Category: Archive

If I start a franchise, the first thing I have to do is trade for a QB, because Harrington stinks and due to his extremely low awareness score, Shockley is not much better. The following are a couple of recaps of games, with a few random observations. Both games are on Pro, with 5 minute quarters. The first game only has minor slider adjustments (+ penalties; and – kick off power), while the second one has a lot more turning (+ penalties, running, run blocking; – kick off power, INTs). I will post some settings once I get something that is a closer fit to my playing style.

Falcons 38 – Dallas 0

• Romo had 4 INTs
• Shockley was 4-6, 44 YDs, 0 TD, 2 INTs
• Harrington was 5-6, 66 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT. Obviously I am only successful dinking and dunking with a short passing game.
• I am still only averaging less than 3 YDs per rushing attempt. The Falcons should be much, much better.
• Jones had two fumbles (to my 0). The CPU should have challenged the first, because Jones clearly fumbled after he was on the ground. I have yet to see the CPU challenge a turnover.
• On one play, Dunn fumbled, but I was pretty sure he was down, so I challenge, and the play was over turned.
• I have been spending a lot of time in replay mode to see what is what, looking for cheating, poor blocking, etc. Call me silly, but I love the NFL Films music that plays during the replays. Nice touch.
• I am getting pretty decent punt returns, but the CPU AI does not get a lot of attempts (ATL’s Koenen is good) unless I out kick my coverage or miss a tackle.
• Funniest animation to date was on a play where Romo goes into this crazy flip animation for a sack after someone barely taps his right toe. I guess this is where 60 FPS on the Xbox 360 could come in handy.
• I returned an INT and a fumble for a TD. I would have had a second time off of a fumble, but the TD was called back due to a clipping penalty.
• It is actually fun using one of the better (weapons based) defensive linemen. This is different than past Maddens. I feel like I can actually do some damage; stuff a run, sack the QB, or maybe cause the QB to hurry.
• On one play I got called for an off sides penalty. I had control of my player (green circle, so I am not crazy). The circle disappeared, and my DE jumped off sides. Must have been a random act of God.
• I still like the overall player control responsiveness, but at times I feel like the game over compensates with inertia that takes control of a ball carrier or a defender.

Despite the lopsided score, the game was still fun. The INTs hampered Dallas, and I just cannot get a decent offense going. In a strange sort of way, I can see this happening to the Falcons in real life this year. The QB situation is going to play havoc on the running game. The Falcons are going to be in serious trouble.

Falcons 29 – Texans 10

• This was the best game so far. If you throw out 14 points for the two INT TDs, then the game was much closer than the score indicated.
• Scoring summary: Green (HOU) 5 YD TD run, Horn (ATL) 76 YD reception from Shockley, Brown (HOU) 19 YD FG, Cundiff (ATL) 23 YD FG, Hall (ATL) 77 YD TD INT, Safety (ATL), Cundiff (ATL) 48 YD FG, Hall (ATL) 81 YD TD INT
• Shockley 7-11, 1 TD, 0 INT, 166 YDs, 137.4 rating
• Schaub 16-25, 0 TD, 2 INT, 183 YDs, 52.6 rating; Schaub was 7-10 at the half; 8 different receivers caught a pass
• Green 20 rushes for 93 YDS, 1 TD, 4.5 AVG/rush
• Dunn 12 rushes for 42 YDs, 3.5 AVG/rush
• HOU Total offense 279, 98 rushing, 181 passing
• ATL Total offense 189, 46 rushing, 143 passing (76 on one TD reception to Horn)
• Late in the 4th quarter, I managed to coffin corner kick a punt at the 1 yard line. On their first play, HOU had a nice run for 8-9 yards, but it was called back on a clipping penalty. The very next play, I tackled Green in the endzone for a safety.
• On Hall’s first TD INT, Hall was back-peddling, facing the QB the whole time. Very legitimate; no hints of cheating.
• On the second Hall TD INT, Hall probably jumped the route, but he was back-peddling, and perhaps more important, Schaub was looking in Hall’s direction the entire play.
• Cundiff’s 48 yard FG is the longest I have seen to date; it barely made it across the crossbar.

