• Madden NFL

    by Published on 06-22-2021 10:30 AM
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    A year ago, a lackluster list of improvements to Madden NFL 21's Franchise Mode led to #FixMaddenFranchise to become one of the top trends on Twitter. In the aftermath of this embarrassment, the Madden NFL development team worked to release post-launch updates to improve the Franchise experience in M21. Heading into Madden NFL 22, the additions and improvements to Franchise Mode have been presented upfront and perhaps as part of the primary focus of the game.

    Some of the big additions include a Coaching Staff (OC, DC, Player Personnel) that can be upgraded through 'Staff Points,' and Talent Trees that provide boosts for each Franchise Staff member. (The Franchise Staff and Talent Tree models appear reminiscent of those similarly found in NCAA Football 14.)

    Planned to arrive in a September update is an improved Scouting system. A deeper look at this system will come on July 19. Other improvements include Weekly Strategy, new Season Engine scenarios, redesigned Franchise Mode hub, tuning and quality of life improvements, among other additions.

    Continue on to see the Franchise Mode trailer, links to Madden developer podcasts, and the Franchise Mode blog. ...
    by Published on 06-17-2021 04:46 PM
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    Madden season has begun as EA SPORTS released the Madden NFL 22 cover athletes, release date(s), and first game feature overview.

    The rumors from early spring proved correct as the M22 MVP Edition will feature Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes as the cover athletes. The Deluxe and MVP Editions will be available on August 17, with the standard version released on August 20. Information on the differences between the pre-order bonuses for the versions can be found here.

    Based on the trailer and early game previews from media, M22 will focus on improved game atmosphere with 'Homefield Advantage' and 'Dynamic Gameday' with the goal of making each game and season unique.

    The first game info also highlighted improvements coming to Franchise Mode, ...
    by Published on 03-03-2021 05:00 AM
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    The final update to Franchise Mode in Madden NFL 21 is set to arrive on Thursday, March 4 and ahead of its arrival, EA has released full patch notes.

    An overview of improvements include: League History, Trade Logic & Player Value Improvements, Draft Pick values, Team Philosophy Value Differences, Player Value Modifiers, and QB-Specific Value Improvements.

    Also included in the notes is a video from Madden EP Seann Graddy reiterating that Franchise Mode will be an area of focus for the title heading forward. In the background is believed to be a look at some changes coming to the mode in Madden NFL 22, namely redesigned goals and focus assigned to the HC, OC, DC, and Player Personnel.

    Continue on to see the M22 Franchise Mode tease as well as the details on M21's final Franchise Mode update. ...
    by Published on 01-06-2021 09:44 AM
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    Arriving this month will be the second of three major Franchise Mode updates for all console versions of Madden NFL 21.

    One of the major additions is improved CPU QB draft logic. Now, CPU teams will have improved logic when considering drafting a quarterback in the first round. CPU teams will evaluate their roster and draft picks of the previous two years to prevent them from replacing players too soon.

    New commissioner control features include the ability to undo Free Agent signings (offseason only), the ability to assign autopilot during the draft, Play Cool-Down and Repeat Play Limits, and X-Factor Customization Restrictions. Other areas of focus include Trade Logic Improvement (more details coming in a future blog) and Franchise League History, which will allow users to review Super Bowl and award winners from each year in the franchise.


    The third update will arrive in March. Continue on to see the full details of the upcoming Franchise Mode improvements. ...
    by Published on 09-03-2020 04:00 AM
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    The Madden NFL 21 development team has laid out details of the first of three planned Franchise Mode updates coming to the game. The dev blog states that the team aims to ensure all of the Franchise Mode updates do not require users to restart their Franchise in order to benefit from the update.

    The first update is tentatively scheduled for release in mid-November and aims to include X-Factor/Superstar Ability Customization, Player Card Career Stats UI, Dev Trait Regression Tuning, and a visual Playoff Bracket.

    Continue on to see the full blog entry from EA SPORTS. ...
    by Published on 08-31-2020 04:00 PM
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    Details of the first two game updates for Madden NFL 21 are now available.

    The first game update became available on August 28 and focused primarily on stability updates, bug fixes, and correcting team details for Buffalo and Washington.

    The second update will go live around the start of the NFL season on September 10. This update begins to address meatier issues such as gameplay aspects including pass rush, defensive coverage, tackling, throwing out of sacks, and blocking. There are also updates to the game's mode of focus, Ultimate Team, as well as The Yard and Superstar KO.

    Also around September 10, the Madden NFL dev team will publish a blog detailing their current plans and timing for the first of three planned Franchise mode updates.

    Continue on to see the entire details of the first two Madden NFL 21 game updates. ...
    by Published on 08-13-2020 04:00 AM
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    Madden NFL 21 will feature 'The Yard,' which is similar to modes in other EA SPORTS franchises including LIVE Run (NBA LIVE), Chel (NHL), and VOLTA (FIFA). 'The Yard' features 6v6 ironman football with over the top gameplay including double passes, laterals, multi-snap, 'one-timer,' and a special scoring system. Users can create their custom player and develop their own set Prototype (play style), X-Factor, Abilities, and Skills. The mode can be played solo or as part of squads.

