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[DMczaf]

http://sports.ign.com/articles/613/613583p1.html

Nature vs. nurture is a question for the ages, and in Madden, creating your superstar encompasses both aspects. It all starts with your parents DNA, including IQ scores, hobbies (dad's into karaoke, mom loves antiques), and careers (dad's an actor, mom's a corporate exec). Don't like what you get, how about pressing a button and selecting a new set of parents.

Your Superstar journey will take you from the draft to the NFL field to even Hollywood. There is so much to Superstar mode that this is really just a teaser of what to expect as EA Sports doesn't want to give too much away about the mode this early in development.

But there are plenty of other new features in Madden that we can talk more in-depth about. The first of these is Adaptive AI, where the defense doesn't simply adjust if you call the same plays, but the same routes. For example: In past games, if you played as the Falcons and the Price Option was your money play where you liked to hit Alge Crumpler across the middle in the post, by the third time you called it, the defensive would see it coming and swat down the pass. They knew your play and adjusted to it. But if you went through your playbook and in the same formation found Crumpler running that exact post pattern but from a different play (SE Post Flag), he would be wide open again.

Same route, different play.

It was a clever yet simple way to manipulate your game plan and take advantage of the defense. But that's where Adaptive AI comes into play for 06. The defense will now sniff out that you like to throw the post to your big tight end, so it doesn't matter how you try to mask it through different play calls or formations. If you keep calling the post, the defense will now adjust, even playing to the shoulder you like to lob the ball to.

And there are a host of other improvements for all of those potential Marvin Lewis' out there. Pre-snap on defense, you can click down the right analog stick to see specific player assignments, you can shade safeties in directions other than simply to the right or left, charging them both up the middle to support against the run. There are even new ways to disguise your defensive coverages as you can now send your defensive backs to follow receivers in motion even when you are playing zone. And once the ball is snapped you can quickly adjust your defense by calling out to your teammates whether it looks like a run or a pass by simultaneously pressing L2 and the right analog stick.

Quarterbacks will have a fake snap button that slightly moves the screen back to attempt to draw the defense offsides. You can call offensive line audibles to slide your protection, spreading out or pinching the line to stop nano blitzes. The offense will in turn be rewarded for their improved protection as man coverage will inevitably get worse and start to break down the longer the play lasts and the more cuts the receiver makes in the open field.

In terms of the passing game, receivers will now run smarter hot routes. When you select your receiver for the hot route and hold down on the D-pad, the receiver will run the desired route, but he'll run it so that he's just past the first down line or into the end zone (when in the red zone). This can work to either extend or shorten the route to reach the desired spot on the field. And when making the catch, there are even new aggressive catch animations where the receiver will screen the defense and come back to get the ball. In addition, there are 35 new offensive formations to help you spread the ball around, including new split receiver sets.

In terms of online play for the PS2 and Xbox, you will now be able to join online clubs where you can meet in your own private room to chat, play, and compete. Private leader boards will even keep track of who is the best player in your crew as you can trigger rivalries that are auto tracked by playing against a particular opponent seven times in seven days. Each club can form 10 rivalries, battling for trophies that reset every week. And while each club starts with only five members, through participation, club activity, and wins, you can open up new slots for people to join, eventually reaching up to 100 members if desired.

But the feature that will turn the most heads is the new EA Sports locker, a virtual online locker where you can actually store files, from replays to rosters and even franchises. You can then share these files with friends or backup those crucial files you don't want erased. Think of it as an online memory card that that you can make accessible to friends, swapping replays and highlights to future or past opponents, as polygonal pictures speak 1,000 words of smack, and that's the truth. No better way to taunt then to send someone to a saved replay of the time you high-stepped down the sideline or made Favre twitch on the frozen tundra.

 

[vatstep]

That scoreboard is heinous

 

[Ramirez]

Roster update! :lol

Damn,they are adding a TON of improvements this year...I'm especially liking the adaptive A.I. and offensive linemen blocking schemes,no more def. line spread rape!

 

[DMczaf]

Roster update! :lol

Damn,they are adding a TON of improvements this year...I'm especially liking the adaptive A.I. and offensive linemen blocking schemes,no more def. line spread rape!

EA is working harder with no competition :lol

 

[Ramirez]

Now I just hope that the 360 version contains all of these same improvements...only a couple days til we get to see it

 

[PG2G]

I figured I'd come in here and say it before some troll does. "Are those X360 screens?"

