Madden NFL 12 Blog - Franchise Mode in Madden 12

[Thinking Out Loud]

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.

This is not directed at Roadman but at this general notion of implying that the info EA employees supply consumers about Madden, is a creditable reference to it being true. I am attempting to state this in mature manner, so I can both vent my frustration but be constructive.

If anyone was to check my posts for the last 4-5 weeks, I was becoming increasingly more excited about Madden 12 every week. That changed a few days ago when I accidentally stumbled into a next-gen Madden PR/marketing "history lesson". At this point, I am optimistic about the fact that "new blood", Adembroski and Cam Weber, have been brought in along with the hardcore Madden gamers that are being used multiple times in this dev cycle to test the game but I am realistic about company rhetoric.

I have nothing personal against any EA football dev and I understand they are just doing their jobs. IMO, part of their jobs as developers, is to put the best "spin" on the companies product, whenever speaking publicly. Therefore, it's our jobs to be informed consumers and to rely on information from historically creditable sources inside the company, objective sources outside the company and/or our own first-hand experience.

I think the stuff they have announced this year, especially DPP, has the POTENTIAL to make Madden 12 the most immersive and organic football game experience, to date. However, as with the potential of anything, the challenge is applying it and all the reasons/excuses in the world don't change that fact.

After 6 years, NOBODY at EA has been able to apply the potential of great, innovative ideas, into NEXT-GEN Madden, for whatever reason. This is NOT a shot at the EA football devs but a realistic summation of the last 6 next-gen years. I think Looman's work from HC 09 speaks for itself and even the other devs work on last gen Maddens. So after 6 unsuccessful years, IMO, of great ideas and loads of PROVEN video game programming talent, trying HARD to fix next-gen Madden, there is a CHANCE it might be broken beyond complete repair. That may not be THESE developers fault or the consumers problem but if true, it is what it is. LOL

So until somebody or groups of bodies actually conquer this challenge, Madden info taken with a grain of salt should supply a healthy dose of skepticism.

[WB1214]

Re: Franchise Blog by Josh Looman

Being able to control all 30 teams and then edit rookie ratings makes this a win. Now I can control who gets drafted where and what their ratings will look like. Great job!

[Thinking Out Loud]

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

.....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.....

I understand what you are getting at but NBA 2k11 seems to have found a simple compromise by providing a 'Simulation" setting. No complicated slider set required but is available for those who want to use it.

Madden could simply do the same thing and make the "out the box" setting as pro-casual as they want, without constantly alienating the pro-sim gamers, like they have the last 4 years, having NO factory setting "in the box", for them at all.

[georgiafan]

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

Here is my Madden story and where I'm at now. I'm a huge NCAA fan so it's the game I play and will play a game every night for about 6 months. I'm not good at playing 2 football games at the same time and I like to get the most out of my money espically with sports game bc the value drops so much after 12 months. In 2008 I bought both Madden and NCAA and in 2009 NCAA and Head Coach. Both of those years neither one I got deep into bc I was so hooked on NCAA.

After the NFL draft and seeing the falcons make the big trade for Julio I started thinking that about how good they are gonna be in Madden. Also my 2nd fav is the team the Lions and I have yet to play a game with my Stafford in the NFL. I then dusted off my copy of Head Coach after the draft and started up a new franchise. The off season was just super fun and I said I would gladly pay 60$ for updated roster + ability to play the games + better graphics.

So I started following the info on here and the hit about everything on the head from Head Coach. My bday is in june so I may have someone get my the game from amazon so I can get 20$ to use on games.

[RGiles36]

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

This is not directed at Roadman but at this general notion of implying that the info EA employees supply consumers about Madden, is a creditable reference to it being true. I am attempting to state this in mature manner, so I can both vent my frustration but be constructive.

If anyone was to check my posts for the last 4-5 weeks, I was becoming increasingly more excited about Madden 12 every week. That changed a few days ago when I accidentally stumbled into a next-gen Madden PR/marketing "history lesson". At this point, I am optimistic about the fact that "new blood", Adembroski and Cam Weber, have been brought in along with the hardcore Madden gamers that are being used multiple times in this dev cycle to test the game but I am realistic about company rhetoric.

