Madden press event is Sony-exclusive
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Jun 12th 2008 at 2:00PM }
This is an interesting change for the sports company, whose games ran at a slower framerate on PS3 than Xbox 360 last year. However, ever since former Microsoft-exec Peter Moore took over EA Sports, we've been seeing more emphasis on the PS3 versions of sports games. For example, the PS3 was the system of choice when demonstrating NCAA Football at a media event last month.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nahworry @ Jun 12th 2008 2:11PM
Being European, I have no interest in Madden or other American rugby games, but I hope the folks at EA have done their homework this time.
They surely alienated lots of loyal fans of the franchise last time. BTW, is the NASCAR game any good this year? I remember trying out last year's demo and deleting it after just one try. That game was not even up to PS2 standards!
OddyOh @ Jun 12th 2008 5:14PM
For some reason, NASCAR 09 demo looks worse than the 08 demo, but plays a little better. Oh well, still deleted both of them.
pww1 @ Jun 12th 2008 2:19PM
I just hope that they are committing themselves to the games this year. The last couple Maddens have been little more than roster updates.
(same goes for their NBA and NHL franchises as well)
yanks86 @ Jun 12th 2008 4:52PM
NHL 07 was completely designed on a new engine(I can't speak for the other games). Not every year is going to be an entire game update, and NHL 08 did make some good improvements(AHL teams), much improved AI. NHL 08 is generally considered one of the best sports games among people I have talked to, both in real life and online. Madden OTOH, i would agree feels like continuous roster updates.
OddyOh @ Jun 12th 2008 8:45PM
NHL 08 was a huge improvement, but still had massive issues on PS3. The frame rate has already been confirmed at 60fps, so I'm hoping for better menus and no more freezes. We'll see.
rodrigo @ Jun 12th 2008 2:23PM
good i hope dat EA haven't forgot dat da playstation brand made what they are rite now
Geoff Gibson @ Jun 12th 2008 2:53PM
Is it really that hard to type in correct English? Seriously, I can't even begin to tell you how idiotic and worthless is makes your posts seem when people type in ebonics.
Rule of thumb: never replace a 'th' with a 'd'. That should get you started on the correct path.
deaftly @ Jun 12th 2008 3:19PM
his myspace is pretty amusing, gotta love those e-thugs.
http://www.myspace.com/rcarmona
Popfrogs @ Jun 12th 2008 6:36PM
"in ur memory so girl remember me cuando te diga, quiero estar contigo hasta el ultimo dia de mi vida"
LOL wut?
Zombie Huggles @ Jun 12th 2008 2:27PM
EA...i want to say they suck, but maybe I should explain...but if you've been an avid gamer for at least 6 years, you should already know. But if you don't know or don't agree, here is my argument.
EA doesn't "try." They just throw money at a game until they think people will like it. I don't know how Madden continues to get good reviews every year as it is the same-damn-game. Occasionally, they introduce a new concept or beef-up the graphics a bit, but I don't see how what they're doing is any different than what Dynasty Warriors does? And DW gets ragged-on for being repetitive. I think if you play DW2 and then DW5, you would be pleasantly surprised how much that series has advanced...but Madden...you're still doing the same thing. Maybe that's just because football doesn't change...but does that excuse them from releasing the same thing every year?
Zombie Huggles @ Jun 12th 2008 2:27PM
EA...i want to say they suck, but maybe I should explain...but if you've been an avid gamer for at least 6 years, you should already know. But if you don't know or don't agree, here is my argument.
EA doesn't "try." They just throw money at a game until they think people will like it. I don't know how Madden continues to get good reviews every year as it is the same-damn-game. Occasionally, they introduce a new concept or beef-up the graphics a bit, but I don't see how what they're doing is any different than what Dynasty Warriors does? And DW gets ragged-on for being repetitive. I think if you play DW2 and then DW5, you would be pleasantly surprised how much that series has advanced...but Madden...you're still doing the same thing. Maybe that's just because football doesn't change...but does that excuse them from releasing the same thing every year?
