I'm so getting this. http://wii.ign.com/articles/795/795634p1.html June 11, 2007 - Last year publisher Electronic Arts revealed Madden NFL 07 for Wii and to the surprise of fans, the title was anything but a quick and dirty port of the same game on another system. Instead, the development team at EA Canada re-designed football for Wii's innovative remote, enabling a greater level of interactivity than ever before. Madden NFL 07 also featured all the gameplay modes of its counterparts and a couple of exclusive multiplayer modes to boot. With Madden NFL 08, which ships for Wii this August, EA has included even more features -- everything from a robust online mode to Mii integration and even the ability to draw on-screen with the Wii remote. We chatted with associate producer Damian Zerr about all the extras below. We've also posted the first 13 screenshots of Madden NFL 08 on Wii. IGN Wii: Madden 07 was one of the highest reviewed (and most-selling) titles during the Wii launch. How has that changed or strengthened future EA/Wii support, and what have you learned from the first release? Damian Zerr: Madden 07 Wii proved that when done well EA Sports titles translate extremely well to Nintendo's innovative new console. Gesture based gameplay really opens the game up to a whole new playing experience and Madden 07 Wii was an example of introducing a fresh new way of playing a classic franchise. We learned that getting back to the basics and delivering a simple control experience is key for a Wii product's success. Our focus on the control side of things this year was to continue to refine the controls, make them easier to perform, easier to remember and provide instant feedback to the player when they succeed or fail during gameplay. EA is very excited about the possibilities of the Wii and you can look forward to a strong showing this year with great EA SPORTS titles like Madden, FIFA and NBA as well as others hitting the streets. IGN Wii: As far as general gameplay goes for all consoles, how is Madden 08 different from its predecessor? Damian: Madden 08 Wii includes many new features and some exclusive to the Wii version only. For starters, the Wii version will include the franchise's Read and React Player Weapon system. Basically, during gameplay you can manually display and see where your impact superstars are and where best to exploit mismatches on the field. These players are marked with Player Weapon Icons to illustrate their strengths. For example, star QBs can be classified as a Precision Passer, a Scrambler or having a Cannon Arm; the highest honor is that of the Franchise QB. The graphics in 08 look even better than they did before. The Wii version will also offer a number of exciting exclusive features. One of those is our brand new Party Mode. We built this mode for those times when you have friends over and you want instant multiplayer action. We worked closely with our friends at Nintendo and have included full support to attach your own custom Mii to track your overall progress in the mode. When first entering the Party Mode you have three distinct games areas: Play Now, Mini-Games and Trivia. All areas fully support four-player action. Once each player creates a profile with their Mii, it's off to gameplay where you can compete in 22 mini-games, a Trivia mode which will test your NFL knowledge or traditional Madden fans' favorite exhibition action. Each time you win or lose at party games it will raise or lower your Party Rating. The sheer number of multiplayer mini-games offered this year is staggering to say the least. On the gameplay side you will see a number of those fun gestures return. We wanted to keep the controls fun and easy to remember so we remapped a lot of the difficult two handed gestures to simpler actions. The result has made the game a lot more responsive and fun to play. Humiliate your friends in Telestrator -- draw on-screen with the Wii remote Madden style and show your buddies how you obliterated them. IGN Wii: Dealing with the Wii development specifically, what were "must-change" or "high importance" areas when creating Madden 08? Damian: Top priority for us was a combination of refined gesture controls and our new modes like Party Mode and Online Play. On the control side of things we're also trying something very new to Wii sports games, but we'll have to talk about this in our next interview. We're not ready to let everything out of the bag quite yet. IGN Wii: Are there any specific gameplay changes from running, passing, kicking, or play management? Damian: We've done some tweaking in all areas of gameplay to make things easier to pull off. To Kick or Punt the ball now you simply hold the A button down and swing the Wii Remote up to generate power. This gives the user enough time to properly aim their kick before generating power. On the running side we've simplified the Power Move command to barrel through oncoming defenders. This year you just push the Wii Remote forward. These changes are just the tip of the iceberg, which together help make the game easier to play and more enjoyable. IGN Wii: The previous game made great use of controller motion for stiff-arms, jukes, and catching or deflecting passes. Have any more of these motions been added for 08? How is the controller being used this time around? Damian: A lot of those great gestures are back along with some new ones. One of the new additions we're particularly proud of is our new gesture based