EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

[Mike32Ownz]

So I guess they decided to completely blow off Franchise/gameplay through these first few patches. Or are they just going to save that for their Madden 12 gimmick (Roster Update)?

Obviously you are entitled to your own opinion and you can disagree with anything you want, but insults are not needed. Please spare me the sarcastic remarks if you're just going to criticize me for posting up my opinion then do not read on.

Rant Begins:

Hey I'll tell you what I've been faithfully buying this game for 10 years now (2002-2011) and I am really disappointed in EA and their lack of concern for their fans especially with that whole NBA Elite Debacle. I felt like Madden 11 was EA's final shot at redemption (At least for me) and it was their final chance to really prove that each year wasn't just a patch with new rosters. Locomotion is a joke, gameflow is useless, and they have continued YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR to COMPLETELY neglect the Franchise Mode. Sorry EA but until you guys show that you actually give a darn about the people that struggle to throw you $65 a year I'm not buying any of your products.

[birdman131]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

Hey I'll tell you what I've been faithfully buying this game for 10 years now (2002-2011) and I am really disappointed in EA and their lack of concern for their fans especially with that whole NBA Elite Debacle. I felt like Madden 11 was EA's final shot at redemption (At least for me) and it was their final chance to really prove that each year wasn't just a patch with new rosters. Locomotion is a joke, gameflow is useless, and they have continued YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR to COMPLETELY neglect the Franchise Mode. Sorry EA but until you guys show that you actually give a darn about the people that struggle to throw you $65 a year I'm not buying any of your products.

Amen I totally agree the same franchise commentary slogans and the gameplay is not improving the last few years and it drives me nuts but I love football and competition that's why I give EA the benefit of the doubt and hope they improve but they have yet to make an effort it seems like to me I am done until I test play 12 before I waist my $

[blklightning]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

do what i did - buy nba 2k11. if you are even remotely interested in basketball, you will not be disappointed. i know it sucks that we can't get a good nfl game this gen. but it is nice to finally have a complete sports game to play. i tried doing this with the show, but i just find baseball to be incredibly boring.

[Gordy748]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

I've only been playing Madden since February so only know 10 and 11.

Must admit I love the game. BUT... I was appalled how unplayable Madden 11 was on stock settings. My third game on all-pro, I got beat by the Packers 78 - 92 (Hasselbeck throwing for ~950 yards!). I learned a new appreciation for how much time the likes of Playmaker, and of course you MikeOwnz, spend just trying to get the sliders to the point where the game is half realistic. And this year we now have to sort out the game plans too.

Don't get me wrong, I love Mad11 and it's my favorite game. But I haven't had years of wondering where the changes are. Other than gameflow, I can't help feeling disappointed that Offline franchise is almost identical to last year. Even gameflow's broke because it doesn't factor points difference later in the game. Then there are bugs like rain in Dallas, perennial pregame QB showdowns... if the game play wasn't better, I could have thought that Mad 10 was the less buggy improvement.

I'm going to stick with Mad 11 but won't get Mad 12 without a firm endorsement from early buyers on Operation Sports.

[phant030]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

If you build a good offline game, you build a better online game. Online, a user's action can make up for poor AI/CPU play....offline they are still problems....fix them offline, online instantly improves. If a new Madden owner dislikes the game, why play online. But if he enjoys the offline game, i believe he will be more intrigued to play online.

[Gosens6]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

This was the first year I didn't buy Madden since 95..

And i'm so happy I didn't. After I read that they did nothing to the offline franchise mode, and their entire focus was on that stupid 3-3 crap and the MUT, I knew the direction the series is taking and i'm glad I stayed faaaar far away.

I played at my brothers house a few days ago for the first time and I just laughed at how bad the game was. This is of course just MY opinion, i'm not looking to place it on others; but to me, the game is just downright bad.

[Old School SD Fan]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

I'm frustrated as well, the most complained about issues: gameplan bug, QB intros, and field/uni degradation were ignored.

They claim franchise is next year's focus, or so I've heard, hopefully that's not just hyperbole but true.

[RJTurneR]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

It's a touchy subject in a way. I mean you can't ignore people cheating or using glitches to win games online, but at the same time you can't ignore the mass amounts of people getting thrown to one side and seeing a once great game continue to become more and more worse.

I'm siding with Mike's opinion, but at the same time I suppose you have to consider other problems within the game, which is a hard thing to do.

One word: Frustrating.

[HealyMonster]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

This was the first year I didn't buy Madden since 95..

And i'm so happy I didn't. After I read that they did nothing to the offline franchise mode, and their entire focus was on that stupid 3-3 crap and the MUT, I knew the direction the series is taking and i'm glad I stayed faaaar far away.

I played at my brothers house a few days ago for the first time and I just laughed at how bad the game was. This is of course just MY opinion, i'm not looking to place it on others; but to me, the game is just downright bad.

dude, its so odd. I didnt buy, rent or even play Madden this year, and I dont even feel the need. I havent not played football since like 92 man. Literally I feel no desire to play EA sports football what so ever. I thought it would be hard as heck to watch the NFL on sunday and not feel a burning desire to go rent Madden, but after 06-10 its like they sucked the desire right out of me.

