Madden 09 News Post

Madden 09 Preview, Screenshots and Video: GameSpot

08:53 PM - May 22, 2008 by Steve_OS

GameSpot has posted their hands-on preview of Madden NFL 09. They have also posted some more screenshots and a video clip.

Quote:


	"There's one other aspect of difficulty in Madden NFL 09: game style. There are a number of different game styles you can choose from before you begin a game, and each presents information to you in a slightly different way once the game begins. On the beginner game style, the game is simplified to a great degree; for example, when in the huddle, the game will give you only one play to call. As you move up through the more advanced game-style options, you'll get more play-call options available to you, until you reach the hardcore level, which is a presentation level designed for the most faithful Madden fans. At the hardcore level, superfluous features such as instant replays and the backtrack feature (which breaks down your busted plays in exacting details) are turned off so that you can get to the next play as quickly as possible."

Game: Madden NFL 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: NDS / PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 88 - View All

Madden NFL 09 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 SteelerSpartan @ 05/22/08 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countryboy


	agreed. As I've said before, Hammond is a boring commentator whether in the game or IRL. Collinsworth is better in the game then I expected.

Yeah surprisingly I don't have a problem with Collinsworth at all....Though I haven't heard him talk about the Steelers yet, or heard to what extent he'll express his undeniable love for Tom Brady either.

I remember getting pissed off about one of the lines from last gen Madden 06, about how B-Roeth wasn't better then Eli. I can't help but think Collinsworth might have a few of those nuggets like that for the Steelers this year.

# 22 countryboy @ 05/22/08 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerSpartan


	Yeah surprisingly I don't have a problem with Collinsworth at all....Though I haven't heard him talk about the Steelers yet, or heard to what extent he'll express his undeniable love for Tom Brady either. I remember getting pissed off about one of the lines from last gen Madden 06, about how B-Roeth wasn't better then Eli. I can't help but think Collinsworth might have a few of those nuggets like that for the Steelers this year.

yeah...CC isn't one of Pittsburgh's biggest fans.

And when it comes to Brady.. CC =

# 23 RGiles36 @ 05/22/08 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moostache


	OK...I like the videos and the overall look of the game...I like that the Rams are shown in one screen shot with their correct default home uniform and that the Cowboys video shows them wearing the correct white jerseys at home against the Eagles...BUT, what the hell is up with that helmet logo for the Cowboys (AGAIN)?!??! That thing is over-sized by almost 2X versus what the actual Dallas Cowboys helmet looks like! I really do appreciate the presentation touches EA is adding to Madden 2009, but for the love of god guys....if I can spot this issue in about 3 seconds by viewing a freaking CLIP of the game, can you PLEASE hire someone to proof-read the damn uniforms this year?!?!??

Tell me about it lol. It's not b/c they (EA) are not aware though. Back when Phil Frazier was answering questions on the EA boards, I mentioned that to him. He responded and was just about oblivious to it. It's not a big deal obviously but it just looks awful.

# 24 Vikes1 @ 05/22/08 11:16 PM

I'm a bit confused guys.

These "Different game styles" from Beginner to Hardcore...is this linked to the "Madden IQ" thing?

It's natural to be uneasy about something thats new to the game. But I gotta say, the more I read about this IQ thing, the less comfortable I feel about it. I've got a feeling I'll just go the more traditional route and just find sliders that fit me on All-Madden.

# 25 WDOgF0reL1fe @ 05/22/08 11:29 PM

Cris Collinsworth doesnt stop amazing me with his commentary. However, I just hope that the player specific lines dont get too repetitive

# 26 LIGHTNING @ 05/23/08 12:35 AM

When you are watching videos and screen shots keep in mind you are seeing what they want you to see. Lots of companys do this though and it is great marketing and I would do the same. I do not want to discourage anyone please understand. It certainly looks improved, but we will not know how much better the game is until about a week after it is launched.

