Interviews

Madden Current Gen Associate Producer takes the snap on 07 title
By Michael Lafferty

“We have a completely different team working on the next gen and current gen versions, and each team does there best to make each version the best Madden we've ever made”

It is almost fall and in the United States, that means football time. Of course, in the video-game world football and Madden are almost synonymous.

EA Sports is also gearing up for another edition of Madden on multiple platforms, including the PlayStation 2 home console. And with another year of the game comes new innovations geared to please fans of the game series.

Madden Current Gen Associate Producer Josh Looman took time to chat with GameZone about what is on tap for Madden 2007.

Question: Another year, another Madden, but this year must be rather exciting as you have to develop for the next-gen consoles. What do the next-gen consoles mean in terms of the direction this franchise will take now and in the future? And how do you keep that in mind while continuing to develop for current gen systems like the PS2?

Josh: It is very exciting. The next gen consoles give us the opportunity to really use our imaginations when designing new features. I think the sky's the limit in what we can do now. When we look at the current gen versions, it's more about additions that really make current features on the systems even better.

Q: Is it hard to keep the focus and passion strong in creating a current gen (albeit one on its last legs) title when the buzz centers on next-gen consoles?

Josh: Not at all. While the next gen products do have a lot of buzz, and rightfully so, a lot of Madden fans still have current gen hardware.

Q: Tell us about the improvements to the running game this year. 

Josh: The running game improvements really make running the ball fun again. Lead Blocking Control is a new feature that allows you to select a blocker before the snap and deliver punishing blocks. As you throw the block, you pop back to the running back and you can take off down the field. It really puts you in control of the running game like never before. We also added the highlight stick, which allows you to elude defenders in the open field depending on your back. If you're using TJ Duckett, he'll run over the defender but if you're using a smaller back like Warrick Dunn he'll try to duck out of the tackle and get away. Players like Shaun Alexander can use both.

Q: What else has been changed or upgraded that will tantalize and please long-time Madden fans?

Josh: All of the major areas of our game have gained significant additions. NFL Superstar Mode has all new cameras and controls to help you make it to the Hall of Fame, Franchise Mode added Player Roles and a College All-Star Game, NFL Network Mode has been added and we debut Online Clubs for our online audience. That's not even touching on the improvements to gameplay.

Q: Ok, waited for the fourth question to ask - tell us about the graphics of this season's game. Have they undergone any changes? How much motion-capture work is involved in bringing this game to life?

Josh: We added a ton of animations, which always makes the game more realistic and exciting. Motion capture gives us new tackles, spins, jukes, catches and broken tackles.

Q: On the mo-cap side, how do you go about emulating the moves and abilities of real-life players?

Josh: It's a process we try to refine every year but it basically comes down to capturing the moves of the players themselves. We try to make sure our animations make playing Madden feel like you just turned on the TV to watch a real game.  

Q: What will the multiplayer elements include (as in game types, tourneys and so forth, and online changes)? 

Josh: We added Online Clubs this year so that groups of fans could get together and battle it out for bragging rights against other groups. Besides that, our biggest multiplayer feature is Lead Blocking Control in my opinion. It's really fun to control the left tackle on offense and go up against your buddy who is controlling the defensive end. We've seen some epic battles between Dwight Freeney and Jonathan Ogden.

Q: Do you play out a season in advance, and if so, who are the favorites to make it to the Super Bowl? 

Josh: We went through a ton of seasons while we were in development. The two teams that we saw the most in the Super Bowl were the Seahawks and the Panthers from the NFC. They both seem like the two teams that have a real shot at going all the way.