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.

Read More - Madden NFL 12 First-Look Preview

Game: Madden NFL 12Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 44 - View All

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Member Comments

# 41 Aggies7 @ 04/29/11 04:23 AM

Chase, Any word on the defensive reverse camera like NCAA.

# 42 FlyingFinn @ 04/29/11 07:07 AM

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.

I agree. We don't want EA presentation! We want CBS/ESPN presentation. If EA's presentation ideas were so good, don't you think we would already be seeing them on Sundays. IMO, it is pretty arrogant to think a bunch of software engineers can come up with "better" presentation ideas then the people who do it for a living.

That and the fact there is no pre-game or halftime show is REALLY disappointing.

# 43 TreFacTor @ 04/29/11 07:40 AM

This is a big improvement over Madden's current in game presentation, but will it ever at least match 2k5's pre game, half time, post game or weekly wrap up? Not this year, if it took that much work to get it to this point. Maybe by M14.

# 44 4solo @ 04/29/11 09:29 AM

If EA does it right they really don't have to have a pre-game or halftime show. While I agree it would be cool, 2K11 doesn't have it. It just has some well placed introductory commentary, as well as, halftime commentary over some key player highlights. Which serves the purpose well, short of a pregame or haltime show. But what really carries the 2k11 series commentary is the fact that it is dynamic they talk about your last game, upcoming matchups, as well as, last year matchups and stats. And most of all the ability of the commentary to tell the story of the current game is unmatch.

# 45 sportyguyfl31 @ 04/29/11 11:37 AM

nice nice. It looks like the series is getting a much needed shot of personality

# 46 Broncos86 @ 04/29/11 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingFinn


	I agree. We don't want EA presentation! We want CBS/ESPN presentation. If EA's presentation ideas were so good, don't you think we would already be seeing them on Sundays. IMO, it is pretty arrogant to think a bunch of software engineers can come up with "better" presentation ideas then the people who do it for a living. That and the fact there is no pre-game or halftime show is REALLY disappointing.

Didn't we just read about how the developers were given a lessen by the CBS crew on broadcast presentation? And didn't EA work with ESPN and another company to create the assets for a better presentation lay out? I didn't dream this, right?

# 47 Bgamer90 @ 04/29/11 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broncos86


	Didn't we just read about how the developers were given a lessen by the CBS crew on broadcast presentation? And didn't EA work with ESPN and another company to create the assets for a better presentation lay out? I didn't dream this, right?

Haha, no. I read that too.

EA took the same route than 2K did, getting people that actually work in the TV biz to help with the game.

While I DO understand why people want presentation from a real TV channel being in the game, I DON'T understand why ones think that without a real life TV logo that the presentation can't be good, especially since NBA 2k11 has fantastic presentation even though it doesn't use the logo(s) of a real life TV network.

# 48 countryboy @ 04/30/11 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingFinn


	I agree. We don't want EA presentation! We want CBS/ESPN presentation. If EA's presentation ideas were so good, don't you think we would already be seeing them on Sundays. IMO, it is pretty arrogant to think a bunch of software engineers can come up with "better" presentation ideas then the people who do it for a living. That and the fact there is no pre-game or halftime show is REALLY disappointing.

Why does it matter if its ESPN, CBS, or EA? Good presentation is good presentation. NBA 2K and MLB The Show don't use either one of those presenation templates and they do just fine in this department.

# 49 jmurphy31 @ 04/30/11 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countryboy


	Why does it matter if its ESPN, CBS, or EA? Good presentation is good presentation. NBA 2K and MLB The Show don't use either one of those presenation templates and they do just fine in this department.

Exactly. Good presentation is good presentation regardless of what logo is on the game. Last year people went crazy over having ESPN logo on NCAA during games, but their overall presentation wasn't as good as people said. I thought their replay angles were really in strange locations and something you would never see on TV, but people loved it because it said ESPN

# 50 Bgamer90 @ 04/30/11 10:49 AM

Yeah the presentation of NCAA 11 was pretty basic imo.

# 51 radatdude2 @ 04/30/11 11:18 AM

yeah all i want is good presentation. The show and nba 2k are good examples of good presentation without using a tv network. After thinking about madden doesn't need a full blow half time show. Yeah it was great for 2k5, but that was at that time. Now as another example nba 2k does a really good with presentation of halftime using a few highlights and some talk about relative information.

# 52 countryboy @ 04/30/11 11:53 AM

If Madden could get on par with NBA 2k's presentation, I don't think anyone would be dis-satisfied.

Ok, people still will be, but NBA 2k's presentation is one of the best going right now.

# 53 illwill10 @ 04/30/11 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countryboy


	If Madden could get on par with NBA 2k's presentation, I don't think anyone would be dis-satisfied. Ok, people still will be, but NBA 2k's presentation is one of the best going right now.

