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Five Things You Need to Know About Madden 08 (IGN)

W

Wellington

BAAAALLLINNN'
http://sports.ign.com/articles/789/789781p1.html

Excrept:

1. Dog Fighting is not a Weapon

Peyton Manning's mind is a weapon. The man watches so much film, when he walks to the line of scrimmage and starts doing the hand jive to receivers, sure, some of it is a bluff, but other times he can immediately read the defense's coverage scheme, make the split-second adjustment, and send Marvin Harrison deep for a game-changing play. In real life, that's called Super Bowl MVP. In Madden, the term is Smart Quarterback and it's 1 of 24 superstar abilities in the game. Here's how it works: There is an icon under Manning as he lines up (in fact, anyone who has a special weapon ability has an icon that looks similar to NBA Live's Superstar icons). When you start the game, Manning's icon is gray. The more the defense calls the same plays throughout the game, the more Manning's icon turns to gold. When the icon is completely gold, the guy controlling the offense can hold down the right trigger + LB to reveal the play art of the defense. This is where it becomes a chess match as the offense can quickly hike the ball knowing where to exploit the D or call a hot route or audible if they don't like the match-ups, but at the same time, with defensive hot routes back in the game, the defense can also make adjustments to what the offense is doing. And just like Manning does in real life, you never know who's bluffing and it makes for some great moments of trying to outthink your opponent (while at the same time talking junk to your opponent about how his mom looks like one of Ron Mexico's pitbulls, of course).

But Peyton Manning isn't the only smart player on the field. Guys like Ray Lewis and John Lynch are leaders out there on defense and have been designated as Smart Linebacker and Smart Safety. If you have a guy like this on your team and the offense keeps calling the same plays, their meters will turn to gold as well and you'll be able to see what the offense is about to do (everything is revealed but the wide receiver play art).

There are Possession Receivers who will make catches in traffic with the tap of Y. Shutdown Corners like Champ who will run stride-for-stride with the best in the game in man coverage (even if there are no guarantees in zone), and Spectacular Catch receivers like Randy Moss (who is always motivated in Madden, making the Patriots ridiculous in this game), who have their own set of animations when it comes to wowing the crowd with their big-play ability.

And the cool thing is, for every weapon, there is a counter. For power backs who use the Truck Stick, defenders can use Hit Stick 2.0 to tap down on the right stick and take out their legs. For players like Brett Favre who have a "Cannon Arm", sure he can throw the farthest and with the most velocity, but he is also more likely to overthrow his receivers. Guys like Laurence Maroney carry a wicked "Stiff Arm" as their weapon, but are prone to the defensive strip at the same time.

The complete list of weapons includes:


Cannon Arm

Hands

Spectacular Catch

Power Back

Press Coverage

Pass Blocker

Finesse Move Defensive Lineman

Route Running

Power Move Defensive Lineman

Possession Receiver

Shutdown Corner

Smart Quarterback

Stiff Arm Ball Carrier

Smart Safety

Speed

Smart Corner

Smart Linebacker

Big Foot Kicker

Accurate Kicker

Elusive Back

Big Hitter

Accurate Quarterback

Brick Wall Defender

Crushing Run Blocker
Click to expand...

No. NO. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Look I am all for cool shit making the superstar players act like superstar players, but I am NOT AT ALL INTERESTED in gamebreaking mechanics like the Superstar mode in NBA Live. This shit needs to be ****ing 100% balanced, or it won't work. The cheeseball players I imagine will go with the Pats for Tom Brady and Randy "Hands" Moss. Ugh, so disappointed in this.

However, every other thing they list is good times. Seems like the modes we had two years ago on older consoles will be back. And it also seems like they finally freakin fixed the hit stick so that it's actually worth using. Please don't break the game with this superstar crap, please.

The smart QB thing is cool, but power back, and all the receiver options can really screw shit up.
 
Every year, with the exception of 2006, I keep saying I'm not going to buy Madden, and I end up doing it. But this year actually looks like it has some very good potential for a great season. I'm definitely buying this one.
 
I refuse to buy Madden on the grounds of anti-competitve behavior on EA's part (Also, I don't really like American Football.)
 
Gekkonidae said:
I refuse to buy Madden on the grounds of anti-competitve behavior on EA's part (Also, I don't really like American Football.)
Click to expand...

Get the hell out of this topic then, this is to discuss the merits or de-merits of the game itself.

