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Author Bio
Patrick Williams

Home Town: Pittsburgh, PA
Sports: Hockey, Football
Games: NHL, NCAA Football 08
Teams: Penguins, Steelers, Pitt Panthers
OS Username: OS: BigWill33 / MM: BigWill33
Tags: Live: BigWill33
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
NHL 09 Preview
02:39 PM - June 11, 2008. Posted by Steve_OS. Written by Patrick Williams
Last month Operation Sports visited the EA Canada studio in Vancouver, British Columbia. We sat down and listened to what NHL 09 Line Producer, David Littman, had to tell us about the game. We were impressed.

Patrick Williams has put together a very in depth preview of NHL 09.

Quote:
"For the third year in a row on the next gen consoles the skill stick has evolved to include more of a dynamic factor in the offensive and now defensive game. Skilled players have more control this season. These players can try to deke around defenders and goalies alike, but must be aware that sticks and skates are truly and totally interactive this year. Such an example is Cup winner Pavel Datsyuk coming in one on one with a goalie and cutting one way as he drags the puck with one hand on the end of his stick around the goalie for a nice slide in style goal."

Game: NHL 09Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes: 47 - View All
The Countdown to NCAA Football 09 has Begun!
01:44 PM - June 11, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
Patrick Williams (aka BigWill33) checks in today with a look at what has become nearly a decade's long tradition, the Unofficial (but yet official) NCAA Countdown. Check out his article, The Countdown to NCAA Football 09 has Begun!
Quote:
"Ninety-two degrees was the high today in my neighborhood. Ninety-two degrees in early June - it isn’t usually until sometime in August when the mercury reaches those heights."

Game: NCAA Football 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360Votes: 95 - View All
Friday, June 6, 2008
Keys to Success for NHL 09
03:28 PM - June 6, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
Patrick Williams has written an article looking at what NHL 09 has to do to keep the series on the right track. Check out his article, Keys to Success for NHL 09.

Quote:
"The Stanley Cup Finals took some crazy turns in the NHL and with hockey still on the minds of many it is time to discuss a little NHL ’09. With EA Sports latest rendition of the war on the frozen pond in the books, it is safe to call ’08 a success in my mind. Apparently I am not alone in my assessment either as some considered NHL 08 the best sports game of 2008. Perhaps now is a great time to discuss what the next installment needs to do to trump this past year's."

Game: NHL 09Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3Votes: 47 - View All
Friday, May 30, 2008
Feedback Being Heard Firsthand in the Forums
03:26 PM - May 30, 2008. Posted by Steve_OS. Written by Patrick Williams
The big news coming out of the OS Forums and Madden Mania over the past few days has been the presence of Madden 09 Producers answering member questions directly. Patrick Williams talks about this in his latest articled entitled, "Feedback Being Heard Firsthand in the Forums".

Quote:
"These past few weeks and months EA Sports has taken a new approach when it comes to dealing with its customers though, one that is probably long overdue, but still very viable. On top of answering questions on the EA Sports forums, certain individuals like Lead Gameplay Designer (for Madden) Ian Cummings, among others, have been visiting the Operation Sports and Madden Mania forums answering questions and passing along feedback from registered members about Madden '09."

Game: Madden NFL 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: NDS / PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Wii / Xbox 360Votes: 88 - View All
Thursday, May 22, 2008
NHL Stanley Cup Finals Simulation
11:08 PM - May 22, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
Patrick Williams has posted his simulation and preview of the Stanley Cup Playoff finals, check it out here.

Quote:
"The puck is almost ready to drop as the two clear cut best teams are set to face off in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. Detroit and Pittsburgh breezed through the first three rounds, potentially setting up one of the best Finals in some time.Even if it doesn't live up to expectations, there will be no lack of talent on the ice that is for sure. And for two cities just four hours away by car, this will be the first games between them all season."

Game: NHL 08Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS2 / PS3 / PCVotes: 25 - View All
Thursday, May 8, 2008
NHL Conference Finals Simulation
01:25 PM - May 8, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
Patrick Williams has posted his conference finals section of his NHL 08 playoff simulation.

Quote:
"And then there were four. The second round of the NHL playoffs went much quicker than most expected, and now what we have left is the best of the rest."

Game: NHL 08Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS2 / PS3 / PCVotes: 25 - View All
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
NHL 08 Predicts the Western Conference Semifinals
08:37 PM - April 29, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
With the Western Conference Semifinals ongoing, Operation Sports' Patrick Williams checks in with an NHL 08 simulation of the series. Check out who is moving one step closer to a Stanley Cup in our simulation!

