The Madden Football Game

[4thQtrStre5S]

We have all had our complaints about what Madden is or is not; but in the end we have to realize that Madden is a game that is trying to bring the user into the game and make the user the determining factor...

Anyone, within the EA/Tiburon ideology for the game, can take any team and be competitive; that is what I see and believe is the intent..I can point out issues with ratings and game play, but in the end, the game is exactly as it should be, in relation to any other game, it is a USER determined outcome game...

Hopefully we will see some help in better A.I., but please refrain from complaining if you are getting beat by out patterns during the 2 minute game, for example, yet you refuse to switch to user a flat zone defender...

Madden will always be about user input...

With that, what would people like to see in Madden to make the user input easier on field?

One thing I would like is a better way to switch players after the ball is snapped..As we know, prior to snap, we are capable of scrolling effectively through players, but after snap we are set to select the player closest to the ball, which is not always reliable..I would like to see a better system in this regard, but not sure how it would work..

[Dr Death]

Re: The Madden Football Game

One thing I would like is a better way to switch players after the ball is snapped..As we know, prior to snap, we are capable of scrolling effectively through players, but after snap we are set to select the player closest to the ball, which is not always reliable..I would like to see a better system in this regard, but not sure how it would work..

I would agree that a much more reliable ability to switch players would be welcome. And I would add that it seems, to me, that EA is making Madden for casual gamers. People who buy the game, play it for a couple of months and then move on.

The sad thing is that if they addressed the hard-core sim players, word of mouth would spread like a wild fire and everybody would be into the game, not just casual gamers. Why they ignore things that sim players want and seemingly cater to the casual player is beyond me.

[jpdavis82]

Re: The Madden Football Game

I would agree that a much more reliable ability to switch players would be welcome. And I would add that it seems, to me, that EA is making Madden for casual gamers. People who buy the game, play it for a couple of months and then move on.

The sad thing is that if they addressed the hard-core sim players, word of mouth would spread like a wild fire and everybody would be into the game, not just casual gamers. Why they ignore things that sim players want and seemingly cater to the casual player is beyond me.

What things do you feel like they are ignoring as far as the gameplay? I think I know what most people want in CFM.

[Dr Death]

Re: The Madden Football Game

What things do you feel like they are ignoring as far as the gameplay? I think I know what most people want in CFM.

How about formation subs, which were in NCAA??? How about realistic sidelines, actual working penalties, crowds that are realistic, announcers who sound like they are actually watching the game that you are playing.

[jpdavis82]

Re: The Madden Football Game

How about formation subs, which were in NCAA??? How about realistic sidelines, actual working penalties, crowds that are realistic, announcers who sound like they are actually watching the game that you are playing.

Most of that isn't gameplay related and none of that is being ignored. Also, you didn't give a very specific answer, what is a realistic crowd? What about realistic sidelines? That can mean a number of things.

[Dr Death]

Re: The Madden Football Game

Most of that isn't gameplay related and none of that is being ignored. Also, you didn't give a very specific answer, what is a realistic crowd? What about realistic sidelines? That can mean a number of things.

It's all about being immersed in the game, something that has been lacking for quite a while. You know what realistic crowds and sidelines look like... players paying attention to the on-field action, or going over things with coaches, crowds with females, signs and/or banners, sections where fans of the opposing team are at, etc...

It's having that feeling of being totally immersed in the game. And when you see the sidelines in Madden and see a guy wearing the number 19 standing there, even though he's on the field as one of your starters, it's things like that lack of attention to detail that just takes you out of being immersed.

[Big FN Deal]

Re: The Madden Football Game

We have all had our complaints about what Madden is or is not; but in the end we have to realize that Madden is a game that is trying to bring the user into the game and make the user the determining factor...

Anyone, within the EA/Tiburon ideology for the game, can take any team and be competitive; that is what I see and believe is the intent..I can point out issues with ratings and game play, but in the end, the game is exactly as it should be, in relation to any other game, it is a USER determined outcome game...

Hopefully we will see some help in better A.I., but please refrain from complaining if you are getting beat by out patterns during the 2 minute game, for example, yet you refuse to switch to user a flat zone defender...

Madden will always be about user input...

With that, what would people like to see in Madden to make the user input easier on field?

One thing I would like is a better way to switch players after the ball is snapped..As we know, prior to snap, we are capable of scrolling effectively through players, but after snap we are set to select the player closest to the ball, which is not always reliable..I would like to see a better system in this regard, but not sure how it would work..

