I'm going to be that jerk: Look at NBA 2K10 and at 2K11. Multiple layers of gigantic improvements in different areas.
I'm a franchise guy, and as such didn't buy Madden 11, but was intrigued when Madden 12 was tabbed as "the year of the franchise."
Now, I'm not sure.
Here's a thought: All of this "... in the future" garbage can be solved if, following what I'm becoming more and more concerned will be yet another disappointment from the Madden franchise in 2012, 2K's bid to get NFL exclusivity in 2013 is a successful one:
http://gofanboy.com/go-fanboy-news/3...icensing-deal/
Here's to hoping that if "in five years, we'll have a complete game" is the approach, then they won't get the chance.