Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

[Atax1s]

Every year we get these people that go,"Looks like a no buy from me." Only to come back after the next trailer to say,"Oh, I'm in now." I wish the mods would delete those as it would clean up the comments. Tired of the same thing every year. As for the game, I expect some touch ups to CFM. It doesn't mention any improvements but it doesn't mean they aren't there. They don't mention the story mode at all in the feature list but we all know it's there from the trailer. I'm also looking forward to improved animations and physics from the FrostBite engine.

[ShaiLeGran]

I think the old Madden engine was really holding the game back. Ignite proves with FIFA (imho) that the animations and graphics (stadiums, weather, lightning, replay system) are there. FIFA looks more real to me then Madden ever did, so hopes should be high that we are going to see a more refined, better looking, better playing Madden. Of course, it is year one on Frostbite, so let's wait and see where they have put their focus on.

[lilrosati56]

CFM will be better but by how much, who knows. Like with Big Decisions, was the game better with it? Probably. Would it have been any worse without it? Not at all. My guess is that there aren't any major additions and most of what was done is tuning and tweaking. Gameplanning will probably see the most attention with how shallow and poorly done it was, regression, probably goals again, maybe scouting again. I think we'll probably see coordinators but not position coaches and I don't think they'll have much of an effect on anything outside of maybe some XP discounts or GamePlan boosts.

On one hand I like it because it means they'll be working on some aspects that they haven't really implemented fully and need a lot of attention and they'll be able to start actually making them better rather than adding new stuff and leaving them behind. Then on the other hand there is so much that needs to be added/changed or shouldn't be there that I just wish they'd start tearing the bad stuff out and do it the right way. Last year was a complete dud and this year looks that way too as far as new additions but for features that are already in it could be really positive depending on how they execute which is obviously suspect but still.

I'd say the Big Decisions was plain dumb.....I've harped on this before, but why the arbitrary restrictions on on contract negotiations? Why the never ending trade requests for the same players? I've bought the last two editions and have been bored by each of them witihin a month or two. I won't buy again until 1) XP is completely removed and 2) Find someway to keep me informed about the rest of the league.

[primo_80]

Re: Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

I'm pretty disappointed to see them roll out another game mode and not focus our attention on player movement and football fundamentals. The main takeaway I got from the teaser is their devotion to recreating the NFL atmosphere. I've always thought scanning player faces and modeling stadiums were cheap, low-hanging-fruit ways to improve the perceived quality of the game, or to draw comparisons to other AAA sports games. The commitment to face scans (on top of generic body models) improves player recognition and raises the fidelity of cutscenes, but it emphasizes the rough edges of the game.

I know it's not going to happen, but I had hoped this new developer crew would have moved toward recreating player movements as a way to identify their real-life counterparts. Also, that cutscenes could be eliminated one day in favor of using the play clock for real-time, strategic substitutions. Basically, I think they could suspend disbelief better if we never had to see close-ups, but instead recognized players by their body mechanics.

Regarding the new career mode, how fun is it going to be if player controls aren't overhauled? I'm just skeptical because, in my mind, reinvented controls and animations for the base game are required before this new mode is relevant. If the mode is just Superstar with layers of managerial control in the way that Owner mode is to Coach mode, that's one thing. But there is an obvious hole, at least regarding WRs, in user control. I'm sure many of you played Superstar games at WR. I haven't played Player games in the last few years, but there aren't route-running mechanics that I've noticed. Well, right-stick to make cuts counts i guess. It's just bland is what I'm trying to say.

I'm not counting it out before seeing it, but I think it's more probable than not it will be slapped on over existing mechanics, given some new camera work, commentary, goals system, etc. but will not add distinct positional controls or control refinements.

[johnnyg713]

Re: Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

I'm pretty disappointed to see them roll out another game mode and not focus our attention on player movement and football fundamentals. The main takeaway I got from the teaser is their devotion to recreating the NFL atmosphere. I've always thought scanning player faces and modeling stadiums were cheap, low-hanging-fruit ways to improve the perceived quality of the game, or to draw comparisons to other AAA sports games. The commitment to face scans (on top of generic body models) improves player recognition and raises the fidelity of cutscenes, but it emphasizes the rough edges of the game.

