What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

[Boiler569]

My first time playing Madden was Madden '93 for Sega when I was about 8 --- since then, I've played at least a dozen versions --- but the most recent was awhile back, Madden 2014 (Madden 25)

I'm gearing up for a comeback in Madden '17

but thought I'd see if anyone could link me to any posts or articles detailing some of the big improvements/changes in the past couple of years? I'm about to start digging deep into changes specific to Madden '17 but trying to see what else I might have missed in the past couple years I heard Defense got a big revamp a couple years back?

thx for any help you can give

P.S. Feel free to make this an 'opinion' thread rather than just Facts lol

For all I know...not much has changed at all in the past few years, at least from the community's point of view, despite what EA advertises each year

and if things did in fact change...let me know if you/the community thought it was for the best, or perhaps otherwise

[roadman]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

This should help you out.

https://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/madden-nfl-15-features

http://help.ea.com/en/article/madden-nfl-16-game-features/

Last year they started something called continous development and patches/gameplay improvements came out till around April

P.S. Ah, you edited after I posted this.

Opinions will vary across the board, but I can tell you, from a majority of OS posters(and some would disagree) POV, Madden 16 was the best playing Madden and CFM was lacking. Just look around for the recent CFM threads.

[BreakingBad2013]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

Cycle through these different blogs for M17

http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/news

I would say this is the biggest influx of features I've ever seen in next gen or new gen.

That link will go all the way back to at least Madden 15 with in-depth blogs and features. Look for "Deep Dives" if you want more explanation of the features.

[rjcoco]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

I would say Ultimate Team is bigger than ever, especially now with the draft champions mode.

Lots of improved gameplay tweaks and graphical improvements since then. It has made several strides in the right direction since then!

[Big FN Deal]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

This a tricky question Boiler569, even the staunches critics of Madden can't technically say nothings changed in the past 3 years BUT if you a referring to change in regard to NFL emulation, that's different. I don't care about change in Madden just for the sake of having something different, the game has done plenty of that in the past 3 years, when I think "change" it's less "Madden", ie video game/arcade football elements and more real football emulation, which imo isn't much fundamentally different from 3 years ago.

Fundamental is key because it's moot unless it makes a core difference and any real football change added to Madden over the past 3 years has made little to no core difference in Madden, imo.

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

My first time playing Madden was Madden '93 for Sega when I was about 8 --- since then, I've played at least a dozen versions --- but the most recent was awhile back, Madden 2014 (Madden 25)

I'm gearing up for a comeback in Madden '17

but thought I'd see if anyone could link me to any posts or articles detailing some of the big improvements/changes in the past couple of years? I'm about to start digging deep into changes specific to Madden '17 but trying to see what else I might have missed in the past couple years I heard Defense got a big revamp a couple years back?

thx for any help you can give

P.S. Feel free to make this an 'opinion' thread rather than just Facts lol

For all I know...not much has changed at all in the past few years, at least from the community's point of view, despite what EA advertises each year

and if things did in fact change...let me know if you/the community thought it was for the best, or perhaps otherwise

Defensive angle camera is super fun. Not advisable for competitive play though. Can't see as much. But fun as heck against CPU.

[Hooe]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

Here is an incomplete list of high-level things which have meaningfully and factually changed since Madden NFL 25 released up through the release of Madden NFL 17 next month, in no particular order:

- new pass rush controls
- new tackling controls
- new passing controls (high / low / touch pass)
- significantly better offensive line run blocking AI
- iteratively better offensive line pass blocking AI
- run defense now recognizes and respects offensive gaps
- pattern-matching zone defenses
- new WR / DB interaction mechanics
- new ballcarrier special moves
- new tackler fake-out logic
- new pre-game intro with Larry Ridley
- halftime highlight show with Larry Ridley
- new commentary team and implementation with Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis
- player lock feature from NCAA added to Madden
- new defensive perspective gameplay camera
- all sorts of visual and gameplay aids for new and unskilled players to learn to better play the game
- Skills Trainer feature teaches Madden gameplay mechanics and real-world NFL concepts and strategies
- updated jumbo-tron graphics
- update in-stadium camera angles
- new Draft Champions gameplay mode
- new Salary Cap Ranked gameplay mode
- new Gauntlet gameplay mode
- redone player scouting mechanics in franchise
- scouting "watch list" to help you keep track of draft prospects (note this is NOT a big board)
- rebuilt franchise UI and UX surfaces relevant information to users faster
- new Big Decisions feature brings important off-field franchise gameplay items to your attention
- new Play The Moments feature gets you through games faster which will allow you to get deeper into your franchise
- franchise player editing returned to the game
- more commissioner controls for online leagues (force win, co-commissioners)
- rebuilt weekly player training (twice!)
- added XP sliders for tuning how much players progress in your franchise
- new play-call screen UI with built-in community telemetry data and multiple methods to call plays (ex. by Formation, by Concept, by Concept Counter, by Personnel)
- reworked gameplay audio and sound effects suite
- EA Trax returned
- redone graphics, color palette, lighting / shading
- rebuilt special teams plays, it is actually possible to block kicks now (starting in M17)
- hundreds, if not thousands, more player face scans

Did I miss anything? This game has changed A LOT over the past few years.

