Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

[matthewk]

I skipped 18 and 19, played a bit of 17. Decided to pick up 20 after getting the itch for a new NFL game. I've been playing football video games since Madden on the Sega Genesis.

I'm strictly an offline player. What I realize after playing M20 for the past couple of weeks is that I am no longer the intended audience for this game, and sadly there is no other current option for me. M20 feels tuned, programmed, designed, for the online players. Playing against the AI offline feels like a feature they only left in the game because it was already there.

- Tons of fumbles
- AI clock management worse than 20 years ago. Clock management hasn't changed, why can't they get this even mostly right?
- CPU QBs completing 80% of passes for 10 yards per completion no matter who they are.
- No pass rush unless you blitz multiple defenders.
- 70/30 pass/run ration every single game, no matter the team.
- Simulation has almost zero broken tackles while arcade has over 20 per game just for the RB. Where is a slider to find a happy medium?

A lot of the gameplay feels "managed" by the game in order to prevent the user from doing too much, especially on defense.
- No fine-tuning on moving a user controlled LB or DB prior to the snap. Are they trying to hold me back from nano-blitzing?
- No separation or push from user controlled D-linemen.
- Animations that last way too long ans take away my control of a player.
- QBs sensing blindside pressure just because I won a QTE.
- I hate QTE. Even when I win them I usually don't get separation from the blocker.
- Players seem to have different speeds at different times depending on the situation.

I really like the look and feel of the stadiums. The game does look really nice except for some of the graphical glitches going on. I like seeing RPO in the playbooks. There are a lot of really nice things going on, but the "gaming" of the game is just killing the enjoyment for me. It really does feel like the game is tuned with online in mind and tries all kinds of tricks to prevent cheese, which sadly nerfs user control to the point of not being fun, mainly when trying to play defense.

Two separate games would be wonderful. One for online and one for offline vs. CPU. The likelihood of seeing that in my lifetime is about the same as seeing another NFL game on the market. I'm nearing 50, and I'm sad that this feels like M20 may be the last NFL video game I buy in my life. I will never be a MUT/online player. EA has made it pretty obvious that is their sole focus, and no one else even has the option of building an NFL for a player like me.

Sorry for the long rant, but this is a really sad conclusion I've come to.

[GoJags904]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

I skipped 18 and 19, played a bit of 17. Decided to pick up 20 after getting the itch for a new NFL game. I've been playing football video games since Madden on the Sega Genesis.



I'm strictly an offline player. What I realize after playing M20 for the past couple of weeks is that I am no longer the intended audience for this game, and sadly there is no other current option for me. M20 feels tuned, programmed, designed, for the online players. Playing against the AI offline feels like a feature they only left in the game because it was already there.



- Tons of fumbles

- AI clock management worse than 20 years ago. Clock management hasn't changed, why can't they get this even mostly right?

- CPU QBs completing 80% of passes for 10 yards per completion no matter who they are.

- No pass rush unless you blitz multiple defenders.

- 70/30 pass/run ration every single game, no matter the team.

- Simulation has almost zero broken tackles while arcade has over 20 per game just for the RB. Where is a slider to find a happy medium?



A lot of the gameplay feels "managed" by the game in order to prevent the user from doing too much, especially on defense.

- No fine-tuning on moving a user controlled LB or DB prior to the snap. Are they trying to hold me back from nano-blitzing?

- No separation or push from user controlled D-linemen.

- Animations that last way too long ans take away my control of a player.

- QBs sensing blindside pressure just because I won a QTE.

- I hate QTE. Even when I win them I usually don't get separation from the blocker.

- Players seem to have different speeds at different times depending on the situation.



I really like the look and feel of the stadiums. The game does look really nice except for some of the graphical glitches going on. I like seeing RPO in the playbooks. There are a lot of really nice things going on, but the "gaming" of the game is just killing the enjoyment for me. It really does feel like the game is tuned with online in mind and tries all kinds of tricks to prevent cheese, which sadly nerfs user control to the point of not being fun, mainly when trying to play defense.



Two separate games would be wonderful. One for online and one for offline vs. CPU. The likelihood of seeing that in my lifetime is about the same as seeing another NFL game on the market. I'm nearing 50, and I'm sad that this feels like M20 may be the last NFL video game I buy in my life. I will never be a MUT/online player. EA has made it pretty obvious that is their sole focus, and no one else even has the option of building an NFL for a player like me.



