Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

[Steve_OS]

The Madden beta ended over the weekend with mixed results. The beta provided users a chance...

Written By: Scott Funk

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[Sparkles]

At this point I guess we’ll have to wait for next gen with major changes. This year is big disappointment for CFM. Guess I’ll wait to buy M20 used

[canes21]

Re: Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

EA has mentioned some of the events you may encounter. They include a player holding out, facing a tough opposing player and how to plan for him, dealing with an unhappy owner and facing tough questions from the media. I love the idea that we get to interact with different people in the industry and that it has an impact on my team. I am not sure how much morale plays a part in my team success or where to even find it right now.

One thing I wish EA did was showcase the league news better, especially because the developers are introducing these scenarios. This type of information should be on the front page for all the owners. In the beta, It just seemed like it was tucked away in a menu that I doubt many people even go to. It seems simple but I think they should make that type of news more of a story, which would also give the franchise life. I would love to know if a player I am interested in has demanded a trade even. This should be big news and should be treated as such.

I really hope holdouts, trade demands, etc. are actually going to be included. Everything I saw in the beta was very basic, "we are playing X, player Y is great, what should we do?" or it was a player on your team needing an increase in production and if you reached the goal you upped their development trait. 1) I'd love to see the gameplan scenario every single week and it actually be used a little more strategically and not just about goals. I'd like to see more strategy added to the game like specifically double teaming certain players and chipping linemen and more. Those scenarios would be neat if it was telling you about the threat of Fletcher Cox like it does now, but instead of just being goal oriented it asked if you'd like to go into practice mode and train to stop him. Then the game taught you all of the mechanics to stop him like the hypothetically new doubleteam feature, keeping a back in for extra protection, how and when to use traps against him, etc. And then that was how the training was handled.

It could do that weekly and tell you what your opponent is strong and weak at, who their top 4 to 5 players are, and then allow you to select how to practice for that weak by letting you either pick to slow a player or two down or picking a practice that teaches you to slow what they are good at or how to expose what they are weak at.

I also am really crossing my fingers the CPU is impacted by the scenario engine also, but we haven't heard that still and it is making me thing it is because it is only going to apply to the user. If that is the case it will be very disappointing. First, it will give us a huge advantage with all of the extra XP and the ability to bump up our players' development traits more frequently and during the season. Second, if I am having trouble keeping a happy locker room because I have an offensive player or two who both demand the ball more, but I don't do it so the morale of the team lowers and plays worse and then eventually the players demand trades, it will be very silly to see those players go to a CPU team and not complain one bit if they aren't being used anymore. It really needs to affect the user and CPU to give the CFM some life.

I also agree 100% with making the league news be something you see immediately inside of the CFM. The top news stories of each week need to be plastered upfront and in our faces the second we load our CFM, the second we advance our CFM, and the second we are out of our games. That will make the CFM feel alive as well. Seeing stories around the league will make it feel like you aren't the only team existing. And if the scenario engine does affect the CPU teams and that news is fed to you conveniently and constantly when you play you will see the drama around the league develop and feel even more immersed in the mode. I want to load my CFM up and see a story talking about a star WR holding out or demanding a trade or just being unhappy. I want to advance it 3 weeks later and see an update on the story. I'd love to see the scenario engine have the Giants beginning to think about starting Daniel Jones and the rumor mill about that fires up and it becomes a weekly story of whether or not they finally pull the trigger there. Then when they finally do and you advance the CFM, the second you are into the new week it has the big news story talking about how his start went and how it is the start of a new era in New York.

If this scenario engine is done properly it really can take CFM to the next level finally. There are still plenty of issues with the mode from contracts to the progression system to the trade system, but finally having league-wide stories developing could be huge.

[howboutdat]

Re: Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

" I was a little disappointed with the lack of new stuff in CFM but also understand that EA may not want to invest in something that works"


This to me is a horrible thought process. "it works" so dont bother improving it eventhough its extremely shallow and has been in need of so much for so long...... Or how about how far behind it is even from past madden franchise modes over a decade old?

Franchise makes them money, 2K has proven it does and there is no way they invest what they invest in their franchise if they thought it did not profit them.

The fact is EA sold us a new "focus on franchise " once again and extremely under delivered. There is no way to sugar coat this and really wish people would stop doing that because all your doing is helping EA feel like its not that bad.

