August 7, 2008 - Using Madden NFL 09 to simulate results for the 2008 NFL season, EA SPORTS predicts the New York Jets will win their most games since 1998 and earn a berth in the AFC Playoffs with Brett Favre as their starting quarterback.  With Favre, the cover athlete for Madden NFL 09, EA SPORTS predicts the Jets will finish 11-4-1.  Without Favre, the Jets stood to miss the playoffs with a 9-7 record.

Other important notes about the Aug. 12 launch of Madden NFL 09:

• ROSTER PATCH: An online roster patch featuring Favre as the starting quarterback for the New York Jets will be available on Aug. 12 (for Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and Wii).  In the final packaged product that hits stores next Tuesday, Favre is on the "NFL Greats" roster.  In Franchise Mode, players can transfer Favre to the free agent roster pool, and pick him up on any of the 32 NFL teams for the 2008 season.

• PACKAGING: Madden NFL 09 will hit stores on Aug. 12 with Brett Favre on the cover in his Green Bay Packers uniform.  EA SPORTS does not plan to re-issue the game with new packaging at this time, but will offer a free downloadable cover in the coming days on easports.com featuring Brett Favre in a Jets uniform.  Fans can print this new cover out and insert it into the case of Madden NFL 09.

• DEMO NOW AVAILABLE: The Madden NFL 09 demo is now available on Xbox Live and Playstation Network.  Players can preview the all-new Virtual Training Center and Madden IQ test before entering the Madden Moments game mode, featuring a challenge from Super Bowl XLII.  For more on the Madden NFL 09 demo, click here.

• MADDENPALOOZA: EA SPORTS will celebrate next week's launch of the 20th anniversary of Madden NFL 09 with Maddenpalooza - a music, sports and gaming fan festival hosted at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on August 11. Maddenpalooza will run from 2-10 p.m. the day before the official August 12 launch date and will feature live musical performances by bands from past and current Madden NFL soundtracks, including headliner Good Charlotte.  In addition to the music performances, Maddenpalooza attendees can enjoy a number of fan-friendly festivities including autograph signing stations with retired NFL legends, interactive NFL activities, Xbox 360® gaming kiosks to play Madden NFL 09, and a Wal-mart pop-up store where customers can be among the first to purchase their copy of Madden NFL 09. Admission is free.

On Tuesday, Madden NFL 09 was named best sports game of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in the official "Game Critics Best of Show Awards".  Madden NFL 09, the First Sports Game That Adapts To You, introduces more than 85 new features and enhancements.  Whether you are a seasoned veteran, or a franchise rookie, Madden NFL 09 will continuously asses your skills and adjust the gameplay to keep the experience both fun and challenging, all while training gamers to become better Madden players.  Madden NFL 09 also includes a brand-new broadcast presentation package featuring Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond, online leagues, and the most realistic graphics in franchise history.

Madden NFL 09 is developed in Orlando, Florida by the award-winning EA Tiburon studio, which also produces NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® and NASCAR® racing. 

Madden NFL 09 will be available for the Xbox® and Xbox 360® video game systems from Microsoft, PlayStation®2 and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment systems, WiiTM, Nintendo DSTM, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and is rated E by the ESRB.