Audible system. This year we've put your Audible controls on the nunchuk. All you need to do is swing the nunchuk in one of four directions to call an Audible on the fly before the snap. These additions make the pre-snap game that much more interactive, just like in real life. If you don't like what you see on the defensive side of the ball in Madden 08 Wii, make the motion on your nunchuk and watch your team adjust. IGN Wii: One of the most addictive modes in Madden 07 for Wii was the 2 vs. 2 mode, as well as the accompanying multiplayer mini-games. What has been added in the multiplayer department for this year's game? Damian: On the mini-game side there are a number of exciting new games to be played. Our Party Mode includes a four-player Trivia contest that is simple to play yet challenging to win. Under the mini-game umbrella we have games like four-player Rushing Attack where the actions a 2 vs. 2 running game battle, or the 40-yard dash where each player drums their controllers as fast as they can to sprint to the finish line. Drum too early and you'll false start. All in all there are 22 mini-games available in Party Mode made up from a combination of familiar mini-camp drills and new to Wii platform experiences... all of them taking full advantage of gesture based controls. IGN Wii: Along with new roster updates and mini-games, what can Wii players look forward to this year? Have live roster updates, streaming stats, or any other features been added to give the game the NFL feel? Damian: It doesn't get any more NFL than streaming sports scores, which have been added to the feature set this year when you log into our brand new Online mode. IGN Wii: Please go into detail in regards to online multiplayer. What modes can you play? Will it be as robust as, say, the 360 version? Damian: The online mode this year on Wii will allow two-player Exhibition games which can be ranked or unranked matches. Once you've signed into EA Nation you'll have instant sports scores stream into the lobby and have access to quick play features to jump right into the action. Updated rosters, Leaderboards, EA Locker and EA Messenger are all a part of the online package this year. IGN Wii: Does Madden support voice chat or any type of online communication? Also, will players need friend codes to hook up, chat, and play? Damian: Madden Wii does not support voice chat this year. We do have a basic EA Messenger chat service which allows you to keep connected with friends during online play. EA Messenger is separate from the Wii friends list so when you're online you search for people by using their online EA Nation Persona. IGN Wii: Does the online mode automatically import your system code, or do you need a separate friend code to play Madden online? Damian: Madden Wii doesn't support the Wii friends system during online play. This is something we're still working on with Nintendo. For now our online play uses your EA Nation Persona to search and manage your EA Messenger account. IGN Wii: How many of the game modes are multiplayer enabled? Can you play all mini-games, tournaments, and modes on and offline? Are there any online seasons/tourneys for the Wii version? Damian: Pretty much all of the standard offline game modes are local multiplayer enabled. Social gaming is the big push for us this year with the inclusive of Party Mode and Online Play. We don't support online tournaments this year. However this is something we're looking at for next year. With this being the franchise's first year online on the Wii we have concentrated on delivering the core Madden gaming experience at a high quality.
IGN Wii: How does the game compare visually to last year's Madden, and will the Wii version specifically be getting a visual bump? Damian: We put a lot of effort into the Visual and overall presentation this year. From our initial showings of the game people are impressed with the leap the game has made over last year. On the visual side we really tried to push the game's depth of color and richness. Everything from 3D grass to the shiny player helmets pop off the screen, even more so when you're playing in 16:9 with 480p. You'll notice this year that player jerseys and pants have that realistic jersey sheen (reflections) on them that actually adjusts with the camera angle. We didn't stop there, though. Our new in-game presentation includes an overhauled Play Call screen which shares some characteristics of the Next Gen game. Overall I think people will be impressed with what they see when they play the game, especially if you own an HDTV. IGN Wii: Has there been any DS-to-Wii integration for this game for play calling or create-a-play modes? If not, can you use the Wii remote to draw out plays in your playbook? Damian: No DS-to-Wii integration this year but there's always next year. When it comes to drawing with your Wii remote, however, we have got the feature for you. Madden 08 has an all-new Telestrator feature available in Party Mode this year. Basically Telestrator allows you to draw on screen during earned auto-instant-replays after big plays... so you can humiliate your opponent both vocally and visually this year moments after embarrassing your opponent with a punt return for a TD. It's been an office favorite and we're sure it will please those that enjoy heated competitive battles against their friends. Madden 08 Wii delivers John Madden's number one tool of his trade right into the palms of your hands. The