Why does EA change engines?

Collapse

Recommended Videos

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • TheButter
    Rookie
    • Nov 2020
    • 342

    #1

    Why does EA change engines?

    Everyone was happy with Ignite on Madden 25, Infinity was an actual physics engine (NCAA 14), etc.

    Have they ever made a statement on why they've switched engines? Nobody likes the frostbite engine if I recall correctly?
    Last edited by TheButter; 12-14-2021, 10:50 PM.
    NFL Head Coach 09 had a "Play Steal" feature.

    CPU teams stole your successful plays in your playbook and added them to their playbooks. That feature met with college playbooks from incoming college coaches and user created plays birthed a new meta evolution for playcallers across the NFL.
  • bobeureally27
    Pro
    • Jun 2005
    • 760

    #2
    Re: Why does EA change engines?

    EA has a way of fixing things that aren’t broken. If it’s already broken, they happily break it even more.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Comment

    • JoshC1977
      All Star
      • Dec 2010
      • 11564

      #3
      Re: Why does EA change engines?

      Originally posted by TheButter
      Everyone was happy with Ignite on Madden 25, Infinity was an actual physics engine (NCAA 14), etc.

      Have they ever made a statement on why they've switched engines? Nobody likes the frostbite engine if I recall correctly?
      I don't believe they've ever acknowledged the reasons (nor would I expect them to).

      While I am by no means a programmer; I can certainly imagine that there could be a wealth of possible reasons why they transitioned away from it that may not be directly related to the final product (not readily scalable to new hardware/software, difficult to work with, a desire to standardize engines across game series/studios for logistical reasons, etc.).
      Play the games you love, not the games you want to love.

      Comment

      • jfsolo
        Live Action, please?
        • May 2003
        • 12965

        #4
        Re: Why does EA change engines?

        It's revisionist history to say that everyone was happy with Ignite, a whole lot of people hated it. I don't know for certain but I'm pretty sure that former Executive Vice President Patrick Soderlund is the one who forced Frostbite on Tiburon.

        Sent from my Pixel 4a using Operation Sports mobile app
        Jordan Mychal Lemos
        @crypticjordan

        Do this today: Instead of $%*#!@& on a game you're not going to play or movie you're not going to watch, say something good about a piece of media you're excited about.

        Do the same thing tomorrow. And the next. Now do it forever.

        Comment

        • Funkycorm
          Cleveland Baseball Guru
          • Nov 2016
          • 3159

          #5
          Re: Why does EA change engines?

          I don't think they need to give a reason.

          There are likely many factors behind the scenes that likely drove this change. If I had to hazard a guess, I am going to say they anticipated that the old engine would not work on new technology and new systems.

          To say that everyone loved the ignite engine is a big stretch. Just like saying everyone hates frostbite. The Madden games through that time were ok, but not great. NCAA 14 maintains it great game status because of how it is off the field depth wise and the fact that it is the last NCAA football game we had. I don't love the gameplay on it. The physics are ok but not great. I like it still because of the off field experience.

          My main point here is that there is a likely multitude of reasons why the engine changed.
          Funkycorm

          Currently Playing:

          MLB The Show 25 (PS5)
          Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4)
          Pokemon Violet (Switch)


          Twitch:

          Twitch


          Dynasties:

          None at the moment

          Comment

          • roadman
            *ll St*r
            • Aug 2003
            • 26339

            #6
            Re: Why does EA change engines?

            Are most games at EA on Frosbite?

            If they are, I would have to think as a developer or programmer would be easier to work with across the board with one engine.

            Comment

            • oneamongthefence
              Nothing to see here folks
              • Apr 2009
              • 5683

              #7
              Re: Why does EA change engines?

              I seem to recall that after EA acquired frostbite, they required all of their AAA games to use it. I'm not sure where I heard that or even if it's true but that's what I got.

              Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
              Because I live in van down by the river...

              Comment

              • Hooe
                Hall Of Fame
                • Aug 2002
                • 21555

                #8
                Re: Why does EA change engines?

                Originally posted by TheButter
                Everyone was happy with Ignite on Madden 25, Infinity was an actual physics engine (NCAA 14), etc.
                This isn’t even remotely close to the truth.

