Gamestop begins Madden Mondays blog
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Gamestop will be hosting a Madden 09 blog every Monday spotlighting a new feature in the game. These features will not have been revealed anywhere else although the way they describe them makes it seem as though they won’t be the “big” features in the game.
It’s interesting to see Gamestop revealing this Madden info. I don’t think that has ever been done before. Usually media sites are relied upon rather than a retail site although it appears they are attempting to branch out from that.
This week’s “Madden Monday” blog describes new user controlled celebrations. As can be seen from the image above the celebrations are manually triggered by hitting a button and by reaching different spots in the end zone there are different ones that will be performed. Some players will have their own unique celebrations as expected. A few specific mentions are made such as the Lambeau Leap and “stealing” an opponents celebration (think T.O. doing the Ray Lewis dance I suppose).
You can check out the full blog posting here.
April 14, 2008 at 10:42 am
hmmmmmm not that big of a deal but still cool pasta you think they will add the missing alt jerseys for all teams this year bro.
April 14, 2008 at 10:42 am
If they do this right this could be a very cool feature. But they need to make it so its like one smooth motion from the td to the celebration.
April 14, 2008 at 10:44 am
[quote comment="17493"]hmmmmmm not that big of a deal but still cool pasta you think they will add the missing alt jerseys for all teams this year bro.[/quote]
That’d be nice, but first thing I’m hoping for is they get the main jerseys accurate.
April 14, 2008 at 10:45 am
Whats up with the box thing in the endzone?
April 14, 2008 at 10:47 am
I agree fully about the uniforms like the Rams home jersey. I hope they have the full white uniforms for all the teams that have them too for example the eagles, redskins, bucs, etc. However it is VERY nice to see that the Lambeau Leap is finally in Madden, that’s something that has been missing for a very long time.
April 14, 2008 at 10:48 am
[quote comment="17497"]Whats up with the box thing in the endzone?[/quote]
at first I thought that was just the sunlight but I’m guessing thats how they display different spots in the endzone to perform a certain celebration.
April 14, 2008 at 10:49 am
Lmao Pasta you are so rite bro, I am very excited about this years football games and as always I am hoping this is the year they get it rite, pleaseeeeee. Btw Pasta your site is off the hook I am on here everyday you get all the updates before anyone else keep up the great work and I am spreading the word on how great and accurate your site is thanks again.
April 14, 2008 at 10:50 am
Will online have night and weather games this year? Have you heard anything about this pasta?
April 14, 2008 at 10:51 am
Buffalo Bills blue on blue please Ea.
April 14, 2008 at 10:52 am
[quote comment="17501"]Will online have night and weather games this year? Have you heard anything about this pasta?[/quote]
I don’t know yet but I’ll definitely be pushing to find those type of details about online play.
April 14, 2008 at 10:53 am
Online franchise this could be the year fellas.
April 14, 2008 at 10:57 am
All I have to say is that if they can waste valuable production time to add that kind of “fluff”, which is cool, they had better make sure they fix all the jacked up flaws from last years game play. And god help them if they don’t get the frame rate up to 60 on the PS3 this year.
April 14, 2008 at 11:05 am
Even though I know a lot will complain, I think this is a cool little feature
April 14, 2008 at 11:13 am
[quote comment="17499"]I’m guessing thats how they display different spots in the endzone to perform a certain celebration.[/quote]
Man, I hope not.
Anything that detracts from the actual appearance of a football game shouldn’t be included unless it’s absolutely essential like button icons over receivers.
It’s a fine line to walk, otherwise the screen becomes a crowded mess of symbols. Squares in the endzone? Yikes.
April 14, 2008 at 11:16 am
[quote comment="17508"][quote comment="17499"]I’m guessing thats how they display different spots in the endzone to perform a certain celebration.[/quote]
Man, I hope not.
Anything that detracts from the actual appearance of a football game shouldn’t be included unless it’s absolutely essential like button icons over receivers.
It’s a fine line to walk, otherwise the screen becomes a crowded mess of symbols. Squares in the endzone? Yikes.[/quote]
Right, I’d imagine they’d show up only after a TD is scored though, not that they’d be there all the time. I’ll try and get some clarification on this.