Sorry for the long rant, but this is a really sad conclusion I've come to.

Try some slider sets and lower tackling to get more RB realism in the running game. Its the ugly truth but if u wait a few more years then maybe either madden gets it together or another company can bring real football simulation to the table.

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[powercord55]

Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

Madden is never going back to offline style play, waiting for that mythical day is like waiting for Metallica to release an album on cassette again (and I say that with sadness as I’m an offline only guy)

[Jr.]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

The X-factor stuff makes it pretty obvious the game is designed around single, individual games, not the flow of a season. The X-factor DL end up with 30+ sacks routinely, because they're designed to get sacks every game. If you play a MUT game and Aaron Donald doesn't get at least one sack for you, you probably think he's worthless. So the game is now designed to showcase him.. meaning he needs to be able to get a sack or 5. This sucks when it comes to a CFM, because he ends up with 30-40 sacks since he's getting multiple nearly every game.

The same thing goes with the enforcers on defense needing to get big hits and force fumbles to make an impact, the crazy WR catch animations of the past (remember the one-handed ODB catch that you saw literally every game from a few years ago?), and QB's being unstoppable.

The game isn't designed to replicate the flow of a season and provide realism over a long period of time. It's designed to showcase the elite talent every game because the vast majority play single games over and over with no accumulation stats necessary.

[BV28]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

Get the PC version and download Sabo's mod. Your mind will be changed.

[booker21]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

I skipped 18 and 19, played a bit of 17. Decided to pick up 20 after getting the itch for a new NFL game. I've been playing football video games since Madden on the Sega Genesis.

I'm strictly an offline player. What I realize after playing M20 for the past couple of weeks is that I am no longer the intended audience for this game, and sadly there is no other current option for me. M20 feels tuned, programmed, designed, for the online players. Playing against the AI offline feels like a feature they only left in the game because it was already there.

- Tons of fumbles
- AI clock management worse than 20 years ago. Clock management hasn't changed, why can't they get this even mostly right?
- CPU QBs completing 80% of passes for 10 yards per completion no matter who they are.
- No pass rush unless you blitz multiple defenders.
- 70/30 pass/run ration every single game, no matter the team.
- Simulation has almost zero broken tackles while arcade has over 20 per game just for the RB. Where is a slider to find a happy medium?

A lot of the gameplay feels "managed" by the game in order to prevent the user from doing too much, especially on defense.
- No fine-tuning on moving a user controlled LB or DB prior to the snap. Are they trying to hold me back from nano-blitzing?
- No separation or push from user controlled D-linemen.
- Animations that last way too long ans take away my control of a player.
- QBs sensing blindside pressure just because I won a QTE.
- I hate QTE. Even when I win them I usually don't get separation from the blocker.
- Players seem to have different speeds at different times depending on the situation.

I really like the look and feel of the stadiums. The game does look really nice except for some of the graphical glitches going on. I like seeing RPO in the playbooks. There are a lot of really nice things going on, but the "gaming" of the game is just killing the enjoyment for me. It really does feel like the game is tuned with online in mind and tries all kinds of tricks to prevent cheese, which sadly nerfs user control to the point of not being fun, mainly when trying to play defense.

Two separate games would be wonderful. One for online and one for offline vs. CPU. The likelihood of seeing that in my lifetime is about the same as seeing another NFL game on the market. I'm nearing 50, and I'm sad that this feels like M20 may be the last NFL video game I buy in my life. I will never be a MUT/online player. EA has made it pretty obvious that is their sole focus, and no one else even has the option of building an NFL for a player like me.

Sorry for the long rant, but this is a really sad conclusion I've come to.

Agree with you in all you just said. Hopefully some indie fill the gap for Offline sim players.

[hyacinth1]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

its pretty much all sports games not just madden.

[htown5933]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

I skipped 18 and 19, played a bit of 17. Decided to pick up 20 after getting the itch for a new NFL game. I've been playing football video games since Madden on the Sega Genesis.

I'm strictly an offline player. What I realize after playing M20 for the past couple of weeks is that I am no longer the intended audience for this game, and sadly there is no other current option for me. M20 feels tuned, programmed, designed, for the online players. Playing against the AI offline feels like a feature they only left in the game because it was already there.

