Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/GameTrailers Super Bowl simulation also picks Patriotshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/gametrailers-super-bowl-simulation-also-picks-patriots/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/gametrailers-super-bowl-simulation-also-picks-patriots/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/gametrailers-super-bowl-simulation-also-picks-patriots/#commentsFiled under:


You might have watched EA Sports' Madden '08 simulation for Super Bowl XLII when it surfaced a few days ago, where it was predicted that the Patriots would take home the Lombardi trophy by a narrow margin -- then again, you might have fallen asleep in the middle of that video, which was more or less a glorified gameplay montage, completely devoid of commentary and music.

Taking a cue from classic NFL films, GameTrailers recently performed their own Madden simulation of the Super Bowl, yielding similar, and much more watchable results. Our knowledge of the mechanics of football is limited, but basically, GameTrailers predicts that the Patriots will run the brown ball into the score zone more times than the Giants, winning with a score of 20 touchdowns to 10 touchdowns. They also predicted the entirety of Tom Petty's halftime show set list -- strangely enough, it is sans "Free Fallin'".

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]]>MaddenMadden08Super-BowlSuperBowlSuperBowlXLIIGriffin McElroy2008-02-03T15:00:00+00:00Madden '08 Xbox 360 vs. PS3 comparison videohttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/madden-08-xbox-360-vs-ps3-comparison-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/madden-08-xbox-360-vs-ps3-comparison-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/madden-08-xbox-360-vs-ps3-comparison-video/#commentsFiled under: ,

Here we have GameTrailers presenting a side-by-side comparison video of Madden '08 on the PS3 and the Xbox 360. We know what USA Today thinks is better -- they went with the Xbox 360. We also know what "EA tech support" thinks on the issue. They "fully understand and respect" if you go with the Xbox 360 version, because with the PS3 version it was "very difficult to get it right the first time."

Now, it's very difficult to get a proper grip on how much of a difference the two console's respective frame rates bring to the presentation in this video, because the video goes at its own frame rate, so whatever that's set at is what you're watching. Essentially, you're just looking at whatever pops out as being different. What do you all think?

Update: We added GameVideos comparison video after the break.

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]]>comparisoncomparisonvideogametrailersmadden08Alexander Sliwinski2007-08-16T01:06:00+00:00EA 'tech. support' explains PS3 Madden frame rate issueshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/ea-tech-support-explains-ps3-madden-frame-rate-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/ea-tech-support-explains-ps3-madden-frame-rate-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/ea-tech-support-explains-ps3-madden-frame-rate-issues/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's been no secret that the Xbox 360 version of Madden '08 was going to be better than the PS3 version, but nobody really expected it to be this big of a difference. Less than 24 hours into Madden's release, the difference between the two versions has become a serious point of contention. Maxconsole has the alleged response from EA technical support about the frame rate issues on the PS3 version of Madden '08.

"Rob M." from EA Sports technical support says he understands gamers "frustration," but says that EA has been "developing titles for the Xbox 360 for over 3 1/2 years" and has only been working with the PS3 for over a year. He goes on to say it's "very difficult to get it right the first time." He goes on to say that that 30 frames per second is the same for all PS3 sports games, and they're happy to point out that the same holds true for 2K Sports as well. He finishes by saying that "if you choose not to purchase the [PS3 version], it is a choice [they] fully understand and respect." Definitely expect a little bit more ire about this PS3 Madden thing as people start making lists of all the issues.

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]]>eaframeratemaddenmadden08techissuesAlexander Sliwinski2007-08-14T21:10:00+00:00USA Today picks Madden for 360 over PS3http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/usa-today-picks-madden-for-360-over-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/usa-today-picks-madden-for-360-over-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/usa-today-picks-madden-for-360-over-ps3/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Trying to decide which version of Madden 08 -- PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 -- you want to buy? If you want USA Today's advice, the Xbox 360 version is the way to go.

Issues cited include stutters in action and half-second delays. "Even close-ups between play look dull when lined up against the 360's sleeker cut scenes," the article reads.

Of course, there's always an explanation available for technical deficiencies, from the rational to the conspiratorial. Let's see how the two version stack up for Madden 09.

Gallery: Madden 08


[Thanks, Marty]

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]]>maddenmadden08usatodayRoss Miller2007-08-14T20:10:00+00:00CAG's Madden '08 buyer dealshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/cags-madden-08-buyer-deals/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/cags-madden-08-buyer-deals/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/cags-madden-08-buyer-deals/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Is paying full price for Madden '08 just not going to cut it? Need a little bit more incentive? Well, CheapAssGamer found the best deals to go with your Madden purchase if you're looking for a little bit more. Toys R Us takes the cake with their deal that when you buy Madden '08, you get a second game of equal or lesser value at half off. This applies to all systems, despite the sporadic placement of the deal on their website. Toys R Us really does find ways to treat gamers well.

