The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

[Phillyboi207]

I say this is as someone that has played every single Madden since 2003. I even think Madden 05 was better than NFL 2k (great game but overrated imo)

This is the first Madden I dont plan on buying because I feel disrespected as a consumer. I’ve suffered through horribly monotonous franchise modes. Through barren training modes, questionable AI, sliders that dont work correctly ect. To me the biggest insult is the fact that they deliberately removed defensive holding and won’t even put in the effort to fix it. We see defensive holding fairly often irl and it’s a realistic punishment for people that constantly press.

It may seem small but to me mindset of ignoring the small details is what has led to the current state of the game. Madden used to have one of the best franchise modes around. One of the best set of tutorials (minicamp) , working sliders, better QB AI, better RB AI, better playcalling ect. Those types of things always get put on the backburher for a new UT feature or buggy animation system.

So the main point of this is to point out some of the smaller things that were in Madden before that is missing now. My main two right now.

1)Bring defensive holding back

2) Bring back the old free agency system. Things like location, winning culture, coach, money should all matter to varying degrees depending on the player.

[roadman]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

There won't be too many people disagreeing with your post, there are a lot of things missing in Madden that needs improvements.

Just depends on where they are located on EA's priority list.

At the high end, the Chiefs have 11 defensive holdings called in 12 games, which averages out to less than 1 per game. Compare that to the Bears, and they have 1 DH called in 12 games, with a whole bunch of other teams filling out the rest in between.

http://www.nflpenalties.com/penalty/defensive-holding?year=2018&view=team

I've tweeted Clint about bringing back DH just recently after the last tuner update, but haven't heard back, but they don't answer every tweet either. I will tell us this much, though, that tweet didn't bring one like on Twitter, nada, not one. So, once again, DH isn't popular with the Twitter community.

[StefJoeHalt]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

There won't be too many people disagreeing with your post, there are a lot of things missing in Madden that needs improvements.

Just depends on where they are located on EA's priority list.

At the high end, the Chiefs have 11 defensive holdings called in 12 games, which averages out to less than 1 per game. Compare that to the Bears, and they have 1 DH called in 12 games, with a whole bunch of other teams filling out the rest in between.

http://www.nflpenalties.com/penalty/defensive-holding?year=2018&view=team

I've tweeted Clint about bringing back DH just recently after the last tuner update, but haven't heard back, but they don't answer every tweet either. I will tell us this much, though, that tweet didn't bring one like on Twitter, nada, not one. So, once again, DH isn't popular with the Twitter community.

Roadman I understand you point..what I noticed though with Madden and Twitter is this..franchise players, “sim” players, use OS and MUT and multiplayer tend to be on Twitter..that isn’t to say your post on Twitter does not deserve a “like”..but like minds who like DH I feel aren’t on twitter as much.. just my Hypothesis


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[roadman]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

Roadman I understand you point..what I noticed though with Madden and Twitter is this..franchise players, “sim” players, use OS and MUT and multiplayer tend to be on Twitter..that isn’t to say your post on Twitter does not deserve a “like”..but like minds who like DH I feel aren’t on twitter as much.. just my Hypothesis


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And I guess my underlying point was is we are definitely outnumbered.

[StefJoeHalt]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

And I guess my underlying point was is we are definitely outnumbered.

I would def agree with that


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[Phillyboi207]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

And I guess my underlying point was is we are definitely outnumbered.

I guarantee if we spoke with our wallets they’d listen. Gotta stop giving them money to churn out the same game. One that’s even worse in many areas.

[capa]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

Their concept of 3 different game play styles that they themselves touted should be improved. That would take care of many things like making penalties more prevalent in SIM mode, and making sure all types of penalties can and will be called in that mode.

It's a simple concept but one which they seem reluctant to follow or build upon.

C

[stinkubus]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

Or maybe not buy a company's marketing hype? It's incredibly naive to expect three separate modes with that much differentiation; they might as well release three different titles.

Competitive mode *is* the game of Madden. If you want user control nerfed in favor of EA's RNG then play simulation. If you want ratings nerfed in favor of all user plays then play arcade.

