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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
# 61 Black59Razr @ 11/16/09 03:14 PM
I wish the game was so good that those five things were essential.

What about WR catching everything? I had Russell get the record for 24 straight completions, lol!

What about not being able to throw a ball at a players feet or way over their head and out of the back of the end zone?

What about defenses being way too good during zone?

What about the fact that man coverage is totally broke? As long as you stay out of 3rd and long, you can destroy man coverage every time.

What about QBs still being way to accurate? See Russell ^

What about the fact that WR always run perfect routes? I have yet to see a WR run the wrong route.

What about the lack of defensive reaction during run action? You never see all linebackers stay in their gaps during run action.

What about the poor fatigue system? As long as you spell your player a play or two, they will be 100% in the 4th quarter. There is no long term fatigue.

What about the WRs speeding towards an overthrow? If a defender is running stride for stride on a drag route, just overthrow the ball and watch your 92spd WR turn into a 120 speed and catch the ball.

What about QBs being able to sprint away from the play 10 yards, then throwing a spinning backwards throw to the RB for a 40 yard screen every time?

All these major gameplay problems and you want to see the game like it looks on TV? What about how it looks in real life? Its posts like these that keep the game from being as sim as they need to be.
 
# 62 fig1918 @ 11/16/09 08:27 PM
They won't be able to add Custom playbooks for a long long time. The game just isn't good enough. It would totally kill the AI, the game would just be totally broken. As cool as it would be there would be too many unstoppable/glitchy plays to account for and be patched. I just can't see then do it until they make some major changes to the game.
 
# 63 PGaither84 @ 11/17/09 12:15 AM
While watching the Patriots Colts game on NBC with my friend who I have been getting into football, he made a coment that was awesome. "I notice that guy is wearing a visor, I bet he has a visor in Madden." Obviously he was cracking a joke on how detailed and pretty Madden looks and it's attention to visual detail but still doesn't emulate true football.
 
# 64 carnalnirvana @ 11/17/09 03:44 AM
if they nailed the 5 things on that list perfectly this game still wont be worth a rental....

it needs better logic and AI for every postion on the field hands down the only thing 11 should be about is AI logic,

forget physics, forget graphics, forget momentum, just give us logical calculating AI

no pro tak
no player weapons
no fight for fumble
no lead blocker control
no vision cone
no more gimmicks

just give us CPU logic upgrades

for those who want momentum over logic i say look at live 10, the games has great movement but lacks basic logical gameplay such as transition easy baskets.
 
# 65 Pappy Knuckles @ 11/17/09 09:17 AM
They need to let you make to your depth chart and formation changes outside of the game so you don't need to waste time doing them in-game when you play online.
 
# 66 bhump5 @ 11/17/09 01:08 PM
Player models, Accurate player models !!!! Running styles, Adrian Petersonis not that skinny !!!! ESPN intergration, along with Fox and CBS presentation !!!! Get rid of Tom Hammond !!!!!!! Please I've been playing Madden since the beginning, and I'd rather have Patt and John back in the booth !!!! Put Madden back in the booth !!! T.V style cameras!! we want the the side view Just LIKE THE REAL BROADCAST GAMES !!!!!! C'MON EA GET IN THE GAME !!!!!
 
# 67 fig1918 @ 11/17/09 04:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by shotgun styles
Actually, my understanding is that custom plays are in the PS3 version if you have a PSP to make the plays. You could make plays in Madden '09 if you had Head Coach.

From what Ian and company said, custom plays just missed the cut this year. Hopefully (crossing fingers) we will get the super-powerful online option that was discussed last cycle. That would make me very happy.

To the thread topic:

ALL THIS GAME REALLY NEEDS IS:

1. Make everything in the development blog videos from last cycle work in the game.

2. Fix OL/DL interaction to include blocking assignments and double team blocking.

3. Custom playbooks.

If Ian and his crew can just do these 3 things for next cycle, Madden 11 will become a great classic played for years on end (see Madden 2005) and still viable long after the current generation of consoles has been replaced.
If custom playbooks are added to online play in '11, it will break the game. I wish that weren't the case, but it is, watch. Look at how they have to make the AI DB's cover routes, by running the routes before the WR. The AI is not reactive enough, it's too scripted. I don't see how it won't kill the online gameplay.
 
