It seems like there have been a lot of sports titles on next-gen consoles, but not many have actually lived up to standards of being "next gen" to me. That doesn't seem to make sense does it? The Xbox 360 and PS3 are capable of pumping out extraordinary games; we've seen them in various genres outside the sports world. It’s time we get these games right -- after all, $60 for a piece of software better last a while, right?

I’m calling for a next-generation football title, with a full amount of resources, substantial effort, and attention to detail.

Starting from a clean slate, I think that a next-gen Arena League (AFL) title would be a good mix up in the sports-gaming industry. EA has the rights to the AFL, so it would make sense to build off the Madden engine –- that could be a positive thing –- but that’s the easy way out. EA definitely has the resources to develop a true, alternative, next-gen engine such as the Euphoria engine being used in the upcoming Backbreaker title; so why not get creative? EA should think of it as an opportunity to introduce the foundation for sport-related gameplay engines for years to come. The future of sports gaming lies in the hands of human body, physics-based engines. Sophisticated as it may sound, this will be the most realistic illustration of natural body movements and will demonstrate the power of the processors inside these next-gen consoles.

The AFL is exactly what we need in a football game: tight playing fields surrounded by padded walls to get smashed into, over, or possibly even through -- all in an indoor stadium with the fans damn near on the field with you. The intense atmosphere and in-your-face hits can translate to a fun time with your consoles and light up a game nicely. It could be a high scoring, big hitting, realistic and beautifully flowing depiction of the sport we love.

This would allow you to appreciate the graphics, attention to detail, and various football sounds -- all while in the shoes of your gridiron warriors on the turf.

I mention intense atmosphere as it relates to arena football, and I think in general, camera angles play a big part in showing off atmosphere in video games. You take a look at Madden, and you can’t even change between more than two different camera views. This game is an opportunity to improve upon that. EA can install an interactive view where you can control camera angles on the fly, before the snap. Want to see through the QB’s eyes and listen to the defensive audibles and chatter? Hit select and activate the dynamic camera angles to take a look. Think of something along the lines of first-person view in ESPN NFL 2K5, except it would now be on the fly. From here, you can make your audibles, hot routes, and line shifts, then just zoom out when you're ready to call hike. This would allow you to appreciate the graphics, attention to detail, and various football sounds -- all while in the shoes of your gridiron warriors on the turf.

Another facet of the game that could help bring it to the next level is the presentation. EA holds the ESPN license, so EA could create the same feel as the real-life ESPN broadcasts. Imagine the HD surround-sound feel, with the indoor atmosphere and on-field smack talk. That’s football.

On the high speed field of turf, there would be a whole new dynamic since there would be less player models to account for on-screen, at least when compared to a NCAA or NFL title. This would allow for much more realistic player models. I think sometimes when you are playing Madden or NCAA you get this impression that you are controlling these miniature characters on the field. Instead, you could make player models bigger, bringing the gamer closer to the action, and thus making it more intense in the process.

Mimicking the intensity of the sport as it is portrayed in movies, such as Any Given Sunday for example, would make the game experience more enjoyable. A simple run up the middle could be more suspenseful and thrilling if you were dodging monster middle linebackers that are trying to take you out of commission. You look at the trailers for Backbreaker and you can actually see the atmosphere of what a next-gen football title should be like. It would be fun to feel those crushing hits a bit more than you can in Madden or NCAA.

Maybe there won’t be a next-gen AFL game, but it sure would be fun to be put at the helm of one of these AFL franchises as the league steadily progresses. I personally miss that new series feeling that I once got when I popped NFL 2K into my Dreamcast. As a hopeless sports gamer, I am always awaiting another day to feel vulnerable yet captivated by the beauty of a new and fresh franchise.