EA Details Madden Wii (w/new videos and details)

[FriskyTanuki]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6148455.html

Quick and dirty version:
- Tiburon not developing, but EA's BC studio in Canada.
- Not called Madden NFL 07, but Madden Revolution at the moment.
- Playable at E3!
- Mimic a QB receiving the ball from the center to hike it.
- Making throwing motion to throw, quicker motion = bullet pass.
- Kicking the ball = sweeping controller up like you were kicking it with your leg.
- Jerking the controller left or right while running to juke in that direction.
- Shoving it straight ahead stiff-arms the defender.
- Focuses on gameplay and control, takes advantage of Revolution's abilities.
- Interprets different throwing styles.
- Trying to bring the depth of the game the fans know while making it easy enough for non-fans to enjoy.
- Tiburon guys played it and were surprised at how unique and original it was.

Other notes:
- Working on other titles than Madden at the moment.
- "Unless we can maximize that game for the power, the uniqueness, and the innovative control, we're going to wait until we know how to do that right to bring those franchises there."

Sounds really cool just from hearing about the new features, I can't wait to try it out.

[gofishn]

Damn that sounds really cool, I'm so ready to buy a Rev

[botticus]

I might have to buy Madden again :shock: Kinda cool that what people were initially thinking using the controller for is actually what they're going to be doing. Looking forward to hearing impressions from E3.

[megaseadramon]

You mean madden might be fun and original? God have mercy on our souls.

[evanft]

You mean madden might be fun and original? God have mercy on our souls.

QFT

The end is nigh!

[evilmax17]

You mean madden might be fun and original? God have mercy on our souls.
You read my mind. I'm no fan of Madden by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm actually looking forward to trying this out!

[Plinko]

Sounds fun...if it is executed well, I'll buy it.

[Ecofreak]

You read my mind. I'm no fan of Madden by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm actually looking forward to trying this out!

Word!

[VanillaGorilla]

I don't believe EA could implement all those things into Madden, and make it any good. Maybe they could do one or two of those things halfway right, but all of them? I doubt it. EA completely failed with Madden for the 360, with a basic controller, how are they gonna do with the Revolutions?

At least it's their Canadian team that's developing it, I have more hope with them than I do Tiburon.

[botticus]

GS: So we won't be seeing straight ports to the Rev?

JS: I don't think Revolution consumers want straight ports. We want to bring out games that are great for the Revolution. And that's what we're trying to do.

Good man.

I don't believe EA could implement all those things into Madden, and make it any good. Maybe they could do one or two of those things halfway right, but all of them? I doubt it. EA completely failed with Madden for the 360, with a basic controller, how are they gonna do with the Revolutions?

At least it's their Canadian team that's developing it, I have more hope with them than I do Tiburon.
I share your concern, but it does seem like a lot of the actions will be possible to try out E3, independent of the game. So it looks like you will be able to do a kicking drill, passing drill, etc, but not run plays. The running in particular sounds GREAT. It's always been a pain in the ass remembering what buttons are juke, stiff arm, spin, etc in the middle of a run. Using fairly intuitive motions for that instead will be very nice.

Speaking of the Canadian group, what have they developed?

[VanillaGorilla]

Good man.


I share your concern, but it does seem like a lot of the actions will be possible to try out E3, independent of the game. So it looks like you will be able to do a kicking drill, passing drill, etc, but not run plays. The running in particular sounds GREAT. It's always been a pain in the ass remembering what buttons are juke, stiff arm, spin, etc in the middle of a run. Using fairly intuitive motions for that instead will be very nice.

Speaking of the Canadian group, what have they developed?
The MVP Baseball games, which are far and away the best sports games EA makes (best sports games anyone makes, rather)

[Tromack]

Good man.


I share your concern, but it does seem like a lot of the actions will be possible to try out E3, independent of the game. So it looks like you will be able to do a kicking drill, passing drill, etc, but not run plays. The running in particular sounds GREAT. It's always been a pain in the ass remembering what buttons are juke, stiff arm, spin, etc in the middle of a run. Using fairly intuitive motions for that instead will be very nice.

Speaking of the Canadian group, what have they developed?

Isn't the Canadian group the one behin SSX?

