March Madness 08 release date move and reaction to the demo
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March Madness 08 will officially hit stores on Tuesday December 11th. Previously there had been some confusion over the date as it had originally been advertised as arriving a week later on 12/18 but recent mentions in producer blogs have stated 12/11. Now retailers have adjusted the release to the 11th and it appears to have settled there for good. As I reported earlier the game will also have a reduced price of $50.
The demo that came out a few days ago has brought about a lot of criticism, mainly due to the slow game speed, but it appears that the MM08 team took that feedback and acted on it despite how near we are to release. I received the following response from EA:
Just to let you know, we tweaked the game speed and fast breaks for the retail version of NCAA MM 08. The game still won’t be run ‘n gun though. We want to emphasize half-court play this year and we think that most hardcore guys can appreciate that considering their past experiences with basketball videogames.
My initial feeling was they were setting everyone up for the shock of how slow the game’s pace would be and I still think that is the case. I don’t expect any major differences between the demo and the release copies although hearing they did make slight adjustments is certainly encouraging.
I think it is a curious decision to go that direction as College Hoops 2K8 has a pretty strong hold on the hardcore crowd along with it releasing three weeks earlier. It seems to me that EA may be alienating those who have enjoyed the title in the past. March Madness 07 had its share of issues but it was a fun game. MM08 seems to have made many technical enhancements however the fun factor may have been sacrificed in the process.
I can respect the goal of making the game more realistic and more of a simulation representative of college basketball even if that isn’t my preference. It’ll be interesting to see how the game is received since expectations have dropped. If it has improved since the build that was used for the demo then MM08 could actually be in a position to surprise a lot of people including myself.
November 20, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Hey Pasta, did someone from EA say they tweaked the game speed since the demo version?
I haven’t played the demo version but I must say the speed must have really low if EA changed it do to complaints.
The game being released 3 weeks after CH 2K8 might not help either but if they did use the added few weeks to make additional adjustments to the game then good for them it shows they are listening to their fan base complaints.
I enjoyed MM 07 even though I didn’t play it as much as I hoped because of some features being left out. I’m excited for this years version and hopefully the game is a step up over MM 07 which was a solid 1st effort on the 360.
Thanks for update!
November 20, 2007 at 5:04 pm
[quote comment="6428"]Hey Pasta, did someone from EA say they tweaked the game speed since the demo version?
I haven’t played the demo version but I must say the speed must have really low if EA changed it do to complaints.
[/quote]
Yeah they did based on the reaction apparently make some tweaks, although I don’t think it is going to amount to a huge difference. They obviously wanted it to be slower, I just think they went a little overboard that direction and that seems to be the consensus.
November 20, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Its not even the gamespeed as much as it is the animations are so delayed like 1 second after you press the button it actually begins the animation.
November 20, 2007 at 11:14 pm
I love mm07 but they lose my money when they said you can’t import draft class i’ve already put oj mayo on the lakers at point gaurd best backcourt in the game lol.
November 20, 2007 at 11:16 pm
of course i’m talking about on 2khoops and 2k i won’t be playing live for awhile
November 21, 2007 at 7:11 am
I thought the demo was solid. The gameplay was slow but I figured EA would include a slider for game speed as in most sports games.
The one item I didn’t like was the inability to change the camera view during gameplay. The classic camera worked decent enough.
Overall, I was pleased with what I experienced. The frame rate is smooth and the visuals received a definite upgrade.
The only thing that boggles my mind with all basketball games is that teams don’t wear warmups during pregame shoot around.
I enjoyed last year’s game and am looking forward to Dec. 11. Until then, I will give 2K a rent to hold me over.
November 21, 2007 at 7:12 am
Please EA…Fix the game speed. It is way too slow….
November 21, 2007 at 7:23 am
deleted. I always buy nba 2k and ea’s college football and college basketball, I dont know about basketball this year… Why they made so many changes I dont know. They should have updated it but left the animations alone… It doesnt look next gen to me either…
Talk to em Pasta, I was looking forward bro… Hopefully its dope by time its offically out, but 3 weeks after 2k? Damn, at least drop the price 10-20 bux
November 21, 2007 at 8:12 am
The price has already been announced at $49.99 for MM….
November 21, 2007 at 9:14 am
I just seen that, hmmm… I gotta see what has been updated when the game drops… it might be $29.99 soon like APF 2k8 if I wait a minute
November 21, 2007 at 10:11 am
EA does not have a quality basketball game development team. If they did, they wouldn’t constantly get it wrong with their basketball titles. I mean how difficult could it be to make a proper representation of the sport. Last time I checked college basketball was a run and gun game, with some instances of halfcourt offense which is why it’s so exciting, and sometimes sloppy.
2k sports cleary defines what a basketball game should be like on the college and pro level While EA is currently still trying to find itself.
Nice 08′ Comeback EA… But I bet 09′ will be the next coming of Jordan… RIGHT.
EA – flashy sg who’s all about stats and has no regard for the team concept. All show, No go.
2k – quiet pf who gets you a double double every night and consistantly leads his team to the promise land. Clutch like Mj.
November 21, 2007 at 11:01 am
This demo lost me at the tip off. If you can’t get something like ball physics right, there is no sense in further prolonging the pain and agony. The ball is not weighted down with lead. Just like it is not when you dare block a shot.
Add the high quality testing that you get from Electronic Arts (where it would be nice to change the camera angles in the demo) yet the potential customer is only able to do so before a game starts.
P.S. The two button shoot/dunk layup is fine for some but common sense would be to have the option to choose the other.
November 21, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I wanted to say that Logic, but I dont want cats talking that Fanboy shit… I was playing nba 2k8 w/ my bro and I constantly score 10-15 pts and 10 boards with Drew Gooden for the Cavs…
Turn on the game last night against the Milwalkee Bucks and Drew has 10 pts and 10 boards, Damn.
You hit that shit on the head
November 21, 2007 at 1:31 pm
“Just to let you know, we tweaked the game speed and fast breaks for the retail version of NCAA MM 08. The game still won’t be run ‘n gun though. We want to emphasize half-court play this year and we think that most hardcore guys can appreciate that considering their past experiences with basketball videogames.”
Umm Hardcore basketball gamers play 2k because EA has always made run n gun basketball games.
I made the switch when 2k hit the Dreamcast and never looked back. I just check in on Live.
They may ruin basketball as EA Fans like it.
November 23, 2007 at 9:57 am
What I find amazing is that people are upset because ball physics aren’t “life-like”. I remember playing video games when teams had no uniforms, no team names, no logos, no home arenas and no sweat.
Gamers are too damned spoiled. If you don’t like the game, don’t purchase it.
November 23, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Is a demo out for the PS3? I can’t seem to find it.
November 24, 2007 at 1:46 am
[quote comment="6562"]Is a demo out for the PS3? I can’t seem to find it.[/quote]
No I don’t believe so. The PS3 generally puts out demos every Thursday but this one was Thanksgiving so I’m guessing it won’t be on there till next Thursday.
November 24, 2007 at 8:30 pm
do u think the improved recruiting will be better than last years