Madden 08 Hands On

Waddupcouzin · Post by **Waddupcouzin** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:46 am

ScoopBrady wrote:
Danimal wrote:
Jared wrote: Not to go off-topic too much...

...but what on earth is a "rhinoculous statement"?
Oh its a Mike & Mike in the morning thing. They are trying to get this new word started. I figured someone on here would pick up on it. lol
It's ridonculous Danimal, not rhinoculous. I had no idea what you were talking about either. Had you typed ridonculous I would have known.

LOL...that was from the Detroit Announcer right? I heard that the other day, funny.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:07 pm

Waddupcouzin wrote: LOL...that was from the Detroit Announcer right? I heard that the other day, funny.

Actually I think they came up with the word and the Detroit guy was the first one to use it, obviously a fan of the show I guess.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:30 pm

are those vids the xbox version? does not look like the 360 or ps3...

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:56 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Yep, the game does indeed look pretty nice. But, come the F on EA, the radio announcer has to go! Or at the very least add a color commentator. It's just so disappointing that the presentation is sooooo stale. Why in the world have they not taken full advantage of the ESPN license??????? It's complete b.s.!

Agree 100%!!!

That will be their plight for next year's version.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:21 pm

I will say after my rant that the radio announcer does sound a bit more enthusiastic than the last couple years. However, there's just too much dead air between plays. That's where an extra guy in the booth would provide that extra info on the last play, a specific player, comment on the crowd, the weather, etc. Anything other than dead silence. Great presentation like NFL 2K5 and MLB The Show really add to the game, giving it a more lively and fresh feel.

It's just frusturating their top selling game doesn't take advantage of the ESPN license. Heck, they have better presentation in NBA Live, Fifa, etc.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:33 pm

sportdan30 wrote:It's just frusturating their top selling game doesn't take advantage of the ESPN license. Heck, they have better presentation in NBA Live, Fifa, etc.

I've said this before but EA is using the ESPN license exactly how ESPN wants it used.

ESPN doesn't care if their is a virtual NFL Primtime or sports Center. they care that they are streaming you scores, podcast and video highlights.

Do I think it sucks, yes I want great presentation like the 2 titles you mentioned. But it is never going to happen.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:18 pm

I'm sure it is also a way to shave money off the budget. They did invest a lot of money paying for exclusivity after all. This radion guy probably costs less than a quarter of what a 2-man booth of known announcers would. I don't like it at all but it's still about how the game plays.

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:36 pm

sportdan30 wrote:I will say after my rant that the radio announcer does sound a bit more enthusiastic than the last couple years. However, there's just too much dead air between plays. That's where an extra guy in the booth would provide that extra info on the last play, a specific player, comment on the crowd, the weather, etc. Anything other than dead silence. Great presentation like NFL 2K5 and MLB The Show really add to the game, giving it a more lively and fresh feel.

It's just frusturating their top selling game doesn't take advantage of the ESPN license. Heck, they have better presentation in NBA Live, Fifa, etc.

It's funny, but for all the complaining about Madden's commentary in the game, there has definitely been something missing since they removed him. It really doesn't feel like Madden without Madden.

I would also note that the gameplay seems significantly different in this video from what we saw in the background of the David Ortiz video. This looked a lot more like Madden 07 with weapons icons.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:30 pm

There are 3 more videos on GT site. One is of player intros, haven't seen them yet.

http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=4680

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:51 pm

Must be Madden media day or something. New blog on player specific celebrations.

http://www.easports.com/maddennfl/blogs ... fl-08.aspx

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:01 pm

Danimal wrote:There are 3 more videos on GT site. One is of player intros, haven't seen them yet.

http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=4680

I'll never understand how you guys can tolerate a football game that STILL allows a quarterback to drop back 20 yards or so before passing (and throw perfect strikes to boot), but whatever.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:03 pm

GTHobbes wrote:
Danimal wrote:There are 3 more videos on GT site. One is of player intros, haven't seen them yet.

http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=4680
I'll never understand how you guys can tolerate a football game that STILL allows a quarterback to drop back 20 yards or so before passing (and throw perfect strikes to boot), but whatever.

I saw that too! I'm passing on Madden, well I'm gameflying it. It's more of the same.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:13 pm

GTHobbes wrote:
Danimal wrote:There are 3 more videos on GT site. One is of player intros, haven't seen them yet.

http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=4680
I'll never understand how you guys can tolerate a football game that STILL allows a quarterback to drop back 20 yards or so before passing (and throw perfect strikes to boot), but whatever.

I think the dropback was about 10 yards. It is annoying that you can still do that, but it's never been that big of a deal to me. I think the series has gotten better in terms of requiring QBs set their feet before throwing (which the Huard and Favre did in those vids). It's more of a two-player issue if you play someone that does it all the time.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:46 pm

GTHobbes wrote:I'll never understand how you guys can tolerate a football game that STILL allows a quarterback to drop back 20 yards or so before passing (and throw perfect strikes to boot), but whatever.

I don't drop back 10 yards and neither does the CPU. The guys I play online don't do it either.

It's all a matter of what you can live with.

What I'll never understand is why you care what we can tolerate.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:59 pm

Danimal wrote: What I'll never understand is why you care what we can tolerate.

For the same reasons I cared about Mario Running, gang tackling, etc. In short, I want to see the game improve to where it's also playable to the rest of us who have been left out the past few years. It's not anything personal.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:08 pm

GTHobbes wrote:For the same reasons I cared about Mario Running, gang tackling, etc. In short, I want to see the game improve to where it's also playable to the rest of us who have been left out the past few years. It's not anything personal.

