Alright boyz, here we go!!! Madden 11 Impressions thread...

[korme]

I don't have the game yet. Going to Best Buy in a bit!

[MizzouRah]

I just had to work from home today. :)

Waiting on the UPS dude.

[DaddyTorgo]

I'll be picking up my copy after work. First time in a few years I've bought Madden, since I only had my laptop till a few weeks ago, so I was playing 2008 modded on my laptop. Looking forward to it really just for that reason.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

I've been reading some reviews, offline/online franchise players are going to be disappointed. EA decided to skip working on this aspect of the game this year and went with improving game play.

GameShark | Reviews | Madden NFL 11 Review (http://www.gameshark.com/reviews/3589/Madden-NFL-11-Review.htm)

This is a huge disappointment for me, I love playing multiple seasons in franchise mode and building up a team. Oh well maybe next year, I'm just glad NCAA 2011 has a good dynasty mode or there would be no football gaming this year.

PS, I really hope Jim releases a game this year and shows EA the proper way to make a Franchise.

[bhlloy]

I've been reading some reviews, offline/online franchise players are going to be disappointed. EA decided to skip working on this aspect of the game this year and went with improving game play.

GameShark | Reviews | Madden NFL 11 Review (http://www.gameshark.com/reviews/3589/Madden-NFL-11-Review.htm)

This is a huge disappointment for me, I love playing multiple seasons in franchise mode and building up a team. Oh well maybe next year, I'm just glad NCAA 2011 has a good dynasty mode or there would be no football gaming this year.

PS, I really hope Jim releases a game this year and shows EA the proper way to make a Franchise.

Yeah, as good as they made the actual gameplay Franchise is where I'm going to put the hours in. Definitely won't buy Madden which makes it a pretty easy decision to go pick up NCAA now the Dynasty mode is looking a little healthier

[BillJasper]

I'm finding the whole experience weird.

They definitely did some tuning between the demo and final build of the game. Playing the demo with default sliders on all-pro... I'd have games like 28-17, 21-10 or 35-31. Played my first game with the retail build (Dolphins vs. Rams) and the final score was 66-45 with Chad Henne throwing for 660 yards on the same exact settings.

WTF?

[Sun Tzu]

I'm finding the whole experience weird.

They definitely did some tuning between the demo and final build of the game. Playing the demo with default sliders on all-pro... I'd have games like 28-17, 21-10 or 35-31. Played my first game with the retail build (Dolphins vs. Rams) and the final score was 66-45 with Chad Henne throwing for 660 yards on the same exact settings.

WTF?

Bill Abner mentioned in his review that the sliders were completely out of whack out of the box. You're going to have to do some major tweaking to tune the offensive firepower down to a normal amount.

[Kodos]

And tune the defensive firepower up.

[DaddyTorgo]

I've been reading some reviews, offline/online franchise players are going to be disappointed. EA decided to skip working on this aspect of the game this year and went with improving game play.

GameShark | Reviews | Madden NFL 11 Review (http://www.gameshark.com/reviews/3589/Madden-NFL-11-Review.htm)

This is a huge disappointment for me, I love playing multiple seasons in franchise mode and building up a team. Oh well maybe next year, I'm just glad NCAA 2011 has a good dynasty mode or there would be no football gaming this year.

PS, I really hope Jim releases a game this year and shows EA the proper way to make a Franchise.

Okay look - I'm not the "search out every nugget of info" kind of person, but FOR FUCK'S SAKE...even I heard that they were planning to put more hours into the game-by-game play this year and focus next year on franchise mode.

Enough with the teeth-gnashing over this.

And shit - I'm dissapointed too, because that's where I put the hours in. But it's not like they didn't tell people that was the plan.

[dubb93]

Bill Abner mentioned in his review that the sliders were completely out of whack out of the box. You're going to have to do some major tweaking to tune the offensive firepower down to a normal amount.

Anyone manage to get a decent or passable set of sliders out yet that can atleast make the stats and number of plays pass an initial sniff test?

[fantom1979]

I honestly didn't know they had a plan. I have 7 or 8 friends that buy Madden every year or every other year, and I would bet that none of them know of this plan either.

Maybe they should have said that in the commercials. "Madden 2011, franchise mode still sucks".

