Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

[RaychelSnr]

This week’s episode is a deep dive into the modifications and improvements in this fall’s upcoming Madden NFL 16. Host Rich Grisham is joined by two of the leading designers of Madden’s Connected Franchise Mode, including Creative Director Kolbe Launchbaugh and Designer John White. The three discuss a host of additions and changes to CFM, including the updated goals framework, new scouting and draft options, updated commissioner tools, and a host of other items.

Enjoy!

Joining us this week:

• Koble Launchbaugh, EA Sports (@KolbeL)
• John White, EA Sports (@EAWhite)
• And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

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Run Time: 54 minutes

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[howboutdat]

i have now lost all hope in CFMs future . Its all about the casuals now, and im just not going down that road. So done with this game already .

[The JareBear]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

For those of us unable to listen right now can someone summarize it?

[mestevo]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

Notes below about goals and confidence, which is what I'm probably looking forward to the most outside of the reworked player card and any gameplay improvements (we've still got a lot to learn about this title). Looking forward to these as someone who likes to often just jump into a game and mostly run the recommended plays as if a coordinator is doling them out. I REALLY like that it looks like we're going from getting simply '10 passing yards' and then a 'Alex Smith 4/6 112 yards' - usually neglecting the receiver, etc. - to a much richer set of statistics on a play by play basis if you're a coach.

Notes.

Dynamic Drive Goals
(there are still 2 goals systems)

- the weekly/season/milestone goals (still present, upgrade, changed a little bit)

Dynamic Drive Goals
- Augment the seasonal/weekly goals
- Goals better messaged (progress in ticker)
- As a coach/owner you see updates for all positions (LE w/ tackle goal, can see progress)

Dynamic goals more situational
- Correct confidence (no examples given, assuming things like 'get a first down' similar to how we see teams in a rut finally getting over the hump)
- Considers the various aspects of the game and providing goals based on that
- Example: after a pick, capitalize on a turnover by scoring
- no downside, they're goals/objectives for token xp/confidence

Confidence
- rebalanced and retuned, more forgiving but has to be paid attention to. system isn't as aggressive.
- dynamic goals can key off confidence to provide goals to help where needed

[JayD]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

Please stop concentrating on XP and just work on the broken parts of CFM that have been around for a couple of years. Pretty sure the majority don't care about earning XP from stupid in game goals that forces you to change the way you play the game.

[mestevo]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

Please stop concentrating on XP and just work on the broken parts of CFM that have been around for a couple of years. Pretty sure the majority don't care about earning XP from stupid in game goals that forces you to change the way you play the game.

They don't force anything and can be ignored, there's no downside.

[bcruise]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

They don't force anything and can be ignored, there's no downside.

Yeah. I don't like that the season goals are still tied to regression, but the dynamic in-game ones are all-reward, no risk.

[bucky60]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

They don't force anything and can be ignored, there's no downside.

Hard to ignore XP when that's the mechanism used for progression.

[mestevo]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

Hard to ignore XP when that's the mechanism used for progression.

Post was complaining about the 'stupid game goals'

Even then, I let the AI do a lot of my progression and just play the game. My OCD is waning and just want to enjoy the game.

[bucky60]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

Post was complaining about the 'stupid game goals'

Even then, I let the AI do a lot of my progression and just play the game. My OCD is waning and just want to enjoy the game.

Then go ahead and enjoy the game. But the guys not wrong about disliking XP/goals and how that inherently changes the way one plays, if they want the team to progress. Sounds like it's even a goal of the designers since EA is stating it changes the way one plays the game.

Dude, I have nothing against you enjoying playing Madden.

[ggsimmonds]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

They don't force anything and can be ignored, there's no downside.

Except for the resources that were devoted to their implementation.

[jfsolo]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

Then go ahead and enjoy the game. But the guys not wrong about disliking XP/goals and how that inherently changes the way one plays, if they want the team to progress. Sounds like it's even a goal of the designers since EA is stating it changes the way one plays the game.

Dude, I have nothing against you enjoying playing Madden.

It doesn't inherently change the way one plays, it's just that many people can't help themselves and allow their meta knowledge to affect their play style. I played through more than 10 season in CFM in Madden 15 and I never let any goals influence how I played in any game. I played my style, adjusted to whatever game situation occurred and let the XP chips fall where they may. The players who progressed the best/got the most XP did so because my style and play calling allowed them to make the most plays.

Not liking this system is a completely reasonable stance to have, but it really is a User choice to allow it to influence your play style in any way.

[oneamongthefence]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

It doesn't inherently change the way one plays, it's just that many people can't help themselves and allow their meta knowledge to affect their play style. I played through more than 10 season in CFM in Madden 15 and I never let any goals influence how I played in any game. I played my style, adjusted to whatever game situation occurred and let the XP chips fall where they may. The players who progressed the best/got the most XP did so because my style and play calling allowed them to make the most plays.

Not liking this system is a completely reasonable stance to have, but it really is a User choice to allow it to influence your play style in any way.

I agree. And many of the goals sound like stuff you would do anyway. If your worried about goals being easily attained just bump difficulty/sliders. Those who want to throw for 700 yards a game are gonna do that any. The only way to really counter that is have a wear and tear system that accounts for snaps played hits taken etc.

[Markdoe]

Re: Press Row Podcast Episode 136: Madden NFL 16 CFM Deep Dive

This interview was a joke, right? A prank or somthing correct? Please somebody tell me they're kidding. Next gen is seeming to be so not worth it. I'm sorry... Just my opinion. But a let down one. Money and greed is ruining everything once again it seems. Sad face.

[howboutdat]

This interview was a joke, right? A prank or somthing correct? Please somebody tell me they're kidding? Next gen is seeming to be so not worth it. I'm sorry... Just my opinion. But a let down one. Money and greed is ruining everything once again it seems. Sad face.

agreed @markdoe , im done with this game already. Have fun to all the casual gamers.seems all EA cares about at this point.