Madden NFL 13 Will Arrive At Wii U Launch

EA has confirmed Madden NFL 13 will be a Wii U launch title. However, the impact of new hardware is evident, as not all key features of Madden 13 will make it to Wii U.

First and foremost, Nintendo's version of Madden 13 will not feature the revamped Infinity Engine, which revamps the franchise's physics in a major way. Our own Greg Miller noted this overhaul changed the feel of the game, making each play feel more like "a fight" than before. In an interview with ESPN, producer Yuri Bialoskursky said "It’s not for a lack of want. We definitely wanted to get the physics into the game. The Infinity Engine is something that is a point of interest for “Madden” fans, it’s just something we weren’t able to achieve for this first year on the new hardware. A lot of times, new hardware comes with new challenges."

EA is bringing many of the key Madden 13 features to Wii U, which is being developed by a dedicated team. Ideas like Total Control Passing, Girdiron Club and the new commentators are on the way. Plus the integration with Wii U's GamePad will allow players to make faster play calls, substitute players and create custom hot routes on the fly, changing the way sports fans will interact with a Madden game. Another key feature being brought to Wii U is Connected Careers, which allows up to 32 players to form a league. Bialoskursky noted that online is a big emphasis for Nintendo this time around, aligning with EA's own interests for its sports titles. On the downside, however, the Madden Ultimate Team feature will not be present this time around.

Speaking with IGN, Bialoskursky said his team's key focus this time around was making sure Wii U owners would have an authentic HD experience. That a game coming at a system's launch doesn't quite execute at the same level as its counterparts on systems that are now six and seven years old is almost par for the course, though it doesn't mean that EA isn't trying to give Nintendo owners as much as possible.

Rich is an Executive Editor at IGN.com and the leader of the IGN Nintendo team. Follow his ridiculous adventures through IGN and Twitter. Keep it cool, Koopalings.

Source : ign[dot]com