possibilities are endless to say the least. IGN Wii: Are there any modes/features that other Madden games have that the Wii version is missing out on? In turn, what content is Wii-exclusive? Damian: Madden 08 Wii continues to have the major features that have become a part of the Madden product like Franchise Mode and Superstar Mode. We have also introduced new exclusive modes like Party Mode and familiar experiences like Online to appeal to both the traditional fan and the casual Wii fan. Also in the mix are new features like the Telestrator feature and other new innovations in this year's product. To get these new major additions into the game we did sacrifice a few minor features, however the pros of the new additions definitely outweigh the cons of the losses. IGN Wii: For fans that picked up the previous game, why should they drop more cash on Madden 08? Damian: It's really quite simple. First of all Madden 08 for the Wii will be one of the first experiences playable online for the Wii. Not stopping there, however, this year's version of Madden is a franchise advancement from last year with the new gameplay systems and features. Also, Madden 08 is going to open the doors of Madden gaming to a much broader level of Madden gamer than ever before with the "simplicity above all else" philosophy. So don't get left in the dark by missing out on Madden 08 for the Wii.
http://wii.ign.com/articles/801/801745p1.html July 5, 2007 - Any Wii sports fan out there knows how incredible it was to have a entertaining, must-have Madden game on day one for Nintendo's new console back in November of last year. EA promised a new way to play, and the company delivered with the best version of Madden 07 hitting exclusively on Wii. Now we're nearing this year's football festivities and what better way to kick it off than with a little Madden NFL 08? We had a chance to go hands-on with the game at EA's Pre-E3 shindig a few weeks back, and now that it's go-time for E3 2007 we're ready to tell you all about it. For anyone that played Madden 07 last year on Wii (and from what we've seen in sales, that'd be a lot of you) the control and play style of Madden 08 won't be anything groundbreaking this time around. Players take the field as any officially licensed NFL team, using motion control teamed with classic analog movement to experience a fuller, more intuitive football experience. It's the same world, there's just more in it. Like last-year's version the Wii-mote is being used for hiking, passing, stiff-arms, jumping, catching, and big hits. Spin control is still mapped to a button press, and jukes are still handled with a simple nunchuk shake. Little Changes: Big Difference Where the game furthers itself, however, it does so in a big way. For starters, kicking has been fixed substantially; it's now much easier to control angle and spin with the same motion as before. We had a chance to play with the kicking mechanic for about five minutes specifically, and it is currently working great. In addition, IR has been toned down a bit, being used only where absolutely needed. Menu interface still makes use of the cursor, but play calling and character switching while on-screen is now done with button presses, instead of using Wii-mote motion for hand waving audible calls. Rather than trying to seek out the player you want to switch to pre-snap (which often caught us off-guard when playing computer opponents) a simple button tap will move from player to player; good call EA. In general, Wii motion controls are easier to use, so big hits on defense and head-down plowing are simpler and are much quicker in response time. As part of the full Mii incorporation, each player will now use a profile at all times, and the on-screen move indicators will now show the Mii head as well, so you'll know if you were the one with the big hit or late juke move. It's a simple change, but it helps nonetheless. Get a feel for the new on-screen indicators by clicking the video below: Also incorporated now are on-screen move suggestions, so not only will you see what move you already did, but what actions you should do when passes are in the air or when you're being dragged down by a defenseman. In general all on-screen icons (including motion suggestions, Mii motion indicators, and passing icons) are now larger, so it's easier to tell which receiver is up, left, down, or right. As a few final points for on-field control, there's also a new ability to bluff your coach's cam when on the field. If you're a hardcore Madden player you undoubtedly make use of the overhead play mapping that can be pulled up pre-snap. This is used to check holes for running, assign primary receivers, or just check on passing routes against defense. The problem there of course is that when playing against a local human opponent you're showing off your play seconds before running it. In Madden 08, simply hit the "fake coach's cam" button and it'll bring up a fake play. If you're running right, it'll show a primarily left-centric pass play. If you're going deep, it might show a small inside-cutting run play. For proof that this works we used it when playing an EA rep, and actually faked a deep pass, changing which receiver we were going to "throw" to, and then ran a wide right running play for the easy TD. As expected our human counterpart called a deep coverage audible, and the running lanes were wide open. This new addition to pre-snap play calling works, and it'll be a huge