Five Things EA Sports must do for Success in Madden NFL 13

[bodank82]

The first fix listed has been the worst for gameplay for me. Passing trajectory. It's ruined so many matches that I'm not even excited about playing most of the time.

[JohnnyRu31]

Alot of grammatical errors in this article

[wheelman990]

Re: Five Things EA Sports must do for Success in Madden NFL 13

Top 5 that MUST be fixed

#1 Players sliding/popping all over the field (while moving and making a play on ball)
#2 Hunchback running
#3 Ball Trajectory
#4 Sounds and commentary
#5 Penalties


Those are my top 5. In terms of graphics I also think many stadiums need there grass/turf/fields graphics improved. Some are so bad it really brings down how this game could look IMO. Also there is a brightness/contrast issue on some close up cut scenes and also all of the standard kicking cams as well. Very annoying and very tacky work to let this slip IMO. Crowds color and animations could be touched up too. The crowds move way to much together and it looks funny.

The cut scene presentation was a bump up this year, but not near enough variety and poor sound and commentary really killed any work that was done.


Also, how about some custom stadium music like nfl 2k5 had so we can do things like this if we want...

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[Goodydog]

Re: Five Things EA Sports must do for Success in Madden NFL 13

I'm an "I told you so" kind of guy, so I will rarely pass up an opportunity to establish that I was right on an issue, and that is not going to change now...

People who win (an argument) get to rub it in. I was extremely critical of Madden back in October, and the Madden supporters whined and cried about what I said because my critical comments were harsh/curt. Now some of those same Madden supporters are expressing the same sentiment (or at least acknowledging that Madden has issues, long lasting issues that need to be addressed; long overdue).

Just for humor's sake, I will provide a solution, not 5 things but a simple objective:

Just get a copy of 2K5, replicate its core foundation (balanced gameplay - run/pass offense & defense, excellent commentary and presentation style) and incorporate EA's graphics with the NFL license.

If they could accomplish this, everyone would be happy.

[Herky]

Aside for the issues mentioned in the article, franchise needs to be re--vamped. NFL Head Coach still has a much better franchise mode and that game is several years old. I also want practice squads in Madden (been saying that since 2008), and better draft class importing from NCAA. Ratings need to matter and EA needs to explain what each rating means. I'm tired of the #3 QB coming into games and playing just like the starter did.

A new engine is also needed. It's been needed actually from some time. That would fix a lot of the current issues.

Tuners need to be utilized. NCAA uses them (even if they only did once this season), and it does help polish gameplay. Madden has them but won't use them. That needs to stop.

Madden has gotten better slowly but they really need to step up their game in 2013. Of course, seem to remember saying that in 2008, 2009, 2010.....ect.

[JaySmooov]

Re: Five Things EA Sports must do for Success in Madden NFL 13

I'm an "I told you so" kind of guy, so I will rarely pass up an opportunity to establish that I was right on an issue, and that is not going to change now...

People who win (an argument) get to rub it in. I was extremely critical of Madden back in October, and the Madden supporters whined and cried about what I said because my critical comments were harsh/curt. Now some of those same Madden supporters are expressing the same sentiment (or at least acknowledging that Madden has issues, long lasting issues that need to be addressed; long overdue).

Just for humor's sake, I will provide a solution, not 5 things but a simple objective:

Just get a copy of 2K5, replicate its core foundation (balanced gameplay - run/pass offense & defense, excellent commentary and presentation style) and incorporate EA's graphics with the NFL license.

If they could accomplish this, everyone would be happy.

Cool story bro...

Also, you want them to make...NFL 2K12? Saying Madden should just replicate 2K5 and put their graphics and license on it is like saying the Call of Duty series should copy Battlefield 3 and just put their multiplayer gameplay/spin on it.

Why would you want a company to "replicate" another game?

[jmood88]

They also need to fix the presentation asap. The games aren't fundamentally sound and the lack of interesting presentation makes their problems stand out even more.

[TNT713]

Re: Five Things EA Sports must do for Success in Madden NFL 13

Just get a copy of 2K5, replicate its core foundation (balanced gameplay - run/pass offense & defense, excellent commentary and presentation style) and incorporate EA's graphics with the NFL license.

If they could accomplish this, everyone would be happy.

Slow down chest beater... Maybe everyone at your house would be happy. The person who plays Madden at my house would he HIGHLY UPSET.

I've never played 2K, and I'm never going to play 2K. Making Madden a 2K clone would put it squarely in my cross-hairs again similarly to when QB Vision hijacked he series in '06... I don't buy Madden at midnight every release and play it year long because I wish it was more like another game. Likewise, I do not play or buy other football games because I wish they were more like Madden.

Lastly, I'm certainly not accepting of the notion that part-time players who have little desire to play and master Madden know what the entire community wants. That's why we get eye-candy like hand towels instead of actually making the game a better football game.

EA is listening (to the wrong people) because they want money from people they aren't already getting money from - and it's effecting the game for those of us who loyally by the brand relentlessly. Sales are dropping as a result of deferring to the least common denominator - dudes that buy every 3-5 years (if that).

Later

[KBLover]

Re: Five Things EA Sports must do for Success in Madden NFL 13

Now some of those same Madden supporters are expressing the same sentiment (or at least acknowledging that Madden has issues, long lasting issues that need to be addressed; long overdue).