# 27 BezO @ 05/23/08 01:46 AM

Man, I come out of one post with a bit of enthusiasm and into this one to be taken back down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by edubbs


	Meh..... DE's are still getting thrown to the grown like ragdolls, instead of getting up field to force the QB to step up in the pocket.

Yeah, that 2nd play didn't look good. And the 1st play was worse with the left OT & OG off in the distance waiting for the kicker to blitz off the sideline while the DE is sacking the QB. Absolutely no recognition of the DE.

But Collingsworth sounded good. That's the type of play specific commentary I've been waiting for. Too bad he didn't mention the inept blocking on that 1st play. The key will be if they add to his commentary next year or if we're stuck with these lines until they change commentators again.

# 28 BrianFifaFan @ 05/23/08 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BezO


	Man, I come out of one post with a bit of enthusiasm and into this one to be taken back down. Yeah, that 2nd play didn't look good. And the 1st play was worse with the left OT & OG off in the distance waiting for the kicker to blitz off the sideline while the DE is sacking the QB. Absolutely no recognition of the DE. But Collingsworth sounded good. That's the type of play specific commentary I've been waiting for. Too bad he didn't mention the inept blocking on that 1st play. The key will be if they add to his commentary next year or if we're stuck with these lines until they change commentators again.

It's kinda weird how one play will look like "man that was a great block." And then in the same vid or another you're like WTF was that? I have the same problem with Fifa's vaunted 35 point decision engine. (which I have a feeling is somehow involved in the coding for this game,too.) In that game the AI is really hit or miss. Sometimes the game flows so smooth and all of the decisions make sense. Then you'll have the AI seemingly get confused as to what it's supposed to be doing. And then it either doesn't do anything or does something stupid. I really think it's just a matter of tuning a work in progress of new tech. The whole Procedural Awareness seems to work well in single 1 on 1 scenarios, but gets "confused"sometimes in situations where there are multiple decisions to be made in regards to multiple player interactions. Or a more advanced decision like " I blocked my man, what do I do now?"

It'll come in time. Maybe there just needs to be a further evolving of the code to factor in those decision variables. But I have seen in vids where the OL tries to go find another man to block. It just seems to be late, awkward and really kills the experience because it was a fundimental decision that ended up messing up the play...

# 29 Phobia @ 05/23/08 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BezO


	1st play was worse with the left OT & OG off in the distance waiting for the kicker to blitz off the sideline while the DE is sacking the QB. Absolutely no recognition of the DE.

That play was a screen pass to the HB. It was not 100% correct but the QB also did not dump it. The OG should of gave the blitz a push before moving in to block for the screen but it could have been turned into a gain. Just poor play management on the player.

# 30 spankdatazz22 @ 05/23/08 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BezO


	Man, I come out of one post with a bit of enthusiasm and into this one to be taken back down. Yeah, that 2nd play didn't look good. And the 1st play was worse with the left OT & OG off in the distance waiting for the kicker to blitz off the sideline while the DE is sacking the QB. Absolutely no recognition of the DE. But Collingsworth sounded good. That's the type of play specific commentary I've been waiting for. Too bad he didn't mention the inept blocking on that 1st play. The key will be if they add to his commentary next year or if we're stuck with these lines until they change commentators again.

Yeah the defensive lineplay in most if not all of the passing videos seems bad to horrid. It's a problem in the NCAA vids too if you look - so I'm thinking it's something inherent in the engine. It's almost as if the game is trying to render a "cool-looking" animation instead of what should occur naturally if ratings are truly being taken into account on OL/DL matchups. It's interesting that IGN and Gamespot got the memo not to drop the QB back 30yds, but it seems easily doable if people choose to. And I can't believe the QB animations look like they're going to be horrible another year - that's ridiculous. Also have seen next to no player interaction between defenders (LBs/DBs) and receivers (WRs/RBs) in the secondary.