Devin @ Jun 12th 2008 2:44PM
That's what I love about Backbreaker. It's implementing better physics which will account for more realistic (less robotic) play, but the reason why Madden is still the same, year for year, is that it's not "broken". They don't want to fix something that ain't broke. Also, the controls are accessable and easy to learn (to a point). The sad part is that the graphics/physics they added to this generation haven't really IMO added that much to the series. I also wish there was more competition because that's really what drives innovation. People are just going to keep buying the games and a few others will complain, that's the sad part.
baby sea tuna @ Jun 12th 2008 2:56PM
EA doesn't suck, Madden does.
Zombie Huggles @ Jun 12th 2008 2:59PM
If it ain't broke, why re-release it?
Vcize @ Jun 12th 2008 8:45PM
Madden not broken? Lol. Are you sure you guys aren't playing Madden '04 and confusing it with '08.
Ever since '06, it's been broken as all hell. Defenders that warp and leap to heights Superman couldn't dream of and break up passes that, according to football, are open, pockets that reward quarterbacks for dropping back 20 yards to throw a pass, run blocking AI that will have your fullback run right past an unblocked LB who drills you in the backfield while he goes and tries to block the CB 15 yards away, and gameplay that makes the best players the ones that find the most exploits and glitches (cheese)?
That's broken. That's the definition of broken.
Devin @ Jun 12th 2008 4:06PM
To update the rosters, dummy!
Here's the next question: If they re-release it, why do people buy it?
ArcaneBane @ Jun 12th 2008 4:15PM
I have always enjoyed Madden and I will continue to buy Madden for one reason alone. Competition. Madden is a great game for playing with friends or if your good enough to compete online(I'm not) than it can be good for that to.
My biggest problem with Madden is that while they've improved some aspects of the game they've straight up stripped out other aspects of the game. EA needs to focus more on the competitive gameplay.
They need good tournament modes, they need well implemented online seasons, maybe some sort of mini-camp games to compete for high scores, and I'm sure there are a lot more types of competition EA can add.
I agree with you that they just keep releasing the same thing and frankly the AI in the game continues to become more annoying however if they could improve the competitive gameplay I'd gladly continue buying the game just to play with my friends.
linton @ Jun 12th 2008 2:29PM
the 2009 nascar demo still looks like it belongs on the PS2 graphically speaking, but plays a lot better this time - which is the most important thing
Devin @ Jun 12th 2008 2:45PM
Yeah, when you drive 3rd person, the car (from the back) looks like a giant square floating on air; the game just feels fake/totally unrealistic IMO.
linton @ Jun 12th 2008 2:32PM
@ zombie huggles;
you so right about EA....
HektikLyfe @ Jun 12th 2008 2:36PM
I think yearly updates of any title are a bit much.
Imagine, if you will, a sports franchise that skips a year, every year.
2008 the title comes out at $40. 2009 a roster update and some tweaks and features become available for download for $20-$30 dependent of course on the size of the update. 2010 the true full sequel comes out and so on.
Roster updates are what these games are doing already anyway. They can have two separate development teams either alternating from full game to update or something along those lines. Giving each more time to work on their projects.
Now is the perfect time to set a new precedent.
Of course the Wii version would be out of the question, but really, how many soccer moms do you know that play Madden?
deaftly @ Jun 12th 2008 3:21PM
Yeah, they play Fifa
Vic @ Jun 12th 2008 2:53PM
*plays violin* EA haters always pop up. "I Hate EA oh look a story about EA i must flame it." then the fabulous "Madden never changes they do these changes (err ok) and its not much of a change its crap." Look at any video right now of Madden 09 and you will see a change. If you don't go visit an eye doctor lol. I'm not sure what you all want really. A new view? Do you want to view the game under the stadium? I don't understand. Everytime a Madden comes out the same people come out and say the same old tired crap. I know Madden wasn't unreal or earth shattering and even EA admits it. Now we just have to wait for the "NFL2K5 is better then.." stuff because that always pops up as well like a bad penny.
Next time you want to complain, look at what football was like on Atari. That's where my football games came from and I even loved that crap.
Zombie Huggles @ Jun 12th 2008 3:13PM
Madden isn't my only complaint with EA, it's just the most relevant to this article. But consider the shooting genre; with Metal Gear, Call of Duty, Uncharted, Monster Madness...many shooting games, even within the FPS genre, find a way of revitalizing the simple concept of shooting a gun, and making it feel original and unique (many don't). I think there are many ways to experience sports games beyond just selecting a play, selecting a receiver, then pumping the sprint button.
