The OFFICIAL Madden 2005 info and discussion thread.

[blurredvision]

As most of you football gamers know, Madden season is about upon us. I usually tend to scour the message boards around this time for all the Madden info I can get my hands on, so I figured I'd share all the info I'll find over the next couple of weeks for those who care. I'm not sure of the audience for a thread like this here in Off Topic (it's in Off Topic because this isn't about the PC version), so we'll see how it goes.

First up, the links you need to know about:

- Official Madden NFL 2005 website.
- IGN Gamepage for Madden 2005 (PS2).
- Gamespot Gamespace for Madden 2005 (PS2).
- Confirmed new features (the little stuff mostly).

Next, links for info on the new features in the game:

- Storyline Central
- New defensive improvements/enhancements.

Next up, the ratings for each player on each team. This is an ongoing update by IGN, so I will add teams as they become available.

NFC West
- 49ers
- Cardinals
- Rams
- Seahawks
NFC East
- Giants
- Eagles
- Cowboys
- Redskins

If anyone knows of any updates I can add, please let me know. I will add randomly to this list over the next couple of weeks.

Explanation of ship and available dates. This often causes confusion amongst the less informed gamers of the community, so let me explain when you'll be able to get your hands on it. With Madden, you'll see a ship date of August the 9th on sites such as EBGames or Gamestop, but when going to the official Madden website, it shows it available on August the 12th. If you have a local EB or Gamestop (or other game-centric store), you WILL be able to pick up Madden 2005 (barring any shortages or delivery delays) on August the 10th. These game-specific stores usually have popular new games overnighted to them, which means if it ships on the 9th, they will get it the 10th. My local stores usually get new games around noon the next day they are shipped. The reason the 12th is shown on the official site is because this is the date that most other retail outlets (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.) will receive via standard shipping or delivery practices.

 

[blurredvision]

I just updated my above post with the confirmed new features by maddenwishlist.com. I'm loving some of the stuff I'm seeing in here, my favorites being:

- The return of the squib kick!! Finally, after years of absence, you are finally able to kick a true squib kick. For those not in the know, a squib kick is a type of kickoff, where basically it forces a returner (or any special teams member) to return the ball. Instead of kicking the ball into the air, it's kicked low to ensure hitting the ground before anyone can touch it. This is used ideally when you are trying to run down the clock, as by making the other team return the ball instead of letting it go out of bounds, out of the back of the endzone, or calling a fair catch.
- The addition of the flea flicker. This isn't used too much in the NFL, but it's nice to finally have the option.
- Defensive hot routes. Will only be used by probably the most elite players, but still a nice option (I will definitely use it a few times).
- Added factors in free agency. Having a free agent sign with you involves 15-20 different factors now.
- One returner formation on kicks.
- Multiple receivers in motion. Finally, this is a nice added bonus, and will help to exploit the D.
- Playmaker hot routes for any receiver. Last year, you could only do Playmaker hot routes for the main receiver on any given play.
- Hurdle is now automatic. The long-time hurdle button is now a lower-the-shoulders charge move for up the middle runs and running over guys in the open field.
- Limited HB option pass. This time around, if you give to your halfback for an option pass, and you bring up the pass icons, you have to pass now, as you can't bring the icons back down. This will eliminate some cheesiness online.
- More options to shift the D-line.
- 360 turns removed from the game finally (although I found them sometimes useful against the CPU in last year's game).

Damn I can't wait for this game.

 

[Dufman]

My copy is pre-orderd. But its the pc version, only coming out in september.

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

is madden for the pc out today?

 

[spliffstar69]

Originally posted by: cHeeZeFacTory
is madden for the pc out today?

from what i understand today is the relese date

if so im going to see if i can get me a copy for online play.

 

[Argo]

Just a few notes after playing madden for 3 weeks.

They made run defense unbelievable strong this year. You're gonna have a bunch of runs for 0 yards and then you'll break out a run of 50+ yards. It's unbelievable how fast DTs and LBs penetrate on a run play. And forget about running outside, you'll get tackled for a loss every time.

They said that pass defense will be improved this year, but I don't really think so. It's about the same. Passing isn't any harder than it was in 04, although once in a while your quarterback will miss a wide open receiver, especially if you QB has rating under 90.

Franchise mode is about the same as last year. They added EA radio and newspaper, which is kida cool. When playing a season, the radio host will comment on the last weeks games, sometimes have itnerviews with actual players.

New defensive audibles and playmaker controls are pretty cool, however, most of the time you don't have enough time to use them.

My pain concern is if they fixed all the exploits in online play they had in 04. I haven't played online yet, so I can't comment on that.

 

[spliffstar69]

Originally posted by: Argo
Just a few notes after playing madden for 3 weeks.

They made run defense unbelievable strong this year. You're gonna have a bunch of runs for 0 yards and then you'll break out a run of 50+ yards. It's unbelievable how fast DTs and LBs penetrate on a run play. And forget about running outside, you'll get tackled for a loss every time.

They said that pass defense will be improved this year, but I don't really think so. It's about the same. Passing isn't any harder than it was in 04, although once in a while your quarterback will miss a wide open receiver, especially if you QB has rating under 90.

Franchise mode is about the same as last year. They added EA radio and newspaper, which is kida cool. When playing a season, the radio host will comment on the last weeks games, sometimes have itnerviews with actual players.

New defensive audibles and playmaker controls are pretty cool, however, most of the time you don't have enough time to use them.

My pain concern is if they fixed all the exploits in online play they had in 04. I haven't played online yet, so I can't comment on that.

what console version are you playing ?

 

[Argo]

xbox

 

[GreatDaleness]

Just got back from Best Buy. No copies of Madden 2005.

 

[alm4rr]

What were the exploits in online in 2004 ver?

 

[Rottie]

Last night I played Wash Redskins going on 19-0 include Super Bowl I think Madden 2004 is good so should I upgrade to Madden 2005?

 

[GreatDaleness]

Madden 2005 is much better than 2004. QBs are inaccurate, depending on rating. In 2004 even the worst QB could throw perfectly. Defensive Linemen in 2005 also are alot better. DTs are all 2-3 points faster. D-linemen also collapse the pocket and drive O-linemen backwards. DEs are terrors, unlike in 2004 when they were blocked more often than not. The O-line has 10 or more points of speed. In 2004 there were very very few O-line with 50 or greater speed. In 2005, there are many with 55+ or even 60. TEs also are much faster. All players react to the ball much faster and more realistically. I would definitely recommend 2005 over 2004, at least on the PC.

 

[Sid59]

i like it .. but .. is it me or did they bury some of the "Owner" options and other things deep into the new things?

It's getting some used to navigate through the "Owner" stuff from last season. That's minor but some of the changes are annoying.

 

[Rottie]

Owner Box is a nice feature I had a hard time to trade Brett Farve to other team. He is a good QB but he paid too much for me.