Madden NFL 12 Season in Review

Feature Article

Submitted on: 02/08/2012 by Mike Kilroy

Another year, another Madden.

With the NFL season winding down, many sports gamers already have begun removing Madden from their gaming consoles and replacing it with offerings from other sports. However, as Lee Corso would say: “not so fast my friends.”

Let’s take a look back at Madden 12 and what the latest offering from the boys at EA Sports and Tiburon gave us — and didn’t give us.

Like the Patriots, Madden has a dynasty of sorts and few people can stand the sight of them.

The Good

As is the case with all Madden titles, there was a great sense of excitement and hope when the details of Madden 12 were released.

Gridiron gaming enthusiasts were overjoyed with the news that the franchise mode would be (finally) overhauled. Rosters were expanded and general managers had to make difficult decisions during the preseason about who to cut and who to keep. Injured reserve was finally fixed, opening up a valuable roster spot when your starting quarterback inevitably busted his collar bone. Trade and draft logic was improved and were very noticeable from the start.
These additions and tweaks were welcome and well done for the most part.

Sure, there were some lingering problems — teams were still suckered into trades too easily and CPU general managers still had momentary brain cramps while drafting. Overall, though, franchise mode was a step in the right direction in Madden 12.

The 49ers season was a great one, Madden's? Not as great.

The Bad

Madden 12 also boasted more organic tackles. No more suction blocking and more momentum-based action of the virtual field. The game also set out to improve the immersion factor with TV-style camera angles and cut-aways. These, though, were very hit and miss — and mostly miss. There was something just “off” about the momentum of the players and their interaction with each other. While not as scripted, the feel was less organic than it could have been. Plus suction blocking was still there.

While better than previous offerings, the new camera angles and cut-aways were very bland. Many Madden fans were unimpressed once again by the presentation. The default camera was too far away from the action while the zoom camera was too close. Many longed for the camera angles from previous Madden games.

We're discussing ugly and it's a screen of the Rams and Seahawks, get it? GET IT?!

The Ugly

Ugh. 3D grass. Everything about it was flawed.

On replays, the up-close action displayed the 3D grass, but the field in the background was the old flat texture. The grass itself was poorly done; it was ankle high. No wonder speedy running backs looked like they were running in place, the grass tripped them up.

Play about a decade into franchise mode and the NFL is unrecognizable because of the graphical glitches caused by imported rookie draft classes. It was as if Hulk Hogan had 5,000 kids and sent them all to play in the NFL. The player models and equipment were hideous.

Where were the patches? There were only two. Where were the tuner sets like NCAA? Where was the return game? As we saw all season in the NFL, special teams can win or lose a game. This was not even close to being the case in Madden 12.

Overall, the latest Madden offering was a slight improvement over previous versions. And just like those previous versions, it could have been much better.

As Cubs fans famously proclaim, there's always next year. Maybe.

What are some of the good, bad and ugly things you experienced in Madden 12?

Madden NFL 12 Videos

Member Comments

# 41 cuttingteeth @ 02/14/12 01:16 PM

Had this year not plagued us with the insanely bad version of imported and UDFA rookies, and had they finally incorporated Teambuilder...maybe...just maybe it would have been more prominently tolerable.

I have to suggest that all of the Ultimate Team, Superstar Mode and other BS just get dropped for the sake of (I guess that what it takes) to have "room" to make sure Franchise Mode is without any bugs, glitches, etc.

I am actually someone who didn't buy Madden the past two years. I bought it this year for the presumed and early play applause from fans...only to find that you can really only enjoy one season of the game in Franchise Mode because of some horribly overlooked details. My job is actually Quality Control for a major airline. I can't accept that game companies do not have such an important and competent position also working for them.

# 42 Cardot @ 02/14/12 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evan_OS


	Presentation gets an A- from me. I think they got most of it right. Camera angles we're great and the intro for each game was nice. I would like it when players are introduced that they should state what they do for star players, even if they are not star caliber. For example, if my above average starter comes into the game I want you to announce all his info as if he was Tom Brady, not "your starting quarterback", next..

I liked the stadium overhead shots, and part of the team intro's, but it went down hill from there.

Introducing 2 players was a bit awkward. And as you mentioned, saying "Your Starting QB" really defeats the purpose.

