USA Today: Xbox 360 version of 'Madden NFL 08' sticks it to PS3

The release of Madden 08 marks the first time owners of Xbox 360 have a truly complete version of the NFL franchise. The 06 iteration, released with the console's launch, was horribly thin on all fronts. Last year's release, while markedly improved, still felt liked a neutered version of older-generation versions because of little options.

PS3 owners, unfortunately, are greeted with a Madden that is sluggish in comparison. Action stutters far too often, particularly on injuries, penalties and turnovers. There's also a half-second delay between pressing the hike button and receiving the ball in your hands. Even close-ups between play look dull when lined up against the 360's sleeker cut scenes.

[InMyOpinion]

There are also tons of articles on the red ring of death and MS faulty console but that does not stop people from posting even more of them.

[sticky doja]

Agree there, and Madden just came out less than 24 hours ago. RROD has been around forever with probably 5,000 articles. Many well after Microsofts 1bil announcement before E3.

[Real Gambler]

EA shutdown most of their server for online gaming for their 2006 line up. We are in 2007!!!! They did this because they want to sell newer version of their games, but so what if I still want to play an old version of Burnout or any old sport games online???
Even worst, Xbox live cost $50/year to give you better online service, and yet, EA can still cut off online servers after one year???
I cannot afford to buy 20 games ever years, so it just make sense to still play some one year old titles. This game has online, so if they keep the trend, next year, server will go off so they can sell their 2009 version! NO WAY This is way to greedy for me. No matter how good (or bad...) it look, I'm no longer buying any EA games with online play.

[secret]

EA has a marketing deal with Microsoft. In this deal, Microsoft promises to do in-game advertising in most EA games, so it's one reasons why EA will favor Microsoft with a kind of "secret handshake."

Looking at Motorstorm, Resistance Fall of man, Oblivion, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, MGS4, Heveanly Sword, Killzone 2, and Grand Turismo 5, we know know what the PS3 is capable of. Any subpar game can only be blamed now on the developer's character or aptitude. They either intentionally want to hurt the PS3. Or they're slow in learning.

So again, this should not be titled as a 360 versus PS3 article. We've already seen what the PS3 is capable of. The real issue at hand is whether EA is an ethical company or not and whether EA is a competent company or not. It's EA versus morality and / or competency issues and not about any particular console. Keep it up, EA. We'd like to see more of what kind of person you really are.

[poet215]

I have nothing against 360, but after playing Madden on Playstation for 10yrs, I'm much more comfortable with Sony's controller layout & scheme. Using a playstation controller for Madden, is like 2nd nature for many players out there. For many years, Sony's machines have been the console that EA subliminally promotes. This year is just another sign of change. I'm disappointed that PS3's version is inferior. The evidence is right in front of everyone for them to see. When do you ever remember seeing a Madden ad in the past that didn't showcase a Playstation copy of the game? I do believe Microsoft & EA have some sort of promotion deal in place. The Sony version gets mentioned almost as an after thought, this year. I knew once I saw the first commercial advertising this years game, how things were going to go down. The commercials mostly end with an XBoX Live logo. Not to mention, the folks playing in every commercial are playing 360. That's just the way things work. EA clearly favors the frontrunner. You could compare EA (& many other developers) to a sports fan that has no set favorite team, but rather roots & cheers for whichever team currently winning on a season to season basis. I had a launch 360 & sold it the same day. I'll probably get another when price drops/hardware issues are solved. Meaning, I favor Sony, but I enjoy Microsofts machine as well. I still play XboX 1. For years XboX 1 Madden's were considered 2nd fiddle to Sony's. I guess it's our turn to be on the outside lookin' in for awhile.

[SuperSaiyan4]

BUMBA CLAAT BOY! hahaha

[tehcellownu]

EA sucks at programming the ps3

[no_more_heroes]

who taught you that word?

[Power of Red]

<-----

[harpua]

"Action stutters far too often, particularly on injuries, penalties and turnovers."

lol......gee, so the less important parts stutter.

[Ignorant Fanboy]

Do you watch football?

Excuses, Excuses.

