This forum provided an interesting commentary...

[Comey]

...at least I think so. Correct me if I'm wrong.

The talk about Madden is at a very surprising low. Even with this board collectively getting older, jobs and families cutting into the time that, in years past, would have been spent giving initial observations on the game...there really is no talk about this game.

Really, the "we're getting older and have jobs" doesn't totally apply, as NCAA players found a way to comment and at least let people know they'd be commenting on the game later.

Are there that many people here that have decided to either wait-and-see on Madden, or just not get it all together? I was going to buy the CE because of Head Coach, but I'll just get it off of Craigslist, I think.

So, I see the lack of commentary on this board about the game a commentary on how far the game has fallen. Even though this is a FOF board first, it is still based around sports gaming. With the former centerpiece of sports gaming coming out with their anniversary edition today, does the near silence on this game speak volumes to you?

It sure does to me. When I go past Gamestop later, I'm not stopping.

[Kodos]

Yep. It's in the "Don't buy" column for me, and unless I hear that the franchise is fixed via patch, it will remain there. NCAA 2009 will fill my online needs. I think I've bought every other version but 2007 on the first day.

[molson]

I really don't remember a time that console sports gaming was EVER a big topic around here.

[Comey]

I look at the NCAA thread, and the College Hoops 2k8 thread, and disagree with that statement.

[Comey]

I do concede that, at least, what I could find on Madden 08 was limited. But that was also limited to the 360. So I still disagree with molson's statement, but only to a certain extent. I did state that this is a FOF board first, so the focus is more on text-simming...but it's still a gaming board, and NCAA 09 is still talked about in a tremendous manner, numbers-wise, here.

But the point, to me, still remains...there aren't many first impressions because, frankly, there aren't many people who are buying the game today. Or tomorrow. Or Thursday.

[MikeVic]

I got bored with Madden around 05 or 06... I bought 08 so I could try it on the Wii. But I have no interest in it this year again.

[Alan T]

I have an Xbox360 and Wii, but they only ever get turned on when family come in town or some larger group of friends come over and we find a reason to play one of the good group games on it. I think my days of playing games like Madden are just long gone is all.

I remember buying Madden 93, 94, etc back when I was in college, and it was a no brainer. Now a days I just don't have enough time to invest into a 45 minute football game in one sitting, and my reflexes are just too slow to have much enjoyment with it.

I got the version of Madden that came with my xbox 360, and tried playing some online as well as against the computer at the time, but I just wasn't very good at it any more. So I think it just wasn't my game so to speak :)

If a new version of FOF or BBPF or such came out, I'd be in the middle of the thread, but not for console games any more really.

[Fidatelo]

Madden took a massive step back when it moved to the current gen consoles, and it lost me. I bought '07 for the Wii and enjoyed it, but it was mostly still the old-gen game. I see no reason to buy another version of Madden any time soon.

[Toddzilla]

To me, Madden is the "same-old same-old". It isn't appreciably different than it was 5 years ago - graphics notwithstanding - and I see no compelling reason to shell out $50.

[Mustang]

For me, it's another football game that doesn't add anything for me. I've actually gone away from getting sports console games at full price and I haven't bought a Madden game since 06'

[Logan]

In past years I picked it up used around December when I got tired of playing NCAA. Of course that isn't counting last year, as I picked it up on release day because of my obsession of playing with Brian Leonard. I don't see that happening this year thanks to the online leagues I'm in and the large number of people from here, plus my real life buddies, who play on XBL. Plus I'm more of a college fan in general. The game could be a perfect sim of the NFL and I still wouldn't be interested.

[MikeVic]

Brian Leonard?

[Comey]

Imy obsession of playing with Brian Leonard

This thread just took an interesting turn.

[Noop]

I haven't brought Madden or NBA Live in years. Besides NCAA Football, I try not to give my money to EA Sports. Instead of giving the customer a better product they instead chose to buyout the competition.

[RendeR]

The last one I bought had Culpeper on the cover. Once I figured out that there were some plays that always worked and some moved that always worked no matter the players/stats/situation then the game lost all worth to me.

