Live Blog: Madden 09

by pastapadre
Posted May 30th, 2008 at 8:30 am

136: I’ve managed to pull myself away from Madden. I don’t want to sound too enthusiastic about it at this point, given I’ve only been playing a little over two hours. But coming out of the community day last year I was probably the most discouraged of everyone there. It is a totally different feeling right now and that is the general sentiment in the room. I haven’t dug into many of the question you guys had, but I have noted some things which I’ll be adding throughout the hour. I also have a lot of videos, most of which will go up late tonight or this weekend, but two short clips coming in a few minutes.

139: This is such a significant leap over what we played last year. And there is still a couple months to go with it. I thought that NCAA felt polished for a game that far out when I played it last month. I’d say Madden right now feels like it could almost be released in this state.

142: The first thing you do when you start up is determine your Madden IQ. I really hadn’t thought much about this feature going in, other than it tailoring to each person’s skills and being a benefit to the more casual gamers. But it was actually quite fun to run through. I came out with All-Pro grading on run offense, pass offense, and run defense, and rookie on pass defense.

143: Not only did they add FG nets, but the nets raise before the kick and you see them lowered after.

146: I’ve seen comments after the previous videos were released that the scoreboard might be bothersome in its placement. I didn’t find it got in the way of the action at all. The new camera angle takes a slight adjustment to get used to but feels pretty natural and works really well.

147: The weather effects look really nice, both snow and rain. On Qwest Field’s fieldturf you could see water splashing up when running on it.

149: No squib kicks, deep ball explosion sound is gone, no kick return plays with just one returner back. Kickoffs aren’t as overpowered as last year, but consistently can go 4-6 yards into the end zone with full power.

150: There are alternate jerseys as well as classic jerseys.

151: The pass defense does a great job defending the deep ball. Those spectacular catches from last year are usually negated by the defensive back swatting the ball, picking it off, or jarring the ball loose with a hit. The DB’s get high into the air to make plays and keep good position.

153: Something I really like is that you can get big plays out of the short passing game. It isn’t as though only the deep ball will net you an explosive play. I had a slant that ended up going the distance (video of that sometime over the next few days).

156: When you start up a game there are two different settings to choose from. The first is the “Skill Level” which is the normal All-Madden, All-Pro, Pro, and Rookie. There is also a custom for setting it yourself, or “My Skill” which is based on your Madden IQ. Then there is the “Gameplay Style” which is Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Hardcore. This is where the replays factor in. Beginner gets 5, Intermediate 3, Advanced 1, and Hardcore 0. Those can be changed if you want.

158: Compared to NCAA, the player control feels slightly more responsive. The offensive stick moves don’t seem to be quite as sharp, but you have the ability to break out of tackles better.

200: Haven’t had a chance to discuss anything online related yet.

201: Funny bug seeing right now, security guys standing on the field during play. Actually saw something similar in NCAA last month. That’ll easily be fixed.

203: The camera shakes on hit sticks which really adds to the effect.

206: Halftime/Postgame will show some highlights. I’ll try and get video of what it looks like. I don’t believe there is any type of “show” though.

212: Here are the two short video clips. One is of a blocked punt, which was shocking just to have happen. The other is of me injuring Tony Romo! I’m going to have a bunch more but they are too long to go through the process of uploading right now. Blocked Punt – Romo Hit

216: I’d still like to see the camera flashes toned down. They look great on the opening kickoff, but it should be more limited. They shouldn’t be going off throughout the game on every play. Limit it to the opening kickoff and big moments such as kneel downs at the end of a victory at home. That would also make them have more effect on the playoff games/Super Bowl.

220: Player faces from what I’ve seen so far are improved. They look much more like their real-life counterparts.

225: Ok, so there won’t be alternate uniforms for online play. They are really looking at making pretty much everything optional next year though. I’ll have time to chat about more online specific stuff later but wanted to note that now.

228: They added the “David Tyree Catch”. Only seen it once, so as long as its rare…

230: Alright guys I’m going to spend more time with the game now. I might be able to check in again before heading back to the hotel but I can’t say for sure. Once at the hotel I’ll do a more detailed write-up, hopefully being able to answer more questions within it, and post up a bunch more videos. It should be late though (probably not leaving the studio till close to midnight eastern) and I have an early morning flight.

