Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

[kc10785]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

Side note I just called my friend who is a gamer like me around the age of 28 to tell him how unimpressive these videos are because he was believing the hype and I almost got into an argument with him because he didn't want to believe one word coming out my mouth. All I can do is laugh but this just shows no matter how much we complain we got millions of people like my friend that is getting the game regardless what EA puts on the shelves.

Sent From The Computer Lab at Professors X School of The Gifted

[LorenzoDC]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

It doesn't sound like he's insulting anyone. Of course you can try for a sim game in a multiplayer online league. The point is more that if you play offline/solo (online + solo is the same in this context) EA can't benefit from other users covering for weak AI. In a solo franchise the burden is 100% on the game to deliver, not on other players.

Sneaky EA still tries to get around that by making 32 team control a "feature" for "control freaks" like us. Simply put, a lot of games rely on players to do what the developers won't. Sometimes it's OK - people like playing shooters and RTS and sports games head to head with trash talk and quick matches. I've seen some games on Steam with early access that were pvp only until the game was finished. In Madden's case, the game is never finished, so you HAVE to rely on pvp to feel like you're not playing checkers against your nephew. That's the problem I think Lorenzo was getting at - it's nothing to do with what online players want.

Yes, this.

Thanks.

[kjcheezhead]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

"Stumble" implies that what happened was an accident, so I say no, they have done exactly what they intended. I do believe however it was the wrong choice in terms of having a better game and long term revenue but I'm sure they don't care as long as they make money now. I have stated before that it's easy to presume that because a company is profitable they consistently make good decisions but that's not the case and there are many examples that show this. In reference to EA Football, they seem to keep making short sighted decisions for profit, while hurting their brand, ie NCAA Football. I don't know the ins and outs of Tiburon's finances but it begs to reason that whenever sales dip they just cutback on investment to offset that and keep it profitable. I would presume there was a bare minimum spent on next-gen M25 across the board, development, marketing, etc, so no matter how low the sales may seem to us, EA Tiburon will be in the black and on schedule. After Christmas and into next year when more gamers presumably have new consoles, I expect to see the same ole marketing hype that has been Madden's trademark current gen and the game continue to be what it is.

All that said, I expect that cutback in investment to include the NFL exclusive, so I don't think they'll be renewing that. Catch 22 about that is, imo, when the NFL exclusive ends, EA Tiburon will spin that as if it's evidence that they are truly committed to making Madden better and welcome competition. Considering it's unknown how soon any other studio would be willing to release a NFL game even in an open NFL license market, that still gives EA Tiburon time to run the same hustle. Hype incremental improvement and faux innovation, while still fundamentally delivering the same "Madden" experience.

So in recap, no they didn't stumble, EA Tiburon has their gamers right where they want them and will continue this social experiment in marketing as long as possible. I choose to no longer be a marketing lab rat and won't be buying another Madden anytime in the foreseeable future. However I do plan to have a front row seat for the reenactment of Groundhog Day in 2014.

Well said. I don't believe they stumbled at all either. They delivered what they intended to all along. Minimal improvements to a SIM/arcade hybrid style game that always leaves fans wanting more. A port was all they had to deliver because the ps4 and xbone will sell the title this year. No need to overspend on development when you've cornered the market already.

[Big FN Deal]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

I remember you posting this summer about the game not really moving in a direction to satisfy the offline sim oriented franchise gamer. Now that there's a product hitting the street, do you think you can elaborate?

In my view, it's the offline or solo franchise gamer who is most focused on sim and gameplay quality versus the CPU. Making that crowd happy is the real test of any sports game's worth.

They may not be the majority, but a game can't become great without that crowd being enthusiastic. I think the NBA2k series makes this clear, as does MLB The Show.

Thanks for posting your comment.

To elaborate on GiantBlue's post, there are likely many Madden offline gamers that couldn't careless about realism too, so it's not about offline or online but the fundamental perspective on how the AI should play. One thing that irks me most about EA Tiburon and their marketing, is that they place everything in the context of their way of doing it. I don't recall any such nonsense of a top notch AI, online and offline, being the equivalent of the game playing itself or that online capability was tantamount to tourney/freestyle play until Madden.

I agree with your main point that the game should be made to fundamentally deliver a sim experience but whether someone chooses to use the online capability or not should be irrelevant. There is really something off and skewed about gaming with regard to EA Tiburon, it seems like an odd think tank where reality is whatever they can convince their consumers it is. Not talking about you directly, just the general Jedi mind tricks that seem to be employed by EA Tiburon. It's like the studio is ran on principles right out of that book "The Secret", lol.

