Madden NFL 13 - Season Ticket & Retail Impressions

[SmoothPancakes]

jaymo, take a look at this thread on the EA forums
http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/8925121.page

There is a coder there that is answering questions about CCM and doing a bang-up job if I do say so... well worth a read and I'm only on page 6 of 9. One of the big benefits for playing an online CCM is that they don't have to rely on patches for fixes etc. He states in there specifically that there have been several bug fixes that they took care of server-side but for offline they'll have to wait for a patch. One example is a bug that if you trade a player with the same jersey number as one of your existing players, he wouldn't change numbers. Now, online, the new player will get a new number.

That type of thing is fairly impressive IMO that they can change that in days rather than weeks/months. So in that regard, yes, I say push full steam ahead with putting a focus on the online version. It sucks as someone that may not have 100% online connectivity but at the same time, I can certainly see more & more games going that direction, sports or otherwise.

It's great ONLY if online is stable. Look at the problems the past two years that people have had with ODs in NCAA. I have never once had a problem of advancing the week or even just plain loading up and getting into my offline dynasty. If I start up a single player OD, the hell if I know if I'll even be able to advance the week when I'm done or even be able to load up and get into the dynasty tomorrow. That is why I still prefer offline over online, regardless of whatever changes and fixes they can do server-side without having to release a patch. I'm not starting my dynasty or franchise over 2, 3, 5 times, just because their stuff isn't stable.

[gschwendt]

It's great ONLY if online is stable. Look at the problems the past two years that people have had with ODs in NCAA. I have never once had a problem of advancing the week or even just plain loading up and getting into my offline dynasty. If I start up a single player OD, the hell if I know if I'll even be able to advance the week when I'm done or even be able to load up and get into the dynasty tomorrow. That is why I still prefer offline over online, regardless of whatever changes and fixes they can do server-side without having to release a patch. I'm not starting my dynasty or franchise over 2, 3, 5 times, just because their stuff isn't stable.

I wholeheartedly agree but where that will come in is having proficient support... I'm not talking about tier 1 customer service but rather have an escalation process that if someone does have a complaint, it is addressed and corrected quickly. That and have tools that help alert you to potential problems so that you can prevent them.

The issue with NCAA though is that while the information is stored online for an OD, the processing, etc. is still done through your console. So, if there is a disconnect or an issue, it's more difficult to correct. Whereas if everything is server-side, it's much easier to repair since you don't have to worry about factors outside of your reach.

[CLW]

I really don't get all the "buzz"/positive opinions re: CCM. Assuming it worked 100% correctly (which it clearly does not) basically all they did was combine all the previous modes into the game and add an RPG aspect to the game that is tedious as hell to mess with and most have said eventually they just ignore it alltogether.

That = the best Madden eva!?

I can at least understand the argument re: infinity engine but I'm just unimpressed with it as a whole as I don't think it really affects how the game plays just how it looks (which is a mixed bag).

[JBHuskers]

Can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm gonna play randoms online to get the points scored trophies.

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[skipwondah33]

I really don't get all the "buzz"/positive opinions re: CCM. Assuming it worked 100% correctly (which it clearly does not) basically all they did was combine all the previous modes into the game and add an RPG aspect to the game that is tedious as hell to mess with and most have said eventually they just ignore it alltogether.

That = the best Madden eva!?

I can at least understand the argument re: infinity engine but I'm just unimpressed with it as a whole as I don't think it really affects how the game plays just how it looks (which is a mixed bag).

As I said I play this game ALOT and notice the little details about it and understand how those little details make A HUGE difference. I have been looking for and wanting certain aspects of the game to become better, be put BACK into the game for it to play a certain way for quite sometime.

Physics has been huge to those who play Madden. It doesn't work right, looks terrible or whichever people may say could be fine and all but there is no denying if you have played this game as much as I have over the last so many years that it doesn't have an impact on the game. Just no way IMO. Has its issues fine, but to say the impact is very minimal isn't true.

Something as simple as Man Lock. Again is a HUGE benefit. Your casual Play Now gamer may not care about that. I've been wanting that back since who knows how long since they took it out.

Trajectories? Madden has needed this for a long time. People complain of Super LB's...no the Trajectories were just awful. Being able to throw a pass down field and not have a LB or Safety bat it down for a WR 15-20...even just 10 yards down field is GREAT!.

Placing the ball where you want (opposite shoulder, backside shoulder, etc. Another thing that has been much needed for the longest.

CB's being aware that they have help over top and playing accordingly.