[A-Husker-4-Life]

I honestly didn't know they had a plan. I have 7 or 8 friends that buy Madden every year or every other year, and I would bet that none of them know of this plan either.

Maybe they should have said that in the commercials. "Madden 2011, franchise mode still sucks".

Same here, I don't read every damn post on OS and I don't remember anyone posting it on FOFC. I'm a die hard franchise player and when they skip that mode, it completely destroys the game for me.

There's no excuse for it, I'm betting next season they are going to tout some awesome new feature for online leagues. Something like "Now you can draft your favorite NCAA player from NCAA 2012" but still leave out basic stuff like salary cap and so on..

[Sun Tzu]

Maybe they should have said that in the commercials. "Madden 2011, franchise mode still sucks".

QOTM material.

[Scoobz0202]

Why do they have to skip one and do the other? Why can't both be worked on? I figured with their resources they could do both..

[Kodos]

Apparently they thought it would take more than one cycle to get it where they wanted. If they can Head Coachify the franchise mode (rather than continuing with minor upgrades to the existing franchise mode), I would guess most of us would think that was worth a 2-year wait.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Why do they have to skip one and do the other? Why can't both be worked on? I figured with their resources they could do both..

See Madden 07, Madden 08, and Madden 09.

I'm amazed that a company can actually get away with even making this kind of a 'plan' (some would say they haven't). They're admitting that they can't get their s%#$ together to properly upgrade every year. So now they're going to start updating half the game every other year, but still charge you $60 retail price each year.

And they wonder why their sales figures continue to plummet..........

[Kodos]

There's the MBBF we all know!

[DaddyTorgo]

Same here, I don't read every damn post on OS and I don't remember anyone posting it on FOFC. I'm a die hard franchise player and when they skip that mode, it completely destroys the game for me.

There's no excuse for it, I'm betting next season they are going to tout some awesome new feature for online leagues. Something like "Now you can draft your favorite NCAA player from NCAA 2012" but still leave out basic stuff like salary cap and so on..

Okay - sorry - didn't mean to come off snitty. But they did say they were going to not overhaul franchise this year and focus on the gameplay, and then next year (2012) will be "focus on franchise mode and getting it right."

[RainMaker]

I didn't know about the franchise mode until the other day reading it by someone who posted here. OS used to be better at dispersing that info but is kind of a PR arm for EA now.

[markprior22]

Okay - sorry - didn't mean to come off snitty. But they did say they were going to not overhaul franchise this year and focus on the gameplay, and then next year (2012) will be "focus on franchise mode and getting it right."

They're going have to accept that they'll be waiting until next year for my money too.

[Kodos]

Okay - sorry - didn't mean to come off snitty. But they did say they were going to not overhaul franchise this year and focus on the gameplay, and then next year (2012) will be "focus on franchise mode and getting it right."

Here's some E3 info about Franchise Mode and their future plans to upgrade it:

E3 Feature Announcement : Madden NFL 11 Blog : EA SPORTS (http://maddennfl.easports.com/blog.action?blogId=E3featureAndUpdate)


E3 Feature Announcement
by Phil Frazier 06/11/10 1:50 PM

The Madden team couldn’t be happier with how the community and press have responded to the features we’ve announced for Madden NFL 11 so far. GameFlow, Game Planning, Locomotion, Dual Stick Control, improved offensive line play and blocking, the addition of Gus Johnson- everything we’ve done to the game was to make Madden NFL 11 more authentic, more responsive, and deeper than ever before. So, thanks to all of you who have helped validate this direction and continued to show your support for the franchise. We’re all getting ready for E3 and are looking forward to announcing yet another major feature- this time for online. So, tune into GTTV’s E3 All Access Special on Spike, tonight June 11th, at 11:00 PM EST, hosted by Geoff Keighley and Supermodel Marisa Miller to get the inside scoop.

In the meantime, we’d like to address some areas of the game that we know are hot on many of your radars, specifically the Franchise and SuperStar modes. Last year we delivered Online Franchise and while it was received very well by community and press, the usage was among the lowest for any of our gameplay modes. What this said to us was that Franchise mode as whole needed more than just a new access point, it needed a complete refresh. As most of you know, Franchise mode debuted in Madden NFL 99 on PlayStation, and since then, we’ve been adding on layers and layers of code each year to make it the most authentic experience possible. As console technology has evolved, it’s become increasingly more difficult to evolve the mode in-kind, since we are handcuffed by the limitations of the code from so many years in the past. To re-write Franchise mode to take full advantage of the PS3 and Xbox 360 would take well over a year to do, which is why we’ve taken the approach we have up until now. With that in mind, we made the decision to focus this year’s development on making the core areas of Madden NFL better, namely the AI, animations, playcall, and online play.

