E3 2009 Day One Recap

by pastapadre
Posted June 2nd, 2009 at 7:32 pm

This will just be a short recap of the first day’s events. More detailed write-ups on each game will follow within the next couple days. Got a lot of videos to post up but given the slow internet connection it may not be feasible to do until Thursday morning. Feel free to drop any questions in the comments and if I know the answer I’ll reply or mention them in the upcoming articles.

First short Madden 10 video (Broncos vs Jaguars)

Madden 10

Immediately noticeable is the upgrade in presentation. One of the first things I saw was Phillip Rivers named the player of the game, and after the game ended a scene of him standing on the field being interviewed. Lots of cut scenes, pre-game activity, highlights at halftime and after the game. Everything seems to fit in fluidly within the context and pace of the game.

Have a lot of answers about Online Franchise. As mentioned yesterday they really got a lot done in the one year for this and I’m very impressed. One neat option is the ability to play an Online Franchise by just yourself. It can be any of 1-32 teams. So if you want to do your franchise but take advantage of the web elements you can make it an online one. There is one big concern with the mode but apparently there are some things in the works to address it, so I’ll hold off on posting about that for the time being and will update when I know more. Luckily though they built Online Franchise server side so there is the potential of additions and improvements to the mode even post-release.

Not wanting to comment too much on gameplay until I get more time in with it tomorrow and play on a higher difficulty. I will say that the decrease in game speed is something everyone picked up on right away. It seems pretty natural and allows plays to develop well but it does take some adjustment to get used to. Also the presence of a pocket thanks to Pro-Tak is very welcome and refreshing.

Two additional camera angles in “zoomed” and “wide”. We seemed in agreement that “wide” may end up as a community favorite. Uniforms can be mixed and matched just like NCAA. Also maybe too many shirtless fans in the Superdome…

NCAA Football 10

Most is known on the game except for Road to Glory so I’ll be posting up some gameplay vids. Overall the game has a very similar feel to 09. Despite that there are some clear improvements that have been made with the CPU AI, linked plays, and game planning. One tip is to be cautious about when you want to play aggressive. I started the game that way and got three face mask penalties in the first two possessions. That is probably better used situationally. Teambuilder is obviously the big selling point and that has proven to be a huge success since it was launched yesterday. More to come after getting more time in with it.

Madden 10 Wii

Got a chance to play co-op with a new mode called Road to the Super Bowl. This can be done with half season or full season and incorporates the possibility of playing cooperatively and choosing which player to control. Play through it in either five on five or 11 on 11 mode. The co-op aspect was pretty fun and should be an attractive way for people to play the game on the Wii together. It simplifies things both in terms of focus and with the controls.

Fight Night Round 4

I actually didn’t get time to play FN today. I did notice that it was probably the most actively played game there. Consistently all the stations were full with an audience watching on. Goes to show how much popularity the franchise still holds.

Backbreaker

Had a good 1 1/2 hour showing of the game. Can’t speak on it until June 15th however.

Tags: e3

boltin94

Dam right Phillip Rivers was player of the game, and great news about madden overall, not so much ncaa.. I'm still a little dissapointed at them compared to all the big leaps that madden 10 is making

Hawkeye4077

You have to wonder how much of that is by design. After all, they're both made by the same company and how much good business strategy would it be to be competing against yourself. The pattern has always been NCAA being the appetiser for Madden, but last year it may have surpassed it. Not only that, but it's pretty clear Madden 09 was such a big let down to so much of the core fan base that I think EA realized that they had to make Madden 10 not only a kick ass game, but also the focal point. Madden is their meal ticket. If they piss enough people off, they'll take their dollars elsewhere, especially in a recession. This strategy insures modest success for NCAA and a ton of pre-orders for Madden.

boltin94

Dam right Phillip Rivers was player of the game, and great news about madden overall, not so much ncaa.. I'm still a little dissapointed at them compared to all the big leaps that madden 10 is making

