Gamestop Madden Monday: ActionCam

by pastapadre
Posted May 12th, 2008 at 8:41 am

Another week brings a look at one of the new features or improvements to Madden 09 in the Gamestop Madden Monday blog. This week the focus is on the “ActionCam” which is the new camera angle that adjusts to display all of the players on the field.

Madden NFL 09 will feature a camera system that dynamically adjusts to keep all of your players in view, eliminating the need to blindly pass off of the edge of your screen and hope for the best. When you run a pass play, the ActionCam automatically pans out, zooms in, and adjust angles to keep all of your receivers on the screen.

Once you complete that pass, if the ball carrier happens to break away from his defenders, the ActionCam will rock back and forth, zoom in and follow the ball carrier, giving you that intense feeling that you’re sprinting alongside him. And if a defender happens to really lay into the ball carrier, the Big Hit Camera will rattle the screen with the force of the crunch. It’s like having a tiny producer in your console that constantly assigns the best camera angles.

A camera changed has been needed for a long time. I know personally I’ve tended to shy away from throwing to receivers on the outside, or gone to plays that had them coming into the middle of the field, because I couldn’t see them and it was too risky otherwise. From the videos that have been released and the two new screenshots it doesn’t seem to be a drastic change so it shouldn’t take long to get comfortable with it. The classic camera will remain in as an option however I doubt many will prefer that over this new camera.

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CrimsonVoodoo

As long as tranisition is seamless this is a Very welcome addition (the new camera angle)… dammit, I might need to buy this game

I could live without the Gears of Madden style shaky cam, tho’ in his later years Madden has started to look a bit like one of the Locust Horde
CrimsonVoodoo

As long as tranisition is seamless this is a Very welcome addition (the new camera angle)… dammit, I might need to buy this game

I could live without the Gears of Madden style shaky cam, tho’ in his later years Madden has started to look a bit like one of the Locust Horde
deltroy

Hey pasta do you know if we are gonna see more gameplay videos soon with the announcing in place just curious thanks bro.
deltroy

Hey pasta do you know if we are gonna see more gameplay videos soon with the announcing in place just curious thanks bro.
mctrees02

I doubt it happens but would LOVE to see this show up in NCAA 09 as a late addition.
mctrees02

I doubt it happens but would LOVE to see this show up in NCAA 09 as a late addition.
r00tabaga

Cool, this was very needed and it should help alot. …”he said Madden looked like a Horde!” -awesome
r00tabaga

Cool, this was very needed and it should help alot. …”he said Madden looked like a Horde!” -awesome
freeg4

Hey pasta do you think you can make a suggestion to EA to sell this game way cheaper than 60 bucks cuz it really isn’t worth it.
freeg4

Hey pasta do you think you can make a suggestion to EA to sell this game way cheaper than 60 bucks cuz it really isn’t worth it.
gudda101

Why can’t they just make this game feel alive…Im sure it wouldn’t take much with the power of the next gen consoles…they put so much effort into things that really doesn’t matter when they forget that its the small things that actually takes place in football games that really matters.
gudda101

Why can’t they just make this game feel alive…Im sure it wouldn’t take much with the power of the next gen consoles…they put so much effort into things that really doesn’t matter when they forget that its the small things that actually takes place in football games that really matters.
JB

Question for people with widescreen TV’s….on the standard camera view on Madden are you able to see the whole field if you have a widescreen TV? Just curious if this new feature is needed for all or just people without a nice TV?
JB

Question for people with widescreen TV’s….on the standard camera view on Madden are you able to see the whole field if you have a widescreen TV? Just curious if this new feature is needed for all or just people without a nice TV?
MJ

[quote comment="20934"]Why can’t they just make this game feel alive…Im sure it wouldn’t take much with the power of the next gen consoles…they put so much effort into things that really doesn’t matter when they forget that its the small things that actually takes place in football games that really matters.[/quote]

I think this is a good feature. But I see your point.

I hope that two CPU controlled teams can execute trades. To me it is one of the biggest problems with previous Maddens. Trades are a big way some teams fill in the needed holes either through acquiring a good player or moving up the draft boards.
MJ

[quote comment="20934"]Why can’t they just make this game feel alive…Im sure it wouldn’t take much with the power of the next gen consoles…they put so much effort into things that really doesn’t matter when they forget that its the small things that actually takes place in football games that really matters.[/quote]

I think this is a good feature. But I see your point.