[Thegafferuk]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

Yeah, I’m almost exclusive CFM player and I’m thinking this will be my last year. Part of the problem is the gameplay this year, but I’ve always forgiven the game a lot if I can enjoy developing a roster over time. I don’t follow the NBA in nearly as much detail as the NFL but the variety and depth to their games (right down to the variety in the contracts they have) put Madden to shame.

The tiny things do drive me crazy though. In free agency why can’t I see the player I’m trying to sign’s stats from the previous year? Surely that should be a starting point? And even when you do sign them there’s no teams on the player’s stats, so you don’t know who they played for. Not as much of a problem when you’re looking at real life players, but how can I tell the difference between generated players?

[micdaduke21]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

I truely miss the evolution of madden franchise mode "CFM" from the sega genesis days until now...It totally got derailed by MUT the devs creativity totally went to boosting that side of the game...
1. I miss the detail of running a franchise with your creative dream...franchise personnel to coaching/player personnel is minimal...coordinators and position coaches could easily be included even if they a genarated and could be edited...
2. We have no ability to create modern stadiums and/or move your team to citys you choose...
3.equipment looks nothing like NFL players wear including detailed cleats, Socks, Towel placement and Shoe tape looks bulky and outdated...ect
4. Body sizes look generic. There are different sizes of athletes from skinny to extra large from buff to big and strong with less body definition..

I could go on for days about how madden is now focused on micro transactions and less immersion been even ncaa 14 but I would have to right a declaration 2 EA sports and have a petition with over 1million signatures for then to give a damn about what we think about CFM, gameplay, penalties, equipment and ect...

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[roadman]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

I guarantee if we spoke with our wallets they’d listen. Gotta stop giving them money to churn out the same game. One that’s even worse in many areas.

I understand the sentiment, that sentiment has been around for the past 13 years, if I had a nickel for everyone that posted that over the years, I could retire early.

For everyone that carries through with that, there are others that are replacing you.

[badazzleroybrown]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

I agree what everyone is saying and ill add a couple things
like offsetting penalties on both teams or the fact that when you get a penalty on a kick off or punt you know its always on the team returning the ball not realistic at all , never see any defensive holding calls and when every you turn on aggressive play you get tons of calls against you and the computer a.i hardly gets any calls against them , the game has regressed in my opinon

[JoshC1977]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

I think Madden is right in-step with the majority of its fanbase. They have multiple online game modes and a solid action-style gameplay. The UT mode is considered one of the best card-collecting modes and they have a solid franchise mode that nicely balances depth with ease/accessibility. The gameplay (at its baseline All Pro level) is EASILY the most balanced and "fair" User v CPU play of any of the EA/2K sports titles and it's graphically one of the best looking games of the genre. Madden does way more right than it does wrong.

Most people out there aren't begging for defensive holding to be added back into the game; they don't want pockets to break down every play in 2 seconds to replicate real life; they don't want want a hardcore sim of the NFL. They want a fascimile of the NFL that is fun to play....they want to role play as the player/coach/GM/owner of their team without being bogged down with a bloated and cumbersome franchise mode (i.e. like NBA 2k's).

Madden is 100% targeting to a) gamers who are casual NFL fans and b) NFL fans who are casual gamers. So is every other major sports game out there. The hardcore fans of those games are being pushed a bit more to the periphery as compromises are made across the board. Guys, most people in this forum (myself included) are now on the periphery - we are not the target audience and that isn't going to change. Truth be told....it's quite liberating once you've accepted that and just have fun with the game as it is.

Yeah, I'm like you, I'd like more options added - I'd like more little things added. And slowly but surely they have been. But to say the series is "out of touch with NFL fans"....that's way off-base.

[briz1046]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

I think Madden is right in-step with the majority of its fanbase. They have multiple online game modes and a solid action-style gameplay. The UT mode is considered one of the best card-collecting modes and they have a solid franchise mode that nicely balances depth with ease/accessibility. The gameplay (at its baseline All Pro level) is EASILY the most balanced and "fair" User v CPU play of any of the EA/2K sports titles and it's graphically one of the best looking games of the genre. Madden does way more right than it does wrong.

