Madden 2004 Performance

[MrPabulum]

Just grabbed a copy today. Overall, it's a much better experience than last year's version: the gameplay is tighter and AI smarter. Also, the actual coding appears to have improved. Currently, on my KT400, 2.1Ghz Barton. 512MB PC2700 and R9700 Pro, I get pretty good frame rates at 1152 x864, high graphic settings, V-sync off and 4xAA, 8X AF. I had to turn off Vsync to get good performance out of it. Last year's game was much more difficult to run, and didn't seem as smooth as the console versions, while this year there has been a noticeable improvment. Of course, I'm always interested in improving performance, so any suggestions are always welcome. Anyone else have experience with EA Sports's latest and greatest?

 

[xNoodles]

Where did you pick up the PC version?

 

[MrPabulum]

There is an EB nearby. They actually had a few copies on hand, though I had to ask for it. Only empty boxes on the shelves.

 

[TheVrolok]

I gotta run out and pick it up tomorrow... mmm Madden.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
I gotta run out and pick it up tomorrow... mmm Madden.

Is NCAA 2004 out for the PC? A guy I've played with for 4 years is in it.. an overal 82

 

[MrPabulum]

I wish NCAA 2004 was out for the PC. Been playing Madden 2004 some more, and am really enjoying it, except the game tends to run faster and smoother in windowed mode. Still, 45-50fps in 1152 x 864 (full screen) is pretty nice. Playmaker should have been made years ago, as it really adds depth to the gameplay. Get this game!

Oh yeah, I need to test online play. I'll let you know the results...

 

[murphy55d]

My game runs great...1280x1024 w/ a 2000+ Tbred, 9800 Pro. TruForm and all the AA/AF settings on full.

I love it!

 

[tec699]

I agree with you guys, Madden 2004 is the best PC sports game that EA has put out. They finally hit the nail on the head with this tittle.



Also.. just so you guys know, the PC version was finally made independent of the other Madden games. So that means no more crappy ports. The game suspossedly takes advantage of high end PC's. The game looks beautiful on my...

AMD XP 2000
Gigabyte KT400
512 3200 ddr
Geforce 4 (128mb) 4200
LCD 19" monitor (dell)

My resolution is at 1024x768x32 w/ every visual option maxed.

 

[Celstar]

Yes report back on the online play. Online play would definitely make this game worth buying.

 

[MrPabulum]

Hopefully, I'll find out sometime today.

 

[Jadow]

I got it yesterday and played last night, let me say, it is AWESOME@!

I liked 2003, but I thought the menus were clunky, slow, and didn't provide good information. All that has been fixed this year, the menu's rule. And all those cool features from FOF that we wanted in Madden are there! You can do more in training camp, rookie scouting is way improved, you can hire and fire coaches, coordinators, and traning staffs. You can change concession prices, relocate your team to a new city, change the name of the team, change the uniforms and graphics, remodel your stadium, you name it, it can be done in Madden 04. Gameplay is still great too.

 

[MrPabulum]

I got a huge performance increase by selecting "Application Preference" for anisotropic filtering. The IQ difference is negligable, but the FPS increase isn't. 1280*1024 at 4xAA looks and plays awesome.
Also enabled Truform. So far, I'm impressed.

 

[Uclagamer_99]

29.99 at Fry's from hot deals anyone try playing online yet?

 

[Tikerz]

What controllers are you guys using? I've been a PS2 sports gamer and am thinking about getting this one for the PC but, I am not sure which controllers support all the functions like a PS2 controller.

 

[xNoodles]

I've used a Microsoft Sidewinder gamepad since... at least 1999, maybe earlier, and while it has worked great for everything i decided to pick up the Saitek P2500 in order to take advantage of the playmaker controls. Picked up both the game and the gamepad today and they work great together.