After perusing the Madden forums (it's like the proverbial train wreck, isn't it?) I still don't understand why any criticism about a Madden game has to turn SOMEONE into a 2K martyr. Maybe people can have a regular conversation about a game and its issues on that game's own merits...

That said, I sincerely hope Madden is a much better-playing game this year (and from all accounts, it is). I'm not going to buy it, since I try very hard not to spend $60 on things I consider to be regurgitated material, but I'm certain I'll be playing it at friends' houses quite a bit. Somewhat hypocritically, I'm looking forward to enjoying myself with the revamped gameplay.

I think that's what EA is looking for, though. Well, not so much someone NOT buying the game, but people who buy the game just for the gameplay; just for playing with friends and online. I believe that's their sole focus. Yeah, they revamped the franchise mode, but if they were serious about the lone gamer, they would have added commentary, without a doubt. The lone franchise gamer really cares about that aspect, more than ticket prices, and more than a lot of things.

There has also been talk about the one-year cycle and how it's tough to get so much done, but I'm calling bullcrap on that, and here's why: When you look at it broadly, they've really had at least two solid years to put together a decent commentary system. The first next-gen game had the radio guy, and that, well, sucked then. No one wants to listen to the radio guy. Although I've not developed a game, I've got a pretty decent idea of how large-production works. They could have treated commentary as a two-year system, and gotten it taken care of by now. A two-year cycle doesn't leave as much room for excuses as a one-year cycle, does it?

It's time-consuming to work on sound and presentation, you say? EA Sports is one of the biggest companies associated with games in the world. They spend more money and use more people than nearly anyone, to produce a single game. Look at the back of your manual and see how many people are credited with working on Madden NFL 08. Now, look at the amount of people that are working on "audio" or other sound things. It's not like 5 people are doing all the work, on the entire game. They have people dedicated to each and every aspect, and with the money generated by (and spent on) the ESPN license, they definitely have the ability, and should have the impetus, to put a couple folks in charge of working on the commentary and (*gasp!) presentation. At least to make it better than Madden '94. That shouldn't be so hard to ask. At least Madden '94 had nifty little pixellated fireworks after you won the Super Bowl.

However, like a few people have said; they won't put everything in one game - there would be no point in coming back next year (although I'm convinced a lot of people would, just for the roster updates. People LOVE roster updates). In my mind's eye, however, I think EA could at least throw the Madden faithful a turducken bone now and again, and the form of commentary and presentation would be a great one. Heck, I might actually buy a complete product.

In light of all this hubbub surrounding 2k's really shaky (that's a nice way of putting it) foray into the next generation of gaming, it's got me pondering a few things...

First, is the freezing that widespread, or does there just happen to be a very vocal minority sympathizing with each other on these boards? I guess even if it wasn't a high percentage, it wouldn't really make me feel better, since MINE freezes, but... oh well...

Second, if the freezing is as bad as I suspect, will it really hurt 2k's game sales next year? I've found way more bugs than I want to deal with in their games as of late (although I really like the potential of their product), especially in a console setting. I've talked to a lot of people who are definitely going the Gamefly/rental route next year, if at all. I know it's the only MLB game in town after this year, so will people a year from now who are complaining forget about all that in hopes that 2k produces a good game? Or, will their game sales go horribly downhill? I know my local Gamestop has had over 10 people re-sell MLB 2k6 already, even though they only got 25 bucks or whatever for it. Will those people buy a game next year?

Third, can we trust gaming websites and magazines to relay correct reviews representing the product we, the consumer get at home? I mean, if Gamespot had reviewed MY copy of 2k6, they wouldn't have even gotten through the 1st inning, ever. Regardless of the HDD fix, memory card (I borrowed one to see if it would work), exhibition, or whatever voodoo 2k is telling us works. I can't imagine a reputable gaming publication giving an unplayable game anything higher than a 1 or a 2 - at least not MY copy. The playable game is probably worth at least a 6.8, but mine isn't worth 0.8.

Last, it sure seems to me like this whole monopolizing of MLB, NFL, etc, is turning out to be as bad a deal as everyone thought. Because of their track record, I'm sure Madden will continue plodding along bringing an arcadey version of football to the masses - giving us a product that works, but only slowly improves (I really loved ESPN NFL 2k5). My positive side thinks that 2k Sports will end up doing the same with MLB, but I have to say my confidence is shaken quite a bit. Competition probably would have driven both developers to do a better job this year.

I've been a sports game lover since Super Baseball Simulator 1.000 and Lakers vs Celtics and the NBA Playoffs, and I would say I enjoy most of the advances we've seen in sports gaming. Better graphics, more intense gameplay, tighter and more intuitive control, the list really could go on and on. However, the grandpappy of the advances for me would have to be the franchise mode. I absolutely dork out on sports simulations - there's no other way to put it. I've always been a stat nut and there is something incredibly rewarding (if not strangely rewarding) that goes along with seeing how a team that you create, run, alter and play does on the virtual gamefield, made evident by the statistics that are documented from those actions. Whether its how many offensive rebounds you've gathered over the course of a career or your 54 hole record at Pebble Beach, these statistics reflect all of it.

Every once in a while, however, I've noticed something that gets my blood boiling just a pinch. It happened with two great games in particular of recent vintage: Tiger Woods 2004 and ESPN Football 2k5. The problem here is that the realism, which I so dearly love, is a notch off. With TW2k4, I notice that the winning scores of major tournaments are somewhere in the 40 to 50 under par realm. What?? This isn't something that happens, EVER. I mean, I can shoot 40 or 50 under in this game, but it annoys me to all hell when I HAVE to do this to be competitive. I want to win a major tournament shooting a four round total of even par! I think that's one of the beauties of professional golf. With ESPN, I'm halfway through a regular season in franchise mode and notice that a few quarterbacks every week through for more than 500, even 600 yards! What?? This isn't something that happens, EVER (see above). What makes it worse, is that my quarterback struggles to throw for more than 300 yards more often than he eclipses that mark, which is the way it should be. Teams also routinely score more than 50 points in a game. This isn't something that hap... oh, you get the point.

I really think that sports games that have something as great as these uber-realistic franchise modes should at least make them uber-realistic in every way. If people want to score 114 points in a football game, let them do it online or head-to-head with a friend. I want my franchise mode to keep it real.