I meant to specify in sports games, my bad.  Look at my avatar and my sig; do you really think I'm against this style of art in general.

Okay, directly about sports sims. Well, there is a first time for everything. Seriously. If they can still keep the sim elements, while just going for graphics that sidestep the uncanny valley, it will be a first.

Basically, if it works, it works. If not, Madden '11 goes back to the realistic style. Simple as that.

Ah okay.

*facepalm* Thank you for telling me about a genre you have no interest in, and I have extensive experience in.  No Madden player gives a crap about the uncanny valley.  They want their game to look good and like reality.  That's because this game is all about simulating reality.  Anything that detracts from that hurts the game overall (assuming you're somehow right and they intend to keep this as a sim).  However, the fact of the matter is, all cartoony looking sports games in the past have been very arcadey, and thus Madden Wii going cartoony makes it very, very probable that the game is going that direction as well.

You can't treat the sports genre like any other genre in video games.  The great majority of people who play sports games are NOT video game enthusiasts.

Edit: I'm not saying they're casual.  I'm saying they want very different things out of their games (and sequels) than video game enthusiasts.

"No Madden player gives a crap about the uncanny valley."

You have polled all the millions of buyers to know that? I really, really doubt it. This is why Nintendo stopped listening to the most vocal fans. They got it in their heads they can speak for every fan who shares their interests. That frankly is just stupid.

And even then, the context of my comment was about potential Madden players.

Finally, I gave you an assurance that the art style would revert if sales fall (if), and you didn't even seem to notice it.

EDIT: That is unless you thought I meant players being turned off an not buying it, in which case, just skip to the part about potential players.

LOL

I'm actually feeling the new direction. I've seen some vids at IGN and the point/press for passing looks really streamlined, I might add this to my list. I was originally against it but, it doesn't look too bad at all. it is all about gameplay, I've been pretty bored with Madden since 06, its been about roster updates only.

it's tuned for wii control and doesn't play one bit like how you'd do it on a gamepad, which to me is a major improvement. it just looks a lot more intuitive.

I'm saying I know far more about sports video games than you.  I enjoy them; you don't.  You can't treat simulations like traditional video games.  A simulation game's objectives are entirely different than any other game.  I don't know if you like Gran Turismo or not, but it's the same thing.  You go for trying to create something as close to reality in every respect.  I'm not opposed to more stylized graphics, but they don't fit with a series that strives to be the best football simulator out there.  EA could have gone with NFL Street if they wanted a more arcadey game, and that would have fit better.  This is just a slap in the face to all fans of Madden who enjoy playing the best football simulation out there.

We're getting off topic.  My point was that stylized graphics points to a departure from a focus on simulation, and I think I've proven that.

I don't think you've proven that. And I didn't state I don't play simulations at all. I know they aren't different from any other game. That claim is bunk.

Furthermore, you have not addressed my comment that if this doesn't work, you STILL get the graphics back next time.