The other deals are the Blockbuster $10 off coupon and, if you still don't have an Xbox 360, you can get the premium system with an extra controller and Madden for $410 at CompUSA (that's about $50 off). If you know of any other Madden deals, drop them below in the comments. GameFly subscribers, if you've rented Madden, let us know the "Keep It" price.

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]]>cagcheapassgamermaddenmadden08Alexander Sliwinski2007-08-14T13:15:00+00:00Ozzy Osbourne celebrates Maddenoliday in Times Squarehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/ozzy-osbourne-celebrates-maddenoliday-in-times-square/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/ozzy-osbourne-celebrates-maddenoliday-in-times-square/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/ozzy-osbourne-celebrates-maddenoliday-in-times-square/#commentsFiled under: , ,

maddenoliday
"I can't hear you!" shouted Ozzy atop the Hard Rock marquee. "I wanna fucking hear you!" he spat, as several onlookers chuckled at the sound of the massive F-bomb amplified throughout Times Square. A few cheers followed, but mostly silent bemusement. "What are we standing here for?" somebody wondered aloud.

Just the day before, we'd received a last-minute invitation from Microsoft PR inviting us to "Maddenoliday," a public celebration of the Xbox 360 version of Madden 08. (A Microsoft representative insisted that we not blog about the event prior to its start -- though sister site X3F gave late word by way of Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog.) With little publicity beforehand, the event mostly preyed on the droves of tourists who spend these comfortable summer nights in crisp 'I ♥ NY' tees, shuffling up and down Broadway and 7th Avenue. Set up a few iron blockades, blow some smoke, and they'll stop and linger.

Gallery: Maddenoliday hits Times Square


Opposite the Hard Rock stage, and just north, was a meager line outside of Toys "R" Us, which hadn't grown much since the first fans -- actual Madden fans -- gathered there about seven hours earlier, waiting to buy their game when the doors opened at midnight. Pinned between storefront and barrier, this half-block clump was the only evidence that this grandiose staging, complete with a virtual game cover drop (à la the New Year's Eve Ball), had a tangible purpose. But, after Ozzy had disappeared backstage and the Vince Young cover had traveled down the Reuters building, as the crowds began to thin, it became apparent that this spectacle had a second purpose.

These foreigners, whether from near or far, flock to Times Square hoping to stumble upon just this: fleeting pomp and pageantry that's so uniquely American. So excessive and so errantly pointless is Maddenoliday that it instantly dissolves into historic evidence of a wavering society that continues to hemorrhage global resources to make a buck. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that celebration? See you next year, Madden.


[Video filmed and edited by Andrew Yoon]

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]]>eaElectronicArtsmaddenmadden08maddenolidayOzzyOzbourneTimesSquarexbox360James Ransom-Wiley2007-08-14T11:45:00+00:00New games this week: Madden '08 editionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/new-games-this-week-madden-08-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/new-games-this-week-madden-08-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/new-games-this-week-madden-08-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


First off: Best new release week image ever. Second: It's Madden week! And this one's apparently pretty good. But what if you don't crave the feel of the pigskin in your grip? Well, there are a few oddball releases in the portable arena, but is it worth the risk? For the next couple of weeks, the game store is going to be hostile ground, with a jock-to-geek ratio that's going to be downright dangerous. Go get your DS RPG, just be careful to avoid a wedgie.

Gallery: Madden 08


Xbox 360:
  • Madden NFL 08
Xbox Live Arcade:
  • Hexic 2
  • Ecco the Dolphin
PS3:
  • Madden NFL 08
PSN:
  • ?????
Wii:
  • Madden NFL 08
Virtual Console:
  • Metroid
  • Shining In the Darkness
  • Cratermaze
PS2:
  • Madden NFL 08
  • Call of Duty 3 Enhanced Greatest Hits
  • Marvel Ultimate Alliance Greatest Hits
  • Fatal Fury Battle Archives Volume 1
  • Metropolismania 2
  • Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3
PSP:
  • Madden NFL 08
  • Dungeons & Dragons Tactics
Nintendo DS:
  • Madden NFL 08
  • Luminous Arc
  • High School Musical: Makin' the Cut
  • Rune Factory: Fantasy Harvest Moon
  • Operation: Vietnam
  • Heroes of Mana
PC Games:
  • Madden NFL 08
  • Prank TV
  • Tennis Titans
  • Instinct
  • Combat Mission: Shock Force

