Commentators and new Madden 09 features revealed
by 
Thanks to the official press release regarding the selection of Brett Favre for the cover of Madden 09 we now have the first idea of some big features in the game. The likely NFL Network duo of Tom Hammond and Cris Collinsworth will be featured as the commentators for Madden 09 and online leagues have been added.
Madden NFL 09 strives to take authenticity and depth of gameplay to an new level with more than 85 new features and enhancements, including the all-new Total Control Animation system. This system will allow players to perform combination moves like never before and includes an innovative picture-in-picture playcall window. In Madden NFL 09, the game engine is continually assessing the player’s performance and will adapt a custom experience to every type of gamer, from newcomer to the veteran Madden NFL player.
Madden NFL 09 will also feature a network-inspired broadcast presentation. Players will benefit from the authentic football knowledge of an in-booth play-by-play and color commentary team featuring Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond. In addition, numerous graphical enhancements have been made, including realistic weather and grass, sleeker player models and exterior stadium views.
Madden NFL 09 gives gamers the ability to create online leagues. Fans can now take their rivalries online and compete in leagues with up to 32 teams. Online league play will feature in-depth stat tracking and a flexible scheduling option.
Seems like a good choice for commentators. Regardless of who they went with some people weren’t going to like them but there were some possibilities that would’ve been much worse. After finding out all the details regarding online dynasty in NCAA Football 09 I’m encouraged that the online leagues in Madden will have all the options and flexibility that would be necessary.
April 25, 2008 at 5:59 am
Holy #$%@ great news sounds sweeeet online leagues finally!
April 25, 2008 at 6:00 am
This is great news! No troy aikman and joe buck!
Online leagues, finally! It took long enough. I can’t wait to see what new gameplay features are added.
April 25, 2008 at 6:22 am
Good News. I really feel like this is the year EA steps there game up and makes great games across the board.
April 25, 2008 at 6:27 am
Its better than the Stadium Announcer, but I want to see what else the game has to offer.
April 25, 2008 at 6:32 am
IMO they get no grace period. They took 5 years longer than 2k to get online league. They better work from day 1.
April 25, 2008 at 6:42 am
Well EA held to their promise remember Pasta at last years Community Day D.Ortiz stated that online leagues would be in and the radio announcer would be gone they have delivered on both of those.
April 25, 2008 at 6:47 am
That’s cool but I’m more concerned about the franchise mode and further interactivity with Head Coach to do your offseason.
April 25, 2008 at 6:53 am
I wonder if the presentation will be change to the NFLN presentation so it feels like your watching a game.
April 25, 2008 at 7:01 am
Wow, very impressive!!! Thx again mon padre-
April 25, 2008 at 7:07 am
Thx Pasta…
April 25, 2008 at 7:13 am
any word yet on whether there will be 4vs4 online??? Even if it was just unranked it should be done…along w/weather,wind,time of day and alternate uniform options- Madden 09 looks good baby!
April 25, 2008 at 7:19 am
[quote comment="18959"]any word yet on whether there will be 4vs4 online??? Even if it was just unranked it should be done…along w/weather,wind,time of day and alternate uniform options- Madden 09 looks good baby![/quote]
No, I wish they had a team play. I actually did get to talk with Phil Frazier about some things including online play and I’ll have a recap of that in the coming days.
April 25, 2008 at 7:27 am
I’ll be tuned in as always bro’…….;)
April 25, 2008 at 7:35 am
This is awesome news, Tom Hammonds is great play by play guy.
April 25, 2008 at 7:54 am
i tell u what ea sports is trying hard to make this game the real deal and it sounds like it but not every thing is fixed but it will and this game is gonna be great
April 25, 2008 at 7:59 am
This is Tom Hammond if people are not aware of him
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8RZJGCCuC7E
It is rather old (1999) But still classic
He is a great commentator.
April 25, 2008 at 7:59 am
Thanks for the infor Pasta.
EA needs to realize that online franchise>online leagues. They really need to include a feature that allows file sharing if they’re not going to implement full blown online franchises like they’re doing with the dynasty mode in NCAA.
