Madden NFL 09 News and New Features Along with Video
As you most of you already know Madden NFL 09 will be coming out this August. Let’s go ahead and talk about it a little bit (and then we will get to the new features and even a video).
Madden 09 was developed by EA Tiburon and published by EA Sports and is in its 20th year. Madden 09 will be released on the Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP and DS and will feature Brett Farve on the cover. Having Brett Farve on the cover is significant for several reasons. One, he breaks the “Madden Curse” and two, this makes him the first inactive to grace the cover since John Madden himself. Also, as of right now no PC version has been announced, which kind of sucks in my opinion.
As mentioned before this is the 20th year of Madden so to celebrate that (and to try and make some more $) 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition of Madden NFL 09 will also be released. This special edition will include NFL Head Coach 09, exclusive classic Madden NFL gameplay and bonus video content, among other things, and will be released alongside the regular version. Madden NFL 09 is scheduled for release on August 12th in the U.S., and August 15th in Europe.
The new features in Madden NFL 09 include:
* Madden IQ system: players train in a holographic environment, which grants them a “Madden IQ” based on their practice in 12 different drills. The game’s difficulty adjusts itself to the player’s Madden IQ.
* EA Sports Backtrack: the game analyzes the player’s playing ability and points out mistakes during gameplay a la a television-styled telestrator.
* Improved online leagues: server-based leagues, supporting up to 32 players, with full schedules including the playoffs and the Super Bowl as well as draft and trade support. Schedules can be played in a round-robin style as well.
* Revamped graphics: Improved stadium models, new weather particle system, new lighting models, new player models, field goal nets, improved sidelines, user-controlled celebrations, clear visors, new facemask designs, and Total Control animation system.
* Improved gameplay: Offensive line slide protection, smart routes, realistic fatigue, improved gang tackles, true penalty based animations, formation substitutions, new fumble system (weather affects it), new player weapon types and the ability to return short field goals.
* Revamped franchise mode: Simulated stats have been improved (e.g. fewer running backs gaining 2,000+ yards in one season), rivalry games have special value and played games have more crowd and television intensity.
* On-demand picture-in-picture play-call window: Picture-in-picture style interface to allow the player to see key information and call plays and formations without leaving the current window.
* New Dynamic Camera System: The new madden camera system moves with your receivers so they will never fall out of view during gameplay. The camera automatically pans out, zooms in, and adjusts angles to keep the receivers in screen. Once you complete that pass, if the ball carrier happens to break away from his defenders, the ActionCam will rock back and forth, zoom in and follow the ball carrier, giving you that intense feeling that you’re sprinting alongside him. And if a defender happens to really lay into the ball carrier, the Big Hit Camera will rattle the screen with the force of the crunch.
* New Tackling Engine & Animations.
* New Running/Ball-Carrier Engine: total control system, new transition system, character grounding with foot-plant, new procedural animation system, realistic momentum, new locomotion system, improved visuals and animations, left and right stick moves, directional diving.
* Madden Moments: New gameplay mode that allows the user to relive the top 32 games of the 2007 season.
* New Weather Gameplay: Weather now effects gameplay and celebrations.
* Rewind: Allows you to rewind and redo a play. You can set the number rewinds you get in a game Note: Is not included in online play.
* Syncing With NFL Head Coach 09: The ability to create and transfer plays from NFL Head Coach 09 to Madden 09.
Don’t forget to pre-order a copy for yourself today.
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I like the sound of the Madden IQ system if it works okay. I’ve always had a hard time getting the difficulty settings just right. No mention of the accelerated clock which is a HUGE downer for me. I like to play 15:00 quarters and it’s pretty much impossible without AC. Hopefully they sneak that one it!
Yeah, I agree that Madden IQ sounds really smooth. I hope it works like it sounds like it should.
Also, I haven’t heard anything about the accelerated clock so I guess you’ll have to keep your fingers crossed on that one.