Personally all I am interested in is a return to the fluidity of control we had last gen. Sometimes it's hard to make tackles, let alone the more complex manuevers to get through a set of blockers. Please please just fix hit stick.
 
Wellington said:
Get the hell out of this topic then, this is to discuss the merits or de-merits of the game itself.
Click to expand...

This is a topic about Madden '08. The fact that EA has strongarmed the competition out of the market is at least somewhat responsible for the series' decline and therefore relevant.
 
And it also seems like they finally freakin fixed the hit stick so that it's actually worth using.
Click to expand...

Its always been worth using for me, right Tiki? :)

Im hoping another website has impressions from Madden 08, IGN Sports is the Entertainment Weekly of Sports Previews.

"Everything is great! ITS AWESOME! NOTHING IS WRONG! EVERYTHING IS FIXED!"
 
Wellington, I agree. What's the need for all of these "special powers" when they could just do a better job of making the current ratings more accurate?

In Madden 2009 they'll have power-ups littered across the field...
 
Gekkonidae said:
This is a topic about Madden '08. The fact that EA has strongarmed the competition out of the market is at least somewhat responsible for the series' decline and therefore relevant.
Click to expand...

You're right, this topic is about Madden 2008, not about EA's ethics with regards to how they conduct their business. Unless you have anything more specific to contribute, please leave.
 
Man, football games have gotten ridiculously complicated. Is there a more intense series out there that has actually reached mainstream success?
 
DMczaf said:
Its always been worth using for me, right Tiki? :)

Im hoping another website has impressions from Madden 08, IGN Sports is the Entertainment Weekly of Sports Previews.

"Everything is great! ITS AWESOME! NOTHING IS WRONG! EVERYTHING IS FIXED!"
Click to expand...
I think OS has a preview copy. We'll see what they have to say.

I'll be honest and say that last year's Madden was like Jekyll and Hyde. When I played someone that played with integrity, it was the absolute finest football game ever. A lot of my games with sableholic just devolved from chess matches to battles in the trenches for every freakin inch. Then you play someone that is just looking for a quick, cheap win and it was hideous. Ridiculously overpowered spin moves and running to the outside with speedy RBs, power backs just bouncing off of guys, 'hands' receivers making the most ridiculous of catches. Overall though, I'd say the experience was positive.

I do think that the smart QB feature should be a feature for all. Then again, if a player keeps calling the same D, the other player should be able to figure it out without on-screen cues.
 
**** EA, you don't do this to IKE!

ikelolwx7.gif
 
Gigglepoo said:
Man, football games have gotten ridiculously complicated. Is there a more intense series out there that has actually reached mainstream success?
Click to expand...

But we really wouldn't want it any other way. The fact that sound strategy beats arcade skill is what makes football football.
 
Wellington said:
But we really wouldn't want it any other way. The fact that sound strategy beats arcade skill is what makes football football.
Click to expand...

I just think it's amazing that so many people can even play these games. I'm a hardcore gamer and even a bigger fan of the NFL, but I tend to struggle with Madden. As in, I always get my butt kicked. I think it's a matter of "knowing Madden" more than knowing a ton about the NFL and video games in general.
 
Wellington said:
Look I am all for cool shit making the superstar players act like superstar players, but I am NOT AT ALL INTERESTED in gamebreaking mechanics like the Superstar mode in NBA Live. This shit needs to be ****ing 100% balanced, or it won't work. The cheeseball players I imagine will go with the Pats for Tom Brady and Randy "Hands" Moss. Ugh, so disappointed in this.
Click to expand...
Some games pull this off decently, such as Konami's Pawapuro baseball series. But yes, without serious balancing it doesn't work.
 
Gigglepoo said:
I just think it's amazing that so many people can even play these games. I'm a hardcore gamer and even a bigger fan of the NFL, but I tend to struggle with Madden. As in, I always get my butt kicked. I think it's a matter of "knowing Madden" more than knowing a ton about the NFL and video games in general.
Click to expand...
Madden is one of those games that you can pick up and play and have fun on it. There are so many customizations with the difficulty and A.I. that almost anybody can have challenging fun. But, you need to know all the different substitutions, play types, audibles, routes, etc. to be truly good at it. I'm not that good but I have fun with it. Only a small group of people ever truly "master" it.
 
The best news from that article was #5:

The more I played Madden yesterday, the more I was blown away, not just by the flashing eye candy of graphics and animations and gang tackles and 60 frames-per-second, but by the amazing responsiveness of the controls.
Click to expand...

