Madden 12 News Post

Madden NFL 12 First-Look Preview

12:17 PM - April 28, 2011 by RaychelSnr

Ed. Note -- This preview will solely focus on presentation. That does not mean I did not play the game already, but because my initial hands-on time was so brief I feel it would not be worthy of speaking about here -- I would more or less be listing off bullet points straight from EA rather than giving you guys actual gameplay impressions. I believe I will be playing the game in a deeper fashion in the very near future, so expect gameplay impressions from OS by next week.

Madden NFL Football has struggled mightily over the years to find a solid presentation foundation. Over the years the presentation elements have been lacking, aimless or just plain bad. And, to some extent, that�s not surprising. EA had the impossible task of trying to live up to ESPN NFL 2K5 in the presentation department -- a game that was at one time the gold standard for the entire sports gaming industry. On top of that, the Madden developers refused to just go the route of mimicking an ESPN-style broadcast after they acquired the ESPN license, which would have been a commendable creative decision had they actually created presentation elements that were lauded.

Nevertheless, here we are now, and all we have seen during this console generation is bland, repetitive, aimless or just plain bad presentation in our NFL football game. However, it seems like EA is finally putting in the time and effort -- and money -- to create an experience that you will want to be a part of, not just because you want to control your favorite team or player, but because you want to be a part of a football experience.

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Member Comments

# 21 LorenzoDC @ 04/28/11 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canes21


	Disappointed they scrapped the Extra Point and half time shows, but they were terrible Maybe they are going to surprise us with new, improved shows under different names. One thing I hope is that when I play the Eagles and Billy Budgenson the rookie from Colorado in 2019 is the QB, he doesn't run out in the pregame in the same exact fashion as Vick.

I'm actually glad they scrapped it. It was crap.

If in the future they are willing to admit when something stinks and kill it, and that means that they'll only put out changes that make the game sustainably better, I'm down with that.

If you're digging yourself a hole, first rule is stop digging. I'd rather see sustainable quality on any front they target than half baked failures they have to undo all the time.

But the next time they try any real recap shows, they need to be good. Real good.

# 22 tril @ 04/28/11 02:10 PM

None of these presentation improvements will matter, if EA fails to deliver top not commentary and play by play.

EA is too quiet on the commentary. maybe theyll be delivering more than one broadcast team from the botth. One for NFC games, one for AFC games, and one for Monday night Games.

# 23 Craigsca @ 04/28/11 02:32 PM

"These imperfections go beyond the pregame sequences as well." <--- huh?

# 24 Craigsca @ 04/28/11 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craigsca


	"These imperfections go beyond the pregame sequences as well." <--- huh?

Nm - I get it.

# 25 Philliezfinest @ 04/28/11 03:12 PM

Great write up chase. I'm really lookin 4ward to finding out more info bout da game. But I do have a question I don't know if u seen any footage of a game played n snow or rain but can u find out if u did not realize yet if the different type of weather will effect how da game is played in those conditions

# 26 209vaughn @ 04/28/11 03:33 PM

Just amazing what the Madden/NCAA team is doing this year!! Finally some major major investment from the EA top brass into what should be the biggest game franchise in the world.

Gotta give props to NBA 2k11 and MLB The Show, they were the first to step up gameplay, presentation, depth and authenticty into sports simulation gaming, forcing everyone else to elevate there games.

Us consumers WIN BIG this year (so it looks).

# 27 labguy @ 04/28/11 03:42 PM

Chase I know you can't release all info because of EA's restrictions. Can you give a yes or no if online franchise has been touched at all? I've seen plenty of mention about 100+ additions to offline franchise mode. I just want to know if online franchise got any love whatsoever.

# 28 TDKing @ 04/28/11 04:08 PM

So EA thinks different camera angles for cut scenes (that most people skip) is going to keep the game fresh ? 700 camera's ? Alot of resources and time huh ? I won't knock it but if other more important areas of the game are still lacking... watch out !! LOL !!!

# 29 AndyP @ 04/28/11 04:22 PM

Nice writeup. Impressed by the sound of the in-game televisual presentation and the pre-game intros. Disappointing to hear that there is no new half-time show and probably no post-game show.

# 30 Broncos86 @ 04/28/11 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDKing


	So EA thinks different camera angles for cut scenes (that most people skip) is going to keep the game fresh ? 700 camera's ? Alot of resources and time huh ? I won't knock it but if other more important areas of the game are still lacking... watch out !! LOL !!!

