Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

[adriano]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

I just finally played the Demo, surprised by how much I did seem to like it but this post here is how I also feel. The passing game.... touch passing is still not there enough for me personally. I still don't feel in control of where im putting the ball and I have hated this for years from Madden. The presentation, movements, graphics, gameplay all seem alot bettery but the passing needs to be addressed. Madden seems be on the right track though, if they can improve the passing game, add a full halftime show/end of game show with highlights/commentary from around the league, and keep expanding on the presentation and gameplay, they can finally get rid of my fond memories of NFL2K5. On that note, I am also impressed by the replays this year, very nice looking they have a NFL2K feel to them. Also I love how the running game and tackling looks this year.

One thing I really hate in Madden is the lead passing. I have noticed you
In this years game, I can lead passes, better than in past games..
I hot routed streaks, threw it towards the middle of the field and towards
the sidelines..I would say 70 to 80 % worked.. The Shot gun formation
I had the most success..

I am with you it needs to be better.. i would rather it miss fire in the
direction I was aiming.. Then have a completion, no where
near where I was aiming....I hate that the most.. I think I want to try
the retail version..I am leaning of a purchase. The game felt good.

[Playmakers]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

I did turn the game down to slow and got a better game. I'm still disappointed about the DBs and LBs having "psychic" powers and not being able to force a few tight passes. How should I go about fixing this without cheating? Turn up the QB Accuracy, WR Catching sliders? Turn down DB sliders? Haven't bought this game since '06, so bare with me.

What the heck is going on with you guys in this thread?

Why is it all of sudden considered cheating if you tweak the gameplay sliders....

You are trying to accomplish something to deliver better gameplay for you right.....so why would it be cheating

Did EA all of sudden release a manual that states if you move a slider up or down ut us now considered cheating....because in this thread along i've seen quite a few guys used that theory

[guaps]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

What the heck is going on with you guys in this thread?

Why is it all of sudden considered cheating if you tweak the gameplay sliders....

You are trying to accomplish something to deliver better gameplay for you right.....so why would it be cheating

Did EA all of sudden release a manual that states if you move a slider up or down ut us now considered cheating....because in this thread along i've seen quite a few guys used that theory

I can only speak for myself, but I don't consider tweaking sliders as cheating per se. I do, however, feel that I'm sometime cheating the game to make up for poor AI. That is, creating an even larger amount of unrealistic situations to get better gameplay and\or stats.

If I have to make the defenders get off their blocks unrealistically fast when playing run defense, just so I can get some decent gameplay and better stats, I feel like I'm cheating.

But I guess it all depends on your point of view. For some, it's enough to have accurate stats, regardless of how unrealistic you get it, to get a feeling of realism in the game, while I don't care about accurate stats unless they are the product of realistic gameplay.

I still remember how Tiburon last year refused to acknowledge that the kick returning was unrealistic and broken with the argument that "people got accurate stats".

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

The bottom line is, this impression is very, VERY, VERY misleading, for these two simple reasons:

1) Making thoughtless assumptions, and

2) Failing to even do their due diligence in exploring the demo.



First, you CAN spotlight a receiver. Press up on the pad (or get to the coverage audibles, basically), Press A/X for indiv. coverage, and pick the receiver. Then choose to spotlight him. Take's a lot of time at first, especially if you don't like the pad or aren't used to it, but after a while you memorize the button presses.

Also, there is no play call screen because teams don't have TIME to scroll through a playbook and pick a play. In college, the clock stops when you get a 1st down, so you can scroll a little bit for a new formation. In the NFL, the clock keeps going. Seriously, when has a team had time to get a new play from the sideline during a 2-minute drill?

[b]

Um, maybe if you would've checked to see what the game speed was, you'd know that the game speed default this year was different that what it was last year. They didn't make the game faster.

[b]

The demo was submitted in May, right? That's what was posted on here, right? Or at least it was stated somewhere, couldn't exactly find it, but I know it's in the threads because I get all my Madden/NCAA info from OS.
Regardless, you guys are in contact with devs, you EVEN have multiple devs who interact on OS, is it hard to send a PM asking, "Hey, this demo feels different from the E3 build, is this pre or post E3?"

Also, how can Jayson and Steve imply that this demo is basically worse than the E3 build? This COULDN'T have been submitted after E3 because I can't see a game getting worse than what it previously was in 2 months unless they went in and changed stuff, which wouldn't really be possible since the game is typically finished a month before release.

I don't mean to rant or anything, and I'm not defending EA in any way. I just wanted to express how much I felt this impression was misleading. Just MY opinion guys.

