The response to Madden 08

by pastapadre
Posted August 20th, 2007 at 10:35 am

Something I have been fascinated with over the last week has been the reaction to Madden 08 on various forums. Despite getting high reviews there seems to be more negativity than ever.

Now, negativity is nothing new around release time. Especially for EA Sports games that seem to attract a crowd that just loves to bash them for any given reason (real or not). So that in itself isn't new. However it seems as if more people than ever are demanding drastic changes.

The interesting thing is that like never before EA was open and communicative about the game and they did far more to address what the hardcore community wanted than ever. The gameplay was the main focus, and it clearly paid off in that area. It also offers a deeper experience with more variety than any sports game to date with the offline modes.

There certainly are numerous issues with the game. I know personally I wouldn't have given the game a score as high as most of the media sites have. The online is deficient at best, fumbles and injuries happen too often, the kicking game is ridiculously overpowered, and Superstar mode isn't as good as NCAA Football 08's Campus Legend.

In some sense there are many people who go into release expecting to dislike the game, or specifically look forward to bashing it. Nothing is going to change their minds, even if it were to arguably be the best sports game ever. There will always be that crowd that revels in attacking a particular game. Those are the vocal ones. The millions of people out there enjoying the game don't have the same motivations.

The concern would be that EA follows this response and alters their strategy due to it. When they worked hard to appease the hardcore fans of the game, and they look at the forums where there is such overwhelming whining and complaining, will they believe that represents the true feelings of the community? I sure hope not because that certainly isn't the case.

Tags:

Sean

agree with you 100%, people will always complain about madden, dont get me wrong this game is far from perfectm but its enjoyable to play and miles better then 07.
Sean

agree with you 100%, people will always complain about madden, dont get me wrong this game is far from perfectm but its enjoyable to play and miles better then 07.
http://consolesports.net/ Craig

Meh. I don’t think EA should really worry about all the people that just bitch about their games. Even though Madden and NCAA arent perfect, they are vastly improved over last year and it’s quite apparent huge strides have been made in the series on the next gen systems.

And not only that, but NHL 08 might be in the running for sports game of the year this year. The game pretty much hit the ice skating (sorry, bad play on the saying) on the 360 and continues to impress this year.

Now as far as their basketball games go, I can’t answer that since I haven’t deemed their games worthy of playing for the last few years.

Either way, people are going to bitch just to bitch. There’s nothing they can really do about it.
http://consolesports.net Craig

Meh. I don’t think EA should really worry about all the people that just bitch about their games. Even though Madden and NCAA arent perfect, they are vastly improved over last year and it’s quite apparent huge strides have been made in the series on the next gen systems.

And not only that, but NHL 08 might be in the running for sports game of the year this year. The game pretty much hit the ice skating (sorry, bad play on the saying) on the 360 and continues to impress this year.

Now as far as their basketball games go, I can’t answer that since I haven’t deemed their games worthy of playing for the last few years.

Either way, people are going to bitch just to bitch. There’s nothing they can really do about it.
ThaGreatBrain

Still, has anybody seen the Madden forums in the past months? Handful of the 2k brigade flooded the forums with their propoganda, the attacks, yet when scores are released… where are they now? But the question that bothers me is what has the Maddenite done to the rest of the gaming world? What have we done to incite them of their fury? If nothing, then I believe there is now other explanation than jealousy.
ThaGreatBrain

Still, has anybody seen the Madden forums in the past months? Handful of the 2k brigade flooded the forums with their propoganda, the attacks, yet when scores are released… where are they now? But the question that bothers me is what has the Maddenite done to the rest of the gaming world? What have we done to incite them of their fury? If nothing, then I believe there is now other explanation than jealousy.
Super Glock

No game will ever be perfect but Madden 08 is one hell of a game. As Russell05 said, best Madden ever. Props to EA. Hell this is the best football game ever. EA addressed so many issues since last year. I can barely even go on the forums anymore because of the whining and complaining about this or that. Pasta you are so right when, there are millions of people loving this game but you have the same little minority if bitches on the forums whining, and I am sure that EA realizes that.
Super Glock

No game will ever be perfect but Madden 08 is one hell of a game. As Russell05 said, best Madden ever. Props to EA. Hell this is the best football game ever. EA addressed so many issues since last year. I can barely even go on the forums anymore because of the whining and complaining about this or that. Pasta you are so right when, there are millions of people loving this game but you have the same little minority if bitches on the forums whining, and I am sure that EA realizes that.
joel0078

The whining and complaining isn’t set to just Madden games. It’s a commonality that is found within any forum these days. I’m 29 and I’m a sports gamer, period. 10 years ago when I was 19, all this immaturity and bashing was at a minimum, now its like wearing a badge when these guys band together and start with their non sense.

