Madden 09 producer blog on ball carrier animations

by pastapadre
Posted May 22nd, 2008 at 3:52 pm

Another producer blog for Madden 09 has been posted, this one again from the new animation director Simon Sherr. There are two parts to the blog which goes over the running game in great detail. Part one can be found here while part two is here.

Our number one goal was to make the running game realistic while giving you absolute control. A common complaint in Madden NFL 08 was in the lack of gathering or planting animations needed to simulate a real NFL player, so we definitely wanted to bring those back into the game. The problem with canned special move animations though is that feeling of waiting for animations to finish – we don’t want that at all. The great solution we came up with in our new system was the power to allow you to procedurally steer any animation, and interrupt them with plants and push offs.

The running game and player control represented some of the most significant improvements in NCAA Football 09 so I’d expect that to be the same with Madden. A very encouraging development in terms of gameplay and fun factor.

I’ve linked to the videos that apply to the blog entries below. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments.

Ball carrier video
LT vs Bengals video
Foot plant video
Locomotion video

Tags:

kc10785

[quote comment="21893"]lets cool down guys, remmember that this is the madden hype-machine. Although I acknowledge they are making progress (finally) lets hope this is the tip of the iceberg. What we ALL have in common is that we expect a lot from this game after 3-4 years of crap so let’s just keep the constructive criticism and feedback going and support Pasta in his contributions.

Saludos (thats greetings in spanish)[/quote]

i mean they putting in effort this year we have a reason to get hype/If anybody think this will be a perfect game or expecting a perfect game is dumb.perfect football game havn’t been created ever yes ever even people precious 2k5.There making a step with the videos they have shown already and we not even close to august.Give props where props is due even though this is long over due since this is the 4th football game ea put out on a next gen system.
kc10785

[quote comment="21893"]lets cool down guys, remmember that this is the madden hype-machine. Although I acknowledge they are making progress (finally) lets hope this is the tip of the iceberg. What we ALL have in common is that we expect a lot from this game after 3-4 years of crap so let’s just keep the constructive criticism and feedback going and support Pasta in his contributions.

Saludos (thats greetings in spanish)[/quote]

i mean they putting in effort this year we have a reason to get hype/If anybody think this will be a perfect game or expecting a perfect game is dumb.perfect football game havn’t been created ever yes ever even people precious 2k5.There making a step with the videos they have shown already and we not even close to august.Give props where props is due even though this is long over due since this is the 4th football game ea put out on a next gen system.
rap

[quote comment="21890"][quote comment="21877"]this is the Madden release that all have been waiting for on next-gen that will kick all football titles square in the BUTT!! So far looks very good EA! Congrats![/quote]

50 bux says youve been saying that for the past 3 years.[/quote]

wrong! I like most people hated the first 2-3 games on the new systems, but this looks friggin awesome, whether you want to admit it or not – now what the final product will be we won’t know until Aug., but for right now, you know you are excited about it.
rap

[quote comment="21890"][quote comment="21877"]this is the Madden release that all have been waiting for on next-gen that will kick all football titles square in the BUTT!! So far looks very good EA! Congrats![/quote]

50 bux says youve been saying that for the past 3 years.[/quote]

wrong! I like most people hated the first 2-3 games on the new systems, but this looks friggin awesome, whether you want to admit it or not – now what the final product will be we won’t know until Aug., but for right now, you know you are excited about it.
Chad Rogers

Physics are still not correct as was stated above, guys are at top speed in three steps and run full speed circles. I am hoping they tone down the super athletes. Bring in momentum to the game and it will change it for the better.

Chad
Chad Rogers

Physics are still not correct as was stated above, guys are at top speed in three steps and run full speed circles. I am hoping they tone down the super athletes. Bring in momentum to the game and it will change it for the better.

Chad
neystar

WOW!!! LOOKS GOOD
http://nope neystar

WOW!!! LOOKS GOOD
47

[quote comment="21899"][quote comment="21890"][quote comment="21877"]this is the Madden release that all have been waiting for on next-gen that will kick all football titles square in the BUTT!! So far looks very good EA! Congrats![/quote]

50 bux says youve been saying that for the past 3 years.[/quote]

wrong! I like most people hated the first 2-3 games on the new systems, but this looks friggin awesome, whether you want to admit it or not – now what the final product will be we won’t know until Aug., but for right now, you know you are excited about it.[/quote]

Hah, man the EA hype machine has grabbed you by the balls and isnt letting go. I havent been “excited” for Madden football in 3 years and rightfully so, the last few versions of this game have been, at absolute best, poor, so there is no reason to be getting excited.

