Random topics and poll for today
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- Gametap has an early look at Fight Night Round 4 through interviews with producer Dean Richards as well as Lennox Lewis and Sugar Ray Leonard. You can check that out here. Among the topics discussed is the new physics engine, inside fighting and glancing blows.
- An astute poster over at Operation Sports has uncovered that Ben Brinkman, lead producer of the last two years of the MLB 2K series, has moved on to a new job and is no longer with 2K Sports. After the news their NHL series has moved from 2K LA/Kush to the Visual Concepts studio it seems that the MLB series may be following the same path of much needed reinvention.
- The list of achievements for NCAA Football 09 is out and can be found here. Some tie into new features such as the online dynasty, custom sounds, and mascot celebrations though the majority are gameplay based.
- EA Sports has come out and stated that “hardcore fans should not fear our new casual sports approach” in a new article here. Initial concern over this from the community seems to have dwindled as the upcoming releases are providing accessibility by adding options and personalizing difficulty levels based on how each individual’s skills stack up. They’ve also branched out with the “Freestyle” label to keep a clear distinction between types of games.
- The community asked for an option in Madden 09 to turn off the celebration light squares in the end zone after a TD and it has since been added. You’ll still be able to activate the celebrations by going to the different areas, they just won’t be displayed with the light squares.
- Some info on SCEA’s NBA 09 came out. The game will be adding in both a franchise mode and “The Life” mode. There will also be “team progression”, expanded commentary, and the return of “NBA Replay” mode which is a really cool idea if only there was reason to play the game over 2K or Live. Hopefully this year SCEA’s series steps up significantly in quality and depth.
- Continue leaving suggestions for things to look for at the community event coming up. For anything related to Madden/Head Coach/NCAA leave them here, and for uniform specific issues in Madden those can be left here.
The poll asks whether you feel a rewrite from the ground up and/or studio move would be an encouraging development for MLB 2K9.
Would a fresh start for MLB 2K9 be a good idea?
May 24, 2008 at 1:13 pm
we need more nascar coverage…….
May 24, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I think 2K will be no more real soon…. EA will be getting all the profits for NHL 2K9 and NBA 2K9…. could Brinkman have gone back to EA? I’m pretty sure Mike Wang, the lead producer for the NBA 2K series went to EA…. Brinkman is smart enough not to waste his time with 2K….
May 24, 2008 at 1:19 pm
[quote comment="22015"]I think 2K will be no more real soon…. EA will be getting all the profits for NHL 2K9 and NBA 2K9…. could Brinkman have gone back to EA? I’m pretty sure Mike Wang, the lead producer for the NBA 2K series went to EA…. Brinkman is smart enough not to waste his time with 2K….[/quote]
According to the profile Brinkman is now a producer at Activision (what title he may be on isn’t known). I always liked him and wouldn’t lay much of the blame at his feet for what has happened with MLB 2K. I think it really has come down to resources (had them at EA, had few at 2K) and that he wasn’t able to start clean like they did the MVP series so the “three year plan” wasn’t as effective.
May 24, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I dunno about Brinkman. That guy was pretty cocky about it too, at least that was the impression I got in interviews. I love how when these things fall apart the companies tend to cover it up as much as possible. So much for that I guess…Good catch though Padre. If you can land an interview with the guy and get his side of the story that would be interesting.
May 24, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I wish there was more online achievements for ncaa like win 5 in a row , 10 in a row , 20 in a row , win 50 total games, win 100 total games.
May 24, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Wow Brinkman left 2k now MLB 2k series really has no hope.
May 24, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I have to be man enough to admit that EA addressing the stupid idea of mandatory glowing boxes on the field after every TD is a very positive step – especially since it was done after an outcry from the community; and as part of a new approach for EA Sports producers – their direct interaction with the community on forums. That development may or may not continue in the future, but its a very nice thing to see actual PROOF that EA is listening and changing things BEFORE the game ships based on what the fans want. That kind of approach will pay big dividends in the future for all involved.