[Robobandit]

I think this particular group was responsible for SSX On Tour, also..

but didn't they get rid of EA Sports BIG and turn them into another studio? If so, this is probably the same guys

[botticus]

Never played MVP Baseball (haven't played a baseball game since Triple Play 2000, actually), but SSX is certainly fun and I don't have any interest in snowboarding.

Well, they've actually done quite a bit:

FIFA, Knockout Kings, March Madness, NBA Live, MVP Baseball, NHL, SSX, NBA Street, Def Jam Vendetta, NFSU, 007: EoN.

[VanillaGorilla]

As blasphemous as this may sound, given my track record of bashing the Revolution, I am actually starting to come around on this thing.

[Ecofreak]

As blasphemous as this may sound, given my track record of bashing the Revolution, I am actually starting to come around on this thing.

OMG...Me thinks that hell has frozen over.

And it only took the annoucement of an EA football game to do it. Not quite what I was expecting. ;)

[BasketCase1080]

sweet, sounds very interesting to me. Hope the idea doesnt flop. Like the controllers margin of error sucks and the controls would be all funky.

[Dr Mario Kart]

EA said this? :shock:

"If you look at Nintendo's dominance with the DS, they have created unique offerings, that have expanded and changed the demographic. Stuff like Brain Age, and Nintendogs, and Wario Ware and Electroplankton, which is just brilliant. It's just amazing software that you can only do with a stylus and a touchscreen. They've focused on that platform, and I think they've dominated with it, and created some amazing software. We didn't do that on the DS, and I think that was part of our learning process, was to watch and see how they've capitalized on that machine. And they've done a great job. And with the Revolution we said, you know what, let's learn from that. Let's create great original Revolution titles."

What we really need is a Tecmo Bowl.

[VanillaGorilla]

OMG...Me thinks that hell has frozen over.

And it only took the annoucement of an EA football game to do it. Not quite what I was expecting. ;)
Nah, I'm not expecting much from the football game, and that's the kind of game that I know I will prefer on a standard controller. I'm thinking more along the lines of that Red Steel game that was announced. Plus, Nintendo's track record with innovative products has been good recently (the VirtualBoy doesn't count as "recent")

[Ecofreak]

Plus, Nintendo's track record with innovative products has been good recently (the VirtualBoy doesn't count as "recent")

That line alone seems to fly in the face of practically everything you said in the past! WOW! :shock:

But I am honestly glad to hear that you're starting to give the Revolution a fair chance, if I understand you correctly. :) Yay for open-mindedness!

[musha666]

You mean madden might be fun and original? God have mercy on our souls.

How original can a football game be year to year. It isnt like that much changes.

And instead of mimicking throwing a ball why dont you fat fucks go outside and throw a real football. Find some 'real life' friends and play for real.

This game sounds awful, but I guess the gimmick will lead to sales from some mindless fools.

[botticus]

:rofl: Same reason you don't go outside and talk to 'real life' people, instead talking to them on a message board?

If that was actually a serious statement, I will give you a serious answer: It's a lot easier to go to the living room after work to play Madden for a half hour than it is to find a group of 4+ people who also have time after work to play football for a couple hours.

[Strell]

How original can a football game be year to year. It isnt like that much changes.

And instead of mimicking throwing a ball why dont you fat fucks go outside and throw a real football. Find some 'real life' friends and play for real.

This game sounds awful, but I guess the gimmick will lead to sales from some mindless fools.

HEY.

I'M POSTING THIS FROM THE COMFORT OF MY FRONT LAWN, FUCKER. RIGHT NEXT TO ALL THE WALLABIES AND GECKOS AND....STRUMBLEFISH.....

MY OUTSIDE NATURE LUV'N POSTAGE >>>>>>> YUR PUNY INDOORS POSTWEINERISM.

As for Madden, the bigger deal to this is that EA has apparently created an entire dev studio purely for the Rev. That's pretty massive, even for someone like EA.

[sblymnlcrymnl]

It sounds interesting, but it's still EA. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how much they cut out/fuck up.

[VanillaGorilla]

How original can a football game be year to year. It isnt like that much changes.

And instead of mimicking throwing a ball why dont you fat fucks go outside and throw a real football. Find some 'real life' friends and play for real.

