I'll tell you what's annually astonishing...

[Mel Brennan]

The development of the Madden franchise.

It's acheivements are even MORE astonishing when placed alongside the development of FIFA.

I picked up Madden 2005 PC today; the quality of the experience on 1600x1200 graphics (with all the goodies turned on) and Sennheiser sound is the true peak of sports gaming right now, period, and reflects real development each year.

I keep wondering if Tiburon/EA can give me a reason to trust them every year. They do. Madden 2005 is a makredly improved, clearly EVOLVED game over Madden 2004.

FIFA on the other hand, has a development that AT BEST is haphazard, and may be more aptly described as nonexistent.

What was also interesting was that today was the launch of PES4 in the UK for the PS2.

Here in Scotland, while FIFA 2005 is not in the top 5 for any platform, there were lines out the door at the two shops I went to (one GAME and another called GameStation) for PES4...

The tide is turning, and hopefully PES obvious success will make happen what I've been hoping for for about four years...the wholesale clearout of this development team and a brand new vision for FIFA put into place to take it to not only the next level but to a place reflective of what world football deserves.

Please, play Madden 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 on a serious PC (or Xbox) and tell me that FIFA has a real development plan!

New blood. The franchise needs new, creative blood.

 

[JRod]

For the people that enjoy football here in the states and the NFL it makes all of US wonder what's really going on at EA.

However Madden in a way is like PES, they have a good backbone to build the game around.

But you are right Madden is probably the most complete football (NFL) game there is. In fact its the most complete American Sports game this year. Makes you wonder what would happen if Tiburon would take over the FIFA franchise. Or atleast someone that can make the improvements needed.

 

[Ratinho]

I think the best word up there is 'evolved'. EA worked on Madden over time to make it into such a great game, whereas with Fifa, they seem to start again every year.

 

[WEWEWE]

uh..y are u wishing FiFA would change?

I'd prefer the scenario where ppl stop buying FiFA altogether and put their money to Konami so they have enough resources to make the game even better..

FiFA should just give up and let Konami runs the show

 

[Ratinho]

Because i'm not a fanboy.

If Fifa was better than PES, I'd buy that, but it isn't. Konami don't pay me, so the only loyalty I have to them is aslong as they produce the best games.

So far, they do and have done for around a decade, so I have no problem continuing to buy PES.

P.S. Konami have plenty of resources, and the licenses, etc are available to all. EA do not own them, it's just that Konami have been lazy in this area.

 

[WEWEWE]

lol..no..they didn't start all over again everyyear..
more like they're adding a little bit everyyear and the game is expected to be near 100% complete by 2050 ..u know..1 feature/everyyear..

then they'll have to work on the whole gameplay again coz they found out ..they were building on a sh1tty foundation...

then just before u die.. u'll get to play a playable FiFA..lol