I know it's not going to happen, but I had hoped this new developer crew would have moved toward recreating player movements as a way to identify their real-life counterparts. Also, that cutscenes could be eliminated one day in favor of using the play clock for real-time, strategic substitutions. Basically, I think they could suspend disbelief better if we never had to see close-ups, but instead recognized players by their body mechanics.

Regarding the new career mode, how fun is it going to be if player controls aren't overhauled? I'm just skeptical because, in my mind, reinvented controls and animations for the base game are required before this new mode is relevant. If the mode is just Superstar with layers of managerial control in the way that Owner mode is to Coach mode, that's one thing. But there is an obvious hole, at least regarding WRs, in user control. I'm sure many of you played Superstar games at WR. I haven't played Player games in the last few years, but there aren't route-running mechanics that I've noticed. Well, right-stick to make cuts counts i guess. It's just bland is what I'm trying to say.

I'm not counting it out before seeing it, but I think it's more probable than not it will be slapped on over existing mechanics, given some new camera work, commentary, goals system, etc. but will not add distinct positional controls or control refinements.

You make some good points. And I can't disagree with you on most, but just remember one teaser trailer does not mean the team did not focus on player movement and fundamentals.

You are spot on with the point on substitutions. This is something that people have been asking for and the developers have continued to chalk it up to console performance etc. Madden is the only sports game that still uses cutscenes (to my knowledge). I thought that would have changed by now.

[OhMrHanky]

Re: Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

You make some good points. And I can't disagree with you on most, but just remember one teaser trailer does not mean the team did not focus on player movement and fundamentals.

You are spot on with the point on substitutions. This is something that people have been asking for and the developers have continued to chalk it up to console performance etc. Madden is the only sports game that still uses cutscenes (to my knowledge). I thought that would have changed by now.

They actually don't use cut scenes anymore. I can't remember if that started with 16 or 17, but the game is actually playing out in real time. However, yes, the coaches do the same stuff from time to time. But, when u score a TD, when it cuts to a 'cut scene,' if it's players, they're doing what they were just doing on the field. I'm not saying cut scenes aren't completely eliminated, but I could easily compare madden 13 with madden 17, and u should be able to tell the difference. Defensive stops and sacks, u can tell the player celebrates and then the camera may change. It's actually mostly (maybe all?) dynamic now.


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[johnnyg713]

Re: Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

They actually don't use cut scenes anymore. I can't remember if that started with 16 or 17, but the game is actually playing out in real time. However, yes, the coaches do the same stuff from time to time. But, when u score a TD, when it cuts to a 'cut scene,' if it's players, they're doing what they were just doing on the field. I'm not saying cut scenes aren't completely eliminated, but I could easily compare madden 13 with madden 17, and u should be able to tell the difference. Defensive stops and sacks, u can tell the player celebrates and then the camera may change. It's actually mostly (maybe all?) dynamic now.


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Yup you're right. I guess my focus is on substitutions. I believe when the defense/offense/special teams come on the field, they just magically appear on screen

[ninertravel]

Re: Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

So another crappy CFm which we have seen since I think 13..

Once again will take 1 hour to create 32 team control franchise
Once again random players that are low rated will dissapear
Once again you can't put a Long Snapper where he needs to be on the depth that is long snapper!!! (you can only put a Cener on there in CFM)
and once again no love for special teams, so that you can have REAL special teams like long snappers

[RogerDodger]

The passing cone wasn't gimmicky, it was one of the most innovative things they've the ever done to the series.

Completely agree but sadly it was trashed by a lot of folks, sadly.

[kehlis]

Re: Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

The purpose of this board is to discuss the information available.

Since when?

Look at some of the news stories here. We've had wishlists forever.

I've been here a long time, I've never known this board to only be a discussion of information available and if that's the case it's news to me.

I've always understood it to be a place where we shared opinions, ideas, and thoughts. Those might not always be tied simply to only the things we know.