- Tons of fumbles
- AI clock management worse than 20 years ago. Clock management hasn't changed, why can't they get this even mostly right?
- CPU QBs completing 80% of passes for 10 yards per completion no matter who they are.
- No pass rush unless you blitz multiple defenders.
- 70/30 pass/run ration every single game, no matter the team.
- Simulation has almost zero broken tackles while arcade has over 20 per game just for the RB. Where is a slider to find a happy medium?

A lot of the gameplay feels "managed" by the game in order to prevent the user from doing too much, especially on defense.
- No fine-tuning on moving a user controlled LB or DB prior to the snap. Are they trying to hold me back from nano-blitzing?
- No separation or push from user controlled D-linemen.
- Animations that last way too long ans take away my control of a player.
- QBs sensing blindside pressure just because I won a QTE.
- I hate QTE. Even when I win them I usually don't get separation from the blocker.
- Players seem to have different speeds at different times depending on the situation.

I really like the look and feel of the stadiums. The game does look really nice except for some of the graphical glitches going on. I like seeing RPO in the playbooks. There are a lot of really nice things going on, but the "gaming" of the game is just killing the enjoyment for me. It really does feel like the game is tuned with online in mind and tries all kinds of tricks to prevent cheese, which sadly nerfs user control to the point of not being fun, mainly when trying to play defense.

Two separate games would be wonderful. One for online and one for offline vs. CPU. The likelihood of seeing that in my lifetime is about the same as seeing another NFL game on the market. I'm nearing 50, and I'm sad that this feels like M20 may be the last NFL video game I buy in my life. I will never be a MUT/online player. EA has made it pretty obvious that is their sole focus, and no one else even has the option of building an NFL for a player like me.

Sorry for the long rant, but this is a really sad conclusion I've come to.

Man, I feel you.

I've played since I can remember - way, way back. Started with the Atari and 3 man football.

So, for me, all the Madden hate through the years was just crazy. I've almost always thought the game was decent to great. I'm very much into making sure I have realistic stats - QB's averaging around 65%ish completions, QB's averaging around 8ish yards an attempt, RB's averaging around 4 to 4.5 yards per carry, both user and CPU getting anywhere from 0-5ish sacks, depending on the teams, both CPU and user averaging 0-2 or very rarely 3 INT's, 120ish plays per game, decent number of penalties, etc.

I've always been able to use sliders to get these types of results fairly consistently. Not last year. I'd get a good game, but it seemed like I'd have 3 or 4 BS games in between the good ones.

This year, I've been pleasantly surprised. After seeing potential early, I went through a brief period of frustration but have since been getting good games for the most part. There's definitely still the occasional BS game, but not too often (for me).

There's still the game where the QB has 80% completions or a RB breaks off a huge run and his yards per carry is insane (or even the game where it seems predetermined for him to average nearly 10 yards a carry). There's even the occasionally start to the game where there's two sacks on the opening possession. But, these are semi-rare for me. I've also had games where the QB completion percentage is in the 50's, RB's yards per carry is in the 1.5-2.5 range, there is maybe one sack each, etc.

I use the Cowboys, on All Pro, with some slider adjustments. I'll post them later and hopefully they'll help give you better games.

[stinkubus]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

The high completion percentages are a mirage. Do you not like the fact the AI checks down so much or are you just upset that the number isn't what you want it to be?

[htown5933]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

Man, I feel you.

I've played since I can remember - way, way back. Started with the Atari and 3 man football.

So, for me, all the Madden hate through the years was just crazy. I've almost always thought the game was decent to great. I'm very much into making sure I have realistic stats - QB's averaging around 65%ish completions, QB's averaging around 8ish yards an attempt, RB's averaging around 4 to 4.5 yards per carry, both user and CPU getting anywhere from 0-5ish sacks, depending on the teams, both CPU and user averaging 0-2 or very rarely 3 INT's, 120ish plays per game, decent number of penalties, etc.

I've always been able to use sliders to get these types of results fairly consistently. Not last year. I'd get a good game, but it seemed like I'd have 3 or 4 BS games in between the good ones.

This year, I've been pleasantly surprised. After seeing potential early, I went through a brief period of frustration but have since been getting good games for the most part. There's definitely still the occasional BS game, but not too often (for me).

