Xbox Addict

Madden 12 Release Date Set for August 30

EA Sports has announced that this year’s edition of Madden will be released on August 30.
 That date puts it a few weeks later than when games in the series usually come out; the last time Madden wasn’t released inside the first two weeks of August was Madden NFL 07. According to EA Sports PR rep Rob Semsey, the later-than-usual release is meant "to align closer to the start of the NFL regular season."
 
Of course, there might not be a start to the regular season this year, as the NFL is in the midst of a lockout. Regardless, EA Sports President Peter Moore reaffirmed at an event yesterday that the lockout won’t have any effect on the release of Madden in 2011.
 
"We’ll be shipping this year, regardless of what the labor issues are, whether they’re resolved or not," he said, Joystiq reports. "Madden 12 will be shipping on August 30th 2011, regardless of what happens with the league itself."
 
Electronic Arts had made it clear before that the lockout wouldn’t affect the game. That doesn’t mean the company isn’t hoping it’s resolved soon -- Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter suggested sales of Madden 12 could be cut in half if the entire NFL season is canceled. Meanwhile, the NBA (and its accompanying videogames) is facing a similar situation with an impending lockout.
 
The cover athlete for Madden 12 is in the process of being voted on by fans. After starting with 32 choices, we’re now down to four possibilities: Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Hillis, Michael Vick, and Adrian Peterson. That Michael Vick is even a choice has been the source of some controversy. Activists believe that, due to his past crimes involving dog fighting, he should not be a candidate. Peter Moore countered those complaints last month by saying, "We believe that Michael Vick, as the runner-up in MVP for the league and the comeback player of the year, deserved his slot," also adding, "I’m not here to comment on what he did. I personally believe, and this is personal commentary right now, that Michael served his time. He’s had a tremendous season." We’ll know in two weeks’ time who will be gracing the cover of this year’s game.