Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

[lightning_78]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

I'm also hoping for offline franchise that the scripted retirements have been removed. I enjoy seeing a Barry Sanders situation happening if team prestige/player morale is low or vice-versa have some Vinny Testaverde's or Junior Seau's. Playing franchise mode and every single time seeing "Ladainian Tomlinson (RB) has retired at the age of 34, after 12 years in the NFL". Especially guys, QBs especially (Manning, Brady), that have 3500 yard and 25 TD seasons but retire because of the game's logic.

[kevster2]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

To be clear...we're not being secretive on 'offline' franchise. We've just been working hard and haven't had time to talk about it. We will report more in the coming months...but to make sure expectations are clear, our franchise goals were:

1. Fix all the things that have been totally broken (progression, cap room, etc)
2. Make CPU teams actually manage their roster correctly (draft, FA, etc)
3. Make every game feel different through different presentation (and CPU AI)
4. Streamline the interface overall
5. Bring important news forward to the user (instead of burying it 10 layers deep in screens) via the Franchise Hub and via the Extra Point
6. Make scouting worth using
7. Make depth matter via ratings stretching and injuries
8. Make the draft interesting again
9. Do a bunch of other small fixes and additions.
10. Get Franchise mode online!

Donny and Josh are the guys to ask here as they own these modes and are way more qualified than I am to answer. But we really wanted to make this mode fun to play again, and make it a totally different experience while traveling around the league and playing week to week. We do that through a number of different avenues whether it is commentary, stat banners, cut scenes, or whatever. Josh made the statement at the beginning of the year about not building a house on a crumbling foundation - that analogy is 100% true...we definitely spent more time on fixing old broken stuff than adding new features...but there's no way we, in good conscience, could put out another Franchise mode with a few more bells and whistles on top while players didn't progress after a good year (for example).

I don't want to make it seem like we didn't do anything with offline franchise...we did...but I also want to make sure people aren't expecting Head Coach 09 in the game.

Any more questions, direct them to Donny.

From what I have seen so far I think you all have done an amazing job. Thanks for all the updates and taking the time to interact with the community.

[jerryrice4949]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

I appreciate the direction of the game but agree with the other poster who said this is really only a glorified online league. I understand that you cannot get everything in the 1st year, but contracts are a must. As far as rosters there is going to be very little strategy. Imagine if NCAA did not have recruiting in their online dynasty, this is the equivalent.

Sure there are house rules but to this will get to the point of being tedious.

I will wait until next year and stick with NCAA for this year.

[Obelysk]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

To be clear...we're not being secretive on 'offline' franchise. We've just been working hard and haven't had time to talk about it. We will report more in the coming months...but to make sure expectations are clear, our franchise goals were:

1. Fix all the things that have been totally broken (progression, cap room, etc)
2. Make CPU teams actually manage their roster correctly (draft, FA, etc)
3. Make every game feel different through different presentation (and CPU AI)
4. Streamline the interface overall
5. Bring important news forward to the user (instead of burying it 10 layers deep in screens) via the Franchise Hub and via the Extra Point
6. Make scouting worth using
7. Make depth matter via ratings stretching and injuries
8. Make the draft interesting again
9. Do a bunch of other small fixes and additions.
10. Get Franchise mode online!

Donny and Josh are the guys to ask here as they own these modes and are way more qualified than I am to answer. But we really wanted to make this mode fun to play again, and make it a totally different experience while traveling around the league and playing week to week. We do that through a number of different avenues whether it is commentary, stat banners, cut scenes, or whatever. Josh made the statement at the beginning of the year about not building a house on a crumbling foundation - that analogy is 100% true...we definitely spent more time on fixing old broken stuff than adding new features...but there's no way we, in good conscience, could put out another Franchise mode with a few more bells and whistles on top while players didn't progress after a good year (for example).

I don't want to make it seem like we didn't do anything with offline franchise...we did...but I also want to make sure people aren't expecting Head Coach 09 in the game.

Any more questions, direct them to Donny.

Why not? I have played Head Coach 09 a hell of A LOT more then Madden 09 on my 360! They did a hell of a job with it even though it was broken on many areas. Madden 10 improvements + Head Coach 09 = dream football game. I am still buying Madden 10 but I hope I can see more of the good things of head coach on Madden 11. Tell Josh Looman that he should make another head coach game, if he does I will preorder it in a heart beat.

[PantherBeast_OS]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

To be clear...we're not being secretive on 'offline' franchise. We've just been working hard and haven't had time to talk about it. We will report more in the coming months...but to make sure expectations are clear, our franchise goals were:

1. Fix all the things that have been totally broken (progression, cap room, etc)
2. Make CPU teams actually manage their roster correctly (draft, FA, etc)
3. Make every game feel different through different presentation (and CPU AI)
4. Streamline the interface overall
5. Bring important news forward to the user (instead of burying it 10 layers deep in screens) via the Franchise Hub and via the Extra Point
6. Make scouting worth using
7. Make depth matter via ratings stretching and injuries
8. Make the draft interesting again
9. Do a bunch of other small fixes and additions.
10. Get Franchise mode online!

