Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

[b22gamer]

It's just pathetic. I mean, you have the NFL license for the next 2 years. Can't you make THE ultimate football game???? EA is more worried about jerseys and new features, that honestly, no one could care less about....STRIP the game and start over...you guys over at EA need to wake up and smell the coffee...once your agreement with the NFLPA is up, its OVER for you Madden.... NFL2k5 is the best football game ever made, period. I dug up my old xbox and bought a used copy of 2k5 just for the satisfaction of a good football sim. Seriously, why play the games if its not going to be entertaining? EA promotes this game on TV like its the greatest thing since Zelda, well guess what...hardcore gamers see through your lies and we don't like it!

[Gordy748]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

Really, people complain that they want realism in Madden, yet don't seem to fathom that the most realistic aspect of the NFL is that winning is HARD. The game should be hard too, and if you aren't afraid to set the sliders to an appropriate setting, you will never achieve that no matter how the game plays.

I currently play as the Seahawks using normal speed, with custom sliders set at 13/12/12/12. Even after deciding not to use my World Class Staff power-up, I still get ~12 wins a year. Even trying playmaker's sliders, I've found that if I play a higher rated team, most times I'll win. Frankly, it's not realistic for the 'Hawks to have the Saints' track record this year (much as I'd love this to be true).

Re: Uniform degradation: Really? I mean, really? Is that what you think about when the game is over? "Oh man, my uniform is too damn clean! EA sucks!!" And news flash, most teams have some form of field turf now, so dirt on uniforms is pretty irrelevant these days.

Re: Alt Uniforms: This is something I could get behind, but as a major issue and a 'Fail'? Come the F on people, most Alt Unis get worn once or twice a season. Yes it goes to overall presentation but it is hardly the end of the world lapse that users make it out to be. Especially the 50 year patches and such. It sounds much more like people are upset that EA didn't give their teams the special attention that they think they deserve, and not really much more of an issue outside of that.

Ok, I'll agree you on this one. Dirty unis is not a game breaker. But it's annoying, just like playing in the rain in Dallas' dome. And there are a collection of annoyances that I think limit the potential of the game. For many the really annoying thing is that features that don't work right or aren't there used to be.

Re: EA not listening/caring what consumers (we) say: That is a load. And not the way any company that makes a product that has to be purchased by the consumer in order to sustain itself, operates.

We know that they listen. We know that they read the things we write. Does that mean that they can implement every thing that we want or fix /change all the issues we complain about? No, of course not. The game would never come out if they did that. But no one can say with a straight face that they haven't tried to make Madden the best product they can make, especially in light of the fact they need to put out a product every year at a certain time, where most game companies get to take 2-3 years on a game and 95% of them STILL suck.

You sure about this? People that make things we buy are just people. Some are smart, some listen, but others are stupid and others plain arrogant. I work at Sony (not Playstation) and I see dumb decisions made all the time, by companies you'd be sure would know better. Then there is money. There's not much chance it's a coincidence that Madden 11's patch 4 fixes something that could earn EA more money, while ignoring offline franchise (which doesn't earn EA ongoing revenues).

I don't doubt there are programmers working on Madden 11 that care deeply about the game. Equally, I don't doubt upper management have different priorities. They get paid on money made and boxes sold. As long as a game doesn't have critical showstoppers that impact sales, they aren't so concerned about quality. Sometimes this is a good thing (without timelines we'd never get games on time), other times less so. EA's exclusivity franchise costs a lot of money. They need to recoup this, and at the same time they have no incentive to improve it. The economics simply say that EA should spend less on development and more on trying to get money back.

Re: The patch: Personally, I haven't touched game-planing or whatever it is called so I can't comment on it. That goes for the online play and Ultimate team card game thing. Clearly though, there are people that wanted these issues addressed, and *GASP* they are willing to pay for them. As for not addressing game play... what exactly is wrong with it?

