New madden 360 shots

[RancidLunchmeat]

Well, I realize that they've always done it. (Which is why I said 'keep releasing"..)

It's just ridiculous. It's not what's important. Sure, gameplay is most important but then beyond that, the visuals of actual gameplay should be of second most importance.

Why focus all this time and energy on close-up replays that people might only watch once? Yes, I'd certainly rather have realistic field conditions that can be view while actually playing the game!

 

[scooby_dooby]

The problem is, if they post in-game screens, then people will inevitably compare those to the replay-screens from last year and it won't look very good.

In other words, new screens are judged against the "best" screens from the previous versions, since the best screens are the replay footage, that's always what gets compared.

It's just marketing, but I can understand why they do it.

 

[wco81]

Two videos with actual gameplay camera angles:

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/742/742471/vids_1.html

The second one of the Eagles and Bengals show plays from the line of scrimmage. It's a very close-up view which only shows the linemen, QB and the backs. On pass plays, it looks like it zooms back quickly to widen the perspective.

Guess they wanted to feature the details more so they want to start with a close-up view and use more aggressive zooming to show more of the field as necessary for pass plays. Presumably draws and play-action plays would also zoom out quickly, so as to not tip off the player controlling the defense.

Preferably, people used to playing more zoomed out view so they can see the edges (like say an LB or CB edging near the line for a blitz) or use Coach's cam to see the pass routes.

Would say the videos look better than the BK ones.

 

[Acert93]

Stadiums looks amazingly great, I like the new play selection menu, the rain effect was nice. But I swear I have seen the tackle animation in the kick off return a thousand times. It is nice they hadded 3x as many animations (5,000 total) but animation was my biggest complaint last gen (check the Madden boards hahaha). It is functional of course and had a solid, if not repetitive, feel.

 

[mckmas8808]

Stadiums are great, but everything else sucks. EA needs to just come correct with us. Is this more of a port or is this what Madden will be like come next-gen?

 

[rabidrabbit]

Stunning!!

 

[Acert93]

New Hi Rez footage: http://xboxyde.com/news_2117_en.html

It looks pretty good. The stadiums are a sight for sore eyes. Models look decent in game. I really like the new menu system. Not that I personally care, but it looks to be MUCH more user friendly. I think that will make the game more approachable for a lot of casual fans. Hard balance with a football game... make the diehard sim fans happy and the "I just want to play some football" fans happy as well. I hope someday they do a "split" engine like some of the Flight Sims. Basically a Hardcore "Sim" mode for gameplay, and then a "Arcade, bashem' over the top nasty hits and sweet jukes" mode (but not goofy like Blitz or Street). Pro/All Pro/Madden kind of do this now, but not quite the way I am envisioning.

Anyhow, the only area I see a complaint (besides some hitching... and it crashing) is the same area I have been dissappointed with. Need look no farther then the opening kickoff tackle.

Oh well, shaping up to be a decent title. Kind of stinks Madden and Live stripped features and that certain areas were not upgraded, but it is only the first year of the new franchise. I know between Madden 2000 and Madden 2002 there were a lot of changes for the better. Part of that was VC's pressure and how great Fever looked. Heres hoping my favorite football franchise continues to get better!

 

[mckmas8808]

The only thing I like about this game is the crowd and the staduims. Everything else is a disappointment.

For example:

Isn't this a launch title? Why are people still walking through other people so easily? The clipping is horrible. This is unacceptable.

 

[blakjedi]

I personally thinks it looks better than the artist renders...

 

[mckmas8808]

I personally thinks it looks better than the artist renders...

Well I just hope EA can fix that clipping. It's simply not acceptable.

 

[Acert93]

I personally thinks it looks better than the artist renders...

"Looks". Are you talking about the player models (proportions, etc) or are you talking the graphical technology?

If you are talking about the tech there is no contest.

If you are talking about art style, well, the is always subjective.

The models are messed up in both the Concept video (skinny lineman) and the final version (fat Vick; Some non-fat, super muscular linemen) so it kind of it between the cartoony side or the more realistic side.

The Concept video had some excellent motion blur, real grass, and excellent shadowing and lighting. Not to mention it was butter smooth and all the animations flowed right even though they were the same Madden ones for the most part (haha it is a concept video, so everything was selectively used).

Hopefully next year Madden will get some "Shoulder Pad" technology to rival NBA Live/2K6 Give them real cloth jerseys over pads that sit on their real bodies. That should make them look a little more organic!

Oh, and sweat tech Every game needs sweat tech now! But instead of just sweating, their jerseys can get all wet... oh, and little blood smears and grass stains that appear based on how they fall or where they get bumped.

Oh well...

 

[mckmas8808]

Hopefully next year Madden will get some "Shoulder Pad" technology to rival NBA Live/2K6 Give them real cloth jerseys over pads that sit on their real bodies. That should make them look a little more organic!

Oh, and sweat tech Every game needs sweat tech now! But instead of just sweating, their jerseys can get all wet... oh, and little blood smears and grass stains that appear based on how they fall or where they get bumped.

Oh well...

You need to apply for Tiburon Sports. EA needs you. You could use a little extra cash couldn't you?

 

[Acert93]

You need to apply for Tiburon Sports. EA needs you. You could use a little extra cash couldn't you?

Thanks for the compliment... a job in the industry would be "nice" only under certain circumstances. Obviously testers make even less than I do working for myself/going to school, not to mention they work more hours. And anyone important, like a design lead, project director, etc... not only has solid ties but also has to manange a lot of other stuff (like human reource type stuff, directing people, meeting deadlines, etc). Companies don't risk multi-billion dollar franchises to guys like me

Heck, SMALL devs don't either! I think in the game business there are a lot of people with ideas. The lead developer's job is to have a vision, get team feedback, and then make sure it is executed ON TIME.

Obviously with HUGE franchises you get a LOT of hands in the cookie jar. I am sure everyone from the top down in EA has their vision for Madden--as well as the NFL and NFLPA.

That said I did once (as a kid when I was editing an online review magazine) sent a design document for ideas to Dynamix (Sierra Company; makers of "Front Page Sports Football" ... best Football sim ever I might add!) but they sent it back stating that for legal reasons they could not accept it because I could sue them if they used any of the ideas I guess they missed that all I wanted was a better game, not the money!

Obviously for many fans working in the industry would be "fun". But it can be really tough. I know doing game reviews when you get free games from publishers trying to "help out" a small mag, if you are negative, well, you may never see a free game to review again! Working on the development end is long hours, and pretty poor pay if you have no skills that overlap with their job needs.

About the only job I could do well would be a webmaster or theologian So if anyone needs an expert in ancient near eastern religion and history, hey, I am your man... or sports nut haha

Hopefully EA reads boards like these. I know they read the Madden boards, but after years of giving my ideas and realizing the same issues get ignored, well, they know about it (because you see other ideas used) and it is not a priority.

As a company the lead developer needs to make those kind of decisions. They don't need some game fan telling them, "Dude, this is all wrong!" They are a business and Madden sells well, so obviously they are doing something right. Not to say there is not room for improvement, but when you are the top dog (and only dog!) you really don't need to worry about the hard cores much.

What am I gonna do? Go play NFL 2K6?!

 

[blakjedi]

What am I gonna do? Go play NFL 2K6?!

Your lips to Gods ears theologian... your lips to God's ears...