April 25, 2008 at 8:15 am
i definetely agree with u but pasta said it in one of his older entries every year not all the same features are in madden that r in ncaa
April 25, 2008 at 8:19 am
Anyone catch the litle tid bit on outside stadium views. Im pumped
April 25, 2008 at 8:40 am
Awesome that they are going with Todd Hammond. One of the most underrated PBP guys in the business. Great on the Notre Dame broadcasts and was great on NFLN. A great horse racing anchor for NBC’s broadcasts as well.
April 25, 2008 at 8:57 am
Thank GOD that HORRID radio announcer is gone. The removal of that alone is going to make this game MUCH better. Itll be cool to hear someone we havent heard in a game before. Now, as long as they have special type broadcasts for the Playoffs and Superbowl, then i think i might actually get through my first dynasty in 3 years.
April 25, 2008 at 9:35 am
Can someone explain how the online leagues will work?
April 25, 2008 at 9:53 am
Could have been a worse selection for commentators but it certainly could have been much better. I personally can’t stand Chris Collinsworth. He is a big whiner and was the most annoying on Inside the NFL on HBO.
They should have used the ESPN broadcast team for Monday night football, including Tony Kornheiser. I think the 3 man booth is the way to go. It works so great in MLB 08.
I just don’t get why EA won’t use the ESPN license properly.
April 25, 2008 at 10:53 am
Hammond and Collinsworth? You gotta be kidding? They should’ve went with Aikman and Buck. They are the best broadcast team out there! Hammond is ok but Collinsworth blows! Can you imagine how Madden 09 would be with Buck & Aikman calling the action behind that Fox NFL Theme music? That woulda been PRICELESS!!!!!
I really hope they improve Madden this time because they tell us the same thing every year and we get nothing but a roster update with window dressing!
STEP UP EA!
April 25, 2008 at 11:39 am
this is good but they should work on gameplay like easy droped passes and ints and running animations
April 25, 2008 at 11:49 am
its great that they have added pbp, but dont get to excited becuz it does get repetative rather fast . also imo i think they should have added a different set of pbp comms. for monday night games. but all in all im happy that EA is making strides
April 25, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I am content with the choice of announcers but somewhat bummed that this is Madden XX and no color commentary from Madden himself.
I was thinking over-the-top with the telestrater. Is there any possible hope that there could be a second broadcast team????
April 25, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Earl knew the leagues were coming yesterday, team play wouldn’t work good, but Earl says a good mode would be 2 v 2 one players plays defense and one offense this would make for good teamwork as you talk to your teammate while they are playing and decide what to do.
April 25, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Just got this info from a guy over at operationsports
my friend is the manager @ a gamestop. he received a package from EA sports today & there was a bunch of papers in it. posters, game box art, so, so-forth. on the back of the madden has,” 85 new features & enhancments”
-”my skills” custom fueled by the all new madden IQ
-total controll animation system
-all new network-inspired beyond broadcast presentation
-all-new rivalry games& specialized presentation
-all-new easports rewind
-”madden-moments” mode
-holographic virtual training center
-ONLINE LEAGUE UP TO 32 PLAYERS
-advanced gameplay sliders
-all-new easports backtrack
-all-new madden skills test
-enhanced play call
-innovative options ondemand PIP
-playcall formation subs
-all-new dynamic ticker
-tailored madden tips
-new weather effects
-improved player shadow system
- return field goals
-bobble catches
-all-new pass tuning system
-set/formation auds.
-slide protection
-smart routes
-authentic exterior stadium intros
-all-new wrap tackling system
-improved foot pinning
-all-new break-out tackles
-all-new dynamic catches
-fumble refactor
-next-gen grudge match
-most realistic sim engine in madden history
-bluff art
-all-new player models
darrenw74 is offline Reply With Quote
April 25, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Does all-new dynamic ticker mean you will finally be able to see scores from other games in your franchise like in madden 1990?? Hmmmmm interesting stuff what do you guys think?
April 25, 2008 at 12:56 pm
IF it’s all implemented correctly… i think this game has ENORMOUS potential
April 25, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Disappointed that there aren’t any classic teams or have the ability to play the original Maddens from the Apple and Genesis.
Also, EA Sports has a cool video of Favre in most of the Madden games he has appeared in. From sprites to polygons, it is awesome….