It's definitely a pretty game though. A few weeks ago I thought NCAA looked better, but I think Madden will have it beat. Since they first debuted the analog running I've loved it/it's potential - I was saying last year I wanted to see something similar in APF, and it seems Tiburon has managed to implement it well in Madden (if combined appropriately w/momentum and player ratings). The game still has a certain hollow-ness to it because it's lacking certain little details. But it's looking to have definitely progressed from what Madden '08 was. Guessing TeamXBox will have to give the gameplay a 11.3 this year since they said it was damn near perfect (9.8) last year

# 31 IStillDoWhatIDo @ 05/23/08 09:54 AM

at the :50 second mark the O-Line was flat out pathetic. Then again, that play may have worked best as a screen play, and those guys may have went out there to protect the screen. Madden still needs to make the defense less powerful and/or the O-line smarter for the user who doesn't realize that.

the 1:00 mark. I hate those after-sack and after-INT motions that the titantron does. They're not bad, but they remind me of 08... and oh yea.. 07 too. EA should do everything to separate from those games.

# 32 BrianFifaFan @ 05/23/08 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IStillDoWhatIDo


	at the :50 second mark the O-Line was flat out pathetic. Then again, that play may have worked best as a screen play, and those guys may have went out there to protect the screen. Madden still needs to make the defense less powerful and/or the O-line smarter for the user who doesn't realize that. the 1:00 mark. I hate those after-sack and after-INT motions that the titantron does. They're not bad, but they remind me of 08... and oh yea.. 07 too. EA should do everything to separate from those games.

Yeah, I never want to see the Jumbotron again. Those animations were played out in 06. Show a replay on them for Pete's sake....Or at least have it be a transtioanl gateway for the Cris Collinsworth breakdown. Start out in replay and then zoom into the screen transitioning to that mode. Something. You could even have it showing the ref. That was just a failed attempt to cover for really blah presentation. And just added to the "blah." And still grates on the nerves this year.....

# 33 mdgoalie37 @ 05/23/08 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDOgF0reL1fe


	Cris Collinsworth doesnt stop amazing me with his commentary. However, I just hope that the player specific lines dont get too repetitive

I'm sure they will over time - kind of hard not to when you play a franchise.
I'm hoping I can last out to Halloween before I turn the announcers off. Last year I didn't make it to Opening Day.

# 34 FlyingFinn @ 05/23/08 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrett67


	Collinsworth sounds good but........ the ..........other ............dude........... has..........too .............many ...........pauses.......in his ......speech

Next year, just get Stephen Hawking to do the PBP

# 35 FlyingFinn @ 05/23/08 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spankdatazz22


	Guessing TeamXBox will have to give the gameplay a 11.3 this year since they said it was damn near perfect (9.8) last year

# 36 BrianFifaFan @ 05/23/08 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingFinn


	Next year, just get Stephen Hawking to do the PBP

I would love to hear football related to Quantum Physics. I actually read " A Brief History of Time." Deep stuff......

# 37 Rocky @ 05/23/08 12:55 PM

There was perfect example of why Madden's tackling engine isn't there yet in that video. At the :20 sec. mark, when Westbrook drug the defender, two other defenders could've cleaned him up for a 2 or 3 man gang tackle.....instead, they do this weird 'bounce off' animation.

Madden tackling animations need to be more dynamic.

# 38 nxt @ 05/23/08 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrett67


	Collinsworth sounds good but........ the ..........other ............dude........... has..........too .............many ...........pauses.......in his ......speech

LOL... my sentiments exactly.

# 39 SageInfinite @ 05/23/08 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky


	There was perfect example of why Madden's tackling engine isn't there yet in that video. At the :20 sec. mark, when Westbrook drug the defender, two other defenders could've cleaned him up for a 2 or 3 man gang tackle.....instead, they do this weird 'bounce off' animation. Madden tackling animations need to be more dynamic.

Totally agree. They just need to add more 2-3 man tackle animations and allow them to engage until the ball carrier is down.

# 40 blackngoldfan @ 05/23/08 03:57 PM

I really like the slo-mo replay at the 2:15 mark showing the receiver catch the ball with his hands before getting taken down by 2 defenders.

« Previous 123 Next »

More Links

Madden 09 Preview, Screenshots and Video: GameSpot