Madden 2010 News Post

[EXCLUSIVE] Madden NFL 10 News!

03:53 PM - January 29, 2009 by Ian_Cummings

Everything you see on Sunday, see it in Madden NFL

Wow. Just 3 more days until the NFL season officially ends. To all of us that typically triggers a long lasting bout of sports-related depression that doesn’t subside until a few weeks before the NFL draft, we here on the Madden team are trying to make the best of this opportunity by starting to release information about next year’s game, officially titled Madden NFL 10.

We have a big team full of incredibly smart and talented people working on Madden NFL 10, but I wanted to take the time out to introduce a few more people that everyone will get to know over the coming year. We will primarily be the members of the team communicating outwards with the community. There are a lot of new faces on the team for this year’s game, but luckily I think many of you may know these folks already:

Phil Frazier (http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/profile/8207621)
Phil “Fillycheze” Frazier is the Senior Producer of the team – “The Don” if you will. Phil has worked on countless versions of Madden in a production capacity, including pretty much every single one on PS2/Xbox/NGC consoles. Phil took over Madden 09 last year very late in the cycle, so (like me) he is quite stoked to have a full product year take place under his direction.

Josh Looman (http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/profile/10842560)
I’m extremely happy to present the news that Josh Looman has also just recently joined the team. Josh was the lead designer for NFL Head Coach 09, a game that will go down in history as one of the deepest and most realistic football games ever. Josh is helping out all across the game, but will primarily focus on Franchise mode. You won’t find many more people with the attention to detail that this guy has.

Donny Moore (http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/profile/10843815):
“Commish Don” was Josh’s partner in crime on NFL Head Coach, and along with Josh, Donny is going to work on Franchise mode. Donny worked on the rosters for NCAA & Madden for quite a long time until Head Coach started up. He’s also the resident EA Sports fantasy guru, so look around for “commishdon” on the EA fantasy site for his expert advice during the 2008 season (feel free to call him out on his predictions that went wrong).

At the start of the year when we all joined the team, we all got in a room and immediately came to a unanimous decision on what Madden NFL 10 was going to be all about. You saw it in the title of the post, but I’ll say it again: “Everything you see on Sunday, see it in Madden NFL”. “What does that mean?” you may ask…well it means that we have one goal, and that is to make an NFL football game that is as true to life as possible.

We aren’t about gimmicks; we aren’t about fluff; we aren’t about catering to glitchers or cheaters. We’re focused on emulating what you as an NFL fan are used to seeing on TV, and what many of you players and coaches have seen on the field. For every single update we provide you with throughout this year, feel free to call us out if anything doesn’t stand up to our new mantra.

Since we are mostly new to the team, a big goal of ours was to shake things up and we’re hoping to create a lot of “firsts” for Madden’s history this year:
1. We will be talking directly about features in the game about 4 months earlier than normal.
2. We will be releasing information on a very regular basis this year (looking at once a week as soon as we get things rolling).
3. We will talk about brand new tech that has been implemented before features have even been built around it, and take community feedback to choose what features we actually build.
4. We will be directly communicating on the forums throughout the development cycle, and also making changes in the game based directly on feedback gathered from the posts.

So the big question…”When does the real info start dropping?”

Check back here at Halftime of the Super Bowl for the first real bit of news regarding what is going into Madden NFL 10.

Your pals,
- Ian Cummings & the rest of the Madden team

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Member Comments

# 221 Vikes1 @ 02/08/09 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWatcher


	^^^ It's not uncommon for a WR to put his hands up at the right time, or turn to make a catch in what looks like a split second just as the ball is right there. The QB and WR practice a route so much that the timing becomes largely instinctual. I'm not saying on every play of course, but it's much more common with WR's than with DB's since a DB wouldn't know the route or the exact intended timing of when the ball is supposed to arrive. Now, when that happens on a huge percentage of plays in Madden, that's definitely something to be addressed.

I understand and agree with what your saying Watcher.

Yes, the WR will always have the advantage of knowing his route. But it's the second paragraph of your post that worries me a bit. However I do have faith that Ian and his team will have "Balance" in mind while adding this tech.

My reason for confidants is....Ian in past Blog write ups stressed the importance of balance in Maddens gameplay. I guess maybe I'm still having withdrawals from something called "Wide open gameplay".

# 222 Sigma4Life @ 02/08/09 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWatcher


	^^^ It's not uncommon for a WR to put his hands up at the right time, or turn to make a catch in what looks like a split second just as the ball is right there. The QB and WR practice a route so much that the timing becomes largely instinctual. I'm not saying on every play of course, but it's much more common with WR's than with DB's since a DB wouldn't know the route or the exact intended timing of when the ball is supposed to arrive. Now, when that happens on a huge percentage of plays in Madden, that's definitely something to be addressed.

