Should the next Madden hire actors for commentary?

[badmrfrosty7]

Now I can see both sides of this argument but I still think it's an interesting route to pursue.

First of all, I haven't been able to stand Madden commentary in a long while. Basically ever since the jump to our current gen systems. So I wonder, why not hire actors to handle commentary duties? They'd be able to contribute far more time to the project and could produce 1000s of lines considering of course they don't lead the busy lifestyles of say, Cris Collinsworth. But the commentary could become so much more fluid and conversational considering how much more time could be invested into it. There could be far more contextual comments a la NBA 2k10 making each game feel fresh and apart of the entire season users put so much effort into. No more dead-air and plenty of banter. More dissection in the replays that could also be more accurate and contextual, breaking down the touchdown pass and really giving the TV feel. I think that's what typically separates sport video games, from sports on TV. Actual references to what's happening on the field, how it happened, and what can be done next, rather than general references about a play happening to be done well or terribly and what probably happened. Comments could be made concerning trades and what's happening around the league during slower moments like a punt or something but that's delving too far into details. Madden could have something truly different and ground breaking if actors were implemented if you ask me, because of just how many more lines could be added creating a vast sense of broadcast presentation that video games are slowly getting closer to nailing but have yet to hit that mark.

This isn't to say either that Cris and Gus didn't pull their weight or invest as much time into the game as they could. I'm not bashing them at all, I just feel that actors would be able to put far more time into the project and during each development cycle. However you would lose the star quality at the Madden events (although the introduction of the new voices of the game could still be an interesting marketing move.)

Now I know 2k pulled it off with a reputable commentator and analyst, yet I still believe that the difference could be drastic in the amount of lines that could be added and the cut in repetition. Especially with context-heavy conversation and far more player-specific comments. I also know that 2k's football franchise did this and the results were either ho-hum or cringe-worthy and rarely considered amazing. Yet during it's time it was decently done considering it at least sounded as though the two were actually in the booth together calling a game in my opinion. And the technology has to be better by now to create a better flow (and hopefully a less cheesey broadcast but that's very dependent on the actors and the route the dev team wants to go). I also know that Madden sort of tried this for a few years (2 right?) in the jump to the 360 and PS3 with it's radio announcer who was dreadful and made the game feel more like NFL Blitz. But we learn from our mistakes right?

At the end of the day it's more of a matter of preference I suppose to consumers. A well-known figure in the sportscasting world who's insight can truly be unique, or an actor who'd hopefully be a massive football fan and has the voice to do play by play and a color guy who'd have to do the research and watch a ton of tape to make accurate and realistic comments on players we all know inside and out.

Either way, to me, I hope the presentation gets over-hauled in some way, shape, or form. But what do other OSers think about this random idea?

[SirDrexl]

I'd say it depends on the kind of actors. If you mean movie/TV actors, I don't think they have a less busy schedule than Collinsworth. If you mean voice actors (who mostly do voiceover work and rarely are seen), that would be pretty good. They would really care about the work, and I believe some can even do it from home studios.

[badmrfrosty7]

Yeah I meant voice actors. Forgot to point that out. Although Morgan Freeman commentating a game would be entertaining in its own right.

[Segagendude]

Wasn't radio guy an unknown voice actor?
If EA does it right, then this could work. If not, we'll be begging for Collinsworth and Johnson again, lol.

[kehlis]

Quote: Originally Posted by badmrfrosty7

Yeah I meant voice actors. Forgot to point that out. Although Morgan Freeman commentating a game would be entertaining in its own right.

I vote James Earl Jones.

[myownsun]

Quote: Originally Posted by kehlis

I vote James Earl Jones.

LOL OMG!!! James and Ray romano

[nastynacho1]

This poll sucks where's Chris Berman Jon Gruden John Madden JAWS!

Al Michaels Tom Jackson "STINK"

[Dog]

you gotta be kidding me. chris an gus recorded a ton of lines. its ea's fault that it doesnt blend well.. its not chris and gus's fault at all. ea should have done a much better job with putting the commentary together.


actors for commentary = very bad idea