This game sounds awful, but I guess the gimmick will lead to sales from some mindless fools.
I highly agree. Instead of playing Oblivion, I often times find myself going out to the woods and slaying Ogre's in real life.

[Robobandit]

I highly agree. Instead of playing Oblivion, I often times find myself going out to the woods and slaying Ogre's in real life.

The ogres in my neighborhood are extinct, sadly :(

Normal pedestrians will have to do

[evilmax17]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6148455.html

This is actually a really really good interview.

I never thought I'd say this, but EA seems to completely "get it". And I've never heard a developer use the word "proud" so many times about their own game. You can see the Revolution already reinvigerating the development community, and it seems like this guy is actually excited about the product, rather than its money making potential.

[shipwreck]

The whole concept sounds more awkward to me than it does fun. That's kind of been my concern about the Rev, though. I'm not a big Madden fan to begin with, but this whole idea is not appealing to me at all.

[mykevermin]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6148455.html

This is actually a really really good interview.

I never thought I'd say this, but EA seems to completely "get it". And I've never heard a developer use the word "proud" so many times about their own game. You can see the Revolution already reinvigerating the development community, and it seems like this guy is actually excited about the product, rather than its money making potential.

I wonder if the sales of their sports title on the DS game them the hint? I don't have any data to source, but the Madden DS games were dogshit, and people's conversations around the DS tend to focus on the unique titles. What's more, there seems to be some resentment that Konami implemented the stylus in poor fashion on Castlevania (as if it were an afterthought), so when EA says that Revolution customers don't want straight ports, they may be acknowledging the poor reception that their games have had on the DS. Good on them.

[Dr Mario Kart]

I still think its going to not be significantly different from a mouse in the end. I think all of those motions described can be done in a pretty small area. I dont think they have to necessarily be large sweeping motions.

We have seen from the Red Steel article that, at least the dev kit controllers, are extremely small (and thus light).

I dont think I've even touched a football game since Tecmo Bowl, and even then I didnt own it.

Maybe their not automatically putting a year on the end signifys that there wont be one every year. Maybe something a little more spread out, like the STREET series.

Even though I've never had any interest in sports games, I have to say its interesting. And in any case, you can buy this game for $5 a year after release, that would be worth it.

I'm going to assume that EA can make something that is practical to play, despite that Marvel Nemesis comes to mind when I say that to myself.

[FriskyTanuki]

Maybe their not automatically putting a year on the end signifys that there wont be one every year. Maybe something a little more spread out, like the STREET series.
Doubt it. Madden 06 on the 360 was called Madden Next-Gen initially, so don't expect any sweeping new changes to the way they work on these games.

As for those worried or doubtful that it'll be able to do all these, read the interview in the OP, EA's been working out the kinks in the game for a while now.

[Ecofreak]

It's interesting because just a couple months ago EA said they didn't have any dev kits. Now it looks like they're well on their way to making a pretty good product:

From the Interview over at Gamesutra.com

Next quizzed about how easy Revolution is to develop for, Schappert noted: "You know, one of Nintendo's mantras was to make the machine easy to develop for. I can tell you that is certainly playing out, our team has been very, very pleasantly surprised. Hardware always comes in stages, and even when you don't have all of the hardware, we've had very early access to the controller. We've had access to that for some time, for a very long while, so we've been able to prototype easily."

[Deadpool]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6148455.html

- Mimick a QB receiving the ball from the receiver to hike it.



Is that English? It doesn't make any sense.

I'm guessing it's supposed to be:
Mimmick the QB. Receiving the ball as a WR. Hike the ball as the C.

[MillerTime2523]

i think you mean Madden Wii :rofl:

[FriskyTanuki]

Is that English? It doesn't make any sense.

I'm guessing it's supposed to be:
Mimmick the QB. Receiving the ball as a WR. Hike the ball as the C.
Read the OP again. You also could've read the article to find out your answer. ;)

[Foolman]

Though I'm not really interested in Football, I like what EA is coming up with. Hopefully they don't mess it up.

[rywateska]

As much as I want this game to be great, the odds of a few horrendus bugs are WAY too high.

[gofishn]

Is that English? It doesn't make any sense.

