Graphics or Gameplay? Need More Space?

[BrianFifaFan]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheFuture15

Yeah just to re-affirm what's already been said: - Graphics and gameplay DO fight for space, but not in a disc space way. They fight for memory, and as someone said, 360 and PS3 both have 512. If there was 1 gig of memory tomorrow, we'd have no problem adding something like fully stocked sidelines...it would probably be a one or two week task to finish. We could also double our animation numbers as well with no problems whatsoever. I pray the next consoles have like 4 gig of RAM or something absurd like that so we can really go crazy with more characters (that's usually the big limiter...not CPU cycles). - We are not limited in disc space...we still fit fine on a DVD-DL...with TONS of room to spare on Blu-Ray. We're actually trying to think of ways to utilize Blu-Ray more next year to give PS3 a little extra love. Tutorials, trophies, HOF videos, gifs, EA Sports Extras, etc...have little to do with the in-game product other than the fact that time was spent on them initially that wasn't spent elsewhere. And of course now they have small "maintenance" costs each year. But nothing out in the menu systems (i.e. before you get into game) is limiting anything in gameplay.

But isn't that the reason that developers used to use cutscenes, to add depth to the experience and not run out of RAM? I ask in the context that the presentation has been kinda blah,especially when it comes to playoff atmosphere, Super Bowl and even pre-post game. For us single player guys, that's critical. Now I realize that the focus of Madden this gen is away from cutscene stuff, because guys just skip them after a while. Is there a way to add cutscenes that are like Head Coach in appearance to add flavor? If we can't get living sidelines can we at least get those?

[Guillotine 1]

Very insightful posting by all those who replied, thank you.

So I see it is not a matter of removing this or deleting that. It is more a matter of how to best utilize the resources (512) given to the task at hand, and then prioitizing them based on market damand & development cycle. Good stuff, thanks for clearing this up for me.

[kwas676]

I dont know after playing all pro I dont think 2k would have been light years head of where madden is now.

[The GIGGAS]

Quote: Originally Posted by kwas676

I dont know after playing all pro I dont think 2k would have been light years head of where madden is now.

Yeah, after taking a 3-year break from making football games, they totally didn't do enough. Nope, a new rating-less system, updated AI, new stadiums...

Yeah. They are just lazy bastards.

[Guillotine 1]

Quote: Originally Posted by kwas676

I dont know after playing all pro I dont think 2k would have been light years head of where madden is now.

O agree, I see no scenario in which either game could have been light years ahead of the other. I believe it was Ian who pointed out in another thread that 2K went the immersion/gameplay route where as Madden goes the graphics/gameplay route. With either one some things will be compromised a bit.

But, just looking at Madden '09 it seems to be a very solid improvement over '08. So whatever they are doing to make the game better it worked. If its using different textures, or lighting, lighting effects, shading, or motion blur...etc Whatever they are doing is working.

[Guillotine 1]

Also on a side note...I think EA is doing the right thing when it comes to keeping the team smaller and having the same guys work on the game ever year. chemistry is important.

[Klocker]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheFuture15

Yeah just to re-affirm what's already been said: - Graphics and gameplay DO fight for space, but not in a disc space way. They fight for memory, and as someone said, 360 and PS3 both have 512. If there was 1 gig of memory tomorrow, we'd have no problem adding something like fully stocked sidelines...it would probably be a one or two week task to finish. We could also double our animation numbers as well with no problems whatsoever. I pray the next consoles have like 4 gig of RAM or something absurd like that so we can really go crazy with more characters (that's usually the big limiter...not CPU cycles). - We are not limited in disc space...we still fit fine on a DVD-DL...with TONS of room to spare on Blu-Ray. We're actually trying to think of ways to utilize Blu-Ray more next year to give PS3 a little extra love. Tutorials, trophies, HOF videos, gifs, EA Sports Extras, etc...have little to do with the in-game product other than the fact that time was spent on them initially that wasn't spent elsewhere. And of course now they have small "maintenance" costs each year. But nothing out in the menu systems (i.e. before you get into game) is limiting anything in gameplay.

thanks for re-affirming

I often see these posts about lacking features on the field. Most people assume it's based on money invested, developer size, DVD disc space (or laziness ) which as we can see is ridiculous. The trade offs that you have to make to fit into RAM look like the hard choices.

I loved AP2k but it is evident that they spent more of that 512 MB of RAM on sidelines and refs and what not where Madden 09 is giving us more fidelity and realism in the fields, lighting, player models , AI and now animation interactions than you have before.

I personally will take those trades and like the direction you have gone with the limited resources of RAM that you have.

[dano562003]

Gameplay all the way!

Screw graphics.