I agree that WRs have a better idea of when the ball should arrive. The situation I'm referring to is when the ball is thrown too early for the designed route. If my receiver is running a post he should not look back until AFTER he makes his break. The receiver should not react to any pass thrown before he makes his break.

Another thing I'd like for EA to add is a rating for how well a player can locate the ball and make a play on it, especially on deep throws. I think it would be great if lower rated players had a large circle indicating where the ball will land. Higher rated players have a smaller circle and can make a more precise play on the ball.

Players like Fitzgerald, Randy Moss and Ed Reed would have small circles of about 1 yard across, pinpointing exactly where the ball will land, like current game. Weaker players may have a large circle that's about 5 - 10 yards in diameter.

I imagine this feature to work similar to the catch circles in the Sony MLB baseball series. I think this would do a good job of recreating the panic that DBs have when they are left one on one with a great ball hawking receiver, knowing he's gonna locate the ball better than they will.

# 223 ch46647 @ 02/08/09 11:08 PM

I actually think that is a GREAT idea. What if I'm controlling Ed Reed though and my opponent has an average WR couldnt he just run to the little circle that is supposed to be there for me? Just wondering how this would work...

# 224 Sigma4Life @ 02/08/09 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ch46647


	I actually think that is a GREAT idea. What if I'm controlling Ed Reed though and my opponent has an average WR couldnt he just run to the little circle that is supposed to be there for me? Just wondering how this would work...

This feature is mainly for the online community single player. That's where I play 99.9% of the time. It should also be used by the AI to make it play more realistically.

# 225 BezO @ 02/09/09 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigma4Life


	Another thing I'd like for EA to add is a rating for how well a player can locate the ball and make a play on it, especially on deep throws. I think it would be great if lower rated players had a large circle indicating where the ball will land. Higher rated players have a smaller circle and can make a more precise play on the ball.

Please EA, no more meters, icons, circles, ect. The last thing we need are more flashing lights on the screen.

# 226 Sigma4Life @ 02/10/09 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BezO


	Please EA, no more meters, icons, circles, ect. The last thing we need are more flashing lights on the screen.

Sorry, but some icons and circles are necessary to simulate player characteristics for the human controlled player. How would you recommend simulating the difference between a player that is good at locating the ball and a player that isn't?

# 227 BezO @ 02/11/09 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigma4Life


	Sorry, but some icons and circles are necessary to simulate player characteristics for the human controlled player. How would you recommend simulating the difference between a player that is good at locating the ball and a player that isn't?

I wouldn't. Locating the ball is only an issue on deep passes, and I don't believe many WRs have a problem locating the ball. IMO, body control & timing are the key factors. Most WRs get to the spot, they just don't get their under enough control to make a play, or they mis-time their jump, or they get bumped off by a DB. But it's quite rare that I see a WR not able to locate a deep ball.

When I see Fitzgerald & Moss make these plays, they're usually jumping over someone that was just as good getting under the ball as them. The difference is they get there under control while their opponent is off balance and unable to make a strong attempt on the ball. In Fitzgerald's case, I think his strength helps as well. He doesn't get bumped off track and quite often uses his body to do just that to DBs.

Reed makes those plays with his anticipation and athletic ability. I don't believe he locates the ball better than anyone else. I believe his experience, knowledge & preparation get him to the ball quicker & more often. And then he has that same level of body control when it comes to getting to the ball under control so he can make a play.

IMO, minipulating a players ability to locate the ball is unecessary. I believe the effect you're looking for can be accomplished with a number of approach, jump & bump animations. Fitzgerald, Moss & others get to the spot under control and jump perfectly most of the time. Lesser WRs may stumble when gathering themselves to jump and not jump as high, jump late or jump off target as a result. Fitzgerald's strength can help provide space around him where a smaller WR may get bumped off target when approaching the ball.

There are a number of factors that go into making plays on deep balls. IMO, locating the ball is the least of them. But I wouldn't mind it being in the game if a non-invasive method was used.

# 228 C Jay Tha Real @ 02/11/09 02:08 PM

I think everyone who is bagging on the new madden team, and screaming improve gameplay should be more specific, gameplay is a pretty broad topic, the devs have said they want input, so why not give it to them......its easy to dwell on the failures of the past Maddens but it appears that they are atleast trying to give the community what its been asking for why not cooperate with them, its a new day anything is possible

# 229 jbooc13 @ 02/12/09 12:40 AM

i wanna see some jump balls.the ball locating imo is a great idea.i think strght of the wideout reciever should all be raised from between 55-95. guys that can get open without getting seperation like fitzgerald or moss should have their strgth int he 90's.they should to be able to muscle cb's and win the jump ball even when there is great coverage.

