Welcome to Madden NFL 08. This README.txt file contains information on issues not covered by the manual and install guide. - Supported 3D Accelerator Hardware Madden NFL 08 requires a 64 MB 3D Direct3D chipset including: Cards with these chipsets are officially supported --------------------------------------------------- Video cards with 64 MB or more memory and one of these chipsets: - NVIDIA GeForce3 or greater http://www.nvidia.com - ATI Radeon 8500 or greater http://www.ati.com If you are experiencing graphical problems with a video card make sure you have the latest drivers. **NOTE**: This game does not support workstation 3D cards or dual monitors. Users of NVIDIA video cards utilizing the NVIDIA Forceware 66.93, 71.84, 71.89 and 77.72 drivers and AMD processors without SSE support may experience various graphical problems. These problems can be avoided by using an older version of the NVIDIA Forceware drivers. Users of ATI X1800XT Crossfire cards using ATI’s Crossfire technology have reported some instability. Disabling the Crossfire technology should avoid these instabilities. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum System Requirements OS: Windows XP, 2k, or Vista CPU: PIII or AMD Athlon 800MHz (1.8 GHz for Vista) RAM: 256MB (1.0 GB for Vista) Video: 64MB supported Direct3D capable video card with DirectX 9.0c (NVIDIA GeForce 6100+/ATI Radeon 9500+ video card for Vista) Hard Drive: 2.1 GB or more free space Input: Keyboard, mouse, or gamepad DVD-ROM drive You must have a broadband (DSL, Cable, or faster) connection in order to play Madden NFL 08 online. Please note that dialup (56k) connections are not supported by Madden NFL 08. Recommended: 10 Button Dual Analog Gamepad Supported Dual Analog Gamepads Logitech Dual Action Logitech Rumble pad 2 Gravis Eliminator Aftershock Thrustmaster Firestorm Dual Analog Gamepad Thrust Master Firestorm Dual Power 3 Thrust Master Firestorm Dual Analog 3 Thrust Master Firestorm Wireless controller Xbox 360(tm) Controller for Windows(r) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ATI SmoothVision(tm) This game does not support the use of SmoothVision(tm) on Win2K. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Installation Do not eject the DVD-ROM while installing the game. This has resulted in the installation being unable to continue on some systems. In some cases if an uninstall is terminated abnormally (for example in a power failure) the game may not seem to install or uninstall. If this occurs, find the eauninstall.exe at the root of your Madden DVD and run it. This should complete the uninstallation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- When Starting the Game Do not run any other programs in the background, as this may conflict with Madden NFL 08. This includes any virus-protection program that you have running. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Virtual Memory Settings Madden NFL 08 may need to use more RAM than is present on your system. Windows will automatically take care of this by using what is known as "Virtual Memory", which uses space on your hard disk to simulate the memory it needs and swaps data back and forth from your hard disk as required. Ensure that the maximum setting is at least 512MB. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Issues with EA SPORTS™ Online After clicking Play Online from the Main Menu, if you are given a pop-up stating that you are missing the required component to play Madden NFL 08 with EA Sports™ Online, do the following: 1. Insert Madden NFL 08 DVD-ROM. 2. Double click My Computer. (Vista users Double click Computer) 3. Right click the disc drive where the disc is located and click Open. 4. Double click the CommonEASO folder. 5. Double click the file named EASOInstaller. 6. Click Yes on the following pop-up. 7. Select Typical or Advanced User (to specify the directory you wish to install to) and click Next. 8. When the installation is completed click OK on the pop-up. 9. Restart Madden NFL 08 and click Play Online from the Main Menu. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This game does not support Alt-Tab, Alt-Enter, or Alt-Esc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sound Card Note: The game might not run if your system lacks a sound card. Also, your sound card must support DirectX 9.0c. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- WinXP Issues Fast-User Switching is not supported by Madden NFL 08. Limited User accounts are not supported by Madden NFL 08, you must have administrator access to install or uninstall Madden NFL 08. If you are playing under a Limited User account, you must use the Run as Administrator option. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Keyboards It has been shown on some keyboards when having three or more keys pressed while using Keyboard or Keyboard and Mouse controls, some key strokes may not be recognized by the game. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- AOL and MSN - Minimizing Madden NFL 08 If you are running AOL or MSN on Windows XP or 2000, sometimes pop-ups will minimize the game. To prevent this, press the START button in Windows then go to Settings - Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services. Select Messenger then right click and select "Properties". Change service status to STOP then change "Startup Type" to DISABLED, then click APPLY. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "Play Online" Connection Problems Behind a Firewall If you're having problems connecting two computers located behind the same firewall, change the following option in the "Madden.ini" file to "LAN". The ini file is located in the Madden NFL 08 "My Documents" folder. // Option Group: Network Settings Online Connection Method [Internet/LAN] = LAN If you are having trouble connecting to the EA Sports™ Online feature, you may need to adjust your firewall settings. Madden NFL 08 uses the following TCP and UDP port(s) for Internet play: DNS: 13020 HTTP: 80 (outbound only) HTTPS: 443 (outbound only) TCP: 13500-13599, 28400-28499, 32768-65535 (outbound only) UDP: 1795, 1797, 3658, 9570 (inbound and outbound) Please consult your router or personal firewall documentation for information on how to allow game related traffic on these ports. If you are attempting to play on a corporate Internet connection, contact your network administrator. