Madden 09 gameplay video

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:30 pm

Madden 09 has gone Gold according to Pastapadre.

http://www.pastapadre.com/2689/madden-09-has-gone-gold

The only benefit I can see to this is it gives them 2 extra months of development for Madden 2010.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:59 pm

If true, that would mean the PR offensive within the past month (all those blogs and forum exchanges by producers) was occurring when the game was finished or close to finished.

Typically, it's down the stretch that people working on the game is logging crazy hours and so on.

Maybe they were working on selling the game to the community rather than working on the game itself.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:06 pm

wco81 wrote:If true, that would mean the PR offensive within the past month (all those blogs and forum exchanges by producers) was occurring when the game was finished or close to finished.

Typically, it's down the stretch that people working on the game is logging crazy hours and so on.

Maybe they were working on selling the game to the community rather than working on the game itself.

My thoughts exactly. That Ian guy just posted yesterday or the day before that he was going to look into fixing the Lambeau Leap (or, more accurately, the Lambeau Spiderman Crawl). Sounds like it may have been just typical EA bullshit.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:33 pm

I don't listen to company hacks anymore. I'll try the demo if it's good with NO GAME killing bugs i'll probably buy it. If not i'll sit out another year. The same goes for NCAA 09.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:50 pm

First regarding the leap here is the response posted on 6/23.
Notice his last sentence he is looking if they can PATCH it.

Well quick update for everyone - I got in this morning and looked for myself, there's definitely good news...the bottom video that I showed above IS actually in the shipping game. The problem is that there seems to be a bug with the Green Bay-specific logic (i.e. it's not working) - so there's a random chance that you could get that Spiderman-looking thing when you run to the wall. Many people were speculating this...you all were right. It's just the wrong animation being played.

So I guess it's better than nothing, as there's a 25% chance that you'll get the actual real Lambeau Leap.

I'm still looking into whether we can patch this to be 100% though.

Second regarding the gold announcement, it is very odd to announce a Gold status before it has cleared certification. But many games go to certification anywhere from 30-45 days before street date. According to what has been posted all that has happened here is someone in marketing thought it was good hype to announce this early.

Finally to say that the EA devs haven't taken community feedback and implemented it over the last 3 weeks here is just posting to be contrary. I'm not going to waste my time posting links to back this up, it's easy enough to find..unless of course you're just looking to slam EA.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:12 pm

Last 3 weeks?

How about the last 3 years?

If they were serious about implementing community feedback -- and nobody disputes that they read forums and collect wish lists -- wouldn't it make sense to do so earlier in the 1-year development cycle rather than during the stretch?

Thing is, they're only going to take community feedback only so far. Ideas like certain TD celebrations or general complaints about making the AI better may not be worth pursuing for them because they can't easily be marketed.

It'll be interesting to see if a community-proposed idea ends up on the packaging. Or will they more likely bullet-point that lame Madden Mulligan idea.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:34 pm

I agree with Danimal, they did even say most stuff at this point if it was to be fixed or tweaked would be in the first patch.

It might just be another PR angle but i do think we are getting some actual changes made based on forum feed back its not just EA Bullshit even if it is what does it matter as long as the game improves.
If EA are just blowing smoke im sure they will get it from the same forums after release and in the long run probly turn all those soso EA haters in to full on EA haters.
The fallout from all this community relations could be drastic for them if they dont deliver.

spooky157 · Post by **spooky157** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:39 pm

What was so great about the SCEA team and MLB the Show was how Chris, Kolbe and Brian were around to answer questions after people had put in time with the game. My gut feeling is that these Madden guys are the real deal. The real proof will be whether they're a presence on the forums after release.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:46 pm

wco81 wrote:Last 3 weeks?

How about the last 3 years?

If they were serious about implementing community feedback -- and nobody disputes that they read forums and collect wish lists -- wouldn't it make sense to do so earlier in the 1-year development cycle rather than during the stretch?

I'm sorry when do the Show guys show up on the threads? I don't follow it close enough are they there soliciting ideas now for next years version?

Second have you read or followed any of whats occurred at OS? I'm not saying it is true or not but reasons have been posted for them not being on forums in the past and why they are now. Again could be complete BS, but do you really expect me to fill you in on it all?

New team
New Project Lead
New way of working (perhaps we will see how far it goes)

If they take 25% of the ideas some of us have thrown out madden will be a great game next year. Will they I have no idea, but you're kidding yourself if you think any dev is going to show you prototype screens and videos in November for an August release.

Thing is, they're only going to take community feedback only so far. Ideas like certain TD celebrations or general complaints about making the AI better may not be worth pursuing for them because they can't easily be marketed.

If thats true, they sure are wasting a lot of time talking OL/DL interactions, QB awareness, WR/DB play if they aren't considering listening to ideas for changes. Maybe it's all marketing, I guess we'll find out if they disappear from Sept to next June.

It'll be interesting to see if a community-proposed idea ends up on the packaging. Or will they more likely bullet-point that lame Madden Mulligan idea.

As far as marketable changes go I doubt they will put one on the box but who cares. Thanks to community feedback they implemented the feature that if a QB drops back past X yards (12-15 I think) then the WR icons disappear.

Is that the best fix for this situation, absolutely not. Is it a pretty good community idea for what will hopefully be a short term fix or part of a long term fix, I think so. Will it ever make the back of the box, Who cares.

I'm not sure how much you've read on Madden or kept up on it, judging by your post I would say not much. I'm not saying you have to follow Madden but to say no community feedback was implement is as i said just posting to be contrary because anyone following at OS or MM would know that not to be the case.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:06 pm

Talk is cheap. Lets see what the product is.