Commentary was laughable. And considering that this is the flagship sports title of 2012, it is frankly embarassing.

Halftime was bizarre and reptitive. Dramatic music, a linebacker waving his arms????....EVERY TIME. I thought halftime shows where perfected a few years ago in sports video games.. Just show some highlites from the first half. No need to get too creative/quirky here.

Still no weekly wrap up show? I thought this would be a staple in sports gaming when it really hit it's stride in 2003.

Instant replays that are blocked by the playbook screen?

Stadium specific songs and chants that gets drowned out. And in some cases is grossly off key (Try Hail to the Redskins).

# 43 DiddyGotGrillz @ 02/20/12 02:24 PM

I always cringe when I read someone write that Madden is an improvement over the previous year's version knowing that EA will take that as a sign of moving in the right direction. Although this year's game was tolerable, it has a LONG way to go before fans are satisfied.

Until EA fixes suction blocking, super LB's, lob passing, commentary, graphic glitches and many other things - it will still only be sub-par. Although I despise 2K Sports - it's DEFINITELY time to bring in some competition for Madden.

# 44 DiddyGotGrillz @ 02/20/12 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maltliquor23


	Biggest issue that I personally had was hot and cold players. One big run should not make a player hot for the game, nor should a dropped Interception make a DB cold for a game. These go both ways for the CPU and Human players. If a DB drops a pass it seems as though you could pick on them all gameand put up huge numbers. In the same vein, You could get one big run and consistantly rattle off 10 yard runs the rest of the game. I think Hot and Cold was way over done. Yet when I loaded up PSN last nite and saw it for 30 bucks, I couldn't resist. Had to get it again. The camera cuts were something I was glad to see. Furthermore, the dirty uniforms finally looked right. Playing on grass gave us green grass stains instead of the "doo doo brown" we have seen from Madden and NCAA in the past. Players even picked up black ground rubber stains playing on field turf which was great to see. The commentary does need a total overhall. It isn't fluid. There is no flow. Johnson's lines and coding have him as excited about a 7 yard out route as he is about an 80 yard touchdown run. EA needs to look at games with dynamic commentary like 2k and and the show to see how it can put you in the action.

I completely agree with what you're saying about Hot and Cold Players. Every player on my o-line was cold and I couldn't do ANYTHING all game - it's too much and has entirely too much of an impact over the game.

# 45 Cardot @ 02/20/12 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiddyGotGrillz


	I completely agree with what you're saying about Hot and Cold Players. Every player on my o-line was cold and I couldn't do ANYTHING all game - it's too much and has entirely too much of an impact over the game.

I also agree. In fact I am not a fan of any sports game that tries to calculate in "Chemistry", "Momentum", "Clutch Factor", "Confidence" or any non-quantifiable attribute. I don't think you can define it in an algorithm, it tends to produce screwy video game results, and it just isn't needed.

# 46 Swingking77 @ 02/21/12 05:09 PM

I had several issues with the game as a whole this season. The game was fine, but not great. Here�s a list of the issues I thought needed to be fixed.

O-Lines were too weak. Running at the higher levels was nearly impossible without working on the sliders to get it just right. It appeared as though the o-lines ratings meant nothing, as scrub defenders would often blast through the line and stop backs in the backfield as soon as the ball was handed off. In my opinion, the line play and running game of NCAA this past season was FAR superior in nearly every regard.

Generic playbooks with many broken plays and an even poorer option running game. As we saw this year, for better or worse, the read option and speed option games can work in the NFL. I�m no Tebow fan, but he was able to work it, as did Gerrard in his last season in Jacksonville.
Perhaps borrowing the offensive playbooks from NCAA would provide players with variety of plays to choose from as well as making those plays play correctly.

Play by play was terrible. You can�t have player specific years in the introductions as once that season is done, the play intros don�t make sense anymore. �Now taking the field, 4 year man Josh Freeman in his 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, season.� No Legarrett Blount comments save for an off receiving comment... Many, many, many more issues in this area as well. A name dictionary would be nice as well, when creating players, you could see names that the game recognizes, a la 2K games. It would also be nice to see the same amount of variance in names as there is in NCAA Football... Would do wonders for franchise mode. But we all know why this wouldn�t happen.

