Operation Sports:
Madden NFL 2005: What's Your Story?
By Shawn Drotar, Managing Editor, OperationSports.com
You have your copy of Madden NFL 2005 for your Xbox® because you're a football fan, right? You're used to following your team in the local paper, the USA Today, on the Internet, and on sports talk radio. After all, that's the best way to stay on top of all the late-breaking news, analysis, and game information, right?
Now, Madden NFL 2005 brings that enthusiasm, interest, and all the various media outlets into play for your franchise with the completely immersive Storyline Central.
Talking pigskin on EA Sports Radio.
On the Air
The first thing you'll notice as you peruse the Franchise mode's menus is what's playing in the background. EA Sports Radio brings nationally recognized host Tony Bruno to the Maddenseries, as he hosts a dynamic "Tony Bruno Show," replete with fun facts, trivia, and interviews with real NFL players and coaches. That's right—you'll hear Tony discuss training camp with the likes of Seattle's cornerback Marcus Trufant, or discuss strategy with Ravens' coach Brian Billick. These interviews are topical, entertaining and sometimes enlightening, and they differ depending on the time of the season. They'll address "current" situations in your version of the NFL. You'll even hear inane callers ramble on the air, and Tony will regularly rant about whatever's on his mind. The "EA Sports Trax" music selections play in between talk segments, and the end result is a remarkably entertaining experience that adds an incredible amount of realism to the Madden NFL 2005 experience.
Extra, Extra
Other parts of Storyline Central keep piling on the realism and depth. The Newspaper section gives you a national and local view of every team in the NFL. The sports section of the USA Today is yours to peruse as the national newspaper. The biggest stories of last week in your version of the NFL are covered, including game recaps, injury notes, and important statistical milestones. Local papers analyze every team as well, and you can expect them to have more in-depth stories about your team, along with detailed player coverage. If players perform well, poorly, or have any issues with management, you can expect to see it here. Every local paper is available for you to browse every week. Click on coverage previewing next week's contest, and you can view the opponents' stats, standings, and even the next week's game plan, provided in detail by your team's coaching staff.
Local newspaper coverage goes in-depth.
All these newspapers have context-sensitive articles, which makes reacting to these stories a snap. Visit a game recap, for example, and you'll be able to view that game's box score, injury report, standings, stats, and a ton of other coverage that is relevant to the game. It's easy to extrapolate what you'll need to prepare for in the next game.
Also, if a player's been spotlighted in a story, you'll have tools to effectively manage that player and your roster as a whole, such as viewing his season or career stats, contract situation, morale, or, if he's become a malcontent and begun poisoning your locker room's atmosphere, you can even cut him from your roster immediately.
Get updates via e-mail.
Web of Coverage
Last, but not least, E-Mail keeps you up to date with everything that happens to your franchise. Your trusty PDA is easily pulled up, and you can scroll through your e-mail on it, with context-sensitive menus, like in the Newspaper section, available. Expect to see messages from your coaching staff, scouting department, and even your players themselves. They'll mail you about position battles, their playing time (or lack thereof!), and their injury status—they may even disagree with the team doctors! Your PDA will quickly become your best friend, and you'll need to keep tabs on everything and everyone, every week. Sound challenging? It is—but so is being an NFL coach.
Madden NFL 2005 brings the entire NFL experience home in a new, dynamic, and exciting package. Storyline Central raises the bar for every sports game to come, and it's set high. If you're not playing Madden's Franchise mode, you're missing out on the most innovative feature in sports gaming this year, so get out there and start shaping your own team's story.
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