# 68 doddy13 @ 11/18/09 03:09 PM
Get rid of tom hammond.. i couldn't agree more, he's incredibly boring on this game. Al Micheals please
 
# 69 C3Eagles @ 11/18/09 03:22 PM
I can't wait till Madden NFl 11 comes out, im sure im gonna get it, it sounds like and notice that i said sound, but it does SOUND like it is gonna be way better than 2010 with the broadcast and tv stations
 
# 70 Only1LT @ 11/18/09 05:23 PM
Nice wishlist for Madden 11. However, I, personally, can't see how it's possible to have a list of essential fixes for Madden, and not have a single one that is related to gameplay in anyway though.
 
# 71 Only1LT @ 11/18/09 05:25 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by 21 Guns
What people don't realize is that they gutted Madden and started from the ground up and started a foundation, that they are going to buld apon in the years to come. Especially with franchise mode.
I think that most people DO realize that, and they don't think that that is a viable excuse by any stretch. It is possible to hit a home run your very first time at the plate is it not?
 
# 72 tpaterniti @ 11/18/09 05:47 PM
May as well allow custom playbooks online. Online play with Madden is already a farce anyway in terms of fair play so why not.
 
# 73 RudeBoy @ 11/19/09 02:50 PM
I agree with the fixes but I gotta add ratings & roster updates need to be addressed. EA needs to use the license & have a professional scout rate or assist with the ratings because Donny Moore isn't cutting it there are CB's rated 78 spd which is just outrageous. A 365 feature like NBA Live has would be perfect for transactions & maybe even roster updates by tracking trends
 
# 74 denverbro89 @ 01/29/10 01:17 PM
Monday Night Football's cast would be perfect
 
# 75 denverbro89 @ 01/29/10 01:21 PM
How about being able to sign people to the practice squad? granted Madden would have to have more FA available.
 
# 76 denverbro89 @ 01/29/10 01:49 PM
I'm sure Madden can afford all the sport brands if 2K Sports was able to do so. Better catch animations would be cool, as well as more and better tackle animation.
 
# 77 denverbro89 @ 01/31/10 05:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rgiles36
That's why some are mentioning to do both the NFL Network and ESPN.

Maybe I misunderstood the devs when they addressed this. I thought the NFL Network simply did not want all of the presentation devoted to ESPN or any other network besides it's own. I didn't get the impression it had anything to do with it's other television partners. I could very well be incorrect though.

To be honest though, I sometimes wonder if the 'dont-want-to-piss-off-the-NFL' thing is overblown. I'm not one of the guys who labels the devs as liars or anything to that extent. I just personally find it hard to believe that a NFL rep was in a Madden planning meeting and said, "Where the hell does the NFL Network come in? Scrap these ESPN and FOX ideas immediately!" And if it is an issue, marry the two networks like NCAA is doing. Easier said than done obviously, just lending my opinions.

P.S. from what I understand, Madden was subjected to bland presentation [read radio guy] because of a design decision, the NFL didn't impact that. Apparently, they wanted to go with a on-the-field feel for the game.
I understand what your saying, but can the NFL license really get mad if their getting paid by EA anyway .
 
# 78 rlshky @ 01/31/10 05:27 PM
none of those are "fixes" those are all additions. This game needs real fixes before additions are made.
 
# 79 adembroski @ 02/01/10 01:27 AM
Did you write this in a fit of rage?

No offense, Chris, but this-

"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."

Could be the worst line in the history of OS:P
 
# 80 pats fan 05 @ 02/07/10 12:47 PM
id wish they put ergency in teh game like when your down by 3 and you need to get into field goal range and you complete a pass it takes your offense like 40 secinds just to get to the line. OR when you face the computer and they call run plays wehn there down by 7 with one minute and no timeouts just dumb plays
 


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