What Madden Can Take From NBA 2K11 and MLB The Show - statum71's Blog

statum71's Blog

What Madden Can Take From NBA 2K11 and MLB The Show

Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:04 PM.

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Every since I picked up NBA 2K11 last week I've been hearing and reading about how its the greatest sports game of this generation. That is, in fact a very good argument. I mean, most of the feedback centers around the fact that the game just feels so alive, like watching a real broadcast. Count me among those who agree with that. But, I can't give it the title all by its lonesome. I think MLB The Show is the co-champion.

Mavfan21 started a thread in the OS Madden forum about how he wished NBA 2K11's presentation was that of Madden. That thread has grown and grown. Which means he and I are in good company. Then I started to think about how NBA 2K11's and MLB The Show's presentation features could be used to bring my other favorite game to life.

Here are just ten of the things The Show and NBA 2K11 do so well that I'd love to see in a football game. I'll leave gameplay stuff to you experts. Because I feel that can be argued forever, regardless of what game we're talking about.

1. Custom Music - Its awesome when I get to halftime and I can hear that ESPN or TNT theme music. Making the game feel that much more like its actually on TV. Same as when I fire up The Show and hear my ESPN Sunday Night Baseball theme from my hard drive. Now, Madden has some good NFL trademark music. But boy would I like to hear that Fox NFL Sunday or NFL on CBS music during pre-game or as the players walk on and off the field. That would also allow me to set my Sunday Night and Monday Night themes to help give those games a different feeling.

2. Bring in a network guy - This year 2K hired a former TNT guy to help with presentation. And immediately I could see his influence. Its been good in years past. But this year all the little details are just dead on. From the wide range camera angle coming back from the half, to the crowd scans after a big bucket. I'm not sure if Sony has a former network guy for The Show. But they certainly do a great job of it too. Someone can easily walk into a room and mistake either of these games for actual TV.

3. Dynamic Commentary - Hearing things like "Jeter gets on base with that double after going 0 for 4 last night," just give you the feeling that the announcers know whats going on in my season. And NBA 2K takes this to a whole new level, talking about even more than just the previous game. In Madden, I'd like something like "this o-line HAS to do better after giving up 4 sacks last week. In fact, they are last in the league in pass protection."

4. Stat Overlays - Speaking of commentary, I was blown away last year when stat overlays with league info would pop up in my season. Stat overlays for my current game are basic. But giving me a list of the leading rebounders and then having specific commentary to match it is just incredible. I'd love to see Chris Johnson going back to the huddle while a list of the top rushers is on screen with the commentators talking about him being just behind Adrian Peterson in rushing yardage.

5. Connect with the League - I played an NBA 2K season game between Oklahoma City and Golden State. And what do ya know? They're talking about Kobe Bryant of all people. It was brief. But actually it was great. It gives another sense that the commentators KNOW this is a LEAGUE and there's more to this league than just the two teams playing. Especially in season mode. I hate that in season mode my football games feel like a collection of exhibition games. Not immersing me into it's little world.

6. Halftime - OK...there's no halftime in baseball. But 2K's HP Halftime Report with Damon Bruce is pretty cool. For starters, I love that feeling that they "send" it to the studio. Then you get highlights from your game, stats, the whole nine yards. Its not perfect, but it beats a pause menu hands down. Look, its 2010....TWO THOUSAND AND TEN....there should not a be sports game that still has a pause menu during the break! Are you listening NHL 11?

7. Sideline Reporter - In fairness, NCAA does have Erin Andrews. But if you turn off the injuries like I sometimes do, she disappears all together. Because all she does is report injuries. What I love about Doris Burke is how they go to her several times and she has different things to offer the broadcast. She talks about a little bit of everything. What the coach said, what the league is saying about this team, their off season approach, etc. Wouldn't it be cool to have a sideline reporter that can tell me what Norv Turner had to say at the half? Or how the field is starting to freeze up. Or how Haynesworth is frustrated with his minutes. Tafoya, Suzy, Rachel, Goose, Pam Oliver...either one, don't care. Entertain me!

8. Promos - I know not everybody likes to Matchup Promos in NBA 2K11. Because they cut away from the screen. I do, but that's fine. But at LEAST we could get some in-game promos like they do in The Show. Give me a look at the upcoming schedule and talk about the key games within that schedule. "The Redskins can't afford a loss here, they have three division games coming up. That game in Philly in two weeks could determine the division." Again, I wanna feel like the commentator knows.

9. Commercial Breaks - Not really. Neither game has actual commercials. But between quarters and innings both games kinda give a "we'll be right back" and a fade out. The Show even adds a replay and an inning summary. Seconds later, the game comes back and it just feels like they're coming back from commercial. Nothing short of the real thing, except the commercial itself.

