Madden 25?

[TheTruth]

I thought that about the graphics at first, too. But what I've noticed as time passed (since the initial XBox One reveal, at least) is that the graphics aren't vastly different as far as characters and clarity. I am not sure you can really get much more detailed on the primary stuff in this era of HD.

What IS different every time I look closely is the AMOUNT of stuff that's high-poly, and the "background" is much more animated and alive. Through things like Dead Rising 3, and Watch Dogs, to even the sideline of Madden on next gen. The players all have the higher-res textures on them, and the sideline doesn't have the low-poly cardboard cutouts.

Bottom line, it's like they cranked up the memory available to store stuff in, so when I just look at a video of next gen--sure, the primary action isn't lightyears ahead of current gen. But when they talk about having enough memory now to make the sideline interactive (players catching guys coming out of bounds, players scattering, etc), and have the entire field packed with more things--THAT is what makes it look next gen to me, because on some of those videos, you can see the difference between this gen and next gen.

For some people, having the "high detail area" expand further out away from your focal point in the game won't be a big deal. To me, it feels like a massive jump in creating more realistic virtual worlds/arenas/whatever. Just watch that video again, and look at the crowd in the background or the sidelines. Then go back and look at a 360 Madden 25 video and look at the cardboard cutouts in the crowd and bench on every cutscene. To me, I see a pretty massive difference, but it's not the major focus that the camera is on. That effect seems to be prevalent in every game I see--the background stuff is blown up to a massive degree.

I got to beta test the XBOX One a couple weeks ago, signed a NDA, etc., a friend of mine works at MS. Terry is pretty much on point. The graphics didnt totally blow me away, but everything was in greater detail, granted, what i played were two unfinished demos, forza and ryse. Reminded me of a high end PC graphic wise.

[MizzouRah]

I thought that about the graphics at first, too. But what I've noticed as time passed (since the initial XBox One reveal, at least) is that the graphics aren't vastly different as far as characters and clarity. I am not sure you can really get much more detailed on the primary stuff in this era of HD.

What IS different every time I look closely is the AMOUNT of stuff that's high-poly, and the "background" is much more animated and alive. Through things like Dead Rising 3, and Watch Dogs, to even the sideline of Madden on next gen. The players all have the higher-res textures on them, and the sideline doesn't have the low-poly cardboard cutouts.

Bottom line, it's like they cranked up the memory available to store stuff in, so when I just look at a video of next gen--sure, the primary action isn't lightyears ahead of current gen. But when they talk about having enough memory now to make the sideline interactive (players catching guys coming out of bounds, players scattering, etc), and have the entire field packed with more things--THAT is what makes it look next gen to me, because on some of those videos, you can see the difference between this gen and next gen.

For some people, having the "high detail area" expand further out away from your focal point in the game won't be a big deal. To me, it feels like a massive jump in creating more realistic virtual worlds/arenas/whatever. Just watch that video again, and look at the crowd in the background or the sidelines. Then go back and look at a 360 Madden 25 video and look at the cardboard cutouts in the crowd and bench on every cutscene. To me, I see a pretty massive difference, but it's not the major focus that the camera is on. That effect seems to be prevalent in every game I see--the background stuff is blown up to a massive degree.

Lucky dog!

I got to beta test the XBOX One a couple weeks ago, signed a NDA, etc., a friend of mine works at MS. Terry is pretty much on point. The graphics didnt totally blow me away, but everything was in greater detail, granted, what i played were two unfinished demos, forza and ryse. Reminded me of a high end PC graphic wise.

[Danimal]

http://kotaku.com/espn-says-its-been-us ... 1445158516

You guys thinking of getting next gen should check this out. Second time they pulled a video for bad comments. Usually it's just the trolls but average joe isn't happy either. Looks like football gaming is dead for another generation.

[Rodster]

http://kotaku.com/espn-says-its-been-us ... 1445158516

You guys thinking of getting next gen should check this out. Second time they pulled a video for bad comments. Usually it's just the trolls but average joe isn't happy either. Looks like football gaming is dead for another generation.

I told you guys that next gen looks to be more hype than substance. I saw that in the PS4 Killzone trailer, as well in the FIFA presentation MS showed when they announced the XONE. The games had that current gen look to them. The only significant visual leap would be if they went to 4K displays. Besides that the new games will probably look a little cleaner and run smoother. I still have my doubts that most next gen games can do 60FPS with all the eye candy turned on.

