[Codehead]

First screenshots: Xbox360Achievements.org - First Madden 10 Screen Looks Suitably Sharp

I don't play Madden anymore, but I must admit, it looks stunning.

[Nik73]

Every year I buy Madden and really like it and then usually get disappointed the more I play it as I find holes and glaring issues. That said, I still enjoy it and will no doubt get this years game.
The main problem seems to be how they managed to make everything, apart from the graphics, worse on next gen!!!

There seems to be a lot of optimism about this years game as the developers have had a lot of interaction with the online community and seem to be listening to suggestions.

It's hard to tell much from one screenshot, but there's a good bit that seems new..... for next gen at least.
- Refs and chain gang!!!!
- Better OL and DL interaction
- New WR animation (in the background)
- Lot more accessories, eg team coloured gloves and towels
- More detailed sidelines

I........ will......... not........... get............ excited..............

[Raffboner]

Well this is another game to add to my list, I really enjoyed the last one but unfortunately there was too many other titles out so I had to trade pretty early on. To be fair Madden on the 360 has come a long way since the first release but I hope they put the trading cards feature back in as I loved that on the old PS2.

[Nik73]

Well scratch what I said, I've allowed myself to get excited about this already and have been checking OS every day for new snippets. What's coming out is very encouraging, mainly because the developers are active on there and interacting with the "Madden Community". Things are constantly changing, even at this stage, thanks to constructive feedback. Credit to them, a lot.

I won't list all the improvements that seem to have been made but it really does look that they finally have managed to better, or even just equal, ESPN NFL2K5 on the xbox as an overall package. I'm not saying the next gen Maddens have been utter crap so far as I've bought them all and enjoyed them, but it's amazing that I've found myself buying a 5 year old game again (99p bargain on ebay) and, despite the aging graphics, finding it still the most enjoyable football game ever. It's actually better than I remember!! Mainly because of the tv style presentation, which I love.

While it's ridiculous that it's taken this long to get there, kudos to the Madden team for their efforts. I very nearly sprayed my shorts when I saw this screenshot.

[Piscauk]

Originally Posted by Nik73

I won't list all the improvements that seem to have been made but it really does look that they finally have managed to better, or even just equal, ESPN NFL2K5 on the xbox as an overall package. I'm not saying the next gen Maddens have been utter crap so far as I've bought them all and enjoyed them, but it's amazing that I've found myself buying a 5 year old game again (99p bargain on ebay) and, despite the aging graphics, finding it still the most enjoyable football game ever. It's actually better than I remember!! Mainly because of the tv style presentation, which I love.

Amen to that. Madden 09 NEARLY matched it for me, but the more I played it, the worse it got NFL 2K5 is still the absolute gold standard for NFL games, it just felt so... physical. Madden often feels too detached.

[Andy58]

Originally Posted by Codehead

I don't play Madden anymore, but I must admit, it looks stunning.

I haven't played a Madden game since the Megadrive but that does look stunning.

Wonder if the Cheerleaders make an appearance?

[Nik73]

Yeah baby!!

Can't wait until E3 next week when they're finally going to release more details about the presentation upgrades.

[Nik73]

So I've been following the updates intently and REALLY looking forward to this now. If you were wondering about presentation this year...............

YouTube - Madden NFL 2010 Everything You See on Sunday

[toon83]

looks class another madden to add on release day

[Codehead]

Achieves look interesting:

Xbox360Achievements.org - Madden NFL 10 Achievement List

Some of the player specific ones could be tricky.

[Nik73]

I know it's not Madden but got NCAA Football 10 last week and am really enjoying it. The presentation sucks big time, but the gameplay is great fun. In fact, it's the best fun with a football game I've had for a good few years. With a few slider tweaks it's a winner, some really cool new animations. Doesn't look too shabby either, especially the new progressive lighting. The stadiums look beautiful. Broke a nice run in an evening game at Berkley and got knocked out at the 1.

[Nik73]

Looks like the demo for Madden 10 is out tomorrow, which is nice. Sadly it's only 1 minute quarters. A few more in-game screenshots for those that are interested.

Wow!


Looks like they're taking a big leaf out of NFL 2K5's book for some stadium cutscenes.

A proper Lambeau leap instead of that Spiderman crap from last year!

[michaelb007]

I really want to play 2k5 tonight after reading this thread.

Better be backwards compatible

But this new Madden looks great hopefully plays well too.

[Nik73]

Originally Posted by michaelb007

I really want to play 2k5 tonight after reading this thread.

Better be backwards compatible

But this new Madden looks great hopefully plays well too.

2K5 is backward compatible Michael, still play it myself. I'm hoping this years Madden will let me finally put it away though.

[toon83]

looks nice but only time will see if it plays well


anyone know if there is any deals?

[manowar68]

Some of those screenshots look so real,very sharp i have not played a madden game for some time now so thinking of renting this from boomerang.

[toon83]

anyone played demo yet?

[LJx]

This game has not been good since the megadrive versions and you cannot download it from this country

[Goooner]

Not even if you set up a US Live account?

[Nik73]

Originally Posted by Sweat

This game has not been good since the megadrive versions

I'm sorry, but that's a ridiculous statement .

Originally Posted by Goooner

Not even if you set up a US Live account?