    The Yard: Underground is currently available in Madden NFL 21 Mobile to give users a headstart with Rep & Madden Rank, Earned Currency (Cred), Avatar, and Gear Collection being shared between mobile and console once the account is linked. To begin the year, there will be over 2,000 individual pieces of gear for users to acquire.


    At launch, there will be four different venues for users to select from: Miami Port, Lambeau Tailgate, F.O.B. Nico, and Brandenburg Football Festival. The developer blog stated that throughout the year, EA will be updating 'The Yard' with new Prototypes, new venues, new players (teammates), and more gear.

    Click here to read the entire blog entry from EA SPORTS. ...
    by Published on 08-03-2020 04:20 AM
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    One month ago, underwhelming Franchise Mode additions to Madden NFL 21 left the community frustrated and taking to Twitter, leading to #FixMaddenFranchise becoming the top trending topic on the social media website. Days later, EA emerged to post a video stating that they heard the cry from the community.

    Today, the Madden NFL development team began to lay out some tentative future plans for the Franchise Mode. In M21, post launch support plans to focus on: Tuning, Commissioner Tools, AI Personnel Management, Playoff & Super Bowl presentation, X-Factor/Superstar Ability Customization, Career Stats UI, Trade Logic, Retirement UI, & Playoffs Update. In M22, the team is creatively exploring Coaching and Staff Management, Scouting improvements, new scenario engine enhancements, new team chemistry system, Commissioner Tools improvements, & more content, such as Rebranding/Relocation Assets for Franchise.

    However, the blog leaves a few questions by the community that will likely never be answered. Would there be little to no Franchise Mode additions had there been no community outcry? Or were some of these requests (all known and largely requested by the community for years) already in the works and simply being presented as a #FixMaddenFranchise response? Why was Franchise Mode not led by some of the dev team's "most-passionate Franchise voices" previously? In recent years, the mode had a Senior Designer dedicated to it as well as a team helping to support it in Austin, Texas. What is their current role and influence over the mode that has left many fans underwhelmed the last few years? Why did it take social media outrage for the team to publicly acknowledge long-standing Franchise Mode community feedback?

    Continue on to read excerpts from today's blog. ...
    by Published on 07-02-2020 01:53 PM
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    Following Tuesday night's disappointing Madden NFL 21 (PS4/XB1) blog detailing limited updates coming to 'Classic Franchise' mode, the hashtag #FixMaddenFranchise became the top trend on Twitter. Fans took to social media to voice their displeasure, if not disgust, that the mode is seemingly receiving nothing more than a limited patch update this fall.

    Thursday, the franchise's Executive Producer recorded a video for Twitter via the game's official Twitter account to inform fans that the development team is working on plans to bolster support for Franchise mode in M21 and beyond.

    While it is a positive first step in seeing EA acknowledge the community's disappointment, fans will need to see action and results. They have heard how important EA feels they are for years, only for a major mode to not receive any highly requested community-based features.

    The fact that EA thought they could release a minimally improved Franchise mode at the launch of M21 indicates the need for them to review how they receive, implement, and value community feedback. The Madden Franchise mode community has been very vocal for years in providing detailed feedback. If the development team needs to review tweets and trending topics for ideas/feedback, it is clear they have not been listening to or respecting the Franchise community.

    This is likely a side effect of Madden NFL 20 being the 'most successful game in franchise history' as it set franchise records for pre-orders and monthly average players, as well as seeing a 30% increase in unique players versus M19. M20 set these records with a focus on X-Factors, Ultimate Team, and Superstar KO mode. With a record-setting year, it seems same to assume M21 will build on those modes/aspects as well.

    Graddy's video also raises some questions: Will the Holiday 2020 launch of next-gen Madden NFL 21 see the same version of Franchise mode as current-gen? Or did Franchise mode resources go into the PS5/XBX version of the title and EA cannot disclose it at this time as they wish to focus marketing on current-gen? That would be a better alternative than EA not improving Franchise in either current or next-gen versions of the game. Time will tell on these questions. ...
    by Published on 06-30-2020 04:32 AM
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    Attached to the bottom of today's Franchise Updates blog, EA SPORTS announced the 'updates' coming to Classic Franchise mode (current gen).

    While many Franchise mode fans tried to be optimistic, they found the updates to read as little more than patch notes. Some of the first items highlighted on the blog entry included new X-Factors, the expanded Wild Card Playoff round, updated rookie contract amounts, among others.

    #FixMaddenFranchise was a trending topic late Tuesday evening on Twitter. Some of the disappointment stemmed from an April 2019 Game Informer article entitled 'Madden NFL 20 Makes A Recommitment To Franchise Mode.' At the end of that article, Creative Director Michael Young stated: “Franchise has come back to being a big focus on the game and it will continue to be. We just want to add this rich depth and immersion to it so we're starting to think about it more like a sports RPG.” Fans expected to see the depth and immersion, but instead were left with numerous bug fixes instead of new features.

    The new branding of 'Classic Franchise' also raises some questions. Has this change been made to differentiate it from Face of the Franchise or will 'Franchise' be the mode's naming for next-gen Madden, launching this fall? How different will next-gen Franchise mode be - if at all?

    Continue on to read the list of Classic Franchise updates coming to Madden NFL 21. ...
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