Madden 09 Discussion

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:18 pm

Any freeze up issues with any of the PS3 owners? That would be a game killer for me.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:47 pm

I noticed the OL holds the blocks better sometimes, which lets you move laterally until you pick the best hole (not necessarily the one the play is designed for).

In one of the videos, the producer talks about the new OL slide protect for running plays. You think of it for passing plays but if you actually do it on a run play and slide left or right, you see that the OL scheme does change (but you can't tell the difference between fan out and pinch).

I haven't really got it to work but wonder if it helps with others.

Also, if you have OL with weapons, it may favor to run behind them.

But it sounds like breaking tackles (using jukes, spins, straight-arm, truck) is key to making good yards.

If that's the case, you would expect a lot of yards after first contact. That stat is tracked but not sure if they still track broken tackles.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:16 pm

JackDog wrote:Any freeze up issues with any of the PS3 owners? That would be a game killer for me.

Jack, I've had 2 freeze ups on PS3 in 2 days, both after hour long franchise games, right as the game asks if I wanted to go to the virtual training center. From what I am reading over on OS, I'm not alone.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:42 pm

Others have mentioned slide protection as well as a way of having more success on the ground.

Jackdog, I've had one freeze but it wasn't in-game. It was during the loading to the game.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:51 pm

I had my first freeze up this morning, thankfully after the game was over and I was viewing the stats. I am on the 360.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:58 pm

Had a couple of freezes the other night on PS3.

But it was when trying to enter the online lobbies so it was server-related and it didn't happen again.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:03 pm

How is online play on the PS3?

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:09 pm

Thanks guys. After reading the thread at OS and hearing it from here,I am going to hold off on getting the game. I hate freeze-ups more than any other glitches. If a patch doesn't fix it I will go with the PS2 version of the game. If that's the case I'll have a so called next gen console and the only next gen sports titles I play on it is The Show and NHL 08. I am getting my NFL fix with 2K5 on my Xbox and my college fix is the PS2 version of NCAA.

PK my man,computer sports gaming is looking better and better everyday.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:24 pm

Well, I got the game today from GF. Played a few games. I prefer NCAA. I prefer wide open gameplay, the excitement of the college game. Whoever said that the play by play guy sounded like Sports Talk Football was right on-geez, it sounds like a computer program calling the plays. The color guy is great, however.

If Madden were the only game in town, I'd be happy enough with it. But NCAA is my game.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:36 pm

Inuyasha wrote:Leebo gave his Madden blessing over at the NCAA thread so I will pick it up today.

Stop it.

I've had Madden for a grand total of 2 nights and those nights were split with HC. Any good "tester" knows that the bugs don't start showing up until at least 10 games of viewing the instant replay after every snap and using a stopwatch to time the player speed!

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:42 pm

JackDog wrote:Thanks guys. After reading the thread at OS and hearing it from here,I am going to hold off on getting the game. I hate freeze-ups more than any other glitches. If a patch doesn't fix it I will go with the PS2 version of the game. If that's the case I'll have a so called next gen console and the only next gen sports titles I play on it is The Show and NHL 08. I am getting my NFL fix with 2K5 on my Xbox and my college fix is the PS2 version of NCAA.

PK my man,computer sports gaming is looking better and better everyday.

I know where you're coming from. STuff like this makes me question why I even bought a next gen machine. Who would have known PK may have been right and we all wrong about next gen gaming........sheesh.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:52 pm

Spooky wrote:How is online play on the PS3?

About as smooth as last year, if you play with guys who had gray connections in the lobby.

The server has flaked a few times since Monday night. Couldn't enter lobbies a couple of nights ago for an hour or two and last night, got kicked out of a game (but no disconnect to my record) and couldn't sign back on for about 30 minutes.

As for the gameplay, there are holes in the pass coverage so there will be a lot of receptions and passing yards. Defense isn't aggressive intercepting the ball or easily getting defensive TDs so scoring overall may not be higher.

The ratio of offense-produced TDs (that is, those scoring drives not set up by turnovers which result in short field or outright defensive TDs) will be much higher this year.