Well at least we will all have choices this year. Personally I see myself enjoying all 3 games, but as long as you can enjoy one then thats all that matters.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:59 am

The reason that Madden still contains the '10 step drop' is because casual gamers (and most of the guys who do the gaming in the online video are casual gamers) love that stuff. Madden sells millions of copies to people who could care less about realism and atmosphere. These gamers are guys who get together and play and provide their own atmosphere. Scrambling around while your buddy chases after you is fun. Taking a knee when you are up by 20 is football, but it isn't what most casual gamers call fun.

If you made a Madden that forced you to do a 3 or 5 step drop and gave you a realistic second or 2 to get off the pass, it would kill the casual gamer. The reviewers would call it a "sack fest" and it would be universally panned.

The bottom line is can you play the game realistically? For the most part, I have been able to find sliders that force you as the QB to make a decision quickly. When I use the cone, I find myself thinking about a main receiver and an outlet receiver. There is not enough time to check down to the 3rd or 4th option.

I criticize Madden as much as anyone, but I think that EA tries to make a game for the casual gamer but they do also try to balance it so that those that want realism can get that from the game as well.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:37 pm

Reason why they still have that is that they have no other passing system. They pass to the receiver, not to a spot on the field so regardless of the relative positions of the QB and WR, the pass will go there like a rocket.

That is what I meant about the Weapons system. Instead of having Peyton or Brady be able to see the defensive plays, they should be focusing on the accuracy of these passers, which is part of what makes them stand out among QBs.

But because everyone can drill a pass from one side of the field to the opposite sideline, 40 yards downfield, right to the WR, they can't do too much to differentiate QBs in terms of accuracy.

The real cure for deep dropbacks is better pass rush, especially when QBs drop beyond or outside the pocket. Instead, QB can roll out and suction blocking will keep the DEs stuck on the tackles, even though the QB is outside of the tackle box and the DE is closer to the sidelines and the QB than the tackle.

Another thing is better defensive AI. Even if you spy the QB with a LB, all it does is shadow the QB and roll out along with the QB. In real life, if the QB rolls out, the LBs or DBs will go after the QB instead of letting hiim sit there (while the DL are stuck and sucked into the OL) waiting for crossing and corner routes to get wide open.

Oh and contain doesn't really work either. All that does is give the QB more time in the pocket where he can be almost as effective passing to the outside as if he rolled out.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:54 pm

kevinpars wrote:The reason that Madden still contains the '10 step drop' is because casual gamers (and most of the guys who do the gaming in the online video are casual gamers) love that stuff. Madden sells millions of copies to people who could care less about realism and atmosphere. These gamers are guys who get together and play and provide their own atmosphere. Scrambling around while your buddy chases after you is fun. Taking a knee when you are up by 20 is football, but it isn't what most casual gamers call fun.

If you made a Madden that forced you to do a 3 or 5 step drop and gave you a realistic second or 2 to get off the pass, it would kill the casual gamer. The reviewers would call it a "sack fest" and it would be universally panned.

The bottom line is can you play the game realistically? For the most part, I have been able to find sliders that force you as the QB to make a decision quickly. When I use the cone, I find myself thinking about a main receiver and an outlet receiver. There is not enough time to check down to the 3rd or 4th option.

I criticize Madden as much as anyone, but I think that EA tries to make a game for the casual gamer but they do also try to balance it so that those that want realism can get that from the game as well.

Yup, it's all about the $$$$. Ever see those madden tourney's on tv, that's all those guys do, drop back 20 yards, scramble left or right, then either run or chuck it deep. You're also right about casual gamers. Casual gamers make up the majority of madden sales. That's one thing the 2k people didn't understand since it seemed like they catered more to the hardcore football gamer which business wise is only a niche of the market.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:57 pm

Anyone have an update on suction blocking on the line? Improvement this year?

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:10 pm

http://gameplanets.blogspot.com/2007/06 ... rison.html

Here's a blog comparing footage of Madden 08 and Madden 07 on a play-by-play basis. Personally, I think it's a bit unfair, as the graphics are of course going to look quite similar (and the level of player detail is actually higher in 07). But it might be of interest to some.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:39 pm

ZOMG!!! Madden 07 already had teh QB sacks!!!!111

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:45 pm

That's great...thanks for the link.

I keep mentioning the same number over and over again, but it really is hard to believe this product generates somewhere around $300,000,000 in revenue every year. I can't seem to shake the thought that this david ortiz guy is just rolling around naked in a big room filled with money somewhere. I don't care what anyone says...it sure as hell aint going into development.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:01 am

seanmac31 wrote:http://gameplanets.blogspot.com/2007/06 ... rison.html

Here's a blog comparing footage of Madden 08 and Madden 07 on a play-by-play basis. Personally, I think it's a bit unfair, as the graphics are of course going to look quite similar (and the level of player detail is actually higher in 07). But it might be of interest to some.

First its comparing 07 to a video of 08 at what level? I mean is that a 100% build, a 50% build. Even with that, the game play is much smoother and I can see a number of new animations. It sure isn't mind blowing impressive if thats what people were looking for, but I really wouldn't expect to see a big difference, i am expecting to feel it when I play.

On a side not I find it amazing how certain people can preach to us about waiting to we actually play APF before making a judgment, but then can turn around and blast Madden from a short game play video.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:30 am

What am I supposed to be looking for in that blog and video? I see two videos that doesn't really put madden side-by-side. I could see if it's play for play but it isn't.