Donny and Josh are the guys to ask here as they own these modes and are way more qualified than I am to answer. But we really wanted to make this mode fun to play again, and make it a totally different experience while traveling around the league and playing week to week. We do that through a number of different avenues whether it is commentary, stat banners, cut scenes, or whatever. Josh made the statement at the beginning of the year about not building a house on a crumbling foundation - that analogy is 100% true...we definitely spent more time on fixing old broken stuff than adding new features...but there's no way we, in good conscience, could put out another Franchise mode with a few more bells and whistles on top while players didn't progress after a good year (for example).

I don't want to make it seem like we didn't do anything with offline franchise...we did...but I also want to make sure people aren't expecting Head Coach 09 in the game.

Any more questions, direct them to Donny.

Thanks Ian. I was for sure ya'll would some blogs on offline franchise mode sooner are later. But thanks for the heads up.

[PantherBeast_OS]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

Why not? I have played Head Coach 09 a hell of A LOT more then Madden 09 on my 360! They did a hell of a job with it even though it was broken on many areas. Madden 10 improvements + Head Coach 09 = dream football game. I am still buying Madden 10 but I hope I can see more of the good things of head coach on Madden 11. Tell Josh Looman that he should make another head coach game, if he does I will preorder it in a heart beat.

Mainly because they had to rebuild franchise mode for the ground up. They had to fix alot of problems that was in franchise mode. In madden 11 they will start to add things from HC 09. But you can't expect them to it all in one year. They will build up it next year.

[jerryrice4949]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

I will stop complaining now. I was soooo excited for online franchise after NCAA last year had online dynasty. And even more excited after the annoucement at E3 and now dissappointed that there is so much missing.

[marcoyk]

Great information. I'm convinced that Madden 10 will be much better than NCAA 10.

[turfguy23]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

Great information. I'm convinced that Madden 10 will be much better than NCAA 10.

I'm convinced Madden NFL 10 will not only be better than NCAA whatever, but this game will be the GREATEST FOOTBALL GAME EVER MADE. You heard it here first. (I should just start looking for another job around the first of August, lord knows I won't be keeping my current one following August 14th.)

[gr18]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

I know from playing Head Coach '09 that it certainly had it's merits.There are aspects of that game that would work very well in a Madden game.

That being said,give these guys a break.Eventually it will happen.

Head Coach '09 isn't the perfect game.It's gameplay was lacking,you couldn't edit enough and the logic wasn't perfect in that game;Jags let Garrard go and pick up Andrew Walter who just had a 50 qb rating for the Raiders the year before.Qb's are in week 12 with 5 td's and 27 picks but remain the starter.The sim stats were pretty broken ala Madden '08.Yes overall it's a very good game that the devs did a great job on and a cleaned up Head Coach '10 could be great.

I think if you don't dwell on the few things you'd like out of Head Coach you may find Madden '10 to be a game you can really appreciate with all the great additions these devs have given us.

[Obelysk]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

Mainly because they had to rebuild franchise mode for the ground up. They had to fix alot of problems that was in franchise mode. In madden 11 they will start to add things from HC 09. But you can't expect them to it all in one year. They will build up it next year.

Yeah I understand what they have been doing during this time and why there wont be a Head Coach 10. I was just trying to give Ian a hard time that's all, I am sure they have worked their butts off and so far I am anxious to buy Madden 10.

[ghostlight85]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

I don't want to make it seem like we didn't do anything with offline franchise...we did...but I also want to make sure people aren't expecting Head Coach 09 in the game.

Any more questions, direct them to Donny.

Well, I guess this question is more for Donny then, but is that part of the plan going forward? I don't want a direct port of Head Coach, but I would like to see several elements of that in future madden iterations. I was hoping we'd get some of that this year, but I totally understand the need for a solid foundation coming first. I just hope that is part of the plan for next year and going forward. There are plenty of people clamoring for things like expanded rosters for training camp, practice squads, trading future draft picks, restricted free agency, etc.

[PantherBeast_OS]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

Great information. I'm convinced that Madden 10 will be much better than NCAA 10.

Much better lol. Try way better then ncaa 10 wil be. Madden 10 is like light years better ncaa is right now.

[SHO]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

Great information. I'm convinced that Madden 10 will be much better than NCAA 10.

No contest there.

You can't garbage to Gretzky (c). Jae Millz

[Cusefan]

Re: Madden NFL 10: Online Franchise Q&A with Donny Moore

Donny and Josh are the guys to ask here as they own these modes and are way more qualified than I am to answer. But we really wanted to make this mode fun to play again, and make it a totally different experience while traveling around the league and playing week to week. We do that through a number of different avenues whether it is commentary, stat banners, cut scenes, or whatever. Josh made the statement at the beginning of the year about not building a house on a crumbling foundation - that analogy is 100% true...we definitely spent more time on fixing old broken stuff than adding new features...but there's no way we, in good conscience, could put out another Franchise mode with a few more bells and whistles on top while players didn't progress after a good year (for example).

I don't want to make it seem like we didn't do anything with offline franchise...we did...but I also want to make sure people aren't expecting Head Coach 09 in the game.

Any more questions, direct them to Donny.

This i easily the most promising news one could asking for in Madden. We talk about Madden 10 being the base for future maddens, and people will scoff at that. But the Reality in Madden is, Tiburon had to take one step back to take two steps forward. The really good news is, madden 11 can take three steps forward, no steps back.

I can honestly say that in all my times playing video games, this is easily the most impressive one year jump for any annual game.