Is EA’s Madden heading for a digital future?

The move follows the admission from EA boss John Riccitiello last month that “it is discouraging that one of our highest-rated and best-marketed Madden titles in years is facing strong headwinds”.

Described as a “fun, pick-up-and-play” title, the trimmed down outing is aimed at both the more casual-orientated gamer and those to whom the notion of shelling out £50 is becoming increasingly more questionable.

“When you look around the office and see your whole team playing and having tons of fun with it, you know the game hit the right mark,” EA marketing director Nathan Stewart explained.

“We have diehard Madden fans who have worked on the franchise for a decade, and more casual gamers who are all playing together and enjoying it. If our productivity the past few weeks is any indication, we’ve created a game that everyone will love.”

Madden NFL Arcade will cost 1200 Points on Xbox Live and $14.99 on PSN. It’s due for release in December.