I would imagine that'll work fine mate, just can't be bothered myself. Can wait a week or so and NCAA 10 is keeping me busy.
A bit concerning that there's a distinct lack of info on the UK Xbox page though.

Xbox.com | Product Detail

[scrapbook]

Shouldn't that be Chad Johnson on the back of that Bengal shirt?

Looking forward to playing this, the Bears might be decent for once

[Goooner]

Originally Posted by Nik73

I would imagine that'll work fine mate, just can't be bothered myself. Can wait a week or so and NCAA 10 is keeping me busy.
A bit concerning that there's a distinct lack of info on the UK Xbox page though.

That's what I thought. I've got a US account set up, but I doubt I'll bother with the demo, I shall no doubt buy it on release anyway

[Nik73]

Originally Posted by scrapbook

Shouldn't that be Chad Johnson on the back of that Bengal shirt?

Looking forward to playing this, the Bears might be decent for once

He actually legally changed his name to Chad Ochocinco but the NFL wouldn't let him have that name on his shirt last season, but it seems they're allowing it this year.

With the addition of Jay Cutler I think there's very high hopes for the Bears this year, though the team is only rated as 79 in Madden this year.

[Nik73]

Originally Posted by Nik73

I would imagine that'll work fine mate, just can't be bothered myself. Can wait a week or so and NCAA 10 is keeping me busy.

Xbox.com | Product Detail

Well that lasted a couple of days before I set up a US account! lol. Sadly we can only get the 1 min quarters Cowboys @ Giants snow demo rather than the 5 min quarter Superbowl XXXXIII rematch though.
It's hard to tell a lot from such a short demo, plus it's from a pretty old build, but I think there's definitely potential there. It seems to be much better than previous next-gen Maddens and I've already seen some nice little presentation touches......

- Kickers warming up when the game is tied and a team is driving up the field.
- Chain gang coming on for measurements.
- On field officials making real time calls and signals.
- A lot of nifty new branching animations.
- Players slipping/stumbling in the bad weather.
- Much more sideline stuff, eg. players high fiving coming off the field, QB's on the phone after a good/bad play or drive.

There's a few concerns but I'm not too worried as the final version of NCAA football was MUCH better than the demo.
The problem is I've never known a game like Madden that I really enjoy and rave about every year for the first few weeks and then start to find glaring issues with. I really liked Madden 09 at first but then just gave up on it completely as it was, quite frankly, awful. I think it's because it's one of the few games I buy the new version of every year................... Actually that's balls as I always get NBA 2K, The Show and NCAA Football as well!

In other news, the commish has reinstated Michael Vick!

[PurpleSteve]

I missed the last Madden game after picking up the 2 before that. these screenshots and info are making me very interested in picking it up. But like you say the more you play, the more you notice the faults. Its the same with the FIFA games, their great but riddled with faults which seem to appear the more you play. Shame really.

[scrapbook]

Originally Posted by Nik73

He actually legally changed his name to Chad Ochocinco but the NFL wouldn't let him have that name on his shirt last season, but it seems they're allowing it this year.

With the addition of Jay Cutler I think there's very high hopes for the Bears this year, though the team is only rated as 79 in Madden this year.

I didn't realise the nFL had backed down on that. Great name

THe only team that can go 9-7 one year and just miss out on the play offs, add a top QB and then be ranked lower

[Nik73]

Some nice divisional preview vids to whet the appetite.

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

AFC South

AFC North

[Dazza Cole]

So the demo is a full 4 quarter + overtime (if needed) game of 1 minute quarters in heavy snow, teams being the Giants and Cowboys. The first thing that hits you is the reduced speed, is now far more realistic and similar to the 2K series back on the Dreamcast.

Looks and sounds lovely as you would imagine. As well as the speed, a thing to get used to is there seems to be much more intertia on the players movement, so it's much easier to take a defender completely out of the play. I have had 2 punts returned for touchdowns in the demo on about 6 games, never EVER had one before on any madden since 92!! The use of the right stick to access defensive line special moves is a bonus, and for this reason I will probably pick the 360 version over the PS3. Playing them both side by side the control feels a bit more responsive on the 360. And the sticks are much heavier, which makes it more unlikely to make an adjustment you didn't mean to.

[Nik73]

Originally Posted by Dazza Cole

The first thing that hits you is the reduced speed, is now far more realistic and similar to the 2K series back on the Dreamcast.

There's actually 5 speed settings this year from 1 (very slow) to 5 (very fast) to try and please everyone. Apparently the default is 2 (slow), which is the setting for the demo and 4 (fast) is the same as last years. Certainly makes it more realistic as you say.

[Nik73]

Well, my preorder is on it's way from GAME. With a bit of luck I should get it tomorrow when I've got the day off as well!
Mostly favourable comments on Operation Sports as people have been getting the game early and the phrase "Best Madden Ever" is getting bandied about a little bit along with comments about it finally being the Madden to retire 2K5. I've heard that before though.

There's a nice screen shot comparison of 09 vs 10 on the EA site which is pretty as 09 certainly didn't look shabby! It's certainly the lighting that stands out. Plus the depth of field is nice on the Kurt Warner pic.

What a difference a year makes.

Does anyone fancy giving the online franchise a go? It sounds great but I admit I don't exactly how it works. I never tried the one in NCAA.