Two things. One, I think there is some truth to what you said in the first paragraph. We've heard a lot from the Madden devs the last 3 years, and there are def some statements you can look back on and poke a hole through. It is what it is.

Two, I'm a little confused as to how you can call reading through an old blog a history lesson. I know what you're getting at , but let's be honest: the main objective of the blogs is not to keep it real with us, it's to generate interest in an upcoming release. Simple as that. Some people (not you in particular) seem to take on this notion as if they've been mislead from year to year. With just about any videogame that comes out (especially sports games), the general theme of a new-feature blog is going to be, "Remember how frustrating xyz feature was last year? Yea, we fixed that and added a gazillion enhancements to it. That's why Madden 2024 is going to be better than Madden 2023!!" It happens every year -- and it's no different than in the blog you linked to a few days ago.

I'm not saying to not be cautiously optimistic in regards to Madden. I just feel that the idea that franchise has been upgraded is more substantiated now than it was going into M10.

[roadman]

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

This is not directed at Roadman but at this general notion of implying that the info EA employees supply consumers about Madden, is a creditable reference to it being true. I am attempting to state this in mature manner, so I can both vent my frustration but be constructive.

If anyone was to check my posts for the last 4-5 weeks, I was becoming increasingly more excited about Madden 12 every week. That changed a few days ago when I accidentally stumbled into a next-gen Madden PR/marketing "history lesson". At this point, I am optimistic about the fact that "new blood", Adembroski and Cam Weber, have been brought in along with the hardcore Madden gamers that are being used multiple times in this dev cycle to test the game but I am realistic about company rhetoric.

I have nothing personal against any EA football dev and I understand they are just doing their jobs. IMO, part of their jobs as developers, is to put the best "spin" on the companies product, whenever speaking publicly. Therefore, it's our jobs to be informed consumers and to rely on information from historically creditable sources inside the company, objective sources outside the company and/or our own first-hand experience.

I think the stuff they have announced this year, especially DPP, has the POTENTIAL to make Madden 12 the most immersive and organic football game experience, to date. However, as with the potential of anything, the challenge is applying it and all the reasons/excuses in the world don't change that fact.

After 6 years, NOBODY at EA has been able to apply the potential of great, innovative ideas, into NEXT-GEN Madden, for whatever reason. This is NOT a shot at the EA football devs but a realistic summation of the last 6 next-gen years. I think Looman's work from HC 09 speaks for itself and even the other devs work on last gen Maddens. So after 6 unsuccessful years, IMO, of great ideas and loads of PROVEN video game programming talent, trying HARD to fix next-gen Madden, there is a CHANCE it might be broken beyond complete repair. That may not be THESE developers fault or the consumers problem but if true, it is what it is. LOL

So until somebody or groups of bodies actually conquer this challenge, Madden info taken with a grain of salt should supply a healthy dose of skepticism.

I know you weren't taking a shot at me as you described, no need to kill the messenger, lol.

There's three sides to every story, the truth, not the truth and somewhere in-between. It's up to each individual to pick their poison.

I'd like to feel that with the great HC09 produced by Josh Looman he will pull it off for Madden as well.

Time will tell.

I would think people like Shopmaster(who pointed out that draft picks were a bit high for vets) would help out like he did.

Ah, ok, I agree with RGiles on this one too.

[JaySmooov]

I understand what you are getting at but NBA 2k11 seems to have found a simple compromise by providing a 'Simulation" setting. No complicated slider set required but is available for those who want to use it.

Madden could simply do the same thing and make the "out the box" setting as pro-casual as they want, without constantly alienating the pro-sim gamers, like they have the last 4 years, having NO factory setting "in the box", for them at all.

I would TOTALLY be for a simulation setting. One of 2k11's most underrated features, IMO. We've gotta push that, that could be the one thing to give gameplay a more realistic balance. The simulation could turn up the penalty sliders, difficulty on hitting the slants, posts, and all gameplay in general.

[JaySmooov]

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

I know this is off topic, but this song brings back glorious memories of the good days, haha. Had to post it, hope it's not taken down or anything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SRCvn1FHXM

Ahh, the Rams having the best rating in the game at a 91. The Cowboys sucking. Mike Vick with that legendary (At the time) 95 speed. The good ol' days, Madden needs to get back to that.