 

[Rorschach]

Hopefully that score deal isn't on there the whole game. At least fox sports and co have a smaller one all the way at the top. I prefer a small score update on the right corner. :\

 

[DMczaf]

In fact, from Superstar mode to gameplay, there are still volumes to write. We haven't even touched on the new aspects of franchise yet, how you can finally play online franchise games, scout the plays your opponents like to run, and use the EA locker to share and communicate the data. How defensive backs now go for picks instead of trying to swat everything down. How the new TV style presentation adds replays and images of players lining up for the snap from a host of never-before-seen camera angles. How you can finally…well, you get the point.

I'm calling it now.

Greatest game ever!

 

[Rorschach]

I'm calling it now.

Greatest game ever!

...holy shit...!

Too bad a GAF one won't last...increase the current drama tenfold.

 

[Mrbob]

...holy shit...!

Too bad a GAF one won't last...increase the current drama tenfold.

This ain't ESPN.

 

[golem]

also noticed a cool thing on the mtv trailer... it was the same cgi render, but at teh end instead of saying madden next-gen it said madden 06

 

[DMczaf]

This ain't ESPN.

:lol

If EA goes all out with online franchise mode, I feel GAF friendships will be broken after the drama of Madden 2005 leagues.

 

[Slo]

Sounds like a bunch of great improvements. FUCK YOU EA$$$$

 

[Mrbob]

If these features don't make the 360 version of Madden I say nathkenn is banned until Madden 2007 is out!

 

[Matrix]

:lol

If EA goes all out with online franchise mode, I feel GAF friendships will be broken after the drama of Madden 2005 leagues.

CK would have to be highly sedated.

 

[VPhys]

Ok, I've read the improvements and all I can say is... couldn't these "improvements" been made 3 years ago in Madden 2003? These are all minor changes and at $50 each year you'd think these issues would have been ironed out already.

 

[Slo]

Ok, I've read the improvements and all I can say is... couldn't these "improvements" been made 3 years ago in Madden 2003? These are all minor changes and at $50 each year you'd think these issues would have been ironed out already.

You know what, you're probably never going to be convinced to pay $50 every year for Madden unless you play it fanatically. To me it's worth it. I played Madden 2005 more than any game released last year, including World of Warcraft which I put about 6 days into. Making changes to Madden is like balancing a MMORPG, players demand subtle changes, you don't just throw out the old engine whenever you feel like it. I expect a "true" sequel in Madden 2007, and then balancing updates until PS4 is released.

 

[nathkenn]

If these features don't make the 360 version of Madden I say nathkenn is banned until Madden 2007 is out!

riiight cuz i decide what features make it in the game, though I did get a promotion today so i'm movin' on up.

 

[DMczaf]

riiight cuz i decide what features make it in the game, though I did get a promotion today so i'm movin' on up.

You should have never revealed you worked for Tiburon. Now if ANYTHING goes wrong with the game you are the #1 person to blame on GAF :lol

Oh yeah question: Will Madden 360 actually have games NOT in the snow?!

 

[nathkenn]

You should have never revealed you worked for Tiburon. Now if ANYTHING goes wrong with the game you are the #1 person to blame on GAF :lol

Oh yeah question: Will Madden 360 actually have games NOT in the snow?!

lol see this is why they want to keep things under wraps they show you one thing and everything gets blown out of proportion, like that nutty xbox special ;p

If it makes you feel better I'll be working this weekend

 

[Ryudo]

Those screens are from what console ?

 

[Ramirez]

It would make me feel better if you would confirm a playable Madden for E3

Those screens are from what console ?

PS2.

 

[DJ_Tet]

That fake snap button is a good adjustment, but they need to mix in some jumps from the CPU defense.

As it was, the fake snap just caused my guys to jump offsides. Playing against other people though I just used the look button real quick to pull guys offsides

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

Ok, I've read the improvements and all I can say is... couldn't these "improvements" been made 3 years ago in Madden 2003? These are all minor changes and at $50 each year you'd think these issues would have been ironed out already.

im not going to waste much time on this, but i can tell you don't play many football games, otherwise you wouldn't be calling some of this stuff minor.

p.s. rest assured the improvements are major and if the past is any indication will completely change the plays you call/how you play the game

 

[DMczaf]

im not going to waste much time on this, but i can tell you don't play many football games, otherwise you wouldn't be calling some of this stuff minor.

Come on, we all know offensive line audibles, new AI, online franchise mode, vision passing, progressive fatigue, and Superstar mode are minor updates. They won't change the game! Stop living in your dream world FMT, Madden is the same every year! New rosters!

 

[themadcowtipper]

Fuck EA , same game yr after yr, only graphic updates. They will destroy the industry.

