The NFL's referee lockout is on the verge of ending and the officials are about to be back on the field as early as this upcoming weekend, according to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter. After the replacement referees' recent blunders in games, fans and players cannot wait for the return of the real referees.
But the real NFL referees could also be making an appearance on the virtual field of EA Sports' Madden NFL '14 if a new rumor is true. According to a report by Kotaku, two different sources have said that the actual real legitimate NFL refs could have their likenesses appear in Madden NFL '14.
One of the sources said that the officials have had their facial features scanned into the game, and that the game will integrate their calls and explanations as part of the game's broadcast presentation. EA has not comment on the validity of the rumors.
The sources says that the NFL's 17 regular-game referees have had their faces scanned to "provide variety" between penalty cut scenes. "The officials scanned are the regular NFL Referees Association officials, not the replacements currently officiating the league," according to Kotaku.
EA has used real NFL referee Ed Hoculi for motion capture and he was the model for the official in the Madden NFL 2006 video game, although his likeness is used he is never mentioned by name in the video game.
Madden NFL '14 has yet to be announced, but is almost guaranteed. This year's edition of the game has been widely acclaimed by gamers and critics alike and has already sold 1.6 million copies. But the game's play challenge system is severely limited and could use a complete overhaul. You can read our review of Madden NFL '13 here.