I think it would be interesting if a blocker had their own set of controls, and online games could consist of 8 players per team, each with a job to do. Maybe it would have to be a street football game, whatever. Just find some way to make the game new again.
But if Madden wants to keep on the path they are, then the least they could do is sell the games at half-price for being half-assed.
(I actually enjoy some of the older NES football games myself.)
Zombie Huggles @ Jun 12th 2008 3:14PM
Madden isn't my only complaint with EA, it's just the most relevant to this article. But consider the shooting genre; with Metal Gear, Call of Duty, Uncharted, Monster Madness...many shooting games, even within the FPS genre, find a way of revitalizing the simple concept of shooting a gun, and making it feel original and unique (many don't). I think there are many ways to experience sports games beyond just selecting a play, selecting a receiver, then pumping the sprint button.
I think it would be interesting if a blocker had their own set of controls, and online games could consist of 8 players per team, each with a job to do. Maybe it would have to be a street football game, whatever. Just find some way to make the game new again.
But if Madden wants to keep on the path they are, then the least they could do is sell the games at half-price for being half-assed.
(I actually enjoy some of the older NES football games myself.)
Zombie Huggles @ Jun 12th 2008 3:13PM
Madden isn't my only complaint with EA, it's just the most relevant to this article. But consider the shooting genre; with Metal Gear, Call of Duty, Uncharted, Monster Madness...many shooting games, even within the FPS genre, find a way of revitalizing the simple concept of shooting a gun, and making it feel original and unique (many don't). I think there are many ways to experience sports games beyond just selecting a play, selecting a receiver, then pumping the sprint button.
I think it would be interesting if a blocker had their own set of controls, and online games could consist of 8 players per team, each with a job to do. Maybe it would have to be a street football game, whatever. Just find some way to make the game new again.
But if Madden wants to keep on the path they are, then the least they could do is sell the games at half-price for being half-assed.
(I actually enjoy some of the older NES football games myself.)
Zombie Huggles @ Jun 12th 2008 8:45PM
Madden isn't my only complaint with EA, it's just the most relevant to this article. But consider the shooting genre; with Metal Gear, Call of Duty, Uncharted, Monster Madness...many shooting games, even within the FPS genre, find a way of revitalizing the simple concept of shooting a gun, and making it feel original and unique (many don't). I think there are many ways to experience sports games beyond just selecting a play, selecting a receiver, then pumping the sprint button.
I think it would be interesting if a blocker had their own set of controls, and online games could consist of 8 players per team, each with a job to do. Maybe it would have to be a street football game, whatever. Just find some way to make the game new again.
But if Madden wants to keep on the path they are, then the least they could do is sell the games at half-price for being half-assed.
(I actually enjoy some of the older NES football games myself.)
Riley Freeman @ Jun 12th 2008 2:58PM
@HektikLyfe
ur absolutely right except they cant count on the 60$ anymore lowers their dollars so they wont do it.
madden doesnt grow enough each year but i think they have done some significant stuff. the fact players are no longer stuck in a sequence is great. they beefed up online and if i was madden this is where they should put their main focus. people dont go to each others houses anymore they all play online at home. they need to make everything more online friendly and madden will be big. they need some kind of points/ achievements. what happened to the madden profile u got points for easports games. it wasnt the greatest but they should have built on it. hopefully with home coming it will be implemented.
its good they show love to the ps3 peter moor probably realized that ps3 is a better machine probably one of the reasons he left microsoft after all that red ring crap. i was afraid at first that he would be biased but maybes hes proving his point hes not.
Justin @ Jun 12th 2008 2:56PM
Dear EA,
If you'd like to woo PS3 gamers, try releasing a version of the game that is in no way inferior, glitchy, or shoddily put together.
That is all.
HektikLyfe @ Jun 12th 2008 7:42PM
@Riley Freeman
What?
I don't think we all agree that Madden hasn't changed. Madden has been out for 20 years, of COURSE it has changed.
I think their issue and their point is more with the minuscule changes year by year.
mjc @ Jun 12th 2008 8:02PM
LETS put it this way, I didn't buy last years madden and it looks like it is gonna happen again this year.