[killercam19]

those troublesome lazy devs shame on them

thants what u guys wanna hear right

EDIT: to 4.1 are u that stupid i'm being sarcastic i own a 360

[SKullDugger]

The DEV's are not lazy its your PS3 that's lazy it can't run the game at 60fps only 30fps. What happened to all that massive power the PS3 is suppose to have? huh!!!! Same amount of DEV. time for both versions tell me why the 360 version is so much better? its the HARDWARE BABY!!!! its a game console not a super duper do everthing console.

[Fisher339]

Dont be ingorant. Lair can run Smoothly with 1000's of units on screen and massive maps while flying on a detailed dragon. EA was just being lazy.

[Wingnut26]

Programming for the 360 is just like programming for a PC, same architecture. The PS3 has brand new internals that take some time to get running as desired. I mean honestly, who can't program for a computer? People have had years of practice. That's cool though, they can develop for a machine that doesn't test their knowledge or push them to be better, have their crappy game.

[Demon1980]

Ur such a duma$$, ps3 can handle 60 fps, but the EA developers didn't want to put it on the ps3 cause it's 1 year into it's life cycle.

[duarteq]

I thinks this game will be good for both consoles, but it will interest only americans.

I'm no fan of American Football.

PES Rulez

[mighty_douche]

totally agree! can't wait for the new PRO!!

[Bordel_1900]

What fu*king moron disagrees with this? American football? It's only watched and played in the states. Rest of the world couldn't care less about Baseball and Amercan Football. (except baseball in Cuba and Japan).

[CNIVEK]

...and Europe, Japan, China, Mexico, Canada...

http://www.nfl.com/internat... . Time to crawl out of your cave, and see the rest of the world, son. :o

[bym051d]

And how was the 360 version in 07 and 06? Yeah.

EA has proven they take the easiest way through this cash cow. If the PS3 version sucks next year too, I'll be worried.

[felidae]

yeah .. lazy devs.

[OutLaw]

I would tell EA to stop making half @ZZ games and learn how to make games for the PS3 already. It's the customers that get milked by EA on this one and Sony should protect them from this.

[iceice123]

I would tell Sony they shouldn't have put out such a crap console. Split RAM lol!

-Edit- A mom joke..wow what a slap in the face!

[DeadIIIRed]

I would of had an abortion

@bluebrad1974...wow, thanks for your professional opinion.

[mighty_douche]

i woulda been more than happy to give her a little kick to the gut, wheres a set of metal stairs when you need them?

joking!!!

[bluebrad1974]

I would place all of the blame on Sony for using the Cell processor. The Cell was not engineered with gaming applications in mind. I garuntee you that Madden '08 (just like every other ps3 title) is running almost entirely on the single PPE of the Cell. Don't blame the devs for Sony essentially handing them a VCR and saying "here make this movie player run videogames".

[mighty_douche]

if your american then your probably not gonna agree with me but all american football games suck ass, you spend 2 secs actually playing the game and then spend 5 mins making plays etc or as i call it, DOING ADMIN! gernerally this is aimed at the american market and has little to no impact on the european or east market, here in the UK theres only one question on everyones lips.... wheres JOHN MADDENS LAWN CROQUET!?!? lol =)

edit: 'soccer' is a world played sport unlike american sport which have a world series that only american teams can play in! huh?

oh yeah i guess soccer is a soft sport, maybe they should make it a bit rougher, yeah but what about injuries, oh i know, well give them massive amounts of padding and let them have as many subs as they want so you'll only need enough stamina to play for 2 minutes! oh and lets just get one good player and a load of fat guys who can just stand around and bloke the goal...... hold on a minute! IVE JUST INVENTED AMERICAN FOOTBALL!!

anyway i said americans wouldnt agree!!

edit 2: OutLaw i realise that and my orginal edit was aimed at the comment below yours! anyway, im not attacking america just its football, im sure america has enough people willing to attack it already!

[OutLaw]

The same could be said about soccer.

edit Mighty Douche

I wasn't putting soccer down I was just pointing out that America really don't care about it like in the UK. So please calm down a little.

It doesn't help you to attack America like this.

[VaeVictus]

Soccer= a game where a bunch of little panzies run around chasing a ball. BORING. Football is much more complex and much more entertaining to watch.

