Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

[gametyme89]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

I just purchased the game via playstation store flash sale. My hope was to hold out until Christmas, but I caved at Thanksgiving. I did get Sniper Elite III (with all dlc) for 9.99 and utilized a 10% off code for the entire purchase, so I feel a little better about my pathetic lack of intestinal fortitude.

Back on topic. I delayed buying the game out of frustration with the lack of features and the implementation of those that are in the game, what the devs claim vs what they deliver, the lack of options/customization, the nerfing of the game via tuners/patches, and ALL the bugs/glitches, which I thought was "inexcusable", but maybe that just applied to last year.

So why buy it? The only "updated" football game available, misguided hope, wanting to believe (no matter how naïve that appears to be), and just plain old lack of intestinal fortitude. So, off to find a slider set and start shaking my head and rolling my eyes in disbelief. It's Madden ball time!

Perks of having an exclusive license and a legal "monopoly"

[Junior Moe]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

The difference between madden and 2k is that while 2k has the microtranscations/focus on the online crowd, they still have the most solid franchise mode out of all the major console sports games.

Also you can tell where maddens focus is right from the loading screens where all you see is one of the following:
"Play the November gauntlet to get a 90 overall Philip Rivers"
"Start your Ultimate Team with Tom Brady today!"
"This legend is now in Ultimate Team this week!"

I don't think that 2Ks focus is all that different from Maddens. They push VC aggressively! All sports games are trending in the same direction. Im an offline player. While I may spend just as much time (if not more) playing in a CFM or MyLeague as one might in MUT or MyTeamI'm not spending an extra dime. There's nothing extra to mine from me. Not because im cheap or anything its just not my thing. Contrast that to the average online mode player and it's easy to see where priorities will and should go. That being said the reality is easier to accept I think if your particular thing, be it strait "sim" gameplay or CFM or whatever is being worked on consistently by someone on the team with a gameplay view that jives with yours.

[Charvalos]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

NBA 2K is just so far away ahead EA in terms of simulation and franchise mode.

When you're playing NBA 2K, the teams are playing differently : the Warriors don't play the same as the Cavaliers or the Spurs and you can't rush with one player to score.

This is not the case on Madden, especially since the patch where all QB are playing like Brady (or like a god) and all team are playing the same way.

[NDAlum]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

I don't know. I agree that they cater to the online crowd because that is probably where their sales numbers tell them to go. However this year felt like a flat out bait and switch. They released a pretty sim game in regards to qb accuracy revamped kicking game and non qb fumble ratios. That was all nerfed out. They get the best of both worlds. Hook in the sim crowd and then completely alter the game. Like you said probably not some intentionally nefarious plot. However genius move to maximize profits. Only probably works in the short run though. I can't imagine buying on release again even if the reviews come in it's a perfect sim. Have to see how the patches shake out. They would have to market 2 distinct game modes to hook me in again.

I can't get on board with a bait and switch accusation.

I think if you're already at this point it's best that you wait until you read some reviews that make it worthwhile for you to get back in. You come off as extremely jaded. I'm not saying it isn't justified...but you're labeling EA as a bunch of evil geniuses in this post lol. I just don't believe they'd pour assets into making the game "sim" and then flipping it right off the bat.

I think they had good intentions and the feedback just wasn't what you or I want. They then had to make a business decision.

I know Rex and Clint need to put their best face forward when discussing this game and put that positive spin on everything...BUT...in MY opinion...there's no way they can be happy playing this game offline against the CPU.

I am one who tries to be optimistic with the game and look past small issues but this year they aren't small (to me).

[roadman]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

NBA 2K is just so far away ahead EA in terms of simulation and franchise mode.

When you're playing NBA 2K, the teams are playing differently : the Warriors don't play the same as the Cavaliers or the Spurs and you can't rush with one player to score.

This is not the case on Madden, especially since the patch where all QB are playing like Brady (or like a god) and all team are playing the same way.