While that meant not making any major overhauls to Franchise or SuperStar, we were still able to make some notable improvements while we prepare for the future. Specifically, we improved franchise stats (especially season rushing yards and season sacks), in-game injuries, Super Bowl presentation, NCAA Draft Class tuning, and we even completely re-created over 8000 players in 32 draft classes. We also added the new Meadowlands Stadium as the 2014 Super Bowl site. However, the biggest addition to Franchise mode this year is Game Planning. This year you have the ability to create a new Game Plan for every game in Franchise if you choose to do so. If you’re playing the Colts or Saints, you can focus your defensive Game Plan around Manning or Brees. If you’re playing a team with a great secondary like the Eagles, you can focus your Game Plan more around running the ball. You can save off a separate Game Plan for every opponent you face and if they add new players after year one, you can go back and edit that Game Plan to account for those changes. This new feature allows you to be the coach that you always wanted to be.

We feel great about where we’ve taken the foundation of Madden NFL and are ready to refocus on building Franchise and SuperStar from the ground up. We have already assembled a team fully dedicated on setting the vision for what Franchise and SuperStar modes can and should be in the future. Since we are starting with a clean canvas heading into Madden NFL 12, we want the community to help us shape our direction- starting NOW. Let us know what you’d like to see in Madden career modes in the future. We’re not just looking for small add-ons either. We want your big ideas. What would revolutionize career modes in your opinion?

[Sun Tzu]

They're going have to accept that they'll be waiting until next year for my money too.

this

[dubb93]

Blah, for all the time spent on gameplay the game is broken until I have enough time to make adjustments on defense. Disappointing.

[DaddyTorgo]

They're going have to accept that they'll be waiting until next year for my money too.

I'd probably feel the same way if I had bought last year or something. But since the only money I've given to EA Sports since 2008 has been for FIFA (and I wait till late in the year to get that historically, when it's cheaper) I don't feel quite as ripped-off I guess? Big gameplay improvements for me anyways I'm sure.

[LastWhiteSoxFanStanding]

Believe it or not the wii got a major upgrade when it comes to franchise mode. I don't know how good it is. Seems very simcityish from the screenshots.

[Pumpy Tudors]

GREAT IMPRESSIONS SO FAR, GUYS!!!!!!!!!

[MizzouRah]

VERY EARLY, take with a grain of salt impressions...

Played a game on default AP against the Brownies with gameflow off, but OC commentary on. Beat them 31-24 on 8 min quarters, default clock run off (probably need to go to 10 min).

Running might need to be toned down as Jackson had a superb day and was really hard to bring down, which I loved, but he had like 200+ yards. :)

Bradford threw some mis-throws and had some good passes, seemed about what he would do in a game against the Browns.

Defense is tough, which I really like.. the CPU will run on you and that's a definite change from previous verisons.

Love the stadium music.

Commentary was fine and I actually saw some penalties on default!!

Game looks great, to me more vibrant than NCAA 11 and there were only a few fans at the game (maybe because it was exhibition)?

The controls feel great and flow from NCAA 11 just like they should.. it's fun thus far and I can't wait to play some more against some other teams.

I have been hearing slider tweaking will need to be made, which always irks me.

[Terps]

The RB's break WAYYYYYYYY too many tackles.

[dubb93]

I took some early sliders off of OS and played two games adjusting after each game some obvious things that needed to be adjusted. I've got them pretty good right now, just played the Vikes as Saints and won 34-20 in a game that was tied with 2 minutes left.

Some stats in a few. I feel like if I could get myself to run a little better and the CPU to complete a little higher % of passes that my sliders would be really good for myself.

