Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

[BlueNGold]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

Pretty sure Ian is a Giants fan, not a Cowboys fan.

[tlc12576]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

Pretty sure Ian is a Giants fan, not a Cowboys fan.

Oh,my bad Ian but you still get my point, I hope. LOL

Sure he gets that all the time for looking like Tony Romo's doppelganger. LOL

[PhillyJim76]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

What I don't get is, if Madden's dev team wants to do these podcasts, why would they stop doing them based upon negative feedback by SOME people? It just propogates the opinion that they are thin skinned and can't deal with criticism.

[RumbleCard]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

ugggh I'm somewhat reluctant to give my opinion because I don't want to come across as being combative (and I do enjoy the podcasts) but I was left with the impression that the higher ups at EA have done their job here. It kind of funny...listening to the podcast I wasn't really listening to the promise of an ever evolving game that I've played year in and year out but I was more listening to guys who have jobs...just like we do. It was more shop talk than game talk.

Profit. I think I heard that angle hit on time and time again in the first few minutes of the podcast. Paraphrasing here "This is what we're doing digitally to profit" "we're taking this idea in this direction to be diverse and profit" "this is idea is gone and never coming back because it's not profitable" "remember how good HC was...we created a game with just about everything we wanted in the game but were only marginally profitable" "profit...then we can profit and finally step three profit".

I don't mean any disrespect nor am I trying to speak in absolutes but I wonder if the passion of Madden is a lost art and has been replaced with trying to build a machine or an engine so to speak that is all about profit. I guess it just reaffirmed what we already know and that's cash is king. It just seems like we're in a state where what goes in to the game good, bad, gimmicky or other isn't done so for the betterment of the actual game, or step forward but more so on the presumption that something is done because it's potentially driving profit. Or not done because the costs of change out weight potential profit. Regardless of the fact that something might make the game better.

There are games that have done things that are contrary to what might be precieved as the most diverse profitable avenue but still cash the proverbial cow on it...NBA2k rings a bell. MMA 09 was another sucess story that was contrary to what most analyst viewed as potentially successful. I'm left wanting the higher ups to care more about the game and the passion because if you do that the "profit" is likely to take care of itself. Hopefully that's not fantasy land.

Most of us aren't kids here. A lot of us work and at work, for most businesses, it's profit and nothing more. Its why 90% of us do it every day. I guess I just miss the heart of Madden.

[tlc12576]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

What I don't get is, if Madden's dev team wants to do these podcasts, why would they stop doing them based upon negative feedback by SOME people? It just propogates the opinion that they are thin skinned and can't deal with criticism.

I can't speak for them but if it were me, I wouldn't want to catch hell for something I'm doing voluntarily. What posters should consider, inspite of their frustration, is that these podcast are a good faith effort to show us they are listening and trying to improve the game. These podcasts are NOT EA mandated, as far as I know, so this is just them taking their time to interact with us, the gaming community.

I appreciate that effort and hope they continue to do it.

[PhillyJim76]

I got that, but in life you are never going to have 100 percent of the people on board with what you are doing. If you want to do these, do 'em! Don't worry about some people not being happy!

[khaliib]

Well it seems like Franchise is what gamers want the most.

Good to Ian jumping in on the thread about comments.

With that being said, Ian, when the time comes to put out information/videos about Madden 12, instead of a flood of visual upgrades, online features or new casual gamer injections, would you guys go deeper into what the Dynasty will offer?

Also, what we're finding on the NCAA side is that gamers are very smart and are finding things to enhance gameplay through their extensive testing.

With staff being limited, why not allow gamers the ability to test an open editor on the current Madden?
This way you can get direct gamer feedback on thresholds and boundaries within the game if given access.

With so many complaints, it allows the gamer to really have "Some" input into next years game.

Ian, there is an abundant of FREE staff (gamers) here willing to man hours of tinkering and testing to help you guys provide the best football gaming experience.

We're here. Let us help you beyond worded suggestions noted on gaming forums.

Did I mention it wouldn't be cost to EA.
That's FREE workers.
From a business point of view, it gets no better than that.
Free Labor!!!

Oh well, I can only offer an alternative to customer complaining (some are true), but many times s good idea simply falls to the wayside.

I'll be renting 1st as I've done since '07.
Unfortunately, I have yet to invest $60 in a Madden since '06.

I guess what frustrates me, is that those posts that push Dev's buttons seem to be the one's they reply to.

I posted this earlier in the thread as an alternative to notating what my dislikes are.

So I'll give this another try and see if a response might come from you guys.

[roadman]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

ugggh I'm somewhat reluctant to give my opinion because I don't want to come across as being combative (and I do enjoy the podcasts) but I was left with the impression that the higher ups at EA have done their job here. It kind of funny...listening to the podcast I wasn't really listening to the promise of an ever evolving game that I've played year in and year out but I was more listening to guys who have jobs...just like we do. It was more shop talk than game talk.

Profit. I think I heard that angle hit on time and time again in the first few minutes of the podcast. Paraphrasing here "This is what we're doing digitally to profit" "we're taking this idea in this direction to be diverse and profit" "this is idea is gone and never coming back because it's not profitable" "remember how good HC was...we created a game with just about everything we wanted in the game but were only marginally profitable" "profit...then we can profit and finally step three profit".