As far as my thoughts on the game, I haven’t dedicated to much time playing it yet. I will say that I feel there is way to much going on… I’m not feeling all these different “Weapons” and having to activate each player at a certain time. Its to much. It was to much with NBA Live’s superstar moves and its to much with Madden. The game feels alot like Madden 07 to me, with the weapons exception. Thats my take for now, but I’m not disatisfied with the game at all.
joel0078

The whining and complaining isn’t set to just Madden games. It’s a commonality that is found within any forum these days. I’m 29 and I’m a sports gamer, period. 10 years ago when I was 19, all this immaturity and bashing was at a minimum, now its like wearing a badge when these guys band together and start with their non sense.

As far as my thoughts on the game, I haven’t dedicated to much time playing it yet. I will say that I feel there is way to much going on… I’m not feeling all these different “Weapons” and having to activate each player at a certain time. Its to much. It was to much with NBA Live’s superstar moves and its to much with Madden. The game feels alot like Madden 07 to me, with the weapons exception. Thats my take for now, but I’m not disatisfied with the game at all.
qdog

hey i love the game the only problem i have is there are too many turnovers noway peyton manning throw 6 interceptions in one game and i was playing with the raiders. fabian washington caught 3 and retirn two if them for touchdown thats unheard of man. and there are way too many fumbles for the user and the computer it just doesnt happen like that in the nfl. i found myself bringing the int slider down to 30.but other than that the game is fun to play and a great improvement from 07. oh and i wish they put in coach mode
qdog

hey i love the game the only problem i have is there are too many turnovers noway peyton manning throw 6 interceptions in one game and i was playing with the raiders. fabian washington caught 3 and retirn two if them for touchdown thats unheard of man. and there are way too many fumbles for the user and the computer it just doesnt happen like that in the nfl. i found myself bringing the int slider down to 30.but other than that the game is fun to play and a great improvement from 07. oh and i wish they put in coach mode

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LVradio

I had quite a few issues with the game this year (i.e. fumbles, injuries, lack of user control on offense, invisible menus, steroid kicking), and the reason why I brought them up, even though I enjoy the game, is because with all of the high marks and reviews on the game, I expected for these types of things to not be in the game and have a smooth Madden experience. I was so pumped for it by finally hearing it could be the Madden we’ve all been waiting for but it seems like they took away some of the control the player had in the past, which to me at least is a problem. There’s a lot of good things I could say about the game, but the frustrating and messed up things are what EA needs to address so they have to be mentioned or else the same mistakes will be made in the future.
LVradio

I had quite a few issues with the game this year (i.e. fumbles, injuries, lack of user control on offense, invisible menus, steroid kicking), and the reason why I brought them up, even though I enjoy the game, is because with all of the high marks and reviews on the game, I expected for these types of things to not be in the game and have a smooth Madden experience. I was so pumped for it by finally hearing it could be the Madden we’ve all been waiting for but it seems like they took away some of the control the player had in the past, which to me at least is a problem. There’s a lot of good things I could say about the game, but the frustrating and messed up things are what EA needs to address so they have to be mentioned or else the same mistakes will be made in the future.
Bukktown

We just got spoiled with great ps2 versions of the game over the years. I imagine a great majority of us would like to play the ps2 version of the game with 360 graphics. You have to admit that every single aspect of this years game (online, franchise, superstar) leaves something to be desired and it is noticeable the first time you play. All the complaining is because the gameplay is STILL better on ps2.
Bukktown

We just got spoiled with great ps2 versions of the game over the years. I imagine a great majority of us would like to play the ps2 version of the game with 360 graphics. You have to admit that every single aspect of this years game (online, franchise, superstar) leaves something to be desired and it is noticeable the first time you play. All the complaining is because the gameplay is STILL better on ps2.
Sean

This is clearly the best Madden since 05, and it’s the first EA football game to be playable on the next-gen. I’d been playing a ton of APF 2K8, so it took some time to adjust, but I’ve been having a very good time with the game. That said, it’s hardly unfair to complain about some of the things on display, especially since they seem to go completely unremarked upon by the mainstream reviewers. Look at IGN’s recent comparison of the two games. It was so poorly done that I felt compelled to write them this-

I couldn’t help but notice the disturbing lack of football in your
football comparison. I know that it is fairly standard to spend three
quarters of a review talking about features and modes that have
nothing to do with the actual gameplay- these features only seem to
exist for the benefit of a) people who don’t actually like sports
games and b) reviewers-but it would be nice to see a majority of the
time spent focusing on the part of the game that players spend 95% of
their time in, a.k.a. the on-game engine.