Im pulling for them to come back with 12 and have solid presentation and franchise but moreso im pulling for someone else to get a crack at an NFL game cause EA sports doesnt know what they are doing IMHO.

[evad]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

I'm afraid the franchise love we all want maybe pushed under the rug again in 2012. Ian has stated at least twice (Gomadden.com, Gameinformer) that they are only going to make changes based on the data they collect. And their data states that a minority of players even play this mode.

Now this may have been stated for the Madden 11 game but, if they feel this way about the current game, then it might be a safe bet that it will not change for next year's release.

I hope Ian and the devs prove me wrong on this.

[DaChiefs]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

I'm afraid the franchise love we all want maybe pushed under the rug again in 2012. Ian has stated at least twice (Gomadden.com, Gameinformer) that they are only going to make changes based on the data they collect. And their data states that a minority of players even play this mode.

Now this may have been stated for the Madden 11 game but, if they feel this way about the current game, then it might be a safe bet that it will not change for next year's release.

I hope Ian and the devs prove me wrong on this.

"Our data shows that players skip through presentation (because its bad) and players don't really play franchise (because its bad, and franchise players are no longer buying the game)...so we just aren't going to improve it. Our data just simply shows that nobody cares about that stuff" - Ian

[Rambo1986]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

do what i did - buy nba 2k11. if you are even remotely interested in basketball, you will not be disappointed. i know it sucks that we can't get a good nfl game this gen. but it is nice to finally have a complete sports game to play. i tried doing this with the show, but i just find baseball to be incredibly boring.

I did the exact same thing, I went and bought NBA 2K11. First basketball game I got for the PlayStation since NBA Shoot Out 98! I started off terrible because I never really followed basketball and now I am playing on Pro winning games. I have to thank EA for getting me into basketball, because with their failure to creating football video games since acquiring the exclusive license, I have been forced to play baseball, hockey, and now basketball. On Sunday, I am not even that interested in football anymore. I watch the games still, but do not follow it- I don't go on NFL.com as much as I used to when I was younger. That is because the game (NFL 2K) kept me afloat with players, it had tremendous replay value. I did a franchise with every single team and now that I accomplished that and unlocked everything in the crib, now I am a basketball guy. I hope NFL 2K gets back into the mix.

[Senator Palmer]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

I'm afraid the franchise love we all want maybe pushed under the rug again in 2012. Ian has stated at least twice (Gomadden.com, Gameinformer) that they are only going to make changes based on the data they collect. And their data states that a minority of players even play this mode.

Now this may have been stated for the Madden 11 game but, if they feel this way about the current game, then it might be a safe bet that it will not change for next year's release.

I hope Ian and the devs prove me wrong on this.

I am still wondering just how this "data" is collected. I played the hell out of my Madden 10 franchise, especially after football season. At one point I had three franchises going, and never once connected to the internet during any game. In fact, I don't connect my Xbox to the internet unless I'm looking for an update. So, how exactly is it gauged what offline players do and do not do, and with what frequency?

[Armor and Sword]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

I'm afraid the franchise love we all want maybe pushed under the rug again in 2012. Ian has stated at least twice (Gomadden.com, Gameinformer) that they are only going to make changes based on the data they collect. And their data states that a minority of players even play this mode.

Now this may have been stated for the Madden 11 game but, if they feel this way about the current game, then it might be a safe bet that it will not change for next year's release.

I hope Ian and the devs prove me wrong on this.

I read this as well.

Huge bummer and probably true as far as there intentions.

[Giants4Natic]

Re: EA continues to Neglect Franchise/Gameplay and Cater to the Online Cheesers

I am very much glad that I am not into franchise mode in any sports game. I like to play the game as realistic as possible to the real season going on.

In games like Madden, I user select all 32 teams and play every single game on the nfl schedule. That is well over 300 games. I am usually done with the season about April or May. I keep injuries like they are in real life and rosters as they are in real life. The only team I play every game on the schedule with is my Giants. The other games I pick the best team of that match up in the hopes of having the best teams in the playoffs at the end of the season. This is why I have zero need for franchise mode. All I need is stats and standings and solid gameplay and I am good.

In games like MLB the SHow, I use just one team but I only play one season all 162 games. Do not sim at all and that takes me a while to finish therefore franchise mode is not of importance to me as long as the game is good on the field which it is for the most part with the game.

In games like NBA 2k11 I pick just one team and do my season. Playing all 82 games takes a bit but if I feel that I need more, I just use another team. No need to do franchise mode.

Those are the only sports games I play. I like NCAA but to me I cant get into franchise mode therefore that game is no good for me long term because my Hurricanes play like 11-12 games and I cant use all teams because is like 119 and in Madden is only 32. LOL

Franchise mode to me is no important and as long as the game has tight gameplay and stats for one season. I am good