I agree with being ahead franchise mode wise, but I will disagree with the simulation aspects of the game. I traded the game in more than a month ago because of the fast break transition issues and the games defensive AI issues which are well noted by a lot of consumers and da czar.

At that point, different strokes for different folks.

On all pro, I don't get as many issues as people do on AM for Madden.


Plus, on AM, most of the teams won't be playing like they do IRL because the CPU get's a boost in awareness and ratings.

[iamgramps]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

I think for me, I'm just burned out on Madden. I try to play it, but I can't. I've realized I just need a new football experience, i. e, player models, robust franchise, etc. I find myself playing other games, but they don't quite scratch that itch for football.

[howboutdat]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

I think they catered to the online crowd and their complaints. I believe we're in a state of us vs them and at this point they probably look at metrics and business decisions to decide who they bend for.

I'm not saying that they don't personally want "sim". I'm saying I bet the external pressure from the online crowd outweighs the voice of the offline and "sim" crowds.

If I'm a business I go towards what financially benefits me more and with the micro-transactions it's hands down that online guys pay more overall for their experience.

I agree here, this is def the reason, but what i dont understand though is, then where is our hope of getting what we actually want to see in the game, and it actually stay there in the future.

To me this is where the real issue lies all together. I dont doubt that that is the reasoning, but since the reasoning is to casuals/tourneys make them more money( because online sim leagues may play online but are nothing like that crowd) and it makes sense for them to cater to them more, what chance do we really have? This is an honest question, im not bashing EA for its business sense on this, im asking a very serious question, Where does this leave us?

It happened last year, played better a launch, got watered down. And then this year i even recall hearing Rex say they didnt want to tune it down/nerf/water it down after launch this year like last year, but clearly have. Its not just offline kicking thats easier, online is easier to, and no its not ive just gotten used to it, its easier.

Where does this leave the simulation crowd then? Its been said here and elsewhere 1000 times, we are the minority in this . By a large number they claim. So if they are just going to , in the end, really just cater more to the casual/tourney peps, what does that mean for future titles? To me it kinda leaves only two options. Either they provide a sim/arcade gameplay modes with silders that actually work or it just simply wont be worth buying anymore. I dont see any other choice for the future of this game. Because the above are the facts, there are more of "them" and not as much of us, thus they will cater more to "them" .

But next year when they start talking about all this simness they putting in 18 , i just say , keep all this stuff in mind, last year, this year, and the facts that the business of madden is about the casuals and tourneys. Just remember that next year when they start promising all this sim.

[Junior Moe]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

Where does this leave the simulation crowd then? Its been said here and elsewhere 1000 times, we are the minority in this . By a large number they claim. So if they are just going to , in the end, really just cater more to the casual/tourney peps, what does that mean for future titles? To me it kinda leaves only two options. Either they provide a sim/arcade gameplay modes with silders that actually work or it just simply wont be worth buying anymore. I dont see any other choice for the future of this game. Because the above are the facts, there are more of "them" and not as much of us, thus they will cater more to "them" .

For me personally that has been the reason I have fallen back hard on Madden. I know the trend. It makes all the sense in the world. I'm an offline "franchise" guy. NFL Head Coach mixed with M03 to M08 (PS2 era) franchise mode is what I want. That's where replay value is for me. CFM and the view that has been expressed of it leaves me little to look forward to on that front. And it doesn't sound like it's going anywhere anytime soon. So I kinda don't have any expectation there. The core game play improvements are what have saved the game for me. Big props to Rex and Clint here. They have delivered to this point, IMO. I have total confidence in Madden game play wise going forward. Its bittersweet though because the game play has come so far while my ideal franchise mode, the thing that keeps me hooked in a sports game year-round, appears to be more distant.

They're getting my money every year so it really doesn't matter. But it would be nice if they had a person like Mr. Looman, the guy behind Head Coach, plugging away at franchise mode. He'd show up in forums and give us his take and take our feedback on wishlists and such. You know that most years it won't get resources and attention because it doesn't generate money. But we'd get little things here and there. Enough to keep the faith knowing that eventually it would be what we want. You could sub CFM for O/D line play, passing or anything else. I think that's what most folks want. We're smart enough to know that gaming tendencies have changed in the past decade and its only prudent to follow the market and money. At the same time theres a way to please, however small, most of your gaming audience.