I should point out that I play both games and enjoy them both for what
they are. But in the same way that Winning Eleven is a simulation of
soccer while FIFA is an approximation of the sport, 2K8 is a
simulation of football, while Madden is an approximation. A quick
list of things that the 2K engine does right that Madden does wrong
would include at a minimum:

-proper OL/DL interaction, and the creation of an actual pocket
-proper QB movement within the pocket
-proper WR/DB interaction at the snap
-proper defensive spacing that allows for actual windows in the zone
-proper ball physics on passing that allows quarterbacks to
consistently place balls over the linebackers and in front of the
safeties
-pass patterns that are designed to align with the various QB drops

What would be interesting to read is a comparison of how the games
actually work. You couldn’t do better than by focusing on DB AI, as
each approach has strengths and weaknesses. In APF, the DBs play
fairly- if they are looking at the quarterback when the ball is
thrown, they will break on it, while if they are facing another
direction, they will not. In short, it plays you pretty straight up,
which would be a good thing if not for the fact that offensive players
move more quickly off the snap than defensive players, causing a
moderate inbalance in the play. Unless a DB is prepositioned to stop
a particular route (inside for slants, outside for fades, for
instance), he will probably respond slower than the WR, causing the
route to be frequently open. Madden works very differently. To put
it bluntly, the DB cheats. At the moment the ball leaves the
quarterback’s hand, all the defensive players break to it, regardless
of their positioning, their facing or their responsibility. A DB in
man coverage facing completely away from the ball will nevertheless
immediately turn and play it, frequently causing interceptions. In
man coverage, you can see the cheating quite blantantly- on a comeback
route when the ball is thrown before the receiver makes his break, the
DB will invariably react first, even though the receiver knows that
he’s about to plant and turn, while the defender should not. This
sort of thing happens over and over, and it results in defenders who
are out of position being able to make plays on balls that they have
no business being anywhere near. When Ray Lewis can be standing five
yards away and facing the QB, but turn and run backwards in time to
knock loose a ball thrown to a receiver behind him (a.k.a. out of his
line of sight)…there’s something very wrong. That’s how Madden
handles defense in a nutshell. It’s competitive, but it’s broken, and
it has serious repercussions, because you can’t use football strategy.
Route combinations that would free men up in real life don’t do that
in Madden because of how the defense is programmed. All it takes is
ten minutes worth of time in the replays to see how many issues there
are here, but it doesn’t seem as if anyone at IGN bothered.

Suffice to say that I disagree with your assessment of which game is
better. (Although I am enjoying Madden, don’t get me wrong.) But
more importantly, I strongly disagree with how you got to that
assessment.
Sean

This is clearly the best Madden since 05, and it’s the first EA football game to be playable on the next-gen. I’d been playing a ton of APF 2K8, so it took some time to adjust, but I’ve been having a very good time with the game. That said, it’s hardly unfair to complain about some of the things on display, especially since they seem to go completely unremarked upon by the mainstream reviewers. Look at IGN’s recent comparison of the two games. It was so poorly done that I felt compelled to write them this-

I couldn’t help but notice the disturbing lack of football in your
football comparison. I know that it is fairly standard to spend three
quarters of a review talking about features and modes that have
nothing to do with the actual gameplay- these features only seem to
exist for the benefit of a) people who don’t actually like sports
games and b) reviewers-but it would be nice to see a majority of the
time spent focusing on the part of the game that players spend 95% of
their time in, a.k.a. the on-game engine.

I should point out that I play both games and enjoy them both for what
they are. But in the same way that Winning Eleven is a simulation of
soccer while FIFA is an approximation of the sport, 2K8 is a
simulation of football, while Madden is an approximation. A quick
list of things that the 2K engine does right that Madden does wrong
would include at a minimum:

-proper OL/DL interaction, and the creation of an actual pocket
-proper QB movement within the pocket
-proper WR/DB interaction at the snap
-proper defensive spacing that allows for actual windows in the zone
-proper ball physics on passing that allows quarterbacks to
consistently place balls over the linebackers and in front of the
safeties
-pass patterns that are designed to align with the various QB drops