I hope that two CPU controlled teams can execute trades. To me it is one of the biggest problems with previous Maddens. Trades are a big way some teams fill in the needed holes either through acquiring a good player or moving up the draft boards.
gudda101

[quote comment="20936"][quote comment="20934"]Why can’t they just make this game feel alive…Im sure it wouldn’t take much with the power of the next gen consoles…they put so much effort into things that really doesn’t matter when they forget that its the small things that actually takes place in football games that really matters.[/quote]

I think this is a good feature. But I see your point.

I hope that two CPU controlled teams can execute trades. To me it is one of the biggest problems with previous Maddens. Trades are a big way some teams fill in the needed holes either through acquiring a good player or moving up the draft boards.[/quote]

I just feel like its something that should already be in the game already without them labeling it as a new feature.
gudda101

[quote comment="20936"][quote comment="20934"]Why can’t they just make this game feel alive…Im sure it wouldn’t take much with the power of the next gen consoles…they put so much effort into things that really doesn’t matter when they forget that its the small things that actually takes place in football games that really matters.[/quote]

I think this is a good feature. But I see your point.

I hope that two CPU controlled teams can execute trades. To me it is one of the biggest problems with previous Maddens. Trades are a big way some teams fill in the needed holes either through acquiring a good player or moving up the draft boards.[/quote]

I just feel like its something that should already be in the game already without them labeling it as a new feature.
askEARL360 sucks

Instead f ‘shaky cam’ why not just put refs on the field. Its bs features like this that make me shake my head. EA focuses on the most trivial Bs stuff to add instead of adding the stuff that shold be there isn teh 1st place to begin with.

I can see it next year. EA introduces the new ‘hotdog cam’. This cam zooms in on the hotdog as concessions adds mustard, relish, and other toppings in full cam splender, that almost makes you think you could eat the hotdog.
askEARL360 sucks

Instead f ‘shaky cam’ why not just put refs on the field. Its bs features like this that make me shake my head. EA focuses on the most trivial Bs stuff to add instead of adding the stuff that shold be there isn teh 1st place to begin with.

I can see it next year. EA introduces the new ‘hotdog cam’. This cam zooms in on the hotdog as concessions adds mustard, relish, and other toppings in full cam splender, that almost makes you think you could eat the hotdog.
gudda101

[quote comment="20938"]Instead f ‘shaky cam’ why not just put refs on the field. Its bs features like this that make me shake my head. EA focuses on the most trivial Bs stuff to add instead of adding the stuff that shold be there isn teh 1st place to begin with.

I can see it next year. EA introduces the new ‘hotdog cam’. This cam zooms in on the hotdog as concessions adds mustard, relish, and other toppings in full cam splender, that almost makes you think you could eat the hotdog.[/quote]

lol thats exactly the kind of bs that EA does.
gudda101

[quote comment="20938"]Instead f ‘shaky cam’ why not just put refs on the field. Its bs features like this that make me shake my head. EA focuses on the most trivial Bs stuff to add instead of adding the stuff that shold be there isn teh 1st place to begin with.

I can see it next year. EA introduces the new ‘hotdog cam’. This cam zooms in on the hotdog as concessions adds mustard, relish, and other toppings in full cam splender, that almost makes you think you could eat the hotdog.[/quote]

lol thats exactly the kind of bs that EA does.
urlm3

always fun to see the haters come out to deflect attention away from a good feature. happens every time. this has been pleaded for over the years and they get it in, and of course that means time to complain about something else. i wish those people would just take things for what they are and here we got a good change for 09.
urlm3

always fun to see the haters come out to deflect attention away from a good feature. happens every time. this has been pleaded for over the years and they get it in, and of course that means time to complain about something else. i wish those people would just take things for what they are and here we got a good change for 09.
freeg4

Pasta i see that when people start bashing EA you don’t respond but can you please answer one question for me…is EA working on new tackling animations and just overall animations or do we have to wait next year to see realistic animations
freeg4

Pasta i see that when people start bashing EA you don’t respond but can you please answer one question for me…is EA working on new tackling animations and just overall animations or do we have to wait next year to see realistic animations
Details

[quote comment="20938"]Instead f ‘shaky cam’ why not just put refs on the field.[/quote]

I agree (of course), but the new camera system is a nice improvement.

Madden 09 seems to be making solid strides forward. I predict refs will be back in the game next year. The decision to take refs out in the first place was lazy, strange, and asinine.

That said, the ActionCam seems to be a solid, relevant innovation that directly affects the gameplay experience for the better.
Details

[quote comment="20938"]Instead f ‘shaky cam’ why not just put refs on the field.[/quote]

I agree (of course), but the new camera system is a nice improvement.

Madden 09 seems to be making solid strides forward. I predict refs will be back in the game next year. The decision to take refs out in the first place was lazy, strange, and asinine.