The best Madden in the entire series, IMO, and they should go back and look at how they did that, to build off of Madden 12.

[Smoke316]

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

http://mymaddenpad.com/2011/05/the-m...ennewscom-show

Guys check out this radio show. These guys do a good job of explaining some of the changes

Apparently there are some wants and needs that factor into where guys sign. So if someone is all about the money he may jump to the highest bidder fairly quickly

[JaySmooov]

This is not directed at Roadman but at this general notion of implying that the info EA employees supply consumers about Madden, is a creditable reference to it being true. I am attempting to state this in mature manner, so I can both vent my frustration but be constructive.

If anyone was to check my posts for the last 4-5 weeks, I was becoming increasingly more excited about Madden 12 every week. That changed a few days ago when I accidentally stumbled into a next-gen Madden PR/marketing "history lesson". At this point, I am optimistic about the fact that "new blood", Adembroski and Cam Weber, have been brought in along with the hardcore Madden gamers that are being used multiple times in this dev cycle to test the game but I am realistic about company rhetoric.

I have nothing personal against any EA football dev and I understand they are just doing their jobs. IMO, part of their jobs as developers, is to put the best "spin" on the companies product, whenever speaking publicly. Therefore, it's our jobs to be informed consumers and to rely on information from historically creditable sources inside the company, objective sources outside the company and/or our own first-hand experience.

I think the stuff they have announced this year, especially DPP, has the POTENTIAL to make Madden 12 the most immersive and organic football game experience, to date. However, as with the potential of anything, the challenge is applying it and all the reasons/excuses in the world don't change that fact.

After 6 years, NOBODY at EA has been able to apply the potential of great, innovative ideas, into NEXT-GEN Madden, for whatever reason. This is NOT a shot at the EA football devs but a realistic summation of the last 6 next-gen years. I think Looman's work from HC 09 speaks for itself and even the other devs work on last gen Maddens. So after 6 unsuccessful years, IMO, of great ideas and loads of PROVEN video game programming talent, trying HARD to fix next-gen Madden, there is a CHANCE it might be broken beyond complete repair. That may not be THESE developers fault or the consumers problem but if true, it is what it is. LOL

So until somebody or groups of bodies actually conquer this challenge, Madden info taken with a grain of salt should supply a healthy dose of skepticism.

True. I realize that, although I never noticed because it took me time to become more of a sim gamer. However, I also know the purpose of games is to have fun and get away from reality.

That being said, Looman worked on the PS2/Xbox versions of the game up until 2007 (Madden 08 for PS2/xbox) I believe, when the game was actually playable, gameplay and franchise wise. I switched over to next-gen for Madden 08, and I think Madden 08 may be the best next-gen Madden to date. That's pretty sad, but true, IMO.

I mean, even the soundtracks are starting to become lackluster. I was actually looking forward to Elite's soundtrack featuring one artist (one of my favorites ) J. Cole.

But back to franchise. Yes it has the potential to set the bar for franchise modes across the board, IMO. But we have to see. I'm optimistic, but cautious as well. Even a TINY bit skeptical as to whether it can hold up, post patch/update (Same for gameplay).

[Thinking Out Loud]

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

Two things. One, I think there is some truth to what you said in the first paragraph. We've heard a lot from the Madden devs the last 3 years, and there are def some statements you can look back on and poke a hole through. It is what it is.

Two, I'm a little confused as to how you can call reading through an old blog a history lesson. I know what you're getting at , but let's be honest: the main objective of the blogs is not to keep it real with us, it's to generate interest in an upcoming release. Simple as that. Some people (not you in particular) seem to take on this notion as if they've been mislead from year to year. With just about any videogame that comes out (especially sports games), the general theme of a new-feature blog is going to be, "Remember how frustrating xyz feature was last year? Yea, we fixed that and added a gazillion enhancements to it. That's why Madden 2024 is going to be better than Madden 2023!!" It happens every year -- and it's no different than in the blog you linked to a few days ago.

