Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

[sinthros]

Hey everyone,
It's finally here! The Madden 21 Start Today mod is now available for download.
This Madden 21 Download is an updated START TODAY FRANCHISE file that begins AT THE 2021 PRESEASON, and includes all transactions updated to the current date, the entire draft completed, completely accurate contracts, as well as many other alterations/updates to the file.

First off, come join the Discords; we're much more active on there.
Madden Modding Community: https://discord.gg/Qg6EhAp
Franchise Football Community: https://discord.gg/pBR8Ufw2aB

Here's the release notes for the most recent version! Remember to read the README, it explains EXACTLY how to install and use the file and the mod:


MADDEN 21 START TODAY VERSION 1.2 - FINAL UPDATE
This file is a collaborative effort from the Madden Modding Community. Credit to Sinthros, JarekNT, Sabo, Cursive138, primetime02454, Bep713,
Hey Stack, Throwback, WafflesTheGoodBoy, and anyone else who's helped for their contribution to the project.

Start Today FBmod:
- Added over 300 new portraits, including all available rookie portraits
- Added a brand new Aaron Rodgers Splashscreen
- Reverted all playbook changes to avoid an issue where players would disappear on the field
*NOTE: We CANNOT update the Bengals uniforms because we can't edit number/letter arrays in Paul's tool
IMPORTANT!! Everyone has to download Paul's most recent version of his tool (11.6) for this version of the Start Today fbmod to launch.
Download it here: https://www.paulv2k4.com/FIFA21/Down...FA-21-Mod-Tool

Franchise File:
- Updated all player ratings in accordance with EA's Official Madden 22 Ratings
- All rosters are accurate as of 8/15/21
- Updated over 500 contracts, including all signed rookie contracts
- Updated ALL player numbers
- Updated ALL season ending injuries/players on IR
- Added all of Eli2Manningham's updated draft classes from 2022 through 2026
Download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wsl...ew?usp=sharing

MADDEN 21 START TODAY VERSION 1.1
This file is a collaborative effort from the Madden Modding Community. Credit to Sinthros, JarekNT, Sabo, Cursive138, primetime02454, Bep713,
Hey Stack, Throwback, and anyone else who's helped for their contribution to the project.

Start Today FBmod:
IMPORTANT!! Everyone has to download Paul's most recent version of his tool (10.8) for this version of the Start Today fbmod to launch.
Download it here: https://www.paulv2k4.com/FIFA21/Down...FA-21-Mod-Tool
- Fixed issues with trade logic and fixed an issue where the User Team Overall would appear lower than it should be
- Adjusted logic to greatly increase CPU Free Agent signings
- Added Sabo's Supersim changes from Madden 20 (Credit to Throwback for porting)

Franchise File:
- Increased the salary cap to 220m for 2021, and increased the year-by-year cap increases
Note: This is to help increase CPU Free Agent signings in the Offseason
- Updated over 100 contracts, including all signed rookie contracts
- Updated all other transactions as of 5/31

PLAYBOOK OVERHAUL
-Completely rebuilt every single teams offensive playbook based on real 2020 data usage of their formations and personnel packages.
-Replaced the default under 100 play selection for the AI on 1st down/2nd down and Redzone to include all 380+ players per book.
-Replaced the default under 50 play selection for the AI on 3rd Long/Med to include all shotgun pass plays with draw/screen mixed in.
-These changes will also impact the gameplan playcall selection for the user as well
Download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BJq...ew?usp=sharing

VERSION 1.0 RELEASE NOTES

Spoiler

Start Today FBmod:
- Added a new Aaron Donald Splashscreen
- Replaced all Team Logos with enhanced 3D versions
- Updated all coach portraits to be accurate, including 2021 coaching hires and Free Agent coaches
- Included Sabo's FRANCHISE LOGIC OVERHAUL, WHICH INCLUDES:

Morale System:
-Revamped to include multiple stats/awards for each position
-Increased the morale effect on overall rating

