Madden NFL 18's Connected Franchise Mode Comes Up Short: Here's Why

[RaychelSnr]

Sports games have a certain responsibility to perform regular upkeep on their game modes. There’s an...

Written By: Kevin Scott

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[triplechin]

Re: Madden NFL 18's Connected Franchise Mode Comes Up Short: Here's Why

Well said. We do need an overhaul to the mode. They really should start from scratch. I do enjoy some of their innovations, like play the moments and stuff, but the meat is not there. Anyhow, I am curious what they mean when they say that they want to sync the franchise features with NBA Live? These are two different sports, some franchise aspects can be similar, but there should be a lot of differences. I am concerned about that

[da_centa_fielda]

I tried to start a franchise during the EA Access trial and found myself bored of it before I ever started a game. Too much of it looks exactly the same as it has been for years now. It's disappointing because I really like the graphics and gameplay. The lack of attention to CFM is why I decided to skip the game this year. I don't even want to get it used anymore. 

[KyronDarius]

A Madden Frachise Mode hasn’t been great since it left ps3 & next Gen. Madden franchise was great when allowed you to hire/fire Head Coaches, Coordinators, all while still letting you rebuild a new stadium or even relocate. EA purchased the 2k series years ago, while everyone was excited about the move thinking we’d be getting better features along with the better graphics etc. only to be let down. Meanwhile the 2k series in basketball is STILL outdoing any EA game to date, implementing all the perfect features to make you My Player/GM/Frachise Mode as close to realism there is. Madden Franchise won’t ever be the same unless it’s an actual gamer to begin creating the Mode. 2k series football had ESPN segments with Chris Berhman before drafting or even before a game began, while in gameplay it would show highlights from other games going on if you’re in franchise mode, it was the best you can ever ask for out a sports game. Here we are years later and Madden is still failing to satisfy buyers. The graphics and gameplay is cool but people expect more with the game modes. 2k basketball series let’s you download draft classes that someone may have created while in your season or just save them after download and meanwhile in Madden it’s no way, you have to settle for unknown players and go thru an editing process. It’s ridiculous!!

[scmurph44]

The loss of the NCAA Football series killed CFM for me.  If they would allow the downloading of community created draft classes (like the 2K basketball series) that could change my mind. 

[mark24_7]

couldn't have said it better myself. When does this Madden and NFL agreement expire. I'm so tired of EA

[michaelhawj]

EA need to find someone else for working on Franchise Mode in NBA live.  John White and his team should do overhauled on CFM in Madden 19

there are alot missing things for Madden's CFM 

realistic storylines
full coaching staffs : assistant coach, offense, defense and special team coordinators
team chemistry and morales
option for open roof  to allow rain or snow come inside stadium like Colts, Cardinals and Cowboys
team expansion with build new stadium on any cities
New CFM UI menu

[misterkrabz]

As someone who is not interested in playing the CPU this mode is dead to me. As soon as they give me ability to send a friends invite from the team selection screen (or otherwise give me the ability to play a human when playing against non-human controlled teams) I will never play this mode. Me and my buddy couldn't even "Share Play" this mode and play each other....which to us is really bizarre considering you can hot seat and take control of the other team. It's unfortunate because if we could play each other (while online or via share play) it would be the only mode we play.

[craigscar]

Re: Madden NFL 18's Connected Franchise Mode Comes Up Short: Here's Why

Just to play devil's advocate, you say at the beginning, "There’s an unspoken agreement between a game’s developers and its fans that as long as people maintain their enthusiasm for a mode..."

Perhaps that's the issue. Does EA's data show that people just aren't playing connected franchise enough to warrant the commitment?

[Landle]

Doesn't Madden always disappoint? EA strings us along like no other video game company.  Look at MLB The Show and NBA 2K. They are always light years ahead.  Flat out taking advantage of having the exclusive liscense. It's a joke.

[lunchbox2042]

Re: Madden NFL 18's Connected Franchise Mode Comes Up Short: Here's Why

They should look at the ps2 maddens. Specifically 04-06. Those had a far better franchise mode with realistic restricted free agency. The jump to Xbox 360 and PS3 is when franchise started going down the toilet.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[bigsteve15]

Re: Madden NFL 18's Connected Franchise Mode Comes Up Short: Here's Why

Until I can buy 17 used for cheaper, as a franchise only player what's the incentive to buy right now? The few minor changes they made are more of a mockery of how dumb and willing their fanbase is to buy every year. let's take the draft board we implemented last year and make it to where you can move players up and down! Wow such an innovative addition, something that could have been possible over 10 years ago. Or how about every feature that made franchise great in the 2000's being added little by little back into the game as if they are new features? EA knows people will buy their game every year, they have the resources to do better and they have done better in the past. EA does not seem to follow the "build on every year" model of progression that everybody hopes for.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Operation Sports mobile app

[Toupal]

Re: Madden NFL 18's Connected Franchise Mode Comes Up Short: Here's Why

Let your ideas be heard!
No more excuses, EA! We just want results!

http://forums.operationsports.com/fo...-wishlist.html

[goillini03]

Re: Madden NFL 18's Connected Franchise Mode Comes Up Short: Here's Why

Just to play devil's advocate, you say at the beginning, "There’s an unspoken agreement between a game’s developers and its fans that as long as people maintain their enthusiasm for a mode..."



Perhaps that's the issue. Does EA's data show that people just aren't playing connected franchise enough to warrant the commitment?

I think I saw on Twitter where 65% of their users played CFM. I could be wrong. As the saying goes, if you want your answer, follow the money.

[Lexicon]

Re: Madden NFL 18's Connected Franchise Mode Comes Up Short: Here's Why

Solid article. Good to see things like this be written. I look at a lot of these high review scores out there and can't help but feel the importance of Franchise Mode has fallen really far in the past 5 years. As a consumer, I'm really tired of being told to "just hang in there" and having to take their word that Franchise is getting overhauled, only to be disappointed when the news comes out of what they actually did.

Or even worse, hearing the excuse that Madden has the best Online Franchise of any sports game.

I'll also say that I'm worried about this Live Content push in the future. That will likely only be for Cloud Franchises, which is an obvious problem for those who like to control more than one team. With Offline Franchise in the shape it's in right now for Madden 18 where a lot of the stuff is bugged or straight up doesn't work, I think we may be saying goodbye to any significant improvements to that specific section.