Shading actually working

This is the best version they have put out thus far...especially on the Next-Gen

[gigemaggs99]

I just hope they don't go 100% online...what happens to your $60 game once the EA servers no longer support the game? Do you use it as a coaster?

Today when I fired up Madden 13 it asked me to complete an online survey...all the questions were pertaining to what are the reasons I play online....so yes it seems like they are really heading in the ONLINE direction. There where 0 questions about anything that had to do with offline content.

[Rudy]

It's great ONLY if online is stable. Look at the problems the past two years that people have had with ODs in NCAA. I have never once had a problem of advancing the week or even just plain loading up and getting into my offline dynasty. If I start up a single player OD, the hell if I know if I'll even be able to advance the week when I'm done or even be able to load up and get into the dynasty tomorrow. That is why I still prefer offline over online, regardless of whatever changes and fixes they can do server-side without having to release a patch. I'm not starting my dynasty or franchise over 2, 3, 5 times, just because their stuff isn't stable.

I totally agree but I like the idea of getting updated tuner files quicker. That's the only reason I would go online since it will only be me. I may try online and if it sucks, quit and go back to an offline one.

[gschwendt]

I just hope they don't go 100% online...what happens to your $60 game once the EA servers no longer support the game? Do you use it as a coaster?

Today when I fired up Madden 13 it asked me to complete an online survey...all the questions were pertaining to what are the reasons I play online....so yes it seems like they are really heading in the ONLINE direction. There where 0 questions about anything that had to do with offline content.

I understand that aspect as well, though I'm a person that will buy NCAA every year and in the future I imagine at worst it would be every other year. I think there are two viable options... A) state that they'll support each title for at least 3 years or B) allow you to download the server software and run it on your own console/PC after such a time they decide they are done with it.

I imagine the second is very unlikely (no one wants to share their proprietary code with the outside world) but would be huge if you could do that and then mod it for your own experience.

[Rudy]

I started working on finding the formula for the overalls by position. Awareness is still very key for many positions. LT along with both guard spots value pass blocking over run blocking. Center is balanced while RT values run blocking more. I do find it funny the both DEs are rated very similarly. If you grade the RT higher for run blocking why wouldn't you grade the LE higher for run stopping? I'm not done yet. Still have to do the LBs, DBs and kickers.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...XTVVFQmc#gid=0

[CLW]

LOL anyone think Madden is worth $45. Love me some GameFly get a "used" game 2 days after release and then "keep it" for $45.

[gigemaggs99]

I understand that aspect as well, though I'm a person that will buy NCAA every year and in the future I imagine at worst it would be every other year. I think there are two viable options... A) state that they'll support each title for at least 3 years or B) allow you to download the server software and run it on your own console/PC after such a time they decide they are done with it.

I imagine the second is very unlikely (no one wants to share their proprietary code with the outside world) but would be huge if you could do that and then mod it for your own experience.

Well I guess I see your point too, people pay a lot for gym memberships, cable tv, etc...I guess in the end $60 isn't that bad if it's a 1 time per year fee. Like everything, it just takes TIME to adjust to the changes. Stubborn as we all can be, change is usually good.

That being said, it sure is a nice trip down memory lane to bust out the NES and play excitebike with my 4 year old. Or Dr. Mario with my wife, we used to play that game when we started dating, get drunk and play Dr. Mario...the point is, it STILL works.

[jaymo76]

I really don't get all the "buzz"/positive opinions re: CCM. Assuming it worked 100% correctly (which it clearly does not) basically all they did was combine all the previous modes into the game and add an RPG aspect to the game that is tedious as hell to mess with and most have said eventually they just ignore it alltogether.

That = the best Madden eva!?

I can at least understand the argument re: infinity engine but I'm just unimpressed with it as a whole as I don't think it really affects how the game plays just how it looks (which is a mixed bag).

I'm actually surprised how mixed the response has been to this game. We went from game of the year talk to some pretty nasty comments at other sites overnight. There are two parts to this game. INFINITY is a major step in the right direction, regardless of its flaws. However, the fatal flaw is how truly limiting CCM has turned out to be. CCM IS ALSO SEVERELY PLAGUED BY GLITCHES.

What kills this game for me and many other die hards is the lack of customization. My wife has been on me all day to buy the game because I can't stop talking about it but I told her I'm not going to break based on the principle of it all. So I just played franchise madden 12 to take my mind off CCM. Here is why CCM fails in a nutshell.

