http://sports.ign.com/articles/705/705351p1.html

Madden NFL 07: First Look
Running, mini-camp, and the Hall of Fame.
by Jon Robinson

May 5, 2006 - Shaun Alexander. See the Seahawks superstar on the box and you know the game's about to change (not to mention the team's luck). The thing is, Madden NFL 07 isn't really about Mr. MVP, his dominance on Sunday nights, or the way he pushes aside linebackers like he's brushing dirt off his shoulder. Madden 07 is really about Walter Jones. It's about Mack Strong. It's even about Jerramy Stevens and Darrell Jackson to some extent, as the new mode in the game, Run to Daylight, is more about the way you block than the way you run.

After selecting a running play, you will be able to cycle through your offensive players as they get into position at the line. Select the player you want to control, that's right, control, and after the ball is snapped, the camera zooms in on the fullback, tackle, guard, center, tight end, or even wide receiver that you decided to possess. It's now up to you to open up the path for the run, as the computer controls the halfback and tries to follow your path to daylight. In the E3 demo I was able to get my hands on early, once you made your initial block, control immediately switched back to the man with the ball as you attempt to take advantage of the hole Jones or Strong opened up for you. I am told, however, that in the final version of the game, you will be able to control the blocker for as long as you want, running down field for multiple blocks as the computer runs through the open field.

This mode is quite addicting, and really places an emphasis back on the running game after years of long bombs and QB scrambles. I found myself attempting the same running play over and over again, but choosing different blockers to see how I could best bust Alexander through the line. Playing as a blocker, you have different blocks assigned to the right analog stick. Press up to try and pancake the defender. Press down to cut block. Press right or left to try and spin the defender out of the hole. Approaching the same play with different blockers, you're trying to pancake the defensive end with Walter Jones. You're either taking out the corner or charging back into the line to cut a lineman as a receiver. You're leading the charge through the line, hoping to take out a linebacker with the fullback. And if you're able to lead the way with a successful block, your running back will receive a little boost to his run, enabling him to pick up extra yards and rewarding gamers for their skill.



During two-player games, the camera doesn't switch to the blocker, but you still have all of the same controls and rewards for opening up holes.

But that's not the only improvement to the running game. You know about the Truck Stick and how bigger backs benefited last year from the ability to run over defenders with the flick of the right analog stick. But if you were a guy like Willie Parker, sure you had speed, but you didn't have the moves that help make you a special back. Introducing the Highlight Stick. Now when you're playing with someone like Parker or Tiki Barber, press the right analog stick in any direction and you'll see an animation where the smaller back will duck, spin, or squirt out of a tackle. You'll even be able to combo moves with the stick, piecing together a juke left with a hop step backwards (down on the right analog stick) to leave defenders eating turf. This will add an advantage to the elusive runners, not just the backs with bulk. The Truck Stick animations still exist for the bigger backs, but now you'll see a lot more variety of running moves with the addition of the Highlight Stick.



But if the blocking up front is broken, there's no point in running the ball, even if you're leading the charge or spinning through tackles. That's why the team at Tiburon spent a lot of development time fixing the run blocking in the game. The goal is to make even a four yard run fun. It's not about breaking 30-yarders every down. It's about being able to establish a running game as part of your offense, and make it a realistic way to dominate opponents by pounding them with players like Alexander and Ronnie Brown. You can finally feel the satisfaction of a good pancake thanks to the new animations, and the cut blocks will send defenders flipping into the air. I even saw a missed cut block where Larry Foote of the Steelers jumped over his blocker and completely obliterated the ball carrier.

5/9/2006 7:24:24 PM

release date?

5/9/2006 7:24:47 PM

http://brentroad.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=403189

fix yo links and paste it in there

release i think is prolly 8/7 as usual

[Edited on May 9, 2006 at 7:25 PM. Reason : ]

5/9/2006 7:24:50 PM

All of these improvements to the running game can be found in every version of Madden NFL 07, from current to next gen. But there are still some distinct differences and feature sets between each system that fans will need to be aware of.