With all that said, i am liking some of the new improvements to the game(new play-by-play, better visuals and animations), HOWEVER, there is still MUCH more to be seen that can sway this game to either end of the spectrum. Im not ready to toss EA 60 bux based off of a few “blogger diaries”.
47

[quote comment="21899"][quote comment="21890"][quote comment="21877"]this is the Madden release that all have been waiting for on next-gen that will kick all football titles square in the BUTT!! So far looks very good EA! Congrats![/quote]

50 bux says youve been saying that for the past 3 years.[/quote]

wrong! I like most people hated the first 2-3 games on the new systems, but this looks friggin awesome, whether you want to admit it or not – now what the final product will be we won’t know until Aug., but for right now, you know you are excited about it.[/quote]

Hah, man the EA hype machine has grabbed you by the balls and isnt letting go. I havent been “excited” for Madden football in 3 years and rightfully so, the last few versions of this game have been, at absolute best, poor, so there is no reason to be getting excited.

With all that said, i am liking some of the new improvements to the game(new play-by-play, better visuals and animations), HOWEVER, there is still MUCH more to be seen that can sway this game to either end of the spectrum. Im not ready to toss EA 60 bux based off of a few “blogger diaries”.
Boski

[quote comment="21890"][quote comment="21877"]this is the Madden release that all have been waiting for on next-gen that will kick all football titles square in the BUTT!! So far looks very good EA! Congrats![/quote]

50 bux says youve been saying that for the past 3 years.[/quote]

Cant argue with ya and cant lie ive said that also…
Boski

[quote comment="21890"][quote comment="21877"]this is the Madden release that all have been waiting for on next-gen that will kick all football titles square in the BUTT!! So far looks very good EA! Congrats![/quote]

50 bux says youve been saying that for the past 3 years.[/quote]

Cant argue with ya and cant lie ive said that also…
michael

Looks awesome especially the difference in speeds between players. Pasta i have a question do you know if they will have bubble screens in NCAA09 for teams like Texas Tech and Hawaii who actually use them??
michael

Looks awesome especially the difference in speeds between players. Pasta i have a question do you know if they will have bubble screens in NCAA09 for teams like Texas Tech and Hawaii who actually use them??
http://goazcats.com/ BearDownAZ

So we have to use the left stick to make these moves, but also use the D pad to run which is also on the left side of the controller? That seems like a little too much to me.
http://goazcats.com BearDownAZ

So we have to use the left stick to make these moves, but also use the D pad to run which is also on the left side of the controller? That seems like a little too much to me.
http://pflnation.com/ DaveDQ

They’re doing a good job of removing some of the quirky twitching. I think the foot planting stuff is helping that. I noticed that in the quick comparisons. It’s crazy how different the game looks.
http://pflnation.com DaveDQ

They’re doing a good job of removing some of the quirky twitching. I think the foot planting stuff is helping that. I noticed that in the quick comparisons. It’s crazy how different the game looks.
Eric

I’ve been down on Madden 09 so far based on the terrible version that was 08. The first animation video is the first thing I’ve seen that is impressive about the game so far. That all looked pretty darn good.

Still lots to be done to improve the overall game, but the animation does actually look to be improved.

Players still all run the same though, but just at different speeds. I wish they would mo-cap like 25 different people running, so players could have different run styles.
Eric

I’ve been down on Madden 09 so far based on the terrible version that was 08. The first animation video is the first thing I’ve seen that is impressive about the game so far. That all looked pretty darn good.

Still lots to be done to improve the overall game, but the animation does actually look to be improved.