April 14, 2008 at 11:45 am
[quote comment="17495"]If they do this right this could be a very cool feature. But they need to make it so its like one smooth motion from the td to the celebration.[/quote]
That’s just one of my biggest issues with Madden on the 360/PS3. The tackling animations do not gel and move as smoothly as they should. They look thrown together and often produce the “ragdoll effect.”
April 14, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I bet right “new” uniforms are gonna be the big feature.
April 14, 2008 at 12:10 pm
The Bills haven’t had there real unis for home/away for any of the next gen Maddens. Doesn’t anyone do research over there? The alt./throwback jerseys would be nice but please give us online weather/night games! Celebrations should be very cool w/the “hidden spots”. Great idea…
THANKS PASTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 14, 2008 at 12:12 pm
[quote comment="17509"]Right, I’d imagine they’d show up only after a TD is scored though, not that they’d be there all the time.[/quote]
Yeah, I’m sure the squares will appear post-TD, although that doesn’t make it less awkward.
I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt, though. It’s just that EA tends to over-complicate simple features, like the halftime show. What should be a straightforward halftime show that feels like a television broadcast is a clunky list of plays that the user has to scroll through.
Keep it simple. People understand the need to approach the goalpost in order to perform a goalpost celebration. A square isn’t needed. Thanks in advance for the clarification, Pasta.
April 14, 2008 at 12:13 pm
what about stat overlays Pasta…like right after a run,catch,pass,etc? I have to say that NCAA and Madden look to be on the right path at least.
April 14, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Hey Pasta do you have any new info at all on the new madden, or is ea holding you back from letting us know this information at this time thanks bro
April 14, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Indeed.
April 14, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I know it’s a minor “feature” and it probably didn’t take away any time from the more important parts of the game they have been working on, but it makes me sad
. The first Madden 09 info I see and it’s endzone dancing 
April 14, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Yeah, you’re right Juan but so much of playing Madden, vs. friends or online, is about bragging rights and taunting and showing the other person up…
It is nice to see that we already know that there will be REAL announcers and this adds a nice little touch…not to mention that EA and Peter Moore will be working more closely with the NFL for authenticity (ie. -uniforms, presentation,etc.)….
April 14, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Those will obviously only show up after a touchdown giving you the option and showing you where you can alter your celebration. Most likely just check the GameStop blog as EA is releasing the information to them which is smart, media sites generally do a bad job presenting the information, where a retail franchise can present the facts.
April 14, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Oh goodie gum drops, another lame gimmick added to madden. Just stick to the basic of football and little thing that aren’t in the game. Like refs on the field during plays, field goal nets, etc, etc………..
April 14, 2008 at 1:18 pm
[quote comment="17530"]Oh goodie gum drops, another lame gimmick added to madden. Just stick to the basic of football and little thing that aren’t in the game. Like refs on the field during plays, field goal nets, etc, etc………..[/quote]
Because field goal nets are necessary to making a good game keep complaining about that for years but of course don’t accept new and better game modes.
April 14, 2008 at 1:23 pm
fumble pile-ons,FG nets,FG blocks,referees,bobbled catches,bad snaps,gadget plays,stat overlays,ESPN presentation,etc.etc.etc……..
April 14, 2008 at 1:28 pm
[quote comment="17533"]fumble pile-ons,FG nets,FG blocks,referees,bobbled catches,bad snaps,gadget plays,stat overlays,ESPN presentation,etc.etc.etc……..[/quote]
Fumble pile-ons, would either end up being a button mashing competition or wouldn’t work when the ball falls out some guy jumps on it, what is the point of everyone jumping on top giving an unfair advantage not knowing who will have possession.
FG Nets – Are you serious?
FG Blocks – Go call the play FG block, and run at the kicker when they snap it.
Referees – Not sure but I believe that guy on the field who reviews the plays and makes the penalty calls is a ref.
Stats – Do show up online such as in the red zone, ect. could have more though as touchdowns and big plays were made.
ESPN – Has radio, should have TV this year like Live had, has scores, will have announcers this year.
April 14, 2008 at 1:28 pm
[quote comment="17533"]fumble pile-ons,FG nets,FG blocks,referees,bobbled catches,bad snaps,gadget plays,stat overlays,ESPN presentation,etc.etc.etc……..[/quote]
First down markers too.
April 14, 2008 at 1:30 pm
[quote comment="17536"][quote comment="17533"]fumble pile-ons,FG nets,FG blocks,referees,bobbled catches,bad snaps,gadget plays,stat overlays,ESPN presentation,etc.etc.etc……..[/quote]
First down markers too.[/quote]
what do you think the yellow line is?
