Riding the Pines – Episode 31
In episode 31 of Riding the Pines, Glen interviews Sean Ramjagsingh, gameplay producer for NHL 10.
In the interview, they discuss what has been added to this years game, what reasons there might be that NHL video games are more popular than the sport itself, and the issues with Patrick Kane (cover athlete for NHL 10.)
Also in this weeks show, Dan and Glen give their final thoughts on Madden 10 and talk about what else they've been playing.
The show is available via iTunes, Feedburner, and direct MP3 link.
Enjoy!
Madden 10 PS3
Anyone else having graphics hiccups when playing the PS3 version of the game? In the between play cutscenes I’m seeing like these weird things like swords coming out of players knees and helmets. Are you seeing this on your copy? Or how about the 360?
Friday notes
Looks like we have pretty good interest in doing another Fantasy season, so Dan and I will start the work on that.
As far as the online franchise for Madden 10 on the 360, I'd like to do one, but I'd like to see a few more people with interest. We have plenty of time on that.
- I completed the interview to be used in tonights podcast, so Dan and I just need to record our segments and we'll be all good.
- More later.
Quick Friday notes
- Whew... Vick signs with the Eagles. That should take care of one of the arguments with madtowner... for today.
- What's the interest in a fantasy football league again. We've done it the past few years, but there doesn't seem to be much interest. Drop us an email or post a comment to let ust know what you think.
- Also, is anyone going to be doing the online franchise mode in Madden for the 360 or PS3? I might be interested in jumping into one of those leagues.
- Got to love interview prep. Hopefully you'll enjoy it.
Thursday notes
- Well we have the pricing (at least in Europe) for the Madden DLC.
* DB Scout (£0.45/€0.49)
* Dig Deep (£0.45/€0.49)
* DL Scout (£0.45/€0.49)
* Game Day Instincts (£0.45/€0.49)
* Hometown Hero (£0.45/€0.49)
* LB Scout (£0.45/€0.49)
* Madden Max Pack (This pack contains ALL Madden packs currently available) (£6.29/€7.99)
* Max Franchise Pack (This pack contains all of the Franchise packs available, Get all player, staff and scout packs combined)
* Not Done Yet (£0.79/€0.99)
* OL Scout (£0.45/€0.49)
* One More Year (£1.19/€1.49)
* Online Franchise (£6.29/€7.99)
* Pick a Superstar (£0.79/€0.99)
* PK Scout (£0.45/€0.49)
* Play Through the Pain (£0.79/€0.99)
* QB Scout (£0.45/€0.49)
* RB Scout (£0.45/€0.49)
* Star Player (£0.79/€0.99)
* Super Superstar (£1.19/€1.49)
* WR Scout (£0.45/€0.49)
* Elite Status (£3.19/€3.99)
* Expert Medical Staff (£1.19/€1.49)
* Expert Scout Pack (This pack contains all 8 individual Scout Packs) (£2.39/€2.99)
* Franchise Player Pack (This pack contains all the Franchise player packs available) (£2.39/€2.99)
* Great Staff Pack (This pack contains all the Staff packs available) (£2.39/€2.99)
* Skilled Medical Staff (£0.79/€0.99)
* World Class Training Staff (£1.19/€1.49)
I'll be curious about how this translates over here... probably pretty close to the US pricing though. I would guess the "Max" pack would end up in the $8 to $10 range.
One other thing that was interesting was that the PSP version will be available for download tomorrow as well. I didn't know that they were doing a day and date downloadable version of Madden. That's a first.
- I received Grand Slam Tennis for the Wii the other day and it's pretty fun. I'm getting beat up a bit in the game (plus the fact that I have a bum knee at the moment doesn't help either.)
It's definitely an enjoyable tennis game, but it's Wii Motion Plus detection isn't perfect. There are times when I'm sitting there with the controller directly in front of me and it thinks I'm getting ready to swing a forehand stroke. It seems to be a calibration issue more than anything... but doesn't really harm the gameplay.
- As I said to a friend yesterday... the fact that the Brewers are struggling this year really doesn't bother me much. I actually got to go to a Brewers playoff baseball game last year (and a win at that.) That memory will keep me happy with the franchise for a little bit.
