John Madden on his famous game

John Madden says his famous football videogame was never planned.

"I went from a player to a coach to a broadcaster and along the way the video game thing happened," he said. "We started the video game thing before they even had video games. It was going to be a computer game and more like a teaching tool but then all the hardware for video games broke out and we already had the software."

Madden says he always has to laugh at how he's recognized nowadays.

"The people that were around when I was coaching have known me as a coach," he said. "I'm known as a broadcaster from people who have been watching television, and I'm known as 'Madden' [to the gamers]. That's how I am always able to know the difference. Some call me 'coach,' and there is a group that says, 'Hey Madden.' When I get the 'Hey Madden,' it's the group that plays the video games."

NOTES
-- The World's First Internet age and ID verification system for kids is launching Wednesday, Aug. 2. The developers claim it will help prevent Internet "grooming" and make social networking and communication online safer.

A British company is developing the technology -- a virtual ID card that can be swapped online. More info as I get it.

-- SEGA announced Total War: Eras has shipped for the PC. Total War: Eras includes every currently available Total War title and also delivers limited edition content including "The Total War Story", a 40-minute documentary detailing the past, present, and future of the Total War series, exclusive preview material for the upcoming Medieval II: Total War, an art booklet detailing the creation and evolution of the Total War series, a collectable poster for Medieval II: Total War, and five art cards spanning the entire Total War franchise.

Rated "T" for Teen by the Entertainment Software Review Board, Medieval II: Total War for the PC is available at retailers nationwide for an MSRP of $59.95.

-- SEGA also released Super Monkey Ball Adventure for the PS2 and GameCube. Super Monkey Ball Adventure is an all-new platform-based journey through five amazing worlds filled with puzzles and quests.

Super Monkey Ball Adventure is the first platform adventure for AiAi and an all-new cast of monkey friends. The story begins when Prince Abe-abe and Princess DeeDee of opposing kingdoms fall in love but are forbidden from marrying. Rated "E" for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Review Board, Super Monkey Ball Adventure for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube is available at retailers nationwide for an MSRP of $39.95.

-- EA’s boutique studio in Montreal will be releasing a new third person shooter called Army Of Two for PS3 and Xbox 360 next year. Whether playing online or with the game's "parnter AI'' (artificial intelligence), the game focuses on two man play.

On or offline, players can seamlessly transition from AI to a live partner as they fight their way through war, turmoil and a conspiracy so vast it threatens the entire world. When one man is not enough, it’s going to take an army of two to save us.