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

[Skyboxer]

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

Skyboxer - My intent isn't to just abandon Madden, although that's an option. My intent is to squeal like a stuck pig and get others to do the same until they fix it. If they don't then we'll burn that bridge when we come to it.

Oh I'm not going anywhere either. I have to have my NFL fix. I just want a better Madden and at least a small understanding of what EA's intentions are with the game.

[DaveDQ]

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

At some point in this year's development process, obviously in the beginning stages, they had a brainstroming session and this Strategy Pad came up. I'm sure they narrowed things down and decided on what would be worked on and what wouldn't. They also set their boundaries on what they can and can't do.

From that they finalized what would go into Madden 11. The re-haul of the pre-snap was one of those things. That tells me that either they don't know how to fix things like gang tackling or they don't see it as a priority to do so. It's odd too because above anything, I think Madden has a history of a very well done pre-snap feature.

[joec63]

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

[quote=DaveDQ;2041393006]At some point in this year's development process, obviously in the beginning stages, they had a brainwashing session and this Strategy Pad came up. I'm sure they narrowed things down and decided on what would be worked on and what wouldn't. They also set their boundaries on what they can and can't do.
quote]

[2krunk4u]

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

Agree. The focus ,or lack there of, this year with a lot of things is a problem.

However I still had fun with the demo. Just wish EA knew themselves whaere they wanted to take Madden. If Madden had better AI/blocking and a better more detailed play deisgn/play call system, we wouldn't even need to hot route so much and make a ton of adjustments. Thats why once in an while I take that jab and say people are used to playing Madden and not Football...

We all want the same thing and I think we all are getting a bit frustrated with the direction they are going. Which seems in a circle most of the time.

Again it seems they are basing a heck of a lot of decisions on online players. NOT GOOD.

This is another reason why the exclusive deal sucks. They (EA ) could do whatever they want but at least we'd have other companies , maybe even ones not afraid of taking some risks, putting out some other choices.
EA and other would then feed off each others game and we the gamer win, period.

Also just to make it clear. I'm not slamming EA develops in any way. I honestly feel they are and have been at the mercy of some D.A. suit somewhere. For a brief few months it seemed they were all about making the most realistic game each year and Ian seemed very upbeat and excited.

Now he "seems" to be on a leash and very unhappy about it and Madden has done an about face and it's all about "The data says this and that is being used the most" etc... WTF?
Could be wrong though...just my take.

Good post. I would have sooo much more fun with the game if this strategy pad fiasco was not a part of it, because the game delivers in many other aspects (at least from a Madden standpoint).

I just want them to focus on the things that need to be focused on! That's all we ask for. Instead they keep recycling old retreads, or adding things that dont make sense. Over the years we've asked for:

1. Improved physics
result- Protak is a joke. Players still glide on the field and bounce off of each other like we're playing pinball. The game is still tied purely to two player interactions. NHL and NBA Elite are getting it right this year with moving to an "anything can happen" approach.

2. Deeper Franchise and Superstar
result- They say they're fixing that for next year...so we'll see.

3. Improved AI
result- Strategy Pad.....wtf?

[TNT713]

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

Skyboxer - My intent isn't to just abandon Madden, although that's an option. My intent is to squeal like a stuck pig and get others to do the same until they fix it.

Problem with this is that it's counterproductive to squeal like a stuck pig when the other pigs squeal just as loud against you, even though you've been stuck with the same stick.

When QB Vision sucked the love out of playing Madden for me, I squealed. Fortunately, there were many that squealed just as loudly and it disappeared. Problem was all the squealing that led to the implementation of the asinine innovation in the first place. \

We as a community should do a better job of shooting down DUMB IDEAS before EA gets wind of silly suggestions. Otherwise we run the risk of things moving without improving: The strategy pad is one example. It doesn't do anything better than the old system.

Later

[TNT713]

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

There won't be any lawsuit over any hand injuries from using the d-pad on the 360 controller. It's in the same spot for your left hand that the right analog stick (which is used all the time in multiple games) is for the right hand. It isn't causing any injuries.

Maybe not... But if there were, it wouldn't be because of the location, but the relative location. Moving the left thumb away from the palm is tougher than moving it toward the palm because of the difference in strength of the the muscle groups attached to the thumb.

It won't bother casual players much as they will be playing other games that will even out the movements so they aren't a factor. But for guys that play Madden almost exclusively, it could become a problem making adjustments with the strategy pad when they reach 300-400 games. Especially if they are older.

On Madden 10 and before, the work of making adjustments was evenly distributed between the right and left index fingers and thumbs. With most all the action occurring with a single thumb for Madden 11, it could have some "unintended effects" including but not limited to pain.

Later

[jira2004]

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

Why don't EA seriously run some ideas by the community in the very early stages of production to make sure we are all on the same page....

All this secretive talk and when they reveal what their plans are we hate the whole concept sometimes.....To me that would greatly improve the relationship between EA and hardcore gamers...

"Thats all I have to say about that"

[SA1NT401]

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

This is both one of the nerdiest and most genius things I've seen in a long long time.

I thought the same thing

[ODogg]

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

jira2004 - yes that would make sense but they don't do it because they think it will kill the excitement that keeping things under wraps builds. also, i'm pretty sure they knew this strategy pad would be well hated. Maybe not to the extent it is being received though..

[DaveDQ]

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

[QUOTE=joec63;2041393015]

At some point in this year's development process, obviously in the beginning stages, they had a brainwashing session and this Strategy Pad came up. I'm sure they narrowed things down and decided on what would be worked on and what wouldn't. They also set their boundaries on what they can and can't do.
quote]

lol..I can't believe I did that.

[lofeazy]

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

I am in totally agreement with skyboxer and DaveQ.I wish some of you that are protesting the strategy pad would protest other things instead of letting Madden be Madden.(Tackling,animations and physics.)

[SA1NT401]

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.

Yup...If there was actually a lingering issue with it...CHange is great...But changing something to another thing that isnt a step forward? 100% silly and unnecessary.

[SA1NT401]

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?

Its frustrating Dogg to say the least. LINGERING issues goes untouched in favor of casual friendly things...Really makes you wonder why most of us bother, makes me wonder for sure. But when they have you by the short hairs and you have NOTHING else...I guess they figure, "SO what?".

Infuriating....

Maybe the Retail will play insanely better and we can all move on and enjoy an NFL game. Unlikely...But worth wishing for.

[crumpled_heap]

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

Do people really want Madden to change or is it just the cool thing to say these days?

They really want Madden to change. They want whats broken to change, such as the suction blocking, and the lack of multiple hit tackles.

[roadman]

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

Why don't EA seriously run some ideas by the community in the very early stages of production to make sure we are all on the same page....

All this secretive talk and when they reveal what their plans are we hate the whole concept sometimes.....To me that would greatly improve the relationship between EA and hardcore gamers...

"Thats all I have to say about that"

That was ruined last year by some ungracious posters.