Madden 10 - Will they prove us wrong?

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 7:52 pm

Zeppo wrote:There seems to have been some serious relaxing of the fines and enforcent.

I remember with PGR2 I thnk I was, my local EB Games was selling it early, and then after that it was impossible to find anything early, anywhere. It seems like that started the crackdown.

Nowadays there's a new Play n Trade, and with some game (GoW2 maybe) I phoned and was told they had it in. When I got there, the manager was not letting them sell it to me. I told him 'i'll just go down to 6th street, man,' and he said 'well they'll be gettng fined because I'm reporting them.'

Thus summer, with Red Faction I think, the same guy talked to me on the phone and tried to make sure I wasn't a spy before he would sell it to me early. I came in and all he wanted was that I pay cash.

I'm guessing he tried to report the mom n pop joints, got no satisfaction, and now is hu gry for those sales he knows he loses out on.

It all seems to be more relaxed now, although I'm sure the EBs and such are still overly anal.

I've been getting NCAA and Madden up to a week and a half early for the last 3 or 4 years from the same place. They make no bones about it. You call them and ask when they're getting it in and they'll tell you when they'll start selling it. Hell they even tell you to get the word out. They don't seem all that scared about not getting it the following year or getting fined.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:55 pm

Only played two games so far so no real impressions juts commenting on some stuff.

First game Bears (me) vs Niners. I am in control of this game 17-2 at half. The safety came because I recover a fumble and my player momentum carried me into the end zone and out of bounds. The Niners came back and went up 18-17 with 2:32 to go.

I got a nice return by Hester and a face mask penalty on top of it. Managed to get down for the game winner with 4 seconds left. Things that stuck out from this game:

There were a combined 18 penalties (11 min Acc clock) all I did was bump a few things up to 55 to test and wham.

There seems like a holding call on every FG attempt I took, must be a bug.

Second game me Bengals vs Raiders. I completely got worked, in the first half if McFadden wasn't running and spinning circles around me Jamarcus Russel was lighting up the field with passes.

24-0 at half. Russel threw 3 picks in the second half but i never managed to score, had a FG called back due to holding again.

It's nice to see the different teams and how different the players feel. The FG thing is on my nerves already though and the commentary is just plain awful.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:36 pm

That FG bug would most definitely be patched I gotta think. I've read too many complaints about it.

It's such a shame about the commentary. You have to think the developers know the commentary was their weak link, but probably didn't have enough resources to make a change. There are no excuses if it isn't completely revamped for next year. The question is there enough presentation in the rest of the game to turn down the commentary and just play? It sounds like there is, however from playing the demo I need to hear the broadcast.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:41 pm

sportdan30 wrote:The question is there enough presentation in the rest of the game to turn down the commentary and just play? It sounds like there is, however from playing the demo I need to hear the broadcast.

I turned off the commentary after a game and a half and I do believe it's better without it, and still involving. Curious to hear other experiences though.

Nozzleman_216 · Post by **Nozzleman_216** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:19 pm

Slumberland wrote:
sportdan30 wrote:The question is there enough presentation in the rest of the game to turn down the commentary and just play? It sounds like there is, however from playing the demo I need to hear the broadcast.
I turned off the commentary after a game and a half and I do believe it's better without it, and still involving. Curious to hear other experiences though.

It is no wonder the demo's didn't have commentary. Sheesh!

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:16 am

Well considering I played 30 games of the demo at least with no commentary I say the presentation is enough. Actually Collinsworth isn't bad and they do say players names and what not. Hammonds just sucks.

The biggest problem is how it's put together it's like the got an intern from a local community college and said here slice these clips together.

Anyway Zep and I just had an enjoyable game online, played well but since no one is on the servers yet that's to be expected. I really think the Online Franchise is going to be enjoyable if that one game is any indication.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:36 am

I bet for some of you the radio guy must be sounding pretty good right about now.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:37 am

Does a game with accel clock on 15 min quarters yield accurate results? I noticed Danimal was playing on 11 min quarters.

I'm going to pick my copy up.. if things are going in the right direction, I do not mind supporting the Madden team.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:39 am

Rodster wrote:I bet for some of you the radio guy must be sounding pretty good right about now.

I liked the radio guy.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:51 am

MizzouRah wrote:Does a game with accel clock on 15 min quarters yield accurate results? I noticed Danimal was playing on 11 min quarters.

I'm going to pick my copy up.. if things are going in the right direction, I do not mind supporting the Madden team.

I think it is subjective and how fast you call your plays. I'll put it this way in what I have sen so far it would be hard to have games with score like 70-65 in 15 minute quarters. In all the games I have played the most I've seen scored so far is 24 and that was by the AI.

Personally I can't go faster then a 15 second run off on the play clock. However people are doing 15 min qtrs with 20 or 25 second run offs. It's important to note that a 15 second run off doesn't mean the clock goes to 15 seconds it runs off 15 seconds from when you pick your play. So a higher run of barely give you time to put a man in motion or make more then one hot route read. Some might consider this good and a way to eliminate cheesing.

Anyway i have settle in at 12 min qtrs with a 15 second run off, this give me a total of 115-130 plays a game in what I have seen so far. Stats wise everything looks good to me.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:44 pm

15 minute quarters with 20 second runoff are netting me about 120 plays. At first I thought 20 seconds wouldn't leave me enough time, but my adjustments are usually the same couple tweaks and I can pull them off quickly enough... I just have to remember not to get fancy after a change of possession because there's no time for anything the way they do it.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:19 pm

XXXIV wrote:
Rodster wrote:I bet for some of you the radio guy must be sounding pretty good right about now.
I liked the radio guy.

