Madden would be a alright game if 2k5 didn't absolutely send raise the bar out the building!!! Looking back it is still one of the most single amazing accomplishments what they did with 2k5. I mean everything was there. Sure there were a few flaws with gameplay like some of the money plays but overall it was perfect. The presentation was phenomenal! That game was dripped in atmosphere something that all other football games have failed to capture. The atmosphere felt like it was a actual live football game. The replays were spot on, the commentary, the half time highlights weekly updates it all was seamless and correct. It wasn't a play later or the wrong summary or a meaningless play it was actual key plays, big plays and smart commentary.

Also they had all the little things like to taps, challenges, etc the list is endless which is sad when you think that Madden has had 6 years on a next gen console and can't even come close to that level....sheesh.

Great blog man spot on. I am baffled at the direction EA has taken this year..last year Ian and crew got the game on the right track but it seems to again have taken a step back,. Something about the demo and the gameplay is off. and if I didnt know it was Madden 11 I would swear that I was playing Madden 10 minus the strategy pad and gameflow...it just didnt take that next step as many thought it would...And really we dont know if Ian is handcuffed and stymied as far as his vision for Maden or if there is a problem with the talent level..I personally think the original code was so terrible on the next gen systems that it really couldnt be improved to the point where we actually get a true next gen Maddden...

@shavane In 2K5 I still see things that I have never seen in Madden...and most definitely not at the level they are in 2K5. Ball physics and player awareness are mind blowing!

@eadaddy: Thanks! I personally believe it may be the talent level because there is no excuse for cut off replays, Gus Johnson sounding off about a play 3-4secs behind...There are just some things that have no true excuse for lacking at this point.

I really think it comes down to giving people the choice between a sim experience and an arcade experience. Madden is an arcade experience with a touch of simulation style football. However, on the other hand, 2k provides a sim experience with a touch of aracade. I remember when we had the choice, I was one of those people who would buy both, especially when 2k was 19.99. But when you don't allow people to choose, you get both ends of the spectrum complaining about blogs like this. You get those people who really don't like to nip pick if a corner is aligned inside shade to protect against the slant on the goal line... but then you get people like me who hate hit stick, and i will complain all day about it... We just need to be able to be afforded the right of choice again.....

@iwrite7: Choice is always the key. I, like many gamers felt like our power of choice was taken from us when EA signed the exclusive license.

@BillJ: We care because Madden is our baby! Those who are fans of football, especially those who played, whether on a high school, college, or semi-pro, or professional level, know the ins and outs of football and live and die with our football experiences, whether minor or great. You say if it displeases you, that you should stop wasting time and/or money, since both are expensive commodities. But, to that, I say that we have so much already invested, that, even if such is true, it'd be really hard to just let go of something. Over time, Madden is the most successful, most popular video game franchise ever over time. We're the reason such is so. Madden has been around for 3 decades because we made it that way. To us, it'd be no different than when a child goes his or her own way. Yeah, cutting ties may be an option, but we want to see this do well, for us and for itself.

As far as the gameplay goes, every year there's a new coverman for Madden who gives some input, but basically just does a little mocap and some promos and moves back on to earning his living. Then there's maybe a guy or 2 who works for Madden that has played on the college level. But shouldn't there be someone from every position of football on EA's take to ensure the best game possible? I mean, if they took 3 simulated full games of Madden 10 or 11, and sat down a RB, OL, DL, QB, LB, DB, K/P, & KR/PR, and played it with the idea of watching every detail, an RB could tell them that a block doesn't look like it should in between the tackles, or outside the tackles, or down the field. I can't recall exactly, but I believe they have a former OL working for them, which is why the gameplay on the line of scrimmage is probably the best looking thing about Madden.

You can't really blame Ian Cummings completely. He's a salesman. No different from the slick-haired guy from the car dealership telling you the car they're trying to sell you is the best on the lot. He's going to say he has a great product. He has to, or he'd lose his job. Madden is at the point where it probably needs to start from scratch, and just re-implement the things they do well.

Presentation means very little to me as well, except for the presentation in between snaps, plays, and possessions. As far as presentation before and after the game, we watch that once or twice anyway and never look at it again.

When people at IGN and other places give Madden a good review, it's for the same reason the gameplay isn't as good as it should be. You've got people who don't exactly know all the ins and outs of football telling us that it's a good game. Well, to the non-sniper's eye, this game is going to look good. The characters look good. The models and stadiums and lighting looks good. You have to take that with a grain of salt. It's sad, but you have to assume that the person giving the review doesn't have the intuitiveness that you may have.

I personally can't wait for football to return to form. But, as they say, it is what it is...

This is really great...its funny because a few weeks ago I was playing 2k5 and I was called for pass interferece for jumping a slant route early. I watched the replay and it was so beautiful to see early contact by my db, and the to see the ref actually reach for his flag and throw it! It was so amazing and refreshing that I had to sit my wife down and show her. She thought I was some kind of fool but I explained to her how that doesn't happen on other titles. its hard to explain but those moments put you back on the field if u ever played before...

I agree with most of what you say. As far as Superstar Mode, I partially agree. The game should still prevent the user from calling plays, but it should be developed as a role playing game. If you want to control a created player just create on and draft them. Superstar mode has the potential to evolve to a MMO, where life events and other things could drive a whole new experience. If EA wont do it, maybe someone else will. EA has no one to compete with.

@aceinyaface3: Wow! Great words there and I could not agree more! Thank You!

@CoachDavid: Yeah I agree with you about the MMO aspect, but the only reason I would want control over the plays is because the CPU calls a bad game...especially in crucial situations....other than that I would love it!