To kick off the weekend, Xbox LIVE will host Game with Fame sessions allowing Xbox LIVE Gold members to sign into Xbox LIVE at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, and score an opportunity to chat and play “Madden NFL 08” against NFL star Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers. They can also sign into Xbox LIVE that evening to chat and play “NFL Tour” cover athlete and NFL star Shawne Merriman of the San Diego Chargers. NFL players will participate in the Game with Fame from Arizona just hours before they try to win the Madden Bowl XIV and claim yearlong bragging rights among their football-playing brethren. Those interested in competing with Willis and Merriman should send a friend request to the Xbox LIVE Gamertags WillisGwF and MerrimanGwF.
The Madden Bowl is an annual event in which eight current NFL players go head to head in a “Madden NFL 08” on Xbox 360 single-elimination tournament. This year, Madden Bowl XIV will be held at the Martini Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz., and will feature eight NFL players who will compete for the chance to be deemed the league’s best “Madden NFL 08” player.
All weekend, “Madden NFL 08” gamers can create their own Madden Bowl by downloading an eight- or 16-person bracket-style tournament and playing friends over Xbox LIVE. “Madden NFL 08” gamers who register as a Tournament Commissioner on http://www.xbox.com/maddenbowl for a four-day Play & Win Sweepstakes and then play in their tournament on Xbox LIVE will be randomly selected to receive special prize packages, such as an EA Sports 08 Game Pack or a trip for two to New York to be a part of EA Sports’ events during the draft in April. Existing Xbox LIVE Gold members may also register as a Tournament Commissioner online by downloading the exclusive gamerpic.
More details on registering and information regarding terms, conditions and official rules will be available on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, through the official event page.
“Madden NFL 08” and “NFL Tour” fans will also get the opportunity that weekend to game over Xbox LIVE against EA’s “Madden NFL 08” developers. They should be on the lookout for the following development team Gamertags from Thursday, Jan. 31, from 3–6 p.m. EST to play “Madden NFL 08” and Friday, Feb. 1, from 3–6 p.m. EST to play “NFL Tour”:
“Madden NFL 08” Session
- MaddenDevRyno
- MaddenDevSean
- MaddenDevCrank
- MaddenDevScant
- MaddenDevHart
- MaddenDevOstres
- MaddenDevLauren
“NFL Tour” Session
- TourDevPhil
- TourDevJasonB
- TourDevMatt
- TourDevJasonV
- TourDevTavis
- TourDevPeyton
- TourDevRichard
- TourDevJosh
- TourDevJohn