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]]>maddenmadden08newgamesJustin McElroy2007-08-13T09:05:00+00:00Madden really wants you to Ring in '08http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/madden-really-wants-you-to-ring-in-08/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/madden-really-wants-you-to-ring-in-08/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/madden-really-wants-you-to-ring-in-08/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Want to wear your Madden skillz on the street as bling? EA is giving you the chance this season with a customizable, unlockable "Ring of a Champion" that you can actually order from Jostens -- ring maker of the Super Bowl ring ... and countless graduation rings across the nation. You might even be able to convince some gullible soul that you actually scored a real Super Bowl ring, and possibly get yourself bumped up to first class on occasion. Plus, if you get into a street brawl, you've got some serious hardware on your fingers.

The rings are unlocked by progressing to various levels as you play the game. Once you reach level three, you'll get a code in the game that will let you order the ring. The further you progress, the more you can customize your ring. You'll also be able to stick any of the NFL teams on there, and you can get the cheapo version in a "non precious ring" (Gollum will be so upset) for $149, or the flamboyant 14k gold version for $495. The finger bling comes studded with cubic zirconium, but Jostens will let you add real diamonds if you have a bottomless savings account and a real desire to toss your money away.

The rings will be available only on the "next gen" (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) systems, sorry Wii-ers. Check out the pix of the bling below, and you can read the press release after the break.

Gallery: Madden 08 "Ring of a Champion"


REDWOOD CITY, Calif., - July 16, 2007 - Electronic Arts Inc and Jostens. Inc. today announced that the highly anticipated Madden NFL 08 for next generation consoles will give players the opportunity to extend the Madden NFL 08 experience to the real world by giving them the ability to purchase their own custom-designed "Ring of a Champion". Based on the player's Madden Gamer Level, the Ring of a Champion showcases the progress of a Madden NFL 08 gamer, and each ring can be customized to recognize the player advancements through the game. These rings are a direct representation of a player's achievements and game skills. Madden NFL 08 will be available for purchase beginning August 14.

"We wanted our gamers to have something tangible to recognize their achievements within Madden NFL 08 and we kept coming back to Super Bowl rings," said Madden NFL 08 Lead Producer David Ortiz. "We wanted to remain authentic to the real Super Bowl ring therefore we forged a great partnership with Jostens to allow our gamers to proudly display their Madden NFL 08 skills."

The Ring of a Champion series will serve as a visual tracking system for a player's success within the game. As Madden NFL 08 gamers accomplish various achievements, they will progress through five different levels. Once a player has reached level three, the ring can be purchased through Jostens' website utilizing the code provided within game. In addition to the 32 NFL team logos players can incorporate into their ring, the tops and sides of the rings can also be customized. If a player is able to execute an extraordinary achievement they can obtain the Epic ring status, which allows for enhanced design and uniqueness.

"We know that Madden NFL players are passionate about their game and take pride in their skills," said Mike Bailey, president and CEO, Jostens. Inc. "We've had fun designing the rings with EA and hope they add a new dimension of reward to the game."

Minneapolis- based Jostens, creators of 27 out of the 41 Super Bowl Championship rings, and EA have worked together to create the collection of Madden NFL 08 rings, incorporating a unique ring design feature embedded in the game. Jostens will offer three unique ring designs that are available in non-precious metals as well as 10K white and yellow gold. Gamers can also choose from a variety of colors to add to further customize. Rings will range in price from $149 for a non precious ring to $495 for a 10K Gold ring. Each ring incorporate simulated stones chosen by the gamer as well as cubic zirconium stones in the design and gamers will also be given the option to add genuine diamonds if they prefer the ultimate in their Ring of a Champion.

Coming into its 18th year and with more than 60 million copies sold and having generated over $2 billion in retail sales, Madden NFL football continues to stand out as one of the most popular videogame franchises of all time. Developed in Orlando, FL by EA Tiburon, Madden NFL 08 will be available in August on the Xbox 360[TM] and Xbox(R) videogame and entertainment systems, PLAYSTATION(R)3 and PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment systems, Nintendo GameCube[TM], Nintendo DS[TM], Wii[TM], PC, PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system. For more information check out www.madden08.com.

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]]>blingMadden 08Madden08Kevin Kelly2007-07-16T14:59:00+00:001UP: 360 football games to run faster than PS3http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/1up-360-football-games-to-run-faster-than-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/1up-360-football-games-to-run-faster-than-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/1up-360-football-games-to-run-faster-than-ps3/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Football is a game of split second decisions, and simulating the sport on the Xbox 360 will soon let you split those seconds more finely. 1UP is reporting that this summer's major pigskin simulators -- EA's Madden NFL 08 and NCAA Football 2008 and 2K Sports' All-Pro Football 2K8 -- will run at 60 frames per second on the Xbox 360 and 30 frames per second on the PS3. The move represents a jump from previous Madden games, which ran at 30 frames per second on all platforms, including the Xbox 360 and PS3.