For those saying " well hopefully next gen they really invest in franchise" . Who are you kidding but yourself ? We have been saying that this whole entire generation of the current consoles and have gotten crumbs the whole way. I have no idea why anyone would believe they will ever care about franchise again.

[kennylc321]

Re: Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

"Another new feature is the addition of a playable Pro Bowl. You now are able to play the Pro Bowl in your CFM."

I stopped reading after that. "New?!?!?!"

[edgevoice]

Re: Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

----------. 1) I'd love to see the gameplan scenario every single week and it actually be used a little more strategically and not just about goals. I'd like to see more strategy added to the game like specifically double teaming certain players and chipping linemen and more. Those scenarios would be neat if it was telling you about the threat of Fletcher Cox like it does now, but instead of just being goal oriented it asked if you'd like to go into practice mode and train to stop him. Then the game taught you all of the mechanics to stop him like the hypothetically new doubleteam feature, keeping a back in for extra protection, how and when to use traps against him, etc. And then that was how the training was handled.

It could do that weekly and tell you what your opponent is strong and weak at, who their top 4 to 5 players are, and then allow you to select how to practice for that weak by letting you either pick to slow a player or two down or picking a practice that teaches you to slow what they are good at or how to expose what they are weak at. ------------------------------

I absolutely would love to see this excellent suggestion actually in the game. I would also like to have the feeling that the CPU AI is gameplanning against my core offensive and defensive tendencies, along with personnel strengths as well.

[m1ke_nyc]

Playing the pro bowl is not a new feature. It was removed, now it’s put back in. Overall maybe there focus is to go big with franchise for the launch of the new consoles next year. But that’s wishful thinking.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

If we are being honest CFM was basically exactly the same on the Beta as 19.

I am reserving ultimate judgement till I play the retail version and see and play with the fully built out “Scenario Engine”


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[khaliib]

Re: Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

I’ve always been a “Gameplay” first player, all the other stuff is useless to me if this aspect is not at a place where it is fun when playing.

I’m not interested in some Text Sim Style game.

I get why some want all this other stuff to be so in depth, but the glaring gameplay issues always would be at the forefront of most gamers frustrations.

Visit any Roster or Slider Thread and you would clearly see a great passion to try and mitigate as many glaring issues as possible.

***Player Differentiation*** is the biggest aspect of any Franchise.
Without this, all the other aspects are “Useless” no matter how in-depth they are, due to their branching aspect from this structure.

“Finally” Madden has introduced a mechanism that actually produces/achieves Tangible Player Differentiation beyond the common speedy player of old.

This has not been in any Madden prior to M20 and probably due to Madden Fatigue is being overlooked/overshadowed by post including notations of this fatigue.

I agree the news aspect of what’s going on in your league needs to be shifted to the front, especially if Scenario Engine and Player Differentiation will impact teams (as I’ve noted my experience in another thread dealing with my newly drafted non-Scheme fit RB being unhappy that my Scheme not fitting his Abilities) throughout the course of a Franchise.

Get these two right and the branching of the other clamored aspects will actually have context and meaning to the gamer and his Franchise.

I don’t want stuff slapped inside Franchise just for depth sake...

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

I’ve always been a “Gameplay” first player, all the other stuff is useless to me if this aspect is not at a place where it is fun when playing.



I’m not interested in some Text Sim Style game.



I get why some want all this other stuff to be so in depth, but the glaring gameplay issues always would be at the forefront of most gamers frustrations.



Visit any Roster or Slider Thread and you would clearly see a great passion to try and mitigate as many glaring issues as possible.



***Player Differentiation*** is the biggest aspect of any Franchise.

Without this, all the other aspects are “Useless” no matter how in-depth they are, due to their branching aspect from this structure.



“Finally” Madden has introduced a mechanism that actually produces/achieves Tangible Player Differentiation beyond the common speedy player of old.



This has not been in any Madden prior to M20 and probably due to Madden Fatigue is being overlooked/overshadowed by post including notations of this fatigue.



I agree the news aspect of what’s going on in your league needs to be shifted to the front, especially if Scenario Engine and Player Differentiation will impact teams (as I’ve noted my experience in another thread dealing with my newly drafted non-Scheme fit RB being unhappy that my Scheme not fitting his Abilities) throughout the course of a Franchise.



