Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

[Sandbox]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

Ian had said that plenty of times. They had to rip out old code from run blocking and put in new code.

I know after 10 was out, Phil mentioned that showing the outside of stadiums with traffic and what not, ate up a lot of memory.

I know you stated earlier to stop saying it because it didn't happen, but the developers are the one's stating it.

I was a "lurker", he was talking about disc space(video takes up quite a bit of space).

He wasn't talking about memory(RAM), sorry but they're not the same thing.

[roadman]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

I was a "lurker", he was talking about disc space(video takes up quite a bit of space).

He wasn't talking about memory(RAM), sorry but they're not the same thing.

I hear you, but still doesn't negate the fact that the developer of FM mentioned memory as a hindrance to past FM features recently in an interview.

[Aggies7]

Correct me if I am wrong but Franchise was the last major information blog. Or is there still more to come?

[roadman]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

Correct me if I am wrong but Franchise was the last major information blog. Or is there still more to come?

Online comes out in late July and E3 is around the corner.

[LorenzoDC]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

Correct me if I am wrong but Franchise was the last major information blog. Or is there still more to come?

Looks like three more big pushes. See this ea page.

• DPP video coming on June 6.
• MUT on June 20 (yawn).
• Online Communities on July 25.

[Sandbox]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

I hear you, but still doesn't negate the fact that the developer of FM mentioned memory as a hindrance to past FM features recently in an interview.

FM?

But yes you're absolutely right, lack of memory is an hindrance on the consoles.

However, what I'm arguing is that in the case of expanding game rosters it shouldn't be a problem at all.
A lack of memory can be a totally valid reason for not being able to animate the sidelines, but in the case of adding a few kilobytes to a roster file, ehhh.... not so much.

Anyways, I am definitely pleased with all the additions to franchise mode, I might have to play more than 1 season this year.

[JaySmooov]

Sounds like rubbish. Broken IR/incorrect roster sizes have plagued madden for over a decade. I can see the argument for last gen not having it due to memory issues...but I'm curious to know why it would take 5+ years to resolve something for an engine that was supposedly rebuilt for current gen.

You have to consider that the XBOX 360 and PS3 we're built to showcase more realistic graphics. So, as with any new product, Madden had ot put their resources into graphics for next gen. If it was so cut-and-dry, where they could easily port everything over with no problems, then they wouldn't have continued to sell Madden on the last-gen for another 2-3 years (Can't remember when they stopped).

How does it sound like rubbish? Do you know where memory is allocated?

For example, 8-GB iPods don't have 8GB or memory, only about 6, because of things that have to be put on for it to work. I'm pretty sure if they couldv'e done certain things, they would have. But like I said, they have to walk the fine line between being pro-sim versus pro-casual. They can't alienate one side of the fan base for something that only occurs in the preseason. As for the IR, I never noticed that it was supposed to open a roster spot. And usually, I had a bum on my team I could afford to cut anyway. I mean, even NBA 2k11 wasn't as sim as people thought it to be. The gameplay, generally, is more cheese than sim.

Not making excuses, but EA NOT being able to add stuff isn't a bad thing. If that is the case, why can't people take their word for it?

[JaySmooov]

It's not an excuse, the developers have said outright that they are very limited due to the code they currently have and it'd be tough to re-write and have ready in one cycle. Whatever the case, they supposedly have it working now so I'm going to call it water under the bridge.

THIS.

More people need to do the same.

[Broncos86]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

There's a vast difference between a lack of disk space on the DVD (6.8GB max, or so) and bad code (injured reserve). Storage didn't need to be an issue with IR and the like. This was, IMO, more due to a priority list, and these issues were shoved further and further down until someone (Looman) decided enough was enough. This is all conjecture on my behalf, of course.

Either way, franchise rosters are not stored on the DVD; they're stored on the HDD. To say that an extra 5MB couldn't be spared to make IR work is folly. It was a choice, not a limitation.

[JaySmooov]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

http://www.ea.com/madden-nfl/blog/franchise-first-look

Just a first look at the Franchise mode by some guy named Shopmaster. Not too big, but it is insightful.

[Sandbox]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

How does it sound like rubbish? Do you know where memory is allocated?

I have a pretty good idea.

For example, 8-GB iPods don't have 8GB or memory, only about 6, because of things that have to be put on for it to work.

