1. Director
2. Creative Director
3. Animator
2. Creative Director
3. Animator
It’s In the Game Madden NFL
It's in the Game: Madden NFL is a four-part docuseries chronicling the evolution of the iconic John Madden video game, tracing its journey from a basic football to the immersive, lifelike experience it is today. The series explores the profound cultural impact Madden has had over decades, becoming a staple in both sports and gaming. Below is a detailed case study of the graphic package developed for the documentary.
Madden Titles
For the titles, we aimed to honor the classic 16-bit style reminiscent of Madden's early days, integrating iconic elements like X’s and O’s, yard markers, and other strategic symbols of football. Our goal is to evoke the feel of being immersed in the game console itself.
Lower Thirds
With so many characters, athletes, and developers in the film, the lower thirds played a crucial role in identifying who they were and how they contributed to the storytelling. We developed a design that combined a traditional 8-bit aesthetic for the subtitles with a modern touch, incorporating dimensional typography, pixels, and a football field motif.
Player Stats
The player stats in the series are explored in great detail. We developed a distinctive visual language that would consistently be employed during discussions of athletes' attributes, such as speed, stamina, and strength. The intention was to craft a dreamlike atmosphere, where the camera seemed to navigate through the very heart of the game's programming, immersing the viewer in an almost ethereal journey through the mechanics of the video game itself.
Player Diversity
In the series, legendary developer Gordon Bellamy reflects on the challenges of creating player sprites with a limited color palette. With just 16 colors to work with, earlier games had only depicted white players. However, in a groundbreaking moment for Madden, Bellamy overcame this limitation and, for the first time in the game's history, successfully introduced black players to the roster, adding much-needed diversity.
Madden Cover Selection
During the series, the developers dive into the intricate process of not only selecting the cover athlete each season but also the detailed decisions behind choosing the perfect photo to represent them on the game cover.
The Green Dot
In the first episode, legendary developer Jim Simmons opens up about the creation of the original Madden game. What began as a simple green dot on a screen soon transformed into a dynamic, fully realized football field, complete with yard markers and animated sprites. This pivotal moment marks one of the documentary's most defining and groundbreaking scenes.
Gamer Neural Map
As the series progresses, the developers delve into a pivotal moment when top Madden players from across the nation simultaneously log in to face off against each other. The creation of the Neural Map was designed to foster a sense of connection, bridging players from every corner of the country into one seamless online experience.
Gamer Tweets
In the final episode, there's a deep dive into the evolution of modern-day Madden and the growing frustration from fans, expressed through social media. To bring this to life, we crafted a dynamic visual journey, where the camera moves through an ethereal space, immersing viewers in the whirlwind of upset tweets.
Credits
Creative Director Tom Green Design Michael Croxton Animators Cole Boggess