Player Management:
-Decreased retirement chances of older players with a high overall rating
-Receive a dev upgrade for breaking a NFL season record or winning certain awards
-Revamped regression points to start at peak age of their position and slowly drop after that

Roster Management:
-Increased the minimum overall roster ranking for all positions
-Increased teams chances of releasing overpaid players
-Increased chances of higher rated players being signed
-Increased out bidding chances in offseason FA
-Increased how teams value older free agents
-Increased min requirement of healthy HBs
-Increased practice squad stealing
-Updated draft chart value to match real life
-Increased offers users get in draft day trade block

Staff Hiring:
-Increased value of first year head coaches
-Revamped the HC legacy score system

NOTE: To use the StartToday.fbmod, you must download Paul's most recent tool. Follow these instructions:
1) Download Paulv2k4 Frostbite Modding Tool

https://www.paulv2k4.com/FIFA21/Download/Download-Latest-Paulv2k4-FIFA-21-Mod-Tool

2) Download and unpack the Mod
3) Run FrostbiteModdingUI.exe in the downloaded folder (as Administrator)
4) Press 'Launcher'
4) Paulv2k4 Frostbite Modding Tool asks you for Madden NFL 21 exe (Found in your Madden NFL 21 main folder)
5) Click on import and browse for the folder where you placed STARTTODAY.FBMOD
6) Launch the game from his tool after importing the fbmod


Franchise File:
- Replicated the ENTIRE 2020-2021 season (Game results, Award winners, Superbowl winner, retirements, etc)
- Replicated the entirety of the 2021 Offseason, as well as adding all existing UDFA's to their respective teams
- Added in the entire 2021 NFL Regular Season schedule, including 17 games for each team
NOTE: To make this work, Preseason week 4 games were moved, and the Week 15 games from real life were spread across weeks 6-14.
Based on how this was done, some teams will play games for 17 weeks in a row, and some teams will have a bye week but have one week with two games to play
- All coaches are correct, including a fleshed out free agent coaching pool
- ALL contracts are completely accurate, including rookie contracts that have been signed in real life
- Updated ALL player jersey numbers
- All 2022 and 2023 draft picks are now held by the correct teams
- Converted the M20 2022, 2023, and 2024 draft classes to M21
- The Regular Season roster limit is now 55
- The Offseason/Preseason roster limit is now 84
- Scouting now begins at week 1, and scouting points no longer decay each week

This post will be updated whenever new updates come out. Thank you all for your continued support!

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

Can you still use the old Franchise Editor with this Franchise? Last time I played Madden 21 (several months ago) I was able to edit franchises using it, so I'm wondering if there are any changes that prevent that (or if a new tool has been developed).

[LTS55]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

Trade logic seems to be broken; I can trade any player for a 1st round draft pick [just tried with a 53 overall backup center]

[sinthros]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

Can you still use the old Franchise Editor with this Franchise? Last time I played Madden 21 (several months ago) I was able to edit franchises using it, so I'm wondering if there are any changes that prevent that (or if a new tool has been developed).

The Franchise Editor works.

[sinthros]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

Trade logic seems to be broken; I can trade any player for a 1st round draft pick [just tried with a 53 overall backup center]

Known bug, will be fixed next release.

[sinthros]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

Hey everyone,
The download has been updated, the fbmod has had the logic files reverted (temporarily) to avoid the trade glitch.
Have fun.

[mooch49]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

I'm having problems getting the mod and/or saves to load. I get the regular splash screen but when I try to load the franchise file it won't load. Just has option to delete. Now, I have the game installed by way of xbox gamepass linked to my ea play pro using its desktop beta app. I'm thinking that is probably the problem. The game itself is still installed in the ea games folder, but when I run the editor the game boots normally. Has anybody had success running mods through ea play pro?

