Madden Developer Podcast

[The Teacher]

I used to feel this way, but I kinda feel like it is old hat now.

Personally, I think Madden 12 will be worth an instant purchase. Mostly because of the promise of an improved franchise mode. Wish I could get some info on that.

It would be nice to have randomly named pre-created players. Kinda tired of seeing the same draft classes year after year.

[Gordy748]

I for one won't buy Madden 12 straight away. I may rent it, depending on actual player recommendations. Then, only then, would I buy it. I'm not getting fooled by EA again, on any game.

As for the exclusive contract, it's possible Microsoft could pitch for it, but that would probably mean no more Madden on the PS3, ala Halo. Whether this is a good idea or not will probably be determined by whether you're an X-Boxer or a PS3er.

[Ian_Cummings]

Quote: Originally Posted by guaps

Also I wondered why Ian claimed they were the sports game with the most number of players (around 7:50 into the podcast). EA flagship, FIFA 11, has 22 players on the field at the same time, just like Madden, and they have at least 12,000 players in the game. Madden has 2,000 tops.

My reference was regarding the total number of hi-res characters (fully articulated models + skeletons) rendered on screen at one time. We have 22 players + 7 referees. We also have a fully populated half-resolution sideline, and our variation in rendered equipment is also exponentially more complex than FIFA's. Just sayin'.

Do you guys have any major topics of discussion for future podcasts? I'd love to hear what people would like us to answer the most.

[Flamehead]

Quote: Originally Posted by f00tba11I0I

Well, boo-hoo-hoo I ain't buying it. Ian Cummings, Donnie Moore and crew, words never match the games output. The Madden community has been crying out for particular improvements for the last 6 years and the Madden dev team has completely ignored us. This year they've added a bunch of features we didn't ask for and did not even fix what was broken from last years game. I don't want to hear anymore excuses. NFL 2K5 set the standard and Madden hasn't built on that foundation and EA knows it and everyone on this forum knows it (whether they admit it or not). I don't feel sorry for EA, they've been raking in the doe for the last 6 years from mediocre Madden releases. They need to make a great football sim, then they won't have to cast sob stories over the internet. The reasons why the game is so weak is because 1) they don't listen to their audience 2) they don't have any competition to motivate them to make any significant changes 3) we keep purchasing the junk they release every year without question. And that is the truth and you all know it.

I have mixed feelings on this one. I can point to areas they have improved, but at the same time, can point to areas where they do seem to have ignored the community and implemented features no one asked for (based on Marketing direction, perhaps?)

I don't think they've completely ignored the community, but I don't think they've "listened" to the community as much as they would like us to believe either. All I know is, Marketing having any weight within the design decisions is a very, very disappointing thing to hear.

This track record leads me to believe, IMO, that many more consumers will meet the product with indifference rather than anger unless they turn that around. I already see that happening.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ian_Cummings_EA

Do you guys have any major topics of discussion for future podcasts? I'd love to hear what people would like us to answer the most.

At some point in the future:

1) Any possibilites of bringing last generation features back to the current generation, ie Wr Shading, Individual bmp and run, etc.... save games.

2) Love to have , I think it's Ronnie Morales, chime on how to make Collingsworth and Johnson sound more conversational, similar to 2k hoops dialog.

3) Any attempts of getting rid of bowling pin tackles and having pro-tak become more prominent? For instance, instead of 4 or 5 defensive players surrounding a running back and falling down, have two or three in on the tackle.

That would be my big three.

[BezO]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ian_Cummings_EA

Do you guys have any major topics of discussion for future podcasts? I'd love to hear what people would like us to answer the most.

Gameplay/Football authenticity... what's being added? Specifically animations & AI... football stuff.

• Tiered defensive play calling and/or what's being done so that we can put together more defensive schemes
• Speed rushing and engaged player mobility
• Naming positions more realistically, specifically Strong/Weak OLB
• Shading, pressing & bailing CBs & putting SS in the box all individually
• Defesive assignments... gap & contain(for EVERY defense)
• Automatic strong/weak side recognition by defense so that weak/stong OLBs & SS line up on the correct side & zones rotate to the correct side
• Footwork & physics

[ryan36]

I would love to hear more about what's being done to tweak how the d-line plays. It seems when I user control a d-lineman, he just gets pushed in a circle and has no moves to get out of it.

But when I try to turn the corner with an RB or QB , my tackle just "lets go" of the CPU d-line

[adfletch71]

Ian, I would like u and the EA team discuss..

1) How u plan on implementing presentation and franchise, that can come close to or surpass NBA2K11 or NFL2K5.
2) Also blocking improvements and ratings that really matter, not just for show.
3) What about consecutive hit tackles?

Just some questions for u, curious about the direction your team is going for 2012 and beyond.