Madden 09 - Holy Shit they Made Improvements

[bapenguin]

I know I haven't been the biggest fan of EA in the past, specifically what they've done with the Madden franchise. But it appears that Madden 09 has finally answered a lot of the criticisms that have been long withstanding of the franchise.

Along with new hi-res textures, more detailed player models and a host of other features like the ability to rewind plays (EA Sports Backtrack) and auto learning AI (Madden IQ) there is a brand new animation system.

The animations have been a huge complaint of mine, with most of the animations still intact from the early Playstation 2 days. Hit the jump to see a bunch of new videos showing off the game's improvements.

[bapenguin]

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The new and updated feature list can be found right here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_NFL_09#New_.26_Updated_features).

[Telefrog]

Well, it's like I've said for almost all sports games. You really only have to buy it every three years to get the meaningful improvements.

[Shadowstorm]

These improvements should have been made long ago. Are you really like wow'd by this? Improvements to a franchise is to be expected.

[MosBen]

While I still hate that there's a monopoly on pro football games, it's nice to see EA make an effort to improve their game.

<grammer nazi> "A lot" is two words, not one. "Intact" is one word, not two. The second to last word of the post should be the possessive "game's" and not plural. </grammer nazi>

Sorry about that, I was overcome.

[Knite]

The players look like they are actually running, as opposed to floating on grass. The animations seem to flow a 100% better from one to the next. The tackling I've seen looks more realistic IMO.

I hate to say it, but I'm tentatively getting excited. Let's hope they can eliminate most of the "Gimme" plays and the "Rubber Band" AI (just because I'm up by 3 TDs does not mean I'm going to fumble if I run it, or throw an INT if I pass), and I'm sold.

[pheriannath]

While I still hate that there's a monopoly on pro football games, it's nice to see EA make an effort to improve their game.

<grammer nazi> "A lot" is two words, not one. "Intact" is one word, not two. The second to last word of the post should be the possessive "game's" and not plural. </grammer nazi>

Sorry about that, I was overcome.

grammar.

</spelling nazi>

[Mdot23]

grammar.

</spelling nazi>

Hahahaha epic retort.

[maverick106]

If they make these improvements (http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3167908), I'll but a new Madden in a heartbeat. Until then, I'm biding my time...just not worth the money anymore :(

[Talon-]

Hey! Animations that aren't robotic anymore. I'm glad to see that the O-line doesn't look like idiots anymore once they've diengaged, but I'm still waiting to see if the AI in the trenches has improved.

I'm just amused that Madden 2005 was the 15th anniversary, yet Madden 2009 is the 20th anniversary. Hmm?

[Crowe]

Well it definitely look nice. Last one I bought was 05 and I think its time I took the plunge again. Madden is a great game, having a 3 year break should make me love this just as much as 05.....which was a lot.

[fitbabits]

While it certainly looks good in motion, I'm reserving judgment until I can actually play the thing.

A lot of the skill moves in FIFA look great when executed, but the execution of them is nothing short of obnoxiously cumbersome.

[AgtFox]

Big Madden fan, although my interest has waned over the past couple years. I still love the NCAA game though. The only thing I can say about the changes in Madden is that they probably wouldn't have happened without Peter Moore running the show at EA Sports. There has been a vast change of vision with the division of the EA brand into 4 separate groups and I thing putting Peter Moore in at EA Sports will bring about a major change in the lineup starting with the 09 cycle now that Peter has been in place for almost a year.

[LilAbner]

While I still hate that there's a monopoly on pro football games, it's nice to see EA make an effort to improve their game.

<grammer nazi> "A lot" is two words, not one. "Intact" is one word, not two. The second to last word of the post should be the possessive "game's" and not plural. </grammer nazi>

Sorry about that, I was overcome.

Remember, blame the NFL on that one....not EA.

Nice grammar Nazi points, btw. :)

[AgtFox]

This is funny, I was reading the list of improvements and one really stood out to me:

Improved online leagues: server-based leagues, supporting up to 32 players, with full schedules including the playoffs and the Super Bowl as well as draft and trade support. Schedules can be played in a round-robin style as well.
Of course it's improved since they've never had online leagues in the game before...heh.

[Johan]

I haven't been interested in a Madden title since the N64. I would be more open to the idea of buying a copy if EA didn't do all it could to alienate me, including shutting off online play after a time. I like buying games older/cheaper; online play isn't my focus (if it was, I'd buy the game at release and get in on that), but I like the option against friends. Their removal of online features from older titles pisses me off.