I'm guessing it's supposed to be:
Mimmick the QB. Receiving the ball as a WR. Hike the ball as the C.

That is English, and it makes perfect sense.

[Deadpool]

That is English, and it makes perfect sense.

Since when do QB's receive the ball from a receiver so they can hike it?!

[Midnite]

I'm actually excited to buy a Madden/EA game, I've always felt the Visual Concepts made the better football game. Just from the ideas listed and the possiblities of acting like a complete (drunken) fool while playing when playing against your friends while have endless possibilities.

[Ecofreak]

I'm actually excited to buy a Madden/EA game, I've always felt the Visual Concepts made the better football game. Just from the ideas listed and the possiblities of acting like a complete (drunken) fool while playing when playing against your friends while have endless possibilities.

They'd better include a wrist strap or something, or else those Wiimotes are going to be flying everywhere - and possibly into the television...

[Kendal]

This is exactly like I hoped the game would be. I bet there is going to be a standard mode for the shell though. I wonder how the Basket Ball games will be like. Also, what about the R* Ping Pong game? Hopefully We will see one on the Wii.

[Namelessloser]

This is exactly like I hoped the game would be. I bet there is going to be a standard mode for the shell though. I wonder how the Basket Ball games will be like. Also, what about the R* Ping Pong game? Hopefully We will see one on the Wii.
I would actually buy a golf game for the first time in forever if they make one for the Wii.

[Ecofreak]

I would actually buy a golf game for the first time in forever if they make one for the Wii.

Agreed - I wouldn't have to buy an expensive set of clubs or pay some ridiculous fee to get a "feel" for what golf is like. Not to mention save some money on the flamboyant plaid pants that many golfers wear. ;)

[FriskyTanuki]

Agreed - I wouldn't have to buy an expensive set of clubs or pay some ridiculous fee to get a "feel" for what golf is like. Not to mention save some money on the flamboyant plaid pants that many golfers wear. ;)
Real World Golf (http://xbox.ign.com/articles/701/701421p1.html) is already here. ;)

[evilmax17]

http://revolution.ign.com/articles/703/703727p1.html

Post-Wii interview with EA.


Double-confirmation that the nunchaku is motion-aware:

IGN Wii: So you're using the free-hand style pointer. How are you using the nunchuck unit?
John Schappert: Well, it controls how you move your player.
IGN Wii: Does you use the trigger buttons on the nunchuck unit?</B> John Schappert: You know, the buttons are all still being mapped out. It does use the trigger buttons right now. I don't know how much we'll have locked in for you at E3 because we are still working on the final button layout, but it does use the trigger buttons, and it does use the accelerometer in the nunchuck unit as well for juking.

[ryanbph]

sounds great, but imo, if ea is able to master the revolution control/setup, then it won't be untill the 2nd version of the game.

[schuerm26]

How original can a football game be year to year. It isnt like that much changes.

And instead of mimicking throwing a ball why dont you fat fucks go outside and throw a real football. Find some 'real life' friends and play for real.

This game sounds awful, but I guess the gimmick will lead to sales from some mindless fools.

It always cracks me up when idiots like this bash sports games. You will always get stuff from people like, "I don't play sports games. I can go outside and do that". My ass you can. Not sure about you but it is damn hard to get enough people to play a football game. Try to go find enough people to get a baseball game going. Think through your comments next time.

If they put stuff like that into their college baseball game, that would be great. Being able to swing the bat of sorts.

[Quatli]

Im glad to see an otherwise mainstream company like EA actually embrace the innovation that Wii offers. I cant wait for this game and it is a cluch launch title for Nintendo as its innovative features will definately turn some heads in the casual gaming crowd. Who knows, maybe Madden on other platforms will seem old and archaic after playing it on the Wii. That could be a major turning point in mainstream acceptance of Wii, given Madden's popularity.

[pdat2003]

I don't like this; this could put a dent in the rampant obesity in pre-pubesent teens. It's going to be hard suckin' down a Coke and shovin' Doritos in your mouth if you actually have to get involved in the gameplay. My friend Diabetes is pissed at this recent reva(o)la(u)tion!!!

