What happens when a lifelong love for gaming meets a career in the industry? For Cam Jones, an EA Game Designer, it’s a recipe for success and a powerful way to honor sports history. At the AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 in Houston, Jones shared how his passion for the game directly informs his innovative approach to designing for EA SPORTS Madden NFL.
Honoring Black Trailblazers in Sports
Jones is instrumental in the EA SPORTS Madden NFL Black History Month program, launched in 2021. This initiative shines a spotlight on the incredible legacies of Black trailblazers in the NFL. He highlighted how the program kicked off by honoring legends like Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and Ozzie Newsome, the first Black general manager.
A crucial aspect of this program, as Jones emphasized, is that it’s always free to play. This commitment ensures that the integrity of the program is maintained and that all players have an equal chance to engage and learn about these athletes’ histories. It’s all about accessibility and education.
Beyond the Field: Impact Off the Gridiron
Jones stressed that a key goal of the program is to showcase these athletes’ lives *off* the field. While fans know them for their Sunday performances, their community impact and personal stories are equally vital. This program provides a platform to shed light on these often-overlooked aspects of their lives.
The creation of this program is truly a labor of love. It involves detailed game design documents and the intricate process of creating in-game items. Jones even joked about his initial role: rating players. “If you get in the game and you don’t like that Mike [Michael] Vick is not fast enough, you’re probably mad at me,” he quipped, explaining that the aim is to make in-game counterparts mirror real-life performance.
Engaging Gamers with Athlete Histories
For gamers, the program offers engaging “Solo Challenges.” After reading about an athlete’s history, players can unlock mini-game experiences. This approach has previously featured players like the late Derrick Thomas, highlighting his work with the Third and Long Foundation to improve childhood literacy.
The program continues to evolve, now spotlighting both current and former players. The mission is to keep pace with the league and remind players that these athletes are people, adding valuable context to their virtual gameplay.
From Player to Designer: A Career Fueled by Passion
Jones attributes much of his success at EA Sports to his deep understanding of the game as a player. He joined the company in 2022, shortly after graduating from the University of Alabama with a computer science degree. This firsthand knowledge is invaluable in his day-to-day workflow.
He encourages aspiring game designers to always ask ‘why.’ “Why did they do it like this? Why is this designed this way?” Jones advises. “Try to think through like, ‘OK, if you don’t like it, what would you do? What would you do differently? What roadblocks do you think we hit?’ Because there’s always roadblocks.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Gamers
Looking ahead, Jones is passionate about encouraging the next generation of Black youth to get involved in gaming. He specifically called out the need for more young Black women and boys in the field, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices in shaping the future of gaming.
What are your thoughts on EA’s approach to celebrating athletes in Madden? Share your favorite Madden memories in the comments below!