Madden NFL 09

The ActionCam camera angle eliminates times when you think you have a WR open, but don't know for sure because his route carried him off your screen. In theory this view is pretty cool and it looks amazing. However I'm not sure what to think about the fact that the ActionCam will shake, rock back and forth, and zoom in and out. It sounds like it will give us the most realistic feel to a football game we've ever seen. But I have some concerns on how the head to head play will be with an ever evolving camera angle. (One that changes from second to second)

Rest assured that if it makes playing head to head too difficult, we still have the opportunity to go back to the Classic angles that we use today.

I have to admit, checking out the large image on the Gamestop blog really has me itching for Madden 09. It looks really sharp!

Week 4 of Gamestop's Madden Monday shows us one of the reported 85 innovations or feature additions to Madden NFL 09. In this week's edition, the ability to return missed field goals is demonstrated. This particular play gained attention on Sept. 30 2002 when Chris McAllister of the Baltimore Ravens returned a 57 yard FG attempt (by Broncos kicker Jason Elam) 107 yards. In the past few seasons that record has been surpassed a few times. Both Nathan Vasher and Devin Hester of the Bears broke the 107 yard mark my returning missed kicks 108 yards. Last year, Antonio Cromartie eclipsed that mark by returning a Ryan Longwell 57 yard attempt 109 yards.

This is a nice addition to the game primarily because this is a realistic addition, unlike the weapons feature. This can and has actually happened in real life. It also adds a strategic decision that was not there before. Now before lining up for that 59 yard field goal, you may want to reconsider your decision if you happen to see Devin Hester standing back in the end zone.

Realistic action, graphics and presentation are a big draw for Madden NFL games, but having to hit the "pause" button several times a play can slow down the action, which detracts a bit from the realism. In their efforts to keep the action moving at an NFL pace, EA SPORTS has given us an exclusive peek at another new feature for Madden NFL 09: the Options OnDemand Picture-in-Picture Play-call Window.

To keep the game moving, the Options OnDemand PIP Play-call Window will streamline the flow of important information, like player and team stats, instant replay and even Madden Tips, which suggests a feature you haven't used yet with a video tip explaining it. Think of it as the animated paper-clip thing from Microsoft Office, except it's MADDEN! You'll also be able to make substitutions right from the play-call screen or challenge a call with Coach Picture-in Picture.

Gamespot will be featuring a new Madden 09 blog each Monday titled "Madden Mondays". Each week they will reveal a feature that will be in the nex-gen (360 and PS3) version of Madden NFL 09.

In this week's edition of Madden Monday, they take a peek at some new touchdown celebrations. GS even specifically mentions that there are certain "hot-spots" in the end zone that if you press the celebration button while standing in the right spot will activate different celebration animations. A couple specifics were dunking the ball through the goal post and hot shotting in the corner of the end zone. If a particular player is know for a certain type of celebration that may also be available. For example, Terrell Owens may have more than 10 different touchdown celebrations. Lastly there is possibly a "steal celebration" control that will let you "Lambeau Leap" when you might not be in Green Bay.

I'm little torn on this particular feature. While it couldn't hurt to have this in the game, I hope EA is not spending valuable time on this particular part of the game. Having said that, I'm still looking forward to dunking on a goal post near you!

On Monday, November 26, 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers played host to the Miami Dolphins in what can only be described as an utter debacle. In a thrilling 3-0 Steelers triumph, Heinz Field looked like it had just hosted a monster truck rally as rain poured down mercilessly, making the field virtually unplayable. We learned two things that night. Number 1: our GameStop fantasy football team would miss the play-offs because we couldn't get a measly 3 points out of Ben Roethlisberger and Heath Miller. Number 2: weather can have a serious impact on the results of a football game.

In fact, some of the more historic games in NFL history have been made so by Mother Nature, i.e. the Patriots and Dolphins "Snow Plow Game" in 1982, Bears and Eagles "Fog Bowl" from 1988, and the snow-laden Patriots and Raiders "Tuck Rule" game in 2002, just to name a few. What does all of this have to do with Madden NFL 09? Well, clearly weather has always been IN the game, but up until now, it had little impact ON the game. For the first time, weather will affect how your players move and perform on the field. When precipitation is heavy, elusive runners like Adrian Peterson will be more likely to put the ball on the turf when juking and spinning. So you'd better cover up! Receivers who rely on a quick release, like Steve Smith, could slip coming out of the gates. QBs diving for a first down on a rain-drenched field may suddenly rekindle memories of a summer Slip N Slide, not to mention they won't have the same accuracy as you're used to. For icing (pun intended) on the cake, Madden NFL 09 will also feature some weather specific celebrations%u2026can you say snow angels at Lambeau?! Mix in a little rain-puddle splashing, some dynamic player breath, and you've got yourself a virtual weather wonderland, which, if you recall from Week 2's Madden Monday, the weather and lighting have been completely overhauled, making Madden more immersive than ever before. Now it should be noted, just because it's raining doesn't mean you should expect results similar to the aforementioned Steelers game of last year. Although these weather "tweaks" will require you to think twice about the moves and calls you make, they won't completely render offenses useless.