Most people out there aren't begging for defensive holding to be added back into the game; they don't want pockets to break down every play in 2 seconds to replicate real life; they don't want want a hardcore sim of the NFL. They want a fascimile of the NFL that is fun to play....they want to role play as the player/coach/GM/owner of their team without being bogged down with a bloated and cumbersome franchise mode (i.e. like NBA 2k's).

Madden is 100% targeting to a) gamers who are casual NFL fans and b) NFL fans who are casual gamers. So is every other major sports game out there. The hardcore fans of those games are being pushed a bit more to the periphery as compromises are made across the board. Guys, most people in this forum (myself included) are now on the periphery - we are not the target audience and that isn't going to change. Truth be told....it's quite liberating once you've accepted that and just have fun with the game as it is.

Yeah, I'm like you, I'd like more options added - I'd like more little things added. And slowly but surely they have been. But to say the series is "out of touch with NFL fans"....that's way off-base.

Unfortunately this is 100% true , pragmatism is the way forward imo

[Phillyboi207]

Re: The Madden franchise is out of touch with NFL fans

I think Madden is right in-step with the majority of its fanbase. They have multiple online game modes and a solid action-style gameplay. The UT mode is considered one of the best card-collecting modes and they have a solid franchise mode that nicely balances depth with ease/accessibility. The gameplay (at its baseline All Pro level) is EASILY the most balanced and "fair" User v CPU play of any of the EA/2K sports titles and it's graphically one of the best looking games of the genre. Madden does way more right than it does wrong.

Most people out there aren't begging for defensive holding to be added back into the game; they don't want pockets to break down every play in 2 seconds to replicate real life; they don't want want a hardcore sim of the NFL. They want a fascimile of the NFL that is fun to play....they want to role play as the player/coach/GM/owner of their team without being bogged down with a bloated and cumbersome franchise mode (i.e. like NBA 2k's).

Madden is 100% targeting to a) gamers who are casual NFL fans and b) NFL fans who are casual gamers. So is every other major sports game out there. The hardcore fans of those games are being pushed a bit more to the periphery as compromises are made across the board. Guys, most people in this forum (myself included) are now on the periphery - we are not the target audience and that isn't going to change. Truth be told....it's quite liberating once you've accepted that and just have fun with the game as it is.

Yeah, I'm like you, I'd like more options added - I'd like more little things added. And slowly but surely they have been. But to say the series is "out of touch with NFL fans"....that's way off-base.

You know what? Out of the box I completely agree with you, at least when it comes to casuals. But a hardcore NFL fan would be more invested in the game if it could offer a true NFL experience. My main issue is that they have completely removed the option of being both a hardcore gamer and NFL fan. The franchise mode has very little depth and I’m shocked you think otherwise. The slider and penalty setting themselves are buggy as hell and it’s a struggle to truly get the experience you want out of the game. They’ve removed features and ignore even giving us the option of a deeper experience.

You’re a respected poster and I know you’ve put a lot of effort into sliders over the years. Is it not ridiculous how many work arounds we need to change the gameplay? Missing small stuff like O/D coordinators, playbooks being based on 2006. Turning franchise mode into a damn RPG with XP points.

I’m all for catering to casuals but it shouldnt come at the expense of depth or the option of realism. NBA2k is unrealistic out of the box but it gives you the option of creating a realistic experience. They even go out of their way to make it easy as possible for you. Editing players /positions/ sliders, league wide AI in franchise mode is simple. In Madden it’s pulling teeth to edit players.

For me the defensive holding issue is just a slap in the face. They blatantly took it out a couple years ago. They’ve even left the slider in the game but dont care if it works or not. Them hyping up franchise changes but the most being identical to last year is a slap in the face. Hell the mode has been virtually the same for how many years?

I dont agree with just accepting that. That gives them no reason to change anything. We should voice our displeasure and speak with out wallets. It’s the only chance we have of something changing.