What would be interesting to read is a comparison of how the games
actually work. You couldn’t do better than by focusing on DB AI, as
each approach has strengths and weaknesses. In APF, the DBs play
fairly- if they are looking at the quarterback when the ball is
thrown, they will break on it, while if they are facing another
direction, they will not. In short, it plays you pretty straight up,
which would be a good thing if not for the fact that offensive players
move more quickly off the snap than defensive players, causing a
moderate inbalance in the play. Unless a DB is prepositioned to stop
a particular route (inside for slants, outside for fades, for
instance), he will probably respond slower than the WR, causing the
route to be frequently open. Madden works very differently. To put
it bluntly, the DB cheats. At the moment the ball leaves the
quarterback’s hand, all the defensive players break to it, regardless
of their positioning, their facing or their responsibility. A DB in
man coverage facing completely away from the ball will nevertheless
immediately turn and play it, frequently causing interceptions. In
man coverage, you can see the cheating quite blantantly- on a comeback
route when the ball is thrown before the receiver makes his break, the
DB will invariably react first, even though the receiver knows that
he’s about to plant and turn, while the defender should not. This
sort of thing happens over and over, and it results in defenders who
are out of position being able to make plays on balls that they have
no business being anywhere near. When Ray Lewis can be standing five
yards away and facing the QB, but turn and run backwards in time to
knock loose a ball thrown to a receiver behind him (a.k.a. out of his
line of sight)…there’s something very wrong. That’s how Madden
handles defense in a nutshell. It’s competitive, but it’s broken, and
it has serious repercussions, because you can’t use football strategy.
Route combinations that would free men up in real life don’t do that
in Madden because of how the defense is programmed. All it takes is
ten minutes worth of time in the replays to see how many issues there
are here, but it doesn’t seem as if anyone at IGN bothered.

Suffice to say that I disagree with your assessment of which game is
better. (Although I am enjoying Madden, don’t get me wrong.) But
more importantly, I strongly disagree with how you got to that
assessment.
UCLA FAN!

Well guys to sum it up as P.C. as possible, I was playing Madden 08 over the weekend on my PS3. My wife was watching and just started commenting on the game. “Where are the referees? Why do the men look so big compared to the field?” She said “wow you paid 600 bucks for this system and another 60 for that game, whata ripoff!” I was laughing so hard! I couldnt say anything in defense. She was like “is this your PS2 or PS3? The men dont seem to be running naturally” I dont know guys, she’s never commented on any game before. I think there is something to it… It’s more than people complaining.
I think you have a lot of newbies as well that have an expectation as to what a NFL game should look and feel like. Where as us hardcore gamers know what to expect going in. That may be the reason for so many more complaints this year. We hardcore gamers dont expect too much more than what they gave us last year, so when we get it and its better we’re estatic!

UCLA FAN!
UCLA FAN!

Well guys to sum it up as P.C. as possible, I was playing Madden 08 over the weekend on my PS3. My wife was watching and just started commenting on the game. “Where are the referees? Why do the men look so big compared to the field?” She said “wow you paid 600 bucks for this system and another 60 for that game, whata ripoff!” I was laughing so hard! I couldnt say anything in defense. She was like “is this your PS2 or PS3? The men dont seem to be running naturally” I dont know guys, she’s never commented on any game before. I think there is something to it… It’s more than people complaining.
I think you have a lot of newbies as well that have an expectation as to what a NFL game should look and feel like. Where as us hardcore gamers know what to expect going in. That may be the reason for so many more complaints this year. We hardcore gamers dont expect too much more than what they gave us last year, so when we get it and its better we’re estatic!

UCLA FAN!
phenix07

I Agree 100% with Bukktown we have become use to the ps2 version…but wait since were spending more money for the game (on 360)shouldn’t we have a better game? how hard is it to give us fair play,wheather, selectable jerseys online (and all the alternates not just a few selectable home alternates with no road alternates)and the uniforms thats worn constantley by teams i.e MIA white/white,CIN Black/Black or Orn/Black etc, ATL Black/Black are non existing, instead we get make believe KC red/red? (I mean come on if Tampa wore Orn/white @ home they obviously wore white/white on the road…where is it? Don’t get me wrong EA busted there @$$ whith gameplay and in my opinon its the best to date. the mere fact that people are seeing such a high turn-over rate is probaly due to the fact their trying to pull of some bs run and throw or throw into quadripple coverage etc….i find that when you play real sim football with real sim players you get real results like 14-28 and not 56-48.sorry to get of subject but we should have the small things like commentary, better play calling screens (why go through the trouble to bluff?)I think once EA gets these things fixed we’ll have LESS complaing.
phenix07

