Missing features from previous Maddens

[jf28]

Just something I wanted to check out for my own amusement. These are the last 7 years of Madden features before 10, per IGN's site for each game (chose to start at '03 because to be fair, since '02 they were worrying about creating for X-Box). Not counting general gameplay improvements, and going based on 360/PS3 (making a feature for PS2/X-Box that isn't in the game now is a failure even if it never made this gen), I'll try to look at the 5 biggest things each year.

Madden 2003
Online play - Still in
New audio team - All out
Create-a-playbook - Out
Ask Madden - Replaced by gameflow/gameplan, so half a point
General franchise improvements - Many still in
Total: 2.5 out of 5 still in

Madden NFL 2004
Owner mode - Out
Playmaker control - Out
Create-a-playbook - Out
Training camp - Out
Coaching staff hiring - In
Total: .5 out of 5 still in

Madden NFL 2005
Hit stick - Still in
Player morale - Out
Storyline Central - Out
Create-a-fan - Out
Defensive hot routes - In
Total: 2 of 5 still in

Madden NFL 06
Superstar mode - Half point, still in but a complete failure due to no evolution
Vision cone - Out (sadly, because it was an interesting feature that would solve many existing game problems, but that's beside the point)
Precision Passing - In
Truck stick - In
Gameplan preparation - Out
Total: 2.5 out of 5, this was, by their standards, a fantastic year despite needing to develop the 360 version

Madden 2007
Lead blocker control - Out
Highlight stick - Meh, I'll say in due to the litany of new broken tackle animations it led to even though it doesn't exist in that form anymore
Different types of jukes with triggers and right stick - Out
Madden gamer level - Out
Player roles in franchise - Out
Total: 1 out of 5 in

Madden 08
Weapons - Out
100 attributes - Out
Skill drills - Out
Gang tackling - In
Hit stick 2.0 - In
Total: 2 out of 5 in

Madden 09
User celebrations - Out
Virtual training center for Madden IQ - Out
Madden IQ - In
Tom Hammond & Chris Collinsworth (hyped enough to be a major feature) - .5
Online leagues - In
Total: 2.5 out of 5 in


Only 13 out of 35 still in (37%)

2 things that are impossible not to notice
1. That is a pathetic rate. Seriously, that is just sad. But more importantly,
2. Not all of the missing features were bad to the point that they should be out. There's no reason for vision cone not to be optional (this could FIX the problem with the CPU QB's getting the ball off impossibly quickly when they're about to get sacked). Or to not have create-a-playbook. Or user celebrations. Or the virtual training center to determine Madden IQ. Or player morale. Or some form of training camp.


Why are so many critical features simply exiled from the game after a year or two? I know some suck, but some were actually decent.

[delspf]

This is why i gave up on Madden. How long have people been asking for basic things, like expanded rosters? Some franchise updates? Instead we get year in and year out of "new improved" features that just get yanked out a year or two later for some other new improved feature.

[canes21]

Wow. Didn't think it was that bad. Explains why I have not really had much fun next gen. PS2 days were awesome. I never compared Madden to 2k5, I just couldn't decide which to play. Now I am constantly comparing the two because Madden in my eyes has not topped 2k5.

If Madden had all the features plus some, than I doubt we'd still have the same negative vibe for Madden every year.

[marktwain77]

remember "build a new stadium" in owner mode? That was AWESOME!

Create a coach (was also awesome)

college all-star game

[franch1se]

don't forget the Tony Bruno show

[Stikskillz]

Great post OP!

Your breakdown shows exactly why the game has been stale over the years. Just a few more things I will add to the list:

1. John Madden himself is out. He would be great to have back in the booth for 3 man commentary. Him and Collinsworth could have great dialogue and Gus could deliver his intensity. Sounds like a good crew to me. As a bonus there could be a sideline reporter. Imagine that...

2. Offline/online user profile stats

3. EA Locker for online franchises. No need for the current format when the EA Locker allowed you to take your offline chise online with all of the features. In addition, the EA Locker could be used for roster sharing.

4. Where did the retro teams go from the 90s, 80s, 70s, and 60s?

So that now brings us to 13 out of 41 = 31.7 or 32%. Not getting better.

[Golden81]

Quote: Originally Posted by marktwain77

remember "build a new stadium" in owner mode? That was AWESOME! Create a coach (was also awesome) college all-star game

create a coach yeah I remember reading in a interview a few years ago about how they might put it in as a NEW feature next year.. well its not new, we had a sideline reporter too btw

to answer the question its $$$$$ they make money out of recycleing a prodcut they will never make the perfect game for that reason. imagine if they gave us exapanded rosters with no limits like the PC version didnt take out features or unis no one would buy madden again

[phillysouljah]

Let's get real... some of these features were extremely unpopular, failed miserably, and/or better solutions have been found for the problems they addressed... For example, the QB vision cone which fills all three of the above. It was created to differentiate QB's but it turns out that they did a great job of differentiating QB's just by adding short, medium, and long accuracy values.

Not all features should make a return. And some, like weapons, were just plain silly.