Weak Madden Sales Signaling Trouble for Game Industry

[REDRZA]

Quote: Originally Posted by mrprice33

I still play Madden 08 on the PC, which is based on the last gen version of the hardware, and the dbs do not run routes before the receivers like they do in the current incarnations of the game. What is happening now is primarily because the wr route running animations were changed to make their feet chop more at the point of the cut, while the dbs footwork and locomotion have remained basically the same. This causes the db to move faster than the wr, and therefore run the route ahead of the wr. That did not happen in last gen Madden/NCAA (especially not in the 2001 Madden/2002 NCAA, which were notorious for bad db AI play). It's certainly possible that we misunderstand each other on this point, but I'm specifically talking about that issue. If that's not what you are talking about, then I apologize. As to the rest of your points, there are certainly some things that are going to carry over. The same coders basically did the work on the last gen and next gen versions of the game, and that means that they mostly used the same techniques to achieve certain ends. However, the game was overhauled pretty much in its entirety for the next gen systems. That's why those games played faster and that's why the runners had less weight and momentum, and were able to pretty much turn on a dime. I feel for online guys, I really do. I used to play online a lot up until the last year or 2 (and went to a ton of tournaments), but stopped as the game just stopped being fun. Now that I primarily play against the CPU with slider adjustments, it's fun again. I don't know what to say to you. There was some talk of maybe in the future having the community vote on the best slider edits, and these would then be built into some of the lobbies in the game, and really that's probably the best you can hope for.

Im hoping for a complete reboot, and an overall better, smarter, more realistic game soup to nuts. Realistic physics and player interaction would be nice.

Since none of that will happen this year, im willing to settle (Madden has forced many of us to have to settle instead of being floored) for much improved pass coverage(man and zone) and much less broken tackles especially from WR's. If they can balance the game between offense and defense ill be alot more content and can possible enjoy the game at least through the football season. (Miss the days of playing Madden all year round).

[mrprice33]

Quote: Originally Posted by rangerrick012

@ price33 Look not everyone thinks Madden is great and NBA 2K sucks, just because you see it that way and others don't doesn't mean you are the only one right and everyone else is wrong. Madden has its flaws as does 2K, but the flaws in Madden are greater to some, than those in 2K. People complain about 2K just as they do w/ Madden, maybe you don't see it as much, but it happens. Just like you say sliders help Madden, they help NBA 2K as well. In any case, I don't think it's right how you continue to take cheap shots at 2K in order to pump up Madden when others don't see it the way you do. What do you mean by people letting it get away anyways? From what I've seen reviewers still give Madden high scores every year, it still sells more than any other sports game. Of course the community is going to be harsher, but the harshness probably comes from 2 factors that cannot be ignored - 1. Ea's purchase of the license definitely opened up Madden to harsher criticism and backlash. 2K avoids this to a degree b/c people don't like it, they can play Live. Madden is the only yearly NFL game in town. If you think that's not a factor you're naive IMO. 2. Disconnect between the community and the devs. W/ 2k there at least seems to be a concerted effort to listen to the community's needs and try to implement new features. Madden throws in gameplan, gameflow, and strat pad really without the community asking for or demanding these features. This leaves fans jaded and makes people wonder what the direction of the game really is.

I've bought every NBA 2K game from basically the beginning of the series on Dreamcast. Trust me, I'm not an NBA 2K basher in the least. I love that series. However, there are many posters here who either don't play other games enough or hold them to different standards, because a lot of the complaints I have and see about that game are dismissed here when people try to point at NBA 2K as the gold standard for what a sports game should be, and how Madden should try to emulate that game as closely as possible. It's hypocritical.

Oh trust me, I know why this site is filled with so many people who take drive by pot shots at everything EA. I've been here long enough to see the wars between the sides, and the resentment and hatred build up ever since the exclusivity agreement.

As to developer interaction, we had plenty of Madden developers here who were chased away by people who would rather call them idiots and morons than to offer helpful suggestions as to what the community wants. They still definitely listen though, as evidenced by the OS shout outs from Russ on NCAA and the constant interaction Ian Cummings has with fans on twitter.

I will ask you to further explain what the bolded sentence means. I looked back in my posts in this thread, and I'm not sure what you are referencing.

