I definitely think GameFlow is an updated version of Ask Madden but I understand why they feel they had to do it. I think it's definitely geared more towards noobs and casuals to lessen the intimidation of the game and maybe coax them into spending cash on a copy of Madden if they try it first then like it. It's still a business, at the end of the day, and they are constantly trying to expand the business that is Madden NFL Football.

At the same time, I go back to the very first Madden on the Genesis and I am actually interested in seeing how this will work. I'll give it a whirl or two or more if I like it but I'm a grizzled vet and can't seeing going to far with it because I like to be in control of thangs. I like the Game Plan feature, though, a lot. I wish it had some of the NCAA 10 setup aspects to it, though, but still, I think it will be cool to script my plays for a bit.

They think they are losing casual fans due to the complexity of the game, and this is a good way to hook them back into the game. To some extent it's true. However a quality game is going to hook gamers far more than something like GameFlow.

Most def agree. Game flow is just ask Madden 2.0. I hope they fixed the coverage and pass defense.

what you dont understand is that with game flow your actually picking the plays before hand and durning the game in different situations the plays you set up earlier are just being given to you via head set with more voice and gameplan stratagy.

and if you dont set up your gameplan before hand it will auto pick the best gameplan for your situation. i think its quit nice...

I think you're oversimplifying this feature to make your point.

I think a many folks that aren't interested in it, see it as a customizable Ask Madden. That's why that say Ask Madden 2.0. The whole purpose of Ask Madden is to give the gamer an appropriate play for the given situation (which it failed horribly at doing). The GameFlow + default GamePlan for a team is aimed at fixing the horrible calls made by the Ask Madden feature of years gone past. If you find that they still haven't fixed it, then they have given a way for you to customize it to some extent. You can even rate the plays 1 to 5 stars. However, at the end of the day you are still not making the play calls. This is why I view it as Beginner playcalling, where you are given only one play to choose from, more than Ask Madden. Ask Madden actually gave you 6 plays to choose from. Beginner playcalling only gives you one. GameFlow only gives you one play to execute.

I'll probably end up using it on my offline franchise, not because I want to, but because it will be the only way to get a competitive game against the AI, just like I had to do in Madden 10. i.e. Play with my play calling set to 'Beginner'. I will say that this is the hardest way to play the game from an execution standpoint, but the weakest way to play it from a strategy standpoint.

What it boils down to is realism. When you are in game you are the QB, the QB doesn't have a full playbook to call a play he is told one play by the OC. If you deem things realistic by finding a few "money" plays and using those whenever you are in a bind then have fun. If you would rather a true simulation experience then one play at a time is what you are looking for.

Of course every sports game gets repetitive. It is human nature to do what works. When playing the first couple of times you find out what works.

Let me just start by saying that I am a diehard sim-style player as well and have loved Madden for years..I am in no way trying to really put it down. I just got frustrated when I posted that blog and needed to vent, lol.
I must rebutt a couple comments I am seein though such as "Ask madden is an option that just gives you a random play for the most part but gameflow sounds much more in depth" - this isnt entirely accurate because ask madden did give you an appropriate play for the situation and was in no way "random" and I am referring to simply GameFlow when i discuss this. Gameplanning and then using gameflow is an entirely different thing and I think it is awesome..

I couldn't disagree more with the notion that GameFlow is equivalent to Ask Madden.

With Game Flow, you can plan your play calling around your opponents weaknesses. With the rating systems, you can effectively bookmark certain plays for use as well.

It is going to create a quicker game, a more strategic option to users, and a more realistic option for gamers. How can you be against an optional feature?

This coming from someone who doesn't plan on purchasing Madden.

I think I kind of got misunderstood here. GameFlow alone, I feel is just "Ask Madden 2.0" but when you utilize the Game Planning feature and THEN use the GameFlow feature, I think that is very cool and very original. I would probably only use this playing offline because you know how kids play online (extremely unrealistic).
I just don't like how EA tries to make it like they put all this work into it and it's this big new feature , when it has basically always been in the game for the most part.

Does anyone else think it is funny that Front Page Sports Football allowed this level of situational playcalling flixibility in 1993 but EA is touting it as revolutionary?

I also think you are oversimplifying gameflow.

My biggest concern is how repetitive (read: annoying) will the play call audio become?