[MHammer113]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

After watching that live feed its officially time for a madden 15 wishlist

[RGiles36]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

I remember you posting this summer about the game not really moving in a direction to satisfy the offline sim oriented franchise gamer. Now that there's a product hitting the street, do you think you can elaborate?

In my view, it's the offline or solo franchise gamer who is most focused on sim and gameplay quality versus the CPU. Making that crowd happy is the real test of any sports game's worth.

They may not be the majority, but a game can't become great without that crowd being enthusiastic. I think the NBA2k series makes this clear, as does MLB The Show.

Thanks for posting your comment.

I have no additional insight my man -- I wasn't involved at all with M25 (current or next gen).

[N51_rob]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

If anyone wants to see the effect that the CGer program has had on sites and individuals as CrimsonTide mentioned I would look no further than the evolution of The Sim Standard. I saw something yesterday from those guys that left me perplexed to say the least.

[LorenzoDC]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

I have no additional insight my man -- I wasn't involved at all with M25 (current or next gen).

Ah, ok. I didn't know that.

Thanks anyway!

[bucky60]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

If anyone wants to see the effect that the CGer program has had on sites and individuals as CrimsonTide mentioned I would look no further than the evolution of The Sim Standard. I saw something yesterday from those guys that left me perplexed to say the least.

What did you see? Or should I just not ask?

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

If anyone wants to see the effect that the CGer program has had on sites and individuals as CrimsonTide mentioned I would look no further than the evolution of The Sim Standard. I saw something yesterday from those guys that left me perplexed to say the least.

Here's their channel, which video are you referring to you? Honestly, I'm interested in seeing what was perplexing.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSimStandard/videos

[N51_rob]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

The one where he called out a twitter user. I don't like using your influence to try to get followers to go after someone. Maybe it's just me but I didn't like that.

It may have been an individual member of TSS YT channel actually.

But it's more than just that. These guys used to bang Madden over the head with legitimate criticism. It now seems like they have taken a softer stance. Seems to me that Sim is no longer the standard as long as "they are working towards" something. IDK just one mans opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[The JareBear]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

It reminds me of the "Yes Men" you hear about who surround celebrities and form entourages for famous people. I feel like EA Tiburon doesn't have anybody "in-house" telling them "No." They honestly think this stuff is great. As others have said, they didn't stumble because in their eyes, they delivered.

This is insanely bad.

EA really needs someone to sit them down and say "No, this isn't good. No, the game isn't anywhere close to where it needs to be," and basically get smacked with a fresh dose of reality.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

They not going to bite the hand that feeds them. Having EA branding and EA early access to games made these Game Changers websites and Youtube channels blow up with a 200% increase in traffic. So I am really not surprised. I followed a lot of their channels and websites before they became Game Changers and they had no where near as big as a subscriber base.

On one hand they like to tout EA don't sign their pay checks, but in reality EA definitely pads their pay checks. The more traffic you get, the more money you make. And having EA branding and affiliation automatically make way more people flock to your Youtube channel and website.

Think about it, what sounds more appealing, Joe Blow Radio Show from around the way or EA affiliated I know the devs radio show ? Good old boys club, that is all it is. One hand washes the other.

[TombSong]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

I say lets not speak of the Sim standard or Game Changers or The EA Devs. They have shown their character and demonstrated through their actions what they are all about.


We have to round up as many people as possible in the gaming world and the NFL athletes and anyone in the NFL that has a say in this exclusive deal mess.

Those people need to see the frustration of the community. Let them see the evolution of EA's product in comparison with 2k and the makers of the Show and PES and other sports games. We spend too much energy debating the truth with the wrong people. The Devs don't want to hear us, the GC's have their perks and are happy with status quo as long as they benefit from it, so all they will do is defend the madness so they are useless.

We need a bunch of people on youtube , facebook, twitter, gaming sites, etc to start parroting this info out. Whoever has friends in the NFL needs to start letting them know the game that represents them is holding the gaming world hostage to mediocrity. Someody with some real power and influence needs to hear us else we will forever be in these forums upset year to year. Tiburon clearly can't give us what we want.

[therealsmallville]

Re: Did EA/Tiburon stumble into another generation?

During one of the interviews (sorry, on my phone & don't have a link), I think it was Rex who admitted that the game isn't where they want it, and they'd like sim this, sim that, etc.

What bothered me was when he said "our goal moving forward is fundamental football. No more back-of-the-box marketing features"...or words to that effect. And then they tout -- wait for it -- War in the Trenches, True Step, & Living Worlds. All buzzwords that look real nice on the back of the box.

So yes, I'd say they stumbled a bit. Really hoping the exclusivity ends, because then in a few years we'll have some real good games on the market. Perhaps Madden included.