I am an avid football fan as well as a avid Madden player and I am not seeing these game play problems that people are talking about. What I see are an occasional animation glitch, sometimes I see them regularly. Raise your hand if you have ever played a game for hours on end that didn't have a glitch in it's animations.

It's not the animation based gameplay I find dull, it's where and how they happen. The gameplay allows cpu plays in instances that are not physically possible. I see cpu LBs hurdling over my prone OL and accelerate in mid air into my running back. I also regularly see them get past the tackle, then pull a Tron-like turn 90 degrees to intercept me. Or the Safety that suddenly accelerates into the path of the ball to intercept me when they were yards away running the other way. Or the cpu WR instantly change direction at full sprint to catch the ball.

I really don't mind getting beat as the 'Hawks if I'm playing the Saints. Fumbles, sacks, etc... they're given. What pains me is seeing the Saints win by pulling off impossible moves; they're a better team but they're not supposed to be extras from Marvel Comics.

Really what I see in this thread, and threads all over this forum, are people mad because they don't get to pop in Madden and get the actual NFL. I mean, yes, that would be great, it is what we all want, but it is just a video game. That isn't going to happen. (Not yet anyway) And as many people have already pointed out, it doesn't happen, and certainly hasn't happened, in any game out there, for any sport.

I agree (really, I do). But Madden (football) is the second top game type globally, after soccer. It really should offer a better experience than basketball and hockey games. I'm not sure many people would agree it does.

[romeosdistress]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

only problem i have is too many injuries to human players.

[falconfansince81]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

wow, all you guys who defend the game with your slider theory fail to realize a large majority of the madden community plays online...particularly online franchises where you can't further 'tweak' the game.

i don't even know anyone who actually plays the cpu, which is why i find it profound that so many people refer gameplay issues over to their slider solutions. its the cpu...its not like its a challenge to destroy it even on all madden...and nothing will be realistic about it no matter how good your slider settings are.

i can live with the game as it is though, and adapt as well since we all know its a video game...plays like one, and is not meant to be an nfl simulator by any means. there are no slider fixes to stop a sproles animation that sends him trucking though albert haynesworth so lets focus on what CAN be fixed and what IS being addressed.

i am glad to hear they have possibly addressed the online franchise D/C issue as now its become so bad we are lucky to get 25% of our games completed. 9 franchises in our sim community league are putting the game on hiatus hoping the patch makes it possible to continue the league we worked on so hard for years to create...

[bigsmallwood]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

And by the way, I wasn't mad. Not in the least. Maybe a little disappointed, but there was no anger in my post and no bashing of EA or the development team. You on the other hand seemed to have tweaked a nerve. The issue that I brought up is an issue that many others have echoed.

I agree. I think a nerve was hit for him because he is in love with the "idea" that sliders make everything okay in Madden, never once realizing that Madden's core gameplay needs fixing.

Sliders also don't cover up the fact that this patch is pretty bad in terms of it is not focusing on the most important aspect: Gameplay.

[BobbyColtrane]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

if they would only add an intro slider, a predetermined weather slider, a presentation slider, and a franchise mode slider i would in good shape.

the problems i have with the game have nothing to do with the sliders and whether or not i use them.

[oneamongthefence]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

I play the cpu a lot. I find realism an enjoyable experience and with sliders I get that. I do wish more gameplay tweaks are being made. An some audio problems are fixed and that helps the immersion factor however the qb intros were a problem in later years in franchise. It would often refer to last season stuff that's no longer relevant past year 1 in franchise. For play now games it should always give the good intros. I would like to hear them all but I may get them 1 out of 5 games if I'm lucky.

[Old School SD Fan]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

i don't even know anyone who actually plays the cpu

Obviously, you feel your 3 friends and you represent the entire Madden community, and sadly EA's obsession with online modes seems to indicate they do too.