[dubb93]

Passing

D. Brees 17/28 376yds 2td 1int
B. Farve 18/36 231yds 2td

Running

P. Thomas 11 carries 34yds
R. Bush 3 carries -5yds 1td
D. Brees 2 carries -4yds

T. Gerhart 15 carries 41yds
A. Peterson 12 carries 76yds
A. Young 4 carries 21yds
B. Farve 1 carry -8yds

Receiving

P. Thomas 5 catches 18yds
M. Colston 3 catches 91yds
R. Meachem 2 catches 31yds
H. Evans 2 catches 31yds
D. Henderson 2 catches 110yds 1td
D. Thomas 1 catch 7yds
J. Shockey 1 catch 82yds 1td
L. Moore 1 catch 13yds

S. Rice 5 catches 59yds 2td
P. Harvin 3 catches 73yds
J. Johnson 2 catches 19yds
J. Kleinsasser 2 catches 16yds
B. Berrian 2 catches 7yds
G. Lewis 1 catch 10yds
V. Shiancoe 1 catch 24yds
N. Tahi 1 catch 6yds
A. Peterson 1 catch 17yds

Defensive Leaders

D. Sharper 7 solo tackles 2 assist
S. Shanle 6 solo tackles
R. Harpes 6 solo tackles 1 assist 1 tfl

L. Sheppard 5 solo tackles
T. Johnson 4 solo tackles 1 int
E. Henderson 4 solo tackles 2 assists
K. Williams / C. Greenway 1 sack each

I think if I can get myself to run the ball better and the CPU to throw a higher %, both of which I'm working on with sliders that I will have a pretty solid set for myself.

[Groundhog]

Is it being released on PC?

[A-Husker-4-Life]

Is it being released on PC?

Nope... The most disappointing part of EA Sports, No Madden For PC...

[Sun Tzu]

Meh, the maddens on PC were pretty terrible. I think the last one was 2005 or 2006, and the graphics/gameplay was still identical (literally) to the 2001 version. All they did was update the features/rosters.

[Groundhog]

Nope... The most disappointing part of EA Sports, No Madden For PC...

Grrr.

I have a console, but it was the fan-made tools that made the old PC-based version of Madden so good in franchise mode.

[Groundhog]

Meh, the maddens on PC were pretty terrible. I think the last one was 2005 or 2006, and the graphics/gameplay was still identical (literally) to the 2001 version. All they did was update the features/rosters.

Sure, but there's no reason why they couldn't port the current version over to PC. NBA 2K10 looks just as good on my PC as it does on my PS3.

And, as I said above, there were tools that added many, many awesome features to franchise mode that EA never would.

[DaddyTorgo]

Meh, the maddens on PC were pretty terrible. I think the last one was 2005 or 2006, and the graphics/gameplay was still identical (literally) to the 2001 version. All they did was update the features/rosters.

It was actually 2008.

[RainMaker]

Meh, the maddens on PC were pretty terrible. I think the last one was 2005 or 2006, and the graphics/gameplay was still identical (literally) to the 2001 version. All they did was update the features/rosters.
2005 was a great year for Madden. NFL 2K5 gets a lot of love, but Madden was right there with it. Didn't have the presentation or gameplay, but had a killer franchise mode.

My friend took off the afternoon and stopped by with his copy of Madden. It was really easy to score head-to-head. We maybe set the minutes too high but we only had one punt the entire game. Are there any sliders out there for head-to-head yet? If you have a good running back, you can't be stopped.

[Groundhog]

I gotta say, it is very puzzling that they are apparently unable to randomly generate accurate draft classes in Madden. I mean, previous version of Madden (2005 on PC as RM says above), they generated good draft classes randomly, and man, FBCB generates something like 2,500 players every season with no balancing issues.

You'd think it would have taken nearly as many man hours to manually create 20 years worth of drafts as it would to write the code to create random draft classes, and at least with random players you get some replay value.

[Kodos]

Meh, the maddens on PC were pretty terrible. I think the last one was 2005 or 2006, and the graphics/gameplay was still identical (literally) to the 2001 version. All they did was update the features/rosters.

Yeah, it was Madden 2008. At least have your facts somewhat right if you're going to do nothing but rip Madden. 2008 actually looked pretty good on PC, and played well.

[RainMaker]

My comment on 2005 wasn't PC related, it was consoles. I thought Madden did extremely well during the early part of last decade and consistently made great games on the PS2/Xbox.

[DaddyTorgo]

I'm apparently not very good at all at this game yet. I'll need to devote some time to getting better at it.

