Madden 09 News Post

Madden NFL 09: Ups and Downs

03:23 PM - August 7, 2008 by RaychelSnr

Madden NFL 09 is due for release next Tuesday and it seems like there are more opinions on whether to be excited for the game or not around OS these days. Wil McCombs checks in today with his own thoughts on whether you should be excited for Madden or not in his article, Madden NFL 09: Ups and Downs.

Quote:


	"So how many of you have bought into the madness? Are you all pressed up against the windows, your breath fogging up the glass, your eyes all sad and puppy dog-like, whimpering for the clock to strike 12 on August 12th? Has the EA Sports marketing hype machine injected that sweet addictive substance straight into your veins, making us a gaggle of itching, drooling junkies hungry for that late-summer fix?"

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# 1 RaychelSnr @ 08/07/08 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PodSquad


	Bunk link?

Fixed! For some reason it pasted over as something that was totally different than what I copied...probably user error

# 2 asu666 @ 08/07/08 04:42 PM

We are several years into the current generation now. I think EA needs to get off its butt and finish NCAA 2010 the right way next year. The fact that it still doesn't have all of the stadiums, a lot of last gen features, and so many bugs on the retail copy has really put a damper on my expectations for Madden. Maybe it will be like going to a movie I think will stink and then when it's just okay, it seems like it was actually better than it was. EA may lower our expectation by releasing a crap version of NCAA and then foloowing up with an okay version of Madden. That is caring about your customers.

# 3 cdon2k @ 08/07/08 04:47 PM

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

# 4 ChubbyBanana @ 08/07/08 05:15 PM

Good article.

I am an older gamer, about the same as as the writer.

With my busy schedule I understand what he means about finding time to play the games, and not being as excited.

However with me it's the exact opposite. I find myself more and more excited to get these games each year. I am not really sure why, maybe I'm addicted.

# 5 allBthere @ 08/07/08 05:30 PM

I never get excited for madden. I bought 07, and after a while learned that I don't jive with the game, so I won't even be renting 09.

I get excited for fresh gamming like fallout3 left4dead backbreaker etc...

The only marketing that got me this gen has been halo3 and i returned it in 1 week thinking 'why did I feel like I had to buy this?'

# 6 DocHolliday @ 08/07/08 07:08 PM

Couldnt agree more.

I want to buy this game EA, but until I hear some OS sim vets say its good, I wont.

I forsee many threads on problems the first day. Its the way of EA

# 7 KofiJamal @ 08/07/08 07:28 PM

I always been very, very excited this time of year. But it's not because of Madden (now) or 2K (years past). It's because of football itself. For me, when NCAA and Madden drops, that's my signal that the season is about to start. When the teams first get into training camp, I really start to feel that need to play.

Last year I worked at a game store and worked the Madden Midnight launch. It wasn't some epic event, but it was pretty cool to see a group of people, we had like 60-80 cats that night, hanging out and talking football. Just having fun and waiting to have more fun later. This year I'll be in line and will run home like Forrest Gump to play. Not because it's Madden (and I really enjoyed last years game), but because it's football.

And every year, football puts me under it's spell and iron fisted grasp. This year is no different.

# 8 JMD @ 08/07/08 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AugustSatellite


	Good article. I am an older gamer, about the same as as the writer. With my busy schedule I understand what he means about finding time to play the games, and not being as excited. However with me it's the exact opposite. I find myself more and more excited to get these games each year. I am not really sure why, maybe I'm addicted.

Ha, older gamers, you guys are babies at 27, Talk to me when you're in your late 40's like I am. Every year at this time I'm like a 5 year old waiting for Christmas morning. First I look forward to the new Madden game and second I can't wait for the first Sunday that kicks off the NFL season. Football kicks ***.

# 9 FredoXV @ 08/07/08 09:23 PM

JMD- I would talk to you when I'm in my late 40's , but chances are you'll have both feet in the grave when I get to be that old!

(A bit below the belt there, but I couldn't resist. So sorry!)

I agree with you about the giddiness on the first Sunday of the NFL season. Although I've grown to love the college game more, there's nothing quite like waking up that first Sunday morning and feasting on a huge breakfast during Countdown. Possibly one of the best days of the year.

# 10 sportyguyfl31 @ 08/07/08 10:42 PM

There is no video game worth going out at midnight to get. I'll pick it up at a civilized hour =o)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesnt the online league REQUIRE that all 32 teams be user controled?

# 11 marc68 @ 08/07/08 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMD


	Ha, older gamers, you guys are babies at 27, Talk to me when you're in your late 40's like I am. Every year at this time I'm like a 5 year old waiting for Christmas morning. First I look forward to the new Madden game and second I can't wait for the first Sunday that kicks off the NFL season. Football kicks ***.

Well I just turned 40 and this will be the first year in a long time that I go to a midnight release. I have fallen for the hype...I pray it lives up to it.

# 12 BigRick47 @ 08/07/08 11:06 PM

Over 40 gamers rock! Too old to play video games? Maybe. Financially able to buy any game we want? Definitely. Still getting excited about a video game that most of us can't go outside and play anymore PRICELESS! I still get excited about Madden (with hope that it returns to '05 glory) and love the regular football season both college and NFL! Go Wolverines, Go Raiders!!

# 13 Spanky @ 08/08/08 12:26 AM

My feelings changed after they announced the potential patch 2 improvements, which include CPU sliders and toned down CPU QB acc. I went from doubtful purchase to probable. But no way in hades will I purchase Day 1. I'm still patting myself on the back for resisting the urge to quench my NFL gaming thirst last year and avoiding the abomination that was Madden 08 (great save of $60). I will wait several days after release, after hearing credible feedback from many of the old guard on these boards. The thinking is that if they say it's good and promising and fun, etc., that it can only get better after patch No. 2.

# 14 krc1130 @ 08/08/08 01:05 AM

The games are always fun. That's why I buy them every year. I could be the youngest franchise junkie ever. I feel insulted when people say that rewind is for 12 year old Timmy. I'm only a couple of years older!!!

# 15 Vikes1 @ 08/08/08 01:43 AM

I'm an older gamer also [well beyond 27] and I'm really looking forward to the 12th.

One of the things I personally do to enjoy the Madden game the best I can, is to remember, it's a $60 video game...not a $600 simulator. You could consider that lowing my expectations through the years, but I had to...to preserve my sanity. However...I do feel my expectations headed upwards with people like Ian and Phil at the controls.

I'm a franchise nut, and I'm pretty excited about the possibility of a several seasons long franchise with Madden '09'. Something I haven't done for quite a while. I'm pretty sure I'll turn into a kid again on Tuesday morning!

# 16 ted23 @ 08/08/08 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRick47


	Over 40 gamers rock! Too old to play video games? Maybe. Financially able to buy any game we want? Definitely. Still getting excited about a video game that most of us can't go outside and play anymore PRICELESS! I still get excited about Madden (with hope that it returns to '05 glory) and love the regular football season both college and NFL! Go Wolverines, Go Raiders!!

Well said. (except for the Raiders part).

# 17 Spanky @ 08/08/08 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRick47


	Over 40 gamers rock!

Damn straight!!

I sometimes wish we had these games when I was a kid and had so much more time and less responsibilities. .... Then I realize if that were the case I undoubtedly would have flunked out of school and been relegated to a life of flipping burgers and mopping floors.

# 18 DaveDQ @ 08/08/08 09:52 AM

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.

# 19 hndavis @ 08/08/08 10:10 AM

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

# 20 medlinke @ 08/08/08 10:35 AM

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!

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