EASports - What are the barriers to a TRULY great franchise mode?

[chargerrich]

Let me preface this by stating the following:

1) Despite some "auto-hate" that Madden gets each year, the "on field" game play is just short of great and the best yet.

2) I work in development (but not gaming) so I feel I just barely (but certainly not fully) understand the Madden feature inclusion process each year

What baffles me is why in the roughly twelve yearly iterations from Madden 2005 or NFL2k5, that this game cannot simply match - more less - eclipse the franchise modes that those games offered.

It seems to me that even in a tight development cycle, that at some point the team could have and more importantly WOULD WANT to include some great franchise features we have already seen in in a football game:

* Draft Class Customization - seems that this could be done in a single year

* In franchise (offline) editing - this could be done in a patch so the question is why EA does not want to include

* League customization - may be forced with one or more of the rams/raiders/chargers potentially moving.

* Making the draft an EVENT!

* More general customization - I wonder each year why Madden is so locked down for offline players?

* Improved free agency period

* A half time presentation and weekly game recaps. So immersive in games like NFL and NBA 2K. For the life of me I cannot understand why EA would not want to include this. Who would hate it?

So many other things could and have been included in other posts. But the above really seem like no brainers and I truly wonder why EA does not include these features.

Is it really just priority and lack of time?

Are there some legal issues with things like draft editing?

It is the lost resources on some of the failed changes in mechanics throughout the years (vision cone for example)?

Heck, most arm chair GMs would be happy with some of the Head Coach 09 features added and that is a seven year old game!

I am not an NFL2k5 fanboy (although for its time it was superb) and i think the arguments stating that game is still better are largely flawed. As mentioned the M16 game play seems to be top notch and visuals on the field are amazing.

Maybe after finally nailing the game play EA will concentrate on the franchise mode that is clearly 10 years off. That is my hope anyway.

[Sphinx]

Quote: Originally Posted by chargerrich

Let me preface this by stating the following: 1) Despite some "auto-hate" that Madden gets each year, the "on field" game play is just short of great and the best yet. 2) I work in development (but not gaming) so I feel I just barely (but certainly not fully) understand the Madden feature inclusion process each year What baffles me is why in the roughly twelve yearly iterations from Madden 2005 or NFL2k5, that this game cannot simply match - more less - eclipse the franchise modes that those games offered. It seems to me that even in a tight development cycle, that at some point the team could have and more importantly WOULD WANT to include some great franchise features we have already seen in in a football game: * Draft Class Customization - seems that this could be done in a single year * In franchise (offline) editing - this could be done in a patch so the question is why EA does not want to include * League customization - may be forced with one or more of the rams/raiders/chargers potentially moving. * Making the draft an EVENT! * More general customization - I wonder each year why Madden is so locked down for offline players? * Improved free agency period * A half time presentation and weekly game recaps. So immersive in games like NFL and NBA 2K. For the life of me I cannot understand why EA would not want to include this. Who would hate it? So many other things could and have been included in other posts. But the above really seem like no brainers and I truly wonder why EA does not include these features. Is it really just priority and lack of time? Are there some legal issues with things like draft editing? It is the lost resources on some of the failed changes in mechanics throughout the years (vision cone for example)? Heck, most arm chair GMs would be happy with some of the Head Coach 09 features added and that is a seven year old game! I am not an NFL2k5 fanboy (although for its time it was superb) and i think the arguments stating that game is still better are largely flawed. As mentioned the M16 game play seems to be top notch and visuals on the field are amazing. Maybe after finally nailing the game play EA will concentrate on the franchise mode that is clearly 10 years off. That is my hope anyway.

These are all great ideas in my opinion. However, I don't see the edit features happening. Personally I would love to be able to edit everything from player names to player attributes as well as draft classes. But I think they will keep it locked down. As far as the draft is concerned, I think they'll keep it locked down so they can preserve draft stories and so they don't run into more issues with the lawsuit that forced NCAA into retirement.

But I would love for CFM to feel more alive, coach changes that actually change the dynamic of the team. Better cpu play calling. Draft stories that are highlighted each week and maybe mock drafts and mel kiper projections. Just things to add immersion to the season and offseason tasks.

[roadman]

There are a ton of franchise threads regarding the same topic on OS.

After the game came out, Rex stated that is the number one area that he feels needs improvement.

Based on his comments, I'm expecting a lot of love for franchise mode next year. He hasn't disappointed, yet.

[chargerrich]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

There are a ton of franchise threads regarding the same topic on OS. After the game came out, Rex stated that is the number one area that he feels needs improvement.

That is both exciting and unknown news to me! Do you have a cite? I would love to read up on his comments/thoughts.

[roadman]

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...franchise.html

Post #13, start listening at the 17 minute mark.

I found this thread by using the search button and adding Rex's name in the search area. I know if you put in the word franchise a few dozen angry threads will pop up.

[SyncereBlackout]

I would love 1/2 of the things NFL coach 09 had in the next iteration of madden.

[ednaaard]

For as long as Madden doesn't have a rival game, why would they exhaust themselves making what we want when they can produce the same thing over and over and still reach the numbers they sold last year?

[roadman]

Actually, it behooves Madden to sell more copies each year to place more money in the stockholders hands.

EA's stock has been the highest it's been as of July.