Are You Ready for Some Football?

The National Football League's regular season is scheduled to kick off Sept. 9, when the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints host the Favre-less (or Favre-led) Minnesota Vikings.

But for at least 60 people who lined up outside Village Crossing's GameStop in Skokie late Monday night, the annual football mania has already started.

The video game franchise Madden NFL, now in its 22nd year, was officially released at midnight to millions of eager gamers across the United States. The game, which often draws thousands of players to regional and worldwide tournaments, has developed into an obsession for people, both young and old.

"I'm a Bears fan from Chicago, so I get a chance to play with the Bears and build up the franchise," said John Sprincz, 40, who wore his hometown team's jersey. " It's fun every year coming at midnight to get the game right away."

Numerous website reviews of Madden '11 raved about the continued improvements in the graphics. This year's edition also incorporates unique crowd chants for each team's stadium.

"I'm enjoying the new features they put in here," said Mike Thill, 19. "I think it's a little more realistic and everyone moves a little more fluidly. There's a big difference in the animation."

The Madden franchise has sold more than 85 million units worldwide and garnered more than $3 billion in revenue for its publisher, EA Sports. The video game sold more than 6 million copies last year alone.

Because of its immense popularity, the video game has even started to dwarf some of former commentator John Madden's football accomplishments.

"It's a big event and I love football. I don't know what else to say," said Vlad Pierre, 22, the first person to come away with a copy of Madden NFL 11. "It's become a ritual ever since Madden '09 to come out here and get it."