I Agree 100% with Bukktown we have become use to the ps2 version…but wait since were spending more money for the game (on 360)shouldn’t we have a better game? how hard is it to give us fair play,wheather, selectable jerseys online (and all the alternates not just a few selectable home alternates with no road alternates)and the uniforms thats worn constantley by teams i.e MIA white/white,CIN Black/Black or Orn/Black etc, ATL Black/Black are non existing, instead we get make believe KC red/red? (I mean come on if Tampa wore Orn/white @ home they obviously wore white/white on the road…where is it? Don’t get me wrong EA busted there @$$ whith gameplay and in my opinon its the best to date. the mere fact that people are seeing such a high turn-over rate is probaly due to the fact their trying to pull of some bs run and throw or throw into quadripple coverage etc….i find that when you play real sim football with real sim players you get real results like 14-28 and not 56-48.sorry to get of subject but we should have the small things like commentary, better play calling screens (why go through the trouble to bluff?)I think once EA gets these things fixed we’ll have LESS complaing.
doodle

The complaining I see is well justified in areas that are very important to many people. Why are some things better in 07? Online play is poor in many ways. Why did 07 run smooth online but not 08. Why did they go to such a short time to pick d-plays. Why is the kicking game over powered. Why change the playbook interface for the worse…much worse. Why cant depth chart changes carry over to online.

But let me say EA did make some major improvements over 07. Defensive AI is a welcomed change and makes the game much better. And yes….audibles save to online, as far as I can tell. I can see if you play franchise how the game is great but EA needs to get their act together online and the game would be the best Madden I have ever played.
doodle

The complaining I see is well justified in areas that are very important to many people. Why are some things better in 07? Online play is poor in many ways. Why did 07 run smooth online but not 08. Why did they go to such a short time to pick d-plays. Why is the kicking game over powered. Why change the playbook interface for the worse…much worse. Why cant depth chart changes carry over to online.

But let me say EA did make some major improvements over 07. Defensive AI is a welcomed change and makes the game much better. And yes….audibles save to online, as far as I can tell. I can see if you play franchise how the game is great but EA needs to get their act together online and the game would be the best Madden I have ever played.
Details

This is what changed: EA has the only NFL title. It wasn’t like this before. Year after year, I could ignore Madden because it had inferior gameplay. I didn’t need to post about it.

Now, if I want to play NFL teams, I have to put up with Madden. That results in frustration which results in people posting on message boards.

EA needs to pay attention to the simple details.

As a Dolphins fan, I’ll mention two points:

1. The Dolphins have been wearing white-on-white for 41 years. 41 years. But they can’t in Madden 08. Why? I mean, why? Nobody cares enough at EA to research this? 41 years, EA.

2. Dolphin Stadium is shown incorrectly in the game. The LED ribbon display that wraps around the inside of the stadium (the world’s longest LED ribbon) is in the wrong place. Again. It was like this in Madden 07. Nobody fixed it.

Great. So Miami’s stadium and uniform are both wrong. Not a big deal? For me, it shows no one at EA took the time to get the simple details right.
Details

This is what changed: EA has the only NFL title. It wasn’t like this before. Year after year, I could ignore Madden because it had inferior gameplay. I didn’t need to post about it.

Now, if I want to play NFL teams, I have to put up with Madden. That results in frustration which results in people posting on message boards.

EA needs to pay attention to the simple details.

As a Dolphins fan, I’ll mention two points:

1. The Dolphins have been wearing white-on-white for 41 years. 41 years. But they can’t in Madden 08. Why? I mean, why? Nobody cares enough at EA to research this? 41 years, EA.

2. Dolphin Stadium is shown incorrectly in the game. The LED ribbon display that wraps around the inside of the stadium (the world’s longest LED ribbon) is in the wrong place. Again. It was like this in Madden 07. Nobody fixed it.

Great. So Miami’s stadium and uniform are both wrong. Not a big deal? For me, it shows no one at EA took the time to get the simple details right.
opTIMus

this is beating a dead horse. The same people who complain, go out and buy the damn game every year, so complaining means nothing. Madden is the #1 selling game ever single year. The only way to make a statement is to not buy it. And we all know the likelyhood of that right? 2K had the chance to make a statement and they blew it.
opTIMus

this is beating a dead horse. The same people who complain, go out and buy the damn game every year, so complaining means nothing. Madden is the #1 selling game ever single year. The only way to make a statement is to not buy it. And we all know the likelyhood of that right? 2K had the chance to make a statement and they blew it.
DingKing

Like the last few people already said people will constantly complain over and over whenever something new is released. We all know(I’m sure)that Madden 08 isn’t perfect but when you compare it to the last few next gen offerings it’s a big improvement. Over at GameFAQs the 2K fans however are thriving on this and are trolling forums left and right. Sliders on the other hand seems to remedy most problems such as overpowered kicking and mass turnovers IMO. I haven’t experienced any of the such on All-Pro difficulty especially online and only experienced mass turnovers once. I’m not saying it isn’t there because everyone wouldn’t lie to cause a scene or make All-Pro Football seem like the better choice. I also agree that most of us have been spoiled by PS2/Xbox/GCN madden and expected 08 to be as such when it’s clearly not the case. Hopefully 09 will be balanced where it caters to both the casual and hardcore football fan.
DingKing