That said, the ActionCam seems to be a solid, relevant innovation that directly affects the gameplay experience for the better.
JI13orrero

Pasta:

Will this feature work on defense? I mean, many team I’m following an RB blindly all over the field just to see that he stayed in the flat and got a 1st down, thanks.
JI13orrero

Pasta:

Will this feature work on defense? I mean, many team I’m following an RB blindly all over the field just to see that he stayed in the flat and got a 1st down, thanks.
BlackJack

Pasta, Do you know if this Action Cam will be adjustable it self? For example would there be a slider, that would let me choose what angle is shows? or is it just fixed in so that each it fits every reciever exactly, if you can understand what I’m asking.
Dan

In answer to the widescreen TV question:

yeah I have a 52″ widescreen and I can see the whole field (side to side) no problems.
BlackJack

Pasta, Do you know if this Action Cam will be adjustable it self? For example would there be a slider, that would let me choose what angle is shows? or is it just fixed in so that each it fits every reciever exactly, if you can understand what I’m asking.
Dan

In answer to the widescreen TV question:

yeah I have a 52″ widescreen and I can see the whole field (side to side) no problems.
askEARL360 sucks

[quote comment="20940"]always fun to see the haters come out to deflect attention away from a good feature. happens every time. this has been pleaded for over the years and they get it in, and of course that means time to complain about something else. i wish those people would just take things for what they are and here we got a good change for 09.[/quote]
This has nothing to do with hate. I mean how many freakin years are we going to go without a single ref on the damn field. They add freakin glowing boxes for you to go into the endzone and dance/celebrate in like is was a disco floor. Next is rumble cam to make you feel like youre running with a player (not saying its not an improvement), but no refs or chaingangs which is apart of the game.
Not only that, EA has these Q&A sessions where they dont even bother to answer the questions asked. How could you not shake your head at this?
Its not like they dont have the money or time to invest in refs. They spent all this money on ESPN, and NFL licenses, but dont have the money or time for refs on the field. Then the excuse they give is ‘its too hard to code for a ref, but they can sit there and code a new shakey cam, and disco floor in a box endzone celebrations?
askEARL360 sucks

[quote comment="20940"]always fun to see the haters come out to deflect attention away from a good feature. happens every time. this has been pleaded for over the years and they get it in, and of course that means time to complain about something else. i wish those people would just take things for what they are and here we got a good change for 09.[/quote]
This has nothing to do with hate. I mean how many freakin years are we going to go without a single ref on the damn field. They add freakin glowing boxes for you to go into the endzone and dance/celebrate in like is was a disco floor. Next is rumble cam to make you feel like youre running with a player (not saying its not an improvement), but no refs or chaingangs which is apart of the game.
Not only that, EA has these Q&A sessions where they dont even bother to answer the questions asked. How could you not shake your head at this?
Its not like they dont have the money or time to invest in refs. They spent all this money on ESPN, and NFL licenses, but dont have the money or time for refs on the field. Then the excuse they give is ‘its too hard to code for a ref, but they can sit there and code a new shakey cam, and disco floor in a box endzone celebrations?
Russ

[quote comment="20935"]Question for people with widescreen TV’s….on the standard camera view on Madden are you able to see the whole field if you have a widescreen TV? Just curious if this new feature is needed for all or just people without a nice TV?[/quote]

I have a 32″ Widescreen and I still have problems with seeing the sidelines from time to time. The new camera should help whether you have a nice TV or not.
Russ

[quote comment="20935"]Question for people with widescreen TV’s….on the standard camera view on Madden are you able to see the whole field if you have a widescreen TV? Just curious if this new feature is needed for all or just people without a nice TV?[/quote]

I have a 32″ Widescreen and I still have problems with seeing the sidelines from time to time. The new camera should help whether you have a nice TV or not.
Beau

[quote comment="20941"]Pasta i see that when people start bashing EA you don’t respond [/quote]

sheesh… don’t you guys think Pasta might have, oh i don’t know.. a JOB! he can’t sit around and comment and give out info all the time.. bills do need paying ya know
Beau

[quote comment="20941"]Pasta i see that when people start bashing EA you don’t respond [/quote]

sheesh… don’t you guys think Pasta might have, oh i don’t know.. a JOB! he can’t sit around and comment and give out info all the time.. bills do need paying ya know
Beau

and on track with the feature.. i think it sounds nice.. i do wish that the “panning” portion was separate from the “shaking” portion though. i like that the camera will adjust to show all the receivers but i dont really care for the shaking camera once you’re receiver has the ball
Beau

and on track with the feature.. i think it sounds nice.. i do wish that the “panning” portion was separate from the “shaking” portion though. i like that the camera will adjust to show all the receivers but i dont really care for the shaking camera once you’re receiver has the ball
Eski

[quote comment="20938"]Instead f ‘shaky cam’ why not just put refs on the field. Its bs features like this that make me shake my head. EA focuses on the most trivial Bs stuff to add instead of adding the stuff that shold be there isn teh 1st place to begin with.