And this is why I asked you to stop, you are unaware of the difference between a hard drive and memory.

[LorenzoDC]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

http://www.ea.com/madden-nfl/blog/franchise-first-look

Just a first look at the Franchise mode by some guy named Shopmaster. Not too big, but it is insightful.

He has his own blog too where he did a bit of an expanded version of this. This link tells a little more about scouting and stuff, I found it interesting.

[JaySmooov]

I have a pretty good idea.



And this is why I asked you to stop, you are unaware of the difference between a hard drive and memory.

Maybe I am, I don't pretend like I'm a computer geek, or whatever. But I was making a general point.

If I felt it was important, I could go research what RAM is, versus a hard drive, and all the other things. But I don't because I really don't care for it.

If they say it was memory-related, then it's labeled BS/rubbish. But if they say it was "poor-coding" or whatever, which I have heard that thrown around, then it's labeled laziness, and they don't care about the fans again. So me trying to figure out all the intricate differences between RAM and a hard drive is pointless.

[JaySmooov]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

There's a vast difference between a lack of disk space on the DVD (6.8GB max, or so) and bad code (injured reserve). Storage didn't need to be an issue with IR and the like. This was, IMO, more due to a priority list, and these issues were shoved further and further down until someone (Looman) decided enough was enough. This is all conjecture on my behalf, of course.

Either way, franchise rosters are not stored on the DVD; they're stored on the HDD. To say that an extra 5MB couldn't be spared to make IR work is folly. It was a choice, not a limitation.

Regardless of if it's folly, or a choice, the EA team still has to make business decisions when it comes to these things.

So, maybe it WAS a choice. But, did it REALLY affect the game THAT much? The expanded rosters are a big deal, but mostly to the sim gamers. I have friends who didn't play Madden 11. Not because of a lack of dynamic commentary and a incorrect IR, or undesirable Franchise mode, but because Adrian Peterson didn't run over everybody, like he did in Madden 10, or because of the Gameflow feature. Never mind the fact that my friends didn't even take the time out to simply TURN THE FEATURE OFF, they were simple turned away because it wasn't easily accessible to the casual fan.

Like I've been saying, EA has to walk a fine line between being pro-sim and being pro-casual. Madden, and EA, can't afford to alienate one group of fans, especially the casual gamer who simple wants to have a good time.

I'm pretty sure around 60% of Madden sales are casual gamers, AT LEAST. So what do you think EA would rather lose: 6 dollars, or 4?

That's why the 2k team can create pro-sim titles, because they've always created sports games (not sure about before NFL 2k5 [I loved that game, as well as Madden. Nice change of pace] but I'm sure someone can confirm) geared towards the sim gamers. There will still be aspects for the casual, usually YOUNGER gamer (example: The Blacktop option w/ the Dunk contests and 1v1 - they even feature celebrities.) but it's mostly a pro-sim game. 2k has never sold as much as EA, but the majority of their sales we're probably pro-sim gamers.

Regardless, this is great timing for EA, with the lockout situation, for them to overhaul the Franchise mode and make it WAY more realistic. No one wants to see a lockout, but if football isn't being played, people are gonna seek Madden more than ever, and the more realistic is feels, the more EA will attract fans for future installments.

We should just embrace the game for what it's looking like now, although I know it is hard to let go of Madden's past

[JaySmooov]

He has his own blog too where he did a bit of an expanded version of this. This link tells a little more about scouting and stuff, I found it interesting.

Thanks, great read. I found out Tim Tebow will be the Broncos QB of the Future, though I kind of thought he would be anyway, haha.

Also, great to learn about how practice could be used. I was on the fence, didn't really know why it was a big deal. But thinking now, if I'm on the fence about two WRs or DBs, I can go into practice and see how they hold up in various situations.

Also, glad he told Looman the trade logic needed to be tuned. McNabb would never go for a 3rd round pick. To compare, Santonio Holmes was traded for a 5th rounder, I believe, so you could imagine he's a 4th rounder for a desperate team, at the most.

Wasn't really a fan of him trading Chris Cooley for Vontae Davis though. I think EA should have teams place more value on certain guys on the team, but that may have not been tuned yet. I don't think the Dolphins would trade Davis for many guys, as he's a good CB and a 1st rounder.