[ryanbph]

I don't like this; this could put a dent in the rampant obesity in pre-pubesent teens. It's going to be hard suckin' down a Coke and shovin' Doritos in your mouth if you actually have to get involved in the gameplay. My friend Diabetes is pissed at this recent reva(o)la(u)tion!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[scottman]

I can't wait to touch Madden's wii. Seriously. It sounds awesome. I'm going to actually have to buy a next gen system on launch for a change.

But I agree some people might not take to this "active" gameplay. Namely the type who play games half asleep lying in a chair, those who get out of breath having to move a controller beyond just pushing buttons, and people with very cramped rooms.

[SpazX]

I can't wait to touch Madden's wii. Seriously. It sounds awesome. I'm going to actually have to buy a next gen system on launch for a change.

But I agree some people might not take to this "active" gameplay. Namely the type who play games half asleep lying in a chair, those who get out of breath having to move a controller beyond just pushing buttons, and people with very cramped rooms.

You can't pun with something that wouldn't actually be said, the best you could say is "Madden Wii" not "Madden's Wii" that's just dumb, you lose.

I doubt a cramped room would be so cramped that you can't move your hands (unless you play games in a coffin) it's not like you'll actually have to run around and act like the players on the screen, you'll just move the controller around while sitting your ass in a chair.

[scottman]

You can't pun with something that wouldn't actually be said, the best you could say is "Madden Wii" not "Madden's Wii" that's just dumb, you lose.

I doubt a cramped room would be so cramped that you can't move your hands (unless you play games in a coffin) it's not like you'll actually have to run around and act like the players on the screen, you'll just move the controller around while sitting your ass in a chair.

You're right, but maybe they'll bundle a special edition wii with madden. Then we can all buy, see, and touch the madden wii. :)

And you'd be surprised at how cramped some people's rooms are. Coffin is a good comparison.

[Ecofreak]

And you'd be surprised at how cramped some people's rooms are. Coffin is a good comparison.

True that! My room is just a hair bigger than these below - and I have a rabbit living with me!

http://www.palinstravels.co.uk/photos/atw/main/atw_179_01_p.jpg

[scottman]

True that! My room is just a hair bigger than these below - and I have a rabbit living with me!

Then don't you mean it's a "hare" bigger. couldn't resist.

[SpazX]

True that! My room is just a hair bigger than these below - and I have a rabbit living with me!

http://www.palinstravels.co.uk/photos/atw/main/atw_179_01_p.jpg

Wait...that top and bottom person are identical...THOSE ARE CLONING FACILITIES!

[Ecofreak]

Wait...that top and bottom person are identical...THOSE ARE CLONING FACILITIES!

BINGO! You figured out I lived in a top secret government scientific facility.

Now I must ... have a friendly chat over tea and crumpets ... with you and everyone else who will and have read your conclusion.

Yes. Tea and crumpets....

[daroga]

BINGO! You figured out I lived in a top secret government scientific facility.

Now I must ... have a friendly chat over tea and crumpets ... with you and everyone else who will and have read your conclusion.

Yes. Tea and crumpets....
You're.... you're not going to hurt us, are you...?

[Ecofreak]

You're.... you're not going to hurt us, are you...?

No no, my dear boy. I won't hurt you.

But those crumpets...they've been known to act quiet devilishly when certain secrets are found out. Tea also acts as a willing accomplice in the event that such things occur. But don't let that stop you from stuffing your ... crumpet hole!

[Ecofreak]

Dang it - according to Joystiq the Madden Wii won't be playable to the public, only behind closed doors. :-(

http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2929&Itemid=2

[botticus]

Dang it - according to Joystiq the Madden Wii won't be playable to the public, only behind closed doors. :-(

http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2929&Itemid=2
Not totally surprising since they were really working out a lot of kinks in it still, it sounded like, or at best they've just passed that stage. I wouldn't want to give the public access to my product at that stage either.

Users always find a way to break stuff, and having it happen on camera is not so hot for first impressions.

[Ecofreak]

Users always find a way to break stuff, and having it happen on camera is not so hot for first impressions.

You have a good point, but I had hoped the game was at a stage in development where it wouldn't be so breakable.

[Sarang01]

EA said this? :shock:



What we really need is a Tecmo Bowl.

