Madden NFL 08

Think the Madden series is getting stale? Think again. Take a look at how Madden NFL 08 is keeping fresh.

Why Madden Will Score
  • New animation technology brings a ton of fresh moves into play.
  • A.I. boosts make single-player games much more competitive.
  • Controls receive significant refinements across the board

The message in Madden 08 is refined movement, and how better to drive it home than by the recruiting the nimble-footed Vince Young of the dubious Tennessee Titans over the potent-but-pokey Payton Manning of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, as this season's cover athlete? The preseason scouting report on developer EA Tiburon focuses on new moves, better controls, new animations, and a sharpened artificial intelligence all intended to make Madden's brand of video game football not only look realistic but react in realistic fashion.

Refining Moves

There are a gang of visual improvements that, not only will long-time fans will appreciate best, but that all players will notice. New branching animation technology increases the number of move options for ball carriers at the end of a play and even takes into account the length of a player's stride.

For example, last year if a receiver made a catch close to and running towards the sidelines, chances were that he'd run straight out of bounds even though he might have had room to make a move up field. It didn't matter how skillfully or frantically you shoved that analog stick forward, the limited animation options restrained the play. Now you'll be able to make that sideline catch and, like in real life, decide to step out of bounds or take that next step up field for extra yardage or even a break away.

The branching technique will manifest itself across the board. As a result player control will tighten up, and even inside power running should display major refinements.

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