I'm not saying to not be cautiously optimistic in regards to Madden. I just feel that the idea that franchise has been upgraded is more substantiated now than it was going into M10.

I felt the same way up until a few days ago. LOL. Now I feel it may be better tuned thanks to AJ and the hardcore gamers seemingly doing multiple test runs but the actual upgrades, not so much.

I really respect your posts for the most part and think you come across as a reasonable poster. However, I was not basing my "history lesson" on just that blog but the slippery slope reading that blog, put me on. After reading that, it prompted me to look at even more "historic" next-gen info and ALL of that led to my self-proclaimed PHD (Perceived Hating Degree) in next-gen Madden history. LOL

I will not go to deeply into it or directly quote stuff, for obvious reasons but let me paraphrase something found in that particular blog, to illustrate my point.

Player progression being grouped by age was stated as a problem in Madden 09, that was fixed in Madden 10 by basing progression on ALL players regardless of age. In Madden 12 that same "historical" problem has been reintroduced as a fix to the current problem in Madden 11, of basing player progression on ALL player regardless of age. WTF? LOL

Now it all fairness, there may be other factors that allow the age based progression to work in Madden 12, that were not present in previous next-gen Maddens. However, if that is the case, I would have liked for that to been mentioned in the Madden 12 franchise blog, considering that past next-gen Madden blogs are a simple Google search away.

[Broncos86]

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

I felt the same way up until a few days ago. LOL. Now I feel it may be better tuned thanks to AJ and the hardcore gamers seemingly doing multiple test runs but the actual upgrades, not so much.

I don't understand how using something like player progression can negate improvements such as expanded rosters and IR fixed, preseason making a difference, etc. You're pointing out player progression (which can be argued either way) versus aspects of franchise that this very forum and others like it have begged and pleaded to get for years. And now we FINALLY have expanded rosters, fixed IR, and more, and you're willing to cancel all of that for a subjective argument on player progression?

[zardon]

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

Hello there.

Does anyone know if Madden 12 will see a return (or inclusion of a better) owners mode.

I recall Madden 08, and other non-EA games would allow you to set ticket prices, upgrade stadiums, manage price/stock/inventory of concessionary items, etc.

Also, how much deeper is the negotiation to sign people? Is it like EA Head Coach, or NCAA Football 10/11, or is it a much more leaner process?

Thanks.

[Thinking Out Loud]

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

I don't understand how using something like player progression can negate improvements such as expanded rosters and IR fixed, preseason making a difference, etc. You're pointing out player progression (which can be argued either way) versus aspects of franchise that this very forum and others like it have begged and pleaded to get for years. And now we FINALLY have expanded rosters, fixed IR, and more, and you're willing to cancel all of that for a subjective argument on player progression?

Whoa horsey! LOL

It seems like you are grazing over my post and acting as if I am making an unreasonable statement. I don't see what is "subjective" or can be "argued" about, concerning the player progression paradox, I referenced. It's very easy for ANYBODY to confirm through, an internet or OS search. I even stated a possible reason for why this was done but maybe you galloped past that.

As far as the features you listed that have been added, where have I said or even implied that historic next-gen Madden rhetoric should "negate" or "cancel all of that"? Blinders might have caused you to miss what I said about DPP having "the POTENTIAL to make Madden 12 the most immersive and organic football game experience, to date", on the same page as your reply.

What I was referring to by "upgrades" was NOT the presence of features but how close to intended and/or described they operate, according to yearly next-gen Madden EA rhetoric.

You might want to hold you horses the next time before jumping the gun.

I meant no disrespect with this reply, just having some personal goofy fun with your user name. And as a life-long Redskins fan, now that we have Shanahan, maybe Denver is willing to trade Champ Bailey and a 2nd round pick back for Clinton Portis! LOL

[roadman]

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

Whoa horsey! LOL




What I was referring to by "upgrades" was NOT the presence of features but how close to intended and/or described they operate, according to yearly next-gen Madden EA rhetoric.

I thought I would "mosey" on over and chew the cud.

For me, I don't recall seeing virtual video or other released video for franchise mode in Madden 10. I just remember that blog.

It helps for me to see the written and visual communication. In due time, we will see how it all works out.