So did I and look what we got instead, arrrgh

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:30 pm

Danimal wrote:
MizzouRah wrote:Does a game with accel clock on 15 min quarters yield accurate results? I noticed Danimal was playing on 11 min quarters.

I'm going to pick my copy up.. if things are going in the right direction, I do not mind supporting the Madden team.
I think it is subjective and how fast you call your plays. I'll put it this way in what I have sen so far it would be hard to have games with score like 70-65 in 15 minute quarters. In all the games I have played the most I've seen scored so far is 24 and that was by the AI.

Personally I can't go faster then a 15 second run off on the play clock. However people are doing 15 min qtrs with 20 or 25 second run offs. It's important to note that a 15 second run off doesn't mean the clock goes to 15 seconds it runs off 15 seconds from when you pick your play. So a higher run of barely give you time to put a man in motion or make more then one hot route read. Some might consider this good and a way to eliminate cheesing.

Anyway i have settle in at 12 min qtrs with a 15 second run off, this give me a total of 115-130 plays a game in what I have seen so far. Stats wise everything looks good to me.

Thanks Danimal!

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:31 pm

It just hit me as I sit here at work watching the clock. This is the first Madden in forever I am thinking about. What I mean is I can't wait to get home and play some more games with different teams to feel them out.

The game is just a lot of fun to play, plus the online experience last night with Zep was a blast.

Really looking forward to our franchise now.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:43 pm

Danimal wrote:
Really looking forward to our franchise now.

Me too ...and I dont have it yet...

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 6:09 pm

Danimal wrote:It just hit me as I sit here at work watching the clock. This is the first Madden in forever I am thinking about. What I mean is I can't wait to get home and play some more games with different teams to feel them out.

The game is just a lot of fun to play, plus the online experience last night with Zep was a blast.

That's great to hear!

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:58 am

Now that Bill Abner is giving Madden better scores than IGN, it looks like Gamespot is throwing its hat into the ring to be the new hard-ass on football videogames. Their review is up and...ouch, a 7.5

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ ... eview.html

I don't buy that it's worse than last year's Madden, which got an 8.0 from Gamespot, but it is interesting to see the wide variety of scores this game is getting.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:05 am

GTHobbes wrote:Now that Bill Abner is giving Madden better scores than IGN, it looks like Gamespot is throwing its hat into the ring to be the new hard-ass on football videogames. Their review is up and...ouch, a 7.5

.

All I gather from that is that EA forgot to pay its Gamespot bill.

The only review that matters to me will be up in a few days after I have played the game.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:23 am

XXXIV wrote:
GTHobbes wrote:Now that Bill Abner is giving Madden better scores than IGN, it looks like Gamespot is throwing its hat into the ring to be the new hard-ass on football videogames. Their review is up and...ouch, a 7.5

.
The only review that matters to me will be up in a few days after I have played the game.

Amen to that...and mine, too.

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:20 am

XXXIV wrote:
Danimal wrote:
Really looking forward to our franchise now.
Me too ...and I dont have it yet...

Midnight tonight can't come fast enough. Wonder if I will be able to function at work tomorrow (and yes, I have to be in).

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:22 am

Is it just me or is that Gamespot review terrible? 2 pages long and spending 25% of it worrying about your team's stats not matching the rest of the league if you use 5 minute quarters?

I continue to dig this version and feel invested in a given game from start to finish, which marks a complete reversal of my feelings towards every Madden since, oh, 1994. Every game is different. Momentum shifts often. I believe 95% of what I witness on the field. Good decisions are key.

I love that with 15 minute quarters, the score going into halftime in my franchise game last night was 3-0 (I had missed two field goals). I ended up winning 27-17.

I just hate to see mainstream sites decide that now is the time to pounce when EA is finally making some smart decisions regarding this stale, calcified zombie of a franchise.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:23 am

Unfortunately it might affect us though. EA management looks at meta critic scores, I have no idea why. But you know why their is no HC10 meta critic.

I gather not all of EA especially marketing is happy with this new change of direction and if 10 scores lower then previous Madden's we may be back to the same old crap next year.

I think if this team had a few more years under their belt with this game it might be something spectacular, but right now i am worried that may not happen.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:37 am

At the end of the day, game sales trump meta-critic scores. And if the game is as good as Slumber, Abner and co. are saying (and a good part of me is starting to believe it may be), sales will be fine and Ian and his team will live to continue their efforts for the next few years.

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:14 am

Also, the suits don't just look at the final score. They'll surely notice that most scores are up from last year. Most scores are coming in at the 90+ mark while a couple are driving the avg down because they pull a 70-something out of their arse.

The game is vastly improved and sales numbers will show that. IMO we are just now starting to see the effect Peter Moore is having on EA Sports across the board. It's been their best year in a long time when it comes to the quality of their entire lineup. I think NBA is the only title that's really lagging behind right now.

Sorry for the tangent, back to Madden. I believe I read somewhere that this year's presale numbers were higher than last year's by a pretty good margin. Their new interactive approach also seems to be paying off.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:22 am

Hmmmm, the best buy website is showing madden as "in stock" at my local stores........ do i trust them and think BB has it out a day early?!?!?