1. Firstly I checked the transaction news to see who was injured or signed or released
2. I then went to edit rosters and changed Pryor from 2 to 6 like in madden 13
3. Just for fun I changed Pryors helmet... Because I can
4. I then began my game versus the Colts... I loaded my custom play book
5. Mental note... My game plan based on my custom play book brought out my key plays for the week
6. I decided to put the colts in all white... Because I can
At the end of the game I played and super simmed some of the Seahawks vs Rams game. Even though the Hawks aren't my team, sometimes I like to play with them.

Yes I have to accept that the weekly franchise is far less exciting than some of CCM and I have to accept that the gameplay is weaker but at least I get to control the game the way I like.

[jaymo76]

Side note... Madden 13 superior audio and presentation. Madden 12 superior player visuals.

[JeffHCross]

I would hope sliders don't kick in at certain thresholds. I'd like to think sliders apply all across the board but it wouldn't surprise me if it's something weird. If I boost pass coverage up 20 points, everyone should get a boost in coverage. Not just the super defender or the really dumb defender.

Yeah, you didn't really go where I meant ....

I mean like a special catch animation or a special juke animation, that is normally only available to players with a certain rating at, say, 90. With sliders they might be available at 88, or not be available until 92. There's obviously other impacts of sliders beyond special animations, but that's an example of what I meant.

In short, I believe what sliders do is make a rating that is normally X, they make it X + Y or X - Y. How exactly it affects it is beyond my knowledge, but that's the gist of what I've seen.

[JeffHCross]

For them to say something is broke or doesn't work mean they would have to actually have someone who spends productive hours studying the sliders and tweaking them during actual gameplay.

First of all, long time no talk.

Secondly, not really. If I had a debug console I could tell you whether or not sliders are working in a few minutes, just by looking at the values of dice rolls and what variables the sliders are changing.

@Josh_Looman: "If you're playing a single player career, play online. You'll get the benefit of up to date tuning that you won't get offline until a patch."

It seems as clear as day that the number one goal of the developers is to keep us online 100% of our gaming time. Offline wo't get tuning updates, offline sliders don't work, etc. We were told the game was built to have offline and online as equal. I'm sorry but that just does not seem to be true at all.

As G said in his response, I think you took this the wrong way. It's easier, faster, and costs significantly less to deploy server-side fixes versus client-side fixes. Now, tuning updates shouldn't be an online-only thing, but if it's something that they can do server-side versus patching (for offline), then obviously it's easier to fix it server-side versus a patch. A patch takes weeks of internal testing, plus weeks of MS/Sony testing, and they can only have a certain amount of patches (from what I've been told over the years) before it costs them money. So they're going to be more likely to hold back fixes until they get a bunch in one patch.

I just hope they don't go 100% online...what happens to your $60 game once the EA servers no longer support the game? Do you use it as a coaster?

Pretty much.

Though, to be fair, how many people are playing any of those former year games today? You are, obviously, but how many others? Not that many. So, for many, that game either becomes a trade-back or a coaster LONG before EA turns off the servers.

[jaymo76]

I totally agree but I like the idea of getting updated tuner files quicker. That's the only reason I would go online since it will only be me. I may try online and if it sucks, quit and go back to an offline one.

So Rudy, have you had a chance to play around with CCM yet? If so, what are your thoughts? After my pass expired I did not purchase the game but it's been on my mind like a bad hangover. A part of me wants the wife to come home with a surpirse from best buy... CCM has A LOT of flaws but I still found the games to be very enjoyable.

[ram29jackson]

played 2 cpu MUT games..too much menu searching first hours LOL

havent played human yet..set up a single player off-line CCM, FS with my game face.
gotta cool down ps3 and start up later tonight again.

for MUT, what ever team uni you get...you can change the default home and away externally in the menu where you can change the order of the uni's you want for online games. So instead of Denvers default uni, I have the 60s-70s uni's for home in MUT without needing the card of that uni.

but if you cant change rosters in CCM those old school helmets cant get their due. They need to add forarm length sleeves with those. and i'm surprised I dont see 70s-80s style facemasks.

[steelerfan]

with my game face.

This one?

uploadfromtaptalk1346213134406.jpg

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[ram29jackson]

This one?

uploadfromtaptalk1346213134406.jpg

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yep, until I can get/find other pics that are big enough to draw from

[ram29jackson]

my first online game..I'm Jax, he's 49ers, i'm up 20-0 first qtr, he quits, I get +13 LOL..but i dont know if i get tokens when that happens and thats what i want dangit