Home
Feature Article
Five Essential Fixes for Madden NFL 11

After five long years, we were finally given a next-gen Madden this year. However, there are still flaws and certain things missing that should have been implemented long ago.

So here are five things to change in Madden NFL 11.

5. Replace Tom Hammond


Personally, I don’t like Cris Collinsworth either, but at least he isn’t completely monotone. Either way, Tom Hammond’s game calling is terrible. Half the time I don’t understand him because he is making me fall asleep. The other half of the time he is not making any sense. I’m not trying to be picky here, but the truth of the matter is Hammond does not belong anywhere near this sports game. If he wants to be in Madden 11, he better bring his A game.

4. Custom playbooks


For the last few years, we have heard plenty of talk about custom playbooks. But it really comes down to this: We want custom playbooks. In a league that is embracing the Wildcat formation and more and more trick plays, custom playbooks are needed in Madden 11.

If custom playbooks are added, tons of hardcore Madden fans will log many hours creating plays. I know this because I am one of the hardcore fans. I would love nothing more than a flea flicker play where Brian Westbrook tosses the football back to Donovan McNabb, who then throws it in the flats to DeSean Jackson, who then throws a deep ball to Jeremy Maclin for an 80-yard touchdown. Custom playbooks would create endless possibilities in Madden, and endless possibilities means more time spent playing Madden.

But please don’t let us take custom playbooks online (at least not in ranked matches). They are bound to create nothing but havoc.

3. Advanced depth charts


I love the Tennessee Titans, always have always will. Therefore, I use them almost every time I play Madden 10. I also never play Kerry Collins because I have always been a huge Vince Young fan. Collins is my backup and I’m fine with that -- until I’m trying to fake out my opponent.

When I set up for a fake field goal run play, Collins is the holder since he is the backup QB. Of course if I forget that the backup QB is always the holder, I have to blow a timeout, and I hate wasting them. Why not just give the user the option to select who is the holder? We can choose who is going to be the long snapper, so why can’t we choose the holder or anything else for that matter?

Advanced depth charts would be amazing. A few options stick out in my mind, including the holder mentioned above, as well as the Wildcat QB, Wildcat TE and pretty much anything else associated with the Wildcat formation. But advanced depth charts would also apply to the defense. How about having the ability to select your pass rushers on third downs or being able to choose who you want as your nickel back?

And if the developers put custom playbooks together with advanced depth charts, those unlimited possibilities I was talking about would be multiplied by a factor of 10.


Who would run your Wildcat?


2. Atmosphere


Maddenites across the world have been begging for improved atmosphere since Michael Vick was the most overpowered sports player in history. We want it. We need it.

I’m a franchise guy, so I love taking my team to the playoffs. But when I get there and the game gives me the same feel as a preseason game, I'm inevitably disappointed.

But even regular season games need more atmosphere. There are big rivalries and big games with huge playoff implications every season. So I want to feel like those games mean something.

Another thing that needs to be conveyed is the fact that Sunday nights and Monday nights are huge. I want to hear Cris Collinsworth and whoever -- please let it happen -- replaces Tom Hammond talk about Monday night and have it mean something. I’m ready to feel like I’m playing Monday Night Football, which leads me to number one…

1. Telecast Integration


I never thought it would be a possibility since it had yet to happen with an EA game, but telecast integration is more possible than ever thanks to EA’s new title, NCAA Basketball 10. In NCAA Basketball, the developers have included both ESPN and CBS integration. Imagine playing Madden with Fox, CBS, NFL Network, NBC and ESPN integration. I know all of those networks in one game would cost a fortune, but EA could clearly nab at least ESPN and CBS.


Wouldn't this be amazing?


With the new broadcast camera angle that is in the game, it would make telecast integration even better. Simply put, let us play a game that looks like a real telecast.


Madden NFL 11 Videos
Member Comments
# 21 teambayern @ 11/12/09 09:49 PM
Focus on the gameplay. They made a big jump this year, but they need to make one just as big this year.
 
# 22 ianlast @ 11/12/09 10:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by teambayern
Focus on the gameplay. They made a big jump this year, but they need to make one just as big this year.
+1

I'll gladly take another year of Tom Hammond, boring atmosphere, lack of create-a-play (why should we have to create trick plays? they should just include more) if they can nail the gameplay. Madden 10 is a step in the right direction, but there's still a ways to go. The next most important thing is a functional dynasty. All the rest is just fluff that I really couldn't care less about.
 
# 23 johnprestonevans @ 11/12/09 10:22 PM
Great article. I want Madden to be as good as it can be - at least as good as other sports games setting the bar, like MLB The Show, NCAA Basketball and NBA2K10. Presentation is critical to sports games these days.

#5, #2, and especially #1 need to be fully blown out in Madden 11. TELECAST presentation is the next level of "Broadcast". All the stats, tickers, highlights, game breaks, camera angles, replays and analysis that you see and hear every Sunday - bring it to Madden. It's time to retake the lead in sports gaming EA Tiburon. : )
 
# 24 jfsolo @ 11/12/09 11:05 PM
For me personally, none of these five are essential. The depth chart is the only one of these that might make my top 15.
 
# 25 Jet Sufferer @ 11/12/09 11:06 PM
WOW, that would be the LAST 5 things I would worry about.

Try:

Blocking
Tackling (bye bye "pro-tac")
Player awareness (ball awareness, sideline awareness, etc.)
All routes over the middle are always open
More ANIMATIONS

I could go on forever, buy your list is right up there with colored cleats on the importance scale.

