If You Could Change One Thing - Madden NFL 12

Feature Article

Submitted on: 02/24/2012 by

It seems like every year Madden is shipped with flaw after flaw, causing an uproar in the OS community. We see lists of forgotten features, underwhelming commentary and even missing players. But what if you could only choose one fix? What if you had to choose the single, most important problem in the game to change in your opinion.

What would that be?

Chris Sanner: The commentary. Now don't get me wrong, I'd love to have the gameplay fixed as well, but there are so many invdividual problems with gameplay that I can't name just one that'd have as big of an effect on how the game feels as just fixing the commentary. If I could take Madden's horrendous commentary and turn it into the best commentary in our genre, the game would have been perceived as a much better game. There would still be the gameplay quirks that we all know and hate/love, but we'd feel a lot more into the game with an immersive experience with great commentary.

Caley Roark: Broadcast elements. I know they added transitional scenes and real camera placement, but Madden 12's presentation still has a long way to go to match leaders like NBA 2K11 and NFL 2K5. I want to see more stat overlays, graphical drive summaries, timely and engaging replays, on-screen performance analysis, a halftime show, etc. Even though football is the game that seems to push broadcast technology, Madden is years behind.

Phil Varckette: Player weight. Players need to have more weight to them. It seems like every player, regardless of size, can cut on a dime. I can pretty much zig-zag down the field gaining yards at will. This especially hurts on sideline catches. When a player catches the ball and his momentum should clearly carry him out of bounds, he is able to turn and burn to the endzone. Until this is fixed, player ratings will continue to mean absolutely nothing.

Bo McCready: Scouting in Franchise Mode. The new approach to scouting was interesting, but there's no reason we shouldn't be able to see things like 40 times and bench presses for every last prospect. We need more than height, weight, school and position before the scouting process starts. I shouldn't have to scout a quarterback during a specific time period to know obvious things like if he's a scrambler or a pocket passer. It kills the realism and immersion of Franchise Mode.

Jayson Young: An online franchise mode that has all the same features as Madden's offline franchise mode. Online franchise hasn't received any upgrades since the feature debuted in 2009. With no salary cap, limited stat tracking and no support for gameplay sliders, online franchise is arguably the weakest mode in Madden.

Bishop Tart: In-Game Shows. A few years ago, EA tried to implement a pre-game and halftime show with several NFL Network personalities. That did not go over well and was poorly executed. They don't have to do exactly what 2K did with NFL 2K5, but if EA wants us to play an authentic NFL game, give us a better pre-game, halftime and post-game show. Also, Chris Berman is not required, Mike Tirico would work just fine (use the ESPN license you have).

Mike Kilroy: I wish it still had the rewind feature. That way when a crazy play that would never, ever happen in real life happened, I could rewind and pretend it didn't.

Dustin Toms: The commentary (Sanner and I are on the same page, as usual). If I hear how agressive Cortland Finnegan is agressive one more time, I might do something illegal.

What about you, OS? If you could change just one thing about Madden, what would it be?

Madden NFL 12 Videos

Member Comments

# 81 hfinmyblood @ 02/27/12 11:58 PM

I agree with the commentary. especially as they are generally inaccurate

# 82 Scribe1980 @ 02/28/12 12:51 AM

Competition. Nothing will change until EA gets some.

# 83 archangelkatana @ 02/28/12 02:01 AM

If I could change one thing, I would remove exclusive licenses for sports games. Ever since the games went exclusive, the quality has gone down in sports games across the board. I would love to see the team that made backbreaker be able to use the nfl rosters, as well as the 2ksports games to have nfl rosters, and have more ncaa games, same for baseball and mlb games. And why does EA have a license to fifa leagues and good companies like PES cant use so many of the real athletes for their game engine. Less choice, and just paying a fee to have the exclusive rosters sucks for the consumers and gamers. It might be great for EA. But instead of spending money on game development and finding the best talented programmers and artists and music for their games: they end up investing millions just for the license.. so the quality takes a hit where it matters most: the gameplay itself.

# 84 Dashdagreat @ 02/28/12 03:15 AM

Pass Trajectory EASILY for me

# 85 Dashdagreat @ 02/28/12 03:26 AM

To Clarify why Pass Trajectory is because for all the issues i have thats the only one i think could be a easy fix and would improve the game. People think there are super linebackers but not really the damn ball isnt high enough in the air and its easy to bat it down. Physic corners? The problem isnt them being physic, the problem is as the QB you cant react and attempt to throw your receiver open once they jump the route. You have hard time throwing outs and fade because you cant put touch on the pass to beat coverage and the fact that you barely can REALISTICALLY under and over throw passes just shows how bad trajectory is.

# 86 Dashdagreat @ 02/28/12 03:27 AM

****Psychic corners

# 87 EmmdotFrisk @ 02/28/12 04:51 AM

All players being able to cut on a dime. I loved M10 player movement, felt like players had weight, took steps into the ground and planted

# 88 jhols1nger @ 02/28/12 05:01 AM

If I could change one thing, it would have to be the ability to zig zag and cut instantly without the players having to plant their feet. A close second would be the warping of defensive backs to the ball while in the air.

# 89 mpt54 @ 03/29/12 04:11 PM

Commentary

# 90 juggalotusx @ 03/29/12 04:57 PM

I would change Progression. Why cant it reflect what player do in the nfl. Have a good year with 12 TDs for a running back go up have 3 go down. Have 16 sacks go up have 16 tackles go down. Not the age factor, its such Bull....