I can see it next year. EA introduces the new ‘hotdog cam’. This cam zooms in on the hotdog as concessions adds mustard, relish, and other toppings in full cam splender, that almost makes you think you could eat the hotdog.[/quote]

I am not sold on the shaky cam either but to substitute it with referees is even more of a waste. I have no idea why so many people are hung up on referees. Do people have a zebra fetish or something?

To me, refs are pointless. Whenever they are in a game I never noticed them. I guess to each their own….
Eski

[quote comment="20938"]Instead f ‘shaky cam’ why not just put refs on the field. Its bs features like this that make me shake my head. EA focuses on the most trivial Bs stuff to add instead of adding the stuff that shold be there isn teh 1st place to begin with.

I can see it next year. EA introduces the new ‘hotdog cam’. This cam zooms in on the hotdog as concessions adds mustard, relish, and other toppings in full cam splender, that almost makes you think you could eat the hotdog.[/quote]

I am not sold on the shaky cam either but to substitute it with referees is even more of a waste. I have no idea why so many people are hung up on referees. Do people have a zebra fetish or something?

To me, refs are pointless. Whenever they are in a game I never noticed them. I guess to each their own….
Ryan

What is with the graphics and AI in these screenshots??? Did anyone else notice that three offensive linemen are faced to the left not blocking anyone in the first screen? In the second screen both offensive tackles aren’t blocking anyone either. I mean the camera idea sounds cool but maybe it’s not what EA should focus on. Plus all of the offensive linemen that I have seen so far don’t have a gut or anything. They are all skinny compared to real life, I mean they look like a bunch of tall fullbacks. I dont know, judging by these two screens this game is not going to live up to the hype.
Ryan

What is with the graphics and AI in these screenshots??? Did anyone else notice that three offensive linemen are faced to the left not blocking anyone in the first screen? In the second screen both offensive tackles aren’t blocking anyone either. I mean the camera idea sounds cool but maybe it’s not what EA should focus on. Plus all of the offensive linemen that I have seen so far don’t have a gut or anything. They are all skinny compared to real life, I mean they look like a bunch of tall fullbacks. I dont know, judging by these two screens this game is not going to live up to the hype.
Darkheath

Wow… OK.. I can see maybe getting upset about dancing in the endzone and no referees on the field. But here is a dynamic innovation (if it works well) that will change the entire experience to make it more visceral and people are still whining about refs? Really?

I’m not saying that they shouldn’t be in there or that it would be hard to put them in… but they don’t effect the gameplay at all (well… unless you had to run them over). If I remember correctly, even in earlier versions of Madden they were simply cosmetic (in the 2K games you could run into them and be slowed down somewhat).

I’d much rather have a new feature like this announced than “refs are on the field… meh”. Those of us who will still have SD TVs for while should really welcome this. The endzone dancing… now that’s another story.
Darkheath

Wow… OK.. I can see maybe getting upset about dancing in the endzone and no referees on the field. But here is a dynamic innovation (if it works well) that will change the entire experience to make it more visceral and people are still whining about refs? Really?

I’m not saying that they shouldn’t be in there or that it would be hard to put them in… but they don’t effect the gameplay at all (well… unless you had to run them over). If I remember correctly, even in earlier versions of Madden they were simply cosmetic (in the 2K games you could run into them and be slowed down somewhat).

I’d much rather have a new feature like this announced than “refs are on the field… meh”. Those of us who will still have SD TVs for while should really welcome this. The endzone dancing… now that’s another story.
coogrfan

[quote comment="20935"]Question for people with widescreen TV’s….on the standard camera view on Madden are you able to see the whole field if you have a widescreen TV? Just curious if this new feature is needed for all or just people without a nice TV?[/quote]

I play on a 50″ w/s and I had no problems with the camera angle in either Madden or NCAA. However, I have heard others with w/s setups voice some complaints.
coogrfan

[quote comment="20935"]Question for people with widescreen TV’s….on the standard camera view on Madden are you able to see the whole field if you have a widescreen TV? Just curious if this new feature is needed for all or just people without a nice TV?[/quote]

I play on a 50″ w/s and I had no problems with the camera angle in either Madden or NCAA. However, I have heard others with w/s setups voice some complaints.