Hawkeye4077

You have to wonder how much of that is by design. After all, they're both made by the same company and how much good business strategy would it be to be competing against yourself. The pattern has always been NCAA being the appetiser for Madden, but last year it may have surpassed it. Not only that, but it's pretty clear Madden 09 was such a big let down to so much of the core fan base that I think EA realized that they had to make Madden 10 not only a kick ass game, but also the focal point. Madden is their meal ticket. If they piss enough people off, they'll take their dollars elsewhere, especially in a recession. This strategy insures modest success for NCAA and a ton of pre-orders for Madden.

http://intensedebate.com/people/uncoolguyjoe uncoolguyjoe

Thanks for the Madden updates! Its people like you who make my day better with positive news about Madden. Can't wait to play that all day. How will the web elements of online franchise work? Again thanks for all the info

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Ton of stuff can be accessed or tasks completed through the website. Records, stats, depth charts, drafts. Haven't seen it yet but it sounds like it'll be really nice.

http://intensedebate.com/people/uncoolguyjoe uncoolguyjoe

Thanks for the Madden updates! Its people like you who make my day better with positive news about Madden. Can't wait to play that all day. How will the web elements of online franchise work? Again thanks for all the info

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Ton of stuff can be accessed or tasks completed through the website. Records, stats, depth charts, drafts. Haven't seen it yet but it sounds like it'll be really nice.

tommyfusco

hi Bryan, thanks for reaching out to the gamers!

Did you/will you get a chance to play Grand Slam tennis?
not much info on the career or online modes and it comes out in a week! lol

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Its there but I didn't get to it today. I'll try to make my way to it tomorrow.

raiderguy20

hay pasta did u get a look at the player/team ratings?????

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I have the team ratings. Don't know if they are final but I'll post them up at some point. Raiders are 71. Higher than the Chiefs at least lol

raiderguy20

thanks pasta ur the best…..is it like last year where you have the screen-shot of each team with some players or just the team ratings……just curious…thanks!

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

At this point I have all the team overalls but that's it. In this environment I can't really just stand there and take up the game by flipping through roster screens. I wish I could…I'll try to grab a few individuals if I can though. Any particular players you'd most want to know about?

raiderguy20

Raiders……. lol
Im jus curious on how they graded Russell, McFadden in particular because their ratings are up in the air depending on how they look at them. Also Michael Bush, and Jeff Garcia would be nice to see too…..I would ask u to just snap a photo of the Raiders team but I understand thats not very fair to you to be trying to do that while others are trying to preview the game. If you could grab those 4 players i would appreciate it. If you do get em you can just email em to me which you see attached to this message. Thanks!
Ty

Could you PLEASE find out some of the Cowboys WR's ratings???

meechie1013

Thnks Pasta…… is there by any chance you will be posting any madden10 videos pasta??? Please let me know asap. Thnks again.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Working on uploading some now. However they take over an hour each to upload, then another hour or so to process. Not sure if I'll be able to get them up or what late tonight/tomorrow morning but I'm trying.

tommyfusco

hi Bryan, thanks for reaching out to the gamers!

Did you/will you get a chance to play Grand Slam tennis?
not much info on the career or online modes and it comes out in a week! lol

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Its there but I didn't get to it today. I'll try to make my way to it tomorrow.

raiderguy20

hay pasta did u get a look at the player/team ratings?????

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I have the team ratings. Don't know if they are final but I'll post them up at some point. Raiders are 71. Higher than the Chiefs at least lol

raiderguy20

thanks pasta ur the best…..is it like last year where you have the screen-shot of each team with some players or just the team ratings……just curious…thanks!