354: Had an online related conversation that went well over an hour. A ton to report back on. Just one thing I’ll mention right now is that online weather will be in both ranked and unranked games (currently random weather)

Tags:

Marc T.

[quote comment="22870"][quote comment="22823"]Request: Video of “The Ralph” With this new snow they hyped up. Also:

[/quote]

There’s something oddly appropriate about a nickname for the Bills stadium that can also mean “to vomit”…

I KEED, I KEEEEEEEEEEED… [/quote]

LMAO

Should be Called The Choke4x center” Ralph needs to step down man, I was a huge fan of his ideas back in the day, but a fossil cannot function in the cut-throat NFL these days…

Perhaps i’ll purchase head coach as well to show that team how it should be run in 2008 lol!!!
Marc T.

[quote comment="22870"][quote comment="22823"]Request: Video of “The Ralph” With this new snow they hyped up. Also:

[/quote]

There’s something oddly appropriate about a nickname for the Bills stadium that can also mean “to vomit”…

I KEED, I KEEEEEEEEEEED… [/quote]

LMAO

Should be Called The Choke4x center” Ralph needs to step down man, I was a huge fan of his ideas back in the day, but a fossil cannot function in the cut-throat NFL these days…

Perhaps i’ll purchase head coach as well to show that team how it should be run in 2008 lol!!!
ChiefsFan4Life

Hello pasta i got a few things for you to ceeck on

Can you check to see if all of the unlockable Hall of Famers make their retrun and if we can use them in franchise mode again

and also is there any new legends included this year or is the list the same?

can you also please get team ratings if anything like that

and check and see if the Chiefs have a Alt jersey like the red on red combo from last year

cuz i loved that combo and if they actually fxed my Ciiefs uniforms with the numbers on the side of the sholders instead of the top and if they included the AFL Patch

and lastly i know commatary has been added but what i am wanting to know is is the commtary like in years past or did they actually add a TV Booth like style showing cut scences of Collinsworth and Hammond just like they used to do in madden 97 With Madden and Summerall

along with that is there a pre game post game and halftime show feturing Collinsworth Hammoned doing the play by play with cut scrences showing them in the booth

fllowed by Joh Madden with pre game halftime and post game shows thanks man
ChiefsFan4Life

Hello pasta i got a few things for you to ceeck on

Can you check to see if all of the unlockable Hall of Famers make their retrun and if we can use them in franchise mode again

and also is there any new legends included this year or is the list the same?

can you also please get team ratings if anything like that

and check and see if the Chiefs have a Alt jersey like the red on red combo from last year

cuz i loved that combo and if they actually fxed my Ciiefs uniforms with the numbers on the side of the sholders instead of the top and if they included the AFL Patch

and lastly i know commatary has been added but what i am wanting to know is is the commtary like in years past or did they actually add a TV Booth like style showing cut scences of Collinsworth and Hammond just like they used to do in madden 97 With Madden and Summerall

along with that is there a pre game post game and halftime show feturing Collinsworth Hammoned doing the play by play with cut scrences showing them in the booth

fllowed by Joh Madden with pre game halftime and post game shows thanks man
speedster

pasta,
are there going to be normal minigames?
ex. bench press, 40, drills

not the madden iq holographic ones.
speedster

pasta,
are there going to be normal minigames?
ex. bench press, 40, drills

not the madden iq holographic ones.
deltroy

Pasta is playing madden 09 now wow so lucky!
deltroy

Pasta is playing madden 09 now wow so lucky!
Blazelore

Pasta make sure you come back with Franchise news. That’s the only thing that they haven’t been talking about. Is it because there aren’t any improvements? With all the innovations they’ve done so far it would be bad for them not to touch it up for next gen.
Details

So many questions. A few random ones:

Do long passes still feature the “boom” sound effect?
Is there a halftime show? If so, different from last year?
Does passing feel more realistic?
How’s ActionCam?

