MAD File

What are MAD files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a MAD file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your MAD files.

What is a MAD file?

MAD files have multiple uses, and Electronic Arts MAD Video is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Electronic Arts MAD Video

Electronic Arts MAD Video is a proprietary video codec used in many Electronic Arts games to store cinematic sequences like title screens, cutscenes and in-game movies. It combines video and audio data into a single file with the extension .MAD, often called "Madcow Movie," used as the game's built-in playback format for non-interactive movie content. Bitberry File Opener is known to identify these files.

The video data in this format is compressed using frame types organized into chunks labeled MADk, MADm and MADe. MADk frames are intra-frames (keyframes), MADm are inter-frames (predictive frames), and MADe frames are low-quality inter frames that render but are discarded immediately after display without affecting later frames. Each video frame is divided into 16×16 pixel macroblocks, further split into four 8×8 luma blocks and two half-resolution 8×8 chroma blocks. Audio tracks typically use EA ADPCM or related EA-format ADPCM codecs. The video timing is governed per frame by a delay field (commonly ~66 ms or ~15 fps), and width/height fields designate frame dimensions.

Internally each chunk begins with a FourCC signature identifying its type (for example 'MADk' for a keyframe, 'MADm' or 'MADe'), followed by the size of the chunk including header, then fields for timing, dimensions, quantization and others. The file uses EA's common chunked multimedia container format, where multi-byte numbers are in little-endian on PC platforms and big-endian on console or Macintosh versions.

How to open MAD files

We have identified one MAD opener that is compatible with this specific type of MAD file.

Programs that open Electronic Arts MAD Video files

Last updated: August 9, 2026

All known file formats using extension .MAD

While Electronic Arts MAD Video is a popular type of MAD-file, we know of 3 different uses of the .MAD file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Mlat Ad Lib Tracker Module

We know that one MAD format is Mlat Ad Lib Tracker Module. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested three different MAD openers which you will find listed below.

PlayerPro Module

We know that one MAD format is PlayerPro Module. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of MAD files. Remember, different programs may use MAD files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about MAD file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.