Congratulations to Joshua Gross, the first Madden NFL 12 champion of the young season. Having battled through a gauntlet of tough competitors, Joshua dodged a bullet on the final play of the championship game to clinch the grand prize of the night - FREE Madden NFL 12 courtesy of Get Your Game On in Ann Arbor, MI.

The first Madden tournament of the season kicked off 3 hours before players could purchase the game. Perfect for the Madden fanatic that couldn't wait til midnight. The competition was palpable as players entered, surveyed the competition, and awaited their game assignments. Pizza and soft drinks ensured all participants were fed and focused to open the round robin qualifier for the championship game.

People have been playing Madden head-to- head for more than 20 years.  In that time, nothing has turned the line between gamesmanship and sportsmanship on its ear more than online play.  Before Madden ’03, console players needed to be in the same room to play head-to-head.  Friends played friends.  Blow outs caused embarrassment and shame, but everyone would feel it with enough games.   Taking a loss became part of the Madden experience partially because of the investment required to gather competitors in the same room.  Head-to-head Madden games were truly a social engagement. 

The post-online head-to-head Madden world is very different.  Anyone can play anyone – and usually does.  Neophyte strangers to the game often square off against grizzled Madden vets.  Sometimes opponents don’t even speak and the results aren’t always pretty.  Without the friendships and commitments that used to bring Madden players together, blowouts don’t cause the same embarrassment and shame.  They cause more frustration and anger.  Neither is taking a loss the learning lesson it once was nor is Madden the true social engagement it used to be. 

Cheating doesn’t have the same meaning either.  Long ago, using a glitch in a fun game with friends might get a few laughs.  Using that same glitch in a ‘wager game,’ might get a player smacked.  The outcome was simple, easy to predict, and the rules of engagement were clearly established.  Not anymore.  Online play has removed the reward of glitching friends for fun and the punishment of glitching enemies for reward in a way that has warped our views of gamesmanship and sportsmanship.

Of all the reasons to playing Madden, the sheer numbers of competitors may be one of the most attractive. Bragging rights and the shame of losing are both functions of the how many people play Madden. Think about it, what good would it be to brag about being the best at something no one else plays? There's no glory in that, but there is glory in being the best at the most popular video game series in history.

And so it goes... When choosing opponent's it's not always possible to determine the best match-up to ensure a fun time. Anytime you have so many people playing a game, there are bound to be ranking degrees in the skill level of those seeking to participate. When two opponents are equally matched, it stands to reason that their experience with Madden will be a pleasant one. When two players are not equally matched, the lesser skilled player is likely to have the less pleasant experience.

Skill level of opponent's may be one factor in the 'fun' equation, but it's not the only factor. Players should also consider these thoughts before entering a game.