To me, online is simply the "land of cheese" and always will be, a HUGE number of Madden players play the game the way they did before online existed - in franchise mode, building their franchises over multiple seasons, against the CPU. No cheese, none of the frustration of scheduling games with others.

How EA could be aware of all the community's input - they DO monitor boards like this - and blow off the three most often cited issues is beyond me : 1) QB intros, 2) field & uni degradation, and 3) gameplay bugs created by their own patch.

You want to ask who plays certain things, ask yourself how many play the incredibly lame Ultimate Teams - designed solely as a money generator? How many play the absurdly thin Superstar Mode for more than an hour or two? EA consistently burns precious development time on cutesy stuff that generates so little interest instead of just focusing on the core game modes.

Been frustrating for years and will continue to be so.

[CreatineKasey]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

wow, all you guys who defend the game with your slider theory fail to realize a large majority of the madden community plays online...particularly online franchises where you can't further 'tweak' the game.

i don't even know anyone who actually plays the cpu, which is why i find it profound that so many people refer gameplay issues over to their slider solutions. its the cpu...its not like its a challenge to destroy it even on all madden...and nothing will be realistic about it no matter how good your slider settings are.

i can live with the game as it is though, and adapt as well since we all know its a video game...plays like one, and is not meant to be an nfl simulator by any means. there are no slider fixes to stop a sproles animation that sends him trucking though albert haynesworth so lets focus on what CAN be fixed and what IS being addressed.

i am glad to hear they have possibly addressed the online franchise D/C issue as now its become so bad we are lucky to get 25% of our games completed. 9 franchises in our sim community league are putting the game on hiatus hoping the patch makes it possible to continue the league we worked on so hard for years to create...

I feel similar to you. I only play online. Because of that, sliders are irrelevant to me every year. I need the game playing well at default sliders. Have you ever got around to getting your D up? I used to go in spurts against bad opponents, but against anyone similarly matched or better than me - it's 30+ points on 10 minute quarters. Being a guy who got 4 shutouts last year and averaged giving up around 10 points per game... this is hard to stomach.

That's the gameplay issue - if you play online, especially in sim leagues, it's frustrating to see these inflated scores. Our league regularly saw/sees scores nearing a combined 100 points. That's just ridiculous. In the NFL it's much tighter than in college. Our averages aren't even close. Now, some of that goes upon the user. Even so, there doesn't seem to be that opportunity to have a low scoring game when both players are competent on offense and similarly matched.

[Old School SD Fan]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

Wow, Madden news certainly brings out all the melodramatic babies in full force. No wonder Ian never comes around anymore. I imagine it got old really quick wading through all the childish, agenda-based whining in order to get to the occasional diamond in the rough post that's actually worth a damn from a constructive criticism standpoint. For years you people have whined about "not enough post-patch support". They give it to you and you whine. "why can't they offer regular tuner adjustments like the NHL series?". They give it to you and you whine. You complain about correct 3rd jersey uniforms and stupid jersey patches. They give them to you and you whine. And you wonder why they want nothing to do with you? LOL.

You do realize a substantial part of EA's customer base are KIDS, right? You expect to deal with immaturity when you decide to put together a business to make millions off the backs of kids. There are many intelligent, mature posts in this thread, however, by older customers very effectively detailing the feeling that this final patch failed to address the main community issues while managing to address a bunch of frill modes or issues most could care less about.

[debauchlord]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

wow, all you guys who defend the game with your slider theory fail to realize a large majority of the madden community plays online...particularly online franchises where you can't further 'tweak' the game.

i don't even know anyone who actually plays the cpu, which is why i find it profound that so many people refer gameplay issues over to their slider solutions. its the cpu...its not like its a challenge to destroy it even on all madden...and nothing will be realistic about it no matter how good your slider settings are.

hate to burst bubbles, but only a slim majority of players play the game online, and of those, roughly half are exclusively online. A minority of THAT minority play online franchise. It is not near as big as you think. Everyone else is a vs. CPU "play now: game or Player vs. Player "play now" game. Of those, roughly half play franchise mode. An even slimmer majority play franchise mode longer than three years.

