[b] By: Scott Schopman[/b]

Well it was a big week for EA with this years beloved [i]Madden[/i] title outselling all previous [i]Madden[/i] games in the franchises sixteen-year history.

[i] Madden NFL 06[/i] hit store shelves August 8th and sold more than 1.7 million copies in the opening week, making it the most sold title in a one week period in Madden franchise history.

“Gamers were demanding the best Madden NFL Football ever this year and the response at retail indicates that we delivered the game that everyone wanted,” said EA Vice President of Marketing Todd Sitrin. “Consumers have voted with their dollars, and the vote is in — this is the best version of Madden NFL Football ever.”

“EA ups its game for the best Madden yet,” said Matthew Kato, Senior Editor of Game Informer magazine. “They delivered substantial innovation to the Madden franchise, making Madden NFL 06 a must-have title of the year.”

“You’d think the big news in the locker-room this week was the start of the preseason, but all everyone could talk about was the new Madden game,” said Ahman Green, All Pro Running Back for the Green Bay Packers. “Everyone had to check out their new ratings and the new features in the game.”