I don't mean any disrespect nor am I trying to speak in absolutes but I wonder if the passion of Madden is a lost art and has been replaced with trying to build a machine or an engine so to speak that is all about profit. I guess it just reaffirmed what we already know and that's cash is king. It just seems like we're in a state where what goes in to the game good, bad, gimmicky or other isn't done so for the betterment of the actual game, or step forward but more so on the presumption that something is done because it's potentially driving profit. Or not done because the costs of change out weight potential profit. Regardless of the fact that something might make the game better.

There are games that have done things that are contrary to what might be precieved as the most diverse profitable avenue but still cash the proverbial cow on it...NBA2k rings a bell. MMA 09 was another sucess story that was contrary to what most analyst viewed as potentially successful. I'm left wanting the higher ups to care more about the game and the passion because if you do that the "profit" is likely to take care of itself. Hopefully that's not fantasy land.

Most of us aren't kids here. A lot of us work and at work, for most businesses, it's profit and nothing more. Its why 90% of us do it every day. I guess I just miss the heart of Madden.

I think the message is loud and clear. It's not time to have a coronary before the holidays with these podcasts. Take them with a grain of salt with little nuggets of information. Heck, I think this is the first time we've heard little nuggets of info this early. ie they work 98% with MUT and 2% with FM. What? What podcast was this specific information leaked?

Wait and take the aggression and hold out until you have enough concrete information when it's made available to you. Do this, and your blood pressure will drop considerably.

Once you can process the information when given, then you can kick, scream and yell to your hearts content within reason.

And I guarantee that not everyone will be a happy camper once the FM or game play information is released.

A) It should have been in the game before
B) Why wasn't this feature added.

[Ian_Cummings]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

What I don't get is, if Madden's dev team wants to do these podcasts, why would they stop doing them based upon negative feedback by SOME people? It just propogates the opinion that they are thin skinned and can't deal with criticism.

I don't give a crap about that opinion...it's just your opinion. We deal with criticism...every hour, every day. I don't want to do them if they aren't reaching their intent, which was to engage the community in a new way. We are trying to just be honest with how things work behind the scenes, but since many don't like to hear that and just turn it into a negative thing, then it isn't achieving the intent.

[Ian_Cummings]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

I guess what frustrates me, is that those posts that push Dev's buttons seem to be the one's they reply to.

I posted this earlier in the thread as an alternative to notating what my dislikes are.

So I'll give this another try and see if a response might come from you guys.

We continue to look into ways of utilizing the community and getting feedback earlier. We can't unfortunately just hope to use you for free labor.

[roadman]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

I got that, but in life you are never going to have 100 percent of the people on board with what you are doing. If you want to do these, do 'em! Don't worry about some people not being happy!

Again, I will ask, what's the point of critizing in December when all the cards are not on the table?

If you don't like something February-July, that's fine, that's the time to criticize, but not now when there isn't anything specific in front of us.

[PhillyJim76]

Since many don't like to hear that....again, why be negative? There are more than enough people who like what you and your team are doing, witness Madden being the top sports game of November for evidence of that. Like the guy above me just said, reply to the positive and ignore the negative.

[Flamehead]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

I don't give a crap about that opinion...it's just your opinion. We deal with criticism...every hour, every day. I don't want to do them if they aren't reaching their intent, which was to engage the community in a new way. We are trying to just be honest with how things work behind the scenes, but since many don't like to hear that and just turn it into a negative thing, then it isn't achieving the intent.

This is a thread devoted to discussing the podcast. To state the obvious, some will be encouraged by what they hear, some will be discouraged, some will be indifferent. I think it's reasonable that a spectrum of opinions will be given. Is that not what a forum is for?

I don't want to parse words, but if someone is disappointed with some of the things said, that's turning it into a negative thing, even if respectfully stated? And furthermore, it's only achieving the intent if everyone's response is what you're hoping it will be?

Whether you choose to continue the podcasts is up to you. More power to you regardless of that decision.

[RumbleCard]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

I think the message is loud and clear. It's not time to have a coronary before the holidays with these podcasts. Take them with a grain of salt with little nuggets of information. Heck, I think this is the first time we've heard little nuggets of info this early. ie they work 98% with MUT and 2% with FM. What? What podcast was this specific information leaked?

Wait and take the aggression and hold out until you have enough concrete information when it's made available to you. Do this, and your blood pressure will drop considerably.

Once you can process the information when given, then you can kick, scream and yell to your hearts content within reason.

And I guarantee that not everyone will be a happy camper once the FM or game play information is released.

A) It should have been in the game before
B) Why wasn't this feature added.

I didn't have any unreasonable expectation. I wasn't of the belief that we were shortchanged by the podcast. I don't have high blood pressure and I'm not all worked up over this.

I'm not entirely complaining here either. Just an observation based on my gut feeling after hearing the podcast.

I'm certainly holding judgment on the game especially this early. I'm not saying your accusing me of being one of the dozens of whiners here but I was hoping I could get my .02 across without being lumped in to that category.

Ultimately I'm hoping this will be a significant break out year for Madden and Franchise mode. I just wish that upper management profit mindset wouldn't trickle down so much.

[moylan1234]

Re: Madden NFL Designers Podcast #3

All due respect to the devs, but I'm confused by all of this would you rather have people lie and say everything is roses?