                Comment

                • Hooe
                  Hall Of Fame
                  • Aug 2002
                  • 21555

                  #9
                  Re: Why does EA change engines?

                  Originally posted by oneamongthefence
                  I seem to recall that after EA acquired frostbite, they required all of their AAA games to use it. I'm not sure where I heard that or even if it's true but that's what I got.

                  Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

                  This is close to the correct answer. EA has pushed as many of their AAA games as they can to Frostbite in an effort to reduce development and training costs.

                  I’m admittedly not 100% sure on this but I think the only major active EA IP which doesn’t run on Frostbite is Apex Legends.

                  Comment

                  • PVarck31
                    Moderator
                    • Jan 2003
                    • 16869

                    #10
                    Re: Why does EA change engines?

                    This is the first year that NHL has run on Frostbite. I don't see a huge difference, but I'm sure people will tell me about them.

                    I think it may have to do with next-gen. I think other stuff that was mentioned is the case as well. I think Frostbite lends itself to easier development on the next-gen systems. This is probably one of the reasons NHL didn't have a next-gen version last year.

                    I think Frostbite helps with the next-gen player movement. I think that was mentioned somewhere. Makes it easier to program more realistic movements, one of the reasons why last-gen player movement was sub-par.

                    But I could be totally off.

                    Comment

                    • MasonOS95
                      Rookie
                      • Jan 2012
                      • 526

                      #11
                      Re: Why does EA change engines?

                      Originally posted by CM Hooe
                      This is close to the correct answer. EA has pushed as many of their AAA games as they can to Frostbite in an effort to reduce development and training costs.

                      I’m admittedly not 100% sure on this but I think the only major active EA IP which doesn’t run on Frostbite is Apex Legends.


                      Probably why apex is good [emoji23]


                      Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
                      PSN: The_Mayor95

                      Comment

                      • Hooe
                        Hall Of Fame
                        • Aug 2002
                        • 21555

                        #12
                        Re: Why does EA change engines?

                        Originally posted by MasonOS95
                        Probably why apex is good [emoji23]


                        Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

                        Respawn could have built Apex with the Quake engine and they’d still have made it great.

                        That studio so far has enjoyed a rare marriage of lots of talent and total creative independence.

                        Great games have been built on Frostbite before and great games will be built on Frostbite in the future. The engine isn’t the problem.

                        Comment

                        • MasonOS95
                          Rookie
                          • Jan 2012
                          • 526

                          #13
                          Re: Why does EA change engines?

                          Originally posted by CM Hooe
                          Respawn could have built Apex with the Quake engine and they’d still have made it great.

                          That studio so far has enjoyed a rare marriage of lots of talent and total creative independence.

                          Great games have been built on Frostbite before and great games will be built on Frostbite in the future. The engine isn’t the problem.


                          For sports games it seems to be 🤷*♂️


                          Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
                          PSN: The_Mayor95

                          Comment

                          • mercalnd
                            MVP
                            • Oct 2004
                            • 4262

                            #14
                            Re: Why does EA change engines?

                            Originally posted by PVarck31
                            I think it may have to do with next-gen. I think other stuff that was mentioned is the case as well. I think Frostbite lends itself to easier development on the next-gen systems. This is probably one of the reasons NHL didn't have a next-gen version last year.
                            NHL has been coming to new gen a year later than Madden and FIFA for 3 straight generations nw. I think that's just because the NHL player base is too small to justify releasing a game in a console's first year.

                            Comment

                            • ripcandlestickpark
                              MVP
                              • Aug 2014
                              • 1175

                              #15
                              Re: Why does EA change engines?

                              The move to Frostbite definitely set gameplay back a bit, but I can't deny that the visual jump was huge. IMO, M18 is still the best-looking Madden in some regards (player models, lighting, etc.).

                              As a 49ers fan., I'll add that they also nailed the team's helmet and pants color that year (which isn't always the case with Madden).
                              MLB: San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics (Sell The Damn Team, Fisher!)
                              NFL: San Francisco 49ers
                              NHL: San Jose Sharks
                              MLS: San Jose Earthquakes
                              EPL: Brentford FC

                              RIP San Francisco Deltas | 2017 NASL Champions

                              Comment

                              Working...