Like the last few people already said people will constantly complain over and over whenever something new is released. We all know(I’m sure)that Madden 08 isn’t perfect but when you compare it to the last few next gen offerings it’s a big improvement. Over at GameFAQs the 2K fans however are thriving on this and are trolling forums left and right. Sliders on the other hand seems to remedy most problems such as overpowered kicking and mass turnovers IMO. I haven’t experienced any of the such on All-Pro difficulty especially online and only experienced mass turnovers once. I’m not saying it isn’t there because everyone wouldn’t lie to cause a scene or make All-Pro Football seem like the better choice. I also agree that most of us have been spoiled by PS2/Xbox/GCN madden and expected 08 to be as such when it’s clearly not the case. Hopefully 09 will be balanced where it caters to both the casual and hardcore football fan.
wimbley95

I am just overly impressed at this game…Defense is back and better than ever. I can tell after a few plays if my opponent is stuck in 07/ps2 mode and that stuff doesn’t work anymore.

I actually have a harder time with straight up players and bend but don’t break D’s than gimmick guys.

You can actually throw fades. I love the weapon system. Stud WRs are scary and forget about getting through a brick wall guy. Power backs fall forward while scat backs bounce around…

I was a die hard 2k, 2k1 guy but what got me back into Madden was Madden had all the little things…tons of stats, in-depth into everything. Now it’s the opposite???

There on the right track…just tighten up some gameplay things and bring in some more presentation and you got one heck of a game.
wimbley95

I am just overly impressed at this game…Defense is back and better than ever. I can tell after a few plays if my opponent is stuck in 07/ps2 mode and that stuff doesn’t work anymore.

I actually have a harder time with straight up players and bend but don’t break D’s than gimmick guys.

You can actually throw fades. I love the weapon system. Stud WRs are scary and forget about getting through a brick wall guy. Power backs fall forward while scat backs bounce around…

I was a die hard 2k, 2k1 guy but what got me back into Madden was Madden had all the little things…tons of stats, in-depth into everything. Now it’s the opposite???

There on the right track…just tighten up some gameplay things and bring in some more presentation and you got one heck of a game.
tonybanks

Well whats up with pass protection, smart zone, show your foe a fake play on the field while looking at the real play that I pick. some things are missing on the next gen systems, thats in the older ones. whats up with that.
tonybanks

Well whats up with pass protection, smart zone, show your foe a fake play on the field while looking at the real play that I pick. some things are missing on the next gen systems, thats in the older ones. whats up with that.
doodle

opTIMus,

And anybody else that uses that Bogus argument that people that complain go out and buy the game every year. Tell me genius, what other NFL video football game should I buy! EA bought the license and now has an obligation to make the game play well online.
doodle

opTIMus,

And anybody else that uses that Bogus argument that people that complain go out and buy the game every year. Tell me genius, what other NFL video football game should I buy! EA bought the license and now has an obligation to make the game play well online.
shoeprint

G4 gave the game 3 out of 5 stars, gave APF the same and college 2008 4 stars which is correct. Madden is decent but the men look like the hulk at every position. I cant play it for long, I play College and APF… Madden is decent but 60 bucks? They gotta change the whole engine on that for me… The CB/Safety play is horrible…
shoeprint

G4 gave the game 3 out of 5 stars, gave APF the same and college 2008 4 stars which is correct. Madden is decent but the men look like the hulk at every position. I cant play it for long, I play College and APF… Madden is decent but 60 bucks? They gotta change the whole engine on that for me… The CB/Safety play is horrible…
opTIMus

Doodle,

It’s not a bogus argument if it’s true. Which is why there STILL aren’t an refs or any actual commentary. You know, stuff that should be in a football game. It took 3 years for them to add SIDELINE CATCHES for goodness sake. They blab about all these gameplay improvments this year, you know, stuff that should have been in the game since Madden 06. You remember that game right? The one were you didn’t even have the option to challenge plays?
opTIMus

