Did videogame football reach it's peak last gen?

[gza21]

This question coming from a guy who has played Madden going back to the early 90's. When the game came out then, you were constantly amazed at the improvements and realism of the game. I think EA may have hit their peak as far as making football games, and will only continue to disappoint from this point forward. I think bashing them is futile as they likely can't improve the product. I think can't is more the case than won't with them and with no competition, this is the best it gets. I would like to get some perspective from some of the "older" guys who have played for a while.

[mojo6911]

yes it did

[PVarck31]

Honestly, I think with the new generation of consoles coming soon and EA full well knowing they completely botched the transformation from last gen to this gen, They will have learned their lesson. I think they are much more prepared for the transfer this time.

With the obvious power increase of the new systems they will be able to do much more with the game. (And they better) There are no excuses anymore.

I expect ALL legacy issues to be fixed and innovative gameplay with cutting edge AI.

With the new hardware they will be developing on there is no excuse why we can't have Madden be a true AAA title again.

[BobbyColtrane]

For me this gen has been about unmet potential. These consoles are much more powerful and can do many more things than the last gen - and this cycle has been longer than the last gen already. We all know the complaints but it baffles me that this is the 8th Madden this gen and we still don't have custom soundtracks. That is something that could have been put in Madden 2006, the 360 has the ability to do it. It's basic.

Yes, the systems are more powerful and the gen after this will be even MORE powerful, but if you've been around the block you know the power of the system isn't everything. A developer that is committed to building A QUALITY PRODUCT is the main determinant in making a quality game.

Not only are they not moving the series forward but there is a laundry list of things that have been in Madden at one time or another that are no longer in the game. One step forward and one step back. Connected Careers is a PRIME EXAMPLE of this mentality.

The last gen Maddens really were the height of the series, these games aren't as fun, are a lot more wonky, and don't hold my interest as long.

Just one man's opinion. 36 years old and played every football game since 10 Yard Fight.

[StrawHat Patriot]

Quote: Originally Posted by PVarck31

Honestly, I think with the new generation of consoles coming soon and EA full well knowing they completely botched the transformation from last gen to this gen, They will have learned their lesson. I think they are much more prepared for the transfer this time. With the obvious power increase of the new systems they will be able to do much more with the game. (And they better) There are no excuses anymore. I expect ALL legacy issues to be fixed and innovative gameplay with cutting edge AI. With the new hardware they will be developing on there is no excuse why we can't have Madden be a true AAA title again.

Yes I agree, but it depends about their direction; Make a fully authentic NFL experience? Or keep serving out NFL version of NBA Elite 11?

[Methlab]

Great question. We had Madden and then Dreamcast came out, and IMO that was a game changer with 2k. I was in love both NFL2k and NBA2k. I did like the original xbox Madden (remember the one where they had to ship out a new disc?), and my final year I remember of football glory I believe was 05, where it was a serious debate as to which game was better. Well for me, and my friends 2k5 was the winner there.

And then you are right, I really have not played football games that much since. The releases have not done much for me, but I did like APF.

I am hoping the next gen game really blows our minds like Dreancast did for me. I think that ad 2k5 was the last WOW!! peak I have had in terms of football gaming.

[StrawHat Patriot]

methlab, spot on.

Everybody was so in love with other generations because of their strides.

Tecmo Bowl for the NES/SNES. (It was revolutionary)
Madden on the N64.
NFL Gameday 98 on the PS
Sega NFL 2K for the DC
Madden NFL 2002 for the PS2 (Graphics)
Madden NFL 2004 for the PS2 (Franchise Mode, Controls)
ESPN NFL 2K5 (& NFL 2K4) for the XBOX (Graphics, Controls, Presentation, Animations)
Madden NFL 2005 for the XBOX/PS2 (Graphics, Franchise, Controls)

Madden..... for the PS3/360? The good parts Madden NFL 13 is what should have been and even could of been in Madden NFL 06-07 IMO.

[jfsolo]

This question, which is an invitation for people to trot all the stuff that they sit there pissed about day after day, has to be rhetorical. You can never talk about the peak for some thing that defies objective measurement.

I go back to the Bill Walsh days with the NCAA series, I think that NCAA Football 13 is the best NCAA game ever, by a very wide margin. Better than 04, 06, and any other versions that people tout as the best. We'll see in a couple of weeks, but I'm anticipating that Madden 13 will be the best football game ever, as well. So I vehemently disagree that football video gaming peaked last gen, and I'm right, but then again so is anyone who thinks that it did peak last gen.

This is just a thread made to cause arguments or let people rant about the usual old chestnuts.