In other words what EA is saying is let's rip off everyone else that's successful or buy said game studio like we always do. Corporate hacks. Sorry I respect the idea of what they're doing but EA almost never does anything on their own innovative and the one time they did it failed though I really respected what they tried, see Majestic. Other than that they rip off everyone else, look at Cel Damage, a blatant Looney Tunes knockoff with generic cartoon characters.

[botticus]

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3150692

Worst hands-on report ever.

[mofo1115]

For the first time since Madden 97 on Snes I might have to buy Madden when it comes out.

[SMMM]

http://wii.qj.net/Madden-NFL-07-Wii-Screens/pg/49/aid/45327

Some new details, including tutorial screenshots. Looks fun. Also note that the graphics were tacked on and will be improved dramatically.

[FriskyTanuki]

http://igo.ampednews.com/gamehub/2700/previews/616/

My thoughts on the demo.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

http://igo.ampednews.com/gamehub/2700/previews/616/

My thoughts on the demo.

Nicely done. I like the fact that you can point to the plays you want to select them. I hadn't heard of that feature before.

You said that controlling the defense with the Wiimote was awkward. Was it awkward because there were no gestures, or just hard to control in general?

[FriskyTanuki]

Nicely done. I like the fact that you can point to the plays you want to select them. I hadn't heard of that feature before.

You said that controlling the defense with the Wiimote was awkward. Was it awkward because there were no gestures, or just hard to control in general?
It was because there were no gestures for defense, so I was having to rely on just pressing whatever the tackle button was on defense to tackle. I don't remember defensive controls being displayed before playing defense, so that may have been the problem. Having the Wiimote beng two control pads (w/nunchuck) added to this, so I was mainly just scrambling to tackle the ball holder each play. I'd assume that they would work on that before it's released.

[FriskyTanuki]

http://www.gamespot.com/wii/sports/madden07/video_player.html?id=I3cyxWCq5bsMuTI

Here's a video of someone playing the Madden demo at the Wii booth at E3. Now you can see how stupid you could look while playing the game. :)

[Ecofreak]

http://www.gamespot.com/wii/sports/madden07/video_player.html?id=I3cyxWCq5bsMuTI

Here's a video of someone playing the Madden demo at the Wii booth at E3. Now you can see how stupid you could look while playing the game. :)

Who cares if you look stupid? If I get to stiff-arm my friend in the face and say it was an accident on account of the game, I have no complaints.

Course, he could alsways do the same to me...Blast it all!

[daroga]

I'm interested to see where this is at when it finally comes out. I'm guessing 08 or 09 will be when the control really gets refined, but maybe, just maybe, that can get it mostly right the first time around :)

[-Never4ever-]

For the first time . . . well ever, I honesty want to play a Madden game :shock:

[botticus]

Bump for a pretty detailed look at the control scheme:

http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2006/07/10/madden-wii-controls-explained-in-detail/

This seems pretty damn intuitive. The only question remaining is how accurate it is.

[FriskyTanuki]

Bump for a pretty detailed look at the control scheme:

http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2006/07/10/madden-wii-controls-explained-in-detail/

This seems pretty damn intuitive. The only question remaining is how accurate it is.

You were beaten by about 8 posts by a superior link. ;)

[botticus]

You were beaten by about 8 posts by a superior link. ;)
:lol: I remember reading that, but I don't think I enlarged any of the other images on that link. So this looked new to me!

[FriskyTanuki]

http://www.gamespot.com/wii/sports/madden07/news.html?sid=6154033

Gamespot sees a little more time with the game and jots down some of the finer points of the game. Now the juke/sidearm controls make a little more sense than just moving the remote and/or nunchuck.

[evilmax17]

http://wii.ign.com/articles/732/732391p1.html

Sounds surprisingly innovative. I especially like the pump fake, tackle, and catch gestures. Those sound incredibly awesome.

[botticus]

I haven't been this excited about Madden since 98.

Buzzing your partner's Wii remote during a 2-on-2 game to send signals? Awesome. Looks like Nintendo has everyone tight-lipped on the online play, since it seems every developer's response is "I'm not going to comment on online at this time."

[daroga]

Is it wrong that I suddenly want to get this at launch?

I'm just excited to see a company so stereotyped as rehasing the same thing year after year really trying to take advantage of the system.