"Don't you trip that guy, you'll get a yellow card. Ok, that's enough Mr. you go to time out. We don't play rough in soccer."

[RBlaze]

Although american football is a good sport, and is very fun to watch and play. football is renowned as one of the most played sports in the world, if not the most played!

Im in the UK, and i struggle to be able to see American football games here because they just arent shown (which is well annoying as i really enjoy the sport). However, whenever i have been abroad to other places, football is always being broadcasted in pubs.

Anyway, back to the point at hand.. It is becoming rather a trend that the 'Xbox360 vs PS3' multiplatform war is going this way. It is down to lazy developers to an extent, as the PS3 is thought to be more difficult to develop for. But, that is not to say that the PS3 is less capable then the Xbox 360, as it is also well known that each console has it's advantages

[IRISHCALIBER]

History speaks louder than typing words. Remember those that hadn't fled tyranny are still in the midst of it.

[Quisp]

Im confused. I thought the UK was one of our states?

[Bordel_1900]

@Quisp

It goes to show the extent of your knowledge of the world.

Most americans know nothing about anything outside the us, and barely that.

[ShiftyLookingCow]

Bordello, take it easy man, get a drink or go outside for a smoke, you really think somebody thinks uk is one of our states, if so you have gone crazy.

[Hugh Hefner]

360 version of Madden sticks it to PS3!!! HAHAHAHA Funniest phrase ever... a true classic

[mighty_douche]

english language new to you or something?

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

NASIM, nor BILL GATES have commented on this subject yet.

Yet they troll into every other 360-related thread to spread their hate.

100% D'bags.

[sajj316]

so the world can open their eyes and see the true EA Sports. Boycott EA Sports!!!! This is whats most important to me. Consistency ... and the PS3 version seems to not have any of it.

"Action stutters far too often, particularly on injuries, penalties and turnovers. There's also a half-second delay between pressing the hike button and receiving the ball in your hands. "

Very sad ... indeed. At least get it locked in at 30 FPS you lazy lama poop developers.

[ParaDise_LosT]

people will take time out of their lives to
boycott a game company....

I really do see that happening......

/end sarc

[mikeslemonade]

You will see a Madden that is 1080p and 60FPS for PS3 in a couple years. You xflops can enjoy your game while you can.

[tplarkin7]

We keep waiting for Sony to prove the power of the Cell. There is no evidence after 10 months in the market. Xbox 1 proved it's power over the PS2 on day 1 with Halo.

[ZombiesNJ]

EA Sports is really pathetic. "If it's in the game, it's not in our game" should be their new slogan! They don't include the nets behind the goalposts and other details are left out. The only reason why they PS3 version has a lower framerate is because thats how they chose to develop it. The PS3 is capable of 60FPS, they just didn't want to bother taking the time to make it that way! I really think they should start working on Madden 09 RIGHT AWAY for both the PS3 and XBox360 and make sure it is the most complete game that it can be. When they do that, I will buy their game. Also, it's really almost pointless to own madden for more than 6 months. The game is really only good for as long as the season is going on and then it deprectiates faster then anything on the face of the earth! Go try and trade it in...you'll get maybe five to ten dollars! This is why I actually loved playing NBA Live on my PC. I got free roster and player updates. With a console, you're locked in with the same roster forever, forcing you to buy the game every year! I think everyone should just rent the game and not bother purchasing it...but that's just me...

[PS360PCROCKS]

ok? The only point you made that you think Madden sucks is nets...I'm sorry but I won't cry over nets. You should be glad the nets weren't in the game, might make the ps3 version run worse. j/k j/k but you make no valid points.

[ZombiesNJ]

My point is that they left out a lot of details in the game that should have been included and they should be spending as much time on the game to make it as realistic as possible. Such details as nets behind goalposts SHOULD be in the game because that's whats in a real football game. I just feel like every year this game is only "touched up" with a few added features but nothing earth shattering. It's time that they put out a damn game worth actually getting excited about that really pushes the limits. Not some half @ssed football game. If they are the only ones who have the NFL licence, then put out a game worth buying for all consoles/PC that blows us away.

[SuperSaiyan4]

Bad ports, heavily delayed games, poor exlcusives, loss of lots of exclusives, terrible online, no rumble in pad.

