Madden 09 Producer Blog: Play Call Changes: EA Sports

[ifiok25]

Quote: Originally Posted by K_GUN

streaming espnews updates u ain't gonna see ESPN overlays....and b4 u drop an F-bomb on EA try to remember that the NFL calls the shots on a lot of stuff these days when it comes to their product and hows its used.......i.e. notice how ESPN's primetime show just disappeared one year...poor ratings?...nope....the NFL wanted their show on their network to be the ones to go over game highlights (i think its called gameday) the NFL wants THEIR network (and new team) to get the exposure, what better way to do that than use the #1 selling (and only) NFL game on the market? still don't believe me? anybody notice in Head Coach 09 that MEL KIPER has been replaced with ADAM SCHEFTER....of the NFL network

I agree with you though. They should have never gotten the ESPN license for Madden at least in the first place. The NFL has to use it's own people/graphics or some that somewhat resemble the network. Why else did they scrap the bar across the bottom/top of the screen as a scoreboard? As long as we have stat tracks after each play ala NFL on CBS then I'll be pretty happy.

Also, I actually like NFL Gameday better than the new NFL Primetime w/out Berman and Jackson until the playoffs. NFLN's highlights were much more in depth, than the ones on ESPN.

[K_GUN]

1. whether it's seen as a joke or not is NOT the issue.......the ESPN license IS being used

2. good point.....NBC would naturally take the highlight show

3. take you pity elsewhere.....I'm just trying to tell you that EA can't get the blame on the ESPN license not getting used the way it's been used in other games

Quote: Originally Posted by ewto16

ESPN News updates are a joke. In general, if I'm playing a game, I don't wnat updates and info on the real world. I want a ticker that shows info about my season on the game. Also, those updates weren't even live. ESPN's Primetime show went away because NBC (not NFL) got the Sunday night game. As part of that package, they got the rights to the first highlight show after the games were over. ESPN lost the rights to do Primetime at that time slot. You will notice it is on at different times now. I have no doubt that the NFL would like the NFL network to have a large presense in Madden. If using Marshall Faulk to tell me that the score of every game I play is going to be close and probably 20-23 is your idea of integration, then I feel very sorry for you.

[RaychelSnr]

Looks like the blitz is coming soon...so far the changes have definitely been positive. From what I hear there is a lot more to come. From what I hear the guys at EA are really pleased with this year, it's really a different tone this year. I'm still highly skeptical because the last 3 years weren't all that good. We'll see, so far so good..cautiously optimistic right now...

[K_GUN]

Quote: Originally Posted by BezO

I've only purchased 1 Madden in the past 5 years. Thus, I only play at friend's houses. And as the game looks so far, I don't see me buying this year's version. Yeah, pwned.

once in 5 years?

friends house?

NOT getting this years version?

YET still in this forum?

Troll

[countryboy]

Liked what I read and saw. Looking forward to more information.

[ifiok25]

I really like the new play call screen. Better than the one they started to use on Madden 2004-07.

[sva91]

Quote: Originally Posted by K_GUN

once in 5 years? friends house? NOT getting this years version? YET still in this forum? Troll

Not trying to defend this guy, but when you are a diehard NFL fan and a frequent gamer, and there is only ONE choice for a nfl football game, I think a forum is the only place where you can let your feelings, ideas, etc. out to keep the developers in check. But then again I guess we can keep the negativity on certain threads or Wishlists.

I havent bought Madden the past 2 years, but every year I check the forums and get hyped up upon it's release. I think this year may be a turning point for the franchise.

[ewto16]

Quote: Originally Posted by K_GUN

1. whether it's seen as a joke or not is NOT the issue.......the ESPN license IS being used 2. good point.....NBC would naturally take the highlight show 3. take you pity elsewhere.....I'm just trying to tell you that EA can't get the blame on the ESPN license not getting used the way it's been used in other games

It is people like yourself that are satisfied with the piss-poor use of a fantastic license that EA loves. Why would you not want or expect more from the ESPN license?? There are all sorts of things that EA could do with it.

From a technical perspective, yes you are right, they do use it. Too bad they could have made a score ticker without even having ESPN involved. It is such a slap in the face to limit the usage to something as meaningless as a score ticker.

Please tell me how the ESPN license is being used in other games that makes it so fantastic and such a WONDERFUL exclusive for EA. I've certainly played my fair share of EA Sports games and I can't think of anyway that it is truly utilized effectively. It isn't just Madden being limited by the NFL Network. EA does nothing with it.

NCAA actually changed it from SI to ESPN magazine this year, but that is the only difference. The rest is the same. Outside of a ticker and pre-recorded ESPN News updates, how are they using the license?

Not used in TW, not used in NHL, not used in Madden. Did they do something amazing with it in NASCAR, Live, or March Madness?