April 25, 2008 at 1:03 pm
[quote comment="19024"]Just got this info from a guy over at operationsports
my friend is the manager @ a gamestop. he received a package from EA sports today & there was a bunch of papers in it. posters, game box art, so, so-forth. on the back of the madden has,” 85 new features & enhancments”
-”my skills” custom fueled by the all new madden IQ
-total controll animation system
-all new network-inspired beyond broadcast presentation
-all-new rivalry games& specialized presentation
-all-new easports rewind
-”madden-moments” mode
-holographic virtual training center
-ONLINE LEAGUE UP TO 32 PLAYERS
-advanced gameplay sliders
-all-new easports backtrack
-all-new madden skills test
-enhanced play call
-innovative options ondemand PIP
-playcall formation subs
-all-new dynamic ticker
-tailored madden tips
-new weather effects
-improved player shadow system
- return field goals
-bobble catches
-all-new pass tuning system
-set/formation auds.
-slide protection
-smart routes
-authentic exterior stadium intros
-all-new wrap tackling system
-improved foot pinning
-all-new break-out tackles
-all-new dynamic catches
-fumble refactor
-next-gen grudge match
-most realistic sim engine in madden history
-bluff art
-all-new player models
darrenw74 is offline
Reply With Quote[/quote]
I am going to assume that someone at EA is going to pissed about this….You might want to change your name, relocate and cut up all items that document your presence on this planet.
April 25, 2008 at 1:14 pm
it’s all hype until it hits the shelves. i was tricked last year–bought the hype, hated the pre-patch game.
‘09 LOOKS FREAKING AMAZING, but i’m worried it’s the EA hype-monster. i guess we’ll find out a few weeks after launch.
April 25, 2008 at 1:30 pm
lmao at Eski, your probably rite bro.
April 25, 2008 at 1:35 pm
[quote comment="19035"]lmao at Eski, your probably rite bro.[/quote]
But, I appreciate the “inside scoop”. I got your back. Just watch out for any vans parked in your neighborhood that may look like Exterminators or a local plumbing company.
Also, was the list from the original or the collector’s edition? If you can get the scoop on the collector’s edition that would be sweet..
April 25, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Not really sure bro a guy from operationsports.com posted it, if I find out will def let you know.
April 25, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Earl doesnt think those are real features
look more in the likes of new game modes to be announced.
April 25, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I am sure Pasta will know for sure Pasta where are you.
April 25, 2008 at 2:07 pm
[quote comment="19041"]I am sure Pasta will know for sure Pasta where are you.[/quote]
Earl knows.
April 25, 2008 at 2:16 pm
[quote comment="19041"]I am sure Pasta will know for sure Pasta where are you.[/quote]
The airport actually. I’ll be on a plane for 6 1/2 hours coming up so I won’t be around for a while.
I see that list posted above and I’ve been told its just back of the box info for the retail placeholder boxes. So the info there is legit.
Basically just know it isn’t anywhere near the full list of features.
April 25, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Pasta do you think it will have the ticker in franchise so you can see scores to the other games and maybe show highlights to other close games like in madden 1990?
April 25, 2008 at 2:30 pm
And have a safe flight home bro thanks again.
April 25, 2008 at 2:42 pm
[quote comment="19039"]Earl doesnt think those are real features
look more in the likes of new game modes to be announced.[/quote]
what does earl know again?
April 25, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Those are small items that have enhanced gameplay, the list of features (as in game modes and bigger name things) will be released as the game gets closer to release, in the next couple of days, and on GameStop Madden Mondays.
April 25, 2008 at 2:45 pm
[quote comment="19047"][quote comment="19039"]Earl doesnt think those are real features
look more in the likes of new game modes to be announced.[/quote]
what does earl know again?[/quote]
Earl is in the game, what wouldn’t he know?
April 25, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Earl is a new game mode in madden this year cant wait!!!!
April 25, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Nah, Earl’s nickname is Ocho Cinco though
April 25, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Pasta,
Are the online leagues multiple seasons or just one?
April 25, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Hey pasta, r u gonna get any info on campus legend. Oh, and can you find out if Oregon will have there full white and white helmet away jerseys.