Like I said, there will be more gunslinging with nowhere near as much fear of turning it over. Besides bad coverage, no pass rush (at least I haven't found the defensive plays yet).

So last year and before, guys would roll out and wait for crossing patterns to catch up to the same side as the one they rolled out too. This year, with the coverage being softer, receivers will get open and you can hit them from the pocket. You have time to wait for slower-patterns.

The running game, if a guy is getting good blocking (possibly using slide protect in the running game), requires at least using Run Commit or else RBs get past the LOS untouched (before having to do all the break tackles moves). You had to use Run Commit in Madden 06 too.

vader29 · Post by **vader29** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 6:26 pm

This game will definitely be staying in my rotation for a while, maybe it's because it's fresh for me after skipping it last year and not playing much of it the previous two years before that. I really like the Madden moments that they added, I've mainly been playing those and just an exhibition game here and there waiting for opening day rosters before I'll start my franchise.

Saved a couple of highlights from a game last night that were pretty cool for me, first one is of Bryant McFadden intercepting Tom Brady and I thought I was home free for a touchdown but Randy Moss was able to catch up to me and tackle me from behind. The second video the Patriots flushed me out of the pocket and I found Hines Ward in between two defenders and he made a tumbling catch at the 1 yard line.

<embed src="http://ll-999.ea.com/sonet-easw/2.3.3.0 ... player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="height=355&width=425&file=http://videocdn.easw.easports.com/easpo ... f"></embed>

<embed src="http://ll-999.ea.com/sonet-easw/2.3.3.0 ... player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="height=355&width=425&file=http://videocdn.easw.easports.com/easpo ... f"></embed>

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:02 pm

The division is massive...the opinions to the extreme...Its beginning to feel like a political thread....

Ive only played about 10 games but so far I think this is one hell of a good time...

PadresFan104 · Post by **PadresFan104** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:24 pm

Looking at Vaders replays above, I couldn't help but notice the zombie players on the sidelines not reacting to the play in front of them. I don't have NCAA09, but I seem to remember the sidelines is NCAA08 had the sideline players clapping and reacting... Am I remembering that right?

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:06 pm

In NCAA09 they react by clapping and jumping.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:57 pm

I noticed the sidelines as well - because they do react in NCAA. I also like in NCAA how the away crowd reacts differently from the home crowd.

The other thing I noticed that felt unrealistic in those videos was Randy Moss hustling down the field to make the tackle after the pick.

I have been at the beach this week, so I have been enjoying the Madden release via this thread and OS. I imagine that I will get Madden and play it some, but like Teal, I am such an NCAA player that it will probably not get as much time as that game - especially when the patch comes out.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:26 pm

Excellent videos Vader! Love that tumbling catch animation....sweet!

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:46 pm

Do they have crowd AI like they do in NCAA? Where if the game is a blowout on the road, in the 4th qtr, you'll see half the crowd empty?

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:27 pm

Inuyasha wrote:In NCAA09 they react by clapping and jumping.

Between this and the non-team specific Super Bowl endzones, I don't know how EA can look at themselves in the mirror in the morning?

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:28 pm

RobVarak wrote:
Inuyasha wrote:In NCAA09 they react by clapping and jumping.
Between this and the non-team specific Super Bowl endzones, I don't know how EA can look at themselves in the mirror in the morning?

Those bastards!...They killed kenny!

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:47 pm

Inuyasha wrote:
JackDog wrote:Thanks guys. After reading the thread at OS and hearing it from here,I am going to hold off on getting the game. I hate freeze-ups more than any other glitches. If a patch doesn't fix it I will go with the PS2 version of the game. If that's the case I'll have a so called next gen console and the only next gen sports titles I play on it is The Show and NHL 08. I am getting my NFL fix with 2K5 on my Xbox and my college fix is the PS2 version of NCAA.

PK my man,computer sports gaming is looking better and better everyday.
I know where you're coming from. STuff like this makes me question why I even bought a next gen machine. Who would have known PK may have been right and we all wrong about next gen gaming........sheesh.