Get these two right and the branching of the other clamored aspects will actually have context and meaning to the gamer and his Franchise.



I don’t want stuff slapped inside Franchise just for depth sake...

I agree 100%

Gameplay is supreme. And what will really make CFM mode brimming with life is Storylines. Although I create my own constantly, the presentation of information inside of CFM stinks. The tweets are a convoluted mess, the draft presentation is incredibly bad considering how over the top it has become in the real NFL and another two critical components of franchise mode missing from Madden are:

True network broadcast presentation. It simply does not feel like NFL Sunday with this generic EA sports BS. It is ridiculous at this stage of the console generation we do not have this along with a real fully functional replay/challenge system.

And secondly the injury system. For the love of God and all that is holy look at NBA 2K or even.....dare I say NFL HC09 to see how to implement a real, dynamic injury system. Injuries are a huge part of the weekly soap opera and team building aspect of the NFL.

Let’s go EA time to step it up!!!!!!


Sent from Palm Trees and Paradise using Operation Sports

[Therebelyell626]

Re: Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

I used to get bent out of shape every year when madden would release because of how little attention franchise would get. This year I am not because I realize Tiburon (Not EA, because other EA studios are doing amazing things with franchise) doesn't care and I have accepted it. As a matter of fact I think they hate us franchise players. They are the waiters and we are the customers that walk into the restaurant five minutes before it closes.

I play most sports game every year in cycles. I play nba 2k, the show, NHL, and FIFA. I can honestly say that out of all the sports games I play madden has fallen behind by miles. It is by far he most shallow and unengaging of all the sports games franchise modes.

It's not even that they don't focus on the mode that gets me bent out of shape. It's the constant lip service and treating us who have been loyal buyers through the years (been buying every year since '96 on the snes) like we are complete idiots. By adding things they took out for the new console generation and then putting them back in and calling them "NEW" features. I'm looking at you pro bowl. Honestly, I am just tired of this studio and there one track mindedness to ultimate team.

[ToughJuice]

A whole generation with basically zero improvement to Franchise.  

[m1ke_nyc]

Re: Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

A whole generation with basically zero improvement to Franchise.**

Remember when they introduced cfm and said by combining all the modes it would allow them to focus on just one mode and they could do a lot more. Although that was a cop out they still did very little with the cfm setup. Just like when current gen launched and they touted the ignite engine would allow them to share technologies amongst all their games. What happened with that ? Heck what happened to living worlds ?

[OhMrHanky]

Re: Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

I’m truly not trying to say CFM is going to be amazing this year or anything, but I just have to say for all the people saying ‘they did nothing to CFM’ or ‘CFM is the same is 19,’ it’s the same thing as ‘gameplay looks exactly the same from 19 to 20.’ Lol. It couldn’t be further from the truth. Anyone that played the beta could feel the difference in gameplay. And, anyone that played the beta that says ‘same old madden,’ simply does not have objective critical observation skills. Lol.

That being said, to CFM, the scenario engine, alone, is a big addition. How good/great will this be? Only time will tell. Same thing for x-factor stuff. While this is for every game mode, it should make a big difference in CFM. Both of these items are large additions that should help differentiate players in the league. And, specifically to the scenario engine, this actually will breathe some life into CFM. If u actually have to make choices, whether weekly, or yearly (depending on the specific scenario), this should, at least, give u a little more to manage in terms of ‘team morale,’ and whatnot.

And, gameplanning for x-factors can be as expansive as u want it to be, honestly. During the beta, I chose to do some of the weekly training simply because the x-factor stuff exists. That being said, it would be nice to see training more geared to specific x-factors like teaching u when to mike a specific player or when to slide protect your line or when to audible your rb to block due to an x-factor rusher (how and when to use the blocking aids).

But, again, I have to say, the scenario engine and the interactions that they will provide within CFM all were programmed for CFM. Lol. So, I mean, I get it if people wanted other things to be added like OC and DC or something (something that sounds like will never happen in the near future due to there not being a coaches union or something, as opposed to a video game issue), I get it. But, seriously, the scenario engine probably took some serious effort/time/programming as something to be added specifically to CFM. So, to say ‘they did nothing to CFM’ is simply untrue.

