Madden 07 (Xbox 360) Thread

[Badgun]

Okay, for you guys with the PC version (damn it, I can't believe I'm considering trying a different version when the 360 version was so hosed): --can you set a custom camera angle? And can you adjust the camera angles in Superstar mode?
--if you just snap the ball on offense, will the QB automatically handle the play if you don't take control (on passing plays)?

Thanks.

What do you mean the 360 version was hosed? I've been gone for a week and I came home with both the 360 version and the Xbox version. I've only played one game on the 360 version...is there more wrong with it than the "no fatigue" bug and the hall of famers showing up in my franchise?

[Danimal]

Okay, for you guys with the PC version (damn it, I can't believe I'm considering trying a different version when the 360 version was so hosed): --can you set a custom camera angle? And can you adjust the camera angles in Superstar mode?
--if you just snap the ball on offense, will the QB automatically handle the play if you don't take control (on passing plays)?

Thanks.

I'm pretty sure you can set a custom camera in regualr play, I have no idea about Superstar mode.

There is a coach only option for gameplay.

[billharris44]

[
What do you mean the 360 version was hosed? I've been gone for a week and I came home with both the 360 version and the Xbox version. I've only played one game on the 360 version...is there more wrong with it than the "no fatigue" bug and the hall of famers showing up in my franchise?

"Hosed" is a relative term, but this is why I would use that word for the 360 version.
1. Clock management is absolutely nightmarish (in Superstar mode, at least--I don't know abou franchise, but I assume they'd use the same clock managment A.I.).
2. The stuttering in betwen plays is very frequent and annoying. This sounds minor, but when you see how jerky it is over and over again, it gets progressively more annoying.
3. You get one camera angle. Actually, one franchise camera angle and an angle for each position in SS. The franchise angle I want to be closer, the SS angles I want to be pulled a little back. Can't do any of that. You apparently can't change SS angles on the PC, but there is more than one angle in franchise mode, and historically, the default camera on the PC version of Madden has been a bit tighter than on the console (which I prefer)
4. Again in SS mode, I'm playing as a MLB, and I'm trying to jump and block field goals. Can't do it--I'm rooted to the ground (this may be my fault, but jump has always been "Y" in the past).

It just seems like the 360 version is terribly unfinished--lots of nice ideas, but unfinished and with zero flexibility.

Every year, I start playing Madden and I see about 10 WTF's in the first hour. At some point, though, I dig in and see what I can salvage, because I still want to play football. So that's what I'm in the process of trying to figure out now.

[sportdan30]

I would hardly call it "hosed". Sure, the stuttering between menus should have been ironed out, but the overall gameplay is smooth as silk. I haven't tried SS mode, but I'm perfectly happy with the game. The one camera angle is ridiculous, I agree. However, it's a heck of a lot better than Madden '06 on the 360.

[Badgun]

[
What do you mean the 360 version was hosed? I've been gone for a week and I came home with both the 360 version and the Xbox version. I've only played one game on the 360 version...is there more wrong with it than the "no fatigue" bug and the hall of famers showing up in my franchise?

"Hosed" is a relative term, but this is why I would use that word for the 360 version.
1. Clock management is absolutely nightmarish (in Superstar mode, at least--I don't know abou franchise, but I assume they'd use the same clock managment A.I.).
2. The stuttering in betwen plays is very frequent and annoying. This sounds minor, but when you see how jerky it is over and over again, it gets progressively more annoying.
3. You get one camera angle. Actually, one franchise camera angle and an angle for each position in SS. The franchise angle I want to be closer, the SS angles I want to be pulled a little back. Can't do any of that. You apparently can't change SS angles on the PC, but there is more than one angle in franchise mode, and historically, the default camera on the PC version of Madden has been a bit tighter than on the console (which I prefer)
4. Again in SS mode, I'm playing as a MLB, and I'm trying to jump and block field goals. Can't do it--I'm rooted to the ground (this may be my fault, but jump has always been "Y" in the past).

It just seems like the 360 version is terribly unfinished--lots of nice ideas, but unfinished and with zero flexibility.

