The Dream Team is coming to NBA 2k13

 

2k sports has done a great job in the past two years as the best(and only) NBA video game. In the past two years they’ve brought different legends to the game in modes that allow you to play and compete as them. It’s fun, and 2k has brought it to a new level in NBA 2k13.

Probably due to all the recent debate, the people at 2k announced today that the 1992 Dream Team would be a playable team in 2k13. The only player missing is Scottie Pippen, because a deal couldn’t be reached between him and the people at 2k. Also playable, is the 2012 USA Olympic team. Yup, you can finally play the match-up that’s been overanalyzed for the past two weeks. Enjoy. NBA 2k13 comes out October 2nd.

Is Madden 13 finally the game to make Madden fans forget about 2k?

Look at any website that posts something about Madden. Not matter what it is or what it’s about you’re almost guaranteed to see a commenter talk about NFL 2k5. Even though the game is 7 years old, it’s the last time that somebody besides EA made an NFL game and most people like to say how it’s still better than today’s Madden games. I personally think the game is overrated, but that’s not the point. People haven’t been able to look past that game due to dissatisfaction with recent Madden games.

Madden 13 may finally be the game to make them forget.

All of the information that’s come out about the new Madden has been good, but today the people at EA released the demo for Madden 13. At first it looked the same, but once I started getting into the gameplay I saw plenty of things that I’ve simply never seen in a Madden game before.

I started my demo playing with the 49′ers vs. Giants rematch from last season. Off the bat you see the new presentation that they’ve brought in for the new Madden game. The presentation looks nice, but unfortunately the new commentary is lacking. It’s nice to hear something besides Cris Collinsworth, but the commentary is really basic. After an Eli Manning incompletion, Phil Simms referred to Eli as “my man”. It’s expected because they didn’t have anything to build on, but hopefully the commentary is better in the future once they can record more with Nantz and Simms.

The gameplay is what’s going to make the difference anyway. The new physics engine really lives up to the hype and makes the game unique compared to others in the past. At one point Frank Gore ran into his own line and instead of bouncing off his lineman or running in place behind them like he would in games past, he simply fell after getting knocked down by his own lineman. Another example of the engine working in this way was two of my players colliding on a interception. Terrell Thomas got the pick, but collided into Antrel Rolle which didn’t allow me to return it. These things are unheard of in Madden games of the past. This new physics action also makes gang tackling a lot smoother, and each player actually makes a difference in the tackle.

Another new thing that’s been boasted about in the new Madden is the catching animations. They weren’t kidding either. These new animations are 10 times better than what they’ve had in the past. There’s plenty of other catches that you haven’t seen. I even made a one handed catch in the endzone with Victor Cruz, capped off by him doing his signature salsa dance. Watch out on offense though, because the corners also seem to have better hands and they no longer drop real easy picks.

Of course this is just a demo and I’ll have to wait until August 28th to see the whole game, but the early indications are very good. I can’t wait for Madden 13, and hopefully everybody else feels the same way. Because honestly I’m tired of talking about a game that’s 7 years old too.

EA announces Top 10 WR’s & TE’s for Madden 13

Continuing with their release of the Top 10 at a position each week, the people at Madden released the game’s Top 10 WR’s and TE’s for Madden 13. Here’s the list:

10. Hakeem Nicks: 94 overall
9. Roddy White: 94 overall
8. Wes Welker: 95 overall
7. Steve Smith: 95 overall
6. Jimmy Graham: 95 overall
5. Vernon Davis: 95 overall
4. Andre Johnson: 97 overall
3. Larry Fitzgerald: 97 overall
2. Rob Gronkowski: 97 overall
1. Calvin Johnson: 99 overall

It’s a pretty solid list and I have no complaints about the way they’re ordered. My only problem is that I think the gap between the players from Wes Welker down and the guys ahead of them is much bigger than what Madden has made it. I’m fine with it. Looks like the Pats passing game is going to be pretty hard to stop though. And no surprise that the cover boy Calvin Johnson is a 99 overall.

Also, I want to remind everybody(or let you know if you weren’t aware) that the Madden 13 demo is out tomorrow, August 14th. Check it out and I’ll let you know what I think about it right here.

EA announces Top 10 QB’s for Madden 13

As they like doing, EA is making the release of information on Madden slow and painful. The most recent case of this is their releasing of the Top 10 at each position, starting with the Top 10 QB’s this week in the way of a video by former running back Marshall Faulk. While they will change during the season as they do in Madden, these are the Top 10 to start the season. Keep in mind these are also just overalls and we don’t know much about throwing power, accuracy, speed, etc.

10. Michael Vick: 89 overall
9. Tony Romo: 90 overall
8. Matt Stafford: 91 overall
7. Phillip Rivers: 92 overall
6. Peyton Manning: 93 overall
5. Ben Roethlisberger: 95 overall
4. Eli Manning: 97 overall
3. Drew Brees: 98 overall
2. Tom Brady: 98 overall
1. Aaron Rodgers: 99 overall

Some interesting things, although a lot of these are pretty predictable. For the first time probably since he’s been in the league, Peyton Manning isn’t a top 5 QB. He’s rating correctly and I applaud Madden for not overrating him even when he’s on the decline. Also fun to see Eli ahead of him for the first time. Finally, Phillip Rivers’ bad season didn’t affect him too much staying with a solid 92 overall. Let me know what you think about the ratings and stay tuned for more as they’re released.

Jay Z will executive Produce NBA 2k13

The NBA 2k series is the best basketball series out there and now it looks like they’re adding another big name to the team. In a video trailer for the upcoming game, the people at 2k announced that Jay Z will be an executive producer for the game.