- The interview that Dan mentioned yesterday might not happen for tomorrow's podcast (scheduling issues,) but I do have another interview that I'll be doing as well. Unlike Dan, I don't tease the interviewee before I actually record it. heh.
- I really like the new version of WordPress. The admin improvements are terrific.
Next up... improving the look of the site a bit. Baby steps...
Quick Wednesday notes (Brewers related)
Wow, when the Brewers want to make some changes... they really make them. Sending down your starting short stop (Hardy,) firing your pitching coach (Bill Castro.)
Good on them. Escobar was their Shortstop of the future anyway. Let's see what he can do now, rather than waiting for September.
Castro just couldn't get anything done with the pitching staff, not that he had much to work with... but still. It's great to see Chris Bosio back with the Brewers.
Oh, and I love the new features of the website. Nothing that would be seen from the outside, but the admin changes rule.
Site software upgrade
Please let me know if you have noticed any issues to the site today. I had to perform an upgrade to WordPress due to a pretty major vulnerability... but it looks like all is well after the upgrade was complete.
Tuesday Thoughts
Weeds, the TV show, sucks.
Nurse Jackie however, is pretty good.
Entourage also sucks.
In gaming news, I am still playing and enjoying Madden 10. I find it funny that we still can’t buy elite status or even find out how much it will cost. What’s the deal with that?
Now that Guitar Hero Van Halen will be free when you buy Guitar Hero 5, will you buy it? Seriously putting Wolfgang Van Halen in the game really ruins it for me. It’s like going to the local county fair to see some 80s band with people that never were in that 80s band.
In other news, have you ever had to change lanes while on the highway so the President can get back to Air Force One? It happened to me today. As I’m driving back to a work location, I see blue lights in my rear view mirror. F@#$ I say as I start to pull over. As I’m pulling over I see there’s a trooper in the passenger seat waving for me to get over. Behind him I see a white SUV and behind that SUV, I see another police car. Needless to say, I obey, the white SUV makes it’s exit en route to the Air Force Base where Air Force One is waiting.
Earlier that day I actually saw Air Force One land, which is pretty cool to see the plane in the air as it touches down. I didn’t get to see the President himself (windows were tinted), but I did get to see the Glenn Beck-nutjob protesters who will apparently jump off a bridge if you ask them to. Seriously, read the bill before you protest something you don’t know..and let me assert my right to drive on the road! Get out of my way! LOL
Quick Tuesday notes
- You have to love when your daughter walks up to you at the end of the night and says, "Daddy, can I watch you play Super Mario?"
Why yes... yes, you can.
- Played through a few games of the 'Be a Pro' mode last night in Madden and for some reason... I found the blocking AI to be a great deal better.
My one annoyance with that features was the fact that you can't choose to sim your play once you see the play that is called.
Here's my example, in NCAA, if you're a running back and it's a passing play where you're blocking, you can sim the play. In Madden, you have to run the play. Not a real issue, by any means, just something that I liked in NCAA.
More time to be put in on Madden tonight...
- 2K Sports new Wii baseball title, Baseball Blast, has commentary by Rob Dibble and Bob Uecker. Sign me up. Anything with Ueck's name on it is good enough for me. That includes the Mr. Belvidere box set .
Late Sunday night notes
- Well, the honeymoon may be over for me with Madden. As I play more and more games, I'm beginning to see some of the same sorts of issues that I've run into in NCAA.
The blocking system just seems off still. Perhaps it can be adjusted with sliders, but why is it that you have a blocker out in front of you...they have one person to pick up in front of them... and they'll turn around to block someone behind you?
I must have to get used to the passing system, because Aaron Rodgers has one of the worst arms I've seen in a while. He floats every ball out. He can't throw a hard pass to save his life. This is a guy who threw for over 4,000 yards last year and had quite a few impressive throws, but despite his 94 rating in throwing power, Matt Flynn (the backup QB) can seem to throw the ball a good deal harder.
Also, is it too much to ask for your team to execute on a punt return? Another it might just be me issue, but why does the CPU always seem to have 2 guys back on a punt return, but your guys just seem to run away from the play?