[munch]

The fake snap and pump fake mechanics are aweseome. I can see sitting next to someone on 4th and 3 and drawing them offsides with it.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

I'm not sure that I will buy Madden Wii, but I will definitely rent it to try it out. It sounds like EA is really putting a ton of work into the Wii version and that is awesome.

[Strell]

I might have to get this just to drum up interest re: brothers-in-law, friends, etc. Even though I have no real interest in playing it.

I should have been a goddamn Ambassador, Nintendo. :( Like, a Protoss one. You should send me laser blades and shit.

[jbuck138]

I was only planning on renting this years Madden and waiting until 08 to buy it if they fix any bugs this year will probably have. But after reading the review from IGN; It looks like this years will be cool. And this Gamestop answer convinced to buy this years, so hopefully there will be more sports games coming to the Wii. If the Wii has all the sports games I wont need a 360.


Gamestop link : http://www.gamespot.com/features/burningquestions/index.html?tag=spotlight_right;text

"Wii Want Sports!

Where are all the REAL sports titles on Wii...yeah, we know that Madden is coming over but where is NBA Live 07' or NBA 2K6? Heavens knows wii don't even have college basketball and have lost the college football for the last 2 years in a row? Is the lack of support going to carry over from the gamecube to the Wii?

Ondre5001
New York

The impression I get is that all eyes are on Madden 07 for the Wii. If that thing is a success and the new controls work, then we could start seeing an influx of sports titles for the Wii in the following year. If Madden turns out to be overly gimmicky and isn't a rousing success, the Wii could find itself in a position where the only sports games it gets on a regular basis are developed and published by Nintendo and feature Nintendo characters.

So, yeah, let's just hope Madden 07 is good, because an awful lot is riding on it, it seems. -- A.N. "

[Oops! I did it again.]

Well, I'm getting this. I already own it for Xbox so I know the game itself is worthwhile...but the descriptions of these new controls pretty much seal the deal for me that I'll be buying this version as well.

[FriskyTanuki]

http://www.gamespot.com/events/wiilaunch/story.html?sid=6158903&pid=932733&tag=top_stories;title;1

People like to complain a great deal about how sports games frequently fail to change significantly from year to year, especially in this period where publishers are slowly but steadily moving developmental focus from current-gen systems to the next generation of consoles. However, it's unlikely that anyone will be accusing Madden NFL 07 for the Wii of any such wrongdoing. Admittedly, Madden for the Wii looks very similar to the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube versions of Madden released earlier this year, but by taking advantage of the Wii's controls, this version looks to fundamentally change how you play football games. The question is, is that change for the better? If our time spent with the game earlier today is any indication, it very well could be.



When you first boot up Madden on the Wii, the game presents you with the option of using the standard control stick navigation for the menu screens or the Wii's pointer to select options. We found using the control stick a bit easier, but for those all kooky for Wii functionality, the option is there. This is indicative of how the game itself is laid out. Though gameplay controls are built strictly with the Wii's motion sensing in mind, there are a lot of subtle design differences in this version built to tone down the learning curve of this new play style. For one, the play-calling menus now feature a new submenu for easier play calling. You'll still have access to the usual play menus, which are broken down by formations and types, as well as the Ask Madden feature, but with this new menu, you can select using base-level descriptions of the play types, like draw plays; short, medium, and long passes; inside and outside runs; and so on. These sections don't contain the usual hundreds of plays available, with closer to 80 or 90 plays total, but for those who aren't necessarily accustomed to the ins and outs of how Madden has played over the last few years, it makes for a nice, easy introduction to the system.

This is the audience EA is banking on for Madden on the Wii. Though all the typical depth of the standard football engine is there for the usual fans, the new gameplay design is geared toward the new FreeMotion controls and creating a unique new football experience that's relatively easy to get into. For the sake of easing people into the controls quickly, EA has included a tutorial system that gives you the basics on passing, running, kicking, and tackling. These tutorials are based within the types of minigames that Madden fans will instantly recognize from the minicamp mode. When learning passing, you throw to dummy receivers that light up, depending on who you're supposed to throw to, and with the running and tackling game, you either play as a running back, who fights the defense to get to the end zone, or a linebacker, who tries to stop the runner.