Elite Presentation keeps games fresh. Without it gets very boring and eventually gets muted.
Madden and NCAA just had play now presentation and commentary. Only good for exhibition games. Neither one was good for Dynasty/Franchise.
I really want to hear about Commentary. IT is not a gamebreaker for me, But is a big deal

# 54 PantherBeast_OS @ 04/30/11 12:34 PM

This a good write up Chase. Overall I ain't to mad that they took out the halftime show and extra point show. Both shows needed a a major overhaul anyway. From what I'm seeing right now their main focus was more for ingame presentation this year. So hopefully for madden 13 they will add pregame,halftime, post game, and a good extra point shows next year that is much better. But overall this year presentation sounds good so far.

# 55 ch46647 @ 04/30/11 12:39 PM

Along with commentary, I would also like to hear about CROWD noise and reaction. The crowd in Madden is so monotonous and boring it makes it almost painful to play the game. I am hoping the put a HUGE emphasis on crowd noise this year. I would also like them to add dynamic crowd noise as well so the crowd reacts to real time situations going on the field.

Almost every other sports game out now does a very good job with realistic crowd noise. Time for Madden/NCAA to step up in a big way in that department this year..

# 56 ChaseB @ 04/30/11 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BleedEaglesGreen


	Chase were there any improvements to the end of game recap?

I still have not made it to the end of a game, but if they didn't try to point it out then my educated guess would be to say no.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ch46647


	Chase, next time you play please pay attention to the "stadium atmosphere." What I mean by this is are the crowds finally dynamic? Are there ebs and swells in the crowd that sound like a real NFL stadium? Do they react to appropriate situations on the field? I personally feel one of the bigger dissapointments as far as presentation goes in recent Madden's has been the crowd noise. It almost puts you to sleep with the same repetitive crowd sound cycling over and over....

As I have said before, sound is tough to gauge at these events. I will focus on this perhaps at E3, but for now I just don't have much to say on this front. I agree that this aspect is important.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kackle85


	I know you said you werent covering game play but can you just give us a thumbs up or thumbs down at least?......the anticipation is killing me!

What would be the fun of that? Gameplay preview early next week, though I can't say if I'll really be too high or low about gameplay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philliezfinest


	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

Not sure how it affects the gameplay yet, but the snow looks really good, and the rain and snow both will affect the game visually quite a bit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by labguy


	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.

From what I've gathered, some time was spent on it. Not sure what improvements are being made yet or anything, but yeah.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDKing


	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 ?

I agree with this sentiment. And I would say their cuts are still not perfectly refined yet. They pointed out a couple broken cameras, and then other times the camera would not focus on the right players after a play etc. -- this is what bug fixing and so forth are for right now. I would assume these presentation elements are available online because it's not like the replays during a game or the halftime highlights in 2K11, which probably take up a lot more memory/bandwith and thus are not available online.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da-Man


	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?

I think it is up to you guys to decide when you want to stop talking about last-gen games.

I think it would be really hard for Madden to catch those franchises in one year in the presentation department. I also think football games are at a disadvantage in this area because there are a lot more players on the field, and the pace of play is not really conducive to certain presentation elements that video game football can really highlight and keep fresh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by poopoop


	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.

I think this is a valid point, but I would also say it's not like they don't use it. They do integrate it into the game via real-life scores and ESPN Radio updates and all that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingFinn


	I agree. We don't want EA presentation! We want CBS/ESPN presentation. If EA's presentation ideas were so good, don't you think we would already be seeing them on Sundays. IMO, it is pretty arrogant to think a bunch of software engineers can come up with "better" presentation ideas then the people who do it for a living.

Finn, I'm going to let your lack of reading comprehension slide this time because of the All-Pro 2K8 editor you just put out.

# 57 chen_sc @ 04/30/11 01:28 PM

ticker with scores from other games during your game is in? did they improve the madden11 broadcast camera? is the field degradated during games and are there any snow/rain effects?

# 58 blklightning @ 04/30/11 02:44 PM

uniform degradation? dynamic lighting? dynamic weather? commentary that doesn't suck? a defense that you can depend on rather than know they're going to fail? animations that transition smoother than a 4 year old's first claymation short film?

# 59 roadman @ 04/30/11 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blklightning


	uniform degradation? dynamic lighting? dynamic weather? commentary that doesn't suck? a defense that you can depend on rather than know they're going to fail? animations that transition smoother than a 4 year old's first claymation short film?

1st two are already in, so is progressive lighting.

# 60 Aggies7 @ 05/01/11 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illwill10


	Elite Presentation keeps games fresh. Without it gets very boring and eventually gets muted. Madden and NCAA just had play now presentation and commentary. Only good for exhibition games. Neither one was good for Dynasty/Franchise. I really want to hear about Commentary. IT is not a gamebreaker for me, But is a big deal

I agree. I have noticed that if I keep the tv volume up then the presentation is good for me. But with Madden last year I would mute it and listen to iPod.

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