Potentially Concerning Madden 26 News (SOFTDRINK Rumor)

[TarHeelPhenom]

So, I'm not sure how many of you follow Softdrinktv on YouTube, but he shared a breakdown of the madden reveal trailer, which you can watch here

https://youtu.be/ex1Ytom0pGs?si=KX7iatENoHQWRDsQ

Near the end of the video, he shares some information he received from a credible source, obviously anonymous. Based on the information, I'm inclined to trust that it is accurate.

It was said that franchise was still a bit underwhelming, and that playbooks still controlled sim stats.

That's a big red flag for me and why I haven't played much Madden the past couple of years.

What do you guys think? I'm still interested to learn more about the game but hearing that in particular really dropped some of the excitement for me.

I wonder if SoftDrinkTV will make a video telling his audience that his source was wrong?? That's what an honorable man with journalistic integrity would do.


Game and Season Simulation Stats


One of the biggest pieces of feedback we’ve heard from you is that franchise simulation stats are too closely tied to team playbooks. We’re always focused on making the simulation stats reflect real-life NFL seasons and that includes addressing your feedback within our sim system. This year, we have reduced the overall impact of playbooks within the sim engine and we’re confident that sim stats for Madden NFL 26 will be better than ever before. We said it earlier, but our team is full of longtime Franchise mode fans - we understand how important it is that our engine is delivering exciting, but realistic results in every Franchise. Keep sharing your feedback on this one, we read it all!

[Cycloniac]

I wonder if SoftDrinkTV will make a video telling his audience that his source was wrong?? That's what an honorable man with journalistic integrity would do.


Game and Season Simulation Stats


One of the biggest pieces of feedback we’ve heard from you is that franchise simulation stats are too closely tied to team playbooks. We’re always focused on making the simulation stats reflect real-life NFL seasons and that includes addressing your feedback within our sim system. This year, we have reduced the overall impact of playbooks within the sim engine and we’re confident that sim stats for Madden NFL 26 will be better than ever before. We said it earlier, but our team is full of longtime Franchise mode fans - we understand how important it is that our engine is delivering exciting, but realistic results in every Franchise. Keep sharing your feedback on this one, we read it all!

I hope he does. He should. I think it's really interesting reading their explanation of how matchups affect the engine.

[TarHeelPhenom]

I would be absolutely shocked and pleasantly surprised if he did. That's normally not how it works. At best I would expect some type of backhanded compliment while referencing NFL 2k5 or All-Pro 2k8 in the process.

[MiracleMet718]

His biggest thing is hating on and giving over the top negative information about sports games. He’s not going to retract or apologize for being wrong, he’s just going to hope that nobody read the deep dive and just believes him so he can keep feeding the rage bait community.

[Instant C1a55ic]

So, I'm not sure how many of you follow Softdrinktv on YouTube, but he shared a breakdown of the madden reveal trailer, which you can watch here

https://youtu.be/ex1Ytom0pGs?si=KX7iatENoHQWRDsQ

Near the end of the video, he shares some information he received from a credible source, obviously anonymous. Based on the information, I'm inclined to trust that it is accurate.

It was said that franchise was still a bit underwhelming, and that playbooks still controlled sim stats.

That's a big red flag for me and why I haven't played much Madden the past couple of years.

What do you guys think? I'm still interested to learn more about the game but hearing that in particular really dropped some of the excitement for me.

I harped this on the deep dive thread this morning.

I knew it was too good to be true. You can play all of your teams games, but the ones you cant touch are going to be the problem.

I cant get over having a top 5 secondary, but having that RED 29th ranked against the pass staring me in the face during weekly strategy. It hurts worse knowing there isn't a damn thing I can do about it.

Sent from my cool flippy phone using Operation Sports mobile app

[New Jersey Giants]

I get some of the Ryan Moody criticism, although he's done a ton of great work constantly calling out EA on their shortcomings. If you're 30 and older you should sympathize with Ryan Moody and Angry Joe. Angry Joe literally used to post here. Look up old Madden wishlists from years prior. Fans basically had to beg EA to make significant changes. We got hashtags trending worldwide that forced EA to make some changes. Softdrinktv has the best Madden breakdowns on YouTube period, showing how many missing features are still not in the game. But you guys call it rage baiting. EA is responsible for this.

Do you guys think Madden is even comparable to the Show or 2K as far as franchise, level of detail, and simulation? When's the last Madden we could actually use historic teams, real coach coordinators, I could go on and on. Checkout Softdrinktv if you don't believe me. They'll probably ban me like they've ban so many others including Angry Joe because we're not settling for EA's lazy nonsense. Go play 2K5 or Madden 08 on the PS2 and you'll see how ridiculous it is that in 2025 they haven't been able to come close to those games. I'm tired of EA having this monopoly.

[TarHeelPhenom]

I’m 49 and I don’t sympathize with him AT ALL! That’s just me.

[New Jersey Giants]

I harped this on the deep dive thread this morning.

I knew it was too good to be true. You can play all of your teams games, but the ones you cant touch are going to be the problem.

I cant get over having a top 5 secondary, but having that RED 29th ranked against the pass staring me in the face during weekly strategy. It hurts worse knowing there isn't a damn thing I can do about it.