10. Mention the Coaches - In today's world, coaches are stars too. Especially the good ones. Doris Burke will say " Kevin, I talked to Phil Jackson......" And in The Show they'll say "there's a look at Braves skipper Bobby Cox who's none too pleased about seeing two straight one pitch outs." In Madden, we have coaches. But they just don't seem to be part of the action. I wanna sense their presence more than just one or two cut scenes. "Andy Reid cannot be happy about the effort of his defense. That's 3 straight first downs. A good reason why they're 25th in defense right now......."

And one more.....

More Penalty Variety - I think its awesome that I can play basketball and get a whistle for something like a moving screen or an illegal defense. In football, I'd like to see more things called besides holding, roughing the passer, and pass interference. Randomly drop in a hands to the face, or illegal contact, or ineligible man downfield, or spearing.

I'm sure all of you have some presentation items you'd like to see that you feel could bring Madden to life. Not saying its dead, because its not. But these two games actually feel like there are people inside your game console. Now that would be GREAT in football.

What (presentation wise) do you guys think will help make Madden feel more "alive?"

*(Let me be clear...this is NOT a Madden bash blog. I just wish my real life favorite sport's video game would breathe like these two games.)*

Comments

# 1 vln13 @ Oct 14

Great ideas - These things should be the standard,

# 2 statum71 @ Oct 14

Thx for the read Vin.

# 3 kjcheezhead @ Oct 14

Nice blog, I agree with everything you said. I basically just buy football games, but after hearing the reviews of 2k11, IO had to get it. I was absolutely blown away by everything you touched on. The football games are laughable in these areas after experiencing it in this game.

# 4 statum71 @ Oct 14

Thx KJ. I think there are a lot of guys like you, giving basketball a chance for the first time.

And if they've only been playing football...they're probably as impressed as you are.

# 5 PootyPoo22 @ Oct 14

I think Madden and NCAA Football would both benefit from looking at the "My Player" aspect of both games. From what I've seen from videos on YouTube, the personalization options and depth of NBA 2k11's and The Show's My Player make it look so much more engrosing. I play alot of Road to Glory on NCAA Football 11 and it really needs work. It didn't change at all from last year and really disappointed me. Still a great game though

# 6 stlstudios189 @ Oct 14

NBA 2k11 and MLB 2k10 have presentation down. NCAA basketball was the best by EA ever.

# 7 statum71 @ Oct 15

@stlstudios..... I think 2K did a lot better this year in baseball. But I'm assuming by your saying that you must be on 360. Because even as nice as MLB 2K10 was.....The Show is a beast that can't be denied.

# 8 silentnite33 @ Oct 15

Good post! yeah I agree with you as well.. I also like how when you are playing a league game.. they are already talking about the matchup on the holidays...Next years NBA 2k12 i would like to see 2k take the approach of how they did when they had the ESPN football. Like at half time and/or after the game, they can have Chuck and the guys in the studio showing game highlights of all the games that were played that day and commenting on them....that would be nice. Also I would like to see once your game if finished, if a game is down to the wire they show the final seconds to show who won.. i.e. ( Heat vs Lakers... Heat up by 2 points with 5 secs to go... Lakers inbounding)

# 9 Stikskillz @ Oct 15

Nice blog! I completely agree that presentation is a BIG deal and is a HUGE part of what we see on Sundays & Mondays, but not in EA Football, excuse me Madden. I don't think it deserves the name as John Madden is a legend and this game is far from it. I digress...

Basic presentation elements are missing such as cheerleaders, mascots, pylons capable of being knocked over, better looking sidelines and fans that represent their teams better (Raiders black hole, fans wearing appropriate colors, create-a-fan or entire section). There also should be field degradation, jersey's getting dirty, chunks of grass in facemasks when appropriate, and all of the other things so many of us have mentioned.

We will continue to wait for these things though until 2k is able to produce another stellar football title. Until then NBA2K and The Show will continue to push the envelope and leave other companies in the dust.

# 10 die2cry @ Oct 15

i agree with you!!! all these things must bee in the game!!

# 11 Facts @ Oct 15

Great post. Unfortunately they don't listen to the fans like 2K and SCEA does. There have been other great posts trying to help Madden but to no avail. Look at The Show 10 and 2K11 and you'll see our wishlist get mainly fulfilled. Look at Madden and I bet you won't find any wishlist that said we need game flow.

# 12 staffan @ Oct 15

Good write!
A Franchise mode with some kind of depth and realism would also be nice...

# 13 statum71 @ Oct 15

@Stikskillz......Man, I've never thought about how cool it would be to see Cowboy Cheerleaders at the new stadium. Wow, good idea.

Good ideas, all of you guys. Thx for the reads.

# 14 statum71 @ Oct 15

@jaynny.....I understand EA's effort to attract new customers. But apparently making your current sports game more realistic isn't a turn off to new comers.

I mean look at NBA 2K11. How many people have you heard say they're getting the game for the FIRST TIME this year? Make a great game and they'll come.