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

At this point I have all the team overalls but that's it. In this environment I can't really just stand there and take up the game by flipping through roster screens. I wish I could…I'll try to grab a few individuals if I can though. Any particular players you'd most want to know about?

raiderguy20

Raiders……. lol
Im jus curious on how they graded Russell, McFadden in particular because their ratings are up in the air depending on how they look at them. Also Michael Bush, and Jeff Garcia would be nice to see too…..I would ask u to just snap a photo of the Raiders team but I understand thats not very fair to you to be trying to do that while others are trying to preview the game. If you could grab those 4 players i would appreciate it. If you do get em you can just email em to me which you see attached to this message. Thanks!
http://intensedebate.com/people/TXlongHORNS91 Ty

Could you PLEASE find out some of the Cowboys WR's ratings???

meechie1013

Thnks Pasta…… is there by any chance you will be posting any madden10 videos pasta??? Please let me know asap. Thnks again.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Working on uploading some now. However they take over an hour each to upload, then another hour or so to process. Not sure if I'll be able to get them up or what late tonight/tomorrow morning but I'm trying.

DLaren

Thanks PastaPadre, much appreciated.

Though I must know, out of all of the sports games that you previewed, which one "wow'd" you the most?

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I'd have to say Madden but that might be mostly based on perspective having already seen the others before. This was the first time getting a look at the presentation and franchise setup.

DLaren

Thanks PastaPadre, much appreciated.

Though I must know, out of all of the sports games that you previewed, which one "wow'd" you the most?

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I'd have to say Madden but that might be mostly based on perspective having already seen the others before. This was the first time getting a look at the presentation and franchise setup.

Chris

NCAA gameplay sounds like a repeat of last year as they put all their time into Teambuilder. Looks like it's a pass and Madden is the way to go.
Chris

NCAA gameplay sounds like a repeat of last year as they put all their time into Teambuilder. Looks like it's a pass and Madden is the way to go.
Marvis

Pasta has anything changed much with the penalty system in madden, such as being able to challenge different aspects of a play. Also when a penalty is called can you actually see the facemask or the pass interference

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Well I can say that penalties were more prevalent. I got a couple holding calls, I think maybe seen in one of the videos. I didn't see it happen though so I'm not sure how it looked.

As to challenges I haven't been able to check on that yet.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Dre2778 Dre2778

Pasta do you know or not if EA takes the Team Builder to the final version will all our teams be erased.

Hawkeye4077

I'd like to know if you can tweak penalties with a settings slider and if it actually makes a difference or is just there for show. By the sound of it, penalites may be a bit too rediculous on the default setting.

Marvis

Pasta has anything changed much with the penalty system in madden, such as being able to challenge different aspects of a play. Also when a penalty is called can you actually see the facemask or the pass interference

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Well I can say that penalties were more prevalent. I got a couple holding calls, I think maybe seen in one of the videos. I didn't see it happen though so I'm not sure how it looked.

As to challenges I haven't been able to check on that yet.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Dre2778 Dre2778

Pasta do you know or not if EA takes the Team Builder to the final version will all our teams be erased.

Hawkeye4077

I'd like to know if you can tweak penalties with a settings slider and if it actually makes a difference or is just there for show. By the sound of it, penalites may be a bit too rediculous on the default setting.

Marvis

or holding
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I wouldnt say its a repeat. It does feel like last year, but mostly because Madden feels different due to slowing down the game and Pro-Tak. NCAA I've seen some cool things. Poor accuracy from QBs, passes affected when QBs got hit, CPU RB make a big-time cut on the sideline where they would've just run out of bounds last year. There is more of a pocket thanks to Pro-Tak, though not as pronounced as Madden's. Gameplay has that similar feel but there are improvements to consider.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Dre2778 Dre2778

Do you plan on posting vids for all the games you just wrote about Pasta.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I have NCAA and Madden vids to go up. Just those two so far.

Hawkeye4077

Pasta, the only thing I want to know about NCAA is if they improved the defensive AI. Last year's game was unplayable in single player mode because it was way too easy to score due to the terrible AI defense, even on the highest setting with all the sliders shifted!! If not for that hicup, the game would have been stellar last year. If they still want to portray their interpretation of a "college feel", I'll pass.

