Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

[TNT713]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

Not EA's problem. They're not forcing you to use the 360 default controller or to use the strategy pad. They provide the software; it's the users choice how they play that software. The hardware is what would cause the discomfort, not the software. That's like saying if I tried to play a PC game on a laptop that had a shape/contour that made my wrists hurt that I could sue the game makers. Wrong.

First, lemme say that I'm on PS3, which doesn't go against my thumb's natural tendency to use toward my palm. Second, lemme also say that I already experience pain in my hands that is SOOTHED when I play Madden on PS3.

I'm not a lawyer. But I understand some things about lawsuits.

1) There must be a claim of negligence or fault
2) There must be some damages as a result

The hardware is the same as it has been on 360 since it debuted. But we don't hear much about pain. If the the hardware itself isn't causing pain, we look at how the developers programmed their game to utilize the hardware.

As developers, the interface is paramount for EVERY GAME. There is no video game without an interface. The interface is what separates interactive gaming from non-interactive forms of media. Developers are squarely in the driver seat when it comes to designing their interface to mesh with the hardware of their assorted systems.

Players would not be outrageous to claim that the interface designed by software developers creates repetitive motion that can create intense pain.

While no one is forced to utilize the strategy pad, the competitive nature of the game is such that adjustments requiring the strategy pad are an integral part of the game. Playing the game without the strategy pad only benefits people who are too inexperienced with adjustments to use it anyway.

If you buy a car that pokes you in the eye every time you turn the wheel, you'd be within your rights to sue the manufacturer. There's no way anyone would be able to truthfully say that this isn't EA's fault seeing how it's been 5 years of pain-free play using the former settings.

It seems small now, but some players play Madden 365 days a year... These are the guys that face the highest likelihood for pain.

Currently, I'm unaware of studies linking video game play to repetitive motion issues. If pain develops among habitual Madden players on the 360, you can expect some studies, some medical bills, and some suits.

Silly as it sounds, companies have been sued successfully for far less.

OF COURSE... This is a moot point if none of my Madden friends develops wrist pain this year.

Later

[roadman]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

Oh and i'd like to see any telling evidence that more people like it than dislike it. That's a good one there roadman, I genuinely did LOL at that comment.

Don't think you read the last sentence correctly.

I said there is probably more telling evidence people dislike it.

??

[jamaster14]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

What is the message we are trying to send to the EA team? We can't handle change and consult us before you make any design decisions out of our comfort zone? The results are sales will drop and I won't purchase another game of Madden.

Or, get used to the new change and hope EA keeps evolving bringing on changes.

The first choice EA will announce that they listened to the masses and will be patching the old system into the game by December.(who knows how long it will take to patch it back into the game)

I agree with Skyboxer. There are more important issues in the game vs the SP. Not everyone dislikes the SP. There is probably telling evidence that there is more people that dislike it.

the message i would try to send would be:

"give us options!!!!!!!!!"

let us choose what is the best way to do things. let us choose what controls we want and what camera we want. know one knows better then ourselves what is the best experience for ourselves. if EA thinks strategy pad will rock and everyone will love it... GREAT! put it in. but give us the old option.... at least until feedback is overwhelming that the new strat pad way is great

no one complained about controls back in 2001, because you coudl choose from like 6 different ones

[Skyboxer]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

The message is don't change what does not need fixed just for the sake of change.

Agree whole heartedly

[wangtangkiki]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

I find that the main problem for me is that I have to move my thumb just like described in this video.

For Madden 11, I MUST take my finger off the stick to just activate the SP. I also have to press a button for what I want to do.. Hot routes? Okay, I press down.. If I want to put a person in Man coverage I press down on the right stick.

Madden 11: 1. Activate SP
2. Down [Hot Routes]
3. Right Stick Down [Man Coverage]
4. Offensive player's button

Madden 10: 1. Hot Routes button [X]
2. Left Stick to the left
3. Offensive player's button


It's not that it's just one more button press, it's the fact that they actually changed what button I press for man coverage.. I'm using to pressing left on the left stick for man coverage.. They've changed several different buttons for hot routes.. I could see just moving everything to the D-pad but changing the sub controls?




Hot Routes on Defense for 2010:

Left Stick UP: Hook
Left Stick DOWN: Contain
Left Stick RIGHT: Purple
Left Stick LEFT: Man Coverage


Right Stick UP: Deep Blue Zone
Right Stick DOWN: Blitz
Right Stick RIGHT: Flat Zone
Right Stick LEFT: QB Spy

Hot Routes on Defense for 2011:

D-PAD UP - Hook
D-PAD DOWN - Blitz
D-PAD RIGHT- Flat Zone
D-PAD LEFT - Purple

Right Stick UP: Deep Blue Zone
Right Stick DOWN: Man
Right Stick RIGHT: QB Contain
Right Stick LEFT: QB Spy

[ODogg]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

Skyboxer, as you said, and I know this must frustrate you very much from your posts, there are so many things that need updated and fixed in this game, doesn't it make you angry they spent time re-designing about the ONLY thing really that no one EVER complained about? I mean that's almost a slap in the face to us as consumers IMO.