Oh, and I love the demo

The thing with Madden today (and I actually am getting used to it now and like the challenge) is on defense you have about 5 seconds to make adjustments. IRL the same normally holds true unless there is motion (which the cpu does do sometimes) or an audible.

I use the quick link (old school adjustments) so everyone on PS3 knows triangle to adjust the secondary...then press X to activate spotlight, press appropriate button for player you want to highlight and adjust the shading or press or drop back....you have to know coming out of the huddle who you want to key on. If you do you can get in that adjustment and a line shift, LB shift, or individual hot route. Or if you come out of the huddle and see something you don't like...just call an old fashioned audible.

You can't adjust coverage, adjust line, adjust LB and assign an individual defensive hot route on one play.....not going to happen. We are not playing as multiple players on the defense...that is a con of the game but you can adjust.

And I am glad. Makes you really play chess which is what football is and make a decision or 2 on what adjustment you want to make based on being able to predict the oppositions next move. Down and distance, where they are on the field, what is the score...what point in the game are you in.

It's not that bad.

That to me makes the game a challenge.

[kbseven]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

The bottom line is, this impression is very, VERY, VERY misleading, for these two simple reasons:

1) Making thoughtless assumptions, and

2) Failing to even do their due diligence in exploring the demo.



First, you CAN spotlight a receiver. Press up on the pad (or get to the coverage audibles, basically), Press A/X for indiv. coverage, and pick the receiver. Then choose to spotlight him. Take's a lot of time at first, especially if you don't like the pad or aren't used to it, but after a while you memorize the button presses.

Also, there is no play call screen because teams don't have TIME to scroll through a playbook and pick a play. In college, the clock stops when you get a 1st down, so you can scroll a little bit for a new formation. In the NFL, the clock keeps going. Seriously, when has a team had time to get a new play from the sideline during a 2-minute drill?

[b]

Um, maybe if you would've checked to see what the game speed was, you'd know that the game speed default this year was different that what it was last year. They didn't make the game faster.

[b]

The demo was submitted in May, right? That's what was posted on here, right? Or at least it was stated somewhere, couldn't exactly find it, but I know it's in the threads because I get all my Madden/NCAA info from OS.
Regardless, you guys are in contact with devs, you EVEN have multiple devs who interact on OS, is it hard to send a PM asking, "Hey, this demo feels different from the E3 build, is this pre or post E3?"

Also, how can Jayson and Steve imply that this demo is basically worse than the E3 build? This COULDN'T have been submitted after E3 because I can't see a game getting worse than what it previously was in 2 months unless they went in and changed stuff, which wouldn't really be possible since the game is typically finished a month before release.

I don't mean to rant or anything, and I'm not defending EA in any way. I just wanted to express how much I felt this impression was misleading. Just MY opinion guys.

Oh, and I love the demo

i agree with you everything you said 100%

[bucky60]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

You don't like the game....no problem. Your opinion. Post your impressions and move on. Don't troll around and attack people for liking a game.

It goes the other way too. I game my impression and a was told all I needed to do was adjust sliders. That my impression was wrong. By multiple posters. You give any kind of negative impression that you have had to struggle with over the years and the other side of the fence that you are talking about pounces to say how wrong you are.

Not even saying this year is good or bad, just giving my main gripe with the game returns a thrust of your wrong, use slider comments.

[bucky60]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

And you know what, I would love for a company to put out AP2k5 or whatever holy grail you think was achieved 7 years ago, and watch that company get laughed into bankruptcy.

So, your a fan of a developer/publisher and not of the game?
Why would you care who makes an NFL Video Football Game 2k, or EA?
And wouldn't more options be better?

I just don't understand fanboys. I really don't care who makes the game(s), I just want good games.

[wheelman990]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

And you know what, I would love for a company to put out AP2k5 or whatever holy grail you think was achieved 7 years ago, and watch that company get laughed into bankruptcy.

I don't think the nba live people are laughing too hard right now.


Just got a chance to read every impression in the article. I really enjoyed reading through all of the individual impressions. Many of those guys are seeing exactly what I am. Really good write up operationsports. Thank you!

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

It goes the other way too. I game my impression and a was told all I needed to do was adjust sliders. That my impression was wrong. By multiple posters. You give any kind of negative impression that you have had to struggle with over the years and the other side of the fence that you are talking about pounces to say how wrong you are.

Not even saying this year is good or bad, just giving my main gripe with the game returns a thrust of your wrong, use slider comments.