I think you're focusing far too hard on the presentation aspect. This write up was purely for presentation. This wasn't a complete list of Madden's changes. But for guys who really dig the presentation side of things, this is a big change.

I personally have hated the camera angles on cut scenes. They've always felt foreign, and they're a constant reminder that it's a video game. I'd love a more realistic angle during cut scenes and replays.

# 31 TDKing @ 04/28/11 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broncos86


	I think you're focusing far too hard on the presentation aspect. This write up was purely for presentation. This wasn't a complete list of Madden's changes. But for guys who really dig the presentation side of things, this is a big change. I personally have hated the camera angles on cut scenes. They've always felt foreign, and they're a constant reminder that it's a video game. I'd love a more realistic angle during cut scenes and replays.

I understand and I'm all for improved presentation, I'm just saying it will take more than new camera angles for cut scenes to keep the game fresh. I'm also wondering if all this new presentation stuff will be available in online games ?

# 32 green94 @ 04/28/11 04:59 PM

"Whether it�s the lighting or the fact that the shadows are changing throughout the game"

Confirmed dynamic/progressive lighting?

# 33 Broncos86 @ 04/28/11 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adfletch71


	This is unacceptable 2010-extra point 2011-extra point (nothing done) 2012-extra point (taking out) So what is madden12 giving us this year, the same lame after the second quarter ends 3 or 4 plays out of sequence with no commentary or real bearing? What about franchise since there is no extra point this year, the same lame 2006-2009 madden franchise again?? Its more than intros and 6 year old late cheerleaders. What about the integration of stats and banners like the standard of NFL2k5 and NBA2k11??? Man this stuff is getting old and there is a standard, and its not MADDEN on current-gen. When will there guys wake up and stop selling us lame EA ideas and give us broadcast "what we see on sundays" presentation.

IMO, the Extra Point was horrible. I couldn't skip through it fast enough.

And YES, confirmed progressive lighting. It's been said multiple times.

# 34 statum71 @ 04/28/11 05:02 PM

Sounding awesome.

I'm looking really forward to what EA's version of a broadcast will look like. Especially with all the extra help they got from CBS and NFL Films.

Still disappointed about Halftime but I'm still impressed.

# 35 green94 @ 04/28/11 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broncos86


	And YES, confirmed progressive lighting. It's been said multiple times.

Sorry, I've been following along but must have missed this. GREAT news...

Now about those horrific looking sidelines..

# 36 Da-Man @ 04/28/11 06:20 PM

Chase do you think that the presentation upgrades made to madden 12 will finally put the LAST GEN football game comparisons to rest?

Secondly is it on par with nba 2k11 and mlb11 the show?

# 37 statum71 @ 04/28/11 06:34 PM

This is way I enjoy playing NBA 2K and The Show so much.

Now FINALLY....it looks like the game I've been waiting for most is getting a TRUE broadcast presentation.

Thank goodness!!!!!

# 38 acreyman @ 04/28/11 09:31 PM

700 camera angles? wow that is hard core, what an effort. I am stoked!

# 39 DePounded @ 04/28/11 11:49 PM

As a journalism major, I really appreciate your candor about EA paying your fare and not wanting to take their word for it on game play until you actually played it for yourself...seriously. Great write up as well--looks like Madden 12 might be one the next gen game we have been waiting for!

# 40 poopoop @ 04/29/11 02:40 AM

Quote:


	And the best part about all of this is that I soon realized that what I was watching was not an ESPN broadcast; it wasn�t a CBS broadcast; it was a Madden broadcast

I can understand and appreciate this, NBA2k did the same thing basically and succeeded with it. But it begs the question, if the goal is to create a Madden broadcast as opposed to an ESPN one...why buy an ESPN license? Just a shame that they own the license and refuse to use it. Even the commentary is done by people who aren't affiliated with ESPN.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adfletch71


	This is unacceptable 2010-extra point 2011-extra point (nothing done) 2012-extra point (taking out) So what is madden12 giving us this year, the same lame after the second quarter ends 3 or 4 plays out of sequence with no commentary or real bearing?

I agree. 2013 they'll include a new show but it'll be bare bones. The excuse will be "oh it's new, give it some time." Maybe in 2014 they'll finally flesh it out. Sadly I don't think Madden will ever have a quality show on this gen.

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