What I don't get is this false narrative that it's all or nothing somehow, sports games have been offering a reasonably complete experience before, after and during the time Madden hasn't. OP I see you and others spout this notion quite a bit in one way or another "it is a USER determined outcome game" as if that somehow justifies Madden's approach to it or as if that is the only or even best approach but it's clearly not. Madden doesn't exist in a vacuum, when reasonable people have an issue with the way things are handled in Madden, most times it's based on seeing the same thing done better in other video games where "it is a USER determined outcome game" too.

As far as the question in bold, making everything applicable function as NFL realistic as possible could make user input easier on the field. The more real world context, the better a User can apply critical thinking for success and adjustments, even down to determining if direct User control is the best option vs delegation. Deciding to delegate control to the AI is a kind of User control, just like when the User doesn't control the other 10 players on the field at any given time, so I don't understand how say choosing to directly control a DE pass rusher during a passing play and delegating the AI CB to attempt to make a play, takes away from a User determined outcome game.

In basketball games a User can choose to "player lock" meaning no matter what, they just control that one player or position on the court, while all their teammates are under AI control, even then they still have direct User control of play calling, subs, when to call for the ball, etc, so again, the notion that Madden can't or shouldn't offer various ways and levels of User control just because it's a User determined outcome game, is off base. In fact, which other sports games have demonstrated, it's better to create them where the AI can play itself and emulate real world play, then add/layer various User interaction capabilities and interfaces than trying to make a User based game where NPC AI is essentially just background and mundane.

Madden is supposed to be a User determined NFL simulation game, which is key because that's a team sport it's supposed to be representing, not to be confused or convoluted with some other type of game where 1v1 is paramount and team is secondary. Also to reiterate, I'm not referring to some Utopian futuristic concept in gaming, I'm basing these things on what other sports games have already done and continue to do.

[4thQtrStre5S]

Re: The Madden Football Game

What I don't get is this false narrative that it's all or nothing somehow, sports games have been offering a reasonably complete experience before, after and during the time Madden hasn't. OP I see you and others spout this notion quite a bit in one way or another "it is a USER determined outcome game" as if that somehow justifies Madden's approach to it or as if that is the only or even best approach but it's clearly not. Madden doesn't exist in a vacuum, when reasonable people have an issue with the way things are handled in Madden, most times it's based on seeing the same thing done better in other video games where "it is a USER determined outcome game" too.

As far as the question in bold, making everything applicable function as NFL realistic as possible could make user input easier on the field. The more real world context, the better a User can apply critical thinking for success and adjustments, even down to determining if direct User control is the best option vs delegation. Deciding to delegate control to the AI is a kind of User control, just like when the User doesn't control the other 10 players on the field at any given time, so I don't understand how say choosing to directly control a DE pass rusher during a passing play and delegating the AI CB to attempt to make a play, takes away from a User determined outcome game.

In basketball games a User can choose to "player lock" meaning no matter what, they just control that one player or position on the court, while all their teammates are under AI control, even then they still have direct User control of play calling, subs, when to call for the ball, etc, so again, the notion that Madden can't or shouldn't offer various ways and levels of User control just because it's a User determined outcome game, is off base. In fact, which other sports games have demonstrated, it's better to create them where the AI can play itself and emulate real world play, then add/layer various User interaction capabilities and interfaces than trying to make a User based game where NPC AI is essentially just background and mundane.

Madden is supposed to be a User determined NFL simulation game, which is key because that's a team sport it's supposed to be representing, not to be confused or convoluted with some other type of game where 1v1 is paramount and team is secondary. Also to reiterate, I'm not referring to some Utopian futuristic concept in gaming, I'm basing these things on what other sports games have already done and continue to do.

I definitely see a need for improved A.I., I was merely pointing out that there needs to be a point of user control in determining an output on any given play..

Most surely, every A.I. controlled player should perform to their assignments, but, as a game, shouldn't the player assign the assignments?

[Big FN Deal]

Re: The Madden Football Game

I definitely see a need for improved A.I., I was merely pointing out that there needs to be a point of user control in determining an output on any given play..

Most surely, every A.I. controlled player should perform to their assignments, but, as a game, shouldn't the player assign the assignments?

Yes but in relation to real football, since this is a football game, meaning those assignment decisions should be User controlled in the play calling, coaching, sideline aspect, etc, when not directly User controlled, not some unrealistic User micro management at the LOS. I've said before, the beauty of a football video game is that the User is able to wear many hats but not all at the same time, which allows for that team element to be represented.