[Rocket32]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

I don't think that 2Ks focus is all that different from Maddens. They push VC aggressively! All sports games are trending in the same direction. Im an offline player. While I may spend just as much time (if not more) playing in a CFM or MyLeague as one might in MUT or MyTeamI'm not spending an extra dime. There's nothing extra to mine from me. Not because im cheap or anything its just not my thing. Contrast that to the average online mode player and it's easy to see where priorities will and should go. That being said the reality is easier to accept I think if your particular thing, be it strait "sim" gameplay or CFM or whatever is being worked on consistently by someone on the team with a gameplay view that jives with yours.

2K definately cares about online as well with my park and stuff, and definately does push VC aggressively but the one thing 2K does that EA dosen't is care or should I say care more about their franchise mode/offline. 2K's MyLeague and MyGM make Maddens CFM look like a joke. I don't care if they want to push their online stuff and keep improving that side of the game because it generates more money as long they keep adding on to franchise mode as well like 2K. 2K definately cares about online like EA but they haven't just been giving franchise players the shaft if you want to call it that. Every year or at least almost every year 2K keeps adding on to MyLeague and when they do add things they don't just forget about it and not add on to it if it's something that requires it like Maddens done with relocation so far. 2K's not perfect either but at least they give us sliders that function correctly and the ability to pretty much customize things however we want. Plus their spilling out patches at a pretty nice rate to fix things.

It'll be years before we get anything near 2K quality franchise in Madden. Yes their are issues down the line with player progression and stuff I think but at least we have the ability to fix it ourselves for now while 2K works on a fix like they confirmed they are. A plus is that it dosen't go and affect things it shouldn't as well. Sorry if I'm kind of getting on a rant here and not sure if we are allowed to compare gaming company's like that but that's just my opinion, even if it's a bit long. Also if it means anything, I'm bigger on MLB and NFL then NBA.

[gameface1324]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

Lack of CFM website or app, DL access has killed full user leagues. Losing ppl left and right.

QB accuracy and kicking... Laughable.

Neutered free agency bidding and scouting, makes even the promise of long-term rebuilding a joke.

2016 - The year EA killed CFM.

Sent from my LG-VS985 using Tapatalk

[RogueHominid]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

Lack of CFM website or app, DL access has killed full user leagues. Losing ppl left and right.

QB accuracy and kicking... Laughable.

Neutered free agency bidding and scouting, makes even the promise of long-term rebuilding a joke.

2016 - The year EA killed CFM.

Sent from my LG-VS985 using Tapatalk

What's the issue with FA bidding and scouting, and how does that affect franchise mode?

[gametyme89]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

I agree here, this is def the reason, but what i dont understand though is, then where is our hope of getting what we actually want to see in the game, and it actually stay there in the future.

To me this is where the real issue lies all together. I dont doubt that that is the reasoning, but since the reasoning is to casuals/tourneys make them more money( because online sim leagues may play online but are nothing like that crowd) and it makes sense for them to cater to them more, what chance do we really have? This is an honest question, im not bashing EA for its business sense on this, im asking a very serious question, Where does this leave us?

It happened last year, played better a launch, got watered down. And then this year i even recall hearing Rex say they didnt want to tune it down/nerf/water it down after launch this year like last year, but clearly have. Its not just offline kicking thats easier, online is easier to, and no its not ive just gotten used to it, its easier.

Where does this leave the simulation crowd then? Its been said here and elsewhere 1000 times, we are the minority in this . By a large number they claim. So if they are just going to , in the end, really just cater more to the casual/tourney peps, what does that mean for future titles? To me it kinda leaves only two options. Either they provide a sim/arcade gameplay modes with silders that actually work or it just simply wont be worth buying anymore. I dont see any other choice for the future of this game. Because the above are the facts, there are more of "them" and not as much of us, thus they will cater more to "them" .