NFL Superstar Hall of Fame (Current Gen only)

Last year, EA introduced Superstar mode, and it ended up being a complete mess. This year, they pretty much started over, listening to feedback of fans and players on what it should really mean to be an NFL superstar. The thing about last year's mode, beyond cycling through countless screens of text, was the fact that when you were playing the games, it didn't really feel any different than playing a game in your franchise, other than the fact that you were trying to get your created player the ball so you could blow up his stats.

That's why the main goal of NFL Superstar Hall of Fame mode was to put the emphasis back on the superstar, both on and off the field. That means when you create your player, you only play as that player in games. So if you create a wide receiver, you actually play only as the receiver, complete with a different camera angle showcasing your player, with special moves tied to the right analog stick for every position. That means you don't call the play (you're not the coach). You don't throw the ball (you're not the QB). And you don't play defense (you simply watch the game and cheer for the D to play strong). For those gamers who don't want to watch the defense, you do have the option to take over the D and play that side of the ball like a normal game, but if you decide to watch, the gameplay is sped up so you don't have to sit and wait too long.

Playing receiver, you can call for the ball ala Randy Moss by waving your arm, but as a rookie, who is going to listen to you? The better you play, the more influence you gain on your team and around the league, so as you build up a rep, that QB will start looking your way more often. Each play, you're given your route assignment, so it's your job to work your way open to get the ball.



Create a cornerback and jam receivers at the line playing bump and run. Create a tackle and level the D-Line, then run down field and blast the secondary as you see the halfback running past you and start to high-step down the sidelines. You can create punters, kickers, tight ends, safeties…whatever position player you want, with the goal to one day make it to the Hall of Fame. Making it to the Hall as a quarterback or running back is going to be a lot easier than a tackle, but that's the challenge. Can you make it to the Hall with created players from each position?

Influence points are built up by what you're able to accomplish on the field. If you're an offensive lineman, earn points through pass protection or opening up running lanes. As a defensive back you'll want to shutdown your opponent, and to help you out, as you line up, you'll see a bubble appear to show your zone on the field so you know your assignment.



As you play, you'll quickly realize that even if you have skills, your teammates play a major role in shaping your superstar. If your created receiver gets drafted by the Colts and Peyton Manning gets injured, obviously your stats are going to take a hit as Jim Sorgi throws the ball at your feet instead of hitting you in stride (although you won't have to worry about the passing cone this year as it's still there, but now turned off by default).

Before every drive, you select your role in the scheme. Using the receiver example, you can play as a Possession Receiver, and this will increase your catching ability and the QB accuracy. You can play as a Burner, and this will send you deep, affecting not only your speed and awareness, but it will also negatively affect the rating of the CB trying to cover you one-on-one. Or you can be the Lone Wolf, forgetting about the team game and trying to rack up as many yards and catches as possible. As a cornerback, your roles are Coverage DB, a Blitz Specialist, or again, the Lone Wolf. This all leads to character development and how you're viewed as a teammate, adding extra depth beyond simply catching passes over the middle or picking off a pass and trying to take it to the house.

Earn enough influence, and one day you'll be inducted into the Hall of Fame. But you won't be the only legend in the game as EA Sports went out and signed approximately 160 legends this year for you to unlock in Madden. Players like Barry Sanders, Steve Largent, Walter Payton, Earl Campbell, Deacon Jones, Dan Fouts, and Sonny Jurgensen. Some, like Sanders, have dominated Madden games in the past. Others like Earl Campbell, might just make those Truck Stick moves more lethal than ever.

In terms of additions to franchise mode, you'll now be able to scout collegiate prospects with a new NFL Draft Scouting system as well as a College All-Star game. There is also a new feature called Franchise Player Roles that will show how different players impact their teams throughout the season. And for the first time, you'll finally be able to get your Ron Rivera-on with team-specific defensive playbooks.

5/9/2006 7:26:37 PM

they should only make these sports games every 2 years because the difference in graphics from year after year is minimal

5/9/2006 8:44:27 PM

^ the players are different there guy

5/9/2006 8:53:09 PM

every year theres a new gimmick and every year the gimmicks suck

5/9/2006 9:20:38 PM

vision cone was good. unless you suck.

5/9/2006 9:25:56 PM

yea i loved the vision cone

took off a little of the cheese factor

5/9/2006 9:37:12 PM

yeah do they still have that?

i thought the vision thing was a good idea

5/9/2006 9:43:01 PM

^yeah, plus it made Vick (and the like) more easily stoppable, as his cone was as thin as a toothpick.