Game: NHL 08Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS2 / PS3 / PCVotes: 25 - View All
Monday, April 28, 2008
NHL 08 Predicts the Eastern Conference Semifinals
07:36 PM - April 28, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
Operation Sports' Patrick Williams checks in with a look at how NHL 08 simulates the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Click here to see who NHL 08 is predicting is moving on to the conference finals.

Quote:
"The exciting conclusion to the first round of the NHL playoffs has come and gone, and the second round is about to heat up. This week we will be taking a look and predicting the outcome of those series’ using NHL ’08 game as our barometer."

Game: NHL 08Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS2 / PS3 / PCVotes: 25 - View All
Friday, April 18, 2008
NHL 08 Playoff Picture - Western Conference
09:04 PM - April 18, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
Patrick Williams checks in with a quick glimpse at what NHL had to say about the NHL Western Conference first round in his latest article.

Quote:
"Earlier, we broke down and predicted the Eastern Conference Playoffs thus far with NHL ’08. Now with the playoffs in full swing we give you the Western Conference Playoff picture."

Game: NHL 08Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PC / PS2 / PS3 / Xbox 360Votes: 25 - View All
Saturday, April 12, 2008
NHL 08 Projects the Eastern Conference First Round
09:25 PM - April 12, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
Operation Sports' Patrick Williams takes a look at the Eastern Conference First Round of the NHL playoffs as simulated by NHL 08.

Quote:
"It is playoff time once again in the NHL and Operation Sports is ready to discuss a little vulcanized rubber. Over the next couple weeks we are going to preview the Stanley Cup Playoffs and breakdown the match ups by using EA’s NHL ’08 as our guide."

Game: NHL 08Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360Votes: 25 - View All
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
How to Counter the Slap Pass Online in NHL 08
04:04 PM - April 8, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
Patrick Williams (BigWill33) has posted an article on countering the slap pass in NHL 08 online.

Quote:
"If you have played NHL 08 online much this season you will have come to the realization that it is one of the most enjoyable games to play online in recent memory. You will also come to the realization that, like most games in this genre, it has plays that people can manipulate so they can cheese you to death."

Game: NHL 08Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PC / PS2 / PS3 / Xbox 360Votes: 25 - View All
Friday, March 28, 2008
NCAA Football 09: Reason to Hope
07:19 PM - March 28, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
NCAA Football 09's release is coming up in July. Operation Sports Patrick Williams looks at what we can expect in his latest article.

Quote:
"Although NCAA Football 09 won't be out for a few more months, there is a bit of hope surrounding this season's release.

This is now the third installment for the series on the Xbox 360 and second for Playstation 3. It is about time for EA Tiburon to show us what they’ve got up their sleeve. Development problems should be tackled by now as well as graphics and frame rate issues. This is perhaps the year we should see the full power of “Next Gen” come to fruition."

Game: NCAA Football 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Wii / Xbox 360Votes: 95 - View All
Thursday, March 27, 2008
NHL 08: Online Gaming and You
07:00 PM - March 27, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
For those of you still playing NHL 08 as the Playoffs near, Patrick Williams has written an article about online gaming just for you.

Quote:
"Well we are getting close to playoff time here in the NHL, and the race is heating up like those spring temperatures. Also in full swing is NHL 2008 and its online gaming community after the trading deadline roster update. Today we are here to discuss some do’s and don’ts for having a great experience online."

Game: NHL 08Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PC / PS2 / PS3 / Xbox 360Votes: 25 - View All
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Patrick Williams: Can I Have My Money Back?
02:30 PM - March 20, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
Patrick Williams of Operation Sports wrote an article discussing why he is unhappy with Major League Baseball 2k8 and why he thinks a full refund is in order.

Quote:
"As daylight savings kicks in and the snow begins to melt it's starting to become evident that spring is in the air. And what comes with spring? Baseball. Unfortunately being an XBOX 360 owner leaves me few options when it comes to choosing a baseball game. In fact it leaves me with just one option: MLB 2K8."

Game: Major League Baseball 2K8Reader Score: 6/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360Votes: 74 - View All
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Marcus Stephenson Interview
05:06 PM - March 19, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Patrick Williams
Operation Sports' Patrick Williams sat down with Marcus Stephenson of EA Sports and formerly of MaddenMania for a brief interview talking with him about all sorts of subjects from his job to NHL 09.

Quote:
"Marcus Stephenson was a major member in the building of MaddenMania.com and has since risen to the status of Electronic Arts employee. We recently got a chance to catch up with him and see how his new position is doing, and while we tried for the inside scoop his lips are of course sealed on what to expect in the future. Nevertheless, if you ever aspired to one day work with video games here is your chance to see how some of it goes down."