Review: EA’s Maddencast was a forgettable alternate broadcast, even for gaming fans

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt and a deep-rooted love for both football and video games, I must say that the Maddencast left me yearning for more, much like a thirsty man in a desert longing for an oasis.

The NFL’s biggest ratings competition is – the NFL. Everyone from broadcast networks to streaming services are using football to prop their numbers, and looking for brand new ways to reheat the same dish. Peacock’s Dec. 21 Maddencast had much in common with the franchise it celebrates. It had a lot of potential but ultimately left fans unsatisified.

I know comparisons aren’t always fair, but reviewers do them because deep down we’re all comparing things. We compare a football game to all the other viewing options, and we have many. We compare the games against each other, and never watch the Cleveland Browns on purpose unless it affects our fantasy football teams. Even this game had multiple broadcasts on the same streaming service to watch.

Unfortunately for me as a fan, the hilarious Simpsons’ Funday Night Football on Dec. 9 left quite an impression. It was packed with an engaging backstory, vibrant personalities, and some truly side-splitting jokes. I’m sure the team behind the Maddencast wouldn’t have intended to create something like this. But the laughter the Simpsons broadcast brought me is something I can’t simply forget.

Although she doesn’t usually watch football due to our marriage, my wife recently enjoyed the entire Simpsons cast and is curious about their future performances. In essence, that’s the situation. However, I firmly believe there’s plenty of potential for further development whenever they decide to reprise their roles again.

What Worked Well

The camera angle known as All-22, which mimics the perspective used in Madden video games by positioning it behind the quarterback, was immediately entertaining and recognizable. Not only hardcore gamers, but also those who typically dislike video games, found themselves appreciating this view of the playing field. I believe that this camera angle is a feature we can anticipate seeing integrated into future broadcasts, regardless of whether or not they aim to promote EA’s game.

In simpler terms, the designs for the buttons indicating wide receiver routes appeared appealing. Anyone with experience playing Madden, be it in personal play or streaming, can relate to the disappointment that comes from being sacked on fourth down and realizing that ‘A’ could have been an open receiver.

The graphical design of the play selection screen in the game reminded me a bit of Madden, which was a pleasant addition. In case they decide to make similar improvements again, I’d love to see them incorporate not just the selection screens, but also reintroduce plays from earlier games. Although this is meant to promote the current game, we’re almost at the beginning of January now. It seems that most people who intended to purchase this game from EA have likely already done so. So, it might be free by next month on subscription services.

What Didn’t Work

In standard broadcasts, prolonged silence is a major no-no, but these alternative shows tend to be less formal. This is necessary because, regardless of whether you admire Cris Collinsworth or Troy Aikman, there’s an undeniable talent in their work. Even legends like Tom Brady have found it challenging to transition into the broadcast booth, showing that it’s not as effortless as some broadcasters might lead us to believe.

One issue that contributed to the broadcast’s silence was Henry Leverette, who won the Madden Bowl. I’m not blaming him for this, though. He is a professional Madden player, not a commentator. Paul Burmeister, our play-by-play commentator, had the challenging task of filling in for three other individuals and making the entire broadcast flow smoothly. Unfortunately, it was impossible to do so under the circumstances.

There probably does need to be a Madden community voice to make this thing work, but it should probably be somebody like Sketch. Actually, it should be Sketch but because of the controversies surrounding him, I doubt the NFL would do that. It does not have the most LGBTQ-friendly record, to put it mildly.

After hearing the broadcast, I remained uncertain about its intended audience, as a gaming enthusiast, it lacked sufficient Madden content to retain my attention. Conversely, a casual football spectator might have found it excessively Madden-centric.

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2024-12-27 00:58