5/9/2006 9:46:33 PM

I'd think about moving it to Entertainment... but frankly, we need the threads.

5/9/2006 10:23:52 PM

or frankly

youre a shitty mod cause theyve always been in sports talk

5/9/2006 11:08:08 PM

I love you too.

5/9/2006 11:09:34 PM

no homo

5/9/2006 11:12:01 PM

Jealous much... or did your mother not actually watch when you were doing stupid shit?

5/9/2006 11:18:25 PM

no, he makes a good point
lock this thread and do your job

5/9/2006 11:40:09 PM

I'm leaving it for now, hopefully it will get back on topic.

5/10/2006 12:54:36 AM

Quote :

"Madden 07 soundtrack announced EA's annual football game will feature the rockin', hip-hoppin' music of Audioslave, Dashboard Confessional, Wolfmother, Dynamite MC. By Tim Surette, GameSpot Posted Jun 23, 2006 11:30 am PT Just about any aspiring band would kill its bass player to get heard by 6 million people in the US. For up-and-coming musicians, bands on the verge of stardom, and groups looking to expand their fan base, there's one surefire way to get into the eardrums of the prized 18- to 34-year-old demographic. Get on the famed Madden soundtrack. This year's soundtrack follows last year's formula, leaning heavily toward up-tempo rock, with some hip-hop thrown in for good measure. Among the bigger names on the list are Audioslave ("Revelations"), Dashboard Confessional ("Reason to Believe"), and Taking Back Sunday ("Spin"). EA soundtrack vet Bishop LaMont makes an appearance with Chevy Jones on "The Best," and Dynamite MC, known for his work with Roni Size's Reprazent crew and The Nextmen, contributes his UK rhyming skills with "Bounce." Among the new sounds on the list are postpunk rockers The Rapture and the arena-rock revival of Australian trio Wolfmother. Returning to remix some of the classic NFL Films music is Da Riffs. The Madden games from Electronic Arts routinely top the best-selling games lists each year, pinning armchair quarterbacks to their La-Z-Boys before, during, and after the NFL season. Over the last two years, the '05 and '06 editions of the game have averaged more than 6 million units sold, with last year's being the first under EA's exclusive deal with the NFL. Madden NFL 07 will be released this August on the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation Portable, and PC. The game is also being developed for the PlayStation 3 and Wii. The full sound track is listed below. Artist / Song 30 Seconds to Mars / "Battle of One" AFI / "Summer Shudder" Al Fatz / "Came Down" Anti-Flag / "This Is the End (For You My Friend)" Atreyu / "Ex's and Oh's" Audioslave / "Revelations" Bishop LaMont feat. Chevy Jones / "The Best" Cartel / "Say Anything (Else)" Cord / "Go Either Way" Damone / "Out Here All Night" Dashboard Confessional / "Reason to Believe" Dynamite MC / "Bounce" Feezy 350 / "Playa What" Glasses Malone / "Right Now" Hit the Lights / "Until We Get Caught" Keane / "Is It Any Wonder?" Less Than Jake / "Still Life Franchise" Lupe Fiasco feat. Jonah Matranga / "The Instrumental" Matchbook Romance / "Monsters" Omnisoul / "Not Giving Up" Rise Against / "Drones" Riverboat Gamblers / "On Again Off Again" Saves the Day / "Head for the Hills" Shorty Da Kid / "Get Loose" Spank Rock / "Backyard Betty" Sparta / "Future Needs" Taking Back Sunday / "Spin" The Panic Channel / "Teahouse of the Spirits" The Pink Spiders / "Easy Way Out" The Rapture / "WAYUH" The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus / "In Fates Hands" The Sleeping / "Don't Hold Back" Trae / "Real Talk" Underoath / "Ever So Inviting" Wolfmother / "Woman" "

interesting soundtrack...bands like cartel, underoath, tbs, saves the day, matchbook romance?

6/24/2006 7:00:55 PM

double post

[Edited on June 24, 2006 at 7:01 PM. Reason : yea]

6/24/2006 7:01:16 PM

thank god for 360, that soundtrack, as most ea joints, looks hoorriibblleee

6/24/2006 7:23:04 PM