Every year, I start playing Madden and I see about 10 WTF's in the first hour. At some point, though, I dig in and see what I can salvage, because I still want to play football. So that's what I'm in the process of trying to figure out now.

Thanks Bill. Are most of the problems you see contained to SS mode or do they affect all modes of play. SS mode doesn't interest me in the least so my main interest is if there is a viable franchise mode. I see so far that EA has not issued the promised fatigue patch or issued a roster update so I guess there is no way to start a franchise yet. Let's say they patch the fatigue problem and put out a roster that is up to date and does away with the hall of famers...can you get a decent franchise out of it?

I did play it long enough to see the stuttering problems, but other than that the game seemed to play better than NCAA did on the 360.

[billharris44]

Badgun,
I only spent a brief time in franchise mode, so I'm not qualified to answer that question. I assume that clock management and other in-game code (play-calling, etc.) should be the same, but I have never heard anyone confirm that.

What I liked about SS mode was that the closer cameras made the game feel faster--Madden's always felt slow to me, but it's not like that in SS mode. So I'm trying to figure out if the PC version will retain the good things about SS without having some of the 360's problems.

[MizzouRah]

IMO, SS mode has some VERY annoying issues.. Bill has already gone over them, but Franchise mode seems much better so far, imo.

although.. if you don't use NCAA draft classes, there seem to be WAYYYYY too many DE's in the draft for some reason which sucks because I don't have a transfer kit.

[Slumberland]

I found a way to stop having my running plays blown up in the backfield... play on All-Pro! But generally I found All-Pro way too easy, and I don't want to mess with sliders, so I'm just trying to adjust to All-Madden. I started a franchise with the Patriots and lost the opener like 51-0 or something. Defending the pass has just been a nightmare.

As for stuttering in the cut-scenes, I've had it in some stadiums and not others, and less often in regular franchise mode than in superstar mode. Confusing, I know. Switching back to NCAA after playing Madden is eye opening... it's just so much easier to skip cutscenes and speed up the action. Madden really seems to have trouble sometimes.

[AJColossal]

Too early for slider talk?

I've been having excellent games with these sliders by a guy named Playmakers on OS. Good, competitive games, and my stats have looked terrific.

8 MINUTE QTR's

QBA-50/50
PBK-25/75
WR-50/50
RBA-50/50
RBK-25/75

DEF AWR-25/100
KDWN-50/50
INT-0/0
BRK BLK-50/50
TKL-25/25

FGL-50/50
FGA-25/25
PNTL-25/25
PNTA-50/75
KOL-35/35


PENALTIES
OFFSIDES-100
FALSE START-75
HOLDING-75
FACEMASK-100
OFFENSIVE PI-100
DEFENSIVE PI-75
KR/PR INT-100
CLIPPING-75
INT GROUNDING-100
ROUGHING PASSER-100
ROUGHING KICKER-100

[Theo]

Those with the PC version, what are you setting your sub in/out percentage to? Thanks.

[Zeppo]

Does anyone know how to get the 'live' game feature to work? I tried to invite a friend to a franchise game, but it doesn't seem to allow that and we couldn't get connected.

Alos, there is a weird roster thing going on with me. Every time I go online into a game, it downloads a new roster, even if I load the online roster that was saved the previous time before going into online mode.

What makes it extra bizarre is that when I play Rob Varak, he tells me he has never once had to d/l a roster to play online, and the rating numbers of the teams are different on his machine than on mine. It still lets us play together, though. My teams' ratings seem to be in classic Madden franchise form, meaning the range of overall ratings only extends from 83 to 90.

I just don't get it.

EDIT: Also, I am confused about the work-around for the hall of famers in the franchise mode. I tried to do everything right; I went into an online game, then backed out and went into the rosters and saw no crazy free agents. So, I made the recent moves (got to have that Duckett!), and started a franchise. Seemed to work fine, as I checked the free agents in franchise mode before playing (at least I think I did). Anyway, after my first preseason game, i saved and quit. So, when I load that franchise, and sim up to my next game, all these HoFers come out of the woodwork. I just can't abide the idea of Slingin' Sammy playing for the Raiders for crissake!!