Doodle,

It’s not a bogus argument if it’s true. Which is why there STILL aren’t an refs or any actual commentary. You know, stuff that should be in a football game. It took 3 years for them to add SIDELINE CATCHES for goodness sake. They blab about all these gameplay improvments this year, you know, stuff that should have been in the game since Madden 06. You remember that game right? The one were you didn’t even have the option to challenge plays?
don bincente

all we want is a game that plays well out the box…
i spent over a week trying to get the fumbles & ints out…they really need to test these games better…
if its not a sim then get rid of the NFL logo…this MADDEN aint all that great…even my brother a casual gamer knows 3 int tds & 2 fumble returns of touchdowns aint right & gave up on the game…
fanboys (groupies) cant see that year after they reward EA for the shoddy work & quality control…madden is good but the fumbles & int has got to go
2k engine is better,if it only had the 2007 SF NINERS
don bincente

all we want is a game that plays well out the box…
i spent over a week trying to get the fumbles & ints out…they really need to test these games better…
if its not a sim then get rid of the NFL logo…this MADDEN aint all that great…even my brother a casual gamer knows 3 int tds & 2 fumble returns of touchdowns aint right & gave up on the game…
fanboys (groupies) cant see that year after they reward EA for the shoddy work & quality control…madden is good but the fumbles & int has got to go
2k engine is better,if it only had the 2007 SF NINERS
David B

I agree with your statement but have to disagree with one point. Yes the controls feel great(360). This is a Hardcore gamers dream. But where I disagree is the type of dream. Its bad. Turn overs like fumbles are frustrating because they seem to happen despite using the cover ball button.
If EA fixes the fumbles, and make the CPU control QB’s less prone to interceptions, I think the game will have few complainers (wish). Heck I like campus legend and would still give Madden a good review if the fumbles were fixed.
David B

I agree with your statement but have to disagree with one point. Yes the controls feel great(360). This is a Hardcore gamers dream. But where I disagree is the type of dream. Its bad. Turn overs like fumbles are frustrating because they seem to happen despite using the cover ball button.
If EA fixes the fumbles, and make the CPU control QB’s less prone to interceptions, I think the game will have few complainers (wish). Heck I like campus legend and would still give Madden a good review if the fumbles were fixed.
kb

Everyone’s post above mine are pretty decent and have valid arguements/points. Some I disagreed with, so Ill just type how I feel about this Madden 08.

Overall I am happy with Madden 08, I am still totally disappointed at the same time. I too have noticed the incredible amount of fumbles. The intercep, I havent noticed, except when I do a comeback route and no matter who the DB is they jump on it quickly. I cant stand that.

Anyway, the fumbles, it has gotten to the point that I am really scared to do a highlight move or anyother FOOTBALL move, to make a play. Despite my continuous effort of covering the ball……..that bad boy still comes out.

Someone made a comment about the Miami Dolphins. I totally agree with this guy. WHY NOT HAVE THE SIMPLE THINGS IN THE GAME!!! Ex. There are times I score a touchdown AND DONT EVEN KNOW IT, until the PAT screen comes up. The pylons dont move, and there are no Refs coming out with both hands up saying TOUCHDOWN!!!!! That right there is something small but is HUGE when it comes to the str8 EMOTION that is attached to Football. So, yeah I cant stand that there are no refs, no feild goal net and all those idiots on the sidelines moving in perfect sync.

I get the impression that EA, no Ill say management of EA DO NOT CARE about the consumer. The makers of game probably do…probably. Like for instance, Madden 07 on ps3 was a str8 garbage game, was rushed. I would like to believe that the programmers knew that they were putting out a subpar product for the purpose of PROFIT.

Anyway, I can go on for days about Madden 08. Ill just say this, all the simple things…..the simple things all the ergonomics of game are needed. It should not take years to put the simple things in the game. Field goal nets, refs, sideline action, BROADCASTING BROADCASTING BROADCASTING, the online gaming needs to adjusted, Hate having to go into a room to play a friend. Why not have a friends list and send the game invite like it USED to be.

In closing, I am at work so I really cant put all my thoughts in a sensible manner. There is no reason in 2007 that Madden football cannot be a near-perfect. The only additions we should look forward to every Madden year are DRAMATIC, “WOW”, “I CANT BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO DO THIS” NEX GEN additions period. All the simple stuff should already be in the game and STAY in THE GAME. T
kb

Everyone’s post above mine are pretty decent and have valid arguements/points. Some I disagreed with, so Ill just type how I feel about this Madden 08.

Overall I am happy with Madden 08, I am still totally disappointed at the same time. I too have noticed the incredible amount of fumbles. The intercep, I havent noticed, except when I do a comeback route and no matter who the DB is they jump on it quickly. I cant stand that.

Anyway, the fumbles, it has gotten to the point that I am really scared to do a highlight move or anyother FOOTBALL move, to make a play. Despite my continuous effort of covering the ball……..that bad boy still comes out.