My first thoughts on the x-factor were somewhat negative, and I had concerns on how they would implement it. But, after the few days of beta access, I think they actually nailed this and I’m happy they added it. It really gives the game and the teams you’ll be playing much more personality. This is something we’ve all been wanting for CFM, I believe. Again, this may be a feature for the whole game, but I think it’s major benefit is towards CFM.

That mixed with the absolutely phenomenal feeling gameplay I experienced in the beta (this was absolutely the best playing madden of all time, imo), this game is now a pre-order for me, and I’m looking forward to and curious to see if any interesting scenarios pop up. In fact, maybe I’ll purposely draft someone or pick someone up I know has questionable character just to see if he starts a fight or something. Lol. I imagine they won’t have a true scenario like Steve smith punching out a teammate in practice, but how fabulous would that be? Lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[steelheat226]

Re: Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

I’m truly not trying to say CFM is going to be amazing this year or anything, but I just have to say for all the people saying ‘they did nothing to CFM’ or ‘CFM is the same is 19,’ it’s the same thing as ‘gameplay looks exactly the same from 19 to 20.’ Lol. It couldn’t be further from the truth. Anyone that played the beta could feel the difference in gameplay. And, anyone that played the beta that says ‘same old madden,’ simply does not have objective critical observation skills. Lol.

That being said, to CFM, the scenario engine, alone, is a big addition. How good/great will this be? Only time will tell. Same thing for x-factor stuff. While this is for every game mode, it should make a big difference in CFM. Both of these items are large additions that should help differentiate players in the league. And, specifically to the scenario engine, this actually will breathe some life into CFM. If u actually have to make choices, whether weekly, or yearly (depending on the specific scenario), this should, at least, give u a little more to manage in terms of ‘team morale,’ and whatnot.

And, gameplanning for x-factors can be as expansive as u want it to be, honestly. During the beta, I chose to do some of the weekly training simply because the x-factor stuff exists. That being said, it would be nice to see training more geared to specific x-factors like teaching u when to mike a specific player or when to slide protect your line or when to audible your rb to block due to an x-factor rusher (how and when to use the blocking aids).

But, again, I have to say, the scenario engine and the interactions that they will provide within CFM all were programmed for CFM. Lol. So, I mean, I get it if people wanted other things to be added like OC and DC or something (something that sounds like will never happen in the near future due to there not being a coaches union or something, as opposed to a video game issue), I get it. But, seriously, the scenario engine probably took some serious effort/time/programming as something to be added specifically to CFM. So, to say ‘they did nothing to CFM’ is simply untrue.

My first thoughts on the x-factor were somewhat negative, and I had concerns on how they would implement it. But, after the few days of beta access, I think they actually nailed this and I’m happy they added it. It really gives the game and the teams you’ll be playing much more personality. This is something we’ve all been wanting for CFM, I believe. Again, this may be a feature for the whole game, but I think it’s major benefit is towards CFM.

That mixed with the absolutely phenomenal feeling gameplay I experienced in the beta (this was absolutely the best playing madden of all time, imo), this game is now a pre-order for me, and I’m looking forward to and curious to see if any interesting scenarios pop up. In fact, maybe I’ll purposely draft someone or pick someone up I know has questionable character just to see if he starts a fight or something. Lol. I imagine they won’t have a true scenario like Steve smith punching out a teammate in practice, but how fabulous would that be? Lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OhMrHanky I completely agree. While we may not have everything we wanted ( I personally really hoped for coaching carousel stuff with the coordinators, real-life contract options/management just to name a quick few) to say Franchise mode is the same is just a lazy, not thought out well remark.

As mentioned, if you're playing CFM, the new Xfactor abilities are something you'll encounter every week you play a new team. You'll have to research who is a game changer. You'll have to play to their weaknesses and your own strengths. Every team for the most part has it's own unique player(s) to keep an eye out for. I don't know about you guys, but that wasn't something I could do in '19 and I'm excited for it.

If they can get the Scenario Engine to work how we all fully expect and how they advertised, that should make for a nice addition as well. (Again something we couldn't do in '19)

You played a beta. Did everyone forget what a beta even is? An unfinished product that you only got a chance to play so they could improve this product. Not everything is finished. You were a part of a testing experiment.
Everyone can complain and go right ahead you're entitled to your own opinion. If you want change, speak out in your beta reviews. While it's not 100% what I was hoping for, it's definitely a nice change up.