THE ONLY WAY THIS “EDITING LOVING USER” CAN ENJOY MADDEN 13 - cuttingteeth's Blog

cuttingteeth's Blog

THE ONLY WAY THIS “EDITING LOVING USER” CAN ENJOY MADDEN 13

Posted on June 18, 2012 at 05:12 PM.

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Not since the days of Ten Yard Fight or John Elway’s Quarterback can I remember having to do what I will likely do (if I buy the game) to enjoy Madden 13. See, back in the day when not much was associated with the players on the field, I would simply use my imagination to suggest what real NFL player was in the game making the plays. I would also create a spreadsheet listing said players’ names. That way I could try to keep track of the ongoing stats from each game per my QB, RB, WR and a few other positions. I would, per my imagination, always have the correct players in the game because I would imagine them in place of whoever got hurt or just wasn’t cutting it anymore. My rosters and player ratings were always imagined perfect. Also what I would do is create a schedule based on either years past or what I made up to be somewhat accurate, and I would then play out the schedule. If I felt like simming a game instead of playing it, that’s when I’d pull out either a coin to flip for the winner, or I’d use two different colored die to roll – using dice was a little more fun, though, as I could roll two of the same number, therefore simulating a tie ball game. Once my post season began, I would create another spreadsheet for post season stats and, of course, the playoff bracket leading up to the big game. To keep it fair, I would at that point always simulate via coin toss as to the other teams that I didn’t play as to determine who I would play in the Super Bowl (that’s if my team I chose to play as didn’t lose – I would then usually go on as whoever beat my team, or again, I’d just flip a coin to decide who I’d use). It was a lot of work, but it was a good bit of fun, too. I’m serious. This wasn’t just representative of my imagination but also foreshadowed the type of player I would become per the Madden franchise. I became a player that enjoyed and embraced every bit of roster customization for continued realism to the way I want the game to be, and I wholly embraced when I could go multiple seasons with a team – when it all worked well, mind you…some years such as last year, the draft rookies just didn’t work well with the wonky sizes and shoulder pads.

Now, with the customization removed from Madden 13, in order to continue playing the game for more than just one season and being able to update players as I see fit, I must once again revert back somewhat to the system I used 25 years ago. Thankfully via “play now” mode, I can update and change my rosters and ratings as I see fit…but to play season after season, I will have to use my old spreadsheet method and likely find a trusty coin and/or two different colored die. One very cool saving grace could be the hopeful kept possibility of “play now” mode still having “play Super Bowl.” That would give some extra gusto to my championship games per presentation and the upped excitement that should be in the game.

In the future, though, I would much appreciate the Madden development team putting full roster editing back in the game, I would hope they allow for solid, non-wonky draft imports from the NCAA game to work properly and I would like to have no glitches whatsoever playing a full 30 seasons, as they have so long promised was possible in the game.

Comments

# 1 rjohnn @ Jun 19

So many excellent features were added, and they screwed up one of the most important aspects of the game. Realistic community rosters is key to a good gaming experience for hardcore/veteran players.

I will hold off purchasing until this is addressed in a patch, or simply skip purchasing Madden for another year.

# 2 cuttingteeth @ Jun 20

...furthering my thoughts:

Myself, I must first consider lucky to end up having a job that is fun and rewarding and entertaining. I did get lucky.

I was on the cusp of possible college and maybe even professional football achievement, though. One of the freakiest accidents people/coaches still say they've ever seen ended my chance at being a field goal/placekicker. And mind you, I didn't have the biggest leg...but I had the accuracy...best distance was 53 yards, and I was only 15-16-17 years old. Long story short, playing on a wet field allowed my plant foot to slip forward about a foot, my kicking leg (soccer-style, so you know the motioning) hit the ground before the ball and my leg dislocated at my knee thus tearing three ligaments and creating a bone spur under my patella tendon. I'm from podunk, small town, nowhere at that point - still had college attention, as scouts were at that very game - my knee healed, but proper surgery just wasn't an option. The game and various other sports physically ended for me right then and there.

All of that brings me to this point, and I'm betting it's one that is relatable to many of you: For me, any sports video game is my only chance at still playing the game. My competitiveness, my love for every single detail, nothing about my interests in sports ever went away. Games that allow me to compete and especially to customize to my competitive liking are a huge thing to me. They are definitely a privilege, and I admit that...but I do not take them for granted like I think developers sometimes do. I feel that developers mostly see dollar signs, whereas the real fans of sports see a chance to continue immersing ourselves passionately into the games we never wanted to slip away from us. Sports video games that allow us full customization also allow us atheletic immortality. This is why for the editing loving crowd, it is more than just a game.

# 3 mistertony25 @ Jun 21

What an awful injury...I can almost envision it happening...wow. But, to your point about competitiveness and immersion...I wholeheartedly agree. I was more of a baseball player. Couldn't hit a curve ball to save my life. So, I turned to slow-pitch softball (huge, here in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin). I supplemented that with video games. Most notably, the football games and MLB: The Show. The lack of editing for the upcoming releases has me sad, because I am relegated to the fact that I just can't get the same level of enjoyment without that feature. If there's no immersion between NCAA and Madden, there's no point for me. I have no desire to play against random people on the internet. Plus, as a new father...I can't guarantee that I can commit to an entire game without my one-year old needing me. My wife has been really good about my hobby, but I need to remain flexible and staying offline allows me that. It's all good, I guess. I'm enjoying The Show and will keep my dynasty/franchise going for the current football games. I sincerely hope that Josh Looman and company really address the editing issue and get back to keeping the two games joined at the hip through the importing.