Who cares about announcers and substitutions when the game play is a mess? Oh wait I know, about 90% of the people who purchase Madden. I take it all back, your list is right
 
# 26 Artman22 @ 11/12/09 11:38 PM
Wow it's extremely sad that one of the main writters and reviewers On OS thinks that the gameplay(Which is most Important) Doesn't need a lot of workAlmost everything mentioned is presentation wise. To me one of the most important things is animations.Fix the gameplay!!! It's the bigest problem with the game. Maybe this is why Madden team thinks they have a great game.
 
# 27 He Is NOT Jesus @ 11/13/09 12:53 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesus
No ROUTE BASED PASSING kills this list....
route based passing? WWJD?
 
# 28 ianlast @ 11/13/09 01:21 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dork
I say #1 should be to scrap the game and start over. Done.
Thanks for that incredibly constructive and insightful post.
 
# 29 DustinT @ 11/13/09 01:28 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by He Is NOT Jesus
route based passing? WWJD?
Hmmm....double account?
 
# 30 Vikes1 @ 11/13/09 03:54 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by NYGmen56
I agree with this WakeUNC.. F*&$ the 5 essential fix for Madden 11, Fix the core of the game first!

Running animation, Run Blocking, Pass rush, DB animations, and most important the AI! Fix these things first before fluffing the game.. IF these things don't get fixed, all the extra fluff is worth nothing. Fix Fix Fix the Core, or better yet change the Game Engine..
Agree 100%.

Not meaning to be rude...but if this "Essential fixes" was the main focus for Madden '11', I'll sit out another year.

I agree completely NYG...the core AI fixes that are needed, should keep the dev team just too busy to worry about more fluff additions. Of course just my opinion.
 
# 31 HawkNestMonster @ 11/13/09 04:18 AM
Fix the ratings and make them so that they actually MATTER!

Namely, on the offensive line... No more 6'2" 200 pound wide receivers playing like all-pro LT's please...
 
# 32 Montana16 @ 11/13/09 04:52 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by He Is NOT Jesus
route based passing? WWJD?
route based passing
 
# 33 kbigmike2121 @ 11/13/09 07:31 AM
I think that Team-builder should definitely be at least number 7.
 
# 34 spankdatazz22 @ 11/13/09 07:50 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jfsolo
For me personally, none of these five are essential.
Agree. Imo that was about as lightweight an article as could be. I'm guessing it wasn't a top five, but to mention "essential" fixes for Madden 11 and bypass many of the glaring gameplay issues is pretty sad.
 
# 35 Hova57 @ 11/13/09 08:52 AM
5. More complex defensive calling ie. bracket zones , twists, shading

4. U should be able to sub and edit all formations and positions , yes this includes kickoff and punt

3. kicking system needs revamped

2. True 3-4 defense this means hole clogging NT book ends and blitzing LB especially outside LB

1c. Include all NFL penalties why can't we have defensive holding, actual offensive pass interference not just bumping into guy see wr pushing off , horse collar.

1b. Much need blocking and shedding on the offensive and defensive lines. you should see defensive lineman taking blocks on with outside shoulder to shed block not heads up and shed. offensive lines should have blocking assignments two levels and reach blocks not be on course and turn to block guy to left and leave 1 on 1 tackle. Double teaming lineman and ability to split double team by lineman. cut down on the number of clipping

1a.enable some type of jump ball situation it shouldn't be a gimme but you should be able to jump for the ball as a wr
 
# 36 Tyrant8RDFL @ 11/13/09 08:57 AM
You have 2 things that would be in my top 5 and that is atmosphere and new commentary.

My other 3 would have been overall A.I , animations, and control scheme redone.

last gen control scheme was much better and needs to be brought back fully.

The list should actually be 10 things. There are some more very important aspects of this game that need major fixing.
 
# 37 dskillz @ 11/13/09 11:05 AM
I agree with alot of that, but players not completey brain-dead on the O-line would be nice.

Also, add some fatigue to players constantly blitzing. This was supposed to be in this year's game, but it isn't.
 
# 38 swiftychampleone @ 11/13/09 12:29 PM
Sorry, but gameplay and the features he listed both need to be fixed. I want to see a revamped Franchise that will actually keep me entertained for a long time. It's time that people start setting high expectations and ask for both. If they got all of the gameplay right, but the atmosphere remained boring, I still wouldn't want this game. Which is a reason that I haven't purchased a Madden since 05.

If EA truly needs insight on making a great football title, try looking at Madden 2005 and NFL 2K5. Those are what you call great football games.
 
# 39 CW McGraw @ 11/13/09 12:50 PM
Am I the only one who's actually pretty OK with Hammond and Collinsworth? Collinsworth has got the goofy color commentary down pat while Hammond does the dry play by play serviceably. What the commentary needs is more lines along with actually describing what's going down on the field. Way too often you'll hear the commentators ramble about crap that just didn't happen.

Custom playbooks and a play creator are a must for offline modes. I honestly just want All Pro Football 2K8's playbook creation feature where you pick from about 4000 or so universal plays and incorporate them into an individual team playbook. Play creator would increase the replayabilty of Madden tenfold. I want to experiment with spread schemes, wishbone and flexbone offense, and wildcat formations. It was in the last gen versions and we need it now.

I want to be able make my substitutions from the pause menu or from the franchise hub. It simply is to hectic to have to make defensive substitutions in the 15 seconds before the next play.
 
# 40 Matt Diesel @ 11/13/09 12:55 PM
how about a real preseason, training camp 80 man rosters, practice squads , IR that works . team schemes .....

telecast presentation and another announcer are hardly essential fixes for a game that still struggles to emulate the actual NFL football it is supposed to.
 


Post A Comment
Only OS members can post comments
Please login or register to post a comment.