As part of reporter Alex Pham's Q&A to coincide with the launch of Madden NFL 10, Madden was asked to recall the development of the game he's been a part of for more than 20 years.

LA Times: How far has the video game evolved since the days [EA founder] Trip Hawkins ... approached you in 1986 to do a title?

Madden: When Trip Hawkins and I started, there were no video games. He was going to make a game you could play on the computer. The reason I joined him was that I wanted to make something that could teach football. Then it took us years to get to that point.

I take it that Madden meant to include the word "football" between "no" and "video," though I'm not sure even that's correct.

This is, nevertheless, one of the better Madden-on-Madden interviews I've seen. Give it a read. Pham knows her stuff.

John Madden talks about the virtual gridiron, the Madden Curse and life outside of the broadcasting booth [LA Times]

"Probably gets better, because now John is home, in the Bay Area, where we're headquartered," says Peter Moore. "And in fact our team is there with him right now. He has a production company in the East Bay and I'm spending more time with him because he's not traveling anymore."

Moore points out that the Madden license continues "for quite a while". When asked what will happen to Madden way down the road, Moore replied, "If you said to me that once I'm gone there's a video game that lives on with my name, there's certainly achievements with my name on already, so it might be a fitting legacy. I don't think anymore that people would think it would be weird if when ultimately he's no longer with us that the game carries on." Just as no one thinks its weird that the Lombardi trophy is named after Vince Lombardi.

Peter Moore on the Strategy of Sports [Gamasutra]

Madden, who has lent his name to the EA Sports football game known as Madden NFL for two decades, will continue to work with Electronic Arts and Madden developers on the making of the game, reps told Kotaku. According to a statement provided by EA Sports, the publisher "continues its strong relationship with John Madden and will continue to produce new versions EA SPORTS Madden NFL with John's collaboration."

"His retirement has no impact on EA, other than us wishing him the very best in this next stage in his life," the statement reads. "He's earned the time off."

Peter Moore, President of EA Sports, also issued the following statement on Madden's retirement:

"John is a true sports icon who has made an indelible impact on the sport of football which will be felt forever. His prolific coaching and broadcasting careers, as well as his distinct role in shaping the EA SPORTS football experience have redefined how multiple generations have come to know and love the sport with unrivaled passion. We're excited to see his legacy live on in the 21st year of Madden NFL football, and well beyond. It's been a privilege for EA SPORTS to have had the strong relationship we've had with John for more than two decades and one that will continue into the future."

Madden NFL 10 is slated to ship on August 14.

Huh. I vaguely remember that library of games. Tooling around teh Google, lo and behold, there's video (below) of pre-mushmouth Madden calling the epic Tony Sarkis vs. Ray Johnson showdown — yeah I don't remember it either — in Wizard of Wor on the 2600. Madden's commentary lacks the signature boom, bam, here's-a-guy, and telestrator pee-pees. But still, you always leave him feeling you learned something about the game, you know? For the record, Ray wins.

Hey I got one: What does Ostia have in common with Wizard of Wor? Both are ancient ports! Get it? Get it?!

Don't like the pun? Suck it! But remember, that money back offer on Wizard of Wor expires in two weeks ... from 26 years ago.

20 Awesome Vintage Video Game Ads [Unreality]

It's that time of year again! Madden 09 comes out in a week and John Madden has some things to say about EA's latest rendition of the game. He discusses how Madden's recent improvements have impressed Fox Sports to the point that they wished to make the television broadcast further resemble the game! We really have come full circle.

I'm just glad to see that Mr. Madden still has something to do with the title. At least we both have something in common, we both don't fly (well) in planes.

It's something you can count on. Every year, there is a new Madden. Electronic Arts rolls out its tweaked version and makes a bucket full of cash on the Madden NFL games. GIANT Magazine's Scott Stein thinks an overhaul is in order and lists ten things that are lacking in Madden:

You know, the technology exists to take that about-to-be-obsolete copy of Madden '06 and add this year's rosters changes and schedules, all for a modest fee. It's called Xbox Live Marketplace, and it's a shame EA doesn't allow people to make their old games new again. I guess they're afraid everyone won't pay another $50 for this year's iteration. Well, they would...if the game were significantly improved every year

What about the peanut gallery, what changes would you like to see? Me, I'm not really a big fan, but I'm hoping EA will figure out a clever way to work in John Madden's Maddencruiser into game play. A coast-to-coast gumball rally or something. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [GIANT Mag]