However, the "special weapons" concern me. EA tends to implement their new gimmicks without much refinement and then they have to compensate the next year. Like SonnyBoy, I'd rather they focus on a wider range of attributes and tune their ratings than introduce these special weapons.

giantsky8.gif


Uhhhh, if this is Spectacular Catch on display, maybe I should be more afraid of the special weapons than I already am.
 
Damn corporate internet blocks fun stuff like IGN...

I'll say that I am curious to see how well they implement this feature. There should definitely be some type of penalty for players using the same plays over and over on defense and offense. Knowing how EA can never get something right the first time, I am hoping that there will be an option to disable the "weapons" categories should the whole system sucks. Can anyone post a quick title and description of the other four things from IGN to tide me over until I get home? Thanks!
 
Just watched the new trailer. If the final game moves smooth as silk (the video was choppy) I will be sold. Looks great. Still see stupid DB AI and the catching animations are still terrible. Player models look amazing this year.

Also WTF is up with the weapons garbage EA? Just fix the game.
 
So wait, they're taking a page from NBA live and incorporating those shitty super star abilities?


Ugh, are they gonna have the players who can unlock super star potential too? "Get 5 catches with Jerramy Stevens and he will turn into Antonio Gates!" That was such a craptastic feature.

Gekkonidae said:
I refuse to buy Madden on the grounds of anti-competitve behavior on EA's part (Also, I don't really like American Football.)
Click to expand...

Can we make this an instant ban please?
 
"Smart Linebacker"

Searching NFL Database...
No results found...

There was once a time when brawn and brain coincided. Now it is brawn and speed so you can outrun your mental mistakes.

Your kind are dearly missed...

Singletary.jpg
 
bdoughty said:
"Smart Linebacker"

Searching NFL Database...
No results found...

There was once a time when brawn and brain coincided. Now it is brawn and speed so you can outrun your mental mistakes.

Your kind are dearly missed...

Singletary.jpg
Click to expand...

You make Lofa Tatupu a sad panda.

421986.jpg
 
Please do not let someone list Ray Lewis
Please do not let someone list Ray Lewis
Please do not let someone list Ray Lewis

* Just because "x" linebacker is on your favorite team and a really good player does not make him smart.
 
ZootedGranny said:
The best news from that article was #5:

giantsky8.gif


Uhhhh, if this is Spectacular Catch on display, maybe I should be more afraid of the special weapons than I already am.
Click to expand...
<3 the Plax!
 
Pros: The Smart QB feature is going to force people out of their 2-3 play rotation, and make it really hard to call the same blitz all the time.

Cons: Tarvaris Jackson is a mental midget.
 
Theres a blog update from the guy in charge of Madden's franchise mode this year

http://www.easports.com/maddennfl/b...hive/2007/05/18/where-has-franchise-been.aspx

Ever since we made the transition to Next Gen, Franchise mode has been on the back burner. And I donÂ’t even mean the back burner like its on low heat keeping the food warm. I mean the back burner where you keep the pan you donÂ’t want to wash yet. It just wasnÂ’t getting any love. Being a Franchise guy this ticked me off. I became a modern day politician at EA letting everyone know that things needed to change. I finally got my chance and I have begun to run with it. Too many years have passed without the stuff we all loved about Franchise Mode. Being able to edit my players, draft new teams, and relocating to cities that donÂ’t really have business hosting an NFL team just to name a few. These were the staple features that guys like Looman, Cummings, and Frazier put into the game back in the day. And I loved them. I am the type of guy who enjoys creating a cupcake team and then working my trade magic to acquire a team of the future. I enjoy editing players; I enjoy trading away all of my draft picks; I enjoy simulating 30 years and not playing a single game. Some call this boring but I say these are the options that Franchise mode gave us before and has failed lately.

So what do I plan on doing about this? Well for starters we need all of the oldies back in the game. All of the classic features that allowed us to tweak the game to our liking need to make their way back into this title. Secondly, we need to give control back to the gamer. No offense, but if I am dropping 60 bucks on a game, let me do whatever I want to do to it. ThatÂ’s kind of my outlook on Franchise. Give control back to the gamer. After all, what you may like to do to your team may vary completely from what I want to do. If you give that control back to the gamer, then I donÂ’t have to worry if the community is going to like my features. I can ultimately put it back in your hands to enjoy. Anyways well I'm starting to rantÂ…but over the next weeks I plan to share with you where Franchise stands and where we plan to go with it. ItÂ’s something that isnÂ’t going to happen overnight, but I am confident that with me at the helm we can bring this puppy back to life. I would love to get your feedback on what should be in the game.
Click to expand...
 