Because we're going to base the worth of these consoles on one game.

GTA4 and MGS4 have been two of the most highly-rated games in history.

People raved about several other games like Bioshock and COD4.

Not to mention, sports games like The Show and NHL 08.

And this generation is only a couple of years old.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:39 am

wco81 wrote:
Inuyasha wrote:
JackDog wrote:Thanks guys. After reading the thread at OS and hearing it from here,I am going to hold off on getting the game. I hate freeze-ups more than any other glitches. If a patch doesn't fix it I will go with the PS2 version of the game. If that's the case I'll have a so called next gen console and the only next gen sports titles I play on it is The Show and NHL 08. I am getting my NFL fix with 2K5 on my Xbox and my college fix is the PS2 version of NCAA.

PK my man,computer sports gaming is looking better and better everyday.
I know where you're coming from. STuff like this makes me question why I even bought a next gen machine. Who would have known PK may have been right and we all wrong about next gen gaming........sheesh.
Because we're going to base the worth of these consoles on one game.

GTA4 and MGS4 have been two of the most highly-rated games in history.

People raved about several other games like Bioshock and COD4.

Not to mention, sports games like The Show and NHL 08.

And this generation is only a couple of years old.

Yeah, that's what I thought: "Don't ever let an EA game represent the current state of console gaming..." If that was the case, we'd all be playing Yahtzee.

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:31 am

wco81 wrote:
JackDog wrote:Thanks guys. After reading the thread at OS and hearing it from here,I am going to hold off on getting the game. I hate freeze-ups more than any other glitches. If a patch doesn't fix it I will go with the PS2 version of the game. If that's the case I'll have a so called next gen console and the only next gen sports titles I play on it is The Show and NHL 08. I am getting my NFL fix with 2K5 on my Xbox and my college fix is the PS2 version of NCAA.

PK my man,computer sports gaming is looking better and better everyday.

Because we're going to base the worth of these consoles on one game.

GTA4 and MGS4 have been two of the most highly-rated games in history.

People raved about several other games like Bioshock and COD4.

Not to mention, sports games like The Show and NHL 08.

And this generation is only a couple of years old.

I play The Show and NHL 08. Didn't you read my post? I don't do racing games or FPS. I only play stick and ball sports. The football games for next gen have issues this year IMO. Just like last year. Again IMO.

I get 7 games a year and 2 of them are Football. Which happens to be my favorite sport. I am very disappointed with the next gen offerngs. That's 2 major games for me.

greggsand wrote:
Yeah, that's what I thought: "Don't ever let an EA game represent the current state of console gaming..." If that was the case, we'd all be playing Yahtzee.

Greg, EA represents the only Football games available for next gen. So I base my opinion on that. They put out 2 very good football games for the PS2 this year. They both have more options and less bugs. No patches needed. I am asking for the same for my PS3.

Look,I don't give a f*** who makes the games as long as they play good and don't freeze. EA has made some damn good sports games. They have just failed to get football right for next gen IMO.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:42 am

JackDog wrote:Greg, EA represents the only Football games available for next gen. So I base my opinion on that. They put out 2 very good football games for the PS2 this year. They both have more options and less bugs. No patches needed. I am asking for the same for my PS3.

No offense Jack but that's only because they finally perfected those games at the tail end of last gen and they're basically just releasing roster updates on the PS2 at this point. There might be some minor changes or new features but the development teams for the PS2 version of the game are small compared to the next gen development. I really enjoy this years Madden and think of the Collector's Edition as the most significant release in football videogame history. The tag team of Madden and Head Coach cannot be touched. Yes, I think they are that good.

I can understand you hating freezes but honestly how widespread is that? One thing I've learned about the internet over the past 5 years is when it comes to EA games you can't believe everything you read and you certainly can't believe that everyone who claims to have seen or had a certain problem actually did. I'm not saying that about anyone here but that certainly is the case at forums such as OS, IGN, and Gamefaqs. Rent the game Jack, you might be pleasantly surprised this year.