***What they improved the gameplay****


Oh well, have fun Paying $80.00, bucks for the game, because EA knows it is the only game in town.....















































j/k :lol :lol :lol :lol

 

[monchi-kun]

EA is blowing their wad on improvements from all the bad PR they received....Madden 07 will bring them back to their prime form of minor upgrades due to lack of competition

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

EA is blowing their wad on improvements from all the bad PR they received....Madden 07 will bring them back to their prime form of minor upgrades due to lack of competition

lol i wish EA/madden haters would make up their mind. first its "OH SWEET JESUS NO COMPETITION! IF YOU THOUGHT MADDEN WAS A JOKE BEFORE WAIT UNTIL YOU GET A LOAD OF HOW SHITTY AN UPGRADE MADDEN 06 WILL BE!"

now it's "yeah... that is an impressive list of upgrades... BUT JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE OUTRAGED! FOR SHAME EA, FOR SHAME! PLAN ON SEEING ROSTER UPDATES NEXT YEAR!"

what a joke

 

[DCX]

The 360 version better have all the features that the current gen has or there will be mass suicides.

DCX

 

[DMczaf]

You dont get it yet, do you?! EA is setting the pins up! When Madden '12 comes out, thats where the plan comes out! It will be completely unchanged from Madden '11! And then EA will have the last laugh! That's when EA comes up with the STRRRRRRIKE!

"Suck it down, FMT!"

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

:lol john has me now! even though it will be ESPN Football soon


by the way, my chemical romance is one of the shittiest bands of all time

 

[shpankey]

Come on, we all know offensive line audibles, new AI, online franchise mode, vision passing, progressive fatigue, and Superstar mode are minor updates. They won't change the game! Stop living in your dream world FMT, Madden is the same every year! New rosters!

:lol :lol

 

[themadcowtipper]

GAf exclusive first look at the play by play to Madden 06...


[John Madden] "To win a football game you have to score touchdowns, and whoever scores the most touchdowns will win"

[Al Michaels] "I think your right John"...

 

[DMczaf]

GAf exclusive first look at the play by play to Madden 06...


[John Madden] "To win a football game you have to score touchdowns, and whoever scores the must touchdowns will win"

[Al Michaels] "I think your right John"...

You forgot the intro

*John Madden puts on his Brett Favre Ass Hat*

 

[bob_arctor]

:lol What a bunch of smug pricks you Maddenites are.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

no, what's being a prick is coming into a madden thread, despite the fact that you have played very little of madden and would be very unlikely to purchase madden regardless of how it turned out, and throwing in little bitch comments here and there as if we are supposed to say "holy shit you're right! screw you madden!"

it just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. i'm not saying YOU do this, but you can look at the madden threads over the past weeks and months and see a lot of jack asses on the forums who are just out to cause needless arguments

 

[TheJollyCorner]

ugh

I'm surprised they aren't putting Brady on the cover.

 

[Slo]

Speak for yourself, I'm smug as hell.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

i made no mention of not being smug, i said prick

 

[dskillzhtown]

Great improvements. HUGE improvements really. I guess the big question is what version will GAF decide on for leagues.

As far as the haters, you guys crack me up. It went from, "EA is now going to do nothing because they have no competition" to "OK, they made improvements but they should have done all these improvements years ago" to" OK, wait until next year, they won't make any improvements next year". Just give it up. If you don't like the game, why troll the threads? It is like what happened at Operation Sports when 989 employees came in to troll EVERY Madden thread with the same garbage. I know EA ran over your dog and raped your mom, but get over it.

 

[themadcowtipper]

No need to post haters, this is all you need.....

 

[Fifty]

Great improvements. HUGE improvements really. I guess the big question is what version will GAF decide on for leagues.

Considering how 90% of us had the Xbox version, I don't see why we'd make the major downgrade to the PS2 version all of a sudden.

Adaptive AI sounds great.........If it works, it'll change the game. Any one who knows Madden knows that if fixes TE routes and money plays, it'll pretty much seal off one of the game's bigger flaws.

Online Franchises might just blow my mind. I have no idea what Rors is talking about when he says
"Too bad a GAF one won't last...increase the current drama tenfold."

Yes, it will increase our drama, and that's the fun of it all, but we played the SHIT out of Madden 2005 online. Leagues, tournaments, everything. literally 100's of games from most of us who played in 3+ leagues.

 

[DCX]

McNabb is on the cover.

DCX

 

[dskillzhtown]

Considering how 90% of us had the Xbox version, I don't see why we'd make the major downgrade to the PS2 version all of a sudden.

Online Franchises might just blow my mind. I have no idea what Rors is talking about when he says
"Too bad a GAF one won't last...increase the current drama tenfold."