I don't disagree. I assume you read my entire post. We can be guilty of pounding the sand that our game is good if you think it is not.

[schmit_95]

I think the demo is same old thing. Shiny new paint, same busted engine.
One thing though, please excuse me if this is a "dumb" question, but why is 35 the perfect threshhold speed number? If you want the greatest distance between speed players, wouldnt zero be the best number? Truthfully I dont even think the thing works, just my opinion though.

And also, when the hell are we gonna get pro bowl helmets? Not just the A or N for the confrences? Jeez PS@ had that in 2001!!

[timotomtime]

2k5 needs to die. There was a reason it was 20 dollars. I would rather play Tecmo Super Bowl than that trash.

my dude,
what everyone wants is a better football game and madden simply isnt getting it done..... 2k is far from trash..... u may personally not like it but that doesnt make it a piece of crap. Madden has added alot of features that have been in previous games on previous generations but they are dancing around the real challenge of a RTPE (real-time-physics-engine). Its an increadibly hard thing to build while presentation and camera angles are piece of cake. ALot of people beileve if 2k was around, they would have accomplished this before backbreaker, madden would have probibly as well if they were pushed at all. madden needs to acknolage the elephant in the room or they are toast, 2k is already trying to free up capital for the licence and they can easy dip into 2k11 basketballs 300$ million dollars they made last year.....

[bucky60]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

2k is already trying to free up capital for the licence and they can easy dip into 2k11 basketballs 300$ million dollars they made last year.....

I hope they can and that it's not an exclusive license. I want 2k back in the game, but I also want EA to stay there to.

[JaySmooov]

my dude,
what everyone wants is a better football game and madden simply isnt getting it done..... 2k is far from trash..... u may personally not like it but that doesnt make it a piece of crap. Madden has added alot of features that have been in previous games on previous generations but they are dancing around the real challenge of a RTPE (real-time-physics-engine). Its an increadibly hard thing to build while presentation and camera angles are piece of cake. ALot of people beileve if 2k was around, they would have accomplished this before backbreaker, madden would have probibly as well if they were pushed at all. madden needs to acknolage the elephant in the room or they are toast, 2k is already trying to free up capital for the licence and they can easy dip into 2k11 basketballs 300$ million dollars they made last year.....

Why would they build a new engine when the Xbox 360 and PS3 are nearing the end of their cycles? In 2-3 years we'll have new systems, it makes much more sense financially and logically to build a engine optimized for the new system technology, rather than building an engine now, then having to tweak and alter it for the new systems.

Actually think logically about what you're saying before typing.

[spankdatazz22]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

Why would they build a new engine when the Xbox 360 and PS3 are nearing the end of their cycles? In 2-3 years we'll have new systems, it makes much more sense financially and logically to build a engine optimized for the new system technology, rather than building an engine now, then having to tweak and alter it for the new systems.

Actually think logically about what you're saying before typing.

It's what 2K did with NBA2K and (I think) 989 did with The Show. I remember people faulting 2K in particular for not having a brand new engine when they made the next gen jump, but the series has progressed/evolved to become the best basketball game to date. I'm not as familar with The Show's progression but it is remarkably similar to what it was doing last gen and it's the best baseball game to date.

Madden/NCAA/Live tried to implement new engines w/the next gen jump and they all struggled. I don't think anyone wants to go through another 3-6yr cycle of growing pains while Tiburon familarizes themselves with the hardware (assuming the exclusives continue). MVP was in great position to make the next gen jump, since they had done a massive upgrade during last gen. The case can be made for trying to do massive improvements now rather than put band-aid on top of band-aid to hide deeply buried issues.

[bucky60]

Re: Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

Why would they build a new engine when the Xbox 360 and PS3 are nearing the end of their cycles? In 2-3 years we'll have new systems, it makes much more sense financially and logically to build a engine optimized for the new system technology, rather than building an engine now, then having to tweak and alter it for the new systems.

Actually think logically about what you're saying before typing.

Wow. Because you disagree with EA redoing game engines at this time, the other person ISN'T THINKING LOGICALLY?

Really, only some real time mission critical code and real time mission critical graphics may need to be tailored to a specific piece of hardware. Everything else should be written in a higher level language. They could do a new game engine before another console comes out, and only have to recode pieces. And there is absolutely NO reason why all the features and modes should be stripped out like they were previously. All that Franchise, etc, should be written in a higher level language and portable, with some recoding. Unless of course, they want to just slowly reimplement old features for marketing and sales reasons.