The good news is that I feel that the slider adjustments actually made the game better. Turnovers were down, the CPU put up a great ground attack, and the passing game would have been dandy if not for the two INTs. I am disappointed that I still cannot mount a decent ground game, but hopefully that will come with more slider settings and experience.

So far this Madden has me thinking “just one more game” which is not something I have felt from Madden in a long, long time. I also typically shy away from the slider game, but I do not mind so much (at least not right now). While Madden 08 is not producing realistic statistics, I am not bothered too much. If I can get the numbers a little more decent looking, I am going to be a happy camper.

Looks to be pretty sick stuff included by the fine folks at EA Sports.  After a solid day with the game, I have come to the conclusion that the DB AI cheats and that interceptions are based off of the QB in question, not DB AI skills.

The cheating stuff is pretty simple to spot.  Every DB breaks on the ball as soon as it leaves the QB arms.  Would not be that big a deal except that the guys all must have 360 vision or something.  I have had plenty of passes knocked down by a defender that magically sees the ball at the last minute, turns, deflects the pass.  I could go on, but I have better things to do tonight.

The next part is a little more interesting.  Falcons vs. Bears; I pick off Grossmen 4 times.  Falcons vs. Saints; I fail to pick off Brees, but I dropped at least 4 potential INTs.  Next up, I decided to do a more random sampling – as the Jets I took on the Cardinals.  Leinart gave up 7 (count ’em, 7) INTs.  I am going to hazard a guess that I am not going to get many INTs against P. Manning, McNabb, Brady, and Rivers, but I will get plenty against bottom ranking QBs.

Still having fun with the game, but the DB AI is something akin to black magic, the CPU mismanages the game clock, and moving the penalty meters up 5 clicks (to 55) results in about 10 personal foul and holding penalties a game.  I have yet to try the game online, but offline the game is fun (despite the previously mentioned problems).  I am not seeing jittery graphics, slowdown, or anything of the like.  Candy Mountain all around – sugary sweet and pretty.  The 360 version must look amazing.

More later; maybe … hopefully.

Damnation, where was this deal a couple of years ago when I switched to DirectTV? New customers can get a free World of Warcraft client plus 11 months free game time according to this release on WoW’s site. Old timers like myself will have to settle for free NFL because the WoW deal is only for new players.

All random impressions are based on default settings. Still early days, but figured I would share some thoughts:

• Lots of interceptions. The good news is that most of mine are fairly obvious; throwing into double coverage or miss reading zone coverage. The bad news is that a couple appear to be some sort of super human (well computer AI) feats of wonder.
• Playing as the Falcons results in most kickoffs ending in non-returns; clear out of the endzone or downing the kick. Michael Koenen has a hell of a leg in this game.
• Punt return coverage appears to be a little better than past games. Blocking is still suspect, but there is a chance to get a return. Still too many fumbles on the first hit.
• The new symbols that show different player’s characteristics are interesting. On one hand, I think it is nice look for match-ups (throw away from that great coverage DB), but on the other hand, the symbols sort of take away from the “realistic” experience, reminding me that I am playing game. If there is not a way to turn this off, the super sim crowd should be going nuts by now.
• In one game managed to tackle a CPU HB in the endzone for a safety. I have not seen that in a while.
• I have not given up many big plays. The only long TD reception against me came when I tried to jump in front of the ball, missed, resulting in an easy 50+ yard TD for the CPU.
• Averaging about 1 penalty per game; usually holding. Par for the course for EA.
• The CPU tends to not manage the clock. They break the huddle, line up, and run a play. I would guess that only 5-7 seconds run off the clock. This means more plays, but so far this is my biggest beef with the game. Not sure if there is a setting to accelerate the clock.
• In one game, I was up 14-0 at the two minute warning before the end of the second quarter. The CPU had the ball on third down, did not convert a running play, and called for a punt. Instead of trying to run time of the clock, they simply punted. Very poor clock management.