[Kodos]

My comment on 2005 wasn't PC related, it was consoles. I thought Madden did extremely well during the early part of last decade and consistently made great games on the PS2/Xbox.

Having competition was nice. I always preferred the EA Sports football games over 2K, but I sure appreciated the companies pushing each other.

[Raiders Army]

For me, initial impressions aren't good. I don't like Gameflow or the Gamepad. Maybe I'll get used to them.

The good is that I can follow my blockers more.

The bad is that everything else seems like it's a re-hash of last year.

I'd give it a pass this year unless you want to play with updated rosters.

[Anthony]

i played 5 min quarters, AFC mode (where you can play only the classic 8 AFC teams vs each other and its in a classic semi-black and white presentation, retro jerseys). played on AP. didn't change sliders. Gameflow on. i was the Oilers, played against the Chargers. i lost 31-7. Vince Young threw 3 picks. rolling out of the pocket and trying to throw a bomb on my backfoot resulted in a INT (as it probably should with a QB of Vince's calibre). Chris Johnson was a beast.

the game is too quick for me with Gameflow - ESPECIALLY on defense. no time for any adjustments or to even soak in the play art to see what the hell the DC is having the players do. absolutely no time for defensive audibles, its practically about 3 seconds or less from the time you hit the "gameflow" button for defense and then the ball is snapped. i don't know how to use the strategy pad so i'm going back to the old way. i did 15 second runoff on the gameclock, perhaps i need to now leave more time on the clock. i think its more natural to use Gameflow, i played with the headset so the OC was in my ear. thats a really nice touch. i didn't know i could finetune the gameplan so that the OC calls more of the plays i like. Gameplan is excellent for Gameflow - you set the situation (down and distance) and select about 10 or so plays you want to run in the situation and can weight the plays so that the OC will call the ones you prefer. i REALLY like that. i expect better results now that i've customized my gameplan.

i'm not griping about franchise mode. i have yet to finish all 32 years of a franchise, and after about 5 years or so i get tired of franchise anyway and i become strictly an online player. i don't plan on touching the sliders either - when you play online vs someone else the default settings for the game to be considered ranked (and there's really no reason to play an online game if it isn't gonna be ranked) is AP and default sliders. so i don't want to get used to OS sliders or whatever and then play someone online with default sliders only to find i can't do some of the things online that i can pull off offline. this isn't a text sim game, no need to compare it to FOF ghostware. looking back on what the game used to look like in the 90s, its an astounding marvel at what the players look like today, how it plays, the stat generation for a franchise. we are so jaded these days. unless you play the game for one day and then throw it away - you're gonna wind up getting your $60 worth. i can't think of many things i can buy where i can make $60 last 6+ months. its a game.

again, this game is very fast as far as playcalling goes. if you want a quick game that'll only take maybe 30 min to play a near-full game, this is an accomplishment. i might even get to year 10 or 12 in a franchise since i can probably knock off 3-4 games in one session. i can't comment on how good or bad this game is - i'm not holding it to this unobtainable standard everyone insists on these days. i just want entertainment, if i want realism i'll play a spreadsheet, i mean FOF, or i'll just watch the real game.

[Sweed]

Lots of posts (not surprising) about sliders to get the game playing well. Did they take out "my skill"?

If so, how stupid. It's one of the things Madden did right. I could play 8-10 games using "my skill" to get base sliders, set game to custom locking in the my skill sliders, and then make minor tweaks. After one season I was pretty much locked in for sliders for as long as I played the game.

It is one of the features I was hoping would make it into the NCAA series.

FWIW I'm enjoying playing NCAA11 right now and won't be buying Madden. However I am in the queue on goozex waiting for someone that wants to get rid of the game.

[Groundhog]

Hey, don't worry. If they did take it out, I'm sure it will be back in 2-3 years time as a feature.

[Sweed]

Hey, don't worry. If they did take it out, I'm sure it will be back in 2-3 years time as a feature.


Maybe they could sell it as an add on. I mean you really don't need it to play it's just a shortcut that many should be willing to pay for.
:D

[fantom1979]

i'm not griping about franchise mode. i have yet to finish all 32 years of a franchise, and after about 5 years or so i get tired of franchise anyway and i become strictly an online player.

we are so jaded these days. unless you play the game for one day and then throw it away - you're gonna wind up getting your $60 worth. i can't think of many things i can buy where i can make $60 last 6+ months. its a game.