Presentation was terrible. I�d skip nearly every single cut scene after having seen them once. There was nothing special in regard to this game. Again, something which could be borrowed from NCAA Football; They really did a great job with regard to this in their game.

Things which would be nice to see next year:

1. Importing NCAA coaches into the game, along with their playbooks. With the carousel feature, this could be huge HUGE thing which would add to the game in a variety of ways. We all saw what Harbaugh was able to do with the 9ers this year.

2. When hiring coaches in the offseason, some, like DCo�s and OCo�s would implement their own style of systems into your team. Something which would be borrowed from Head Coach.

3. Larger trade numbers. 3 simply doesn�t cut it. It should be at least 5 spots so that trades could be more dynamic and also allow for proper value for certain things like franchise players and things like this.

4. Varied announcers like they had in FIFA, or for certain venues. It would be amazing to see them change with the venues as well, so if the game is a Monday Night game, you get one crew. If it�s on ESPN, you get another crew, if it�s on FOX, etc...

5. Highlights from other games in Franchise mode.

6. Being able to switch from coach mode, to playable mode at will.

7. Being able to make adjustments like in NCAA, like aggressive pressure or contain, big hits or safe hits, go for interceptions or swats...

8. Bring back the damn formation adjustments that allow us to set up various formations even before we get into a game. It�s such a pain going into the game, pausing, making the same subs over and over and over again. This should be on a team by team basis and associated with the profile so that they also work in online games as well.

Anyhow, that�s about it. I know it�s a long list, but in my eyes, being a football coach who�s been doing it for the better part of a decade, having played for more than a decade at a pretty competitive level, and a fan of the sport my entire life, Madden didn�t have ANYTHING on NCAA this year. Last year was close, this year, it�s not even close. Thanks for reading this long-winded post of mine...

# 47 KBLover @ 02/21/12 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiddyGotGrillz


	I completely agree with what you're saying about Hot and Cold Players. Every player on my o-line was cold and I couldn't do ANYTHING all game - it's too much and has entirely too much of an impact over the game.

I have to disagree.

While I do think it should take more than a play or two have a high chance to put someone as "hot" (it's supposed to be "streaks", right? So let the player have to put multiple games together), I don't think hot/cold impacts the game too much.

In fact, with some of my players - it doesn't really impact them tremendously. Same for the CPU players. "Cold" Ponder just put up 377 on me.

They are modifiers, but not absolutes, imo. I've had good games out of cold players, and sometimes they continue to disappear. Sometimes a hot player will suck and lose it (and maybe go all the way to cold). I don't have auto-success with hot players though. I don't get 10 yd/carry with a hot running back, etc.

I think it keeps things interesting. If my team is mostly cold, I need to find a way to get them to have a good game, especially if they are key players. Hot players on the other team, I look out for them. Hot players on my team, I'm trying to think of ways to alter my scheme so that they can have more impact.

I like having to deal with it along with consistency. No, it's not easily put into a formula, but I think having it around gives us something else to think about/deal with.

# 48 truffleshuffle @ 03/13/12 12:06 AM

Kinda surprised they didn't say anything about the constant rain games.

# 49 Pats12Sox34 @ 03/18/12 09:31 PM

Seriously last years madden was terrible first game I played hand off to green-ellis he gets a touch down and the commentator says touchdown for number 42...WHAT? its not the law firms first game or something for Madden to be THE ONE football game i feel if a guy as an overall above like 70 or whatever atleast the commentator should be programmed to say his name. Wheres the fun factor? Superstar mode, what was the point of it being included in the game? it was complete crap and then when I look at NCAA 12's Superstar mode, i played through 5 players in that game each a different position and college and couldnt wait to bring my Heisman QB to madden, no draft or anything just a "Congratulations you've been drafted by the chargers" Oh Boy! im gonna sit behind Rivers but oh wait nope first game of the season im like a 70 overall starting over Rivers. Even though in NCAA you actually had to get your skills up and compete for the 2nd string job and eventually the starting job and earn playcall respect.

