and was coined 'John Madden Football,' with the developer of the game - Electronic Arts - releasing an annual edition since 1990. The name changed from 'Madden Football' to 'Madden NFL' in 1993 when the franchise acquired all the rights and licenses to the teams, players and other things associated with the NFL, allowing them to use the NFL name in the title. The current game has star wide-receiver of the New York Giants on the front cover. The front cover of the game is generally given to the most popular NFL player as decided by the fans, who vote for the player on the front cover.

Above: The Madden NFL 16 front cover featuring Odell-Beckham Jr.

There are a variety of ways of playing the Madden game currently available (Madden NFL 16). 

Single Player Kick-Off

This mode simply refers to when 1-8 people can play offline against either the computer, or against one another. The mode offers a one-off game where people can fine tune their skills, while competing against the computer or against their friends. Ways to play: 

- One person can verse the computer.

- One person can verse another person. 

- Two people can be on the same team versing the computer.

- Two people can be on the same team versing 1 or more people on the opposition team.

- Up to 4 people on each side versing each other.

Single Player Franchise Mode

This mode seeks to replicate the day to day administrative duties of a real life head coach, in addition to the simulation and playing of a season. This mode puts the player in control of a club, making him the coach, and giving him free reigns to control their favourite club to lead their club to championship glory.

Online Seasons

Online Seasons is simply a one vs one concept where one player can find a match with another person across the globe and play using any team they choose. This mode is increasing in popularity due to the improvements of internet speed worldwide, which have allowed for smoother and faster online gaming.

- Jeremy