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[NinjaDuder]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

Yeah, Sinthros will know for sure, but I'm 99% sure mods only work on the PC version of the game. You need to get it from Origin or (for M21 only) from Steam. The console versions of the game can not be modified in the same way the PC versions can. When you're using Xbox Game Pass, you're playing the console version of the game. Sorry about that, I know it's frustrating to have to buy a game more than once. You can get both Madden NFL 20 and 21 through EA Play though. That subscription works on both PC and console. If I'm not mistaken, I think Gamepass includes EA Play doesn't it? So, you may only need to go to Origin and install the client and download the game that way.

[mooch49]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

Yeah, Sinthros will know for sure, but I'm 99% sure mods only work on the PC version of the game. You need to get it from Origin or (for M21 only) from Steam. The console versions of the game can not be modified in the same way the PC versions can. When you're using Xbox Game Pass, you're playing the console version of the game. Sorry about that, I know it's frustrating to have to buy a game more than once. You can get both Madden NFL 20 and 21 through EA Play though. That subscription works on both PC and console. If I'm not mistaken, I think Gamepass includes EA Play doesn't it? So, you may only need to go to Origin and install the client and download the game that way.

Thanks. I am talking about the pc version. I'm playing it through EA Play Pro via my Xbox game pass ultimate subscription. So it is on my computer. But I'm unable to use any mods.

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[busterdouglas333]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

Thanks. I am talking about the pc version. I'm playing it through EA Play Pro via my Xbox game pass ultimate subscription. So it is on my computer. But I'm unable to use any mods.

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I think he knows that, but if it's on Game Pass it's not the same version you'd get from Origin or Steam, it's the console version of the software (even though you're playing it on PC.) Only the Origin or Steam versions are moddable.

[icicle22]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

I think he knows that, but if it's on Game Pass it's not the same version you'd get from Origin or Steam, it's the console version of the software (even though you're playing it on PC.) Only the Origin or Steam versions are moddable.

Wait...you can play Xbox versions of the EA games on PC via gamepass? That doesn't sound right to me. Unless this just changed recently this isn't how it works. Am I wrong? I have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate so I get PC and Xbox games but only on their own hardware.

Can someone clarify? Meanwhile...I'm gonna try this on my "origin" version of the game. Also...if this method actually worked....could we be playing the NextGen Madden on a PC with the updated physics? Just wondering.

[mooch49]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

This is confusing. I subscribe to Xbox gamepass ultimate, which includes access to PC, as well as EA Play Pro. Shouldn't the game run the same as if you owned it? The point of having the subscription is to save and not have to buy the game. We are not talking about the XSX or PS5 versions. Those are completely different. But the Xbox One version should be the same as the PC version. Say I buy Madden 21 on the Xbox, but also want to play it on the PC. I should then be able to to play it through the EA desktop app, the same as if I bought it. Both are installed in the same directory. The only difference is that I'm using my gamepass subscription to access the PC version. Thus the Madden mods should still apply. The odd thing is when I put the files in the Madden save directory, they won't load in the game. It sees them, but there is no option to load them.

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[mooch49]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

I think I understand now. EA Play on PC is NOT the same as EA Play on Xbox gamepass. I would have to subscribe to the PC version of EA Play for the mods to load. It's the licensing that is different, not the game. I'm still playing the PC version. It's just that I'm playing the game through my gamepass subscription instead of the Origin subscription.

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[sinthros]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

I think I understand now. EA Play on PC is NOT the same as EA Play on Xbox gamepass. I would have to subscribe to the PC version of EA Play for the mods to load. It's the licensing that is different, not the game. I'm still playing the PC version. It's just that I'm playing the game through my gamepass subscription instead of the Origin subscription.

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I'm just now seeing all of this, but I'm pretty sure playing Madden through Xbox Gamepass doesn't let you use the PC mods for whatever reason, sorry.

[mooch49]

Re: Madden 21 Start Today Mod/Franchise File

I ended up buying the game for $20 on Gamestop. Got tired of trying to figure this out. Everything is working fine now. For those interested, it's the Origin version that Gamestop is selling.

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