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

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

Posted on October 14, 2010 at 09:04 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

# 16 lmarshalljr04 @ Oct 16

The NUMBER ONE THING THAT EA TIBURON NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT IS 1. Gameplay 2. Gameplay 3. Gameplay 4. Gameplay 5. Gameplay And last but not least................GAMEPLAY!!!!

# 17 statum71 @ Oct 16

@Imarshalljr...... Thx for the read. But as I stated in the blog. Gameplay will NEVER be satifactory because it is a matter of opinion. Apparently you feel the gameplay is so terrible. Well some people don't. But EVERYBODY can agree that presentation needs a MAJOR upgrade to keep up with these other games out now.

# 18 statum71 @ Oct 16

Let me just add this......

Madden could have the greatest gameplay ever for a football game. But if the presentation was still as dead as it is now....Madden would STILL be 5 or 6 years behind the really good sports titles.

# 19 AMYO @ Oct 16

Made me realize how crazy NBA and the show are.....I wont go on about Madden because I have nothing good to say

# 20 rudeworld @ Oct 16

I know commercial breaks are something that.....no one really like to sit through but adding them would add so much and I'm sure advertisers would be lining up to put a commercial in the game..... NCAA'11 actually does a little of this with the "this game is brought to you by...." but thats not enough in my mind Madden needs to step it up or get out!!!!!

great blog!!!

# 21 statum71 @ Oct 17

Exactly shyvoodoo!!!!

Nearly 100 people total work on these titles. EA has enough resoures to improve in more than one area.
Honestly, I get sick of hearing about gameplay.

# 22 statum71 @ Oct 18

@fcabanski......Thx for the read.
Thanks for the feedback. Didn't know that since I don't play Association THAT far down the road. But if I did, I would kinda expect the commentary to start to dry up some. There's only so much they can do with info.

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