There's still the game where the QB has 80% completions or a RB breaks off a huge run and his yards per carry is insane (or even the game where it seems predetermined for him to average nearly 10 yards a carry). There's even the occasionally start to the game where there's two sacks on the opening possession. But, these are semi-rare for me. I've also had games where the QB completion percentage is in the 50's, RB's yards per carry is in the 1.5-2.5 range, there is maybe one sack each, etc.

I use the Cowboys, on All Pro, with some slider adjustments. I'll post them later and hopefully they'll help give you better games.

OK, again... these are working pretty well for me. Yes, I definitely have a BS game still from time to time.

I have it set on All Pro, Simulation, 11 minute quarters, with minimum play clock at 20 seconds.

I don't remember what default is, but I have injuries at 10 with the fatigue and player speed parity both at 50.

I know there's long been debate about penalties and whether or not they affect other areas. But, right now I have offside, false start, offensive holding, illegal block in the back and defensive pass interference all set at 60. Facemask is at 50. All others are "on".

For players skill I have QB accuracy at 20, pass blocking at 53, run blocking at 1 (yes, 1 lol), fumbles at 60, interceptions at 45, tackling at 55 and punt and kickoff power at 45.

CPU skill has QB accuracy at 30, pass blocking at 62, run blocking at 60, interceptions at 45, tackling at 55, fg power at 55, fg accuracy at 60 and punt power at 45.

I use "coach suggestions" and pick plays from there.

Hope these help... they've been working well for me overall (again, with a bad game thrown in here and there).

Good luck.

[PhillyPhanatic14]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

Majority of this stuff doesn't apply to just offline. Franchise leagues have to deal with it, MUT deals with it in solo challenges and squad battles (or whatever they're called).


These are issues with the game, but every game has issues. I don't think this comes as a result of not caring about people that play one style over another and it definitely has nothing to do with offline vs online players.

[Giants4Life]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

I feel you and I am a 100% offline franchise player.

Yes, the game is designed for arcade online games but what kills me is the massive amount of franchise bugs, released as features mind you, that are broken and still not addressed yet in a patch. This is where Its obvious they just don’t care.

- import a draft class is basically unusable and a main feature last year
- draft board is broken and buggy and the reorder button hangs out the entire draft making the draft annoying
- Fog of war, new feature busted
- Editing players doesnt update immediately
- news and especially draft news is broken
- trade logic is terribly bad
- regression; thought to be fixed is just as bad and worse. Hit 30 and it’s over

I play a lot of games an no AAA game is this the worst buggy game I have every played, especially with its touted new features..Totally unacceptable.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

The high completion percentages are a mirage. Do you not like the fact the AI checks down so much or are you just upset that the number isn't what you want it to be?

It’s the effect of years of slideritis. No one really plays anymore. They snap the ball and expect the game to reward them for their smart play calling, no matter what they call. They play poorly, or play call poorly, and expect the game to reward still provide results they want.

I mean, not being able to stop the AI in first weeks of having the game is a good thing. That’s the challenge, the reason to work on getting better. Instead, the first response is always”adjust sliders.

[coop9889]

Re: Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

Get the PC version and download Sabo's mod. Your mind will be changed.

The most important post in this thread. If you are a solo CFM player, your ONLY option is the PC version. Has nothing to do with graphics, performance etc... (although those ARE better with the right rig).... but simply because of the wonderful mods that have been created.

There's a mod that overhauls all of the gameplay issues you mentioned (Sabo's mod).

There's a mod that changes player progression from Xp to controlled/random so no two franchises are ever alike (tdawgs mod)

There's mods for uniforms, stadiums, broadcasts (from EA Sports to CBS/FOX) etc...

Basically, console verison is unplayable and unfixable in regards to all of your concerns, but the PC version is not.

[TheGentlemanGhost]

Madden isn't meant for offline anymore

Yeah, I really don’t know why people like X factor abilities so much, but I’m guessing it’s mostly offline and non-CFM guys. All Madden really needed was spread ratings to make players feel different. We don’t need abilities that are already a part of the ratings system. The abilities that aren’t connected to a rating not already in the game are fine for the most part, but they didn’t need some of these that just overlap and amplify ratings already in the game. So glad I have the game on PC, a lot of modders are making this game right. There’s no way, I’d get this game if it wasn’t on PC still.


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