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Windows XP Online Game Connection Issues If you are having problems connecting to online games and you are using Windows XP you may have the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall enabled. To disable this click on the START button then go to Settings - Control Panel - Network Connections. Right click on your network connection and select "Properties". Click on the "Advanced" tab and Uncheck the "Internet Connection Firewall" check box, then click OK. If using Windows XP Service Pack 2, click on the START button then go to Settings - Control Panel - Network Connections. Right click on your network connection and select "Properties". Click on the "Advanced" tab and Click on the "Settings" button. Click the "Off" button then Click the "OK" button. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- MP3 File Support Madden NFL 08 supports the MP3 music format. To play the game while listening to your own MP3s, go to the System Settings on the navigation menu in the bottem right-hand corner. In the Audio Settings screen, there is a file path for your MP3s. Type in your MP3 directory here to listen to your collection of MP3s. If you do not remember your path directory, Madden NFL 08 supports cutting and pasting your directory from the Windows Explorer address bar. Note: Users with extremely long file path names for their MP3 directory will not be able to hear their MP3s in game. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rosters in Online Games In Network Games, if both users do not have the same rosters the game will automatically load the default roster. If you want to use non-default rosters in a Network Game, both users must have the roster in the My Documents\Madden NFL 08\Rosters directory and load it in the game's File Management. If you have created teams, both players will need to have the team's custom art file located in the My Documents\Madden NFL 08\CustomArt directory in order to see the team's art. For Play Online games, default rosters are always used. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Frame Rate Frame rate will vary depending on your system. To increase the frame rate in game, turn the system settings down. The lower the settings, the faster the frame rate should be. The following options usually have the most significant impact on your performance: Player Detail, Player Shadows, Stadium Detail, and Sideline Detail/Density. If you are experiencing slow frame rate in the front end interface turn "Limit Menu Speed" off. To do this go to the system settings screen and click on the Video tab and turn "Limit Menu Speed" to Off. This should give you a slight increase in interface speed. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- High Resolution Support It is recommended that only high-end systems use resolutions higher than 800x600. The game will automatically detect what resolutions your video card supports and make these available from System Settings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- A thin black line has been known to appear on interface buttons with some graphics cards when anti-aliasing is set to 2X or higher. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 32-bit Color Selecting 32-bit color can cause a huge performance decrease on older video cards. Try 16-bit color options if you find that you are getting slow frame rates or graphical problems. Graphical problems range from players not having textures to corrupted textures on in-game banners. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Downloadable Rosters Current rosters can be downloaded through the update feature on the Madden NFL 08 start-up screen. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Madden NFL 08 Game Disk is required in the DVD-ROM drive in order to be able to start the game, as well as loading into and out of gameplay. The Game Disk is also required to access any of the Game Modes or Features from the game's Main Menu. This applies to both single and multiplayer games. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Custom Teams For information on creating custom teams and custom art refer to the manual. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Hit Stick With the Hit Stick, all it takes is a quick flick of the Right analog stick in any direction to change the momentum of a game. When you really need to make that huge hit or force a turnover, get the ball carrier in your sights, and lower the boom on him. Be careful, if you don’t have the correct angle or your timing isn’t perfect, you’ll get burned. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Defensive Adjustments -Make pre-snap assignment adjustments to any unit of your defense. Defensive Line Adjustments: Press Button 5 then: -Right analog stick down to make line crash in. -Right analog stick up to make the line rush to the outside -Right analog stick left to make the line crash left -Right analog stick right to make the line crash right Linebacker Adjustments: Press Button 6 then: -Right analog stick down to blitz all linebackers -Right analog stick up to put all linebackers in a hook zone -Right analog stick left to blitz the right outside linebacker -Right analog stick right to blitz the left outside linebacker Secondary Adjustments: Press Button 4 then: -Right analog stick right to shift the safeties zone coverage to the right -Right analog stick left to shift the safeties zone coverage to the left Change individual matchups (you must be in man coverage): Press Button 4 then Button 2, 1, 3, 5 or 6 (depending on which offensive player you want to matchup against), then: -D-pad down to bump the receiver -D-pad up to play off the receiver -D-pad right to double team the receiver (only if there is a safety in zone coverage already) Showing Blitz: Press Button 4 then left to have the defense crowd the line of scrimmage. Your defense will show blitz but their individual assignments do not change. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Defensive Playmaker -Make assignment changes to any defensive player before the ball is snapped. Linebackers: -Hook zone: Highlight any linebacker and press the right analog stick up -Blitz: Highlight any linebacker and press the right analog stick down -Quarterback contain: Highlight any linebacker and press the right analog stick down twice -Quarterback spy: Highlight any linebacker and press the right analog stick left -Flat zone: Highlight any linebacker and press the right analog stick right Defensive Backs: -Deep zone: Highlight any defensive back and press the right analog stick up -Blitz: Highlight any defensive back and press the right analog stick down -Quarterback contain: Highlight any defensive back and press the right analog stick down twice -Quarterback spy: Highlight any defensive back and press the right analog stick left -Flat zone: Highlight any defensive back and press the right analog stick right Defensive Lineman: -Hook zone: Highlight any lineman and press the right analog stick up -Blitz: Highlight any lineman and press the right analog stick down -Quarterback contain: Highlight any lineman and press the right analog stick down twice -Quarterback spy: Highlight any lineman and press the right analog stick left -Flat zone: Highlight any lineman and press the right analog stick right ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Auto Pass -Quarterback avoids the rush until the first user interaction, so you can pay attention to the passing routes and not the rush. This can be turned on and off in the Game Options screen under the “In game” tab. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Custom Packages -You can now set up your own custom packages to go along with the default ones in game. These can be created in the “Custom Packages” screen located in the “User Profile” drop down menu in the Navigation Menu at the top right of the screen. Note: You must go into game with the user profile assigned to your team for the custom packages to appear in game. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Offensive Playmaker Control Before the Snap: -Switch the direction of a running play - right analog stick left or right -Hot Route the primary receiver on a passing play - right analog stick left, right, up or down After the Snap: -Direct the nearest receiver - press button 12 (if QB vision is on) then right analog stick up, down, left or right ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Coverage Audibles Coverage audibles allow you to change the logic of all the defensive backs at once at the line of scrimmage. To use coverage audibles, press button 4 before the ball is snapped and then press in a direction on your d-pad: -Button 4 + d-pad down puts the corner backs into bump and run. (Jam the receiver at the line for tight coverage) -Button 4 + d-pad up will put the corner backs into loose coverage. (Drop back 5-7 yards and play under the receiver) -Button 4 + d-pad right shifts the safeties and linebackers into better positions to cover their assigned men. -Button 4 then Button 4 again cancels the coverage audible screen. -Button 4 and then Button 7 will reset the coverage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Man Lock On/Off You can have your defensive backs disguise their coverage when calling a man coverage defense. When man lock is on your defensive backs will show man coverage by following receivers in motion. When man lock is off your defensive backs will not follow receivers in motion, the defensive coverage assignments will change on the field. This gives you the ability to camouflage your defensive coverage. At the play call screen formation level press button 5 to turn man lock on and press button 6 to turn it off. Note: man lock is on by default. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Man In Motion Man In Motion is used on offense to change the formation shape and confuse the defense. While on offense at the line of scrimmage, press up and down to highlight the player you want to put in motion. Then press left or right on the D-Pad to send that receiver in motion. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Hot Routes Hot Routes are used to change the route that a receiver will run during a pass play. While on offense at the line of scrimmage, press button 4, then press the button of the receiver you want to change the route for. Then press: -Left: 5yd left out -Right: 5yd right out -Up: Streak -Down: 5yd curl -7: Left slant -8: Right slant If you would like to reset the receiver's original route after changing it, simply press button 4, then press the receiver's button twice. If the receiver’s route you are changing is on the offensive line (TE) or a running back in the backfield then button 7 and 8 will hot route the player to block. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Custom Hot Routes -This year you can set up your own custom hot routes to replace the default ones in game. You can change your Hot Routes in the “Hot Routes” screen. From the Main Menu select “User Profile” from the top right menu and then select “Audibles”. Once you are in the Audibles screen click on the “Hot Routes” tab. From here you can change your Hot Routes. Note: You must assign the user profile to your team that the custom hot routes are saved to for them to be available to you in game. Note: Custom Hot Routes are not available in any online games. When in an online game you will have the default Hot Routes available. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Gravis If you are using a Gravis gamepad, make sure you are using the most recent drivers. These are available at http://www.gravis.com Logitech If you are using a Logitech gamepad, make sure you are using the most recent drivers. These are available at http://www.logitech.com Microsoft If you are using a Microsoft Sidewinder, make sure you are using the most recent drivers. These are available at http://www.microsoft.com/sidewinder Thrustmaster If you are using a Thrustmaster gamepad, make sure you are using the most recent drivers. These are available at http://www.thrustmaster.com/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USB headsets are not supported by Madden NFL 08. If you are using a USB headset do not remove it while Madden NFL 08 is running. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Adobe(R) Flash(R) Player. Copyright (C) 1996 - 2006 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Protecteed by U.S. Patent 6,879,327; Patents Pending in the United States and other countries. Adobe and Flash are either trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States and/or other couuntries. Adobe(R) Shockwave(R) Player. Copyright (C) 1996 - 2006 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Adobe and Shockwave are either trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States and/or other countries. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for your purchase of Madden NFL 08! For the latest news and updates, visit http://www.EASPORTS.com Copyright 2007 Electronic Arts Inc. All Rights Reserved.