Doing these actions with the Wii controller initially feels counterintuitive, since experienced players will likely be going for their usual button assignments that simply don't exist here. Instead, all the basic actions are mapped to quick, easy movements that after a time become very easy to handle. For instance, passing requires a quick flick forward with the Wiimote to pass to the intended receiver. However, if you want to create a speedier bullet pass or a slower lob pass, you flick faster or slower to designate appropriately. You can also switch receivers simply by pressing the button assigned to the receiver you want to throw to and then flicking forward. It might sound a little complicated, but after a few plays, it becomes a breeze.

Kicking is similarly easy, as you'll simply press the A button to start the kick and then flick the Wiimote upward to set your power, as well as the slice of the kick. Tackling works fundamentally as it has in the past, with basic options to side strafe, dive tackle, and such. However, you can do a power move to take a ballcarrier down by holding down the Z button on the nunchuk and pressing both the Wiimote and nunchuk forward. Perhaps the most complex action to get used to is the new running controls. Though you can still pull off button-based spin moves and ball-cover moves, jukes and stiff arms are mapped to the nunchuk and Wiimote respectively. You simply move either controller left or right to perform the desired move in the desired direction. Timing can be tricky--if you're too late in performing a move and get tackled, a display will pop up onscreen telling you that you registered a late move. Similarly, if the game recognizes movement but isn't pushed far enough to pull off a move, it will intuitively recognize this movement and do the move for you. It's a tough adjustment from the usual running controls, but it isn't so complex that you won't be able to figure it out after a time.

There are plenty of advanced moves that don't come up during the tutorial, as well. By moving both controllers upward while a ball is in the air, you can try to catch the ball manually with a receiver or with a defender. Simply waiving the controller in the air will let defenders swat at passes. You can even use the controllers to block via the lead-blocker controls introduced earlier in the year. For actions like hot routes and sending players in motion, you simply point the Wiimote at the player you want to select, and a menu pops up giving you a myriad of options for what you might want to do. As you play games, little tutorial invites will pop up over time, asking you if you want to be shown how to do different actions. It's neat how many different actions are mapped to motion controls, and you'll undoubtedly want to take advantage of some of these tutorials.

What's especially cool about the game's controls is that they don't require exaggerated movement. We were able to pull off all our moves with simple flicks and twists while sitting comfortably in our chair. You can do more exaggerated movements and get the same effect, but you don't have to overexert yourself playing Madden on the Wii. We can also comfortably say that the game does a very good job of registering all your movements. We didn't fumble around trying to get movements to register or the pointer to point to the right item. It seems to work how it should at this stage of development.

As far as content goes, Madden 07 for the Wii will include every feature found in the GameCube version of Madden from earlier in the year. Obviously, that means no online play, but you'll get the full franchise mode, minicamp mode, superstar mode, and even some new four-player minigames, which unfortunately we weren't able to check out yet. The visuals seem comparable to Madden 07 on the Xbox. The game runs in 480p, and you may notice some more distinctive shadows and player-model details than you would find in the other console versions. However, this is functionally the same engine as the current-gen console versions, and for the most part, the game looks very much like it did on those versions earlier this year.

It's about time that something inventive came out of sports gaming that didn't involve right analog sticks and prettier graphics. It certainly remains to be seen how well Madden on the Wii holds up over time, as we've only played it in short bursts thus far. But if our time spent with it today is any indication, EA may have something very cool on its hands with this version of Madden. Madden NFL 07 will ship alongside the Wii launch on November 19. We'll be sure to bring you more on the game, especially its multiplayer functions, in the coming weeks.

Some new small bits of info for the game.

[FriskyTanuki]

http://media.wii.ign.com/media/825/825443/vids_1.html

Check out the three newest videos to see the Wii remote in action during a few minutes of gameplay.

[regisphilbi0]

I really want this game. I think I might wait, until the post super bowl drop these games take. But I will definitley be picking it up at some point. And i might buy it earlier to encourage companies to put more sports titles on the Wii.

[TurboChickenMan]

Quite impressive. This will probably help out the Wii a lot. 8-)

[Oops! I did it again.]

http://media.wii.ign.com/media/825/825443/vids_1.html

Check it out, the complete controller walkthrough. Looking nice...