Madden 07 is the perfect argument AGAINST exclusive licenses.
The part that frustrates me the most are the die-hard Madden groupies that try and defend this game. They say it's no big deal that EA released a game with bugs. "Just download the patch when it comes out". They say it like everyone is hooked up to XBOX Live. Others try to explain to me how hard it is to compress all the data for a next gen game and that is why Madden and other EA games are stripped down versions of their "lesser" counterparts. Why oh why then did I pay $400 for a next gen system, if it can't handle running next gen games? I've even heard that we as gamers shouldn't even want all the extras, like fantasy draft, and cribs and owner mode...that a REAL football purist should only have the real rosters. Who would want to get together with their friends or siblings in multi player franchise mode, fantasy draft their own teams, and play them through oh 5 or 6 seasons to see who's team could win the most Super Bowls. Well, I don't know about you, but my brother's and I are into our 5th season in NFL2K5 and we have had a blast ever since we started. If you don't want to take my word for it, take our very own GameSpot's word. While NFL 2K games were still on the market, both titles were neck and neck in their game reviews, which were always above 9.0. Yet ever since EA bought the exclusive contract, Madden's ratings have clearly declined. Football fans are the most hardcore fans in the world, and because of this fact, alot of us will purchase Madden 07, and sadly our money will only encourage EA's strategy at exclusive licenses. I can only hope that the NFL will not renew an exclusive contract with EA or any other gaming company. Until then, I'll continue to play my $19.99 copy of NFL2K5...speaking of which, my game is up...