But next year when they start talking about all this simness they putting in 18 , i just say , keep all this stuff in mind, last year, this year, and the facts that the business of madden is about the casuals and tourneys. Just remember that next year when they start promising all this sim.

For me personally that has been the reason I have fallen back hard on Madden. I know the trend. It makes all the sense in the world. I'm an offline "franchise" guy. NFL Head Coach mixed with M03 to M08 (PS2 era) franchise mode is what I want. That's where replay value is for me. CFM and the view that has been expressed of it leaves me little to look forward to on that front. And it doesn't sound like it's going anywhere anytime soon. So I kinda don't have any expectation there. The core game play improvements are what have saved the game for me. Big props to Rex and Clint here. They have delivered to this point, IMO. I have total confidence in Madden game play wise going forward. Its bittersweet though because the game play has come so far while my ideal franchise mode, the thing that keeps me hooked in a sports game year-round, appears to be more distant.

They're getting my money every year so it really doesn't matter. But it would be nice if they had a person like Mr. Looman, the guy behind Head Coach, plugging away at franchise mode. He'd show up in forums and give us his take and take our feedback on wishlists and such. You know that most years it won't get resources and attention because it doesn't generate money. But we'd get little things here and there. Enough to keep the faith knowing that eventually it would be what we want. You could sub CFM for O/D line play, passing or anything else. I think that's what most folks want. We're smart enough to know that gaming tendencies have changed in the past decade and its only prudent to follow the market and money. At the same time theres a way to please, however small, most of your gaming audience.

The problem is, that out of the box, the game delivers everything that the developers advertised to the Sim community, but as the year goes on, their money making crowd starts complaining and asking for patches and tuners to make their online experience more enjoyable and EA has been unable to find a way to patch one aspect of the game (their online, money-making offerings) without inadvertently affecting or changing the offline/sim modes for the Sim community.

I don't think it's ill intent on EA's guys to do this on purpose to "steal money" from the Sim customers, I just think that as of now, it is still beyond the developers coding/skill level to find a way to integrate changes into one aspect of the game without those changes being universal to all aspects of the game.

As a business tho, they can't be expected to ignore the community that throws money at them daily, just to avoid angering the much smaller Sim community that isn't as lucrative for them.

[gameface1324]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

They dumbed it down for solo offline franchises. So full user franchises, it's too neutered because there is no cpu stupidity in drafting. In FA, it shows the too bid. Ppl just keep sniping til the advance.

Plus the op regression makes FA useless anyways

Sent from my LG-VS985 using Tapatalk

[roadman]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

The problem is, that out of the box, the game delivers everything that the developers advertised to the Sim community, but as the year goes on, their money making crowd starts complaining and asking for patches and tuners to make their online experience more enjoyable and EA has been unable to find a way to patch one aspect of the game (their online, money-making offerings) without inadvertently affecting or changing the offline/sim modes for the Sim community.

I don't think it's ill intent on EA's guys to do this on purpose to "steal money" from the Sim customers, I just think that as of now, it is still beyond the developers coding/skill level to find a way to integrate changes into one aspect of the game without those changes being universal to all aspects of the game.

As a business tho, they can't be expected to ignore the community that throws money at them daily, just to avoid angering the much smaller Sim community that isn't as lucrative for them.

Agreed.

At the very least, Clint has been talking about implementing separate sliders between offline and online experiences for the past month.

I think we all hope it continues to pick up steam for Madden 18.

[gametyme89]

Re: Almost 4 months since launch, what do you all think about this game?

Agreed.

At the very least, Clint has been talking about implementing separate sliders between offline and online experiences for the past month.

I think we all hope it continues to pick up steam for Madden 18.

That's exactly my point.. The guys who work on these games know the solution already.. it's just them being talented enough to work the coding to make that solution a reality. It's not that they aren't trying.. they just haven't reached that breakthrough yet in their ability to successfully separate all of the modes and have changes only affect certain aspects of the game without affecting the others.