"Spoiler-Free" for Madden NFL 11? (Read 100 times)

[M3 Commish]

Written by, Details @ OS

From 2008 to 2009, there was an unprecedented level of interaction between the community and the developers of Madden NFL 10.

Leading the amiable social charge from EA Tiburon was Ian Cummings, a man fully aware of what he was about to take on by swimming in the often narcissistic pool of public opinion. A pool that will often dismiss an epic pop culture creation with a single word: meh.

And that's part of what made this an exciting time.

We actually had unfettered access to the people directly responsible for the creation of the only NFL video game on the market. Oh, the power...the opportunity!

Who were we kidding? The Madden franchise was in desperate need of help. Madden 08 was the nadir of the series, and All-Pro Football 2K8 was proving how great a football simulation could be. It was the perfect time for the community to step in.

The immediate tone was mostly civil. Everyone was in a state of collective shock that people from the Madden team were actually posting. It was a delicate time. The community had to be careful. One inappropriate word, one misplaced emoticon...it was all so...sensitive. Any given click could stop the interaction in its tracks.

But the developers stayed, no matter how many times someone passionately referenced ESPN NFL 2K5.

A lot of great ideas were exchanged. Early videos and pics were posted. It was a lot of fun, and there was hope for Madden NFL 10. Sweet, sweet hope. Finally, the ultimate football video game!

And get this: a select group from the community actually traveled to EA Tiburon to play an early build of Madden NFL 10 and give their feedback. That's pretty cool.

So the suspense built. The release date neared.

Madden NFL 10 was released.

And it was a vast improvement over Madden NFL 09. The game had referees, cut-scenes, selectable uniforms, a better overall design, an online franchise mode, improved graphics and animation and gameplay. Mission accomplished!

Of course...as the buzz wore off...some people started pointing out faults. Some of these faults were addressed with the two patches, some were not.

Life goes on, and here we are. Overall, the game is a success. The series should only get better.

Which takes us to Madden NFL 11.

Of course, I'm excited about this game. Really excited. I usually get pulled into the hype. However, this year I'm considering going "spoiler-free" by avoiding all game info in the months leading up to the release. I don't want to know about something not working or a particular animation being inaccurate before I even get a chance to play the game.

Ignorance is bliss.

I want to enjoy the game as much as I can without having hundreds of hours of Madden contemplation rolling around my head.

Sure, I'll be glancing at the occasional tweet, but I won't be devouring every last bit of info like I did for Madden 10. Not this time. I'm going "spoiler-free" for Madden NFL 11. A solid team is in place, and I trust them. The game will be amazing.

Until then, I have the release of Backbreaker to ponder. Now there's a title where a lot more info would be appreciated!

[M3 Commish]

LOL, I like how he says, "A solid team is in place, and I trust them." I'm not so sure I trust them, but I do like the idea of steering clear of any or all negative information regarding the game prior to the new release.

I'm not sure which direction I'll take, but sometimes less is more -- especially, with football games.

[xeo]

When it comes to coverage of any new piece of entertainment... be it movies, videogames, what have you... usually going in without much knowledge is the best way to go... if you have the willpower to avoid trailers and previews and whatever other news you can get on the web, you're definitely more likely to enjoy what you get, when you get it...

i almost never have that sort of willpower...

i've been trying to do this for singleplayer games that i KNOW i'm going to get, as of late...

for instance... i haven't looked at a damn thing on bioshock 2... i've also been avoiding everything on mass effect 2... i know that shit is gunna be dope, so i just wanna' dive in and be wow'd...

i'm a madden info whore though... soon as the first tidbits drop, i'll be all over that shit like flies on ethiopian children's eyes...

[jag]

Not spoiling Madden? Really? I mean really?

What's the to spoil? A new line of commentary from Chris Collinsworth that references flipping clowns upside down in a new way?

[xeo]

I prefer clowning flips inside out.

Collinsworth para presidente.