I can safely say this following year i'll hold out on madden 13 til black friday for 30$ if its even any good. Bring back 2K Football

# 50 ShinVega1 @ 04/13/12 02:59 PM

How can the only things negative you have to say are about camera angles on repay and 3d grass???? How about the compete disregard for online franchise mode. Or the teleporting CBs that go through WRs and pick off passes. Or the simple fact that defensive players have better ball skills than WRs. There are several things that need to be improved in Madden and I would have to say that 3D grass and camera angles on replays are at the bottom of my list.

# 51 Austin97 @ 05/03/12 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maltliquor23


	Biggest issue that I personally had was hot and cold players. One big run should not make a player hot for the game, nor should a dropped Interception make a DB cold for a game. These go both ways for the CPU and Human players. If a DB drops a pass it seems as though you could pick on them all gameand put up huge numbers. In the same vein, You could get one big run and consistantly rattle off 10 yard runs the rest of the game. I think Hot and Cold was way over done. Yet when I loaded up PSN last nite and saw it for 30 bucks, I couldn't resist. Had to get it again. The camera cuts were something I was glad to see. Furthermore, the dirty uniforms finally looked right. Playing on grass gave us green grass stains instead of the "doo doo brown" we have seen from Madden and NCAA in the past. Players even picked up black ground rubber stains playing on field turf which was great to see. The commentary does need a total overhall. It isn't fluid. There is no flow. Johnson's lines and coding have him as excited about a 7 yard out route as he is about an 80 yard touchdown run. EA needs to look at games with dynamic commentary like 2k and and the show to see how it can put you in the action.

You nailed it dude. Running backs should not be able to break off one big run and then he can just run all over the defense. The game needs to wait until after the game to put the player on a hot or cold streak.

# 52 Austin97 @ 05/03/12 02:36 AM

I really hope that Madden 13 is better than this one was. I hate that I bought this game!

# 53 Heroiczero13 @ 05/05/12 11:45 PM

The most disappointing part (amongst many) for me was the inability by the design team to fix the legacy issues, the most glaring of which to me was the disappearing players glitch. It has been a constant blemish on my franchises. It succinctly told when to start over because it is not like I was having a great time building a team and witnessing the future that I created for the league or anything. There are workarounds and I have persevered through with many of them, but I should not have to subject myself to such tedious tasks to try and enjoy a game like this. It is so disappointing.

# 54 BritPitbull @ 05/06/12 12:56 PM

The only way any of these issues will get fixed is if someone else is making the game. 7 years ago, some of the community highlighted all the issues with Madden and made a great attempt to fix them through the use of setting sliders and strategies for the CPU teams (geriatrics amongst you may remember the manifesto).

What were the issues back then? CPU teams not running the ball, "catch-up AI" with cheating CPU QBs and DBs, inaccurate stats in simulated games, each played game becoming a 53-48 shoot-out, lack of penalties, suction blocking, Wacky CPU trade logic. These are the main ones I can remember.

Now, I realised circa 2006 that EA, having secured the rights to the NFL licence, wouldn't bother to make any fundamental changes to the engine and would simply add a couple of gimmicks each year, and so I haven't played since then. Let me guess though, nothing has changed, right?

They've had seven years and they haven't lifted a finger to fix the issues that have been addressed to them - don't hold your breath for next year guys.

# 55 Td1984 @ 05/27/12 04:26 PM

I did a Superstar mode (as a QB) and had a couple of problems with it.

1. If I imported from NCAA, I invariably had my overall start out at around a 95.

2. The one I stuck with, I created myself from scratch. I wound up with KC (started with my overall around 65 and was a 99 before the end of the season) and in Week 1, led a 24-21 comeback win over Buffalo (we trailed 21-3 at some point in the second half IIRC) and wound up going 16-0. In the Divisional Playoff, we hosted the Bills again. This time, the game ended in a 24-24 tie. A playoff game ending in a tie? It also ended our season AND changed the score in the opener from 24-21 to 24-24 as well. I haven't bothered to play it since (back in February).

# 56 bucs34236 @ 06/22/12 06:07 PM

Madden has a ton of problems. They should go back to the old franchise mode. the old mode had more features and you felt you had more control over your team. I hate the gameplay for madden too. the animations in the game are awful. madden is the cash cow for EA which makes me sick. They need competition to make them try harder to make the game. i honestly think that if 2k had the nfl license madden would be outsold every year until they put in the effort. madden 2005 is still the best madden game. best franchise mode with a radio show

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