Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

[EA_E_McCan]

Hey Guys,
My name is Erle McCan and I'm the new audio lead for Madden 11.
I just wanted to reach out to the OS community and kind of get a feel for what you guys like in regards to the sounds of football.
Now when I say sounds I'm pretty much talking about everything you hear.
However, I would really love to know what you guys feel makes football so special when you're either at the game or watching it on TV when it comes to the sound of the game (Player chatter, tackles, crowd cheers/chants, etc).
I would also love to hear from all of the different fans for all 32 teams.
Have you been to a game in person to watch and hear your favorite team?
Were you at the new Cowboys stadium for the opening ceremony?
What did that sound like? Did the sound practically vibrate your ears off?
Let me know, I would love to hear from football / Madden fans.
Thanks

Erle McCan
Lead Audio for Madden 11

[thaima1shu]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

First and foremost, I think that the booth commentary needs improvement. Tom Hammond is atrocious. It makes me feel bored when he's talking. That shouldn't happen. He's so lifeless and monotone.

Secondly, specifically for the Seahawks, it's quite obvious that we have one of the loudest home fields in the league. There should be a way to differentiate the louder stadiums from the rest of them, you know? It'd also be nice to specifically incorporate the 12th man type stuff for the Seahawks, specifically. The raising of the 12th man flag before the games, just stuff like that.

[LionsFanNJ]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

I know a big thing is make playoff and the Super Bowl FEEL like they're important games. As it stands now you don't get that feel for the games. The presentation elements are coming along, the sound should too.

also, games with lesser teams late in the season should have a more subdued sound unless its a rivalry game.

[Smoke316]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

Welcome to the site McCan. Id like to here more stadium specific sounds (JETS chant for example) i used to here in previus Maddens the PA announcer mention maybe parking or drink not being served after the 3rd quarter. I like this year where we here the crown spefically at times id like more of those. The player chatter is cool maybe a li more chatter when a play is being changed. Maybe the more aware Qbs calling out the MLB by jersey number. ..the more i think of anything the more ill post

[Danimal]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

Welcome.

Commentary is first and foremost and you'll hear a lot of how it is boring. but the sound levels, the editing and to be frank the lines being given to the talent all need work.

Things missing or I think need more *umph*

- Whistles
- Pads hitting, especially on tackles
- Crowd chants
- Dynamic crowd noise, let me tell you I'm a Bears fan if they have a few bad offensive possessions the boos come out quick. I think dynamic crowd noise in relation to whats happening on the field needs a lot of work. Crowd swells on big runs, hits, plays. Have you ever heard a whole stadium groan on a big hit in Madden.
- Stadium sounds, give us the ability to add sounds for key events if you can't do them all yourself.

Good Luck

[cedwebb]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

ahhh..very cool that you will be looking into this for 11. I was just at a broncos game this weekend and there were some things that are very specific to that stadium. BTW I am a vikes fan, i was just in the area and wanted to go to live game this year.

Anyway after every incomplete pass by the visiting team the crowd will yell "IN-COM-PLETE!! It is very annoying if you are not a broncos fan but very specific to there stadium sounds. Also on big 3rd downs when they are on defense the stadium is loud, like the stands are actually rumbling, if you can incoorperate that in 11 that would rock. Not just for the broncos but for every team as that is what happens.

Also from my experience while at Vikings games the biggest thing that has been missing is the horn sound after big plays, first downs, and TDs. That needs to get in there. Also after TDs they you hear a small explosion in the Metrodome, i think its like a cannon but its loud in there. Thanks!:wink:

[Meazza]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

I know a big thing is make playoff and the Super Bowl FEEL like they're important games. As it stands now you don't get that feel for the games. The presentation elements are coming along, the sound should too.

also, games with lesser teams late in the season should have a more subdued sound unless its a rivalry game.

I could have sworn I read a blog earlier in the year which stated that our jaws were literally going to drop when we played in a playoffs game this year.

For playoffs/late season meaningful games, there should be an entirely different presentation from a preseason/early season/exhibition mode game. There should be more cutscenes, louder atmosphere, stadium specific things (I can't believe that in Madden 10 there are still no terrible towels/team chants in the game).

[thaima1shu]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

Welcome.

Commentary is first and foremost and you'll hear a lot of how it is boring. but the sound levels, the editing and to be frank the lines being given to the talent all need work.

