Let's Talk About Football Commentary

[at23steelers]

@RayAllen: What do you think is a more interesting commentary to listen to? A bunch of story lines relating to a team and how it affects them going forward or Chris dissecting each play and analyzing the game at hand? Or some of both, or 90% of one 10% of the other? Just wondering. You brought up some good ideas.

[Segagendude]

The key: Don't record seperately then attempt to splice it together.

I'm tired of hearing Gus ask Chris what he thinks and Chris isn't there to answer; like he stepped out for a drink or something.

And the differing volumes really give away the fact they recorded seperately.

[Armor & Sword]

Just take a look at NBA 2K11 and 12 and MLB The Show 11.

Dynamic commentary. Lively, lifelike, flowing conversation. Relevant facts about the current season and the ability to stay on top of your franchise mode each year with relevant stat comments, playoff races, rivalry stories (lot's of them).

It's as simple as that. Other sports games are doing it.

So can Madden.

Please......just make it happen.

The only thing that really hurt this game (Madden 12) in the presentation department was really poorly executed play by play and color commentary.

And to be honest you need to get Al Michaels back as your play by play, or for that matter a front line team. I will take Joe Buck and Aikman, or the MNF team. But please.....no more Gus Johnson. He is so third tier.

[MHammer113]

Basically everything has been said, but I'd like to add that obviously the super bowl and the playoffs should feel different from a presentation stand point with graphics and such, but also with commentating. They shouldn't start the game by saying there is homefield advantage like they do in every other game.

It would be great to see multiple commentary teams and dynamic commentary like in NBA 2k12. Thanks Chase, hopefully some new stuff will be implemented for next years game.

[therizing02]

Thanks for opening the thread Chase and congrats on your new position with the team.

I agree with others that say the FIRST thing that needs to be done is that the commentary needs to be recorded with both announcers in the same location at the same time. If it's not going to happen, anything else that's added or deleted is still going to sound awkward, disjointed, and worst of all scripted.

I have to highly disagree with others that think we need analysis of every play and just constant banter from the announcers. I may be in the minority but I think the announcers of today need to just shut up at times. Every play doesn't need to be analyzed from 5 angles.

Some of the best announcers in the game have said the least. Specifically the TV announcers. They need less PBP and more dynamic commentary than a radio announcer who has to paint a picture to the listener with a lot of words. In Madden's case less can really mean a whole lot more. It also means that it frees up valuable disc space.

Another thing that just kills the commentary is the lack of emotion in the voice or worse having Gus have emotion in the commentary at the wrong time. It sounds...well....awful.

*Record together
*Less is more
*Proper voice inflection given the outcome of the play
*Mixed with excellent dynamic crowd reactions and even a little slip up in the commentary goes unnoticed.

[at23steelers]

Quote: Originally Posted by therizing02

Thanks for opening the thread Chase and congrats on your new position with the team. I agree with others that say the FIRST thing that needs to be done is that the commentary needs to be recorded with both announcers in the same location at the same time. If it's not going to happen, anything else that's added or deleted is still going to sound awkward, disjointed, and worst of all scripted. I have to highly disagree with others that think we need analysis of every play and just constant banter from the announcers. I may be in the minority but I think the announcers of today need to just shut up at times. Every play doesn't need to be analyzed from 5 angles. Some of the best announcers in the game have said the least. Specifically the TV announcers. They need less PBP and more dynamic commentary than a radio announcer who has to paint a picture to the listener with a lot of words. In Madden's case less can really mean a whole lot more. It also means that it frees up valuable disc space. Another thing that just kills the commentary is the lack of emotion in the voice or worse having Gus have emotion in the commentary at the wrong time. It sounds...well....awful. *Record together *Less is more *Proper voice inflection given the outcome of the play *Mixed with excellent dynamic crowd reactions and even a little slip up in the commentary goes unnoticed.

What do you mean less is more? Do you like the awkward silences in every game? That is definitely less. What are you hoping they talk about then?

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by at23steelers

What do you mean less is more? Do you like the awkward silences in every game? That is definitely less. What are you hoping they talk about then?

I get what he means, Steelers.

I'm tired of blowhards like Gruden who go on and on and on and drool over Aaron Rodgers or any star of the evening. I love Gruden's knowledge of the game, but it's get tiring hearing how much he loves X player.

As I said on page two, allow the crowd and the atmosphere take over when scoring on an incredible play. Sometimes, that just means follow the Lambeau leap or watch an opposing player fake they are going to do the Lambeau leap.

Even in 2k basketball, the continuous talking over and over starts getting repetitive. Give me less is more vs over the top any day of the week.

Joe Buck get's it. 95% of the time, I don't like him bringing up little tidbits that have nothing to do with the game. What he is good at, is, if a player scores the go ahead TD in a breath taking moment, he shuts up and let's the atmosphere take over.

[KBLover]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

Give me less is more vs over the top any day of the week.

Ideally, it wouldn't be at either extreme.

Bring up informative bits about the game, the players, play on the field, without it being incessant.

I don't know why it would need to be either bare bones or constant rambling. "Less is more" reminds me of what we have now - very little substance or content.

[Segagendude]

Let me add:

Record more names and use them!

"He breaks a tackle.....He's back to throw.....He makes the catch......"

And, "This guy has a great feel for the game"......Who!!??

Much too generic.

I understand CAP's and such, but not stars like Tebow. Another thing that "other game" did well-----you can add today's players into that game, even if they weren't around then, and the announcers would still call them by name. (albeit last name only, but still...)

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by KBLover

Ideally, it wouldn't be at either extreme. Bring up informative bits about the game, the players, play on the field, without it being incessant. I don't know why it would need to be either bare bones or constant rambling. "Less is more" reminds me of what we have now - very little substance or content.

I guess I'm trying to express game winning TD's or FG's. Announcers don't need to go over the top and express what a great pressure winning kick that was or an exciting pass or run.

Let the crowd, players and atmosphere dictate that.

Look at DeSean Jackson's run with some odd seconds left in the game against the Giants last year. Yeah, you express it was the game winning TD, but then pan over to the Giants sideline and look at all the heads hanging low or how quiet the crowd becomes. Maybe the head coaching banging the headphones on the field or ripping the punter.

And then pan over and look at Jackson getting mobbed by teammates.

Winning a playoff game at home- pan the crowd, capture the atmosphere, and capture the glory of victory(players high-fiving crowd) and the agony of defeat.(losing players on sideline staring at the ground)

During the game, just needs to sound more authentic, more NFL like, some conversatinal, some story telling, etc..... Honestly, though, when I play 2k basketball and the 3 guys are talking, I do tune them out after awhile.

And they have one of the better commentating games in sports.