Sent from my cool flippy phone using Operation Sports mobile app

What is the logic that us gamers can't play other teams games in franchise in Madden or EA College football lol? You can do it in other sports games. I can take control of another team in 2K and rebrand them with a community creation. Has Madden ever allowed you to do that lol. Their still using code from Madden 20. I'm done beating this dead horse

[TarHeelPhenom]

We used to be able to before they went to the “Connected” structure. I honestly hate the day they ever went to that structure.

[SmashMan]

I get some of the Ryan Moody criticism, although he's done a ton of great work constantly calling out EA on their shortcomings. If you're 30 and older you should sympathize with Ryan Moody and Angry Joe.

Bull****. Their primary goal isn’t to bring light to shortcomings, it’s to exaggerate their fake outrage to get you to click on a video. If you want to be a sucker who falls for their routine, go for it. There are others out there who post and discuss criticism in a more legitimate way.

[Cycloniac]

Bull****. Their primary goal isn’t to bring light to shortcomings, it’s to exaggerate their fake outrage to get you to click on a video. If you want to be a sucker who falls for their routine, go for it. There are others out there who post and discuss criticism in a more legitimate way.

This is true. I can't do moody anymore. After a while, it's the same old thing.

[Instant C1a55ic]

What is the logic that us gamers can't play other teams games in franchise in Madden or EA College football lol? You can do it in other sports games. I can take control of another team in 2K and rebrand them with a community creation. Has Madden ever allowed you to do that lol. Their still using code from Madden 20. I'm done beating this dead horse

First off, why should I have to control all 32 teams to make sure stats are were they should be? Why cant i control one team? Its not my fault they would rather ignore these issues, instead of addressing them. Punish the buyer, am i right?

Second, I work 50+ hours a week, and have a family to raise. I don't have the time to play every game, every week. Id never progress.

Sent from my cool flippy phone using Operation Sports mobile app

[SmashMan]

First off, why should I have to control all 32 teams to make sure stats are were they should be? Why cant i control one team? Its not my fault they would rather ignore these issues, instead of addressing them. Punish the buyer, am i right?

Second, I work 50+ hours a week, and have a family to raise. I don't have the time to play every game, every week. Id never progress.

Sent from my cool flippy phone using Operation Sports mobile app

You’re both right. You shouldn’t have to control every team to get reasonably accurate stats, and the option to easily control all aspects of every team in Franchise should just be a standard thing in a sports game in 2025.

[lambo3500]

I get some of the Ryan Moody criticism, although he's done a ton of great work constantly calling out EA on their shortcomings. If you're 30 and older you should sympathize with Ryan Moody and Angry Joe. Angry Joe literally used to post here. Look up old Madden wishlists from years prior. Fans basically had to beg EA to make significant changes. We got hashtags trending worldwide that forced EA to make some changes. Softdrinktv has the best Madden breakdowns on YouTube period, showing how many missing features are still not in the game. But you guys call it rage baiting. EA is responsible for this.

Do you guys think Madden is even comparable to the Show or 2K as far as franchise, level of detail, and simulation? When's the last Madden we could actually use historic teams, real coach coordinators, I could go on and on. Checkout Softdrinktv if you don't believe me. They'll probably ban me like they've ban so many others including Angry Joe because we're not settling for EA's lazy nonsense. Go play 2K5 or Madden 08 on the PS2 and you'll see how ridiculous it is that in 2025 they haven't been able to come close to those games. I'm tired of EA having this monopoly.

I feel like Moody and Softdrink are on two separate spectrums regarding madden criticism. Moody I think has only given a compliment once in the last 5+ years that I recall. Litteraly within like 1-2 hrs of a Madden trailer, he will post something negative aboutthe game. Now ultimately, I think EA brought it on themselves when they made the football gaming market essentially exclusive as there is little interest in football games without the NFL license (or collegiate). Additionally, I think its fair to say their has been a drop-off in quality post PS2 era on features and gameplay which is shortly after competition ceased to exist. Softdrink makes IMO great analysis and made an effort to call out EA for the lack of effort in their $60-100+ annual release.

Now to what extent did his hashtag campaigns on twitter work, who knows, but over the past few years there has been more of an effort from EA to improve the mode. Softdrink will always be good in my book unless he goes full Ryan Moody.

[sportsgamingguy2023]

Make no mistake…Moody’s only objective is to get clicks on his videos and to constantly try to beat EA down based on a slight from about 20 years ago (not sure of the date). Guy is a vindictive idiot.

[Gosens6]

Don't count on SoftDrink retracting his statement or making a video saying his "source" was wrong. He's just as bad as Moody with the constant hate and rage baiting clicks. The older I get, the more I realize how corny the EA Sports community can really be.

[Instant C1a55ic]

Don't count on SoftDrink retracting his statement or making a video saying his "source" was wrong. He's just as bad as Moody with the constant hate and rage baiting clicks. The older I get, the more I realize how corny the EA Sports community can really be.

I find softdrink to actually want the game to get better, Moody just wants to watch the world burn.

Sent from my cool flippy phone using Operation Sports mobile app

[TarHeelPhenom]

I find softdrink to actually want the game to get better, Moody just wants to watch the world burn.

Sent from my cool flippy phone using Operation Sports mobile app

Credibility is lost when you can’t be objective or admit when you’re wrong. It would be a good move if he did retract. But, that would go against the constant narrative.