All this for £425 BARGAIN!

Oh wait I have one but then at least my 360 is the games console, just thought having a PS3 could mean I could play all the exclusives but at the rate the PS3 is performing against the 360 if FF13 goes to the 360 as well I might as well sell the black shiny box.

All I can do with the PS3 is boast that I have one because it cost me £425 other than that I cant boast that it has all the games.

No Sony fanbaby on this planet can justify the PS3 for gaming it just doesn't play games that well face it Sony sold you all a blu-ray player with extras! I mean come on it doesnt even play all PS1 and PS2 games and offers terrible upscaling and some of the games dont even run properly!

[Funky Town_TX]

When the pS3 version is better = PS3 is a better console.
When 360 version is better = Developers are lazy.

I like it when thinks are rubbed in the face of haters. Face it 360 will have better games and PS3 will also. It happened with the xbox1 and PS2. There were maddens that were better on PS2 and some better on xbox1. But since the PS3 is the end all of gaming nothing can be better on any console. Maybe since EA did not get 3 years to make Madden 08 it sux on PS3. I wonder how long it really takes to make a PS3 game with a good frame rate. I know EA in not the best but I looks like when the PS3 and 360 get = amount of dev time the 360 version is better. We will never know the whole truth.

[ZombiesNJ]

It's not that the PS3 is a better console. That has nothing to do with it. It's the fact that EA should have made it with the same framerate. If both versions had the same framerate and the XBox360 version was better, then so be it. But I don't think they should have even bothered releasing such a gimped version for the PS3. If they knew it was harder to develop for, they should have spent more time on it. They have developed for the Xbox360 before for 2 previous versions, so they were already familiar with the platform. Also, this is the first release on the PS3 and it's not very good at all. BUT, the first year on the Xbox360 also didn't have a great version of Madden. So I think by next year both games will be just about even because they will be more familiar with the PS3. Which version will be better? It doesn't matter because it's pretty much the same game every year anyway.

[TheMART]

So after

Lazy Devs

Not enough time

It's EA

Bad ports

Whats the next excuse Sony fanboys?
Your girlfriend has her period, your mum sh!t on your head when gave birth to you, the moon is turning into cheese or the pope says that condoms are ok

I have only one thing to fence of all the things you can make up:

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHY, BUT THE PS3 VERSIONS KEEP SUCK DONKEY BALLS, THUS THE 360 VERSIONS ARE BETTER

Fact fact fact. End of story. The 360 the best gaming console

[ZombiesNJ]

...are easily the most biased person ever who can't see both sides of the coin...and ignorant.

[Maldread]

So i guess the fact that NFL 07 had 30fps on 360 a year after the machine was out (not as long as the PS3 has been out yet) was not lazy work from EA then ?

Here`s the graphics comments from the review from IGN: " In terms of graphics, the animation level is a significant upgrade over Madden 06, with players linking moves together, from spins to stiff arms, with a lot more fluidity, even throwing in distinct running styles of players like Tiki Braber and his no-fumble, goofy tuck. The game is still only moving at 30 frames per second, but even at that, it's a superior, more solid 30 frames than you saw in previous Tiburon titles, most recently NCAA Football 07.

The funny thing about the game is, the more real faces they add, the more the faces of your favorite players who they didn't add tend to stick out. Some of these dudes can get pretty ugly, too. I wonder how they like looking so rough in high-def."

http://xbox360.ign.com/arti...

Trow in the fact the PS3 is harder than the 360 to develop for and that Sony`s own first party games are running at 1080p and 60fps, and that EA have never been a developer known to make games for each console`s strength and you have the real reason why the for why the PS3 version isn`t as good.

I think Sony do need to address the multiplatform stuff though, because the current situation can`t go on next year, so i do think we agree on that, even though in different ways. But don`t say it`s because PS3 can`t do it, because the hardware can obviously manage it. It`s more of a software problem, due to the complex nature of PS3.

Mainly Sony perhaps need to be better at helping developers, because the PS3 is a hard machine to develop for, but in this case i think we should all agree at EA is a lazy developer, although i`m sure you (and other fanboys) won`t. If you diagree, then at least state why.

