Gaming News - July 2006

Redwood City, CA (July 24, 2006) - EA Sports today announced that it is teaming with ESPN on a pay-per0view special, Inside Madden 07.

From EA Sports:

Beginning August 4 at 8 p.m. ET., ESPN and ESPN.com will offer an exclusive pay-per-view event with Electronic Arts - Inside Madden NFL 07 – produced by ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE) and available to gamers through affiliates on television and also online.

In this special, available 18 days before the release of Madden NFL 07 from EA SPORTS on August 22, fans will get an early look inside one of this year’s most anticipated video game releases. EA game designers and some of the best Madden players will lead gamers on a guided tour through new changes and advances in all aspects of the game. Included in the special are the exclusive release of player ratings and tips from top Madden gamers and behind-the-scenes details about the making of the next generation of Madden NFL games.

Intended to give the hardcore gamer and fan a leg up on playing the latest version in the popular Madden game series, ESPN and EA SPORTS invited some of the best gamers in the business to EA Sports Tiburon studios in Orlando. Before arriving, the five gamers were given a chance to try the new game and see a number of new features. Once at the EA studios, the players were given the opportunity to interview game producers, engineers, and further test and evaluate the latest edition of the game for the cameras.

The gamers that took part in the program are:

- Dwayne "D-Train Harrison" - winner of the 2002 Madden Challenge
- Jarvis Thomas - winner of the 2005 Madden Challenge
- Justin Chow - Washington DC regional winner of the 2005 Madden Challenge
- Will Kinsler - co-owner of MaddenNation.com, and writer for gaming strategy guides and EA Sports
- Rod "Reality" Winn – a former competitor on ESPN's Madden Nation

Throughout the 60-minute special, the gamers discuss how the new game features will impact their own play and provide insight into techniques and strategies that help make them among the best in the world.

Inside Madden NFL 07 also includes interviews with top athletes regarding their experience with the latest version of the game. Atlanta Falcons’ Warrick Dunn, Tennessee Titans great Eddie George, Minnesota Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson, and St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk were each given the opportunity to take an advance look at their OWN player ratings while cameras captured their feedback.

Fans can purchase Inside Madden NFL 07 for $19.95 at www.espn.com (search Madden), or by contacting their pay-per-view provider. For re-airs throughout the month of August, check www.espntv.com listings or contact your pay-per-view provider.

Madden NFL 07 will be available in stores on August 22.