Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

[Cryolemon]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

not the "exclusivity" part

I think they'll try.

I do think EA will try and renew the license, but there is alot against them this time around. The supreme court ruling, multiple lawsuits and the decline of sales might be a factor in 2012. We have to see, but i hope EA at least get to the point of surpassing 2k5 by that time. Its a shame its taking them this long, besides graphics, they really havent done much.

There is nothing directly against them though. They could argue that the American Needle case only applies to clothing, the lawsuits haven't really gone anywhere, and EA make enough money from other things that declining sales aren't an issue yet.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

This interview is very frustrating for me. Other than the fact that Madden houses NFL teams, I have no incentive to purchase the game. That should play a factor in it though. I should buy the game because it has the official NFL teams. It's just that the game has no legs after that, and that's where I get frustrated. Ian mentions how 06 and 07 were somewhat rushed (obviously 06 was). However, we are now well into this generation of consoles and what we are being told is that franchise mode has to be done over and how incorporating real time physics is very difficult because its a football simulation and that makes it more difficult than other sports.

So again this year, even though there are things like "locomotion" and "gameflow", the overall incentive is, "This game has the NFL." The thing is that has been established. We know that. But what about beyond that? What about Madden makes me want to play with the NFL? Not really much. At least nothing worthy of another $65.

[Only1LT]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

I think they'll try.



There is nothing directly against them though. They could argue that the American Needle case only applies to clothing, the lawsuits haven't really gone anywhere, and EA make enough money from other things that declining sales aren't an issue yet.

Not to turn this into an exclusive license debate, but declining sales are very much an issue. The BOD and stockholders have made it an issue. Spending more to sell less is always an issue.

EA is a publicly traded company. They have people to answer to. If an exclusive license, which cost them much more than the non exclusive license, isn't fiscally beneficial, then there is a good chance they won't do it. To this point, it hasn't looked like a good business decision.

Now maybe they still might be able to sell the powers that be on it anyway, but it's a much harder sell now than it was in 2005. Anything is possible.

[Only1LT]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

What Ian was saying in regards to real time physics is the gameplay would be to lose and random and it wouldn't reflect the NFL experience. I personally can respect that.

I don't know how he could think that, if he in fact, does.

[Cryolemon]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

Not to turn this into an exclusive license debate, but declining sales are very much an issue. The BOD and stockholders have made it an issue. Spending more to sell less is always an issue.

EA is a publicly traded company. They have people to answer to. If an exclusive license, which cost them much more than the non exclusive license, isn't fiscally beneficial, then there is a good chance they won't do it. To this point, it hasn't looked like a good business decision.

Now maybe they still might be able to sell the powers that be on it anyway, but it's a much harder sell now than it was in 2005. Anything is possible.

I did say "yet". If it carries on over Madden 11, 12 and 13 then it could be a big issue definitely. The main question they will have is whether a non-exclusive license is worth the risk of say 2k or Backbreaker making a better game than them (which loses them money) or whether renewing the exclusive license is worth the extra up-front cost.

[tlc12576]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

What Ian was saying in regards to real time physics is the gameplay would be to lose and random and it wouldn't reflect the NFL experience. I personally can respect that.

WTF?! LOL! Did Ian actually say this? You actually respect this?

Please let this exclusive license end!

[N@X_WiZaRD]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

To me, Ian looks a bit sheepish in all the videos I have seen.

I've noticed that as well. He's definitely not as exuberant as he was during the M10 cycle where he was confidently proclaiming the mantra "If you see it on Sunday, you'll see it in this game." His optimism alone convinced me to give Madden another shot. Hell, he's not even as upbeat as he was in his M07-M09 Associate Producer days where he'd spend 10-20 minutes just talking about one feature of the game. So I certainly think there's credibility to the notion that Ian isn't really satisfied with his work on Madden 11. M11's feature-set isn't exactly screaming at you to spend another $65 to experience it.

[TDogg09]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

What Ian was saying in regards to real time physics is the gameplay would be to lose and random and it wouldn't reflect the NFL experience. I personally can respect that.

How is the NFL not random? Anything can happen. It's unpredictable. In my opinion, canned animations are too rigid and don't reflect the NFL experience.

[mestevo]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

How is the NFL not random? Anything can happen. It's unpredictable. In my opinion, canned animations are too rigid and don't reflect the NFL experience.

It can easily go the other way though if not done right, Backbreaker is exibit A there. They had problems so things had to be turned down or off completely, like facemask penalties, that's probably why all the blatant offensive PI (players on their back when the ball gets to them) is rarely called too.

The grass isn't always greener.

[hungryandrew]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

I know this is a lil off, but you guys remember the video with Ian Phil, and the other guy, being interviewed about madden 11. When the topic came to run blocking, Ian described the past madden issues with run blocking, and the interviewer said yea, and said the "jazz hands" quote, Ian looked a lil sad there.

[Only1LT]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

It can easily go the other way though if not done right, Backbreaker is exibit A there. They had problems so things had to be turned down or off completely, like facemask penalties, that's probably why all the blatant offensive PI (players on their back when the ball gets to them) is rarely called too.

The grass isn't always greener.

The problem isn't necessarily that Madden doesn't have a RTP engine. 2K used the same old tried and true canned animation system. The problem with Madden is it doesn't have anywhere near as many animations for different situations as 2K, the AI logic that determines what animation is triggered in what situation is not as good, and that Madden takes "canned" much too far, ie you can't interact with the play once the "canned" animation starts, as in no multiple hit tackles.

Now I think that Backbreaker gets a bad rap. I think that their physics engine works incredibly well. Not perfectly well, but extremely well. Let's not forget that BB is not the only game that uses their engine, so it must be pretty decent since some big names in the industry, ie Rockstar and Lucas Arts, use it. It was a first attempt. Just because there are issues with the game doesn't mean that you say "see, RTP is not meant for a Football game". Again there are issues, but to me, it succeeds more than it fails by a long shot.

Like I said, Madden doesn't HAVE to have a RTP engine, but I do think that this is where the industry as a whole is going. If they want to use a RTP, great. If they want to improve their game via the canned animation route that 2K did, that's great with me too. Just improve the game.

The grass IS greener when it comes to certain aspects of Madden, because in certain aspects, Madden's grass isn't green at all.

[mavfan21]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

Franchise mode better get some major upgrades if we're waiting another year....

[Thediehardeaglesfan]

PLZ CHANGE GANG TACKLING!!!!! THATS PROBABLY THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS GAME..:/

[DaveDQ]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

I have to laugh at some interpreting Ian's body language as if to say he's tired and not satisfied with Madden. From what I understand the guy started out as a tester and got to where he is now. I'm sure he gets frustrated at work like the rest of us, but I'm also sure he loves his job.

Maybe his attitude you are picking up on is the frustration with extending himself to the community only to be continually beat up by it. That's not to say he shouldn't be held accountable. I feel the game is boring and stale, but if anyone has extended himself to try and reach out to the NFL football gaming fan, it's Ian.

[capa]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

I have to laugh at some interpreting Ian's body language as if to say he's tired and not satisfied with Madden. From what I understand the guy started out as a tester and got to where he is now. I'm sure he gets frustrated at work like the rest of us, but I'm also sure he loves his job.

Maybe his attitude you are picking up on is the frustration with extending himself to the community only to be continually beat up by it. That's not to say he shouldn't be held accountable. I feel the game is boring and stale, but if anyone has extended himself to try and reach out to the NFL football gaming fan, it's Ian.

Yeah, that must be it..

C