The Launch of 2K8 - What's More Important to You?

[pietasterp]

What I actually hope ultimately happens is that APF2K8 has enough success to make the NFL realize that their branding isn't nearly as valuable as they had previously thought. If APF has success, it not only will lead to future editions of APF, but other 3rd-party companies may throw their hats in the ring, and ultimately devalue the NFL license...Which only matters because it may eventually lead to the license going non-exclusive again at some point in the future, if only because the NFL will want to re-assert themselves into the collective conscience of gamers.

But that probably all won't happen...The NFL license and EA are powerful forces in pop culture, and as long as ESPN has entire shows devoted to selling copies of Madden, the continuing downward spiral of NFL gaming will continue unfettered...

[spankdatazz22]

Quote: Originally Posted by wwharton

One thing I have to say though is people throw around the word "lazy" a lot. I wouldn't say anyone for any of these companies is lazy. I honestly think madden has squeezed every drop of talent out of their staff that they can and then kept the car running on the reserve tank through great marketing and advertising. I'm really curious to see how all these new things are pulled off b/c it's the same cast of characters and that worries me not b/c they're lazy but b/c they haven't shown that they can make changes in the areas many of us have felt important for a while now. This stuff isn't as easy as many think.

I agree. It seems to be more an issue of talent and what they choose to focus on. But I can see where people would think they're lazy, because they rarely/never seem to take the "let's give the consumer everything we can" approach. It seems all their decisions or the directions they take the series in have to be justified by money

[xrams]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigfnjoe96

IMO, it's sad that another company has to be the-1 to light a fire under another developer's @$$ in order for that developer to start putting out a decent product.

excuse me big...?!?!? that hasn't happened yet... the only reason I just bought my PS3 and a new HDTV is b/c of 2K... I knew they will at least try base on the fact that he have stated the 2K game will run on the old engine... however with Madden.. once again since the NFL contract peeps are giving EA the benefit of the doubt... saying this year will be the year... sure... and I have a skyscraper to sell you in New York... why would folks even believe a company that goes out of its way to literally try and destroy a competitor in the gaming industry...?!?!?

[Pared]

Quote: Originally Posted by spankdatazz22

It seems all their decisions or the directions they take the series in have to be justified by money

But we keep giving them more and more money...

Can we really place all the blame on them?

[xrams]

Quote: Originally Posted by TIm

I am not getting Madden this year. IF it's good and improved I will buy it next year. The reason it shouldn't take a generic title to make you say this time we better put effort into our game. I don't care what anyone says, If madden is improved this year it directly has to do with 2k football coming back. They have no choice. With 2 less then impressive next gen titles, and if they would make this years just as Suc@y as the last 2 they WILL loose tons of money. Don't take me wrong they will still sell a ton but if they would put out trash this year they would loose close to 1 mil in sales.. That's alot of money...Again that 1 mil is a estimate but you get my drift. Again I don't care what anyone thinks. Ea bought the license to stop the charging 2k train to derail it. Now this year all indication they seem to be putting a little thing called EFFORT in this years title. WHY because I'm sure they know that APF will be a great game and if a generic title is better then the NFL licensed title, Then there would be a lot of questions. I highly doubt this is a coincidence that the first time they tried to take it out and the second they are forced to make a better game finally.. To answer the questions what;s more important....Apf will give me Fun gameplay, Great annimations, And presentation. The way football is meant to be....I have no doubt in my mind.

great post... and I think your being toooo generous....

[ac11367]

Quote: Originally Posted by VCdolphin

When EA has moved beyond offering what I feel are "basic" improvements, then I'll support them fully by buying a new copy. Maybe by Madden 09 if they scramble to match some of the features of APF 2K8.

Let me rephrase that, maybe by Madden 09 if they scramble to match some of the features of NFL 2K5.

[Brandwin]

Quote: Originally Posted by favre4vr

It's sad that EA has to be pushed, but I'm glad they are getting pushed now. Hopefully this brings back to competition element and pushes the developers for both series.

I agree!

It should be a win, win for all football gamers.

[spankdatazz22]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

But we keep giving them more and more money... Can we really place all the blame on them?

I know I was part of the problem; I purchased both Madden 360 & PS2 last year. But last year was my "enough" moment. Where I can blame EA is that they've had x-number of years since Madden became what I consider an icon-level game, and there are still major issues unresolved. Presentation lacking, gang tackling and players walking correctly being talked up as if they're features they should be applauded for... I guess I don't know if EA deserves blame for the state Madden/NCAA are in as much as they deserve praise for the way they've gotten people to applaud them for doing things they should be expected to do. You'd think with it's dominance Madden would be leading the way in terms of innovation and pushing the genre forward