The Madden series debut for the Xbox 360 was notable for a number of reasons--improved graphics, the not-so-conspicuous absence of Al Michaels and John Madden, and a redesigned user interface that made calling plays easier than before. The game was also notable for what it lacked, namely the career feature--dubbed superstar mode--which was found in the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of the game. As EA put it, the idea was to have different features in all versions of its NFL game to make each attractive to football-crazed gamers. However, with the Xbox and PlayStation 2 software generations winding down, it was clear the publisher couldn't continue leaving features out of its next-gen game. To that end, the Madden team today announced that this year's variation of superstar mode would be playable in the Xbox 360 version of Madden NFL 07.

Whether you're playing at wide receiver…

For those who are new to superstar mode, the feature essentially lets you create your own pro football alter ego and play through an entire career, engaging in many of the on- and off-the-field activities that a real NFL player takes part in. In Madden NFL 06, for example, you started off by creating a character, then you took a simplified form of the Wonderlic test (a standardized measure of intellectual capacity that all NFL players take before playing in the league), before moving on to team practices, contract signings, and game-day activities.

This year's superstar mode won't be a carbon copy of the feature found in Madden NFL 06. In fact, beyond the features that will be new across all versions of the game, superstar mode for the 360 will differ slightly from the Xbox and PS2 versions of the mode this year. For one thing, while the PS2 and Xbox games will have some of the same off-field antics that were featured in last year's superstar mode--off-season movie roles being one example--the Xbox 360 will place more focus on your player as an athlete and his role on the field. Also, instead of your apartment being the hub for your superstar activities, your agent will be the focal point for moving throughout the mode's many features on the 360.

The aim of superstar mode in Madden 07 is to put you in the shoes of your created athlete and keep you there. Just like last year, you'll start the whole process with your parents; the DNA system that determines your skill set and position on the field based on your parents' individual attributes is back. The combination of parents will determine whether you are a bulky offensive lineman or a lithe, speedy wide receiver, but keep in mind that every position on the field is open to you as a player in Madden 07's superstar mode. Well, except kicker and punter, but honestly who would want to be a kicker? Just like last year, however, you can "reroll" your character as many times as you like until you end up with the combination of attributes and position that suits your playing style.

Once you have your player ratings and position sorted out, you can do a bit of customization for your player to get his appearance up to your liking, and then it's on to the NFL Draft, the day your player will take his first steps into the pros. Just like a real draft-day hopeful, you have no control over which team picks you, so if you're a running back looking to go to Seattle, or a wide receiver looking to begin your career as a member of the Detroit Lions, you might be surprised when you come back disappointed--just as in the real draft, NFL teams will be making their draft picks based on team needs, not because you were a big Steve Largent fan from back in the day.

…or defensive back, or any other position on the field for that matter, Madden NFL 07's superstar mode is aiming to put you in an NFL player's shoes and keep you there.

When Madden NFL 07 for the 360 was first announced, the Tiburon team developing the game let loose a few details about some of the minigames that will be in the game, most of which having something to do with training camp. Among standard quarterback passing and tackling drills were minigames for the 40-yard dash and hitting the weights on the bench press. As you might expect, these minigames will play a large role in how your superstar player develops even before he hits the field. A wide receiver looking to get open in the middle of the field will want to focus on the 40-yard dash, for example. If you're playing an interior lineman, on the other hand, you're going to have to put your time in slinging iron to make sure you can line up against the other beasts you'll be up against. If you perform well in these training camp exercises, you'll get boosts to your player ratings that will help you once the regular season begins.

Perhaps the first thing you'll notice once you're actually in a game in this mode is that the camera is solely focused on you and your position on the field. If you're a wide receiver, the camera will focus on you as you take a position on the outside or in the slot. If you're an offensive or defensive lineman, your perspective will be from whichever side you're playing--and, therefore, you won't always see the entire field or the play as it develops, should it move to the opposite side of the field. Even the most traditional position, quarterback, will have a unique perspective all its own--lower to the field and closer to the player. The goal here is to make you feel as if you really inhabit the position you chose to play. But it goes a bit further than simple camera angles. Read on to find out how.