Online with Madden PS2. Impressions (LONG)

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Fri Aug 30, 2002 8:52 am

The allure of playing online with fellows from SR
 and DSP was too much. I couldn´t wait to play against the likes
 of HipE, siam007, Murph1, RobVarak. I managed to find a PS2 network
 adapter and Madden 2003 at EB yesterday, and bought it using
 store credit. (Even though I´m going into XB live beta with
 NFL2k3... once they allow me to order the kit.) I was surprised
 to find an adapter at EB, but since I had store credit I got it instead
 of the one I had called to reserve at Radioshack.
 
 I got home, and while working a bit (running tests) opened up the
 network adapter, quickly looked at the basic installation instructions,
 and followed them. It´s quite simple, remove the expansion bay
 cover from the back of the PS2, remove the little plastic protector
 of the back of the network adapter, plug it in, tighten the screws.
 Easy.
 
 My configuration is PS2 -> Linksys Router -> DSL modem.
 
 I put in Madden and turn on the PS2. I head right into ONLINE, test
 the connection, and create my account. Setting it up was easy. Add
 a userid/password, setup some network settings (DNS->auto, DHCP, no PPoE
 since my router handles it.)
 
 Now... the games. Keep in mind I´ve been playing 2K3 Xbox alot lately
 so my skills for Madden PS2 are not sharp at all.
 
 I head into SR Chat to see who´saround, looks like HipE is up for
 a game. He´s off to log in. I´m in Rookie/East Madden room
 waiting for him. I see him pop up and go to challenge him... I
 get a window indicating someone has challenged me. Thinking it
 was HipE, I accept without looking at the userid of the challenger.
 IT was not HipE, it was someone else. Anyway,
 I decide to be nice and go ahead with the game. Turns out the
 guy was on diallup, and there was a ton of lag. Not unplayable, but
 noticeable, and an occasional freeze up in between plays. Note that
 there is no display of connection quality when the challenge screen
 is up. The only way to check is to decline the challenge, go back
 to the room and check the challengers connection, then re-challenge
 him if it looks good.
 
 The game gets going, and this guy is playing somewhat realistically!
 Running, passing, not blitzing every play, not running hurry-up every
 play. I think "this is great... some somewhat normal football!"
 I´m enjoying the game, and am up 21-7 at halftime (he had what was
 an obvious TD catch called as a catch at the 1-yd line, and could not
 challenge it.) But, now my sister from Calgary calls (haven´t talked
 in a while) so I tell the guy I have to go. He seems ok with it. We
 disconnect.
 
 A while later I log back on. Looks like HipE is playing Javi, and siam
 is lurking in SR chat as usual. Noone from SR to play, so I just head on in
 and challenge someone with a good connection.
 
 WOW... what a difference a good connection makes. Feels like I´m playing
 the CPU! However that notion is quickly squashed as this guy plays Shotgun,
 5WR, hurry-up offense on EVERY PLAY. He rolls his QB back about 20yds and
 to the side, then throws the bomb. I try a few things, including 4-6 blitz
 plays based on some advice from HipE in the SR chat. My linemen are somehow
 glued to their blockers, and he finds WRs open due to the blitz. If I run
 dime/cover, I get no pass pressure, he runs around 20-30 yds behind the line
 of scrimmage, waits... waits... throws the bomb. He´s scoring or making
 big gains almost everytime. His drives consume 40 seconds.
 The game ends with him winning 49-35. I have 13 first downs, he has 4.
 
 I figure I´d move to the Pro room to hopefully get more help from my CPU players,
 and perhaps find a more realistic game. NOPE! Same thing. A bit more balanced,
 but still shotgun/4WR almost every time. I get a bit smarter on this one, and manage
 to hold the game to a 35-21 loss.
 
 Time to go to bed.
 
 I need to learn how to play against the Shotgun/5WR/huge-qb-drop offense. I suck
 at containing it. I guess if the play works for my opponent, I should expect him
 to run it all the time.
 
 Oh well, I heard mention of some guy who runs the Steelers/Goaline every play, and runs
 with Bettis, and is UNDEFEATED. NICE.
 
 I think the online experience will be a good one. I must admit that even playing
 these types of games is more interesting then playing against the CPU.
 
 ...James_E

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Aug 30, 2002 10:12 am

James:
 
 Thanks for the detailed impressions. Very cool.
 
 But much like NFL 2K1, I know I´m going to have to find players who play realistic football when I go online with NFL 2K3 on Xbox Live. I can´t stand playing against fools who run shotgun every play or run the same off-tackle plays every time. I´d rather play the computer.
 
 Thankfully, there are dudes like you and my brother-in-law whom I can play.
 
 P.S.: Sounds like my fears about lag when playing against dial-up players might be true in some cases.
 
 Take care,
 PK [ This message was edited by: pk500 on 30-08-2002 07:13 ]