The video game "Madden NFL 22" was the second highest-selling game of 2021, and you may recognize the man who helped to turn it into a worldwide brand. His name is John Madden, and he was a legendary American former football coach who landed a Super Bowl during his time with the Oakland Raiders. He passed away in December 2021, but his legacy will never be forgotten.

Madden struck goal when he agreed to license the "Madden NFL" series. But how did it all begin?

The game was initially designed to be seven-on-seven football

In the ‘80s, gaming technology was still far from advanced.
Source: Pexels.com

When Trip Hawkins, from Electronic Arts, first met with John Madden, he asked him if he wanted to become the face of a new seven-on-seven football video game. Hawkins wanted the game to feature fewer players than real football because, in the '80s, computer processing power was nothing like today.

Naturally, Madden didn't like the idea. His first demand was that the game featured 22 guys on the screen, just like real football. Needless to say, he got what he wanted.

The franchise was a hit from early on

“Madden NFL” is THE video game for American football fans.
Source: Pexels.com

It's not easy to make an entertaining video-game simulation of real football, especially in the '80s. However, the "Madden NFL" series was a hit from early on. The game was released when Madden was still coaching in the NFL and attracted sports fans due to his focus on realism.

Fast forward to the future, and the franchise has already generated a whopping $7 billion in revenue. It was (and still is) a smashing success!

Madden had the final word

According to Hawkins, the involvement of Madden in the production of the game was far more important than many people assume to be. He wasn't just lending his name to the game: he had the final word in many production decisions, especially if they were about making the game realistic.

More than lending his name to the popular video game series, Madden worked hard to make it great. It's HIS game in more than one way.

He was a great player

Madden’s tactical insight was fundamental for the developers.
Source: Pexels.com

Considering Madden is one of the most inventive and influential coaches in the history of football, it's only natural that he was a savvy "Madden NFL" player. He once got mad at his son for not punting a single time during a game of "Madden NFL."

Reportedly, Madden also used an Oakland Raiders playbook from 1980 to help the game's producers to figure out new tactics and plays that could be incorporated into the game.