Really, it’s okay to shed a tear or two if you’re a Madden fan who doesn’t have an Xbox 360 and an Xbox Live Gold account. I’m doing it right now, since I only own a PS3.

Last week, EA Sports said that the free demo of Madden NFL 10 -- featuring a snowy Cowboys-Giants night game -- would be available next Thursday, July 30th, on Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network. But the wording in the press release (“demo will be released to Xbox LIVE Silver subscribers and the PlayStation Store”) was suspicious, and now we know why.

This afternoon, Microsoft announced (see press release after the jump) that the demo will actually hit Xbox Live a week early -- on Thursday, July 23rd -- but only for Xbox Live Gold members. In addition, Inside Xbox will feature “exclusive interviews and previews” on July 30th, when the demo will be made available to Xbox Live Silver members (and the PlayStation Network). So rejoice, you lucky bastards; you’ll get to hold it over our heads for a week.

I’m getting a free copy of the game, though, so I win in the end. Yeah, I went there.

[Image via misocrazy on Flickr]

Madden NFL 10 Demo Kicks Off Exclusively on Xbox LIVE on July 23

Xbox 360 invites members of Xbox LIVE to be the first to score a touchdown with an exclusive, playable demo of the upcoming Madden NFL 10 starting July 23 for Xbox LIVE Gold members.* Available exclusively via Xbox LIVE Marketplace one week before anywhere else, the launch will grant early access of this special sneak peek to millions of Xbox LIVE Gold members around the globe before any other platform.

Featuring a night game in heavy snow with the Dallas Cowboys visiting the New York Giants, fans can experience first-hand what it’s like to “Fight for Every Yard” on Xbox 360. Whether driving a running back towards the first down, or battling for a fumble at the bottom of a pile, the play in this four quarter demo won’t end until the whistle blows.

In addition to unique early access to the demo, Inside Xbox on Xbox LIVE will also be treating fans to a debut of exclusive interviews and previews on July 30, including an interview with Phil Frazier, Senior Producer of EA SPORTS for Madden NFL 10 and a full preview of the game on Aug. 10.

Releasing on Xbox 360 on Aug. 14, Madden NFL 10 captures the suspense and emotion of the NFL on a whole new level with immersive TV broadcast-style presentation and all-new modes, including Online Franchise and Online Co-op. Add in the all-new Pro-Tak™ animation technology and players have more control over the outcome of each play than ever before. As the most customizable and authentic Madden NFL to date, players are ensured that if they see it on Sunday, they’ll see it on Madden NFL 10.

Madden NFL 10 has been rated “E” for everyone by the ESRB and will be available on Xbox 360 on Aug. 14. For more information, visit http://www.xbox.com/maddennfl10/ or http://maddennfl.easports.com/.

*The Madden NFL 10 demo will be available for free download on Xbox LIVE in all LIVE enabled regions worldwide. The demo is available exclusively to Xbox LIVE Gold Members on July 23. Following the first week, the demo will be available to Xbox LIVE Silver Members on July 30.