We present to EA every year probably 200 things that we have issue with and instead of working on that list they choose something NOT on the list and think "We need to re-design *this*..."

When I think about it in this way, honestly, the more angrier I become. Seriously I mean WTF EA?

[roadman]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

the message i would try to send would be:

"give us options!!!!!!!!!"

let us choose what is the best way to do things. let us choose what controls we want and what camera we want. know one knows better then ourselves what is the best experience for ourselves. if EA thinks strategy pad will rock and everyone will love it... GREAT! put it in. but give us the old option.... at least until feedback is overwhelming that the new strat pad way is great

no one complained about controls back in 2001, because you coudl choose from like 6 different ones

I've said from the get-go that an option would have been the way to go.

They have taken our suggestions over the last few years. A lot has made it in, some hasn't.(from wishlist) At the end of the day, EA makes the final decisions on what goes into the game and what get's put on the shelf. ie, franchise mode.

[ODogg]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

Roadman - you're right, and it baffles me as to why they seem to listen to their target audience for other games (NHL, FIFA, Tiger) but are so schizophrenic when it comes to their flagship game.

[Skyboxer]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

you are talking about functionality, not control. YES, the functionality is till there. however the interface, input, and control of that functionality has become more cumbersome(to some/many). saying its "a different way to do the SAME thing" is really an understatement. for instance, i could take the 1 lane backroad to get to work in the morning isntead of the 4 lane highway. that would be a different way to do the SAME thing(drive to work) but id have to sit through a ton of traffic lights, more traffic, and get there 10-15 minutes later.

I'm 44 years old and had it down in 1 hour....
Again it should have been an option but IMO (I'm intitled to 1 ) it isn't worthy of the uproar when DB's still have eyes in the back of their head.

That's all I'm saying...

[Skyboxer]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

Oh and i'd like to see any telling evidence that more people like it than dislike it. That's a good one there roadman, I genuinely did LOL at that comment.

he said more dislike it I think........

[Superrandy]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

Skyboxer, as you said, and I know this must frustrate you very much from your posts, there are so many things that need updated and fixed in this game, doesn't it make you angry they spent time re-designing about the ONLY thing really that no one EVER complained about? I mean that's almost a slap in the face to us as consumers IMO.

We present to EA every year probably 200 things that we have issue with and instead of working on that list they choose something NOT on the list and think "We need to re-design *this*..."

When I think about it in this way, honestly, the more angrier I become. Seriously I mean WTF EA?

That's how I feel. They have taken out so many nice features from the PS2 days, and left so many gameplay issues still there. Why do they ask consumers what we want every year when in the scheme of things it doesn't really matter. The game will be sold in bunches no matter what because of the license. EA will take their 8.0-8.5 reviews every year as good enough.

This is seriously the first time in 15 years where I have wondered if maybe I could go without getting the game. This is the first year I have came that close, who knows how much closer I will be next year if things are still not improved. They are almost daring people to quit Madden.

[erkizzlemynizzle]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

I could learn to adjust to it if they would give me some time to actually make adjustments and not have the CPU snap the ball as soon as they get to the line.

[Flightwhite24]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

This is a very good video. EA can't deny that a problem exist. Hopefully something can be done because online is going to be how fast can I get up to the line because I don't want the def to make any changes. High-scoring games will be off the charts if this is not fixed.

Just a BAD BAD move by EA plain and simple.

[2krunk4u]

This video is what we need more of, intelligent and rational discussion of disagreement with EA over a design choice. And the thread I created about people not buying Madden 11 due to this strategy pad should also concern them in regards to the lost sales issue.

This video also confirms what I thought, that the game would work much better on the PS3. I hope EA can man up, admit they made a mistake and patch this as they did Fight Night. If nothing else, it definitely needs removed for Madden 12. Once it's gone we shall all never speak of it again.

I agree 100%. Highlight the deficiencies of this new feature because they are definitely GLARING.

Just do it in an educated manner.

Great Vid. Hopefully EA/Tiburon listens.............:/

[Skyboxer]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Video: Strategy Pad Criticisms, Letter to Ian Cummings (GoMadden)

Skyboxer, as you said, and I know this must frustrate you very much from your posts, there are so many things that need updated and fixed in this game, doesn't it make you angry they spent time re-designing about the ONLY thing really that no one EVER complained about? I mean that's almost a slap in the face to us as consumers IMO.

We present to EA every year probably 200 things that we have issue with and instead of working on that list they choose something NOT on the list and think "We need to re-design *this*..."

When I think about it in this way, honestly, the more angrier I become. Seriously I mean WTF EA?

Absolutely! I think it was a very bad move and uneccesary one. I guess a lot of things really got me this year with Madden. The most being no OF upgrades and them saying Madden 12 is the real upgrade... Really? Say that even before Madden 11 is out... lol

So yeah I'm not dismissing the fact the move was dumb... there's just other more important things IMO I wish were protested about, that's all.