Yes, it will increase our drama, and that's the fun of it all, but we played the SHIT out of Madden 2005 online. Leagues, tournaments, everything. literally 100's of games from most of us who played in 3+ leagues.

My concern was the league would get split between 360 and X-Box.

 

[DMczaf]

MaddenNation just posted more info

Online Clubs: If you play HALO 2 or SOCOM 2 online then you’re no stranger to online clubs or clans. This year EA is introducing clubs to Madden online, something that should be a welcome addition to fans sites like Madden Nation. Here are some of the details:

- Up to 100 members can join any one club.
- Club size expands based on activity. Active clubs will be able to add members more quickly than clubs where nobody is participating.
- Club specific leaderboards will track standings within each club.
- Clubs get their own private and permanent room in the online lobby.
- Each online player can only be the member of one club at a time.

Club Rivalries: With the addition of online clubs, it’s only natural that clubs will want to compete with one another. Here’s how club rivalries will work:

- Rivalries will be triggered and tracked automatically. If you are in club A and challenge someone in club B, a rivalry will be started between the two groups.
- Clubs can form up to 10 rivalries with other online clubs.
- Clubs will be able to battle one another for a number of trophies.
- There will be leaderboards specific to any online rivalries a club might be participating in.

Shading Receivers: Anyone remember the pesky corner routes that have been problematic for years in Madden? This year you are given the option of shading receivers to the inside or outside. If you think a receiver is heading for the corner you can set your player before the snap to cover him to the outside to have a better angle on the ball. You can also have the defender play his man to the inside if an opponent is having a lot of success with the slants.

Post Snap Playmaker: Fans of Madden 2004 will remember the post snap playmaker where you could anticipate run or pass in order to get a jump on the offense. This was removed in Madden 2005 in order to include the hit stick, but will be put back into the game and is performed by pressing L2 and up (for pass) or down (for run) on the right analog stick just after the snap.

No More Tell Tale Zone: In past years of Madden it has always been possible to tell when a defender is in zone by sending a receiver to the opposite side of the field. If no man followed it was clear your opponent was in zone. In Madden NFL 06 you can have defenders follow a motion man even while in zone and their assignment will be picked up by another player. This great feature will remove the zone tells that have been in the game, so you won’t see so many players online motioning every single play because they don’t know how to make a read.

Adaptive AI: Adaptive AI has long been a popular Madden wish for fans in the online community. This feature improves defenders’ ratings when an opponent calls the same plays over and over. If you are playing against someone who thinks they can call the same passing play all game, your defenders will get a boost in the awareness and hands categories, allowing you a much better chance of shutting down a play or creating a turnover.

Slide Protection: This new feature will go a long way to relieve concerns some people have about how difficult it will be to pass with the new Vision & Precision mechanic. We all know the defense is tough in Madden 2005 and it will continue to be that way. Slide protection is an offensive audible set that allows you to direct your offensive line pre snap for better protection. You can have the line slide right or left if you want to roll out and pass, or have them stay in tight for a really small pocket that’s tough to penetrate. This can help you get more time to throw the ball and is also a weapon to combat some of the more effective blitzes of years past.

Progressive Fatigue: Now that you’ll have fatigue back for online ranked games, EA wants to make sure it is more realistically depicted. In Madden 2005 you can run someone all game and they will come back fully energized just by sitting out a couple of plays. In Madden NFL 06 players will get more tired over the course of the game, so you have to better manage who is being played and how often. Backs who don’t tire as easily will be able to wear down a defense and you may find that having a deeper bench will be important this year. This feature affects both sides of the ball.

Elite WRs Depicted More Realistically: Elite WRs will be able to totally lose defenders if they are given enough time. If you call a play where T.O. or Randy Moss makes a double or triple move and don’t get any pressure on the quarterback, those players will make you pay just like they do on Sunday. This is not a feature that will allow for a lot of wide open receivers all of the time, but it can help top tier NFL receivers stand out a little better.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

well to be honest, i think all of us are at least getting the x-box version. some of us (like myself) are going to get both. but just b/c xbox 360 comes out doesn't mean i'll magically discard the xbox version and the leagues there.

i can only speak for myself, but i'll be playing both versions for as long as we have a decent amount of people willing to participate

 

[DMczaf]

Superstar Mode sounds great :lol

Superstar mode allows you to import your Race to the Heisman player from NCAA, your NFL Street 2 created player, or create a player from scratch where you actually select two parents with different characteristics in order to build your player’s personality profile. Much like NCAA 2006’s Race For The Heisman, Superstar mode focuses in on one specific player and begins by dropping you right into game play. You begin with a critical situation at a college All Star game. How you perform during that important play may affect certain elements of your NFL future. After you complete the brief All Star game intro, you must then fill out an NFL combine registration form, take the Wonderlic test, and hire an agent. Based on your performance thus far you will get a projected round in the NFL draft and will then be drafted with this year’s current class with guys like Alex Smith & Braylon Edwards. You then get set up in your new home which starts out pretty modest and becomes much nicer as your career progresses (if you’re not a draft bust that is).