I also have to say that the videos of Madden and NCAA 2009 have made playing either version from 2008 seem very ugly by comparison indeed. I am really fired up to play these games again – so much that even the initial burning rage about the Rewind feature’s inclusion has calmed down somewhat! LOL…
I know there’s a lot of built up resentment in the community over the speed of Madden’s “next-gen” improvements (definitely EA’s cross to bear) and the whole NFL-license exclusivity (which is really all on the NFL and not evidence of EA being evil), but the team at Tiburon led by Ian Cummings and Phil Frazier are really make a hell of an effort to win people back. I think anyone who has a gripe over the last 3 years of Madden releases certainly has the right to still say “Show me the money” before they come around, but at the very least I feel 100% confident in saying that there’s no way that anyone could legitimately say that “they don’t care” for now…
C’mon EA – show us the money already (you’re starting strong this year, and the annual hype-fest has a different “feel” already with less talking points and more producer specifics and interaction than ever before)…there really ARE a lot of people dying for Madden to become THE sports game on the market once again….
May 24, 2008 at 2:57 pm
2K really needs to give up the MLB license now, the games they produce seem like they are a third class developer with no resources to make any nice graphics or anything that should be made at this point
May 24, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Good thing EA got rid of that light square. That was going to be ugly. I like the idea of being able to run like a fool and find the spot myself. That’s gonna be cool as hell.
May 24, 2008 at 8:27 pm
@ Dan
Agreed.
May 24, 2008 at 10:24 pm
i wonder if 2k let go of Brinkman instead since they’re in dire need of saving money.
May 24, 2008 at 11:10 pm
[quote comment="22025"]I have to be man enough to admit that EA addressing the stupid idea of mandatory glowing boxes on the field after every TD is a very positive step – especially since it was done after an outcry from the community; and as part of a new approach for EA Sports producers – their direct interaction with the community on forums. That development may or may not continue in the future, but its a very nice thing to see actual PROOF that EA is listening and changing things BEFORE the game ships based on what the fans want. That kind of approach will pay big dividends in the future for all involved.
I also have to say that the videos of Madden and NCAA 2009 have made playing either version from 2008 seem very ugly by comparison indeed. I am really fired up to play these games again – so much that even the initial burning rage about the Rewind feature’s inclusion has calmed down somewhat! LOL…
I know there’s a lot of built up resentment in the community over the speed of Madden’s “next-gen” improvements (definitely EA’s cross to bear) and the whole NFL-license exclusivity (which is really all on the NFL and not evidence of EA being evil), but the team at Tiburon led by Ian Cummings and Phil Frazier are really make a hell of an effort to win people back. I think anyone who has a gripe over the last 3 years of Madden releases certainly has the right to still say “Show me the money” before they come around, but at the very least I feel 100% confident in saying that there’s no way that anyone could legitimately say that “they don’t care” for now…
C’mon EA – show us the money already (you’re starting strong this year, and the annual hype-fest has a different “feel” already with less talking points and more producer specifics and interaction than ever before)…there really ARE a lot of people dying for Madden to become THE sports game on the market once again….[/quote]
EA also included online weather after a community outcry.
May 24, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Stunned EA actually listened to the community and gave us the ability to turn off the celebration squares. Certainly a change for them.
May 25, 2008 at 12:36 am
274 yeses should say something, especially for one of the first times trading in a game (MLB 2K8), I said I really wasn’t going to miss it, and it’s true. Sad.
May 25, 2008 at 5:53 am
[quote comment="22049"]Stunned EA actually listened to the community and gave us the ability to turn off the celebration squares. Certainly a change for them.[/quote]
It’s actually been quite shocking how much interaction they’ve had with the community. Both Ian Cummings and Phil Frazier have posted on the community forums “under the radar” apparently. And from that has come a lot of answers and, like the light squares, some changes to the game.
May 25, 2008 at 6:08 am
Yeah they also added online weather.
May 25, 2008 at 7:55 am
IMO, EA is stepping up to the plate big time. By taking community suggestions is huge. Taking out the lighted celebration squares will keep the “arcadey” appearance out of the game. Now let’s hope EA can fix LIVE!!
Also, if 2K is purchased by EA will it matter which studio is working on which sports game??? Please let EA get baseball back.