The main point is in a football game, unlike some 1v1 game, User control should encompass far more than just direct game play, that's only one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Football is the ultimate team sport because so much beyond individual performances on the field factor into the outcomes. So for any football game to ignore or marginalize those other aspects in favor of focusing mainly on User control on the field, results in an incomplete experience.

[Primo80]

Re: The Madden Football Game

I like your post. There are a lot of sacred cows in Madden gameplay. Be easily accessible, have a gentle learning curve and dont outsmart, alienate, or take advantage of players. On Sundays, there is a reason the play clock ticks down to the last seconds more often than not. There's a reason players make mistakes and get beat. It's the same reason elite players find success so consistently. That reason is gameplanning, or preparation.

Players take time to get on and off the field during substitutions. The playcall takes time to be transmitted and relayed to the huddle. These, and pre play adjustments, chew up the play clock which creates challenges for teams.

Teams study film and find tendencies within others: specific players' or generally. Coordinators find weaknesses to exploit and all try to cause confusion in opponents.

Elite players can be counted on to make plays because of their conditioning, preparation, leadership, and/or consistency. They fit the scheme, they are put in positions to succeed, they make good decisions.

With all that in mind, any RPG or customization elements in Madden should be installed during the week and put in motion during the game. Sub packages, opening offensive drive plays, defensive matchups, trick plays.

Remember setup plays in NCAA? Isnt that the biggest part of playcalling on both sides of the field? I can't really think of anything more important, other than taking educated guesses on what will work based on D&D (which Madden is still catching up on). On a side note, say a team runs a draw on third down and long on their side of the field. This should be a OC's tendency compared to one who will take a bigger risk, not some random, head-scratching decision. But i have never felt or even suspected that a team was calling plays designed to trick, exploit mismatches, or set me up.

I like the idea that user control should be emphasized and i think that could be achieved by giving the user satisfaction that a decision s/he made in preparation affected something during the game.

[Skyboxer]

Re: The Madden Football Game

I'm going to be point blank honest here.
Madden 16 with upgraded gameplay (like the upcoming WR/DB interaction) is great and I am looking forward to it.
However until EA gets to the point of giving the game LIFE it will simply be the same ole same ole. Not saying I won't enjoy it but not nearly as much as I'd like to.

The game needs to be more than a cut paste FB game.
By LIFE I mean things happening that give the illusion of a non scripted experience. And I don't mean scripted as in final game results but rather a robotic atmosphere.

Bad snaps, players lines up incorrectly (As the gamer it would be on us to see it and either call a TO or have an option in game to call players to reset etc..), trash blowing around on windy days etc.. etc...
I could go on and on.

I'll enjoy it for what it brings but Madden should far and away be to the point these "little things" are being added each year instead of the minor and some important upgrades each year that have been way overdue.

Just my .02

[The JareBear]

Re: The Madden Football Game

I want total control. I want to be able to tell my o-line/rbs to double team any defender I choose even if it means blowing up the play or letting a defender rush free unblocked every single time. I want to be able to tell my defense to watch screen first primarily even if it means anything else would be wide open.

If they want a real user chess match give users complete control over scheme and priorities.

As far as between the whistle, I am a no switch gamer, I want ratings to dictate outcomes. They gotta make ratings more meaningful as well as sliders that work

Edit

What I'm talking about could easily be achieved if they bring back create a play.

[iFnotWhyNoT]

Re: The Madden Football Game

It would be nice for loud stadiums and atmosphere to actually impact user gameplay. For example calling an audible only to see a WR put his hands up like " what i didnt get that."

Also, being able to call your snap count on 1 2 or 3 when your choosing your play, and seeing more false starts during louder moments when an O line jumps.

[SolidSquid]

Re: The Madden Football Game

It would be nice for loud stadiums and atmosphere to actually impact user gameplay. For example calling an audible only to see a WR put his hands up like " what i didnt get that."

Also, being able to call your snap count on 1 2 or 3 when your choosing your play, and seeing more false starts during louder moments when an O line jumps.

Which is something that was in football games 2 console generations ago. That's my biggest pet peeve with madden, they made a great game in the ps2 era why not bring back everything that game had? They are trying to reinvent the wheel when it's unnecessary.

[Hooe]

Re: The Madden Football Game

Which is something that was in football games 2 console generations ago. That's my biggest pet peeve with madden, they made a great game in the ps2 era why not bring back everything that game had? They are trying to reinvent the wheel when it's unnecessary.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't recall any professional football video game with a home field advantage mechanic.

NCAA Football had some amount of home field advantage factor for the longest time, however, as recent as NCAA Football 14.