Madden NFL 16 Features All-New Controls to Dominate Air Supremacy

[Big FN Deal]

Quote: Originally Posted by aholbert32

Thats a hell of an assumption there. There are plenty of gamers who arent that interested in a sim level of realism. The tournament players. The cheesers. They like playing Madden as it is with all of the glitch exploits and unrealistic gameplay it currently has....

That's not a baseless assumption or a stretch though, reason being, we know for fact, no matter how realistic any sports sim, there will always still be exploits. So those people that prefer to exploit a game to win at all costs, will still find ways to do that, ie NBA2k. However unlike now, those of us which prefer to play realistic but simply can't in certain aspects, would have the ability to do so. It's a win/win but for some reason EA doesn't seem to see it that way. As far as the focus group that went down when Ian was there, people are naturally resistant to change so I guess the key would be to just add various settings, ie "simulation" and "classic", with the latter being the default/out the box. (Hell I'd settle for them inviting a group of slider creators from the community down to Tiburon to create one slider set which can be labeled "simulation" and included in the game at this point.)

Quote: Originally Posted by aholbert32

I think Ive discovered the difference between me and users like Sage and Big FN Deal: We both looked at games like Madden 07-08 and said "This game sucks but I'll make the best of it". The difference is I look at Madden now and think "This is much better than what I played back in 07 and 08. " You guys look at Madden now and think "Its been almost ten years. The game is somewhat better but it should be MUCH better than it is now."

Basically this. The list of stuff missing from Madden is staggering and I'm talking about basic video game things, not football fundamentals. Stuff like no formation subs in team management, no progressive/multi-tiered/NFL based injury system or no real coaching staffs, after almost a decade, but the stadiums have a wear n tear system, MUT has Team Chemistry and there's a staff of financial consultants available in Tycoon/Owner mode, ridiculous.

Quote: Originally Posted by N51_rob

The info and individuals are here, but EA/Madden don't want our help, why keep spinning our wheels?

I feel you sir and at this point for me, it's just about having civil discussion and marking time until hopefully quality game comes along into the genre.

[Mr.Smif]

Quote: Originally Posted by CM Hooe

Should be, yes. Absolutely. Zero argument from me. However, Madden already exists as is, and we can't change the past. We also don't live in a vacuum. Moving forward, does Tiburon prioritize a wholesale AI rewrite of how DLs and LBs play against the run - minding their gaps - over a new set of passing controls / a new package-based play calling paradigm / a new way to make plays downfield as a wide receiver or cornerback / Hit Stick 3.0 while making incremental adjustments to defensive AI to eventually get to the point we all want over the course of several years? I don't think they do on account of the audience of the game. The masses want the big-ticket new gameplay features to justify the purchase of the new year's game. That's all I'm really trying to say, that my expectations are ultimately tempered on that front.

Like I stated in an earlier post, Tiburon needs a separate team in the background working on a new core engine/building a new game. This should have started in 08-09 when they knew the current engine was crap.

[oneamongthefence]

What's maddening is the fact the MUT is a cash cow. That money should be funneled back into the game through a bigger dev team. Just have a team that works on future technology that will be implemented. Really dig in and start overhauling and replacing code. So by the time the next cycle roll through they have the tech developed and already start identifying and squashing bugs and glitches. It seems like now too often there's still say too much tuning even at launch.

[rudyjuly2]

I can live with issues in Madden a lot easier if the sliders worked better. They have been garbage the last 3 years. The blocking sliders and coverage sliders work awful. Anytime you see sliders at 0 or 100 that means they work poorly (like run blocking where it's too easy to run up the middle on ANY setting). When you have people debating whether pass reaction slider is backwards or not it's garbage. Just make sure we can fine tune the game ourselves properly. That would make me a lot happier.

CPU qb ai is the other area that needs a ton of work too but I won't hold my breath. It's been terrible since last Gen and it's been bad now for almost 10 years. They don't seem to care when their focus is on MUT and user controls.

[Millennium]

Just your daily (or what seems like hourly at this point because people don't ever seem to "get it"):

Post criticism constructively. If you can't do that, we don't want you at OS.

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by Skyboxer

Just to clarify.. I also think we are no where near where we should be with console FB gaming. For me it's simply that there's nothing I can do about it other than voice what I want each year. Even though the jump I'd like to see hasn't been reached yet, Madden15 was a very enjoyable game to me. When the day comes it isn't I'll stop buying. Said it before but coming from stick figures etc.. I can easily enjoy these games. Doesn't mean I am totally satisfied in the end.

I am in the exact same boat. I too feel Madden should be much farther ahead of where it is today. I am clamoring for more simulation quality features:

1. WR/DB interaction

2. Functional penalty system/proper replay system

3. Dynamic true to life injury system

4. AI improvements

But like you I am an Atari 2600 gen gamer. I came from the dawn of console gaming. I feel actually like the grandpa around here and I get very amused at some of the outrage thrown at games today (some rightfully so).

Yes....Madden is behind my beloved Show and NBA 2K, but M15 was a heck of game for me personally in that I am still playing it and I am having so much fun with it.

M15 has given me a reason to be very interested to see what this team brings to the table for M16.

I had also come to realization many many moons ago that Madden is a hybrid sports game that wants to be accessible, fun, but also provide many elements of realism. To do that sacrifices are going to be made.

If a game is not fun it will never sell to the masses. And that is what Madden is. A mass brand, not a niche product like Out Of The Park Baseball.

Where Madden can take some cues from is our two other AAA sports titles in The Show and 2K Basketball. Give the user several options:

Simulation sliders, normal, casual

Control options for passing, player movement, playbook complexity or simplicity etc.

The Show has several difficulty levels, control schemes etc. The game can be as hard and real as you want it, or as easy (with tons of on screen aides, rookie level and simplified controls).

Ultimately that would be the desired direction I would want the game to go in.

But for now Madden is what Madden has always been IMO. A solid football game with simulation elements and arcade like passing. I thought 15 was the most complete package since Madden 2005/2007.

Here is still hoping it keeps getting better on the new systems.

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by aholbert32

I think Ive discovered the difference between me and users like Sage and Big FN Deal: We both looked at games like Madden 07-08 and said "This game sucks but I'll make the best of it". The difference is I look at Madden now and think "This is much better than what I played back in 07 and 08. " You guys look at Madden now and think "Its been almost ten years. The game is somewhat better but it should be MUCH better than it is now."

100% on point. I think it is no doubt better than what I used to play. But I also think it should be farther along too. But I am still having fun and enjoying my console NFL football game.

For me it was easy to make the best of it with Madden 15 because the game is actually a lot of fun and in general functions well (save for a few glaring warts which I hope are kinked out on 16).

Contrast that with Madden 13 which I traded in within 10 days of buying it and stuck with Madden 12 for another year.

I think most Madden players felt 15 was the best iteration since Madden 2005 on the field (some will contend 12 but that game had all kinds of nonsense on the field IMO and the off the field customization is what keeps that game held in such high regard).

[NDAlum]

The ideas implemented in M15 were so shallow and ended up doing more harm than good for online CFM guys. That paired with a poor WR/DB system that heavily favored the DB's just killed any interest in this game for me.

I hope M16 is good, but not going to hold out hope it gets much better. I'd post a laundry list of changes I want to see but nobody of significance is coming here to look at them.

I'm pretty apathetic at this point.