Wellington said:
I can't wait to see BJac destroy would be tacklers. He was a monster in 07. I think I had like an 8 YPC in the last season with him. :lol
Click to expand...

hitstickre5.gif


Low Hit Stick! Thank you EA!
Oh shit, Alstott's reign of terror is over as well :(
 
DMczaf said:
Theres a blog update from the guy in charge of Madden's franchise mode this year
Click to expand...


Ever since we made the transition to Next Gen, Franchise mode has been on the back burner. And I donÂ’t even mean the back burner like its on low heat keeping the food warm. I mean the back burner where you keep the pan you donÂ’t want to wash yet. It just wasnÂ’t getting any love. Being a Franchise guy this ticked me off. I became a modern day politician at EA letting everyone know that things needed to change.
Click to expand...


Note to EA:

We get it. You are really disappointed with the next-gen versions of Madden. Please stop reminding us of all the things you have skimped on or leftout as it cost most of us $59.99 plus tax to find out for ourselves. Just fix it and move on. Throw your customer a bone and give anyone who has Madden 07 in their dashboard at $10 discount or something that actually means something besides those crocodile tears.

I kind of liked EA better when they were silent about their ineptitude. Now it's like buying software from Sad Sack. Even the most hardcore Madden diehard has to throw an eyebrow up at all of this apologizing.
 
bdoughty said:
Note to EA:

We get it. You are really disappointed with the next-gen versions of Madden. Please stop reminding us of all the things you have skimped on or leftout as it cost most of us $59.99 plus tax to find out for ourselves. Just fix it and move on. Throw your customer a bone and give anyone who has Madden 07 in their dashboard at $10 discount or something that actually.

I kind of liked EA better when they were silent about there ineptitude. Now it's like buying software from Sad Sack. Even the most hardcore Madden diehard has to throw an eyebrow up at all of this apologizing.
Click to expand...


All I am saying is that after all this apologizing, if I am disappointed by any kind of exclusion, I am burning down their office. That's all!
 
Wellington said:
All I am saying is that after all this apologizing, if I am disappointed by any kind of exclusion, I am burning down their office. That's all!
Click to expand...

"Where the **** are my Madden Cards?! **** YOU EA!! FUUUUUCCCCKKKKKK YOOOOOUUUUU!!"
 
DMczaf said:
"Where the **** are my Madden Cards?! **** YOU EA!! FUUUUUCCCCKKKKKK YOOOOOUUUUU!!"
Click to expand...


Madden cards had always seemed to me like the perfect item for the marketplace. I am serious, let the people who actually used these cheats pay for it (and only allow it for offline).


Only 3 downs and your guy will fumble upon impact as you play on our Wild West Football Field
Marketplace Points: 1600 points

Same with NCAA 08, just stick all those mascots and cheats as marketplace items for offline use.
 
Another IGN editor is posting about his time with Madden

http://boards.ign.com/Message.aspx?topic=142127960&brd=8266&replies=34

we had our doubts going in, but Madden is fun again. can't wait for you guys to play it because you will never believe me until you get it in your hands.
Click to expand...

dang, i forgot about the radio guy. he sucks . and he's back. ea hints that he'll be gone next years.

still not sure about online leagues, although other ea sports titles are working on it, so we'll see. ea not talking online yet..

60 frames, gang tackles in
Click to expand...

-Does the game stutter when the play calling menu comes up?

i hated that too. that's gone from ncaa 08 and madden 08
Click to expand...
 
Sounds good that they're fixing things and bringing back what was in last-generation games, but what about new features to Franchise mode? How about instead of just giving the consumer old stuff, you add innovation? Right, forgot this is Madden we're talking about. Power Ups ahoy, hail the return of old features.

Okay, I'm going to buy this game anyway (didn't buy '07 after playing it enough to decide it sucked) because picking the Browns won't get me laughed at quite as much as it used to.

But still, I am more than skeptical of any pre-review reports regarding any EA Sports game. They don't talk about DB control/AI, they don't talk about the jackass floaters (aka "deep bomb") that QBs throw with extreme precision in '07, they don't talk about the wonky draft/preseason mini games, etc.

Those are the issues that are important (IMO, obviously), not Smart QB and Elusive Back (I shudder at the thought).
 
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