Players still all run the same though, but just at different speeds. I wish they would mo-cap like 25 different people running, so players could have different run styles.
http://www.maddenwars.com/ Dan (Moostache)

One of the single coolest things about the jump in appearance from 2008 to 2009 (mainly in the “Locomtion” video) has to be the improved pass blocking mechanics in the Grossman vs. Green Bay clips. I HATED that in both NCAA 2008 and Madden 2008 that the offensive Guards would drop/float straight back into some kind of wierd looking wall immediately in fornt of the QB (you can see it very clearly in that video clip of 2008) – this was really stupid blocking AI and also was a big reason for the 3-man crash and pinch defenses being ridiculously effective too. In the 2009 clip, the tackles could probably drive the DE a bit further out and up the field to create a larger pocket, but the fact is that in that play clip for the first time in what seems like forever I can actually SEE a physical passing pocket being formed! Gonna have to see how well this works next week for sure, but that is an encouraging thing.

I also liked some of the post-play stuff going on in the background too – in particular there is some nice pushing and shoving between a Bears player and a Packers player at one point in there that I was really feeling – hopefully that is part of the “rivalry” games – showing players getting chippy between plays would be a HUGE increase in the overall presentation elements of the game.

All in all, despite my continued misgivings about the whole Rewind feature, I have to say that even though its mainly video clips so far (and EA is the MASTER at generating great video clips) this year’s Madden and NCAA are looking very, very good – and that’s on top of the fact that I probably enjoyed last year’s versions a lot more than many people. I am getting really excited about the chance to play test these suckers next week…
http://www.maddenwars.com Dan (Moostache)

One of the single coolest things about the jump in appearance from 2008 to 2009 (mainly in the “Locomtion” video) has to be the improved pass blocking mechanics in the Grossman vs. Green Bay clips. I HATED that in both NCAA 2008 and Madden 2008 that the offensive Guards would drop/float straight back into some kind of wierd looking wall immediately in fornt of the QB (you can see it very clearly in that video clip of 2008) – this was really stupid blocking AI and also was a big reason for the 3-man crash and pinch defenses being ridiculously effective too. In the 2009 clip, the tackles could probably drive the DE a bit further out and up the field to create a larger pocket, but the fact is that in that play clip for the first time in what seems like forever I can actually SEE a physical passing pocket being formed! Gonna have to see how well this works next week for sure, but that is an encouraging thing.

I also liked some of the post-play stuff going on in the background too – in particular there is some nice pushing and shoving between a Bears player and a Packers player at one point in there that I was really feeling – hopefully that is part of the “rivalry” games – showing players getting chippy between plays would be a HUGE increase in the overall presentation elements of the game.

All in all, despite my continued misgivings about the whole Rewind feature, I have to say that even though its mainly video clips so far (and EA is the MASTER at generating great video clips) this year’s Madden and NCAA are looking very, very good – and that’s on top of the fact that I probably enjoyed last year’s versions a lot more than many people. I am getting really excited about the chance to play test these suckers next week…
boisedude

OK EA. Looks like you guys really put alot into this one. these videos show an enormous improvement over last year. I can tell EA was worried about an 09 sales dip becuase of the sour taste the last three years have left in everyones mouth. EA got some fire under their butts and this game looks awesome.

Its obvious the developers are going out of their way to ensure us, the fans and the gamers, that they made a great product this year. Ive never seen so many “producer blogs” and videos and interaction with gamers for any game pre launch from any development team anywhere. Thanks for showing you care. (still gonna wait for final product and reviews. no pre-order here, your gonna have to earn my trust back.)
boisedude

OK EA. Looks like you guys really put alot into this one. these videos show an enormous improvement over last year. I can tell EA was worried about an 09 sales dip becuase of the sour taste the last three years have left in everyones mouth. EA got some fire under their butts and this game looks awesome.

Its obvious the developers are going out of their way to ensure us, the fans and the gamers, that they made a great product this year. Ive never seen so many “producer blogs” and videos and interaction with gamers for any game pre launch from any development team anywhere. Thanks for showing you care. (still gonna wait for final product and reviews. no pre-order here, your gonna have to earn my trust back.)
http://www.maddenwars.com/ Dan (Moostache)

I just went back and viewed them again and could not find the shoving between the two players post-play….maybe it was in a different clip I saw over at IGN or Gamespot…but I KNOW I saw a clip of a play an after the played ended you could clearly see the OL and DL pushing and animated like they were jawing at each other….I am going to have to find that clip again to make sure I’m going slightly mad…does anyone else know which clip I saw?
http://www.maddenwars.com Dan (Moostache)