Help

[Zeppo]

No thoughts on these roster issues at all? Has this game been deemed so completely "hosed" that I'm the only one still playing it?

What about the 'live game' feature, has anyone figured this out? Is it possible to invite a friend, or is it only for playing randoms?

Anyone?

[TCrouch]

I have to download a new online roster every time I create a session...but I do it a lot to reset the rosters and purge out the Hall of Famers before creating a new season in any game mode (franchise, superstar, etc). I don't think it's even close to being as hosed as everybody makes it out to be, but that seems to be the norm. Just not worth arguing over it, since my opinion is the only one I give two sh*ts about anyway.

[ScoopBrady]

I have to download a new online roster every time I create a session...but I do it a lot to reset the rosters and purge out the Hall of Famers before creating a new season in any game mode (franchise, superstar, etc). I don't think it's even close to being as hosed as everybody makes it out to be, but that seems to be the norm. Just not worth arguing over it, since my opinion is the only one I give two sh*ts about anyway.

I personally love the game so you're not alone in thinking it's not as hosed as people make it out to be.

[Zeppo]

I have to download a new online roster every time I create a session...but I do it a lot to reset the rosters and purge out the Hall of Famers before creating a new season in any game mode (franchise, superstar, etc).

Can you explain how you do this purging? I've tried to create an online game to get the online rosters loaded up, but it seems they still end up in the franchise at some point. Should I not trade the players before going into franchise mode, is it accessing the roster functions that gets me in trouble? Or do you erase your profile and start without saving one, is that the trick?

[MizzouRah]

I wish they would address the fatigue and the massive DE's in the draft annoy the hell out of me, but I'm determined to like this game as the gameplay is quite fun.

Follow these guidlines and you'll never have HOF player's in your franchise:

Just click the L stick to save, then scroll to "Franchise" and save. As long as you don't do "save all" you will be fine. You will notice when you are scrolling through what to save, that there is a "updated FA List". This is the HOF players.

1. Click L Stick
2. Save "Franchise"

[TCrouch]

I have to download a new online roster every time I create a session...but I do it a lot to reset the rosters and purge out the Hall of Famers before creating a new season in any game mode (franchise, superstar, etc).

Can you explain how you do this purging? I've tried to create an online game to get the online rosters loaded up, but it seems they still end up in the franchise at some point. Should I not trade the players before going into franchise mode, is it accessing the roster functions that gets me in trouble? Or do you erase your profile and start without saving one, is that the trick?

When you create any game, it pulls the roster list at that point. From that point on, you're fine. Since the roster is tied to your Madden Gamer Level, and the Roster saves if you ever do a Quick Save, it's always being updated with HoF players. All I do is log on, create a match, download and save "online".

Then, before creating a new game, load the roster "online". I check the Free Agents list, and Ty Law is at the top (as he is on default). I create the game mode, and then when I do a quicksave later it overwrites "Online" with the HoF version again, but since the Franchise/Superstar was already created, it doesn't matter. I just make sure to get a fresh file before creating a new one.

[Zeppo]

I wish they would address the fatigue and the massive DE's in the draft annoy the hell out of me, but I'm determined to like this game as the gameplay is quite fun.

Follow these guidlines and you'll never have HOF player's in your franchise:

Just click the L stick to save, then scroll to "Franchise" and save. As long as you don't do "save all" you will be fine. You will notice when you are scrolling through what to save, that there is a "updated FA List". This is the HOF players.

1. Click L Stick
2. Save "Franchise"

This was the key for me. I had been just quick saving everything. I wasn't aware there was a 'augmented roster' save, and that's why they snuck back in after I started it. Seems like it all makes sense now!

[LAking]

Hope this isn't inappropriate but i just wanted to see if anyone is interested in buying or trading for Madden 07 PC.

Here's the "FOR SALE" thread link with my post. Gonna put it up on ebay soon if no one here is interested.

http://www.digitalsportspage.com./modul ... &start=125

[bkrich83]

I have to download a new online roster every time I create a session...but I do it a lot to reset the rosters and purge out the Hall of Famers before creating a new season in any game mode (franchise, superstar, etc). I don't think it's even close to being as hosed as everybody makes it out to be, but that seems to be the norm. Just not worth arguing over it, since my opinion is the only one I give two sh*ts about anyway.