April 14, 2008 at 1:33 pm
hey birthday boy do you need a hug today?
April 14, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I am trying to help you on the features that you have missed out in Madden 08. Sorry if I was not clear enough.
April 14, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Da Birthday Boy doesnt need a hug. It’s just his typical behavior. He thinks he runs the site and knows it all, just like he thought he did in the NCAA, and MLB threads.
April 14, 2008 at 1:38 pm
And I remember he called everyone out in NFL Tour and got his ass handed to him.
April 14, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Sorry that I help out answering questions due to the fact that Pasta can’t answer them all, please show me what I know about NCAA and MLB. Once again, I’m sorry for clarifying the features that are already in the game and not wanting to move on to the new ones.
April 14, 2008 at 1:40 pm
FG blocks in the game only come from rushing from the outside. What about the big guys upfront that occasionally get their paws in the right spot? And I’d like to see refs ON THE FIELD like the good ole days of 2K5…which also had all kinds of reverses and other gadgets (trick plays) that Madden refuses to use but rather implements nano blitzes and other $$$ plays. And do you not see fumble pile-ons when you watch NFL games b/c 75% of the coughed up balls I see don’t get magnetically scooped up EVERY TIME!
…and yes FG nets are as nice to see as anything else.
April 14, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Reverses are more of college plays, and there are trick plays in the game, they try to actually go play the playbook/style of the team. Yeah it would be nice to see them all jump for the ball but I don’t think it should be a random process that someone just comes out and has the ball.
April 14, 2008 at 1:46 pm
it is just as random as it is in the real game. I don’t know if you have ever watched a ball in one guys arms at the bottom of a pile, only to have the refs pull guys off and someone else has possesion. I don’t even want to know what goes on down there! IF IT’S IN THE GAME…IT’S IN THE GAME, right?!
April 14, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Alright I’ll let Phil Frazier know to put this in, but really I’m sure aspects of the game will be in this year due to Frazier having worked on Madden in the past, and they do realize what people want. Just keep a look out on the new features if there’s a new one every week, then that’s a big deal.
April 14, 2008 at 1:49 pm
reverses happen more than you think and would work well against someone who overpursues w/his LB’s and DE’s…Madden is fun/great but since it’s the only game in town, I want more! Go Bills!!!!!!!!
11. Devin Thomas- WR
April 14, 2008 at 1:50 pm
19 – DeSean Jackson
April 14, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I really like this feature of having celebrations especially for head to head games with friends in like the tournys i do with my friends. Ncaa 09 will be better then madden 09 again
April 14, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Jackson’s nasty and would be a great fit in Philly if he’s still around. He’s boys w/Marshawn Lynch and can hit the HR whenever, but we really need someone with size…and a center…and a corner…and a TE…etc.etc.etc.
April 14, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Is Randy Moss wearing Nike cleats, or am I trippin? That would be sick if we could finally pick shoes on player editor like on Live.
April 14, 2008 at 2:00 pm
You know it r00tabaga lets go Bills baby and hope they put our blue on blue jerseys in this year, I agree Devin Thomas with the 11th I smell playoffs this year!
April 14, 2008 at 2:03 pm
[quote comment="17516"]Hey Pasta do you have any new info at all on the new madden, or is ea holding you back from letting us know this information at this time thanks bro[/quote]
Well outside of the Monday blogs on Gamestop I’d imagine there will be some things out next week (at the very least the cover athlete by the end of next week) and then the following week we’ll get some substantial previews. There will also be the rookie screenshots that go up on the site during the first round of the draft which I’ll work to cover also (I think I may do a live blog type thing during the draft). When I’ll be able to speak on the game is still up in the air.
They’re not letting much info out before the cover other than something like the celebrations news we got here.
April 14, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Pasta you are the man thanks bro, and who do you think is gonna grace the cover this year? My guess a WR not sure who though.
April 14, 2008 at 2:12 pm
[quote comment="17560"]Pasta you are the man thanks bro,and who do you think is gonna grace the cover this year?
My guess a WR not sure who though.[/quote]
I have some ideas, I’ll be doing a writeup on it by next week.
April 14, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I know I’d rather see things like fluidity on the field and a realistic momentum system (like APF 2k8 has) than BS taunting animations.