I just went back and viewed them again and could not find the shoving between the two players post-play….maybe it was in a different clip I saw over at IGN or Gamespot…but I KNOW I saw a clip of a play an after the played ended you could clearly see the OL and DL pushing and animated like they were jawing at each other….I am going to have to find that clip again to make sure I’m going slightly mad…does anyone else know which clip I saw?
rap

[quote comment="21902"][quote comment="21899"][quote comment="21890"][quote comment="21877"]this is the Madden release that all have been waiting for on next-gen that will kick all football titles square in the BUTT!! So far looks very good EA! Congrats![/quote]

50 bux says youve been saying that for the past 3 years.[/quote]

wrong! I like most people hated the first 2-3 games on the new systems, but this looks friggin awesome, whether you want to admit it or not – now what the final product will be we won’t know until Aug., but for right now, you know you are excited about it.[/quote]

Hah, man the EA hype machine has grabbed you by the balls and isnt letting go. I havent been “excited” for Madden football in 3 years and rightfully so, the last few versions of this game have been, at absolute best, poor, so there is no reason to be getting excited.

With all that said, i am liking some of the new improvements to the game(new play-by-play, better visuals and animations), HOWEVER, there is still MUCH more to be seen that can sway this game to either end of the spectrum. Im not ready to toss EA 60 bux based off of a few “blogger diaries”.[/quote]

And what don’t you understand about what I have been saying? The first 2-3 games were a disappointment I stated that earlier, this game SO FAR looks damn good (as stated earlier) and we won’t know what the final product will be but with what is shown so far (you said so yourself) is looking pretty sweet. Now if by me stating this means that the “EA Hype” has me by the balls, then I guess they got quite a few of us including yourself because you are on here commenting about a game that dissappointed you 3 years running and you are still debating buying it, just like the rest of us.
rap

[quote comment="21902"][quote comment="21899"][quote comment="21890"][quote comment="21877"]this is the Madden release that all have been waiting for on next-gen that will kick all football titles square in the BUTT!! So far looks very good EA! Congrats![/quote]

50 bux says youve been saying that for the past 3 years.[/quote]

wrong! I like most people hated the first 2-3 games on the new systems, but this looks friggin awesome, whether you want to admit it or not – now what the final product will be we won’t know until Aug., but for right now, you know you are excited about it.[/quote]

Hah, man the EA hype machine has grabbed you by the balls and isnt letting go. I havent been “excited” for Madden football in 3 years and rightfully so, the last few versions of this game have been, at absolute best, poor, so there is no reason to be getting excited.

With all that said, i am liking some of the new improvements to the game(new play-by-play, better visuals and animations), HOWEVER, there is still MUCH more to be seen that can sway this game to either end of the spectrum. Im not ready to toss EA 60 bux based off of a few “blogger diaries”.[/quote]

And what don’t you understand about what I have been saying? The first 2-3 games were a disappointment I stated that earlier, this game SO FAR looks damn good (as stated earlier) and we won’t know what the final product will be but with what is shown so far (you said so yourself) is looking pretty sweet. Now if by me stating this means that the “EA Hype” has me by the balls, then I guess they got quite a few of us including yourself because you are on here commenting about a game that dissappointed you 3 years running and you are still debating buying it, just like the rest of us.
Oz

dan,

look in the LT vs. Bengals video after the run to the left of the screen.
Oz

dan,

look in the LT vs. Bengals video after the run to the left of the screen.
http://www.maddenwars.com/ Dan (Moostache)

[quote comment="21913"]dan,

look in the LT vs. Bengals video after the run to the left of the screen.[/quote]
Thank you! I was going nuts because I KNEW I saw it in one of the videos…just mistakenly thought it was in the Packers-Bears stuff (or Packers-vikings)…anyway, that animation is a nice touch but could really be put to good use to make rivalry games and playoff games have a more intense feel to them than apre-season or regular-season game…
http://www.maddenwars.com Dan (Moostache)

[quote comment="21913"]dan,

look in the LT vs. Bengals video after the run to the left of the screen.[/quote]
Thank you! I was going nuts because I KNEW I saw it in one of the videos…just mistakenly thought it was in the Packers-Bears stuff (or Packers-vikings)…anyway, that animation is a nice touch but could really be put to good use to make rivalry games and playoff games have a more intense feel to them than apre-season or regular-season game…
lynn

