Madden NFL 11 Interview: Real-Time Physics and More with Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

[capa]

My take on this is that Ian came into the process and game lead role with a million percent good intentions. He got the right people on board with him and tried to take the game to a more sim like experience.

However, I think he is stifled by how things work in major corporations. It matters little what your personal preferences are, or even sometimes what the biggest user issues are. What does matter is what the marketing dept dictates you must do for the next release as well as what budgets have been afforded to your department. Oh sure, you can get some bug fixes in, etc...but most of your time and resources are going to be spent in the areas that the marketing suits say require attention and/or new functionality.

Every product has a business case. If changes and additions do not support the business case, they are given a low priority. A budget is created for bug fixes and a separate budget is created for new development. In today's age of cut backs, layoffs, and "do more with less", they have more than likely found themselves in a position where their hands are tied for taking on major rewrites and/or enhancements. Everyone's budget has been reduced in almost every big company due to the economic downturn last year. They are making minimal changes (time and $$ wise) while at the same time finding a way to market these changes as new and fresh (locomotion, gameflow).

To me, Ian looks a bit sheepish in all the videos I have seen. Like he is doing the obligatory interview, but knows he does not have a lot to bring to the table this year. Many pin their hopes on Madden 12. The outlook for that is purely dependent on how EA fares this financial cycle and what their year-end balance sheet looks like, more so than what Ian and staff, or even the dedicated users, want to put into the game.

C

[adfletch71]

I think EA needs to bring it next year for 2012. Since they have 2 installment before the license ends in 2013. It would be suicide for them to not upgrade everything, because if there sales continue too fall, it might not be a good idea to renew the license. The suits know this and trust and believe other companies cant wait too get a chance on that bid.

[Cobra84]

Quote: Originally Posted by albert_24

"I am really excited with what we can accomplish once we get a solid foundation and better architecture in place." It sounds like Ian is saying Madden 12 will be the foundation to set up a better franchise mode beyond next year. Maybe that's just my interpretation but hopefully next year will be the real dead. Last year was supposed to be the foundation. Also sorry for the cut and paste quotes. Can't do quotebacks on my blackberry.

Time is running out for this generation and the 5+ years basically wasted on 06-09 development would be nice to have back. By the time this game gets a "foundation", the next generation of consoles could be announced. Then what, dumping the current engine for a physics based one and a possible repeat of Madden 06 feature wise?

[Cryolemon]

Quote: Originally Posted by adfletch71

I think EA needs to bring it next year for 2012. Since they have 2 installment before the license ends in 2013. It would be suicide for them to not upgrade everything, because if there sales continue too fall, it might not be a good idea to renew the license. The suits know this and trust and believe other companies cant wait too get a chance on that bid.

I think it's naive at best to believe that they wont renew the license.

[Flamehead]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jesus

My problem with the interview is that his answers seemed to play with the intelligence of the reader. If i remember correctly it was before Madden 10's release that he was talkin about the inclusion of Head Coach developers to make franchise better. Upon the release he said how they came into the developmental process to late for them to really make their full impact, but that it would be seen for Madden 11. Well here comes Madden 11 and we are being told what exactly? "The full developmental cycle wasn't long enough for the person who specifies in such modes to get even a preliminary product out for 11, so like I said before 10, i'll echo before 11; keep waiting."

EA made comments last year that set SOME expectations for this year's franchise mode. They haven't delivered and are doing the same for next year. This isn't an anomoly.

IMHO, they do this because they know they can. Because regardless of how much they bait-and-switch, there are people who will believe them regardless. When do we learn? I must respectfully say I'm amazed at how much people take them at their word despite their track record and providing no reason of which to give them the benefit of the doubt.

If they come back a year from now and say, "well, we really couldn't do much with offline franchise this year because of (insert reason), but we're REALLY committed to doing something next year", there would be people who would still say, "ok then, well, I'm really looking forward to that, it should be great! Madden 2013 better deliver or else!".

[K_GUN]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cryolemon

I think it's naive at best to believe that they wont renew the license.

not the "exclusivity" part

[adfletch71]

I do think EA will try and renew the license, but there is alot against them this time around. The supreme court ruling, multiple lawsuits and the decline of sales might be a factor in 2012. We have to see, but i hope EA at least get to the point of surpassing 2k5 by that time. Its a shame its taking them this long, besides graphics, they really havent done much.

[hungryandrew]

How many more Maddens do they have to make, under the license? 2?