Brett Favre's Comeback Affects Gaming, Too

Brett Favre's Drama in Video Games and Fantasy Football

Aug 12, 2008

Brett Favre spiraled the professional football world into drama, but the sporting community was not the only one affected by his antics. The gaming industry was hit, too.

For the past few releases, EA's Madden NFL video game has seemed to curse whoever appears on the game's cover. The newest release, Madden NFL 09, is no exception as Brett Favre, sporting his Green Bay Packers jersey, is splashed on the game's cover. However, this may be a first for the curse to strike before the game's release.

For those who may be unaware of the summer's football drama, Brett Favre decided to come back to professional football after just four months of official retirement. His decision held the Packers and ESPN's SportCenter in seemingly endless drama as he and the Packers decided where he would play. To the disappointment of many Green Bay fans, Favre became a New York Jet.

Jet Favre Added to Video Games

According to EA's Madden NFL 09 website, EA was not able to change their cover art, but apparently their programmers have been working around the clock to move Favre to the Jets roster in time for the August 12, 2008 release. This is no small feat. Madden NFL 09 will be released for several gaming systems: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo DS. Not to mention, writers and QA staff were also working around the clock to rewrite the Official Strategy Guide. Surely 2K Sports' programmers are performing similar duties for All Pro Football 2K9.

In addition to the program changes, EA does offer new cover art for their die-hard Madden fans to download. Fans can download a cover mock up of their favorite team to replace the Number 4 Packer jersey or cover art sporting Favre in his new Number 4 Jet jesery.

Favre Back in Fantasy Football Picks

One also has to wonder how this is affecting the Fantasy Football game players. NFL.com's Fantasy Football 2008 Preview magazine released a month ago is now a bit obsolete. Seasoned players who wait until the preseason to make their picks should have no issues, but the eager beavers may be fighting to trade their QBs... unless they picked Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Tony Romo.

It's been amusing to see how much of the Brett Favre drama has affected the sporting community and the fans. Who knew it would touch the gaming industry a tad as well. Does it add the same drama that the Packers felt? Highly doubtful. Most gamers probably won't care. But hey, the change may be a bit welcomed in the gaming community, especially for Jets fans. Finally they have an interesting pick for Fantasy Football as well as a powerhouse quarterback in the number one football video game.

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