I've got a few more days before the game is released, and while the game does still have it's fun moments, I'm finding it harder to cling to those and look past the annoying issues.
- The Brewers traded for more bullpen pitching today in David Weathers, I think that when you pick up a 38 year old reliever, that your season is just about done.
- I might be one of the only ones, but I would like to see Michael Vick in a Packers uniform. He's not going to be the starter, or have a shot at it, but I think he's a great player to add to your team... and for a very minimal cost.
Fairway Solitare – $2.99 (today only)
Thank to Cheapassgamer, I found that Fairway Solitare is only $2.99 today.
Fairway Solitare at Big Fish Games.
Use the code FAIRWAY299 to complete the deal.
This was one of my favorite games for the last few years and you'll definitely get your money's worth.
Saturday afternoon notes
- Just got done with my first regular season game of Madden and beat the Bears 14-7. I got into 3 fumble scrums in this game (first ones I've ever run into) and lost every one. Maybe I'm just unlucky. heh.
Still enjoying the game quite a bit though. I've been able to go to the well a few too many times with certain plays, but after playing sports games for 20 some years now, I usually just force myself not to call plays that I think work too often.
- Also started playing Red Faction: Guerrilla in the last few days. That game is a ton of fun. There is something to be said for smacking people around with a giant sledgehammer. Funny thing... I played the beta and found the game to be pretty damn dull. The full retail version is quite enjoyable though.
- Typically, I wouldn't go to Dan for technical advice on anything (hehe,) but we were talking about upgrading from the Windows 7 beta to the full version and he stumbled across this link. I just tried it and it worked perfectly. 1 hour of downtime and my Release Candidate is converted to the full version. I was dreading having to reload my laptop... but it worked as well as it could have. Nice work there, IT Dan.
Riding the Pines – Episode 30
Greetings, all!
Dan and I have put together another brilliant piece of audio this week. Here's what we had to cover.
- Early impressions of Madden 10
- Some breaking news regarding Madden 10
- What sports games people are playing the most on Wii
- What we're playing.
The show is available in all of the usual sources... Feedburner, iTunes, and direct download. Enjoy!
Thursday night notes (Madden in the house)
- Wow. What a way to derail my gaming plans for the night. I pulled up to the house and saw a package sitting at the front door.
Nothing like finding a copy of Madden 10 when you come home.
I've spent most of the night playing the game, and neglecting my children. Reviews are embargoed until the 10th, but I can probably give you a few quick impressions.
During my interview last week, they seemed to stress the presentation aspect of the game and that is very apparent. Lots of TV style presentation moments during the game. Many different camera angles shown before the players get to the line of scrimmage. The down side to it is that if you're looking to make a quick switch to another player you might only have a few seconds to do it.
The CPU is just ripping me up on passes over the middle. I've been mixing up Zone and Man-to-Man with the Packers and no matter the opponent, they almost always seem to be open. I really need to work on my defensive skills.
Offensively, I really like the pace of the game. Running plays require patience while you set up your blocks. I have seen some boneheaded decisions from blockers (like I've seen in NCAA,) but for the most part they seem to be doing a decent job of picking up the guy they should be blocking.
As for passing, Aaron Rodgers seems to have a completely dead arm. I'm going to have to practice a bit more and see if I just need to adjust my throwing style. In my franchise, Matt Flynn, the second stringer, has a hell of a lot better arm than Rodgers does... and that doesn't seem right at all.
More on the game over the weekend.
- Wow, John Hughes died taking a walk today. The man's films were usually pretty sappy, but Ferris Bueller and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles are two of the movies that I really love. If those are on TV, the channel doesn't get changed.
- The big news story around here is about how Ted Thompson isn't denying interest in Michael Vick. (The Packers are now one of the only teams that hasn't completely denied interest in him.) Green Bay would probably be a good fit for him. Smallest market in the NFL, forgiving Midwest fans, and the Packers would add a guy who was a play maker in the past.
Wouldn't bother me if they signed him at all...
- I don't know if I've mentioned it since the comments... but the Headblade is awesome. Nice shave every day and not a single nick or cut. Terrific blade.
- Huh... I was just cleaning up some stuff on my 360 drive and think I just blew away some of my save files when I was removing some game installs. Nice.
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