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.