# 230 oldskoolmaddenfanz27 @ 02/12/09 11:27 PM

to anyone chiming in about franchise, you need to understand. no game company, especially not ea sports, want to make a deep franchise mode that will keep you playing for seasons on because of one reason THEY WANT YOU BUYING THE NEW GAME EACH YEAR. They could care less about replayability. as long as it gets you through a half a year

# 231 bls @ 02/13/09 02:53 AM

Isnt that statement the same as "If its in the game, its in the game" ?

# 232 cam21224 @ 02/13/09 07:58 AM

can some one show me where this news well info that was suppose to be released half-time of the superbowl?? links 2 it anything please

# 233 slthree @ 02/16/09 03:17 PM

I'm just today getting wind of this thread and Ian's original post. I have been playing APF since launch day and still LOVE it.

I bought Madden and played it for awhile and did feel it was better than previous next gen versions but it just could not hold me for very long. Keep in mind, that I was on the APF forums speaking positively about Madden. In the end though, , it fell short for me.

I have read a lot of posts leading to my post now and i can understand why some are a little critical because they feel they have heard similar "hopeful' comments before.

But, as for me, I actually believe that the team means what they say and I am not as skeptical. I'm hoping for a very sound game of football and am hopeful that this team will deliver.

If nothing else, I am very impressed that the Madden team are willing to communicate with us.

# 234 DOLFANMIKE @ 02/17/09 11:34 PM

Simply an awesome thread!

# 235 aurimias @ 02/18/09 01:32 AM

Can't wait for more info to be released......
I dunno if theres a thread for this but i really want to have a better superbowl presentation.
Im sorry to say this but the new one is WACK!
guys jumping up and down, an opponent looking up then down, one of your captains maybe best player or quarter back runs somewhere and lifts his hand up and camera pans upwards.
That doesn't make me feel as if i achieved somethin yall know what im sayin?
Atleast sideline reactions, The coach is ACTUALLY on the sidelines, players celebrating hardcore. Gatorade spilled on the coach. A legend or someone presenting the trophy to the players.
An MVP announciation clip.
And the trophy being held up in glory as the camera pans upwards.
That makes me feel like i achieved something.
FEEL THE SUPERBOWL LIKE IT WAS AN REANACTMENT OF LAST NIGHT!
thats what im looking for!
But can't w8 for madden "10
saving up for it now.

# 236 roadman @ 02/18/09 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESPN NFL 2K5 Football


	Wow, "Everything you see on Sunday, see it in Madden NFL", thats gonna be crazy! Ive NEVER heard Madden make such a great statement like that before! So excited about madden 2010! EA SPORTS "ITS IN THE GAME".

The past is over with and done.

It's a new team trying to make realistic football and hearing feedback from the sim gamers at OS.

If you don't like any of that, you can go back to the comfort of the 2k5 forums.

# 237 countryboy @ 02/18/09 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldskoolmaddenfanz27


	to anyone chiming in about franchise, you need to understand. no game company, especially not ea sports, want to make a deep franchise mode that will keep you playing for seasons on because of one reason THEY WANT YOU BUYING THE NEW GAME EACH YEAR. They could care less about replayability. as long as it gets you through a half a year

MLB The Show series
All Star Baseball series
NBA 2k series

Thats three that I can name that have a deep franchise mode that has you playing multiple seasons.

# 238 roadman @ 02/18/09 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelman990


	I actually thought his above post had some truth to it.

And I thought my response has some truth to it as well.

# 239 jjdogjjdog5162 @ 02/22/09 02:14 PM

Well, i doubt EVERYTHING we see on sundays will be in the new Madden this year. Maybe in a couple of years if this current team of developers sticks together. Im excited about Madden10. But im always excited to hear news about madden. I havent bought madden since 07, and have rented 08,09 and they have a long way to go IN MY OPINION to get this game to accuratly represent NFL football. But it sounds like that have a dedicated producer and staff to hopefully get it close! Heres hoping you do

# 240 egj1976 @ 02/23/09 08:54 PM

Hey EA!!!

How about adding the funcitonality to map your controls to the way you would like them like you've done in the past. Or, even if you threw in the MADDEN 2005 option like you've done in the past. Seiroulsy there are a lot of people myself included who don't like Madden anymore because they don't like all the moves mapped to the right stick. It doesn't feel natural. Help us old school MADDEN fanatics out EA!!

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