Things missing or I think need more *umph*

- Whistles
- Pads hitting, especially on tackles
- Crowd chants
- Dynamic crowd noise, let me tell you I'm a Bears fan if they have a few bad offensive possessions the boos come out quick. I think dynamic crowd noise in relation to whats happening on the field needs a lot of work. Crowd swells on big runs, hits, plays. Have you ever heard a whole stadium groan on a big hit in Madden.
- Stadium sounds, give us the ability to add sounds for key events if you can't do them all yourself.

Good Luck

I agree with all of this. Pretty much hits a lot of the big things right on the head.

[FullTiltRyan]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

What makes the experience great when watching on TV or live includes several aspects:
-The roar of the crowd not after a big play, but right before and during it. It seems that the crowd in all previous Madden game does not 'build' enough as the play is happening.
-The way the quarterbacks voices can be heard at the line. It would be great to have most, if not all, of their voices in the game so when they go through their cadence it sounds real.

-Commentary when watching on TV is very important, include pregame and post game. Madden has never really seemed to get it right. It sounds like a bad job of looping the actual lines that are recorded. It does not sound natural. Alex Flannagan sounds very robotic when she introduces teams or recaps games.

Ex. "The final score.....Dallas....28......the Giants......21."
"The Ravens defense......had 6...sacks....in the game."

I can just tell that it's a game and does not sound like a natural flow. It takes you out of the game.
Tom Hammond also sounds very bored. He shows little to no emotion no matter what is happening. The lines that him and Chris have sound very canned and not at all like they are sitting in the booth watching the same game. Again, there's no natural flow. Tom should tell us that Felix Jones of the Cowboys just broke off a 20 yard gain, and Chris should immediately tell us about his game breaking speed, and how he compliments Marion Barber's style. Tom should tell us that the Bucs defense is baffled by Peyton Manning, and Chris should tell us how there is new coaching staff, a new scheme, and how they got rid of the stalwarts of the defense in John Lynch, Derrick Brooks, etc.

It just needs to be more dynamic. And not just for the first season. We need to hear stories like this throughout a Franchise.

Hope this helps.

[Articula]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

Welcome.

Commentary is first and foremost and you'll hear a lot of how it is boring. but the sound levels, the editing and to be frank the lines being given to the talent all need work.


Things missing or I think need more *umph*

- Whistles
- Pads hitting, especially on tackles
- Crowd chants
- Dynamic crowd noise, let me tell you I'm a Bears fan if they have a few bad offensive possessions the boos come out quick. I think dynamic crowd noise in relation to whats happening on the field needs a lot of work. Crowd swells on big runs, hits, plays. Have you ever heard a whole stadium groan on a big hit in Madden.
- Stadium sounds, give us the ability to add sounds for key events if you can't do them all yourself.

Good Luck

All of the above!!! Plus Bear Down Chicago Bears in certain situations. If I'm down 45-10 and score I don't want to hear that song. However, if we take the lead on a late score, you're damn sure I want to hear that song.

Edit - Welcome Erle!

[JaymeeAwesome]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

If you can add the "canned" noise that the Colts pump into their system to make it louder, that would be a cool effect. Colts fans are definitely not as loud as they portray

[Purple28Pedestrian]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

When you break out on a big run, i think the crowd should erupt, as opposed to now when its quite until you break the the goaline,

I'd also love to hear a more dynamic crowd, even slight control rumble when it gets loud,

Crowd chanting Defense, i'm not sure if that's in the game

[skoods]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

As an Eagles fan we need to hear E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles during points in the game. As well as having the horn and "fly eagles fly" after touchdowns when at home.

Dynamic crowd noise would be amazing.

[salbowski]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

Another lamb...

We need to feel like we're playing at home or away... if the packers are playing at the Vikings and the packers are on 3rd and 1, the stadium need to be jumping presnap... this could also create some lag on audibles (not an audio issue but can be linked).

When refs make dodgy decisions against home teams, I want to here the crowd BOOing after the announcement (whether it's after a challenge or ref consultation).

Better, more impactful sound effects-
Pads/helmets hitting during a tackle.
Louder whistles (refs).
Player/fan chatter.

Attempt to make each home stadium unique-
Vikings horn and explosion post TD.
Buccs cannons.
Seahawks could be louder than most places
J-E-T-S
E-A-G-L-E-S........

Perhaps have coaches voices (not sure of the legalities of having actual coaches voices but you could have various accents/tones {could be awful if not done correctly}) after you've called a play/in the huddle.

Good luck... hope you've got some thick skin.

[stopper654]

Re: Sounds of the game NFl and Madden football

We need the sounds for Madden 10 that we were promised then worry about Madden 11 at a later date