I wouldn’t worry much about how this will affect the game if your a fan though. I’m sure his “executive producing” will be a lot like his ownership of the Nets. His name is on it, but he isn’t really doing much of anything except promoting it.

Calvin Johnson will be the Madden 2013 Cover athlete

After a long tournament and a finals matchup against Cam Newton, Calvin Johnson has finally been crowned Madden Cover athlete. The announcement was made on ESPN’s “Sportsnation” yesterday and Calvin Johnson got 52% of the votes.

This came as a surprise to me, as I thought the popularity of Cam Newton would make him a sure winner.

Congrats to Calvin Johnson though, and we’ll all avoid him in our fantasy drafts now this year. Although it will be tempting.

Madden Cover Vote is down to the Elite Eight

With the NCAA Tournament over, everybody can focus their attention to the real tournament. The Madden Cover Vote tournament.

All eight remaining choices all have a legitimate shot at winning, depending on whose fan base comes out and votes.

Both of the #1 seeds are still in, and in the first matchup puts last years explosive rookie of the year winner, Cam Newton, against one of the best WR’s in the league in Larry Fitzgerald. Fitz was one half of the Madden 2010 cover, so he’s out here trying to get his sole cover and be the first player to be on the cover twice. Unfortunately, I don’t think he stands a chance though because Cam Newton already has a huge fan base and is the more exciting choice at this point. He’s my favorite to win this whole thing.

The other #1 seed left is the reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is going against Ravens running back Ray Rice. Maybe it will be the second year straight that a running back from the AFC North knocks off Aaron Rodgers, but I don’t see it happening.

Both #2 seeds are also left. Those #2 seeds are Giants WR Victor Cruz and Patriots beast TE Rob Gronkowski. Cruz is against the only defensive player left, Patrick Willis. I just saw Willis on Sportscenter campaigning for votes, but I don’t think he gets past the salsa master Cruz. Cruz doing the salsa on the cover would be a cool cover though.

The final matchup will probably be the closest of them all. Gronk, who has a huge fan base behind him and has been campaigning for votes, will be going against Megatron, who is just the best WR in the league. It will be a close matchup but I think Gronk wins in a close one.

So go to ESPN and vote for your choice. Because Seabass isn’t here, you’ll just have to deal with these choices.

Madden cover vote gets narrowed down to 16

Last week, I wrote my Top 5 players I’d like to see on the cover of Madden 13. Unfortunatley, three of those guys are already out including my surest pick Tim Tebow and the greatest underdog of all time Sebastian Janikowski.

Even though those guys didn’t move on, there’s still 16 people left in the cover vote including Calvin Johnson, Cam Newton and Rob Gronkowski. Here’s all of the remaining candidates:

The 5 players I’m voting for in the Madden 13 Cover vote

As a Madden fan, it’s always interesting to see who gets the Madden cover vote. The Madden curse(whether you believe or not) always comes into play and a whole new dynamic has come in with the addition of fan voting in the past two years.

This year, Madden and SportsNation decided to drag out the process even more by having a play in round. Now that they have gotten out a bracket for the real voting though, it was time to seriously take a look at who I would vote for if I was voting for the Madden 13 cover vote. Here’s the 5 guys I would vote for:

1.  Tim Tebow

The man of the hour. Even before the trade, I would have considered Tebow the front runner for the Madden vote just because the fans love him. Now that he has the New York media and fan base behind him, he may be unstoppable. He’s already been on the cover of EA’s NCAA Football game(NCAA ’11) and he would be the first to be on both. In the first round of the Madden voting, Tebow is up against Arian Foster. And hey, if anyone can beat the Madden curse wouldn’t it be the guy who people say is god’s favorite player?

2. Rob Gronkowski

Gronk has already started campaigning for himself to get the Madden cover vote, and I think he’s got a good shot. Maybe we can get a picture of him spazzing on the dance floor after losing the Super Bowl. Boy, would I love that. Gronk would also become the first tight end to grace the cover of Madden. Gronk is up against new teammate Brandon Lloyd(who won the Rams vote) in the first round.

3. Stevie Johnson

Stevie Johnson has been a good player on the football field, but I’m more interesting in what he does once he reaches the endzone. Stevie generally seems to have fun when he plays football and maybe they can throw one of his raps on the soundtrack(they’re not that great, but neither is most of the Madden soundtrack). Maybe we can get a picture of Stevie “shooting himself” on the cover. It’s gonna be tough though, because he has a first round matchup with Darrelle Revis.

4. Cam Newton

With one of the best rookie years we’ve ever seen, it’s obvious Cam Newton is deserving of being on the Madden cover. I’d love to see a picture of Cam doing the Superman pose in the Carolina blue uniforms on the cover. It would be great. Cam is a #1 seed in the Madden bracket, and faces LeGarrette Blount in the first round(honorable mention, LeGarrette Blount punching somebody in the face on the cover).

5. Sebastian Janikowski

Last and certainly not least, my favorite vote for the Madden cover. You’re probably thinking “How can we put a *bleeping* kicker on the cover of Madden?!?” and that’s EXACTLY the point. It’s nothing against his kicking ability, but the hilarity of seeing the Seabass on the cover of Madden would be great. On a side note though, the play in was between Shane Lechler and Janikowski. Have the Madden creators never heard of Darren McFadden? Janikowski faces Maurice Jones-Drew in the first round but with your help we can get Seabass on the cover. #Seabass2013