End of Console Generations is Not an Excuse for No Innovation

[DaReapa]

I really don't think Madden needs new innovations because that's what they've been trying to do for far too long with things like the Vision Cone, a repetitive football radio show, that blocking crap they tried to pull, etc. Hit stick was necessary with the advent of dual joysticks because it made no sense not to utilize the extra stick so console control innovation forced that one, so to speak.

I think EA needs to work on completing the basic, core game of football, full circle, first. Things like gang tackling and multiple hit tackles/add on tackling is not an innovation, per se. THAT IS APART OF THE BASIC, CORE GAME OF FOOTBALL, period. We need more of that and the lil things that make football, football more than grandiose not quite needed right now 'innovations' because it almost makes no sense how they don't have those things down pat , yet.

Totally agree.

[RUFFNREADY]

If EA uses kincet in this years version; i wil just not buy it.
Lack of innovation will kill the Madden franchis

[bigsmallwood]

Madden 13 is make or break. This HD gen was all about graphics but sorely lacking in features. EA has to be ashamed about how terrible this next-gen football games have gone. Reselling old features as new is tacky and the excuses just show a true lack of innovation. I really hope Madden 13 is a smashing success in the gameplay/presentation department.

[darknmild]

Madden 13 is make or break. This HD gen was all about graphics but sorely lacking in features. EA has to be ashamed about how terrible this next-gen football games have gone. Reselling old features as new is tacky and the excuses just show a true lack of innovation. I really hope Madden 13 is a smashing success in the gameplay/presentation department.

I hope so too.

[DJ]

This generation has been almost a complete waste, which is a shame. I used to play Madden year-round; now, I struggle to finish one year of a Franchise.

Oh, and I wanted to make mention of something posted in the article: the back of the box for Madden 95. If you had covered up the year and just showed me that paragraph, I would say yes to buying that game. That was a very nice piece of writing and not only did it tell you about some of the key features of the game, it painted it around a scenario that you, the gamer, could face and you could put yourself in that situation.

Sports games could stand to do more of this type of advertising, as the standard 3-4 photos and very brief descriptions really don't do much to draw in those casual fans.

[mestevo]

Re: End of Console Generations is Not an Excuse for No Innovation

Doesn't this fall squarely into the 'we don't know what all they are doing this year yet' category? Current consoles have known limitations, only so much can be done, but they've made improvements and changes every year.

Who is banging the 'no innovation until next gen' drum anyways? Which seems to be the crux of the entire article.

Below are two screenshots of Madden 11 and of Madden 12, if you think that's merely an incremental change in the way the game looks, from lighting to grass and how he's even holding the ball... there's no point in really going on.

The games aren't perfect (nor were the games in the past), but man, the hyperbole in these threads is getting pretty thick:

"This generation has been almost a complete waste"

"Madden 13 is make or break" (the number just gets incremented every year for this quote)

"If EA uses kincet in this years version; i wil just not buy it." This is the typical OS 'well EA is doing something we are asking them to, but not what I want so it's bad/wrong'

"Tweak, tweak, tweak until the new consoles come out is crap but it's what we are seeing."

I look forward to when the sticky rules are back in force again closer to release.

[PatriotJames]

"So if Madden NFL '13 fails to innovate -- if it fails to excite, as no Madden has this generation bar Madden NFL 10 -- do not blame the new consoles, blame developer EA Tiburon's inability to take advantage of the current consoles' technology."

AMEN!! Finally, someone on OS Staff talking sense about Madden. Great article, Jayson!

[fearwhatnow]

EA needs to act wisely and finally in benefit of their customers.Bring the series on PC and make it mod-friendly.This EA joke about pc piracy must come to an end.Fifa 12 for pc sold very well even if it was a mediocre game especially offline.2kSports sales on pc are good for both NBA and MLB titles all these years.

[Profit89]

EA needs to act wisely and finally in benefit of their customers.Bring the series on PC and make it mod-friendly.This EA joke about pc piracy must come to an end.Fifa 12 for pc sold very well even if it was a mediocre game especially offline.2kSports sales on pc are good for both NBA and MLB titles all these years.