This looks promising, but the proof will be in the actual playing of the game. I’m still not buying this game first week, and commuunity reaction will determine whether I pick this game up at all.
lynn

This looks promising, but the proof will be in the actual playing of the game. I’m still not buying this game first week, and commuunity reaction will determine whether I pick this game up at all.
pat

[quote comment="21922"][quote comment="21913"]dan,

look in the LT vs. Bengals video after the run to the left of the screen.[/quote]
Thank you! I was going nuts because I KNEW I saw it in one of the videos…just mistakenly thought it was in the Packers-Bears stuff (or Packers-vikings)…anyway, that animation is a nice touch but could really be put to good use to make rivalry games and playoff games have a more intense feel to them than apre-season or regular-season game…[/quote]

yeah rivarlies deserve some more tension between teams rivarlies like jets-dolphons,packers-bears etc. and when i saw the first vid of madden released i though it was horrible but i was proven wrong so now i really see it now
pat

[quote comment="21922"][quote comment="21913"]dan,

look in the LT vs. Bengals video after the run to the left of the screen.[/quote]
Thank you! I was going nuts because I KNEW I saw it in one of the videos…just mistakenly thought it was in the Packers-Bears stuff (or Packers-vikings)…anyway, that animation is a nice touch but could really be put to good use to make rivalry games and playoff games have a more intense feel to them than apre-season or regular-season game…[/quote]

yeah rivarlies deserve some more tension between teams rivarlies like jets-dolphons,packers-bears etc. and when i saw the first vid of madden released i though it was horrible but i was proven wrong so now i really see it now
Mark

Comparing the 08 vs. 09 vids is like night and day difference…. the grass textures and lighting were not that good in 08… If you look at the Bears vs Packers vid you will see a huge difference. Lambeau field has never looked so good! This will be the best football videogame ever made!
Mark

Comparing the 08 vs. 09 vids is like night and day difference…. the grass textures and lighting were not that good in 08… If you look at the Bears vs Packers vid you will see a huge difference. Lambeau field has never looked so good! This will be the best football videogame ever made!
adh5199

Pasta, Please let the folks at EA know that the Star on the cowboys helmet is too big.
adh5199

Pasta, Please let the folks at EA know that the Star on the cowboys helmet is too big.
pastapadre

[quote comment="21938"]Pasta, Please let the folks at EA know that the Star on the cowboys helmet is too big.[/quote]

I’ve already passed that info along with some other uniform errors. If they’re still present in the build we play I will mention it again.
pastapadre

[quote comment="21938"]Pasta, Please let the folks at EA know that the Star on the cowboys helmet is too big.[/quote]

I’ve already passed that info along with some other uniform errors. If they’re still present in the build we play I will mention it again.
jman

ncaa 09 or madden09 which one should i pick?
jman

ncaa 09 or madden09 which one should i pick?
pat

pasta how long was that new extension that ea signed with the players inc.
pat

pasta how long was that new extension that ea signed with the players inc.
pastapadre

[quote comment="21948"]pasta how long was that new extension that ea signed with the players inc.[/quote]

through Madden 2013
pastapadre

[quote comment="21948"]pasta how long was that new extension that ea signed with the players inc.[/quote]

through Madden 2013
pastapadre

[quote comment="21946"]ncaa 09 or madden09 which one should i pick?[/quote]

Might be able to give a better idea on that once I play Madden next week. Ultimately though I’d still say go with what you lean towards more with NCAA vs NFL. I’ve always played Madden more just because I’m more of an NFL guy though NCAA may have been a better game the past couple years. NCAA has a hell of a feature set though and I can see myself playing online dynasty well through the release of Madden.
pastapadre

[quote comment="21946"]ncaa 09 or madden09 which one should i pick?[/quote]

Might be able to give a better idea on that once I play Madden next week. Ultimately though I’d still say go with what you lean towards more with NCAA vs NFL. I’ve always played Madden more just because I’m more of an NFL guy though NCAA may have been a better game the past couple years. NCAA has a hell of a feature set though and I can see myself playing online dynasty well through the release of Madden.