EA’s ‘Madden NFL’ Chief Reveals Purpose of Amazon’s Docuseries About 36-Year Franchise: ‘It’s the Most Complex Sports Game to Make’

As a seasoned video game aficionado and football enthusiast who has spent countless hours huddled around my old CRT TV, controller in hand, I must say that “It’s in the Game: Madden NFL” is a docuseries that tugs at the heartstrings of any gaming veteran. Having grown up with the legendary John Madden, both as a coach and commentator, I can attest to his indelible impact on Thanksgiving traditions.


This week, alongside the widely anticipated NFL game on Black Friday, Amazon is also offering a supplementary dose of holiday sports programming – a brand-new documentary series delving into the historical background of the best-selling football video game, titled “Madden NFL”.

Indeed, it’s not mere coincidence that the timing aligns, given that Electronic Arts (EA Sports), the company behind the “Madden” series, recognizes the strong link between Hall of Fame football coach and renowned commentator John Madden, namesake of the franchise, and Thanksgiving.

As a movie buff, I’d rephrase it like this: “Everyone associates Thanksgiving with Coach Madden. He announced close to 20 games on Thanksgiving and was part of numerous holiday traditions because of it,” shared EA Sports senior vice president and general manager Daryl Holt in an interview with EbMaster. “His connection to football during the Thanksgiving holiday became his signature.

Throughout his life, Madden was closely involved in the development of the game — formerly known as “John Madden Football,” until EA struck its long-running rights deal with the NFL in 1990 — and Holt said EA Sports has been considering ways to tell the story of the franchise and Madden’s influence for years. Then along came Amazon, which has been working overtime to solidify its standing in the football community since setting its pact air “Thursday Night Football” from 2023 to 2033.

Initially, the filmmakers and Amazon approached us, but we were already interested since we’ve been contemplating ways to narrate Coach Madden’s story and the lasting impact of ‘Madden NFL’, a franchise now 36 years old. This proposition was a fitting one for us to explore further, so we seized the chance to delve deeper and figure out how to collaborate effectively. I’m pleased that we managed to establish a strong partnership with Prime and the filmmakers, allowing us to reveal untold stories and open our archives.

Through Amazon’s Prime Video, “It’s in the Game: Madden NFL” unveils an unprecedented account of the evolution of Madden NFL, from its humble 8-bit beginnings to its status as a yearly must-have. This journey, which defied all expectations, was kickstarted by an unexpected collaboration between a tech genius and a football icon, sparking a revolution that brought together the spheres of sports enthusiasts and tech enthusiasts. Against all odds, they could have failed, but instead their game redefined the rules – not just in gaming, but also significantly impacting our broader culture.

The four-part documentary series showcases Holt alongside other present EA Sports leaders and “Madden NFL” team members. It includes previously unseen footage from the three-decade history of the franchise, as well as a glimpse into the final stages of development for next year’s “Madden NFL 25.

Holt stated that creating a game as intricate and expansive as ‘Madden’ annually is a significant, complex task. In fact, it’s the most complicated sports game to produce. To help illustrate this process, there will be glimpses into the workings of game developers, both those from the past and present. This insight should provide a deeper understanding of how these games are made, the challenges encountered along the way, and hopefully, foster a greater admiration for something that fans already cherish.

This documentary, titled “Madden,” was created by A+E Factual Studios group in collaboration with Michael Strahan’s SMAC Productions, Misher Film and MTP. Directed by Nathan Caswell and Jeremiah Zagar, it’s designed to captivate both long-time enthusiasts of the “Madden” series and a newer generation who joined the NFL scene at a distinct period in the sport’s history.

In essence, Holt explained that Madden fans can be divided into two main groups. One group consists of newer fans who may not traditionally watch football games for extended periods but instead follow athletes and highlights. The other group is made up of individuals who are familiar with the sport and remember John Madden as a coach or broadcaster. The documentary series aims to enlighten viewers about the history of Madden, its longevity, and the process behind creating the game, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane while also showcasing the development of ‘Madden NFL 25’.

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2024-11-28 23:16