May 25, 2008 at 7:58 am
[quote comment="22029"]2K really needs to give up the MLB license now, the games they produce seem like they are a third class developer with no resources to make any nice graphics or anything that should be made at this point[/quote]
I agree. I have no idea why Microsoft, which owns High Heat, doesn’t produce a first party title and have the guys at EA work on it.
The 360 needs alternatives in regards to baseball games. 2K is becoming the EA of the early 2000s…
May 25, 2008 at 9:06 am
Man lm glad to see EA stepping there game up because I had my doubts but now Madden is turning into a must buy
May 25, 2008 at 9:20 am
Online weather is going to be awsome! Im starting to get wrapped up in EA’s hype monster. Im amped up for NCAA and Madden!
May 25, 2008 at 4:07 pm
[quote comment="22063"]Online weather is going to be awsome! Im starting to get wrapped up in EA’s hype monster. Im amped up for NCAA and Madden![/quote]
Hey Pasta, can you confirm for me that online weather will be available for NCAA and Madden… Thx!
May 25, 2008 at 4:12 pm
[quote comment="22071"][quote comment="22063"]Online weather is going to be awsome! Im starting to get wrapped up in EA’s hype monster. Im amped up for NCAA and Madden![/quote]
Hey Pasta, can you confirm for me that online weather will be available for NCAA and Madden… Thx![/quote]
Well as far as I am aware, its no for NCAA and yes for unranked games in Madden (at least Phil Frazier had said he was 95% sure it would be in).
May 25, 2008 at 9:07 pm
What celebration squares? This whole time I have played Madden 08 I have never seen or heard of these “celebration squares” how do you get them?
May 25, 2008 at 9:21 pm
[quote comment="22133"]What celebration squares? This whole time I have played Madden 08 I have never seen or heard of these “celebration squares” how do you get them?[/quote]
new for this year…
http://www.pastapadre.com/2521/gamestop-begins-madden-mondays-blog
May 25, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Ok, I must be the only one around here who cares about Sony´s NBA franchise but these are good news. Last year´s game was a solid alternative from 2K and Live since it had a more relaxed feel to it. If you played knowing it wasn´t a simulation you could very well end up enjoying it (as I did). The Life should be awesome this year. Props to EA also for finally starting to understand what it takes to make good games: pay atention to us gamers. Madden might be great again this year. Can´t wait for the 2nd year of the Live ressurection as well.
May 26, 2008 at 3:40 am
All that talk over the past year and a half from Brinkman about how this is a 3 yr plan. I suppose it is still in tact though, just w/out Brinkman.
I don’t want a total overhaul of the MLB 2k series. It was originated back with EA MVP 2003, made tremendous strides, hit a few snags w/out the MLB license, then was implemented into MLB 2k7, and is now on track to be an awesome game next year. The reason why I don’t want to see an overhaul is because I think the game play is great. The things that need fixing are minor errors, and although there is a laundry list of them, still minor errors. The game is so advanced and plays great.
The reason why so many people don’t like MLB 2k8 is because the controls are way more complexed now. With PS2/ Xbox the controls were simple. Making for consistent competitive matches. Now that 2k8 has taken the leap into nex gen virtually all users are totally baffled. Just take the batting interface for instance (swing stick 2.0). 99% of users do not know how to induce ground balls swings by making a downward motion on the right stick, don’t know how to use the batters eye by holding the left stick in position until the ball releases from the pitcher’s hand, don’t know how to perform check swings or inside- out swings, don’t know they can move their batter left/ right with their back step. Now 2k doesn’t help matters since they’ve admitted that much of the literature in their in- game tips section is incorrect. Compound that with the advanced control scheme and you’ve got a bunch of people confused and not utilizing the controls, if they haven’t given up on the game altogether.
Only major issue to me is, and this pertains to all 2k sports titles, the online lag. Just like All Pro Football, MLB 2k8 sufers from poor online performance, but you can still partake in an enjoyable experience online. There is a noticeable difference from offline to online w/ MLB 2k8, which is no worse than APF.
May 26, 2008 at 3:28 pm
PASTA:
Do you know if the time of day changesin Madden this year?
I remember last year if you started the game at dusk the sun never went down like in NCAA. Just wondering