[mrprice33]

Quote: Originally Posted by REDRZA

Im hoping for a complete reboot, and an overall better, smarter, more realistic game soup to nuts. Realistic physics and player interaction would be nice. Since none of that will happen this year, im willing to settle (Madden has forced many of us to have to settle instead of being floored) for much improved pass coverage(man and zone) and much less broken tackles especially from WR's. If they can balance the game between offense and defense ill be alot more content and can possible enjoy the game at least through the football season. (Miss the days of playing Madden all year round).

Like I said, it's unfortunate that you don't want to be a "franchise freak" (or that they don't at least allow you to edit sliders in online franchise), because that stuff is easily fixable today with sliders. Oh well.

[Rules]

I tokk the year off from EA sports games with the exception of FIFA 10 and Madden 10. Well I just played FIFA 10 again the other day and well Madden 10 is under a cloud of dust as it has not been touched after just 3 games!

Though I have been reading how NCAA Football 11 is a huge improvement, I decided to pass again this year as the demo still feels the same ol' same ol' in terms of atmosphere and presentation for the last 10 years!!!!! Even the commentary is still the same. How many times can you continue to charge $60 full price for a game that has the same commentary, cut scenes, crowd noise, overlays, ect as the last several years????

This year I will be picking up FIFA 11, already preordered NHL 11, debating NBA Elite as I need to see more including the demo. Madden 11 is not worth even the discounted price tag of $49.99.

[rangerrick012]

Quote: Originally Posted by mrprice33

I've bought every NBA 2K game from basically the beginning of the series on Dreamcast. Trust me, I'm not an NBA 2K basher in the least. I love that series. However, there are many posters here who either don't play other games enough or hold them to different standards, because a lot of the complaints I have and see about that game are dismissed here when people try to point at NBA 2K as the gold standard for what a sports game should be, and how Madden should try to emulate that game as closely as possible. It's hypocritical. Oh trust me, I know why this site is filled with so many people who take drive by pot shots at everything EA. I've been here long enough to see the wars between the sides, and the resentment and hatred build up ever since the exclusivity agreement. As to developer interaction, we had plenty of Madden developers here who were chased away by people who would rather call them idiots and morons than to offer helpful suggestions as to what the community wants. They still definitely listen though, as evidenced by the OS shout outs from Russ on NCAA and the constant interaction Ian Cummings has with fans on twitter. I will ask you to further explain what the bolded sentence means. I looked back in my posts in this thread, and I'm not sure what you are referencing.

I was referring to your statement of 2K seemingly getting away with having the same flaws Madden has. You seem to think people don't criticize 2K's (without slider adjustments) paint heavy game, sliding on court, control issues, these are all things that are brought up about 2K10. It's not like people think 2K is perfect, which is the picture you seem to be trying to paint.

But there are areas where NBA2K is ahead of Madden. The presentation and commentary for example is some of the best ever in a sports game. That's one of the areas where Madden continues to be lacking. Franchise and career modes in 2k10 are also superb.

You seem to think people don't criticize 2K for these gameplay issues and only take shots at Madden. That's where I disagree with you. And yes Madden compared to FIFA/2K/NHL is lacking in these critical areas - franchise/career mode and presentation. These are critical areas to consumers and the reason why some are so hard on Madden.

[bms715]

Weak Madden sales may signal a hit to the gaming industry, but I believe that it is more a result of a weak game that has not seen enough improvement to make people buy it. Unfortunately for us, the gamers, this is probably the result of: a) the difficulty/cost of making a good game for next-gen systems and b) the fact that developers only have a year to make/improve the game...In my opinion, I definitely wouldn't hate if Madden took a year off to completely re-create the game from the ground up...Would you?

[LiquorLogic]

Quote: Originally Posted by marktg30

I tried to play Madden 10 last night. It was almost unplayable after I have been playing with Locomotion for the last month or so. I think from a gameplay perspective (animations, player control, etc.) it is head and shoulders above Madden 10. I won't be purchasing Madden 11 this year because of what happened (or didn't happen) to Franchise Mode. FIRST BLOG for Madden 12 needs to be about Franchise Mode. PERIOD.

What if the changes to franchise were minimal next year, but EA added...wait for it...Real Physics ?

[mrprice33]

I don't think we'll see real physics in madden until 2013 at the earliest. I think they're going to use elite and nhl as guinea pigs and let the tech have a year under it's belt before trying to port it to madden. Ideally we'd have blown out franchise and presentation in 12 and rtp in 13.

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