Even if the product shows improvement, do we really believe there wasn't more that couldn't have been done?

Which is why the seemingly early declaration of gold master belies their commitment to improving the product in ways the community wants.

They may have a bigger presence in the community, starting with Peter Moore at the top. But it's not really that new. They've had people dedicated to interacting with the forums. Certainly not at the level of Moore or Cummings. But title alone isn't a guarantee of any substantive change.

The test isn't whether they come back after release. The test is, do they come back if sales improve? Remember, sales declined last year.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:03 pm

Madden - the only game that can piss people off by getting finished on time!

Like Danimal said, certification can take weeks, so this is probably a normal time frame to go gold.

But whatever, people look to take shots at Madden whenever they get a chance.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:54 pm

Arguing this is pointless because when I provide facts, point out the outlandish claims or heaven forbid ask a question the topic changes. So I might as well do the same.

It's very clear there is a small group of guys here who will always take the contrary angle when it comes to Madden and EA. I just know I've actually played every game I have pan or praised, I'm pretty confident that some can't say the same thing.

I found it very interesting that someone a few weeks back said they may rent Madden this year and it would be the first time the touched the game in 4 years.

The reason that is interesting is a search will show you this same person posted 1 day after madden 07 release that it was the same crap. Great informative opinion considering they hadn't played it apparently.

So I'll leave it at that as there really isn't much else to say, people should be smart enough by this point to be able to weight the contents of the post by who is posting it. As for me I'll discuss the game with guys I know who are actually giving it a try upon release and if it sucks I'll be the first to say so...of course I'll try to give it more then 24 hours.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:58 pm

Oh and to keep this on topic, here is an updated just posted today (gasp! after the game has gone gold) about the accelerated clock option being added via patch.

Update again!

Today we turned on the code and everything worked! We decided to keep it off in the final 2 minutes. Maybe next year we can have that as an option (as well as an option for the run-off amount)...but we still want to keep risk as low as possible.

Next up is:
- Add the option to turn it on/off to the advanced options screen
- Hook up some sort of UI effect so the clock actually looks like it's counting down fast instead of just "snapping" to having less seconds.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:49 pm

In game saves yet or is that something that was only technologically possible on the last gen systems and Wii?

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:15 pm

I don't really care about Madden, just give me Head Coach a month early.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:25 pm

Leebo33 wrote:In game saves yet or is that something that was only technologically possible on the last gen systems and Wii?

I don't think so, actually I am pretty sure not.

Phototropic · Post by **Phototropic** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:36 pm

Pasta Padre has revised his earlier statement. It appears the game has not gone gold yet. http://www.pastapadre.com/2690/madden-0 ... rification

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:52 am

Leebo33 wrote:In game saves yet or is that something that was only technologically possible on the last gen systems and Wii?

Apparently, this and multiple camera angles have to wait for the 5th version of the next generation of games. Or maybe it will be the 6th. But as long as the EA/Tiburon guys are posting on the boards, some people will be happy with whatever they're selling. Happens every year.

The big difference with the SCEA/Show guys is, they have been delivering a very high quality product for the past 3-5 years. They're interaction with the fans of their game is on another level, since they've backed it up with a product that gets so many of the small details right and the fans absolutely love.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:10 pm

Found this at OS from Ian. I was quite sure some others wouldn't post it. For the record the Acc clock feature is working so that is 99% making the patch.

We actually have 4 main items on the radar for attempting a patch:
- Accelerated Clock
- Custom Camera Options
- In-Game Saves
- Coach Mode

We were doing a wait and see approach to see how feasible they were and took accelerated clock since it was the lowest risk. If this one ends up going smoothly I will definitely let you all know our next one to do. I know SkinsBoYee, maddenps2, and swanlee will be in here shortly to let me know which one they want.

Personally In game saves would be next on my list.

I'll get out of the way for the inevitable "should of been there 3 years ago" comments.

Post by **Jared** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:20 pm

Well, they should have been in three years ago...

...but I'll be happy if they make it in this year.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:25 pm

Jared wrote:Well, they should have been in three years ago...

...but I'll be happy if they make it in this year.

I'll be shocked if they patch all of those things. I also don't get the need for a coach mode, Head Coach baby!

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:56 am

Jared wrote:Well, they should have been in three years ago...

...but I'll be happy if they make it in this year.

I'll also be happy if they make it this year...without more than one camera angle and in-game saves, I'll probably keep my money.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:24 pm

I'm getting Madden because I want HC in August.

HC just seems too competent this year. And I think that's going to hurt my enjoyment of of Madden. Why would I play franchise games when all that options I want are in HC?

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:32 pm

Just so I'm not accused of not being fair. I sent Ian a message that I was worried for him posting thigns like the above because the mob mentality over there doesn't understand the word maybe or target. 20 minutes later he posted this when someone said they thought it was great tha all 4 were getting patched.

I really have no vote of confidence yet on whether we'll even get 1, much less all 4. Once we find out if this accelerated clock one will be patchable - I'll be able to let you know.

Guys gotta only post this stuff when he knows for sure or he is opening up a can of worms he doesn't need.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:34 pm

JRod wrote:I'm getting Madden because I want HC in August.

HC just seems too competent this year. And I think that's going to hurt my enjoyment of of Madden. Why would I play franchise games when all that options I want are in HC?

Ditto

I'll say sometimes it is just fun to control the guy and have some fun. That's why as long as their are no glaring bugs like the turn over issue I can enjoy it.

But from a simulation standpoint I'm all in with Head Coach.