Marvis

or holding
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I wouldnt say its a repeat. It does feel like last year, but mostly because Madden feels different due to slowing down the game and Pro-Tak. NCAA I've seen some cool things. Poor accuracy from QBs, passes affected when QBs got hit, CPU RB make a big-time cut on the sideline where they would've just run out of bounds last year. There is more of a pocket thanks to Pro-Tak, though not as pronounced as Madden's. Gameplay has that similar feel but there are improvements to consider.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Dre2778 Dre2778

Do you plan on posting vids for all the games you just wrote about Pasta.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I have NCAA and Madden vids to go up. Just those two so far.

Hawkeye4077

Pasta, the only thing I want to know about NCAA is if they improved the defensive AI. Last year's game was unplayable in single player mode because it was way too easy to score due to the terrible AI defense, even on the highest setting with all the sliders shifted!! If not for that hicup, the game would have been stellar last year. If they still want to portray their interpretation of a "college feel", I'll pass.

Supaman

Are we Finally able to play with alternate jerseys online in madden, and when u say mix and match, do u mena i can have the dolphins play in the orange jerseys withthe teal pants (ugly,but can i do it?)
Rick

How was the pregame for NCAA 10? Please dont say its just the little dots making a formation like a band does… Do we have team entrances?

http://intensedebate.com/people/Dre2778 Dre2778

I hope it has that college feel also . I hate playing a generic College Football game that doesn't make me think I am actually there.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I'm pretty sure its just the bands, no team entrances. I have to say though I wasn't looking for that specifically so I'll double check tomorrow.

Supaman

Are we Finally able to play with alternate jerseys online in madden, and when u say mix and match, do u mena i can have the dolphins play in the orange jerseys withthe teal pants (ugly,but can i do it?)
Rick

How was the pregame for NCAA 10? Please dont say its just the little dots making a formation like a band does… Do we have team entrances?

http://intensedebate.com/people/Dre2778 Dre2778

I hope it has that college feel also . I hate playing a generic College Football game that doesn't make me think I am actually there.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I'm pretty sure its just the bands, no team entrances. I have to say though I wasn't looking for that specifically so I'll double check tomorrow.

Josh

Thank you EA! You finally put my ZOOM CAMERA angle back in! I've been begging for this for the past 4 years! Finally EA you guys are getting it! Good stuff Pasta!

Hawkeye4077

Zoom camera? Like the camera we've been forced to play with hasn't been close enough for you? Damn, I guess you don't want to see anyone outside of your two guards on the line of scrimage. It's been bad enough not being able to see my receivers. I can't wait to see how Wide Cam looks.

JimBone

Oh Cork it, Hawkeye.

We needed more angles and we've got them. Not everyone has a problem seeing their receivers so a zoom angle is just fine.

But the real issue is that there probably won't be a custom cam and because of that this is a PARTIAL fail.

Hawkeye4077

We got 2 angles, close and closer….what's your point Bone? I'm all for having choices and would love to see all of the old camera angles and new ones implented in current-gen consoles, but we've been forced to use the angles that the devs see fit.

I would say not being able to see your receivers, more importantly the entire defense pre-snap is a problem, a big problem. They can zoom in all they want, first-person cam even, I just hope that the wide cam will provide a better field of vision.

Josh

Thank you EA! You finally put my ZOOM CAMERA angle back in! I've been begging for this for the past 4 years! Finally EA you guys are getting it! Good stuff Pasta!

Hawkeye4077

Zoom camera? Like the camera we've been forced to play with hasn't been close enough for you? Damn, I guess you don't want to see anyone outside of your two guards on the line of scrimage. It's been bad enough not being able to see my receivers. I can't wait to see how Wide Cam looks.

JimBone

Oh Cork it, Hawkeye.

We needed more angles and we've got them. Not everyone has a problem seeing their receivers so a zoom angle is just fine.

