Guest Flyboy Report post Posted May 4, 2003 REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2003--Michael Vick, the All-Pro quarterback from the Atlanta Falcons and one of the most electrifying and exciting players in the NFL, has reached an agreement with Electronic Arts Inc., the world's leading interactive entertainment software company, to be the EA SPORTS cover athlete and spokesman for Madden NFL 2004. "What an honor to be on the cover of the best NFL franchise, Madden NFL 2004," said Vick. "This is the game that everyone wants to be associated with at some point in their NFL career and I am excited that my opportunity has come so early in my career. I have always been a Madden NFL Football fan and I'm excited to be working with EA SPORTS on my favorite game." Vick's image will appear on all Madden NFL 2004 packaging and merchandising and he already contributed his expertise during a design session with the producers of the videogame at EA's development studios in Florida. Vick was the youngest quarterback to start in the NFL during the 2002 season and was only the sixth quarterback to be voted into the Pro Bowl in his first year as a starter since 1970. In his first two seasons he has run for more yards (1,066) than any other quarterback in NFL history and established four NFL records during the 2002 season including most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback with 173 yards at Minnesota in December. The Madden NFL franchise is in its 14th year, and last year's version, Madden NFL 2003, sold more than four million units on six different platforms. Madden NFL 2004 will be available on the PC, the PlayStation®, the PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, the Nintendo GameCube, and the Game Boy® Advance in August. Don't know if the cover is real or not. I got the article from Planet Gamecube and the cover from MaddenMania. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Agent_Bond34 0 Report post Posted May 4, 2003 That cover kicks ass. I'm guessing that is the real cover. Now what I want to know is, when the hell are they gonna put Terrell Owens on the cover of one of these games? Speaking of NFL games, LaDainian Tomlinson is on the cover of NFL GameDay 2004. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted May 4, 2003 I wonder who's going to make the cover of NFL 2K4. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Agent_Bond34 0 Report post Posted May 4, 2003 I dunno who they'd have in mind for the NFL 2K4 cover. Here is the GameDay cover with Tomlinson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted May 4, 2003 I was half expecting Jon Gruden to be on the cover. Maybe Sega will do Gruden since having a coach on the cover would set them apart from the same old same old of having a player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Found the cover for NCAA Football 2004 as well: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Madden 2004 is looking better with other options... but will they update their fucking gameplay? Confirmed & Unconfirmed Madden/NCAA Info Owner Mode--Looks like you can be an owner now. Build your own stadium, manage your finances, etc. *marks out* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Karnage Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Does Sega ever switch their coverboys other than for their NHL games? The NHL 2K series went from Shanahan to Drury to Leclair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Last year's NFL had Urlacher on the cover, where they had Moss on the cover of the DC games. However AI is still on the cover of NBA 2k3. My guess is Moss got dumped because he goes out of his way to be such an unlikeable ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Madden 2004 is looking better with other options... but will they update their fucking gameplay? I hope not...I like Madden's gameplay and don't want them screwing around with it. They can improve graphics and options all they want, but leave the gameplay alone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly Report post Posted May 4, 2003 I figured Ray Lewis was going to be on the cover the way he's been featured in the commercials. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kkktookmybabyaway Report post Posted May 4, 2003 "I figured Ray Lewis was going to be on the cover the way he's been featured in the commercials." Ditto. I wonder if you're an owner you could move your team to another city if you don't get a new stadium after Year 20 of franchise mode?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly Report post Posted May 4, 2003 I was playing NCAA 2003 in Dynasty mode and never even made it to the offseason. I took the Morgan State Bears to a #8 finish, but for some reason, I haven't been motivated to take a shitty team and try to recruit and do all of that stuff with them. On paper it seemed like a good idea, but it sucks that my 2,000 yard back might leave the team after the season is over. I think for this reason, NFL games that have the GM mode are more fun. I like trading and drafting players as well as signing free agents. Oh well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted May 4, 2003 The Dynasty mode in NCAA does get dull after awhile... after building so many teams and winning the National Championship there's not much to do. The Franchise Mode in Madden beats out any other football game's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Agent_Bond34 0 Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Madden 2004 is looking better with other options... but will they update their fucking gameplay? I hope not...I like Madden's gameplay and don't want them screwing around with it. They can improve graphics and options all they want, but leave the gameplay alone. I agree. Madden's gameplay kicks ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted May 4, 2003 I don't. The 2K series owns Madden when it comes to gameplay. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lightning Flik Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Thing is, Madden needs to re-establish the defensive aspects of the game and the fielding. I mean, all to often I go to stop a run and it doesn't get stopped (I blitz the Bus and Pittsburgh); even if I've got the best defense in the whole game and I don't even get pancakes. Then on offense, when I go to make a 5 yard pass it suddenly isn't for 5, but the route actually is for 8-11 and I ony needed 4 yards for the route; worst of it is I usually blow it and then end up kicking (as I'll be on third down). My only reason for sticking with Madden is that NFL's play screen is a little hard to get a play picked within a reasonable amount of time. Even if I know what play I'm picking, it still takes too long to track it down (unless I've memorized every play, which I don't). Not saying that NFL isn't without faults (running defense is a little TOO good), but simply put both games need to redefine their games a little more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly Report post Posted May 4, 2003 I like the audibles that EA games let you do. I like having the ability to improvise if I want to. I was playing NCAA 2003 against one of my roommates and he was sacking me left and right. I nipped that in the bud by calling fly patterns at the line of scrimmage and immediately getting rid of the ball. Stuff like that is absent from the 2K games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted May 4, 2003 The 2K series owns Madden when it comes to gameplay. Most definitely. Madden's gameplay is more arcade-style, which makes it easier for people to hang out and play a bunch of games. The 2K series plays more like a sim, rewarding and punishing you for making the calls you do, while Madden seems more random in its play resolutions. The playcalling screen in 2K could use some work, but its gameplay is far beyond Madden's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lightning Flik Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Just curious, but has anyone every called a goaline rush at any point in the game in Madden, if they've got a class act running back? Assuming that the defense is playing the passing game (which would normally be the person opponent). Cause that's a great way to rack up a good 10-30 yards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Unless they've gotten rid of the 10+ yard dives, the juke button that makes people bounce off of you, the fluke bounces of the ball, the ability to complete passes into double coverage, players getting 4 sacks a game and other stuff like that, I don't feel inclined to play the 2K games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Tyler McClelland Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Try playing the game on All-Pro or All-Madden. That whole defense issue is definitely resolved. Game gets completely ridiculous, IMO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lightning Flik Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Game gets completely ridiculous, IMO. Hence why I never play it on All-Madden. I mean, I have the damn defense covered out right, yet the receiver still makes that 20 yard catch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Try playing the game on All-Pro or All-Madden. That whole defense issue is definitely resolved. Game gets completely ridiculous, IMO. Exactly. Madden on All-Madden is just like 2K on Pro. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Tyler McClelland Report post Posted May 4, 2003 All-Madden level actually requires skill, though. You can break that 10 yard run, but you'd better make sure you've got the juke/spin/stiff arm buttons mastered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mik at Cornell Report post Posted May 4, 2003 Let's hope Vick doesn't fall victim to the Madden cover jinx. Last three: Culpepper, Vick, Eddie George. George is a shell of his former shelf. Culpepper had a horrible year the year he was on the cover. Faulk was injured after he made the cover. If Michael Vick goes down with a broken ankle in week 3, you heard it here first.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted May 5, 2003 More Madden 2004 goodness: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Tyler McClelland Report post Posted May 5, 2003 Mmmm, that's sexy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jobber of the Week Report post Posted May 5, 2003 Anybody else remember the days when John Madden Football had John Madden on the cover? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Tino Standard Report post Posted May 6, 2003 Anybody else remember the days when John Madden Football had John Madden on the cover? Yeah... and semi-related question: When did they switch to players instead of Madden himself and what player was the first Madden cover boy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