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

I think this picture says a lot. First one is Madden 25.

[4thQtrStre5S]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

The game is definitely getting better every year, especially since M25.. In the recent poll asking about enthusiasm being more or less since the initial M17 blogs, I stated my enthusiasm is less, but that is not to say I am not excited with the continuous improvements and direction of Madden, it was more about me lowering my expectations to a realistic level, and from a more realistic level, I am excited to get M17 onto my console and start another year of football gaming.

ALso, looking forward to M18, and the possibility of Frostbite...

[Brooke2011]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

Two things that stand out for graphics in the past 3 years is HD face scanning and lighting. In the past 3 years , the biggest gameplay feature was WR/DB interaction and catch variations. ..... This year I hope its Core gameplay like blocking AI, Special teams , tackling and defensive AI.

[Millennium]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

This a tricky question Boiler569, even the staunches critics of Madden can't technically say nothings changed in the past 3 years BUT if you a referring to change in regard to NFL emulation, that's different. I don't care about change in Madden just for the sake of having something different, the game has done plenty of that in the past 3 years, when I think "change" it's less "Madden", ie video game/arcade football elements and more real football emulation, which imo isn't much fundamentally different from 3 years ago.

Fundamental is key because it's moot unless it makes a core difference and any real football change added to Madden over the past 3 years has made little to no core difference in Madden, imo.

I believe AI has been tweaked (and completely rewritten when it comes to line play) multiple times. Is that not considered fundamental changes? (Not a bait - I would really enjoy a conversation on this).

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[redsox4evur]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

I believe AI has been tweaked (and completely rewritten when it comes to line play) multiple times. Is that not considered fundamental changes? (Not a bait - I would really enjoy a conversation on this).

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I definitely agree Mill. When something is completely rewritten that has to be considered a fundamental change. And changing the AI whether it be a little tweak or being completely rewritten, I would consider that a fundamental change.

Also here is the definition of fundamental: forming a necessary base or core; of central importance.

[bucky60]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

I believe AI has been tweaked (and completely rewritten when it comes to line play) multiple times. Is that not considered fundamental changes? (Not a bait - I would really enjoy a conversation on this).

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I believe the AI has improved, but there are areas where other games AI seem to be better. Full disclosure, I'm going off a bunch of you tube videos and what others have said about the other game. I've never owned or played that other football game.

My opinion, as far as what's been changed, is that gameplay has moved toward more realistic and franchise has taken a nose dive into arcade. Change for the sake of change isn't necessarily good. It depends on what the OP likes.

The AI may have been improved in certain areas, but I think we still see legacy issues and where AI still needs improvement. Maybe that's were Big is coming from (don't want to speak for him).

Quick overall view....Gameplay and Gameplay AI has improved, franchise has driven itself deep into arcade. Just my opinion.

[Millennium]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

I believe the AI has improved, but there are areas where other games AI seem to be better. Full disclosure, I'm going off a bunch of you tube videos and what others have said about the other game. I've never owned or played that other football game.

My opinion, as far as what's been changed, is that gameplay has moved toward more realistic and franchise has taken a nose dive into arcade. Change for the sake of change isn't necessarily good. It depends on what the OP likes.

The AI may have been improved in certain areas, but I think we still see legacy issues and where AI still needs improvement. Maybe that's were Big is coming from (don't want to speak for him).

Quick overall view....Gameplay and Gameplay AI has improved, franchise has driven itself deep into arcade. Just my opinion.

I'm okay with that. I think a lot of features of franchise mode will need to been seen in implementation for full judgement, but I can absolutely see where your thought process comes in. Making franchise mode into a RPG model for progression was a large step, and there are people on both sides of the fence from that move.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: What's Changed In Madden In Past 3 Years?

I'm okay with that. I think a lot of features of franchise mode will need to been seen in implementation for full judgement, but I can absolutely see where your thought process comes in. Making franchise mode into a RPG model for progression was a large step, and there are people on both sides of the fence from that move.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I just wish they would make OTAs and training camp a thing. You know, maybe do your player improvements during these two portions of the off-season, maybe one with drills to improve physical attributes and one to improve position specific attributes, and things like awareness could be improved during the season (when players really watch film)?

The addition of an actual practice squad was excellent step. Still need actual assistant coaches, and some more tweaks (including a working draft board). But they have come far.