Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

[JaySmooov]

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.

Quote:

It also seems like Madden NFL 12 is still missing some key features from NCAA Football 12 like spotlighting receivers and the hurry-up playcalling screen.

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?

Quote:

Last year’s title felt slower on the gameplay front, which I believe was a step in the right direction.

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.

Quote:

After playing the demo for a few hours, I was a bit disappointed in that I felt what I played at E3 was a better overall experience than what I played in the demo.

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

[scottyp180]

Quote: Originally Posted by MMurda

thats my point tho. they can still lose die hard fans sales either way...by putting out recycled madden with band aid fixes that half work(why im not buying and many others) or by completely screwing it up with a reboot that doesnt work the best the 1st yr. IMO, they could rebound from a bad title quicker(less than the 6yrs we're at now) with a base that has a new engine that respects the fundamentals of physics, realistic AI, and puts in the presentation they have now. so what do they really have to lose? and the fact you stated that theyll make their money regardless, further makes my point that if they really wanted to make the change in madden they could with not much risk, as opposed to nba elite who had a competitor to bury them. dont think for a minute EA wouldnt have dropped that Elite on time had nba2k11 not been around. they wouldve dropped it with a day 1 patch and a bunch of promises just like they do currently with ncaa/madden. exactly my point...now they actually do have that dual dev team going so it will be interesting to see if this is for hype or if we'll see more bug/glitch and polish work and innovations each yearly cycle starting with m13 like we see with fifa and nhl.

At this point I think it's kinda late for EA to rebuild madden on the current gen (6 years is typically the older stage of a systems life cycle). Realistically they should have started right when the 360 dropped, what EA did in the last 6 years should have taken 3 years tops. If EA starts building a new engine now then by the time next gen drops they should be able to release a praise worthy game. The way I see it is that if EA decides to rebuild next year then we might have to wait a couple years until there goal is fully realized and by that point new consoles may already be out. Or they can keep doing what they are doing while working on a new madden engine for next gen at the same time. Either way it is getting to the point where EA needs to make some kind of change.

[nyg92fan]

Quote: Originally Posted by swiftychampleone

After playing the demo for Madden 12, it's a mixed bag for me. The game is beautiful and the presentation is top-notch. 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. Franchise Mode is what determine whether I buy this game or not. However, like all sports games, you can't buy them on Day 1. There's always something wrong and something that needs a patch. I don't even understand why folks get angry and upset at demos/pre-release. Honestly, I wait until the patches come out and read impressions, then buy it used for $35 or less. Some people should try this method.

This is exactly how I feel about this Madden demo.. Exactly.. Well Put sir..

[havokeff]

Wait... You agree with this guy because he is mad that he can't do something which professional QBs can rarely do? ("force a few tight passes.")

Fix it with sliders? How about you don't act like you are Dan Marino playing against a Pop Warner team and play the game the way football is played.

My Fing Gawd. Almost every complaint on this board is by some idiot that doesn't understand that if you force passes, they get intercepted. If you are late with a throw, like the guy on the first page was in his youtube whinefest he posted about "Magic DBs", you get intercepted. If you take a bad angle, you miss tackles. If you always go for a big hit you miss tackles.

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.

[bichettehappens]

Delivery was a bit brash, but I must say I agree with some of the particular points you were trying to make. Particularly in regards to forcing passes and the "psychic DB" play

[adriano]

Quote: Originally Posted by STLRams

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]

Quote: Originally Posted by swiftychampleone

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]

Quote: Originally Posted by Playmakers

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 & Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by JaySmooov

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]

Quote: Originally Posted by JaySmooov

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%