Madden 13 Cover: Why It's Time for EA Sports to Go Retro

Tapping in to nostalgia has worked great for 2K Sports with the NBA 2K series, now EA Sports needs to take a page out of their rivals' book.

No, this has nothing to do with putting Big John himself on the cover. As a matter of fact, I think EA is big enough to drop his name all together, but that is another subject.

This is about tapping into the sport's rich history.

Sports fans love nostalgia and the NFL loves to sell its history, it could be an awesome campaign.

Here are the three ways EA can implement some history while still keeping things fresh:

Regional Covers Along With Collector's Edition (Generic)

EA should make this local. Flood the Wisconsin area with Packers' themed covers, Georgia with Falcons' covers, etc. Then as a backup, they can offer "Collector's Edition" covers with choice players and legends on the cover.

Of course, EA will include some items to add to the overall package, as a means to create a value. This way it creates more revenue to help with the extra production costs.

Most fanbases are pretty loyal, and I think fans would jump at the chance to have their teams all over the packaging of the game.

Dual Athletes On the Cover

Yeah, I don't mean put Rosey Grier on the cover and say here you go. There has to be some cohesiveness in the way the nostalgia is delivered.

For example, something like a Chicago Bears' cover featuring Walter Payton and Matt Forte or Dick Butkus and Brian Urlacher.

This would appeal to both the right-now football a fan, and the one with a sense of history. Not to mention, it could help mend the bridges between EA Sports and the legendary players of the game.

A few retired NFL players have sued EA in the past for using their likenesses. Though there are some bruised egos, it's nothing a nice piece of cash to the right people can't fix.

Keep 'em Voting

The Madden Cover vote has been a smash hit and EA would be crazy to drop this campaign. Now they should allow the vote to decide which tandem of legend and current star represents the team on the cover in their area.

Packers' fans could decide between a Brett Favre/Aaron Rodgers cover or a Ray Nitchske/Clay Matthews, Jr. cover.

This way, you remove the virtual ballot box stuffing that occurred last year with Peyton Hillis. If Browns fans want to go that hard for their guy, it's all fine and dandy.

Let them stuff the box for a Jim Brown/Peyton Hillis cover, they'll only be cheating Otto Graham and Colt McCoy.