Xbox Announces LIVE Weekend for the Madden Bowl

January 25, 2008

Xbox Announces LIVE Weekend for the Madden
Bowl

Xbox LIVE weekend allows fans to take home the
Madden Bowl, play against the pros and register for a chance to win exclusive
prize packages.

Microsoft Corp. today announced a special Xbox
LIVE online entertainment network weekend for the most anticipated sporting
event of the year. Beginning Jan. 31, 2008, fans of “Madden NFL 08” on Xbox 360
will be able to participate in online activities including the opportunity to
create their own Madden Bowl with friends, registering for a four-day Play & Win
to win exclusive prize packages and the chance to play head to head against NFL
athletes in a Game with Fame as they hone their skills in preparation for Madden
Bowl XIV.

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,

http://www.xbox.com/maddenbowl
.

“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