While the additional frames mean smoother, more fluid animation in the 360 versions, it's still unclear how the jump will impact graphical fidelity or resolution. A comparison between both versions of last year's Madden 07 conducted by Gamespot showed the 360 version had "sharper textures on the character models in the close-up shots shown between plays." In comparing this year's games, 1UP simply stated that "All-Pro Football 2K8 definitely runs better on Xbox 360."

The reasons behind this frame rate difference are hard to pin down. Todd Sitrin, EA Vice President of Marketing Sports Branding, told 1UP that there are trade offs in designing football simulations and that "every company making a football game this year made a decision that the best experience for the Xbox 360 included 60fps whereas the best experience for the PS3 was 30fps." Extra time and familiarity with the Xbox 360 hardware could have influenced the development, as could the purported difficulty in programming for the PS3's multi-processor architecture.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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]]>2K2K sports2kSportsall-proanimationEAfpsframesframes per secondFramesPerSecondmaddenMadden 07Madden 08Madden07Madden08NCAAKyle Orland2007-07-02T11:40:00+00:00Madden 08 pulls out its weaponryhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/madden-08-pulls-out-its-weaponry/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/madden-08-pulls-out-its-weaponry/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/madden-08-pulls-out-its-weaponry/#commentsFiled under: ,

One of the new features of Electronic Arts' Madden 08 is the use of weapons -- special medals associated with certain players to signify their strengths. These aren't real weapons, mind you, but O, how we long for the days of Mutant League Football. These are more like situation-specific special moves. A player with the Big Foot Kicker weapon, for example, can kick the ball "farther than anyone in the game."

IGN is outlining the 24 weapons featured in the game, so that enthusiasts can start planning and dreaming up their weapon combinations. Cannon Arm QB with a Quick Receiver? Let's hope one of their defenders doesn't have the Speed weapon.

Gallery: Madden 08

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]]>american footballAmericanFootballeaelectronic artsElectronicArtsfootballmaddenmadden 08Madden08nflRoss Miller2007-06-27T13:55:00+00:00Madden 08 Wii online without friend codeshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/14/madden-08-wii-online-without-friend-codes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/14/madden-08-wii-online-without-friend-codes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/14/madden-08-wii-online-without-friend-codes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The next installment of Electronic Arts' Madden 08 will feature online multiplayer but will not be using Nintendo's friend code system, according to associate producer Damian Zerr in an interview with IGN.

"Madden Wii doesn't support the Wii friends system during online play," he said. "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 does not press further as to why EA made this decision, leaving us to only speculate the reasons why. Perhaps EA is as distraught with the system as many Joystiq readers have conveyed.

No voice chat will be available during online play, relying instead on EA Messenger for communication (details on how were also not given), but alongside DS connectivity was not ruled out for Madden 09.

[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]

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]]>eaelectronic artsElectronicArtsfriend codefriend codesFriendCodeFriendCodesmaddenmadden 08Madden08Ross Miller2007-06-14T13:25:00+00:00For Madden speed, it don't get bester than Hesterhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/for-madden-speed-it-dont-get-bester-than-hester/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/for-madden-speed-it-dont-get-bester-than-hester/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/for-madden-speed-it-dont-get-bester-than-hester/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Milestones in human speed:
  • May 6, 1954: Roger Bannister runs a mile in under four minutes.
  • June 14, 2005: Asafa Powell runs 100 meters in 9.77 seconds.
  • April 5, 2007: ESPN reveals Devin Hester will have a speed rating of 100 in Madden NFL '08.
Not only does EA think Hester is faster than any other football player in history, the noted kick returner is set to become the first player to get a perfect rating in any stat category in the perennial football franchise.

Hester said he was honored by the, er, honor, but not exactly surprised -- according to ESPN, "Hester has been known to have been lobbying members of the Madden NFL 08 development team for the top speed rating." NFL players exerting undue influence on developers? We smell a scandal. Maddengate!

Our main question now is what will happen if someone faster than Hester comes along? Will EA create a 101 rating? Or will the 100 rating eventually become like a "perfect ten" game review -- good, but not perfect?

[Update: Fixed the date above. Thanks Products]

[Thanks tevetorbes]

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]]>hesterMaddenMadden 08Madden NFL 08Madden08MaddenNfl08NFLKyle Orland2007-04-06T16:55:00+00:00