Preview of Peter Moore interview
by 
My interview with Peter Moore has been completed and I’d like to thank him and those at EA Sports who helped make it possible. We talked for over 20 minutes about some of the details of and issues relating to the NFL exclusive license being extended. Later this evening I should have the full recording of the interview available to download and listen to.
Here are some of the topics I brought up that you can look forward to hearing discussed:
- How does EA feel about the negative reaction from within the community regarding the deal and what can they do to change that
- Is there a difference in how games such as Madden with no direct competitor are produced vs other titles that have direct competition
- What is the reasoning behind the drop in sales from 07
- How the ESPN and NFL Network licenses are seen as not being utilized properly and how that may affect overall perception of the NFL license deal
- The consistent disappointment in areas such as presentation, commentary, and atmosphere
- Why are there uniform inaccuracies every year despite working together with the NFL and what could be done to eliminate that problem
- Why does it seem AAA titles such as Halo, Call of Duty, and Bioshock have advanced so much since the last generation of consoles but sports games haven’t (outside of graphically)
February 12, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Bout time someone asks these guys some real questions.
Good job pasta
February 12, 2008 at 1:44 pm
OUTSTANDING QUESTIONS.
It’s about time someone asked them.
February 12, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I also wanted to touch on, and am very interested in hearing Moore’s answer to your last question on how sports games really haven’t advanced this generation. I guess I was expecting A LOT more in terms of sports games, yet I haven’t even been inpressed graphically per say. If I had to sum up this generation (as I believe every console generation can be), this would have to be the weakest sports generations I have ever witnessed- there have been NO innovations (outside of NHL 08) on how we play/interact with sports titles.
Pasta- you nailed it on the head. How in the world can I play a gem like Mass Effect, Halo 3, or COD4, and then I am stuck with a sports game with bland presentation, no extras, and duplicate gameplay to what I was doing in 1998?
February 12, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I’m looking forward to this. After having some direct communication with you pasta I know you asked some really good questions. I’m anxious to here his responses to them.
February 12, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Is the whole thing up yet cause I cant find it?
February 12, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Great questions Pasta. Keep up the good work.
February 12, 2008 at 2:11 pm
[quote comment="13036"]I also wanted to touch on, and am very interested in hearing Moore’s answer to your last question on how sports games really haven’t advanced this generation. I guess I was expecting A LOT more in terms of sports games, yet I haven’t even been inpressed graphically per say. If I had to sum up this generation (as I believe every console generation can be), this would have to be the weakest sports generations I have ever witnessed- there have been NO innovations (outside of NHL 08) on how we play/interact with sports titles.
Pasta- you nailed it on the head. How in the world can I play a gem like Mass Effect, Halo 3, or COD4, and then I am stuck with a sports game with bland presentation, no extras, and duplicate gameplay to what I was doing in 1998?[/quote]
I agree with you. Next-gen sports games have been anything but. There have been a few items, such as EA’s Sportsworld, which is sweet to share videos and images. Also, the EA Locker to share rosters (unfortunately, MM is the only game utilizing this awesome tool).
Outside of those items, sports games haven’t pushed the envelope in terms of visuals, A.I., extras or presentation.
I expected the presentation to top NFL 2K5 but nothing has come close. EA use of the ESPN license is weak at best. I can click on ESPN News if I want the latest updates. I don’t want news updates through my gaming console.
February 12, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Great questions Pasta, looking forward to the interview.
February 12, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Also, I have heard Peter Moore comment during interviews that he feels Madden isn’t easy to pick up and play.
I hope EA doesn’t waste time “dumbing down” controls just to make a game that will appeal to a new or casual gamer. Adding a more simplistic control scheme in the options menu would be nice.
Again, I hope EA works on presentation and depth. I need not run the 40-yard dash or bench press. Give me classic teams (1985 Bears), classic stadiums, all of the classic uniforms accurately replicated, improved weather effects (mud splashing), a chain gang and a presentation that will be second to none.
I feel the gameplay is getting close, minus the ludicrous number of fumbles and interceptions…..
February 12, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Good job Pasta! Did you ask him why they cant get the ps3 game on par with the 360, when we know it can be done i.e Burnout, COD4. I think this is a big issue for EA right now they are pissing off alot of ps3 gamers.
February 12, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Solid, straightforward topics. Well done.
I look forward to hearing his answers.
February 12, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I look forward to hearing how Mr. Moore will completely evade all of these good questions.
February 12, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I hope you grilled him on why they do lazy ps3 ports
February 12, 2008 at 7:49 pm
When will (if ever) the madden series look like that trailer they showed us a couple of years ago for the next gen system?! You know, the one with donovan mcnabb vs. strahan… that looked beautiful, and madden will probably never achieve that level of realism….
February 13, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I have respected Peter Moore for years as the lead man from the Xbox camp; however, his views on where Madden is compared to where Pasta questioned they maybe should be are quite different. Pasta speaks for th vast majority of us and Peter seemed closed minded at time about what the people want. Peter stated several time that it is “subjective” and “opinionated” but that is what these forums are all about. I find it very hard to believe that Madden gamers think the ESPN license is abused in this game. I find it hard to believe that anyone feels there is way too much presentation in this game. It sounds to me like Peter is resting on the side of “subnectiveness” because there isn’t going to be much actual innovation and change in Madden 09. I expected more open-mindedness from Peter but it appears that he is keeping an eye on the hand that feeds him as well. I sure he grows a set and allows true innovation – not “safe” innovation, and allows the NFL IP to be utilized to its max potential again like it was in NFL 2K5.
February 13, 2008 at 11:41 pm
That’s what it comes down to:
We’re still waiting on something that resembles next-gen NFL football.
People are using their Xbox 360 to play NFL 2K5. Think about that, EA. Way to deliver.
And it has to be an inside joke that bench pressing and sprinting are included in an NFL simulation game. I mean, really, how did those things make it into the game? If EA wants to do an NFL combine feature, then just do it. All the way. Man, I forgot those features were even on there until someone posted about it. This isn’t Track & Field.
February 14, 2008 at 7:04 am
even though EA in my book is vastly overated and has pissed me off in the past so much i wont touch their products with a 20ft pole but i will say this..i will say its good to see my question on there.