Madden NFL 09: Ups and Downs

[PodSquad]

Quote: Originally Posted by Smokez4DAyz

I'll be 34 in November. Too me, its makes no sense for me to stop playing games now, just when they are starting to look and play incredible. Since Atari 2600 I've had to 'tell' people what they were watching on the screen, now you screen resolution is almost 1:1. I've played alot of crappy games, I can't sit back and watch my 10 year old son play this new madden and I don't... are you crazy? I remember JMF on genesis when the Jets weren't even represented...Now we have Brett. I must play. Power to older gamers

Madden at least has half the equation going for it.

[DaveDQ]

36 years old, a wife and three boys, busy schedule from morning to night. Gaming for me is an easy going hobby that I refuse to allow to grow into something bigger than it really is.

[hndavis]

yall need to stop hatin on madden..like for real this is the best pro football game out since the 80's hands down..madden is the king of football gaming and video games itself..im going to be one fo those ppl wating in line at midnite wating for madden hopefully ill even sneak out of my moms house idc..i love madden and its all i play

[medlinke]

I happen to think the rewind feature is great. I haven't touched Madden since EA's deal with the NFL was struck. This year though...since it looks like that crap deal is here to stay I am giving in to the hype. I will most certainly take advantage of Rewind while learning.

I also disagree that new players are a fringe audience for Madden. While I concede that the complexity of control, gameplay depth, and overall likeness to the real NFL has gotten better (and worse) over the years the core Madden player is guy in his dormroom hammering on his buddies. I played plenty of Madden in HS, but when I got to college Madden was insanely popular. We had leagues, tournaments, etc. Most of the guys that played it didn't even own a Playstation at the time.

Once I graduated if I know 3 other guys in my circle of friends who still plays Madden that'd surprise me. Everyone of them though used to love and play it though. The bottom line is that new players and casual gamers ARE the market. That's why EA has such a huge hype machine. You said it yourself that the game has lost its luster for you and that you're still going to plunk down 60 bucks for it. They don't need to market to you! Their "core" gamers will buy it regardless of gamey features. It's the casual or new player they want to hook!

[ewto16]

Should have mentioned that EA left out in-game saves, which would make the game much more enjoyable for us that have lives and wives.

[labguy]

"The only reason I list online leagues as a negative, is that they are not online franchises. Although online franchise is the obvious next step, it is unfortunate that it did not make this year’s game. I get that old tingly feeling when I think about importing a draft class from my online dynasty into my online franchise. Sounds wonderful, does it not?"

AMEN brother! I could not have said it better! Online leagues are half-***! EA needs to deliver the goods on a full online franchise mode! The league feature wouldn't feel like such an insult except the fact every board or forum I have been a part of for the last few years has been clamoring for a online franchise mode. It's like EA just hasn't been listening. Hopefully that has changed.

[asu666]

Quote: Originally Posted by cdon2k

Thanks for bringing up NCAA in the comments of a Madden article.

You're welcome. The two go hand-in-hand for me because I like to alternate seasons and import my draft class from NCAA. That being the case, if NCAA has problems, then it hurts Madden too. For me, they are two halves of the same game. I would like to thank you for your useful comment about pointing out my comment.

[mwjr]

Quote: Originally Posted by Wil McCombs

Yes, I know all the arguments. You do not have to use it; it won’t be available online; etc, etc. I just find it bothersome that actual dollars were spent in developing something that appeals to a fringe audience before the game was perfected for the core following. Just my opinion.

First of all, great article. Excellent points that reflect my position on Madden. I used to be a release-purchaser of both NCAA and Madden. No more.

I see your point regarding the rewind feature. But I usually won't fault a company for trying out a new feature like this AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT TAKE RESOURCES AWAY FROM OTHER, MORE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE GAME