Someone made a comment about the Miami Dolphins. I totally agree with this guy. WHY NOT HAVE THE SIMPLE THINGS IN THE GAME!!! Ex. There are times I score a touchdown AND DONT EVEN KNOW IT, until the PAT screen comes up. The pylons dont move, and there are no Refs coming out with both hands up saying TOUCHDOWN!!!!! That right there is something small but is HUGE when it comes to the str8 EMOTION that is attached to Football. So, yeah I cant stand that there are no refs, no feild goal net and all those idiots on the sidelines moving in perfect sync.

I get the impression that EA, no Ill say management of EA DO NOT CARE about the consumer. The makers of game probably do…probably. Like for instance, Madden 07 on ps3 was a str8 garbage game, was rushed. I would like to believe that the programmers knew that they were putting out a subpar product for the purpose of PROFIT.

Anyway, I can go on for days about Madden 08. Ill just say this, all the simple things…..the simple things all the ergonomics of game are needed. It should not take years to put the simple things in the game. Field goal nets, refs, sideline action, BROADCASTING BROADCASTING BROADCASTING, the online gaming needs to adjusted, Hate having to go into a room to play a friend. Why not have a friends list and send the game invite like it USED to be.

In closing, I am at work so I really cant put all my thoughts in a sensible manner. There is no reason in 2007 that Madden football cannot be a near-perfect. The only additions we should look forward to every Madden year are DRAMATIC, “WOW”, “I CANT BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO DO THIS” NEX GEN additions period. All the simple stuff should already be in the game and STAY in THE GAME. T
Brent

Personally, I love how on FG’s, the ball magically stops in mid-air, as if there was a net there, and falls to the ground. That’s completely realistic. Bugs me every time I kick the damn ball.

Turnovers are ridiculous this year. I don’t usually have a problem with fumbles (those are probably due to the fact that nearly every RB in the game has a 70-ish carry rating), but I’m literally afraid to pass the ball more than 10 yards away from the QB. If you ever try to take a shot at the endzone, most likely, it’s going to be an INT.
Let’s not even get on the hitchs/comeback routes. You’ll throw the hitch, and the DB (hell, even LB’s) will be behind the receiver, and the second you throw the ball he runs around your receiver and intercepts the ball, every damn time. The only way I see to throw a hitch, is to manipulate a zone defense by moving your QB.

Oh, and let’s not forget about the massive delay that’s still in the hitstick/highlight stick
Brent

Personally, I love how on FG’s, the ball magically stops in mid-air, as if there was a net there, and falls to the ground. That’s completely realistic. Bugs me every time I kick the damn ball.

Turnovers are ridiculous this year. I don’t usually have a problem with fumbles (those are probably due to the fact that nearly every RB in the game has a 70-ish carry rating), but I’m literally afraid to pass the ball more than 10 yards away from the QB. If you ever try to take a shot at the endzone, most likely, it’s going to be an INT.
Let’s not even get on the hitchs/comeback routes. You’ll throw the hitch, and the DB (hell, even LB’s) will be behind the receiver, and the second you throw the ball he runs around your receiver and intercepts the ball, every damn time. The only way I see to throw a hitch, is to manipulate a zone defense by moving your QB.

Oh, and let’s not forget about the massive delay that’s still in the hitstick/highlight stick
the decider

WHINING AND COMPLAINING ABOUT THE AUTHENTICITY? EASPORTS CAN’T CLAIM THEY REPRESENT THE NFL WHEN THE APPARELL DOESNT MATCH THE TEAMS FOR A BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS TO BASICALLY SAY “TAKE IT AND YOU WILL LIKE IT” IS IN A WORD RIDICULOUS. STOP BEING LAZY WATCH THEM GAMES SEE WAT THE VARIOUS TEAMS WEAR AND STOP COMPLAINING. THATS WHY YOU GUYS ARE GETTING PAID ALL WE ASK IS YOU DO YOUR JOB, BUT WAIT, I GUESS THATS TOO MUCH TO ASK.
the decider

WHINING AND COMPLAINING ABOUT THE AUTHENTICITY? EASPORTS CAN’T CLAIM THEY REPRESENT THE NFL WHEN THE APPARELL DOESNT MATCH THE TEAMS FOR A BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS TO BASICALLY SAY “TAKE IT AND YOU WILL LIKE IT” IS IN A WORD RIDICULOUS. STOP BEING LAZY WATCH THEM GAMES SEE WAT THE VARIOUS TEAMS WEAR AND STOP COMPLAINING. THATS WHY YOU GUYS ARE GETTING PAID ALL WE ASK IS YOU DO YOUR JOB, BUT WAIT, I GUESS THATS TOO MUCH TO ASK.