[Nodoze]

The differences in Madden have NOTHING to do with the console's capabilities. It has to do with the Money that MS is throwing in EA Sports direction (similar to the 50 mil they sent to Rockstar). MS is trying to buy developer loyalty nothing more. Too bad their console is a hunk of sh1t.

Here is what I am talking about:
http://arstechnica.com/jour...

Also of note is that the new Head of the MS games division replacing Peter Moore is from GASP EA!!!

Come on guys, Tiberon is lazy...we all saw that in the last release (I guess 360 fans have a short memory cause the last release blew chunks). They are spit shining the 360 version due to their ties with EA, and the extra ca$h MS is fronting them.

[sjappie]

How do you explain the other multiplatform games that were superior on 360? Oh, Ubisoft and other developers are in on it to.
The only reason these games are better on 360 is because MS is bribing all of them to make the ps3 versions inferior. Right. Paranoid android.

[Nodoze]

I guess Sjappie did not read the posted link. The new ad system is NOT, I repeat NOT in the PS3 version of the game. Thus the focus for this release was all about the 360. They wanted to make sure the game was optimized to allow their new nickel and dime ad system to work as advertised.

I wonder when the 360 fans will tire of the incessant ads they are forced to see. The console OS has ads on every blade, now this crap with in game ads. On top of it all you are paying them for this!! Enjoy it. I for one will stick with the XMB which is wholly AD FREE.

I tried the 360. What little time I spent playing (when not interrupted with lock ups, scratched disks, and now the RROD) I did enjoy.

Be careful what you wish for....MS will nickel and dime you to death.

[sjappie]

you call that proof or even an indication that MS is paying money to EA to cripple the ps3 version? Paranoid android.

[Nodoze]

sjappie...if you were a developer which version would you spend time with to optimize? The one that will net increased recurring advertising revenue from a new joint venture gig with MS, or the one that uses static ads???

Come on now, I am sure that the lump of flesh in between your ears can at the very least comprehend simple business....can it not?

Put the effort into the version that will net more money.. plain and simple. The funny part is that the MS trolls are eating this up as 'proof' that the 360 console is king. Come on guys you are being baited into a brave new world of intrusive ads in your games....and due to some simple optimizations are proclaiming from the mountain tops why this is the way to go!?

I have to question who the sheep in this scenario are? It sounds to me like the MS fanboys are buying into this whole advertising gig without so much as a thought as to where it might lead.

I would question what the benefit to the gamer truly is? Oh wait there isnt one. This new deal with MS adds more money to the coffers of EA and MS and leaves the gamers flailing in the wind.

I will give credit to the marketing machine at MS. They certainly have been successful in convincing the fanboys.

One final note, I dont think I mentioned anywhere in my repsonses that MS/EA intentionally crippled the PS3 version. This is simply a case of money winning in the end!

[sjappie]

"One final note, I dont think I mentioned anywhere in my repsonses that MS/EA intentionally crippled the PS3 version. This is simply a case of money winning in the end"

"The differences in Madden have NOTHING to do with the console's capabilities. It has to do with the Money that MS is throwing in EA Sports direction (similar to the 50 mil they sent to Rockstar). MS is trying to buy developer loyalty nothing more".

So that's not sayin' they intentionally crippled the ps3 version.

[Nodoze]

Do you honestly think that the developer is going to spend time optimizing the game for a platform that offers no recurring revenue streams?

It is BUSINESS 101. MS is throwing them a bone with this new advertising system (in addition to the advertising campaign on television). Why would I work to optimize the Sony version which aside from sell through nets me nothing additonal?

Short answer is....I wouldn't.

Chaulk up another win for MS in purchasing loyalty! If you wish to discuss the core points of my post (in game advertising) please feel free to do so. You have dodged the point in every rebuttal.

Is this what YOU as the gamer want? Do you want these ads to continually bombard you while playing games (in addition to the ads on every blade of the 360 etc etc)? From your lack of response to this core point, I can only surmise that the answer is a resounding yes.

This is not a conspiracy theory. It is simple econimics. Call it whatever you wish (in game ad systems, downloadable content exclusives) MS is buying loyalty and you the fans are 'buying' into it hook line and sinker!