Maybe these people knew they were playing a perfect game handed to them on a silver platter by a hot Valkyrie all along. I mean - what - Madden has issues? Really? *mind not blown*

Just get a copy of 2K5, replicate its core foundation (balanced gameplay - run/pass offense & defense, excellent commentary and presentation style) and incorporate EA's graphics with the NFL license.

If they could accomplish this, everyone would be happy.

That's a solution?

Get this game, make your game like it (figure it out how, and it better be right), and then upgrade all the graphics?

Besides, if the BEST we can hope for is from something 7 years in the past (which had it's own set of issues), then this sub-genre is screwed and cloning a 2005 game isn't going to do much for it.

[sportjames23]

Re: Five Things EA Sports must do for Success in Madden NFL 13

I wish we could get Legends/Classic Teams, to go along with everything everyone else mentioned. That was my main draw to NBA 2K11 and 2K12 (and hopefully 2K13).

I want to be able to play with players I grew up watching--Montana, Marino, Elway, Aikman, Rice, Smith, Sanders (Deion and Barry), etc.

Do that, and Madden is guaranteed my purchase.

[assclown25]

fix the leaping ability of LBs and cut down success rate of passes completed by Recievers that are being double and triple covered- fix blocking ( dont know how many times ive thrown a screen pass and had 3 blockers up field standing by themselves and been tackled in the the backfield) - fix the issue of Qbs not being able to throw with much power 2 the left side of the field! ( RIGHT HANDED qbs) evert pass is thrown short- fix issue of recievers not going to the ball which is allowing for more INT's- Fix the issue DBs and safties swatting balls down and not intercepting them- and finally- Bring back being able to create a NEW stadium for your current team!

[JaySmooov]

Re: Five Things EA Sports must do for Success in Madden NFL 13

@JaySmoov: Thank you for adding no insight while quoting a very long post. To make matters worse, you add a huge picture at the bottom of it! Thanks for the helpful criticism. At least if you're trying to be funny, do it in a clever, wise way and not this annoying nonsense to add clutter to this forum!

Oh, and I guess telling us about Vince Lombardi's training camp philosophies - which have NOTHING to do with the point he was trying to make - is adding "insight" and helpful criticism.

Also, I've already posted twice earlier explaining how it could be problematic to "fix" the pass trajectory, as well as how it SHOULD be done, and I made a post about how playing styles need to be fixed, using DBs as a example. So how about you go back and read, or at least skim, before you assume I'm coming in here to troll or something.

Also, I got a like, so that means one other person found it the slightest bit funny. So there.

[JaySmooov]

Re: Five Things EA Sports must do for Success in Madden NFL 13

I think one thing that needs to be "fixed" or upgraded is the in-season experiences.

Madden is known for gimmicks in their sports game, most notable Live (Dunk Contest/Three-Point contest - the "All-Star Weekend"; unlockable in-game characters, their whole "player role" thing where scorers had the fireball under their name, blockers had the hand, etc.) and Madden (similar role system - smart QB had the lightbulb under player; Hit Stick/Truck stick system, Pro-Tak, etc.)

So how would you guys feel if EA put something like this in during the Pro Bowl weekend?

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This would be something to spice up the franchise mode, and especially look forward too if you had a bad year, but your QB got an invite, or if you get your mind off the pressure of the Super Bowl in the week before.

I used to love the challenge mode when I rented (I think renting games from Blockbuster was big back then) this game. I always played with Mike Vick (again, Vick was big back then), and I only played these challenge modes. The one mode that isn't up there is the Speed and Recognition mode.

Sadly, as I'm posting this, I haven't even noticed that the NFL got rid of the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge since 2007. I hope they bring it back in the future because the Pro Bowl really isn't cared for, both by fans and players, and also because it was the best part of Pro Bowl weekend.

I mean, who wouldn't want to see who's faster between Mike Wallace, DeSean Jackson, Reggie Bush, etc. both on the field AND IN-GAME? Imagine being able to do the above in a friendly online setting? Heck, you could pick some lineman or do a Manning vs. Brady competition .

But, unfortunately this is more of a future hopeful idea than actual suggestion because the Skills Challenge isn't even present in real-life. But, I hope we can get this in the future, because it was pure FUN back when I was younger.

[TNT713]

Re: Five Things EA Sports must do for Success in Madden NFL 13

Oh, and I guess telling us about Vince Lombardi's training camp philosophies - which have NOTHING to do with the point he was trying to make - is adding "insight" and helpful criticism.

In my own defense, I used the Vince Lombardi example to illustrate how I have personally abandoned - at the expense of my pride - the same seemingly overly simplistic approach to beginning a new Madden season. I adopted the practice of revisiting my mechanics a while back, then read about Lombardi's approach about a year ago after reading "The Vince Lombardi Playbook" by Phil Barber. It merely confirmed that what I was doing was the best method to simulate NFL style practice methods to best create an NFL style simulation on the field.

In that, it relates directly to item #1 - Pass Trajectory aspect posted in the "5 Things..." article. By revisiting my mechanics every year I can correct my user mechanics before they become muscle memory - ensuring my pass trajectories are EXACTLY what I want them to be EVERY TIME.

After all, that item is the only one I am concerned about. Pardon me for assuming anyone would draw the parallel without being told directly. My bad.

Later

[jmik58]

Pass trajectory may need an improvement, but super linebackers are a problem on their own. It has to do with canned animations that are triggered by a pass near the linebackers. Super linebackers are a product of animations that need to be nerfed big time.