[trip1eX]

Every year someone says, "This year's Madden is so much more improved that last year's."

[AgtFox]

Every year someone says, "This year's Madden is so much more improved that last year's."
Well, the inclusion of online leagues certainly makes it much more improved than any previous year. It was probably one of the biggest things people have wanted for a long time now.

[Micasa]

Every year someone says, "This year's Madden is so much more improved that last year's."

That's true - but it actually looks true this time around. At least the animations...

The whole "learning" thing is just more hype though. They talk about crap like that every year and every single year...nothing. The only way EA games "learn" is to have catch-up AI. NHL 08 was a great example. You get through two periods without problems and have a 4-0 or 5-0 lead...then in the last 10 minutes your goaltender has an aneurysm and can't stop a puck from beyond the blue line, while their players can't be knocked off the puck.

[divinechaos]

So when is the EA/NFL exclusive deal over? Next year right? Maybe this is why EA is actually stepping up their game, 'cause they know 2K Sports is coming to kick their ass. NFL 2K10 here I come!

[baz]

I think they're using the same third party animation system as GTAIV which explains why it's quite kick ass.

[AgtFox]

So when is the EA/NFL exclusive deal over? Next year right? Maybe this is why EA is actually stepping up their game, 'cause they know 2K Sports is coming to kick their ass. NFL 2K10 here I come!
EA already has plans to continue the exclusive deal after the end of the current one. Plus EA is still trying to purchase Take Two, so the chances of ever seeing a 2K branded NFL game is less and less likely nowadays.

[fitbabits]

So when is the EA/NFL exclusive deal over? Next year right? Maybe this is why EA is actually stepping up their game, 'cause they know 2K Sports is coming to kick their ass. NFL 2K10 here I come!

Look away - the deal was extended through 2013! (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9078&Itemid=2)

[MosBen]

Wow, I got smoked.

[MosBen]

As to the exclusivity deal, I think I'll blame both the NFL and EA. A deal to cut competition out of an industry or segment thereof takes more than one party. Was this deal legal for both sides? Of course. Was it smart business for both? Almost certainly, particularly for EA. Is it still scummy? You betcha.

[phantomhitman]

Remember, blame the NFL on that one....not EA.
dont get me started on this shit again, the last time it did not end well. ea can take the blame as much as the nfl because ea went after them multiple times in previous years.

I will do what I always do, rent it and see for myself. I hate EA, I hate Madden, but if they can finally release a good game I will forgive the Madden series...for one year.

[divinechaos]

Look away - the deal was extended through 2013! (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9078&Itemid=2)

Great, I'll just get the next All Star Football 2K game then.

[fitbabits]

Great, I'll just get the next All Star Football 2K game then.

I hate to say it, but the chances of another All Pro Football are next to non-existent. :(

[Loganrapp]

I'll wait to see what happens. Until the game's actually on shelves, these are still bullshots to me.

[DesignerKid]

I hate to say it, but the chances of another All Pro Football are next to non-existent. :(

Yup. VC underwent a bit of restructuring recently and that team was killed. That game is not going to make a come-back which is too bad because it had a ton of potential. Some small tuning issues, and poor design, really ruined the game for most people.

[Church42]

Yeah, sorry...I'm too jaded to EA to buy a Madden game anymore, no matter how much the franchise has been improved. The improvements aren't all that great anyway...nice, yes, great, no

[mister_slim]

I think they're using the same third party animation system as GTAIV which explains why it's quite kick ass.

That doesn't really look like Euphoria to me. It's probably an in-house solution.

[Crowe]

If you've liked Madden in the past, and this one turns out to be killer. I dont know why you would let hatred for a company stop you from having hours of fun.

I wanted to kill Peter Molyneux after all the hype for Fable 1, but I got over it and loved Fable for what it was and now I can't wait for Fable 2. Have people really been burned that bad by EA?? To the point they wont even buy a game they make play hours on end?

When Madden 2006 came out and was pretty much like the previous one I decided to just hang up my boots for a while, no harm done.

[Crowe]

Screw you to hell edit button. Make is meant to be May.

[vivafletcher]

I can't wait to get this in two years for $15.

Yeah, EA-- Screw you, too.

[GargantulaKon]

It does look pretty good when compared to previous versions. Good job EA! I think they used the Euphoria engine for the animations.

[LexeL]

I'm still seething from buying that piece o' shit known as madden 08.......the improvements look good though.