Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

[Vikes1]

I guess I'll chime in too....

I was so hopeful that Madden '09', was going to be THE release that I'd be enjoying a long term franchise with....I'm not even off the ground yet. The waiting for patches, and now DLC [if we get it] has held me back. I just want the game as correct as possible before I start. And I now realize I really need the old style sliders to adjust things to my liking.[and I've got a bad feeling were SOL with the DLC.] So my wait may have been in vain.

Many have complained about the lack of presentation and atmosphere[the game is boring] while I don't disagree, but my disappointment is a bit different. My disappointment lies with the lack of attention to the basic details of the sport. There are just too many things you must try to look past, to make the game enjoyable. Every game has it's flaws...but Madden '09' is riddled with them. So many if fact, from it's gameplay to it's off season logic, it really should be just plain unacceptable at this point in time.

The fact the several gamers are defecting back to the older gen Madden games, speaks volumes about the state of the newer gen games in many peoples minds. IMO...by year four of this generation, the older gen games should have been relegated down to a nice fuzzy little memory....not where gamers are going to get a more fun and correct football gaming experience.

I'm cautiously optimistic about Madden's future. Personally, I believe it's going to be a process to get Madden where most of us want it. I think it's kind of ill advisable to say...or believe it may happen in merely one year. But for the time being, I'm just hoping for some good news about this years game...and getting the DLC in the very near future would help a lot. I sure hope the news on the DLC isn't the last disappointment pertaining to Madden '09'.

[dave374]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheFuture15

Also, dave374, I think this is a great thread. Believe it or not I share many of the same sentiments with you as well.

You can just call me Dave. The 374 is only indicative of the number of times I've complained about Madden 09. Oops, sorry, did I say that out loud?

[MJenness]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vikes1

I guess I'll chime in too.... I was so hopeful that Madden '09', was going to be THE release that I'd be enjoying a long term franchise with....I'm not even off the ground yet. The waiting for patches, and now DLC [if we get it] has held me back. I just want the game as correct as possible before I start. And I now realize I really need the old style sliders to adjust things to my liking.[and I've got a bad feeling were SOL with the DLC.] So my wait may have been in vain. Many have complained about the lack of presentation and atmosphere[the game is boring] while I don't disagree, but my disappointment is a bit different. My disappointment lies with the lack of attention to the basic details of the sport. There are just too many things you must try to look past, to make the game enjoyable. Every game has it's flaws...but Madden '09' is riddled with them. So many if fact, from it's gameplay to it's off season logic, it really should be just plain unacceptable at this point in time. The fact the several gamers are defecting back to the older gen Madden games, speaks volumes about the state of the newer gen games in many peoples minds. IMO...by year four of this generation, the older gen games should have been relegated down to a nice fuzzy little memory....not where gamers are going to get a more fun and correct football gaming experience. I'm cautiously optimistic about Madden's future. Personally, I believe it's going to be a process to get Madden where most of us want it. I think it's kind of ill advisable to say...or believe it may happen in merely one year. But for the time being, I'm just hoping for some good news about this years game...and getting the DLC in the very near future would help a lot. I sure hope the news on the DLC isn't the last disappointment pertaining to Madden '09'.

Well said! I think the real problem now lies in the fact that they've put "band-aids" on gaping wounds....the gameplay was OFF on the first in this generation, and they've upped this or removed that to compensate until the game is just fundamentally broken now. We have things in the game now that appear to mean NOTHING...no fatigue, sliders for penalties that even when cranked ALL the way up, we still only see about three types of penalties called.

And the ratings mean ZILCH! NOTHING.....the only rating that translates on the field is speed...and even that is wonked up because you see linemen running down 90+ speed rated backs.

IMHO, this game is screwed unless they just blow up about 90% of it and start over, since it seems just too complicated for them to repair what is broken. It has had many of the same problems for 2-3 years now.

Also, I think part of the problem lies in the staff at EA. It is one thing to be a football FAN and another being a person that really UNDERSTANDS football. It appears EA is more focused on the "highlight reel" type gameplay and manipulates the on field action in whatever way it needs to to try to replicate that. Just watch the replays....watch what the players do on almost every play, and you'll see some totally oddball crap. Watch the linemen...watch the DB as they "follow" the recievers...watch the no-look, across the field, through the head, QB throws...it just goes on and on.

There are so many fundamental elements of football missing in this game now, it is almost laughable....but hard to laugh if you're a fanatic and it's the only game in town!

[AlexBrady]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheFuture15

Just to follow up on this as I've posted this before, but there are no designers that are former tournament guys on Madden 2010. Hopefully you all will see from my posts (and eventually from the game) that Madden will absolutely NOT be catered to the tournament crowd. Those guys will figure out glitches and exploits no matter what...I'd rather us make the game so that someone can run a real-life offense and beat them instead of having to find 'better' exploits. Also, dave374, I think this is a great thread. Believe it or not I share many of the same sentiments with you as well. I am super excited with the position I'm in to make the game into what we all want it to be. It may take a long time, or it may only take a year...I don't really know. But it's a great spot to be - you all have a direct line to the lead designer and I have hundreds or thousands of hardcore Madden fans that just want one thing - a great f'ing game.

Thanks for instilling confidence in our minds Ian.

[dave374]

Quote: Originally Posted by kcxiv

In all honesty it shouldnt take long at all. APF did it in 1 year. To me that is the best game play football game ever created. I am talking in terms of when you kick the ball off to the time the clock reads :00 at the end of the 4th quarter. I just dont know why its taken EA so long. Maybe one day it will be a pretty good game, but i do know that there is no way on this earth i am buying next years Madden. I spent 60 bucks to play 09 for about 10 days total.