# 91 SeahawkNMD @ 03/30/12 04:36 AM

I couldn't care less about commentary, I haven't listened to commentary in years, I mute it and listen to music anyways.

If I could truly change one thing it would be adding realistic physics, if player movement and collisions worked right that would be huge, if players can't jump out of the building and have to see the ball to react to it then the game would work so much better. I don't see this happening any time soon.

I realistic change would be route based passing and ball trajectory. I'd love to be able to throw a comeback route before he starts coming back.

If there was NFL Head Coach 13 I would buy that over Madden 13 until gameplay made drastic improvements.

# 92 Armor and Sword @ 03/30/12 10:27 AM

I have been playing NHL 11 a lot the last month or so. I can say now that I really want Madden to implement true physics with player movement and weight (not that I had not before but wow it really sticks out like a sore thumb now).

It is mindblowing how much better NHL 11 feels in that regard. I played some franchise games last night on Madden 12 as I wanted to finish up my season in my year three Fins chise and while I still enjoyed the game 2 things stood out.

The player movement felt arcade all the way after playing NHL 11 for over a month and remembering how killer that game is because of a true physics engine.

And I of course had the commentary on mute as it is pathetic but also how slient the stadium was. The atmosphere is really lacking in Madden.

Those 2 things must be improed big time for me to warrent purchasing Madden ever again. Otherwise Madden 12 will be my football game for the forseeable future.

# 93 MachoMyers @ 03/31/12 08:24 PM

Coach mode please!

# 94 Jarodd21 @ 04/01/12 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNT713


	Since I'm always seeking to improve the quality of Madden players - I'd add a "Training Camp" mode that imitates the basic drills that NFL players use each year when entering training camp to build manual skills. Players would start with 2 plays on offense (1 run/1 pass). Players would be graded using a Virtual Coach (aka Gruden) who critiques their performance audibly. For instance, if the play requires a 3-step drop and the user takes a 5-step drop - The coach would yell at you to get your butt in gear. If the coach gives you a progression and the user goes elsewhere with the ball - the coach threatens the bench. If the user runs the play according to the coach's specifications, the coach installs another play. It would add a level of realism that would force players to 'earn' their position - and eventually they could build an entire playbook they are proficient at running. Later

I love this idea man..

# 95 KBLover @ 04/01/12 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNT713


	If the user runs the play according to the coach's specifications, the coach installs another play. It would add a level of realism that would force players to 'earn' their position - and eventually they could build an entire playbook they are proficient at running. Later

This sound interesting.

Especially the part where a playbook could emerge from what I show I'm good/bad at running/executing.

Really, really interesting.

The rest sounds better for like Superstar mode? I mean if I start a franchise - since I'm partly the GM, the coach, and the players - what would happen if I don't pass training camp? I'd have 2 plays instead of my team's playbook? My franchise would get deleted? I'd have to pick a different team?

# 96 KBLover @ 04/01/12 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juggalotusx


	I would change Progression. Why cant it reflect what player do in the nfl. Have a good year with 12 TDs for a running back go up have 3 go down. Have 16 sacks go up have 16 tackles go down. Not the age factor, its such Bull....

Age matters.

There's a reason why it's harder for older players to play like they did when they were 24 and had pristine physical condition on top of talent. Guys slow down, etc.

What should happen is that the ratings should progress on a curve where a talent old veteran that still can play physically can succeed because he's smarter/more instincts/experience and still rack up the sacks or tackles or throw good passes even if he's not a strong, fast, etc as he used to be.

Granted, I think ratings should change, which creates changes in performance, not performance changing physical and mental skills. After all, production can come from how a player is used, even without a change in physical or mental talent.

# 97 TheNumber35 @ 04/01/12 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBLover


	This sound interesting. Especially the part where a playbook could emerge from what I show I'm good/bad at running/executing. Really, really interesting. The rest sounds better for like Superstar mode? I mean if I start a franchise - since I'm partly the GM, the coach, and the players - what would happen if I don't pass training camp? I'd have 2 plays instead of my team's playbook? My franchise would get deleted? I'd have to pick a different team?

Exactly my thoughts, I love the idea of a playbook stemming from what I'm good/bad at executing...but your exactly right in saying what happens if you don't pass training camp. This is Madden not the NFL (no matter how many friendly debates we may have and what you may think TNT

) I shouldn't be banned from playing my franchise or forced to pick a new team because of this feature.

# 98 TheNumber35 @ 04/01/12 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNT713


	I wouldn't tack this on to another mode... I'd propose this to be a standalone mode for people who wanted to prefect the techniques they need in a game as an alternative to the current practice mode that assumes players already have the skills to execute the play. If a player doesn't pass the first stage of training camp, the coach doesn't install another play and they get to keep working to perform the play according to a standard NOT SET by the user. If a user passes, he gets to decide what play the coach installs next. In essence, the coach says: "Run it til you run it right!" Later

I like this idea, a stand alone mode would be good...that way those who want to perfect their stick skills can do so, and those who really don't have the time to do so can skip it without penalty.

I'd love to see it put in to Madden. Granted, this mode wouldn't be all that effective until the on-the-field gameplay and physics are fixed. Hard to teach football technique and execution correctly (with the proper rewards) when the players aren't even playing and reacting like humans.

# 99 Austin97 @ 05/03/12 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by assclown25


	def commentary! brutal- i want to punch my tv everytime i hear Collinsworth speak

I agree 100%.

# 100 Austin97 @ 05/03/12 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia


	1) I have to say complete redo of the blocking and line interactions. 2) Close second would be DB and WR interactions. It is lifeless right now.

I was just about to post something just like that.

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