Getting Around

Now that you’re in the NFL you will have a lot of responsibilities that can be handled in the following group of intricate menus:


Communication Device: Think Blackberry. Your communication device is one of your means of getting in touch with the important people in your life. You will be able to maintain email contact with your agent, coach, mentor, and a handful of other people in order to stay up to date with what’s going on.

Schedule: This is a calendar with an itinerary of various important events. Games, practices, etc. will be kept track of in this menu.

My Web: This is your official fan site where you can look at all of your accolades and accomplishments and track your career for up to 20 years if you end up being a Darrell Green or Jerry Rice type.

World Map: The world map is a mini virtual version of the actual city you play in. There are a number of locales you can visit such as the barber shop, tattoo parlor, and your agent’s office.

Agent’s Office: Your NFL agent is a big part of getting you whatever it is you want out of your career. You can demand a trade, complain about coaches, and just about anything else that you can bicker to an agent about can be done here.



Events & Responsibilities

NFL players have a lot of different responsibilities that take up their time. Here are a few things you’ll be able to do in Super Star Mode:


Interviews: Press conferences & interviews are nothing new to NFL players. You’ll choose from a list of answers and how you respond will affect how you are viewed by fans and treated by the media. You can become a media sweetheart like Donovan McNabb or the next big controversy like TO.

Movie Roles: One option for advancing your career is taking roles in various films. Your agent will pitch you a role and you have to decide whether or not it’s the right flick to elevate you to iconic status. You must then memorize a script and perform in each scene without making mistakes.

The Madden Bowl: You can enter the Madden Bowl tournament that takes place at the Super Bowl each year and show other top players how to work the sticks. You will play actual games of Madden in order to advance from round to round.

Madden Cover Athlete Selection: Only the best of the best are offered the opportunity to be on the cover of Madden. If made an offer will you accept the honor or shy away from fear of the curse?


What Else Is Involved?

Now you know how to get around, but how exactly does all of this play together? By now you’ve got the idea that your goal is to become a successful NFL player with a solid reputation. You have to play well, say the right things, and make a number of career choices that will determine your status. Each Superstar Mode player will have a player persona that will depend on where they are in their career. You can be a draft bust, a has been or hack, media darling, or you can develop into one of the all time greats. It’s up to you.

Aside from all of the extra curricular activities and menus is the actual game play. You will play the games on your schedule in the same manner your normally would by controlling all of the players, so it’s not a situation where you are only able to use your Superstar and nobody else. What you don’t have control of is the coaches and team management. If you’re a wide receiver you could very well end up on a team that refuses to give you a decent quarterback and keeps drafting bonehead players from year to year. These are the type of real life situations that NFL players deal with all the time. We are often quick to criticize and say a player should do this or that, so now it’s your chance to make the call. Will you live up to your potential? Make nice with your team and the media? Or will you become the next team cancer? Come August the choice is yours.

 

[Wellington]

Adaptive AI? Sounds like horseshit to me. It worked well enough offline last year, where games don't even matter, but it wasn't the case at all online.

The absolute BEST sounding improvement for me is the online locker. I'm a complete whore for replays and would losve to be able to save as many as I can online (hopefully entire games).

Anyway, remember that Madden 06 wishlist topic? Let's see what made it in from there:

Receiver shading
Post snap playmaker (WELCOME BACK!)
Progressive fatigue (But does it affect bumping DBs?)
More pre-snap defensive options

I dunno if I like the fact that elite WRs will be even better than they already are (Moss is ridiculous in 05), but I agree that if they are 'hands receivers' the game should reflect that.

I will personally put the game to the test next week if it is playable. Rest assured friends, if the Giants are not rated 90+ (by the way, what is with that fucked up screenshot? Should be Giants 41-Eagles 0) Tiburon, nay, the ESA will hear about it.

 

[Ramirez]

I'll have both (if it even launches with the 360),so it's a non issue for me

 

[Slo]

I'm pretty sure the Xbox version will be out 3 months before the Xbox360 version, I doubt any of us will be able to wait that long.