Gamasutra interview with Mark Turmell

[Valdarez]

The Madden team needs help in the following areas:

1. Making the game easier to pick up and play for new players
2. Training new players on 'how to play football'
3. Immersion (presentation)
4. Drama (story telling)
5. Edge (pushing the boundaries while keeping it real)

From what I have read these are things that I think Turmell should be able to aid the Madden team, and IMHO they are all positives for the game. If done properly 1&2 should not affect the hard core sim crowd. They need a beginner mode that makes the game easier while training people how to play the game of football (recognize zone coverage / man coverage, when to throw, how to throw, and so forth).

[NFCBeast55]

I thought we already had an Arcade mode and it was called Rookie difficulty. Seriously, you shouldn't be able to just pick up and be able to successfully carve up a defense or shut down an offense when on the normal difficulties. You should have to learn how to read coverages, understand tendencies, and also have some sort of stick skills. That's what a sim game would be.

[Valdarez]

Quote: Originally Posted by NFCBeast55

I thought we already had an Arcade mode and it was called Rookie difficulty. Seriously, you shouldn't be able to just pick up and be able to successfully carve up a defense or shut down an offense when on the normal difficulties. You should have to learn how to read coverages, understand tendencies, and also have some sort of stick skills. That's what a sim game would be.

Why not? The game's meant to be fun after all, and no one has fun when they lose. I don't see anything wrong with a beginner mode. I do however see something wrong when the game's Rookie level INTs every bad thrown pass.

[Jump]

Quote: Originally Posted by adembroski

"Responsiveness" became total lack of inertia/physics.

That's exactly what came to mind as soon as I heard this guy talking about control and responsiveness.

I think the days of hoping for some form of realistic momentum when changing direction are coming to an end.

[Cryolemon]

Quote: Originally Posted by wEEman33

Madden has never been a true sim and never will be.

A lot of people seem to ignore this.

Quote: Originally Posted by davep

You need to be traded.

To Backbreaker

[dfos81]

Quote: Originally Posted by adembroski

Ian- @adembroski we both know training drills or tests aren't the answer. Great football AI, great tuning, no bugs, high polish ... Those are. Me- @ian_cummings I already know YOU get it. You sound like you're saying Turmell does too, so I'll trust you. Ian- @adembroski definitely. He is a legend dude! SmashTV!!!

Some people seem to be ignoring this.

[J-Unit40]

Quote: Originally Posted by adembroski

All the new people at EA are spitting out the same crap David Ortiz did. "Responsiveness" became total lack of inertia/physics. "Accessibility" became "Eliminate as many presnap elements as possible". My Madden-Morale is pretty low right now.

Quote: Originally Posted by davep

You need to be traded.

That was good.

I have no idea what this game will look like in August 10 and beyond. It's going to be rather interesting. I don't have too much confidence though. I hope I am proven wrong.

EDIT: After reading the rest of the thread, I have no reservation either way now. Ian sounds pretty confident in the crew, so that's a positive.

[reyes the roof]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tbo24

Why in the hell would they want to make the game "more accesible to the novice user"? To me this sounds like a cop out because they know they cant make Madden a true sim experience. It just makes me sick that I cant have a decent up to date football game sitting infront of me.

If they want to make the game more accesible to novice users, they should just include a detailed instruction manual that explains ALL of the controls