Out of Bounds: The Billion Dollar Elephant in the Room

[Vikes1]

Myself, and maybe some others, aren't even exactly sure why Madden just doesn't appeal to you any longer.

I don't know....is it just the same ole same ole feeling. Or pretty much knowing it'll most likely be a several weeks wait for patches to fix things that are hard to believe weren't fixed it the first place. Or how these issues ever got through to the retail version. But here they are again.

Personally, I believe Madden in two player mode is a dang solid gaming experience. But I spend the majority of my time vs the cpu. And to be honest...playing vs the AI, I always have the feeling I'm cheating...or being cheated. And that just doesn't provide a satisfying gaming experience. And no matter the settings I've tried for several years...I just can't shake that feeling. I think this more than anything has spoiled my Madden gaming.

I realize other sports game AI could use some work as well. But imo...Madden needs some serious AI attention, before I'll consider buying again.

[goalie]

just wanted to say that this is a good read... nicely written, good style...

[Dewie12]

Quote: Originally Posted by mva5580

I just think that it's time for the user base at sites like this to accept that they are the EXTREME minority, and if anything should be grateful that EA puts as much effort as they do into making the game as realistic as it currently is. Because let's face it, most people just don't care.

We don't ask EA to make the perfect game for us. All we ask is they give us the options to customize the game for our experience.

EA can make the gamers on here content by allowing to edit every player at anytime in every mode. Giving us true sliders that control every individual attribute and phenomena. Give the users the ability to "tune" the game to our liking.

All they have to do is give us the ability to "fix" our game. But every year they fail to open this up. That is why EA fails the OS crowd. They are the least open to the USER.

EA can cater to the casual gamer all they want but give us options to change the game ourselves. It isn't hard. But it is a philosophy that EA has not embraced.

[Gleebo]

"A time in which you know anyone and everyone who cares the smallest iota about sports video games will be playing the same game"

I care, I care by not buying it...

[J_Posse]

Very well written article and I can't wait to see more of this level of quality. Now, onto my opinion of the Madden series. Sadly, the exclusivity deal between the NFL and EA Sports really took a lot of my passion about Madden away. I was at one-time a die-hard Maddenite but always enjoyed trying out alternatives. Well, that all ended after 2004, yet I've learned to accept that we won't be seeing any alternative NFL titles in the near future.

I gave Madden 10 a legitimate chance after all the hype and blogs surrounding it's development swept me into believing the series was back on track. Well, I was excited at first but became frustrated that certain areas weren't improve or addressed (running game, animations/locomotion and defensive A.I. logic). I have read that Madden 11 does at least improve two of my complains, but I was led to believe that we would see these improvements last season. So, they've lost a customer for sometime or when competition returns.

[bullitt_711]

I liked your article, but it cut short of great when I see yet another borish tired annoying 2K reference I'm so flipping tired of 2K5 and it's brilliant presentation, uggh!!! I rented and played that game it was OK. All these people that refer to that particular game as a game of the football sports gods makes me ill because it's clearly not. I would bet half of these nutty people just say that because they hate Madden so much and they've heard 2K5 is brilliant eventhough they've never played it. Again good article with that one personal exception because it's a thorn in my respective side.

[budsticky]

This is the first year in many that I haven't bought Madden. I'm just not interested in spending two months on the slider train trying to find a workable game. I have a feeling I'm not the only one jumping off the Madden wagon..just reading the responses here confirms it. It will be interesting to see the sales numbers when they are available. I'm sure it will do well, but I have a feeling you might see lower numbers this year compared to years past.

[RaiderKtulu]

The sad thing here is that the moment EA tries to do something innovative, they get blasted for it. Vision cone anyone?

There's this imaginary line between Fun and Realistic that EA is trying to walk... and essentially failing on both sides. It has issues that annoy the SIM crowd, and issues that annoy the casual crowd. But... as has been stated, it's the only NFL game available, so we all buy it and deal with the problems anyway. I prefer Backbreaker on the field, but it's too lacking in other areas that Madden has... so I'm going to be playing both this year.