Its a shit product and has been for most of this decade.

I won't be bothered to buy it again.

[Logan]

Screw you all.

[NoMyths]

ESPN NFL 2K5 was the last console football game that held my attention, and I haven't seen anything come out since that equals it.

[Comey]

2k5 holds a special place in my heart. I'd say why, but nobody would believe why. ; )

[samifan24]

ESPN NFL 2K5 was the last console football game that held my attention, and I haven't seen anything come out since that equals it.

Yup. EA's exclusive license was the death knell for NFL gaming. Competition is a good thing.

[Tasan]

Well, I think it may also have something to do with this being a forum that originally was about a computer game, and since no computer version this year, a few less guys who would normally have it don't, like me. I don't own a console, so I won't be getting this year's version.

[JediKooter]

Yup. EA's exclusive license was the death knell for NFL gaming. Competition is a good thing.

+1,000

[Super Ugly]

I got burned by '07 for the 360. It's a wait-and-see for me every year now, and judging by the first impressions I think I'll just wait and hope for '10.

[Phototropic]

Yep. It's in the "Don't buy" column for me, and unless I hear that the franchise is fixed via patch, it will remain there. NCAA 2009 will fill my online needs. I think I've bought every other version but 2007 on the first day.
Franchise is really what keeps me from even being interested. I give in pretty easily when it comes to new games, but the issues this series has had for the last several years with franchise mode rule it out.

[MJ4H]

This thread makes me smile.

[Comey]

I am happy I was able to help you out today!

[INDalltheway]

I plunged and bought the CE addition (for Head Coach) last night. To me the Madden game is something I can play with friends while Head Coach appears to be the franchise I've always wanted in Madden. All I can really say is that I'm happy that Madden is getting the lead designer of Head Coach for next years game and that they also appear to be listening to their hardcore fans. I'm kind of out of it, so I hope this makes a little sense.

[Eaglesfan27]

Yep. It's in the "Don't buy" column for me, and unless I hear that the franchise is fixed via patch, it will remain there. NCAA 2009 will fill my online needs. I think I've bought every other version but 2007 on the first day.

Same here. I've bought every Madden for at least 10 years. However, every 360 version has been a disappointment. NCAA is a disappointment this year except for the online dynasty. So, I'm finally refraining from buying it and the early impressions elsewhere have convinced me that is a good decision.

I look at the NCAA thread, and the College Hoops 2k8 thread, and disagree with that statement.

Agreed. Tons of discussion about NCAA and quite a bit about College Hoops as well, which in my opinion is the best console sports game of the past year.

[Maple Leafs]

As I said in the other thread, I actually bought the game this year for the first time in three or four versions. The new features that are meant to tweak the game to your skill level would save the game for me if they're even semi-effective.

Of course, ten years ago I would have been one of those hard-core fans who thought this kind of stuff was for wimps. But I just don't have time to spend hours practicing just to get to the point where I'm not picked off on every pass.

[Comey]

I bought College Hoops based on that thread. I haven't gotten into a dynasty yet. I'm having too much fun with the NCAA Tournament.

[Fidatelo]

As I said in the other thread, I actually bought the game this year for the first time in three or four versions. The new features that are meant to tweak the game to your skill level would save the game for me if they're even semi-effective.

My brother picked it up for the PS3 last night and seemed to indicate that the feature worked pretty well. He did really good in the initial running drills, so it set his running AI to superstar (or whatever the top level is), but then in the game he couldn't run at all, so the feature automatically lowered it and he then found it was pretty appropriate.

So there is hope :)

[Maple Leafs]

My brother picked it up for the PS3 last night and seemed to indicate that the feature worked pretty well. He did really good in the initial running drills, so it set his running AI to superstar (or whatever the top level is), but then in the game he couldn't run at all, so the feature automatically lowered it and he then found it was pretty appropriate.

So there is hope :)
Cool, good to know.

I like the idea of the "rewind" feature as well. Now when the AI does something ridiculously dumb, I have an option besides "throw controller to ground and storm out of room".