weapon for hardcore gamers. Rubbing it in Speaking of going big against human players, this year's Madden includes a Wii exclusive in-game replay function called the "Telestrator." Basically working like an instant replay with the ability to draw on screen, the Telestrator puts Madden's pen in your hand after big plays. When scoring a touchdown or pulling off a clutch interception a more complex version of the instant replay screen is brought up, with the IR changing to a marker on the fly. From there you'll have about 30 seconds or so to humiliate your opponent, drawing on the screen like Madden does and showing off exactly how you schooled them on the field. I'm smarter than you, better than you, and I'll show you why. All the camera options are available, so you can either use the Wii-mote and analog stick to position the shot how you want, or simply hit the "change camera" button to pull up computer-controlled TV-like camera angles. From there, just draw on the screen and make fun of your defeated rival. You'll have to move fast though, as the victim of the Telestrator can drum their Wii-mote and nunchuk to make your bragging time go down, speeding up the clock to about 8-10 seconds; a nice touch. Working with the Telestrator for the first time was entertaining, but it definitely has a ways to go for it to be totally intuitive. Right now the IR cursor is a bit wonky (perhaps a problem due to having about 10 Wii's in the show's demo room), but it was a bit difficult to draw for the time being. We were still able to circle players and draw routes to degrade our opponent, but writing "Yer Teh Suxorz" wasn't exactly simple to do yet. For how polished the rest of the game is though, we've got faith that EA Canada will fix any wonky IR, and that the final version will be very intuitive. Bring the Family As with the other Wii EA Sports games this year, Madden 08 will include the new "Family Play" mode to better usher in non-gaming gridiron gangs. By simply unplugging the nunchuk from a controller you'll activate family play, which is EA's answer to a simper, more intuitive game of Madden. Players will use only the Wii-mote's motion control, doing stiff-arms, jumping for balls, kicking, and passing without the need for button presses. All other on-screen control is handled by computer-controlled players, so while you run a ball up the gut the computer will find the hole for you. All you need to do is stiff-arm or plow down a defender. When playing QB, just hike the ball, the AI scrambles for you, and gesture a throw to pass to the default receiver. Of course the ability to switch receivers is still there, but you don't need it to be effective. When play calling, either select your own plays or just "Ask Madden" with the press of a button. Madden 08 is still the most complex of the family play modes, but it's a hell of a lot easier than dealing with all the strategy and reaction speed of a hardcore game of Madden. My mom could play me in Madden 08, and with the AI turned up she may even give me a run for my money. And then there are the mini-games. Over 30 will apparently be included in Madden, but right now "Party Mode" (where the magic happens) is on a need-to-know basis, and as much as we tried, we apparently don't need to know. What we do know though, is that all games will be four player, and most will revolve around the same kind of two-on-two drills or pseudo-game environment challenges from 07 - kicking combine says hello. EA also let us know that many of the challenges will be based on the training camp modes in the main game, so you'll be doing sprint runs or obstacle courses in a far more competitive environment. Other than that, we'll have to wait. Madden Online Details for the game's online system are also scarce at this point, but we do know that it's still based on an EA player tag, which either does or doesn't need to be created via friend code (that is apparently still in the works). Players can either face off against friends or randomly against like-ranked players worldwide, but there's apparently no tournament or season mode online. EA was kind enough to let us know that the EA Messenger will be included in the game though, so we assume you'll be able to keep in contact with previously-played rivals and friends via some kind of online message hub. EA also reaffirmed that constant stat-streaming will be included in Madden 08 for Wii, but wouldn't comment on automatic roster updates or Wii Connect 24 support. From what we can tell though, it's a definite possibility given the depth in Madden 08 so far. This year though, it's all about getting the game online for the first time, and polishing up the overall gameplay. Anyone looking for an incredibly deep online experience with Madden may want to set their sights on 09. So until we see more, that's where we'll leave Madden 08. It's an amazing title yet again, and from what we've played it'll be well worth any Wii sporting fan's cash. You'll be getting stronger overall gameplay, better motion recognition, more party games, full Mii integration, online, family play, an exclusive Telestrator for rival-bashing goodness, and a deeper single player experience. There's more to Madden 08 than what we've seen thus far, but from what we've played already we're extremely confident that Madden 08 will surpass last year's effort. Forget the PS3/360 "Next Generation" efforts; Madden 08 for Wii is the closest thing to stepping out onto the field.
