I was reading July's edition of Nintendo Power, and there's a section about the EA Sports title games. They had an interview with the executive producer David McCarthy. Now I'm not going to post all of it, because I'm not even sure if I'd be allowed to do that, and it's way to long to do so anyway. It might be available online somewhere, but I have slow dial up internet and I can't be bothered to try and search for it.
In this interview he talked about how they were approaching the EA Sports games this year for the Wii. Mostly it was about how they wanted it to be a few things:
1) They need to bring about a sense of fun to their Wii games. To do this, focus on multiplayer aspects, because of the social gamers that Wii users normally are. Also they focus on the look of the games. Madden (at least) has graphical overhaul.
2) Accessiblity. Family Play was the first step, and now All-Play expands that. In every game, using only the Wii Controller sets the user to "All Play" mode apparently, which allows the user to do basic movements and gestures, while the computer does some of the other stuff (including, for example, where the running back runs). Play clock and penalties are turned down or off, and a slimdown playbook (in Madden), so that the new users don't have to worry about so much stuff.
3) Innovation. Wants a few things that change the way you play the game (for both casual and hardcore players) in each of the EA Sports titles.
Then he goes on about how the heart of their business is and always will be the hardcore players. No exception on Wii.
Then he says a line which I think shows that EA understands the Wii and the direction Nintendo is going better than probably 99% of developers: "As long as we create ways for them [the hardcore] to experience gameplay that they consider meaningful to them, and as long as our accessibility features don't dumb down or dull the experience for them, I think they'll be just fine."
Also points out that motion controls should only be used when it feels natural to do such a motion. Making a throwing motion with the wiimote to throw a football makes sense, slashing the wiimote left or right for left/right jukes doesn't. Fun factor increases with natural motions, but decreases with too many or unnatural motions.
I won't go into each EA Sports title game (though I would like to, but I don't have the time), but here are some points:
Madden 09
- Fewer gesture controls. Too many gestures were unnatural and difficult to remember. Seems like shaking the Wiimote will be the only motion (since it seems to the be natural reaction), but timing will be needed to pull off the move perfectly.
- Call Your Shots: Select WR (TE and RB too probably) with pointer and literally draw their running routes.
- Graphics more arcad-like, but still the best Wii Madden graphics to date.
- 5-on-5, with arcade style games; big heads, different rules
- Online updating rosters, live real life NFL scores, etc
- Refer-Miis - OH YEAH
FIFA 09
- Seems to be using a similar point and direct players that PES08 is using
- All-Play system actually has levels, so as the player gets better it stops helping them as much
- Footii Match - Use Miis for wild arcade like games
- Online matches
- Gesture based option plays
- Wii-mote and nunchuck gesture based celebrations
- 90s Arcade graphics (why?)
- Exaggerated visuals to help find what players should be doing (like defense)
- 2-on-2 that is a "homage to the high-flying dunktastic arcade hoop games of old"
Tiger Woods 09
- Fixed issues with swings
I haven't played any EA Sports games in a while, though I use to be a big Madden fan. If these games turn out as good as the way they talk about it, I'll be very interested, especially in Madden and Tiger Woods.
Discuss.
![[Prototype]](https://www.vgchartz.com/games/boxart/2846586AmericaFrontccc.jpg)