So far I am really enjoying the game. The last Madden I owned more than a couple of weeks was Madden 2004 (collector’s version with that SOB Vick on the cover), so maybe my Madden break had something to do with a “fresh” experience.

More impressions later. The good news for me is that I do not think the game is nearly as bad as a lot of reviews are claiming. One man’s trash I suppose.

I have read a lot of harsh comments about this year’s Madden, mostly along the lines of a slow, jittery framerate.  I guess I continue to show my age, and I continue to move towards a more casual gaming experience, because I just do not see this game as being terrible.

Granted, I have only played 10-15 minutes, but a quick play session should be enough to expose all sorts of graphical problems.  Maybe all the framerate issues are for online play, which I typically avoid.

My first impressions are that the graphics look very nice, but certain parts could be better.  The crowd animations are still uninspiring, and the sideline action is rather flat.  The developers also went for a strange fog-like appearance for everything at a distance that is not part of the field of play.  My oldest son asked why it was so cloudy in the Georgia Dome.

If the 360 version is looks 2-3 times better than the PS3 version, then hopefully I have something to look forward to next year (which is probably gives EA’s coffers something to look forward to as well).  If a faster framerate does make a difference, then give me more frames and 1080p.

I had no issues with the controls; they are crisp and responsive.  I have seen a couple of YouTube videos that indicate that at certain points the animations kick in and take control of your player.  I have not seen issues with “mario running” but it looks like some blocking around the pocket may be suspect (oops, just let the guy go and tackle my QB).

Finally, I put Vick on the bench; what a sick SOB.  My oldest son asked “Why is Vick in the game?  I thought he was in jail.”  Sad.

Speaking of bending it, Beckham got his first goal and an assist last night.  One dimensional or not, just an amazing display of talent; on a few kick, he bent it to the left;

Not really feeling it for Madden right now, or any gaming for that matter.  I got the game on Tuesday, but only put it in long enough to see if Vick was in the game (he was), which was about as far as I went with this one.  I have seen a lot of negative press on the PS3 version of Madden 08, but I am going to have to withhold my opinion until I actually spend some time with the game.  I will say that despite some of the negative comments on NCAA Football 08, I think it is a great game.  60 vs. 30 fps be damned.  The game is either fun or it is not.

Vick is probably not having much fun tonight.  Do I take it on the chin and call it a career, or do I fight the very bad fight?  The fall out in all this is that maybe I can get some season tickets once everyone decides to abandon their seats over Vick.

This one goes out to the one I love.

It is good to finally be home again.  What a long trip … Edinburgh for four nights and York for two nights.  I spent a good 18 hours traveling yesterday between trains, planes, and automobiles.

From a gaming standpoint, I spent very little time with my PSP on the plane; just could not get into anything.  In Edinburgh I saw Wii “in stock” signs on a couple of store fronts on Princes Street for 199 British Pounds.  No bundles – just the system.  The PSP 80GB unit was going for 800+ British Pounds, but included your choice of a couple of games (decent titles such as Resistance), Blu-ray movies (I assume the 5 free deal currently running), and an extra Sixaxis controller.  Still, I could not imagine spending $1,600 for a game system, regardless of the pack-ins.

When I am traveling, gaming always takes a backseat to the local sights and sounds.  In the case of the UK, that means checking out the various historical sites, pubs, and trying all manner of different beer.  I happened to be in Edinburgh during the annual Festival.  I arrived in time to see part of the Fringe Parade.  Crazy stuff.

Anyway, it is great to be back home.

Just in time to ruin grade point averages and reduce worker productivity around the world, Blizzard announced their new expansion today. I must now get my characters to 70 that are going to make the push to 80.

Man, if you love Ohio State University, stay away from any city close to Gainesville, Florida. Why? Because the number of colorful “We own OSU” t-shirts I’ve been reading these past couple of days is quite impressive. I won’t go into any details, except to say that the very manhood of the entire state is questioned in oh so many creative ways….