And anything you can offer about the online leagues is appreciated, especially screens and/or video.

Thanks!
Blazelore

Pasta make sure you come back with Franchise news. That’s the only thing that they haven’t been talking about. Is it because there aren’t any improvements? With all the innovations they’ve done so far it would be bad for them not to touch it up for next gen.
Details

So many questions. A few random ones:

Do long passes still feature the “boom” sound effect?
Is there a halftime show? If so, different from last year?
Does passing feel more realistic?
How’s ActionCam?

And anything you can offer about the online leagues is appreciated, especially screens and/or video.

Thanks!
gohogs14

have you got a chance to play with any of the rookies yet?
gohogs14

have you got a chance to play with any of the rookies yet?
RealDeal

Pasta is there good presentation on the game, and does the running game really feel natural and not too easy to break tackles?

ThX!
RealDeal

Pasta is there good presentation on the game, and does the running game really feel natural and not too easy to break tackles?

ThX!
Tristate Killa

Could you tell us the ratings of some of the players youve seen?
Tristate Killa

Could you tell us the ratings of some of the players youve seen?
Details

Are the kick-offs better? Are field goals tougher to make?
Details

Are the kick-offs better? Are field goals tougher to make?
Kmart2180

Hey Pasta how’s the tackling feeling when your CPU teammates are starting the tackle and you are tryin gto clean it up? Is it 100% that you get to hit him or do you just drop to the ground?
Kmart2180

Hey Pasta how’s the tackling feeling when your CPU teammates are starting the tackle and you are tryin gto clean it up? Is it 100% that you get to hit him or do you just drop to the ground?
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

[quote comment="22880"]Could you tell us the ratings of some of the players youve seen?[/quote]

I’ll grab some later.

[quote comment="22882"]Hey Pasta how’s the tackling feeling when your CPU teammates are starting the tackle and you are tryin gto clean it up? Is it 100% that you get to hit him or do you just drop to the ground?[/quote]

So far mostly quick strong hits with the players involved heading to the ground. I’ll try to get some vids of it.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

[quote comment="22880"]Could you tell us the ratings of some of the players youve seen?[/quote]

I’ll grab some later.

[quote comment="22882"]Hey Pasta how’s the tackling feeling when your CPU teammates are starting the tackle and you are tryin gto clean it up? Is it 100% that you get to hit him or do you just drop to the ground?[/quote]

So far mostly quick strong hits with the players involved heading to the ground. I’ll try to get some vids of it.
RealDeal

Pasta how do u like the juking system, does it feel natural and fun?
AJayJay

Yeah, how’s the kicking power Pasta? Still booting it thru the back of the endzone every time?

Anyway this sounds really good. I’m excited. Can’t wait too see the vids. Find out about the records being reset please.
RealDeal

Pasta how do u like the juking system, does it feel natural and fun?
AJayJay

Yeah, how’s the kicking power Pasta? Still booting it thru the back of the endzone every time?

Anyway this sounds really good. I’m excited. Can’t wait too see the vids. Find out about the records being reset please.
dasg

can you tell us patrick willis and adrian peterson ratins and weapons please???? (especially willis) GO 9ERS!!!!!
dasg

can you tell us patrick willis and adrian peterson ratins and weapons please???? (especially willis) GO 9ERS!!!!!
Zack

[quote comment="22886"]Yeah, how’s the kicking power Pasta? Still booting it thru the back of the endzone every time?

Anyway this sounds really good. I’m excited. Can’t wait too see the vids. Find out about the records being reset please.[/quote]

They better not reset the records but resetting the levels and ranks would be ok.
Zack

[quote comment="22886"]Yeah, how’s the kicking power Pasta? Still booting it thru the back of the endzone every time?

Anyway this sounds really good. I’m excited. Can’t wait too see the vids. Find out about the records being reset please.[/quote]

They better not reset the records but resetting the levels and ranks would be ok.
http://www.nflfans360.com/ Xtremedunkz

Pasta will the cpu ever throw a deep ball?
http://www.nflfans360.com Xtremedunkz

Pasta will the cpu ever throw a deep ball?
Tristate Killa

Pasta did you find out any new details on the online leagues and drafts?
Tristate Killa

Pasta did you find out any new details on the online leagues and drafts?
Details

“149: No squib kicks, no kick return plays with just one returner back. Kickoffs aren’t as overpowered as last year, but consistently can go 4-6 yards into the end zone with full power.”