[Pete1210]

http://kotaku.com/espn-says-its-been-us ... 1445158516

You guys thinking of getting next gen should check this out. Second time they pulled a video for bad comments. Usually it's just the trolls but average joe isn't happy either. Looks like football gaming is dead for another generation.

I told you guys that next gen looks to be more hype than substance. I saw that in the PS4 Killzone trailer, as well in the FIFA presentation MS showed when they announced the XONE. The games had that current gen look to them. The only significant visual leap would be if they went to 4K displays. Besides that the new games will probably look a little cleaner and run smoother. I still have my doubts that most next gen games can do 60FPS with all the eye candy turned on.

Madden is the last game I'd use as a reference point for a next gen purchase. Their first effort on xbox 360 was abysmal.

[pk500]

Madden is the last game I'd use as a reference point for a next gen purchase. Their first effort on xbox 360 was abysmal.

Agree.

Games like Ryse: Son of Rome, Forza 5 and Titanfall look spectacular. I'm not among those drooling over getting a new toy next month, yet I still acknowledge there's a sizable graphic leap from this generation when looking at those three titles.

Good Lord, when have EA Sports or EA racing games ever been held aloft as a pinnacle of graphic arts? Madden never has looked great. NHL is solid, but it's easy to argue that PES 2014 is prettier than FIFA 14 this year, at least the player models. Need For Speed games in this generation never have looked as good as any Forza game or Codemasters title.

Frostbite is about the only good graphical engine EA has developed and matured this generation.

[bulls23]

Slightly OT, but I noticed NHL got their first patch today. What the hell is up with the Madden team where no patch has been released? FIFA has already had two patches also and both those games already have better gameplay out of the box.

[Danimal]

I can't guarantee this but I wouldn't expect a patch on Madden. I know someone who used to work there so I always got good insider scoop. He doesn't work there anymore but he is not hearing positive things about madden 25. They are hanging a lot of hopes on next gen and that is where attention is being put.

[wco81]

I haven't listened yet but apparently OS did a podcast with someone from EA who was quoted as saying don't expect too much of a leap in graphics.

Meanwhile, NBA2K trailer shows quite a leap.

[Pete1210]

Next gen gameplay improvements and more animations:

[Aristo]

I can't guarantee this but I wouldn't expect a patch on Madden. I know someone who used to work there so I always got good insider scoop. He doesn't work there anymore but he is not hearing positive things about madden 25. They are hanging a lot of hopes on next gen and that is where attention is being put.

But that strategy can only work if EA can make sure they don't have any competition...

[Danimal]

Nothing was done to the penalties for next gen. No new penalties and no attention paid to adjusting them. I think I am the only one who cares about this but I thought I would post it here. I'm not posting it at OS as I don't feel like getting 100 PM's asking me how I know.

[MizzouRah]

The only reason Madden is still around is because it's the ONLY game in town.

I gave up on this series a long time ago.. and honestly it still feels odd hearing all my friends talk about it. (almost making me buy it.. but I can't do it)

Which goes without saying Danimal.. doesn't surprise me one bit.

[dbdynsty25]

Nothing was done to the penalties for next gen. No new penalties and no attention paid to adjusting them. I think I am the only one who cares about this but I thought I would post it here. I'm not posting it at OS as I don't feel like getting 100 PM's asking me how I know.

Didn't they just do a twitter question and answer that states that?

[Danimal]

Nothing was done to the penalties for next gen. No new penalties and no attention paid to adjusting them. I think I am the only one who cares about this but I thought I would post it here. I'm not posting it at OS as I don't feel like getting 100 PM's asking me how I know.

Didn't they just do a twitter question and answer that states that?

They did a Q&A on the line play, I didn't see anything in there about it which is why I emailed a dev and he got back to me. He did say this, take it FWIW

"But, because of gen4 consoles, penalties have shown an increased tendency."

[dbdynsty25]

http://www.pastapadre.com/2013/10/21/la ... -pass-rush

The last few talking about defense and penalties. Not like its a ton of info...nor will there be an improvement so not even sure why I'm linking it. Haha.

[Danimal]

Oh, yeah I saw those which seemed like he was not really answering the question.

Example: Will be there be defensive holding, and pass interference called?
@HUBlackstar #Madden25 Next-Gen supports defensive pass interference.

