EA Dev Jim Preston Spills the Beans
Madden NFL, perhaps the most darling of all critically received sports franchises, is nearing arrival. Where anticipation is normally fevered for the latest iteration of this juggernaut franchise, this year’s announcement that Madden NFL 2005will include Xbox Live™ functionality has effectively ratcheted up the already intense longing for the game. I was even assailed at a local game store recently, as a clerk sputtered out a 10-minute sales pitch and explanation to why I should instantly pre-order Madden NFL 2005. Clearly, he was excited.
Luckily, I don’t have to rely solely on the facial-tick-laden, uber-nervous, out-of-college-for-the-summer videogame salesman for my gaming news. Instead, I went straight to the source and chatted up Electronic Arts’ Jim Preston, assistant producer for EA SPORTS Online. We talked all things Madden—specifically about some of the bigger and more interesting features that have been implemented this year. Here’s what I was able to glean from Mr. Preston.
Now, that’s powering through someone!
Mr. Madden, Meet Xbox Live
Naturally, Xbox Live came to the immediate forefront of our conversation. Yes, we know it’s implemented, but will it be any different from our normal Xbox Live experience? Will the short time the folks at EA had to integrate the Xbox Live experience downsize any of our regular features? The answer is: no! All the online features you’ve come to expect (Optimatch, online score boards, cross-game invites, and more) are alive and well in Madden.
The online experience will differ only in the form of added features … EA-developed online features to be exact.Madden on Xbox Live is actually a merging of two different online experiences: the Xbox Live experience we’ve come to know and love and the EA Online experience that’s been in the works for quite some time. Here are a few highlights that you should be aware of.
Um, good luck there, buddy.
EA Game Account
You’ll use your Xbox Live Gamertag to sign on to EA’s Web site. Here, you’ll have access to your career online stats, spanning every EA SPORTS title you play on Xbox Live. You’ll also be able to utilize EA Messenger to chat with friends, arrange your latest tournament game, and even check out your Trophy Room.
Fair Play
This feature acts as a kind of anti-cheating, anti-griefer device. Online games are plagued by those annoying players that love to look for loopholes, money plays, and basically, the opportunity to make your online experience miserable. Fair Play (required for all ranked games) helps ease this pain. It won’t allow opponents to exploit onside kicks early in the game. They won’t be able to no-huddle constantly. And, they’ll even be forced to punt when they want to go for the umpteenth fourth-down conversion.
Rushing Attack
This is a little mini-game that you can play against others online. It’s the perfect Madden snack when you don’t have time for a full game. Rushing Attack pits two players against each other in a ground-game war, where there are only five players on the field. You’ll take turns on offense and defense and see who can rack up the most points.
Crazy Fans
Ah, the fans of the NFL. There are the face painters, the chest bearers, the dudes with the foam fingers, the beer-hat wearers, the hecklers, the screamers, the streakers—the list goes on and on. Pro football has a way of attracting the ardent attention of some … well … colorful folk. Preston informs us that the “crazy-nutso fan” (his words not mine) is now yours to create. That’s right. There’s a create-a-fan feature in this year’s Madden. You’ll be able to see your created fan pop up when the camera cuts away to crowd reaction of the on-field action. There’s something very special about seeing your customized fan cheering his little heart out.
These are well-adjusted people.
The Mighty Hit
The Hit-Stick may be one of the biggest new features, when it comes to how you play defense. With a properly timed flick of the right thumbstick, you’ll be able to land a crushing blow on your competition. Preston points out that it’s tough to master (as it should be). You’ll have to learn when to try it and when to go for the safe tackle. If you do manage to connect with the Hit-Stick, though, you’ll be treated to a highlight-reel-worthy, bone-jarring tackle of fumble-inducing proportions. It’s the addition of gameplay-changing features like this that keep Madden on top.
I’d like to thank Jim Preston for taking the time to explain the new features that he and the rest of the folks at EA are excited about. So are we!
By Alex McLain
