Four years after EA Sports added a relocation feature to the "Madden NFL" video game series, it can again be used to replicate a real life move.
Relocation remains a feature found within "Madden NFL 17's" Franchise Mode and Los Angeles is, of course, one of the destinations available to chose from even after the Rams moved there last year.
With the announcement Thursday that the Chargers will officially relocate to LA for the 2017-18 season, fans may have interest in moving them now in the current video game instead of waiting on "Madden NFL 18" in August.
STEELE: NFL's L.A. love affair breaks yet another city's heart
The steps are simple, but because "Madden NFL 17" begins in 2016 the first season will have to be played through or simulated in order to reach the 2017 season, where the relocation would take place. Keep in mind that there are steps in between, such as free agency and the draft, that will alter the makeup of the team.
The first thing to do is to start a new Franchise and select the Chargers. Before continuing, make sure to "Change Role" and choose "Owner" rather than the default, which is "Coach." It doesn't matter whether you create an owner or stick with Alex Spanos. Adjust any other desired settings and then begin the season.
In Week 5 the option to declare intention to relocate appears. This is when the destination city of Los Angeles would be chosen.
In Week 6 the name of the team is selected. The Chargers name and branding can be carried over instead of going with one of the three created options.
In Week 8 the new stadium is chosen. Reportedly, the team will play in the StubHub Center (home to MLS' LA Galaxy) until the Inglewood stadium that just broke ground is completed for the 2019-20 season.
MORE: Angry Chargers fan throws eggs at facility after announcement
Among the stadium options, there aren't really any similar to Stubhub Center. The "Basic Canopy Stadium" would probably be the best choice, but there's no getting around the dramatic difference in capacity regardless of which stadium type is picked.
The decision could be made instead to plan further ahead and just go with the option that looks most like the Inglewood stadium. Based on the renderings, none of the options are quite like what is being built. Given that it'll have roof, the closest would be the "Deluxe Sphere Stadium." Yet, because it's a clear roof, going with the retractable-roof "Deluxe Hybrid Stadium" or open-air "Deluxe Canopy Stadium" may be preferred.
After settling on a stadium, then play the rest of the season, complete free agency and the draft, or sim all the way ahead to the start of the 2017 season. Now with the start of the second year in the franchise, the Chargers are officially situated in Los Angeles and even the commentary will make mention of the move.
MORE: Chargers unveil new logo, internet laughs
In recent years, EA Sports has been adding stadiums to "Madden NFL" one year prior to their openings. In "Madden 25" (2013), it was the 49ers' Levi's Stadium, which opened for the 2014 season. In "Madden 16" (2015), it was the Vikings' U.S. Bank Stadium, which opened this season. The LA Coliseum was added to "Madden 17" for the Rams, and next season's Mercedes Benz Stadium for the Falcons also was added. Should that trend continue, the new Inglewood stadium will first be seen in the 2018 release of "Madden NFL 19."
It's extremely rare for a league-licensed sports game to change as dramatically as having a team relocate or having an expansion take place, and even new stadiums don't come around every year, so they become intriguing changes and additions for consumers to look forward to and play around with when they do. They also turn the previous editions of a video game series into somewhat of a collector's item. The Chargers will make it back-to-back editions of "Madden" with a franchise move and, potentially, newly rendered stadium in the StubHub Center to play in for the next two years.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the "Press Row Podcast" and be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.