APF didn't do it in one year.
That engine was refined over years.

[kmart2180]

Posted a thread bout this but it fits perfect in here and since theres a nice group discussion going on in here I thought I'd paste it in here. (sorry if u read it already in the thread I had made)

*Sort of a long read* *Offline play only*

Once upon a time Madden meant sumthing to me. It was a game that I actually craved for. I could not wait to come home from where ever I was to play it. I could easily lose a day in it. Play a complete franchise (or pretty close) in a day. Enjoy playing 4 player co-op franchise's (with a actuall challenge) Make sure to pop it in daily to get that football rush. Couldnt wait to get to the draft to get new players.

To make the long story short, ever since Next Gen consoles Madden has not meant the same to me. Dont get me wrong I still get all worked up getting excited about the release. Checking forume's every day for the new info/screen shot/video. But once I have the game and get used to playing it. I lose interest quickly for some reason. The game is not giving me that thrill / that rush that I used to get. I cant seem to enjoy the game for what it is because theres to many little things that bug me. And those little things end up being big things and it comes to the point of not return (trading it in waiting for next year).

I just cannot get into a game that when I am a average team going up a against a great RB and the cpu can only manage a 17- 36 yards. It bugs the heck out of me. Also I love playing the Safety position and like to play the run, but never ever have to pay the price when I do come up cause the cpu doesnt throw the ball deep. So I say ok Im too good for the cpu at safety cause they cannot run the ball period, or know enough to pass deep on me to keep me back.

So i then say let me play on the D-Line. Maybe without me making so many tackles with the SS the cpu will be able to run the ball...............NOPE! Great Backs still average 15-35 yds if that sometimes.

Theres other things like Vince Young of all people completing 72% of his passes at the end of the year. Its a small thing but C'Mon its not real football. All %'s are way to high.

Its sad to say this but the CPU AI was smarter in the last gen years (PS2/XBox). If you was out of position u would have to pay for your mistake. Playing against a Randy Moss or T.O. would actually be a challenge. A star back would be able to break 100 once in a while against you. Franchise mode was actually fun (seems so boring now).

Madden needs to rethink the speed = a great madden team. And start making teams that play physical and can pound u better. My 49er defense in real life really aint that good but in madden it seems like they are gods because of their speed. Brandan Jacobs should kill me up the middle. But in Madden he cant cause my speedy D gets there to quickly. And even if some way he did It wouldnt matter if I put 9 guys in the box cause the cpu is to dumb to go deep on me. Big Backs need some love cause they win games and carry the load. Not that scatbacks dont but in madden Im 100% that most would prefer the 99 speed back over the 99 trucking back. There needs to be more of a struggle to take down power backs. Force us to put more in the box. Or watch out on the edges for fast backs. Every game needs to be different from the last.

Playing the Saints should feel way different then playing the Titans. In Madden I dont feel that difference at all. From any team. You dont have to gameplan any differently for any team. The Chess game is gone. And thats what football is all about. A 5-6 db package should not stop the run the ways it does in Madden (due to speed).

I am a realistic stat hound so theres a few things that really bug me but I could even overlook them if the game just played good enough when I was actually playing it. The game is pretty good but theres just too many things within the game that makes me cringe when playing it.

CPU Sliders would have helped alot. (But only if they really worked) Like if I max the CPU RB sliders make them run really smart (not just break a million tackles) Find the holes quicker/ get the smart 3-4 sometimes instead of juking there way into a 4-5 yd loss. The QB pass slider needs to work to a point where if you set it high/low you see a BIG difference in completion %'s. Int sliders at 0 should mean less ints.

I could go on forever I suppose but I'd like to see others takes on this GEN from last (in a CPU AI comparing) Do you feel that it has gotten worst/better? And Im sure alot enjoy the game for what it is but does it keep you coming back for more? (Franchisers only) Cause im sure online gamers enjoy the game more but I'm not much a madden onlin gamer. Prefer the Franchise/ Co-op Franchise route.

I long for the day a football game resembles football. When you have to play the Colts and your worried about all Mannings weapons and bring out the 5-6 db package and then Addia runs all over you. Forcing you to change your strategy. (Real football)

[Exonerated]

Speed is the most utter bs in Madden.

The best player on the colts defense is the 70 overall nickelback with 95 speed.

Speed is deadly in the right situation. NOT EVERY SITUATION.

Its ridiculous when a 70 ovr 95 Speed WR is better than a 95 ovr 90 speed receiver.

[Vikes1]

I always try to remind myself that Madden is a $60 video game...not a $600 video simulator. With that said, Madden will always I believe have a certain amount of arcade value to it. Which isn't a 100% bad thing in my opinion. As long as that arcade value doesn't dominate the game. Like most people I'm willing to deal with a few quirks, even flaws, as long as their kept to what at least seems like a minimum. However, so far with these newer gen Madden games the flaws seem too many in number...and repeated.

I honestly believe the development team does care about the game, and how it's received. I care about my labor, and I never hear/read feedback on how I've done from the customer. I'm quite sure the people at EA/TIB are no different than any of us. No one wants to hear their work is crap.

But something...somewhere is wrong, for all of the flaws and glitches to be getting through to the gaming public. Hopefully with new leadership now working on Madden, they'll be able to pinpoint where the problems are...and correct them to the best of their ability. For many of us the game of football, and Madden is more than just a game...it's a hobby and a passion. I don't think Madden '09' is a horrible game...but I do believe even the Madden title deserves to be better in the future. For us, and the games reputation.