[falconfansince81]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

hate to burst bubbles, but only a slim majority of players play the game online, and of those, roughly half are exclusively online. A minority of THAT minority play online franchise. It is not near as big as you think. Everyone else is a vs. CPU "play now: game or Player vs. Player "play now" game. Of those, roughly half play franchise mode. An even slimmer majority play franchise mode longer than three years.

i used to strictly play offline as well until the mode became stale to me and ai far less adaptive, but rather static.

"Those playing Madden NFL 11 have averaged more than 2 million online connected game sessions each day, with nearly a fifth of all online play on a new feature that allows fans to play 3-on-3 with or against friends. "

-The Wall Street Journal

2 million people is a small minority? really??

offline franchise hasn't been the focus for years now, and its clear where EA is heading...towards a demographic that will generate revenue and increase stock value. i'm simply adjusting with the times and trying to get the most out of what we have to work with.

i don't waste my time in the lobby's, or playing ultimate team. i enjoy a sim experience vs. a human opponent because i love competition, something for ME the cpu can't provide. EA recognizes this as well, and is doing what is in the best interest for the company to be profitable while they still can...sorry to say but offline franchises aren't going to bring in the money.

you offline guys trying to patronize me are sorely missing the big picture...

[zeroice]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

Obviously, you feel your 3 friends and you represent the entire Madden community, and sadly EA's obsession with online modes seems to indicate they do too.

To me, online is simply the "land of cheese" and always will be, a HUGE number of Madden players play the game the way they did before online existed - in franchise mode, building their franchises over multiple seasons, against the CPU. No cheese, none of the frustration of scheduling games with others.

How EA could be aware of all the community's input - they DO monitor boards like this - and blow off the three most often cited issues is beyond me : 1) QB intros, 2) field & uni degradation, and 3) gameplay bugs created by their own patch.

You want to ask who plays certain things, ask yourself how many play the incredibly lame Ultimate Teams - designed solely as a money generator? How many play the absurdly thin Superstar Mode for more than an hour or two? EA consistently burns precious development time on cutesy stuff that generates so little interest instead of just focusing on the core game modes.

Been frustrating for years and will continue to be so.

I agree 100 percent i think online is alot of cheesers alot. So offline frnachise is the way to go always has i play online sometimes but its generally for someone who has to win at any cost and they are ot playing real footv\ball so its pretty boring to me..why play someone who cheeses all the itme. however i do find some games that are nioce onlione but i choose to run my own franchise


f2e8b115-3c39-4f89-9b1e-ca4ddba6199e
1.03.01

[sb24]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

So heres the common theme I have noticed.

Offline gamers - I havent played online in 5 years because of the cheese fest. All every user does is cheese and there is nothing to do to stop it. We are the majority of madden players.

Online game - I havent played franchise in 5 years because it doesnt offer a challenge anymore. I can beat all-madden with my eyes closed. We are the majority of madden players.

Can either of you sides use actual data to prove you are the majority? No you cant plain and simple. Do you guys have any idea of the number of users who have a 360/Ps3 not connected to the internet? That alone skews the number that EA releases when they say X number of users are online. Even when they release "x number of players have played at least one online game." Well they leave it at one game because of the number of users who dont go back for a second game.

[sb24]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Title Update #4 Details

Just look at video game sales, the majority of them have a strong online community.
The Online gamer is the one spending the most money this gen, and they will continually pump out cash after they bought the game on DLC. So you can continually make money from them unlike the Offline gamer.

Well my point is, there is no factual data that says which one is used more. I personally feel like the online community is bigger, but I only have my own random observations, no data. And data is skewed by the number of users who play madden on a system that is not connected to the interenet.

Who you can make more money off of is a completey different topic.