Yup, this has got to be a record for console games. Due to problems found in early review copies of Madden NFL'07 for the Xbox 360, 1up.com has confirmed that Electronic Arts will be making a patch available around launch that should correct a few key concerns about the highly anticipated title. So just what are the problems being reported and what does EA have to say about them?
"Issue #1, reported by the users of Operation Sports (registration required) claimed that Hall of Fame players started appearing on the rosters of other teams. While hardcore Madden fans don't seem to like this, that's how their inclusions is actually supposed to work. "It's working the way we intended it to," said Mr. Ortiz. "Whatever players you unlock, they are the players that will actually be available when you start the franchise mode. If you've already unlocked 10 Hall of Famers, they'll be available for players to sign... It's there for users to take advantage of." Mr. Ortiz recognized that this troubled some players, and mentioned that there is a in-game fix available, where players can save off the roster when they're booting up, and then proceeding to load it once they're in-game -- effectively eliminating the old-timers from the rosters.
Issue#2, reported by Madden Nation, was that players weren't fatiguing at all. The initial posting stated they "broke like 3 tackles and laid on the turbo... he's not even in the yellow." (Players fatigue from green to yellow to red.) We asked Mr. Ortiz about this as well. "That's actually not the case. The UI isn't registering it... You fatigue at a lower pace than in the past, but it isn't reflected in the UI. [It's] Something we're addressing and fixing right now." He explained that this fix would be delivered in the way of a patch to the game for 360 users, but didn't have a specific date as to when it would be available. "Very soon. Around the release date," he said, adding "We don't just shove the fix out there. We don't want to slide [the balance] it too far in one direction." - 1up.com
This is a prime example of the biggest fear I have about console that can allow their games to be patched - namely that the industry runs the risk of seeing developers cut corners on testing in order to make release dates (as they do with PC titles) under the opinion that they can just "patch it later".
Even worse, I'm sure there are many Xbox 360 owners out there who don't use Xbox Live that will be picking this title up. Those interested in finding out more about this can check out the 1up.com article at this link. Nice going EA.