Not a huge deal, but it seems simple to add a return play with one returner back. Seriously, isn’t there time to add this?
Details

“149: No squib kicks, no kick return plays with just one returner back. Kickoffs aren’t as overpowered as last year, but consistently can go 4-6 yards into the end zone with full power.”

Not a huge deal, but it seems simple to add a return play with one returner back. Seriously, isn’t there time to add this?
dasg

[quote comment="22894"]“149: No squib kicks, no kick return plays with just one returner back. Kickoffs aren’t as overpowered as last year, but consistently can go 4-6 yards into the end zone with full power.”

Not a huge deal, but it seems simple to add a return play with one returner back. Seriously, isn’t there time to add this?[/quote]

there is no BIG difference about that.
dasg

[quote comment="22894"]“149: No squib kicks, no kick return plays with just one returner back. Kickoffs aren’t as overpowered as last year, but consistently can go 4-6 yards into the end zone with full power.”

Not a huge deal, but it seems simple to add a return play with one returner back. Seriously, isn’t there time to add this?[/quote]

there is no BIG difference about that.
Kmart2180

Pasta did you notice at all if Co-op was available? I know they added it to NCAA0 but am preying for it on Madden09.
Kmart2180

Pasta did you notice at all if Co-op was available? I know they added it to NCAA0 but am preying for it on Madden09.
Kmart2180

^^^^^^^^^I meant 4 player co-op.
Kmart2180

^^^^^^^^^I meant 4 player co-op.
AJayJay

[quote comment="22889"][quote comment="22886"]Yeah, how’s the kicking power Pasta? Still booting it thru the back of the endzone every time?

Anyway this sounds really good. I’m excited. Can’t wait too see the vids. Find out about the records being reset please.[/quote]

They better not reset the records but resetting the levels and ranks would be ok.[/quote]

Why shouldn’t they reset records? It’s a new game.
I’d be fine if they don’t do it but I wanna see it get reset it only seems logical to do it.
BSCOTTY

[quote comment="22835"]One more thing then i’m done lol.

Can we get a superbowl and playoffs, that FEEL LIKE IT. By that I mean, hype, emotion, and excitement.

-Real SB field complete with non generic stuff, and both teams having their own endzone.

-Halftime show, and bigtime playoff atmosphere. Bottom line I don’t want my exhibition games to feel like my playoff games. Actual NFL playoff logo on the field ie: conference championship.[/quote]

Ditto, playoff atmosphere and Super-Bowl info, please Boring to tears, last year. Already know that NCAA hasn’t upgraded, plaease have good news for Madden!
AJayJay

[quote comment="22889"][quote comment="22886"]Yeah, how’s the kicking power Pasta? Still booting it thru the back of the endzone every time?

Anyway this sounds really good. I’m excited. Can’t wait too see the vids. Find out about the records being reset please.[/quote]

They better not reset the records but resetting the levels and ranks would be ok.[/quote]

Why shouldn’t they reset records? It’s a new game.
I’d be fine if they don’t do it but I wanna see it get reset it only seems logical to do it.
BSCOTTY

[quote comment="22835"]One more thing then i’m done lol.

Can we get a superbowl and playoffs, that FEEL LIKE IT. By that I mean, hype, emotion, and excitement.

-Real SB field complete with non generic stuff, and both teams having their own endzone.

-Halftime show, and bigtime playoff atmosphere. Bottom line I don’t want my exhibition games to feel like my playoff games. Actual NFL playoff logo on the field ie: conference championship.[/quote]

Ditto, playoff atmosphere and Super-Bowl info, please Boring to tears, last year. Already know that NCAA hasn’t upgraded, plaease have good news for Madden!
Mike

any of that stupid Marshall Faulk opening or ring builder?
Mike

any of that stupid Marshall Faulk opening or ring builder?