But the real issue is that there probably won't be a custom cam and because of that this is a PARTIAL fail.

Hawkeye4077

We got 2 angles, close and closer….what's your point Bone? I'm all for having choices and would love to see all of the old camera angles and new ones implented in current-gen consoles, but we've been forced to use the angles that the devs see fit.

I would say not being able to see your receivers, more importantly the entire defense pre-snap is a problem, a big problem. They can zoom in all they want, first-person cam even, I just hope that the wide cam will provide a better field of vision.

Josh

Pasta I have to know, do the Refs throw flags & blow whistles on penalties in Madden?

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I don't remember seeing them do that but if I notice I'll make sure to mention it. One cool thing is at the goalline if a score is up in the air two refs come charging in to discuss the call then signal for the touchdown or for the ball to be spotted.
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I don't remember seeing them do that but if I notice I'll make sure to mention it. One cool thing is at the goalline if a score is up in the air two refs come charging in to discuss the call then signal for the touchdown if they determine it is one. That is a cut scene though.

Josh

Thanx for the response Pasta. Man I wish I were you right now! Lol!

Josh

Pasta I have to know, do the Refs throw flags & blow whistles on penalties in Madden?

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I don't remember seeing them do that but if I notice I'll make sure to mention it. One cool thing is at the goalline if a score is up in the air two refs come charging in to discuss the call then signal for the touchdown or for the ball to be spotted.
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I don't remember seeing them do that but if I notice I'll make sure to mention it. One cool thing is at the goalline if a score is up in the air two refs come charging in to discuss the call then signal for the touchdown if they determine it is one. That is a cut scene though.

Josh

Thanx for the response Pasta. Man I wish I were you right now! Lol!

cdub326

Great news Pasta. Can't wait to see the vids.
cdub326

Great news Pasta. Can't wait to see the vids.
OTG

Pasta, Try to get a few Seahawk player ratings if you could.. Particularly Lofa and Walter Jones
OTG

Pasta, Try to get a few Seahawk player ratings if you could.. Particularly Lofa and Walter Jones
http://intensedebate.com/people/Amani Amani

Hey Pasta- You said this "Luckily though they built Online Franchise server side so there is the potential of additions and improvements to the mode even post-release." … Can you give an example of what you mean? Like … what is something they could fix post-release? Also, will franchise being "server side" affect lag, disconnects, etc with regard to league play? I won't post my other questions for you. I need to recheck that posting. Thanks for all the info. I am curious about the one issue you have a concern with. I will wait to hear about that one. Keep up the good work.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Amani Amani

Hey Pasta- You said this "Luckily though they built Online Franchise server side so there is the potential of additions and improvements to the mode even post-release." … Can you give an example of what you mean? Like … what is something they could fix post-release? Also, will franchise being "server side" affect lag, disconnects, etc with regard to league play? I won't post my other questions for you. I need to recheck that posting. Thanks for all the info. I am curious about the one issue you have a concern with. I will wait to hear about that one. Keep up the good work.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Radie Radie

Oh Pasta… I love you for bringing this info to us… but I hate you because, well… you are there and I am not.

Been to any parties or anything cool outside of the Expo?

What is the oddest thing you have seen? What is the most surprising? Both in gaming terms and just around the show floor.
bigturboweenie

hey pasta,

i think i might be the odd man out here, but i'm a sucker for new equipment. i noticed on the 26th/27th second of the online franchise video they showed at E3, there is a picture of the back of Terrell Owens in his buffalo bills jersey, but I swear he is wearing the new Schutt Speed helmet. I'm almost certain, but I would like to validate how many new (or if any new) face masks were added this year, with the exception of the Troy Palomalu face mask, that was finally added (added on ncaa 09 last year). Thanks a lot!

