First there is the above shot. Remember that NBA Elite was supposed to be "True To The Game". That failed, and now Madden 12 is using the same motto? Bad omen, but hey that's their decision.
So far in the Madden 12 videos, we've seen another upcoming year of ice skating and stiff animations. That doesn't excite me.
Then they talk about the way tackles and collisions will work in Madden 12 as if it's some kind of new technology. It's similar to how last year they used the word "locomotion" incessantly to make unknowledgeable gamers think that locomotion is a technology, which it isn't. Locomotion is an animation STANDARD, all games have it. A biped 3D model cannot walk, run, or properly change direction without a cycle of locomotive animations. So this year the tackle thing is their new spin, but all they've done is make the tackle animation trigger later in the collision check. Don't get me wrong, it's a good thing but it's nothing close to revolutionary.
HDR lighting a big deal? Really? Because there have been all in one game creator software programs with HDR lighting systems for years. Free ones to. I like HDR and all, but it's nothing ground breaking.
So presentation is once again a big deal. Okay, but aside from them showing a few slick cuts, I'm not compelled to believe they've done this properly. Ask yourself, how come they haven't shown any replay graphic wipes? Is it because they're using the same crappy, uninspired ones from previous years instead of exercising sound judgement and just copying a broadcast network (I give the NCAA devs credit for at least having enough sense to get that part right)? Ask yourself, why have they not shown any pre or post play action? Could it be because they haven't done a thing to it? What are they hiding?
Look at the NCAA 12 videos, it's the same deal, and notice that each time the replay wipe comes up in the NCAA 12 vids they cut the video away to something else. Makes me think they don't want people to know that they've stuck with the same horrendous non broadcast replay style, and Madden's big but incomplete presentation showing for 12 makes me think that it's been incomplete on purpose.
Reviewing the pre-release information for Madden 09 you'll recall that the Madden people touted having over "500 cameras" (where were they in the actual game?), great intros, broadcast presentation, blah blah blah, but the final game stunk in this area among others because none of it gelled right. Remember Madden 10's pre-release hype about presentation? They talked about the same thing with camera's being placed strategically around the stadium just like a broadcast. But remember what the final game looked like? Big let down again. It's almost as if they plan to recycle their own hype thinking we've forgotten, but a lot of what they're saying was said in Madden 09 and 10. I haven't forgotten their words. Now I've read that AFTER 7 YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT TIME MIND YOU, there is no halftime or post game show in Madden 12? 7 YEARS and they couldn't figure this out? So they just quit with Madden 10's and said screw it? You've gotta be kidding.
When I can run a franchise with proper progression, I'll be impressed. When I can have my lineman go an entire game without giving up PRIMARY blocking assignments that are right in their face against the entire defensive line multiple times per game, I'll be impressed. When defenses can get a realistic rush on the passer and not allow him to sit in the pocket for ages, order a pizza, and do his taxes, I'll be impressed. When the commentary doesn't sound like a rushed, unprofessionally put together mess, I'll be impressed. Until then, I'm not getting sucked into the hype. This will be another rental season for me and I hope I won't have to take the rental back early like I have for 08, 09, and 10. Didn't even rent 11, played it a friends house. What a terrible game.
They're going all out on the hype train this year after Madden 11's sales tanked, don't be fooled!