Madden 09 FAQ
EA Sports has a great FAQ about Madden 09 posted in their forum. You can access the full list here. I'll post a couple of questions that I found interesting.
Why did you change the controller config on 360/PS3?
Though we realize it is very hard to change a configuration once you get used to it, we think that the switch of sprint from the primary X button on PS2 (or A on Xbox) to the trigger was the right move to make, because: 1.) Every other sports game has R2 / RT as sprint, and 2.) It was really awkward to do moves like hurdle and spin (and anything on the R-stick) when you had your thumb planted on the X button. By freeing up all the face buttons and Right- Stick, the moves are much easier to pull off. With all that being said, we have always had a custom controls option where you can change it to anything you like.
Has the “bowling pin” phenomenon been fixed – where players all fall away from a tackle as it happens?
This has been much improved, but since we can’t currently create 5, 6, 7, and 8 man pile-ups or pile-ons, we still do have instances where a defender gets collided with by a large force (a tackle coming right at him) - and just he can’t get out of the way, so rather than interpenetrate he has to play a “fall” animation. We’ve add a lot more avoidance animations and brand new physics-informed fall animations this year so you really won’t see the mass of players all flying everywhere around the pile nearly as often as year’s prior, but there is still room for improvement in this area.
Why isn’t the ESPN broadcast package used in Madden?
EA’s relationship with ESPN and the NFL allows us to provide streamed audio and video directly from ESPN and the NFL. In Madden NFL 09, we provide our fans with access to compelling ESPN and NFL content like NFL Total Access, SportsCenter highlights, PTI segments, etc. We now give you an incredibly fun and realistic football experience with the game and also provide access to compelling football news that only ESPN and the NFL Network could provide.
Have spectacular catches / jet pack catches been toned down?
Yes, definitely. The spectacular catches have been toned way down in terms of how powerful they are, and defenders also have a much easier chance of knocking the ball out (since the receiver is really putting himself out there on big leaping catches like that).
What about fatigue…how has it changed this year?
Our very robust fatigue system was brand new to last year, and it has been tweaked and tuned moreso for Madden NFL 09 to provide much more accurate results. We really want to make sure defensive teams that are getting pounded on with the run game really get tired towards the end of a long drive, and we also wanted to discourage frequent fly routes and no-huddle offenses. The system was further tuned to address these issues.
Have the fumble problems been addressed?
Yes, this was addressed in a patch for Madden NFL 08, and those changes were carried over to Madden NFL 09. After those fixes went in, we also re- factored the way animations, ratings, and weather impacted fumbling – I think you’ll see it’s much more realistic this year.
The full Madden 09 FAQ can be read here.
Why did you change the controller config on 360/PS3?
Though we realize it is very hard to change a configuration once you get used to it, we think that the switch of sprint from the primary X button on PS2 (or A on Xbox) to the trigger was the right move to make, because: 1.) Every other sports game has R2 / RT as sprint, and 2.) It was really awkward to do moves like hurdle and spin (and anything on the R-stick) when you had your thumb planted on the X button. By freeing up all the face buttons and Right- Stick, the moves are much easier to pull off. With all that being said, we have always had a custom controls option where you can change it to anything you like.
Has the “bowling pin” phenomenon been fixed – where players all fall away from a tackle as it happens?
This has been much improved, but since we can’t currently create 5, 6, 7, and 8 man pile-ups or pile-ons, we still do have instances where a defender gets collided with by a large force (a tackle coming right at him) - and just he can’t get out of the way, so rather than interpenetrate he has to play a “fall” animation. We’ve add a lot more avoidance animations and brand new physics-informed fall animations this year so you really won’t see the mass of players all flying everywhere around the pile nearly as often as year’s prior, but there is still room for improvement in this area.
Why isn’t the ESPN broadcast package used in Madden?
EA’s relationship with ESPN and the NFL allows us to provide streamed audio and video directly from ESPN and the NFL. In Madden NFL 09, we provide our fans with access to compelling ESPN and NFL content like NFL Total Access, SportsCenter highlights, PTI segments, etc. We now give you an incredibly fun and realistic football experience with the game and also provide access to compelling football news that only ESPN and the NFL Network could provide.
Have spectacular catches / jet pack catches been toned down?
Yes, definitely. The spectacular catches have been toned way down in terms of how powerful they are, and defenders also have a much easier chance of knocking the ball out (since the receiver is really putting himself out there on big leaping catches like that).
What about fatigue…how has it changed this year?
Our very robust fatigue system was brand new to last year, and it has been tweaked and tuned moreso for Madden NFL 09 to provide much more accurate results. We really want to make sure defensive teams that are getting pounded on with the run game really get tired towards the end of a long drive, and we also wanted to discourage frequent fly routes and no-huddle offenses. The system was further tuned to address these issues.
Have the fumble problems been addressed?
Yes, this was addressed in a patch for Madden NFL 08, and those changes were carried over to Madden NFL 09. After those fixes went in, we also re- factored the way animations, ratings, and weather impacted fumbling – I think you’ll see it’s much more realistic this year.
The full Madden 09 FAQ can be read here.