Totally agree.

Bring it to the PC already, where the potential is limitless. Companies just use the piracy argument so they don't have to work hard. It enables mediocrity. Make a game run flawless online and with lots of features and the piracy argument goes out the window.

PC sales have risen dramatically in gaming and continue to rise. Digital sales are where it's at. "Get with the game" EA.

Focusing on consoles is a big mistake. In 5-10 years, you'll have casual gamers on one side (dominated by tablets) and hardcore gamers on the other side (dominated by the PC).

[BlueNGold]

Re: End of Console Generations is Not an Excuse for No Innovation

Doesn't this fall squarely into the 'we don't know what all they are doing this year yet' category? Current consoles have known limitations, only so much can be done, but they've made improvements and changes every year.

Who is banging the 'no innovation until next gen' drum anyways? Which seems to be the crux of the entire article.

Below are two screenshots of Madden 11 and of Madden 12, if you think that's merely an incremental change in the way the game looks, from lighting to grass and how he's even holding the ball... there's no point in really going on.

The games aren't perfect (nor were the games in the past), but man, the hyperbole in these threads is getting pretty thick:

"This generation has been almost a complete waste"

"Madden 13 is make or break" (the number just gets incremented every year for this quote)

"If EA uses kincet in this years version; i wil just not buy it." This is the typical OS 'well EA is doing something we are asking them to, but not what I want so it's bad/wrong'

"Tweak, tweak, tweak until the new consoles come out is crap but it's what we are seeing."

I look forward to when the sticky rules are back in force again closer to release.

Yeah, because what's really been holding the series back is graphics.

[mestevo]

Yeah, because what's really been holding the series back is graphics.

You prove my point, thanks. Another 'they improved something that doesn't count'. Would you say the same if I posted the free agency bidding screen, pictures of the improved presentation, team runout, the video that lists all the other franchise improvements, etc?


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[mcmax3000]

Is Madden 13 the last Madden before the license expires? I don't want to hear " they're just going to extend" because that's not what I'm asking.

From what I was able to find, it goes through 2013, meaning that Madden 14 would be the last game under the current deal...

But yes, they're likely just going to extend.

[Dazraz]

EA typically strip a game down to it's bare bones whenever a new console is released. I remember their PGA game on the PS1 being released with 2 measly courses. Madden 06 on the 360 is yet another example. To say that they have great big plans for the next generation of consoles when they're not even getting the best out of this generation is utter nonsense.
EA think that it's enough just to make the game look good in static screenshots. Yes there is an argument that any new piece of technology brings with it some obstacles that may have to be overcome before developers can get the best out of them, but this argument can only go so far & certainly doesn't justify some of the poor quality games we have been given.
No doubt when Madden is released on the next gen console we can expect a stripped down Franchise Mode & zero presentation with bugged gameplay. Oh well at least the commentary can't get any worse.

[PaleVermilion]

Re: End of Console Generations is Not an Excuse for No Innovation

You prove my point, thanks. Another 'they improved something that doesn't count'. Would you say the same if I posted the free agency bidding screen, pictures of the improved presentation, team runout, the video that lists all the other franchise improvements, etc?


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I would personally say the biggest thing that they suck at is the core gameplay. You know, the part that keeps people playing it long term. A game can look all pretty, but if the core gameplay sucks what does it matter? And for all their innovation with presentation, NFL2k5 still blows them out of the water. But at least I can see my team running out of the tunnel.

Sent from my 1975 typewriter using Telekinesis

[BlueNGold]

Re: End of Console Generations is Not an Excuse for No Innovation

You prove my point, thanks. Another 'they improved something that doesn't count'. Would you say the same if I posted the free agency bidding screen, pictures of the improved presentation, team runout, the video that lists all the other franchise improvements, etc?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Sorry, when did I say graphics don't count? I must have missed that. Can you show me?

My point is the graphics are great and all but there's a reason Madden is in the situation it's in right now and looked at in the light it's looked at right now. I'll give you a hint: it's not the great graphics.

I'm pretty sure 9/10 people here (if not 10/10) would trade where the graphics are at now for where the gameplay is at now in a heartbeat.