I usually play 10 or more seasons in franchise mode, so that would be one the most important parts of my buying decision. Gameplay would obviously rank #1. Without a solid ingame experience, the franchise mode doesn't really matter. If they come out with a solid franchise mode in 2012, I am in... but I am skipping this year.

Madden 2008 was literally a buy and shelve game for me. I think I might have got 4 hours of gameplay out of it. I might be jaded, but I will not purchase another Madden game until there are serious improvements to the franchise mode.

[DaddyTorgo]

I wonder if part of the problem with the lack of plays on kickoffs is that setting that increases the noticeable difference in speed between fast and slow players. seems like even fast players don't have any separation speed on the default setting...

[sabotai]

...is this the thread I'm supposed to use....or the other one.....anyway

I was initially disappointed with the game. As in, VERY disappointed. But, I've been messing with the sliders, time settings and whatnot and I am starting to get a decent game of football going, as long as I stick to a few house rules, such as no calling audibles or using hot routes. But it's so tempting to use audibles when the AI clearly sells out for the exact play you called. (they stack the middle of the line when I call a dive, no problem, have a quick slant in your face that goes for a TD....)

Still too much offense (31-17 Giants lead Colts at halftime.....no, don't think so). Although, that was the last game before I made some more slider adjustments, and one of my TDs came on an audible. Take that TDs away, and it's 24-17. Getting there, but still too much offense on my side.

[DaddyTorgo]

33-30 win for the Pats over the Cowboys.

All-Pro...12 min quarters, accelerated clock w/ 15 second runoff.

[CleBrownsfan]

I tried one of the OS sliders (forgot which one) and I still beat KC in week two of a season with the Browns 48-17. I played 12 min quarters with 25 second run off. So yeah - to much offense IMO.

[CleBrownsfan]

Oh I forgot to mention this. Playing in my Browns dynasty (which I'm 3-0 - lol) I was beating the KC pretty bad - I think it was 41-10. Playing with 12 min quarters with a 25 second run off the CPU decided to go for it on a 4th and 10. Problem: there were 8 min left and they were on my 25 yard line.

Yet another good testing year by the EA crew... sigh

[DaddyTorgo]

Oh I forgot to mention this. Playing in my Browns dynasty (which I'm 3-0 - lol) I was beating the KC pretty bad - I think it was 41-10. Playing with 12 min quarters with a 25 second run off the CPU decided to go for it on a 4th and 10. Problem: there were 8 min left and they were on my 25 yard line.

Yet another good testing year by the EA crew... sigh


They were also losing 41-10. Not necessarily totally unrealistic.

[Kodos]

Yeah, I would have gone for it there too.

[CleBrownsfan]

Really?? Don't think I have ever seen a team go for it with that much time on the clock being on the other teams 25. Maybe a 4th and short...

[Kodos]

Down 31 -- why not? A field goal isn't going to help. Of course, neither is a touchdown. ;)

Now if you are on your own 25, then yes, punt it.

[CleBrownsfan]

shoot - mixed that up - they were on their OWN 25. sorry for the confusion :banghead:

[DaddyTorgo]

shoot - mixed that up - they were on their OWN 25. sorry for the confusion :banghead:

Well that's a lot more crazy I suppose...hmm

[korme]

Down 31 -- why not? A field goal isn't going to help. Of course, neither is a touchdown. ;)

Now if you are on your own 25, then yes, punt it.

uhhmmm if you're down 31 and there is 8 mins to go, in the nfl your coach is punting it. no need to further embarrass your squad.

[korme]

oh ok, it was written wrong the first time? i was gonna say you are all crazy thinking it'd be a good idea to go for it!

[BillJasper]

Just got done beating the Jets with the Vikings on All-Pro (35-6) and two things really made me laugh...

The 'Doritos' Crunchtime' Play of the Game was a freaking extra point!

Plus the constant ads for 'Jumpman 23 on Facebook' really make me want to go out and buy NBA2K11.

[Anthony]

Just got done beating the Jets with the Vikings on All-Pro (35-6) and two things really made me laugh...

The 'Doritos' Crunchtime' Play of the Game was a freaking extra point!

