I'm starting to get encouraged...

[CapnKill]

To be honest I think after Madden 09 NG I pretty much wrote the series off and figured I'd just maybe take a glancing look at it from now on, but with no expectation really and probably just a rental at best.

I know they had blogs last year, but I never got the impression that they were tackling important issues so I discarded them for the most part. I also felt that after 4 or 5 years now on the NG system this game wasn't going to get much better and its current state was basically nothing that I considered spending even $30 on.

So far most of the information that has been shared with us and the issues that are being addressed are actually very important, and have shown me that the new staff is serious about bringing this game back out of the ashes.

I don't know how this will play out, but I'm certainly willing to give this new team the benefit of the doubt and at least for now my interest in the Madden series has been rekindled. I think every title that is sold yearly should take this approach, where developers actually communicate with the fan base via blogs and forums. Tapping this huge pool of hard core fans for ideas and such is a great way to approach things and its mind boggling to me that it hasn't been done sooner.

So I find it odd for people to say that they are concerned with this new direction, because I'm not sure what more you want at this point. I was concerned before, but now I've become encouraged!

[Golden28]

Re: I'm starting to get encouraged...

Hooray. Optimism again. Well said.

[roadman]

Re: I'm starting to get encouraged...

Best thread of the day, perhaps up to this year.

I couldn't agree more.

[xX CASCABEL Xx]

Re: I'm starting to get encouraged...

To be honest I think after Madden 09 NG I pretty much wrote the series off and figured I'd just maybe take a glancing look at it from now on, but with no expectation really and probably just a rental at best.

I know they had blogs last year, but I never got the impression that they were tackling important issues so I discarded them for the most part. I also felt that after 4 or 5 years now on the NG system this game wasn't going to get much better and its current state was basically nothing that I considered spending even $30 on.

So far most of the information that has been shared with us and the issues that are being addressed are actually very important, and have shown me that the new staff is serious about bringing this game back out of the ashes.

I don't know how this will play out, but I'm certainly willing to give this new team the benefit of the doubt and at least for now my interest in the Madden series has been rekindled. I think every title that is sold yearly should take this approach, where developers actually communicate with the fan base via blogs and forums. Tapping this huge pool of hard core fans for ideas and such is a great way to approach things and its mind boggling to me that it hasn't been done sooner.

So I find it odd for people to say that they are concerned with this new direction, because I'm not sure what more you want at this point. I was concerned before, but now I've become encouraged!

I agree, just never put into words.

[hollerback04]

Re: I'm starting to get encouraged...

well played sir... well played:wink:

[Tito78]

I'm getting encouraged with all interaction that's been happening; however , people have every right to skeptical. Madden on the 360/ps3 has been horrible, period.

[roadman]

Re: I'm starting to get encouraged...

Understood Tito, but that was also a team that's not together anymore. Every person working on Madden is brand new from last year.

Just because it say's EA on it, doesn't mean we can blame the new team about the past, can we?

We can certainly blame EA, though.

[Tyrant8RDFL]

Re: I'm starting to get encouraged...

Ahhh nice and refreshing to see a positive post.

Good Job OP, and we share your same thoughts.

Madden 2010 will be a solid title.

Yep I said it

[g2thecore]

Re: I'm starting to get encouraged...

Great post! I share the same feelings. I think these guys have showed enough to gain our trusts at the very least. Ian and Co. have been very active on these boards picking our brains for ideas.

The previous regime of developers were never this concerned with realism and "sim-style" gameplay. I'm more than encouraged, I'm super excited and can't wait to see all the effort come to fruition.

[StevieTheD]

Re: I'm starting to get encouraged...

I agree, without Online Franchise I will sell all my stock in EA and definitely NOT buy Madden. Also based on the already-released information, this is going to be the worst Madden ever. Forget 2K5, this won't even be as good as 2K4 or even 2K3!

(Oh, wait. Is this the wrong thread?... )

After purchasing MLB 2K9 I don't think Madden 10 could possibly disappoint me. That game has set my expectations so low that I would be content without anything.

I've always been content with Madden, but never truly impressed. Obviously, I can't evaluate Madden 10 as I've never played it, let alone seen videos or even screen shots. However, I will say that the information already released about Madden 10 sounds very promising. As many others, I am cautiously optimistic.

While I'd love to judge the next Madden based entirely on expectations of what it should be, I can really only base it as compared to last year and the information provided by Ian and co. IMO, it's unfair to compare it to the ideal game, because real world limitations make that impossible. Whether we like it or not, a significant factor affecting how good Madden 10 turns out to be is Madden 09. They have to build off of and expand on what they already have. Any expectations that come from the blogs must be tempered by the fact that Madden 10 is not a completely new came, but a (hopefully wonderful) amendment and enhancement to Madden 09. Expecting Madden 10 to be the perfect game is almost like having expected Barack Obama to take office and have the economy, terrorism, and poverty all fixed by his first week.

Also, if you have your mind made up that Madden 10 will be inadequate then of course you'll hate it because you will look for reasons to hate it. If you come in with a realistic positive attitude or even open-minded and objective then you very well may like it (even if you don't want to). I personally want it to be a good, fun game so I will approach it. I'll be much happier with my purchase when I am playing and looking for reason to like it, rather than looking for reasons to hate it.

[Glorious Arc]

Re: I'm starting to get encouraged...

I agree that they are heading in the right direction and as soon as they drop the real stuff people are finally going to shut up...wait that wont ever happen, people will always complain about something unfortunately...but you get the picture.

Keep up the good work

[Vikes1]

Re: I'm starting to get encouraged...

I think theres many reasons to be encouraged.

As many have said...having a new team developing Madden '10' is reason for optimism. This franchise needed fresh life breathed into it, and a refocusing of what it was suppose to be....a simulation. And all indications so far are, thats whats happening.

Myself...I'll continue to be cautiously optimistic, because thats my nature. But the early news about Madden '10', and it's focus on more realistic game play is very encouraging.

[salbowski]

Re: I'm starting to get encouraged...

I agree completely... i'm actually delighted that im looking forward to M10, i was worried i wasn't gonna get my fix this year.
However, i think we should all remain sceptical cos our moans will/hopefully stop EA and tiburon from becoming lazy and lacksidasical again... I JUST REALLY HOPE THIS COMMUNITY INTERACTION ISN'T JUST A PR EXERCISE DEVISED IN THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT...i'll reserve my "concern" or "encouragement" for when it's released and i play it... and not a moment sooner.