Getting Hit by the Madden Hype Machine

[RaychelSnr]

Did you get hit unintentionally by the Madden hype machine this year? Our very own Caley Roark looks to be finally dodging the machine this year. Or is he? Be sure to check out his article Getting Hit by the Madden Hype Machine to find out for yourself. Be sure to let Caley know if you have gotten hit by the machine like he has the past few years.

"Somewhere, deep inside EA's corporate headquarters, marketing executives have my picture framed on the wall. Or at least I think they do, as it seems every advertising decision designed to fuel the Madden hype machine targets my individual weaknesses. It's like they ask, "What will Roark fall for next?" and then stick that on the front of the box."

[GrayFox51]

Re: Getting Hit by the Madden Hype Machine

Just play the damn game if you want, I'm not reading that

[King LeJon #23]

HAHA I agree, This is the first year I have not bought madden in over 10...it feels great! especially after reading all the problems/glitches/bugs it has. Now I can just patiently wait for NBA 2k9

[bigjake62505]

No I wasn't hit buy the BS that EA churns out every year. I have not got Madden yet but I might after it goes down and the patches are out.

[El Greazy 1]

Very well said. I am much like you and had been on the fence for many years but I gave up on Madden after the 07 installment. Until the gameplay quality begins holding it’s own with the quality of other aspects of the game (player models, stadiums, etc), I will hold off on any further purchase. Don’t get me wrong, there are some major strong points to Madden because it does a lot of things well, but at the core of every game one has to ask themself: what is the gameplay like? To me that's the biggest selling point of any game and if it's not up to par, then in my opinion, it does not warrant my hard earned money nor support.

Reviews and feedback have been extremely promising, especially considering the development team is keeping consumers in touch as to patches/fixes (this, I can tell you, is very impressive to me because it’s never really been done by the Madden team before), but I will wait out until the hype fizzles and fades and fixes are affixed. I believe this is the year many gamers will wait out the series and possibly look into other alternatives: buying it used or on EBAY, the Blitz series, All Pro, Backbreaker, Tecmo, etc because it seems, on a whole, that people have started to become aware and are no longer appeased with “good enough”.

I wish the Madden franchise no ill-will because I am a fan of football and football games and I would buy any football game that is a great product. B\ut I would really love for there to be competition in the genre. Competition breeds excellence and without it the one on top crumbles under its own hype and power. This can be said for societies, sports dynasties, animals in nature, etc and in this case, we may be at the beginning stages of seeing one of the most ubiquitous franchises of all time begin to crack and possibly collapse.

[C Jay Tha Real]

your loss

[Caveman Mafia]

Hi, my name is Caveman and i haven't bought madden since Vick was on the cover...i swore off it and i've been doing alright even though i do get the urge sometimes....then i play a friends copy and i lol at how terrible it is....now only if i could do the same for NCAA

[DaveDQ]

Re: Getting Hit by the Madden Hype Machine

Just play the damn game if you want, I'm not reading that

lol..that could probably be the default response to many comments on here.

[Phobia]

Re: Getting Hit by the Madden Hype Machine

Agree with this. I have not bought madden since 05. I buy NCAA every year and was not going to get it this year and only get madden. BUT after talking to some buddies who got NCAA, I was going to get both madden and ncaa. After the NCAA mess with broken sliders, freezing, poor pursuit angles, lack of pass rush, robo QB, ect ect.

I am not buying madden. IAN almost had me. But once the game is out I am seeing some of the same issues (robo QB and freezing LMAO).

Flat out sad the testing team EA has. They must have the best jobs, do nothing for your money.

[Marino]

Re: Getting Hit by the Madden Hype Machine

Agree with this. I have not bought madden since 05. I buy NCAA every year and was not going to get it this year and only get madden. BUT after talking to some buddies who got NCAA, I was going to get both madden and ncaa. After the NCAA mess with broken sliders, freezing, poor pursuit angles, lack of pass rush, robo QB, ect ect.

I am not buying madden. IAN almost had me. But once the game is out I am seeing some of the same issues (robo QB and freezing LMAO).

Flat out sad the testing team EA has. They must have the best jobs, do nothing for your money.

i havent really seen robo QB or any freezing yet...if there are some other issues that you want me to look at i will...but on those two i just want to let you know i havent seen either yet

[jeetaa6]

you've described exactly where i am at this year. but, i'm not even tempted to buy Madden right now. i feel freed!!

"fool me once, shame on me. fool me 3 times, i'm a friggin' idiot and it won't happen again"! is that how the quote goes????

[RoyalBoyle78]

Clay I your a good man and a good witter, but I must say I have disappointed in the past, yes there will NEVER be a glitch free game, or a gimmick free game, I will saythough Madden 09 is a great step forward and a solid football title this year, To each his own I guess.

[therockstar2005]

I agree if you know that you don't enjoy Madden and you truly do love 2k5. I will say that while this year's version has been really good for me, the fact remains that it is still Madden, and still will play like Madden. If you love 2k5's gameplay, it's far better to just stick with it and not worry about it. Don't let others convince you of how you should enjoy your game.

[Crash Davis]

This is the first madden on Next Gen to actually do something, solid game small small flaws that I actually believe are being blow waay out of perpotion

Madden is a hyped game no doubt, but you wanna talk about the biggest hyped game that didnt deserve it, Grand Theft Auto 4. a solid game but by no means even close to classic as almost every review states

Anywho I respect waiting past the release date for madden but at least rent it i think youll be pleasently suprised

[Steelerfan2k1]

I got caught up in the hype for Head Coach 09 on here, and I went out on Tuesday and picked up Madden CE and the strategy guide for HC09.

HC09 is worthy of the hype. I am very satisfied with my purchase.