Plus the constant ads for 'Jumpman 23 on Facebook' really make me want to go out and buy NBA2K11.

yeah, i agree, i will always find the "play of the game" to be a questionable choice. once i beat my friend online by like 16 pts (i believe i got like 30+ pts) and it chose a huge 20 yard reception by my TE that, while nice to look at, wasn't a pivotal play. the AI had like 4 TD plays to choose from and it picked a meaningless play for a first down.

i am awaiting NBA2K11 VERY eagerly.

HELL ATLANTIC

[dubb93]

Memo to EA:

If my quarterback is getting sacked and I press a button to throw the ball to a receiver please do not let my quarter throw the ball way up in the air and about 2 yards forward. I understand that this may happen from time to time in the NFL, but they get paid millions to be able to read the defense, read the blitz, and check down to the open man. If I could do all of that quickly I would be getting paid millions. Instead I must choose to either watch the blitz or look for open men. As a result of my QB throwing out of sacks I have thrown 4 pick sixes to defensive linemen in my last 3 games. This is why you don't move copies of your video games anymore. Seriously, this was an issue years ago.

[dubb93]

Dola:

Re: Memo to EA

I understand that it rains alot in New York. However, I have a hard time believing it has rained or snowed for every NY Jets home game in the last two years, as has happened in my current dynasty. You guys are fucking idiots.

P.S.

Why in four dynasty years have I never seen a defensive player slip in the rain/snow but on any given pass play one offensive receiver slips making a cut?

[RainMaker]

Isn't weather one of the easiest things to implement? There is so much historical data for each city about snow. Probably can get an intern to put together the data you need and then use that in the formula.

If December in New York = 15% chance of snow

And so on. I don't know how any sports game ever gets this wrong.

[ColtCrazy]

Okay, just got the game today and have been messing around with.

Played 2 games. Colts (me) at Saints for the first game. Everything on default except moved the clock to 7 min quarters. I won 49-9.

Second game, AFL retro game. Bills at Texans (Chiefs - me). I won 28-3.

PROS: I love running in this game. Feels a little more fluid than last year's version.

Graphics are a little sharper.

CONS:

Gave up on gameflow early. Glad I can call plays the old way.

Can't alter run blocking very well. Often I like to have my blocking go left when I run right because it gives me some nice traps. The line DOES NOT do this when I try to move the line.

Strategy pad will take some getting used to. Even then, it's never going to be as smooth as the old way.

NEUTRAL:


Passing is basically the same. Not a bad thing, I could tell a difference between Manning and Cassel.

Considering I got this as part of my subscription to SI, I'm not sure what I'll do with this. I'm a HUGE NCAA to NFL dynasty guy. I have a good thing going on NCAA/Madden 10. Not sure if I like 11 more than 10, other than running. I know NCAA is good this year, but I don't know. I might play this a little longer and if I'm not sold, I'll trade this in or sell it and stick with last year's.

Since a lot of people haven't posted recently, how are you all doing on the game. Any dynasty people doing the NCAA/Madden thing this year??

[Scoobz0202]

Help a Madden noob. How do I stop the pass. I have a buddy who wins about 70% of the time but he can put any wide receiver in the slot and get 300 yards receiving with the guy. I don't know how to stop it....

[ColtCrazy]

Help a Madden noob. How do I stop the pass. I have a buddy who wins about 70% of the time but he can put any wide receiver in the slot and get 300 yards receiving with the guy. I don't know how to stop it....


I pick plays were the LBs play zone, but the CBs play man. The comp in 10 always used the slot guys a lot so I shadowed them with a LB. It helped a lot. You might try it if you buddy is overkilling the slot.

[BillJasper]

I pick plays were the LBs play zone, but the CBs play man. The comp in 10 always used the slot guys a lot so I shadowed them with a LB. It helped a lot. You might try it if you buddy is overkilling the slot.

I also drop a DL into the the middle of the field on passing downs. Prevents alot of the slot receivers from grabbing easy yards over the middle.

[Raiders Army]

Go Nickel Defense, Cover 1 and control your zone safety. Double-team the slot receiver and you should be okay.

The hardest team for me to beat is the Niners. The top guy on Madden Online uses them a lot. Ginn in the slot and Gore out of the backfield kills me.

Last weekend I was 8-1. My record now is 9-3. I lost a close game I could've won and I lost a game that the guy killed me with the Packers.