I’m not going to apologize again for not posting for a while because it’s beginning to sound like a broken record. I think most of our readers know what a “record” is so I won’t bother with further explanation. I’m currently on vacation with my wife in hot, humid, and rainy Miami, Florida. This is our summer Florida tour where we drop my oldest off in Tampa to visit her friends, my youngest with her grandmother, and my wife and I sneak off for a week of fun in the sun.

I’m surprised how easy it is to game in hotel rooms these days. The connection speeds are fast enough that I can actually run my online league and upload some pretty large files without too much delay. Same for World of Warcraft – I could play WoW all day long from every hotel room we’ve stayed in so far this trip.

If my wife let me, that is.

My youngest daughter wants photographic evidence that I was not in front of the computer at some point during our trip to Miami. Is that a bad sign?

I generally deal with online league issues in the morning because that’s about the only predictable time of the day. I never know where our travels will take us, so the AM is perfect for answering emails, responding to PMs, etc. Then I shut down, look longingly at my laptop and head out of the door.

I am using my relatively new Pentax K100D on this trip, so I have another excuse to use the laptop.

Whenever I disappear for several days, it is always the same old song and dance.  Something at work usually pops up and distracts me from gaming and blogging for several days.  Work plus after work activities (that would be beer) keep me away from you, my eager readers; all two or three of you.  It is funny how much work gets done, and how many important decisions get made, over drinks.  Way of the world I guess.

Not sure what this week will be like.  I always run low on gaming on weeks before I travel, so I assume this week will be no different as I get ready to jet to Scotland next weekend.  Flight-time is PSP-time, but I just have not been feeling it lately for the PSP.  I am considering dumping it for a Nintendo DS, but there is not enough time to get this sorted before the trip.  Maybe some sort of new game will do me right, but I kind of doubt it.

Today is Brickyard day, which means ribs and beer in a little while.  Of course I take any excuse I can find to bust out the grill and throw on some quality BBQ.  And delicious Miller Lite on a hot day.  Yum.

Happy Sunday!

Seems all of those rosey iPhone activation numbers were incorrect according to this report. While I am not quite ready to call it an “iToy” like my friends are, it is clear that Apple may have overestimated how much people are willing to pay for a cute, underperforming cellular phone. The math is simple. No active synch = no sale for many, many cel phone users.

I have not had much time to play NCAA Football 08 today (I am only doing quick play and Campus Legend mode right now) , but I did finish out a week.  UGA improved to 2-2 with a nice 34-24 win over Alabama.  As the number three HB, I saw limited action, which brings me to the point of this post.

After the Bama game, I managed to move up to #2 on the depth charts, and if I had a decent set of practices, I would have been the starting HB for the Ole Miss game.  The funny thing about sports games is that this is completely unrealistic, but of course it is fun.  I assume most gamers would not want to ride the bench game after game, so EA had to do something (i.e. practices to move up the depth chart) to engage the casual fans.

It is really not that big a deal to me, and I would gladly have the developers implement a more realistic system if they actually used players similar to real life.  It is fairly typical for UGA to employ the third-string back more than I have been employed in the first four games.  In the end it does not matter, because I am second-string for game number five, and will be starting by game six.

As I said, it is not realistic, but it is fun, which is the reason I continue to play the game.

I am not sure I have seen such a crazy start to a race. As I was waiting for the race to start, and the rain to come, I told myself “rain makes everything fun” and sure enough, things got crazy in a hurry. I am not sure I have ever seen 4-6 cars go off at the same point on the track. I remember Sao Paulo a few years back being so wet that a lot of cars (including one Michael Schumacher) went off, but I am not sure if it was anything like today’s Europe Grand Prix.

Poor Kimi got hosed trying to make his first stop. I am not sure if he was told to stay out, if he was going in too fast, or if missing a turn right before the pit gave him an “unfair” advantage. Or he just made a mistake; did not see a replay to see what really happened.  Either way, he lost his pole advantage, going from first to sitting at seventh waiting for the restart. Too bad because Hamilton is struggling (he was one of the ones to go off, but managed to keep the engine running) and this could be a good opportunity to make up some points.