Well current gen supports DPI but it doesn't get called.

Clint is actually the guy I messaged and I asked specifically if the penalties had been tweaked to be called at a more realistic rate and if defensive holding was added.

He sent this back.

"No, we did not feature that. But, because of gen4 consoles, penalties have shown an increased tendency."

He is the only decent dev who will answer a question if you ask him point blank. I really don't see how a new console in itself could make penalties be called more frequently but I guess we will see.

The bottom line is I'm not their target audience anymore. Truth be told 90% of gamers could care less if penalties were called and most would b*tch if they lost a game on a DPI call and call it the cpu cheating. Imagine if a scenario similar to the Jet / Pats game from yesterday happened to you in a Madden game. How many people would lose their minds over that?

[TRI]

I am not looking forward to Madden 25 on next generation hardware. It will likely be the same game with better graphics but the same canned animations and legacy issues ported over for the third time. It is not really a terrible game though and I am sure some people will find some entertainment value. Madden is not a bad game and certainly not terrible, it is however far too similar to Madden games played 10 years ago. I have that been there done that feeling with Madden and bored with it.

I do not expect EA to make a realistic football game. It will most likely NEVER happen! The blue suits will NEVER allow Madden to be a football simulation..

I am ready for the Oculus Rift, true next generation.

[Danimal]

Well I stand corrected there is a patch out. Doesn't seem like it fixed much but it did get rid of the toss play bug on slow speed.

[AJColossal]

The bottom line is I'm not their target audience anymore. Truth be told 90% of gamers could care less if penalties were called and most would b*tch if they lost a game on a DPI call and call it the cpu cheating. Imagine if a scenario similar to the Jet / Pats game from yesterday happened to you in a Madden game. How many people would lose their minds over that?

I'm right there with you about the penalties. I can't remember what podcast I was listening to but one of the next-gen devs was talking about incorporating sim elements into Madden. Hie gave an example of fumbled snaps, and was wondering out loud why anyone would want to see that in a game of Madden and (gasp!) possibly lose a game because of something the user would have no control over.

Fumbled snaps? Yeah, like penalties, those happen in real life, and I want to see them in an NFL sim. But I realized a long time ago this is the type of NFL realism Madden has no interest in emulating, so...

[vader29]

While Madden 25 isn't a bad game, I've had it now for a little over a month and only made it through the first 4 games of a season and just wasn't feeling it for whatever reason so I ended up putting it on ebay it last night for 45 bucks and it sold today so I end up with a month rental and actually made a few bucks off of it after getting it with the amazon deal.

[sportdan30]

Madden 25 next gen preview

http://www.polygon.com/2013/11/12/50938 ... y-distinct

[wco81]

You have to wonder why EA isn't releasing gameplay videos by now.

They tout this Ignite engine and the supposed gameplay improvements but they talk up the crowd instead?

If it's like the FIFA demo I saw, the differences will be subtle, not apparent at first glance. But hopefully cleaner overall look and smoother frame rates.

Everyone seem to be tamping down expectations.

[wco81]

So I've played a few games of PS4 Madden.

I hadn't played much Madden in years. Last one I bought was 12 and I didn't play it very much.

First impression is that the DBs are much better than I remember them being. They win their fair share of 50/50 balls and they often jar ball loose with the hit after catch.

I haven't seen the super leaping LBs but I've seen them break out of their zones to go after slants and underneath routes.


Even if you do manage to get a good gain, it seems you can't really break away, whether on an offensive play or a return, you can't run away, unless R2 is no longer the sprint button.

It's a real learning experience, learning the playbooks (49ers have read option plays that I haven't really used much yet) but also the interface. All the pre snap controls at the LOS are new to me.

On defense, it's the same thing, learning the presnap adjustments. I recognize a lot of the plays but the defenders react differently. We'll see if the pass defense is as good without warp speed makeups like Madden 2005.

Real test will be playing a lot of games online, to see if these first impressions hold up or if these tendencies are normal.

It all feels new, though not as new as playing the first PS2 version of Madden or a completely different game like NFL2K.

[Danimal]

Even if you do manage to get a good gain, it seems you can't really break away, whether on an offensive play or a return, you can't run away, unless R2 is no longer the sprint button.

If you want to see tangible speed differences between players lower the speed threshold to at least 35. At 50 everyone is equal so it's just fatigue that is playing a role.