[NateDogPack12]

Re: Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

Since when?

Look at some of the news stories here. We've had wishlists forever.

I've been here a long time, I've never known this board to only be a discussion of information available and if that's the case it's news to me.

I've always understood it to be a place where we shared opinions, ideas, and thoughts. Those might not always be tied simply to only the things we know.

I agree with everything you said here. Wish lists are a lot of fun and I make one every year! In context, my post was in reply to someone who I felt unfairly called out people for preemptively sharing an opinion about Madden based on limited information. My point was that this is a place where we discuss and analyze the information available to us, and when more is available, it's ok if opinions change, as opposed to having to call someone out because they did not support / berate the game from the beginning.


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[roadman]

Re: Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

I agree with everything you said here. Wish lists are a lot of fun and I make one every year! In context, my post was in reply to someone who I felt unfairly called out people for preemptively sharing an opinion about Madden based on limited information. My point was that this is a place where we discuss and analyze the information available to us, and when more is available, it's ok if opinions change, as opposed to having to call someone out because they did not support / berate the game from the beginning.


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I feel it's important to note that if people want to make an analysis one way or the other on only the information that is available at the time, the poster should be aware there will be a lot more information released at EA Play and blogs down the road.

Some posters are new and some posters won't state in their post they know more info is coming down the road, whatever side of the fence they are coming from.

Nothing has been mentioned about CFM at this point. Some people jump to a far conclusion immediately that because of the new story mode, there will no CFM additions.

I think we all know that there will be some additions to CFM, even without mentioning anything up front.

Your guess would be as good as mine as how much of an addition will be added.

[NateDogPack12]

Re: Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

I feel it's important to note that if people want to make an analysis one way or the other on only the information that is available at the time, the poster should be aware there will be a lot more information released at EA Play and blogs down the road.



Some posters are new and some posters won't state in their post they know more info is coming down the road, whatever side of the fence they are coming from.



Nothing has been mentioned about CFM at this point. Some people jump to a far conclusion immediately that because of the new story mode, there will no CFM additions.



I think we all know that there will be some additions to CFM, even without mentioning anything up front.



Your guess would be as good as mine as how much of an addition will be added.

Ya the whole thing about nothing being done to CFM emanated from that "Takeaway" article that was front page + sticky a week or so back. That kind of pushed the idea that nothing good was coming for CFM into the mainstream and there were some overreactions.


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[DeuceDouglas]

Re: Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

I feel it's important to note that if people want to make an analysis one way or the other on only the information that is available at the time, the poster should be aware there will be a lot more information released at EA Play and blogs down the road.

Just to add to this, even after we get information it's important to just take it for what it is and not get too high or too low on anything because it's usually never as good or as bad as it initially seems. Sometimes it can be but the feature deep dives and preview articles still will never tell the whole story. Last year, just off the top of my head we got the first screenshot of 17 and people immediately thought there was no new equipment and we ended up with a lot of new equipment. A GC said that the new kick meter would have no latency online which ended up not being true. There was an article where EA stated that all 300 rookies at the combine were scanned and ready to go in 17 and that wasn't true either. Nothing is really ever final until the game drops in August.

[Greenblood60]

Re: Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

It made the game immediately and obviously less visually appealing and damaged authenticity of presentation by projecting a giant flashlight cone onto the field.

I don't see why people freaked out about the "giant flashlight cone" visual cue, as if there aren't other visual cues. EA could have made the cone dimmer, or found some way to lessen the effect if it was that bothersome to people

It made the game's controls unnecessarily complicated for new players (even moreso than they already are). It artificially increased the difficulty of the game for all players without dramatically increasing authenticity of gameplay or skill ceiling.

I don't what's so complicated about holding the R2 button and tapping the corresponding button twice to throw the ball. To be honest, it nullified the the difference between higher vs. lower awareness ratings because ( for me at least, and the people I played against ) it eliminated the intended handicap smaller coned qbs were supposed to have. What it forced me to do is look off defenders when I was playing head to head, which is realistic.