I personally love the game so you're not alone in thinking it's not as hosed as people make it out to be.

Same for me. Although you, me and Terry seem to like the same football games every year.

[Diablo25]

I have to download a new online roster every time I create a session...but I do it a lot to reset the rosters and purge out the Hall of Famers before creating a new season in any game mode (franchise, superstar, etc). I don't think it's even close to being as hosed as everybody makes it out to be, but that seems to be the norm. Just not worth arguing over it, since my opinion is the only one I give two sh*ts about anyway.

I personally love the game so you're not alone in thinking it's not as hosed as people make it out to be.

Same for me. Although you, me and Terry seem to like the same football games every year.

Probably a dumb question but...where in the game menus can you DL a new roster or are you talking about something from OS, memory card, etc.

[Zeppo]

I have to download a new online roster every time I create a session...but I do it a lot to reset the rosters and purge out the Hall of Famers before creating a new season in any game mode (franchise, superstar, etc). I don't think it's even close to being as hosed as everybody makes it out to be, but that seems to be the norm. Just not worth arguing over it, since my opinion is the only one I give two sh*ts about anyway.

I personally love the game so you're not alone in thinking it's not as hosed as people make it out to be.

Same for me. Although you, me and Terry seem to like the same football games every year.

Hey I'm right there with you. There is really a lot beyond just the graphics and crappy menu screens that add to the game in the 360 version, despite the plethora of annoyances. What does bother me is that some things that have been ironed out in NCAA, like the WR screens (why do you run towards the hashmarks on a WR screen?) or the adequate play by play (not to mention the city scapes, or surrounding water towers and field houses; I don't seem to notice that kind of detail in Madden, is it there?), are still problems in Madden. But then, they've added a ton of new stuff like lead blocking (the SS cameras must've required a ton of tweaking work, even if they're not quite 'there' yet), so there you go.

Anyway, I'm glad I can play my franchise with non-zombie rosters now (even though I don't like to play v. CPU . . . although if this Live feature would work ), and just plain love the game online.

[HipE]

No thoughts on these roster issues at all? Has this game been deemed so completely "hosed" that I'm the only one still playing it?

What about the 'live game' feature, has anyone figured this out? Is it possible to invite a friend, or is it only for playing randoms?

Anyone?

I haven't had any problems inviting friends with the "live game" feature. When it gets to the screen where you move the controller icon to one of the teams, I believe you hit the LB button a couple of times until it is set to "live enabled-invite". You then press start to start the game, after which your friends tab automatically pops open and you are able to send an invite. One of my friends who I've played though can't get it to work, even when he follows the exact same steps as me, which is strange.

I'm still playing the hell out of the game, I think this is the most addicted I have been to a football game since NFL 2K1. I'm still only playing exhibition games until the final rosters are out next week, and all pro default is giving me great games right now, with no two games playing out the same. It is nice to finally be able to play 8 minute quarters and still have low scoring defensive battles from time to time, and the CPU can definitely run the ball this year (LJ went for 240 against me last night).

[JRod]

There's some wonky AI on the 360. You can implement a house rule of taking control of a team late but other than that there's little you can do.

I wish they would fix the fatigue. I don't know if they will regardless of what OS says. That kills the franchise mode more than anything. When Tatum Bells gets 35 carries in a game...yikes.

[kevinpars]

Is the ability to sprint outside of the pocket with the QB and either run for 10 yards or pass downfield toned down? This was too easy for me to do in NCAA (against the AI) and i had to implement my own personal house rules to not use the sprint button with the QB except to avoid the sack or on a designed QB run.

I was thinking of selling NCAA, but I guess i should wait until I get my 360 back and create some draft classes since I hear they are tied to username.

Could the lack of seeing things around the stadium like in NCAA have to do with the fact that NFL stadiums are for the most part completely enclosed? Can you at least see, for example in Pittsburgh, the downtown buildings??