http://intensedebate.com/people/Radie Radie

We were cut from the same cloth man, I feel ya. Good spot, though

bigturboweenie

hey pasta,

i think i might be the odd man out here, but i'm a sucker for new equipment. i noticed on the 26th/27th second of the online franchise video they showed at E3, there is a picture of the back of Terrell Owens in his buffalo bills jersey, but I swear he is wearing the new Schutt Speed helmet. I'm almost certain, but I would like to validate how many new (or if any new) face masks were added this year, with the exception of the Troy Palomalu face mask, that was finally added (added on ncaa 09 last year). Thanks a lot!

http://intensedebate.com/people/Radie Radie

We were cut from the same cloth man, I feel ya. Good spot, though

http://intensedebate.com/people/Radie Radie

Oh Pasta… I love you for bringing this info to us… but I hate you because, well… you are there and I am not.

Been to any parties or anything cool outside of the Expo?

What is the oddest thing you have seen? What is the most surprising? Both in gaming terms and just around the show floor.
BLACKFLAGZ10

man pasta boy i tell you! you're the best! i am jus anxious to get my hands on madden 10! but where is the info in regards to FRANCHISE MODE?
BLACKFLAGZ10

man pasta boy i tell you! you're the best! i am jus anxious to get my hands on madden 10! but where is the info in regards to FRANCHISE MODE?
glitch3d

I was wondering If Gameplay is actually good. I read about all the pro-tak stuff and what not, but last year we also read a ton of stuff and had to go crazy with sliders. And what about the custom music thing that NCAA had, is it there?

I also want to know about Franchise mode. It irked me so much last year with the dumb draft logic, the dumb FA logic, the random superstars in their primes getting released and stuff like that. When Peyton Manning doesn't get signed for 3 years, you know it's whack.

One more thing, is there defense this year in NCAA? lol.

Sorry for the overload of Q's, I just never got around to asking anyone anything until now
glitch3d

I was wondering If Gameplay is actually good. I read about all the pro-tak stuff and what not, but last year we also read a ton of stuff and had to go crazy with sliders. And what about the custom music thing that NCAA had, is it there?

I also want to know about Franchise mode. It irked me so much last year with the dumb draft logic, the dumb FA logic, the random superstars in their primes getting released and stuff like that. When Peyton Manning doesn't get signed for 3 years, you know it's whack.

One more thing, is there defense this year in NCAA? lol.

Sorry for the overload of Q's, I just never got around to asking anyone anything until now
DrMethodical

Wait, so where you say you can do it by yourself with 1-32 teams, I'm hoping that you can clarfiy that for me through situation.

The people I want to have an online franchise with are eight people, between 3 xbox 360s.

Can one gamertag control more than one team? Could two of my roommates manage their team through my account? As in, could 3 teams be controlled by gamertag A, 3 by gamertag B, and 2 by gamertag C?

Please answer this one!
DrMethodical

Wait, so where you say you can do it by yourself with 1-32 teams, I'm hoping that you can clarfiy that for me through situation.

The people I want to have an online franchise with are eight people, between 3 xbox 360s.

Can one gamertag control more than one team? Could two of my roommates manage their team through my account? As in, could 3 teams be controlled by gamertag A, 3 by gamertag B, and 2 by gamertag C?

Please answer this one!
Robert

Id really like to see madden add draft cutscenes for the first 5-10 picks for players that actually get invited. I think that would be awsome.
Robert

Id really like to see madden add draft cutscenes for the first 5-10 picks for players that actually get invited. I think that would be awsome.
http://www.careertrainingadviser.com/ Johanne

I can't wait for FN4. Although I heard that Pacman is sadly underrated in the game – again.
http://www.careertrainingadviser.com/ Johanne

I can't wait for FN4. Although I heard that Pacman is sadly underrated in the game – again.
dre

Please find out desean jackson! Ate there actual jump ball catches now for people like larry fitzgerald and randy moss? Thanks!
http://ghhhjplu dre

Please find out desean jackson! Ate there actual jump ball catches now for people like larry fitzgerald and randy moss? Thanks!