Madden 09 News Post

Phil Frazier Says No 3rd Patch or DLC For Madden 09

06:02 PM - October 17, 2008 by AndyP

Madden Planet has the scoop.

Quote:


	"Update #3? At this point, we are not planning to release another update. We will continue to listen to our fans and if any other widespread issues come up we may change this plan but the fixes made in update #2 solved all of the major problems people were experiencing with the game. Those that continued to have problems had success after completely wiping their old Madden data from their hard drive. DLC? Shortly before the release of Madden NFL 09, we had mentioned that we were looking into the possibility of releasing some post-launch DLC. At this point, DLC isn�t in the cards. Providing DLC is something that will stay on our radar down the road and is certainly something we�d love to provide to our most passionate fans, however at this stage we are no longer actively looking into this for 09."

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Member Comments

# 1 Phil_Frazier @ 10/17/08 06:31 PM

Andy beat me to it.

For those that don't click through the link, here's the story.

Two Months and Counting…

It’s been two months since Madden was released and what a ride it’s been. Overall, the feedback on 09 has been tremendous and we appreciate all of the thought provided to us via the forums. It really has been a pleasure chatting with our most important fans.

It’s been a few weeks since the very important update #2 was released. The majority of people having freezing issues before the update seem to have solved the problem simply by downloading the update and clearing the Madden data from their drive. This update fixed many issues and the great news is that the community helped shape the improvements that were made. Changes like increasing the time AI QB’s make before snapping the ball came straight from your feedback and ultimately helped improve the game.

There has been some discussion on whether or not we plan to do a third update or DLC. I’d like to provide an update on both.

Update #3? At this point, we are not planning to release another update. We will continue to listen to our fans and if any other widespread issues come up we may change this plan but the fixes made in update #2 solved all of the major problems people were experiencing with the game. Those that continued to have problems had success after completely wiping their old Madden data from their hard drive.

DLC? Shortly before the release of Madden NFL 09, we had mentioned that we were looking into the possibility of releasing some post-launch DLC. At this point, DLC isn’t in the cards. Providing DLC is something that will stay on our radar down the road and is certainly something we’d love to provide to our most passionate fans, however at this stage we are no longer actively looking into this for 09.

As you all probably noticed this morning, we released our 8th roster update of the season. After some early issues in getting these released before the weekend, we’ve made a pretty big effort in improving our process to get these to you by Friday. We’ll continue to provide these updates weekly through the season and do appreciate your feedback on the ratings and depth chart information. That information definitely makes it to our roster team.

Some of you also probably noticed a new feature in the game recently. About a week ago, we launched a test tournament that allows the entire online community to compete to win prizes. As of a few days ago, more than 85 thousand fans registered for the test tournament and many of the top players have played close to or more than 100 games that apply to the tournament. Expect a more high profile tournament soon, probably around Halloween.

As mentioned before, the feedback on 09 has been great- so thanks and keep it coming! We are VERY aware of the desires of the community, and we keep a running list of ‘demands’ that we continuously evaluate. Many of these WILL be added to the next iteration of the game. We’re looking to provide information on the next version of the game earlier than ever so look forward to the end of the NFL season. We’re hoping to start some more detailed conversations and early looks at the game around the Super Bowl. Until then, keep giving us your feedback so we can fold it into our plan for next year.

Phil

# 2 roadman @ 10/17/08 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTheorenHobbes


	Any explanation as to why no DLC? Other than, we already have your money?

Does it matter if it was a Sony/MS decision or an EA decision at this point, besides the answer you mentioned? I wouldn't blame EA yet without knowing all the facts.

For me, it doesn't matter, I'll just practice more patience in buying or renting Madden 10. If it's much better, I'll buy, but 09 is now over with, sadly.

I'll still get some more usage out of My Skills, but EA really needs to draw me in next year with franchise and presentation.

# 3 countryboy @ 10/17/08 06:44 PM

the **** is going to hit the fan in 5....4....3....2....1....

# 4 BobbyColtrane @ 10/17/08 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fillycheze


	As mentioned before, the feedback on 09 has been great

stopped reading here.

the feedback hasn't been "great", it's been horrible! i'm so glad i gave up on this game 2 months ago. i feel bad for the ppl that have been waiting for DLC only to hear this today.

# 5 countryboy @ 10/17/08 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinstonWolf


	stopped reading here. the feedback hasn't been "great", it's been horrible! i'm so glad i gave up on this game 2 months ago. i feel bad for the ppl that have been waiting for DLC only to hear this today.

I think he means that its great because they are getting "valuable input" so to speak and not necessarily positive. In reading his whole post, thats how I took that phrase.

# 6 roadman @ 10/17/08 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTheorenHobbes


	Trust me...if it was a Sony or MS decision, EA would've mentioned it. I know the company that deserves the blame here.

I don't see why one company would blame another company in public except only to deflect the blame.

To me, it's really a mute point either way.

# 7 Phil_Frazier @ 10/17/08 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinstonWolf


	stopped reading here. the feedback hasn't been "great", it's been horrible! i'm so glad i gave up on this game 2 months ago. i feel bad for the ppl that have been waiting for DLC only to hear this today.

At least you stopped near the end.

To provide some context on the 'great feedback' element of my note. I'm not saying that all feedback was positive. I'm simply saying that all of the feedback, positive and negative, has been great. Great in that it helps shape next year's version of the game.

Phil

# 8 BigTigLSU @ 10/17/08 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countryboy


	I think he means that its great because they are getting "valuable input" so to speak and not necessarily positive. In reading his whole post, thats how I took that phrase.

I am sure he means that... Even the negative feedback is positive if leads to improvements on next years game...

# 9 Ram209 @ 10/17/08 07:14 PM

Pretty much what I figured. This is the first year since madden came out on the Commodore 64 that I traded it in before the next release came out. Its sad the I have a 5 year old game on a tenth of the system that represents REAL FOOTBALL better than Madden 09. Honestly there is no other way of saying it but Madden has become a joke, and the reason being is no competition, next year big "feature" "CPU sliders you guys asked for them and here they are"! NBA live NHL all have turned 180degrees because of COMPETITION, but madden nope no rival so lets take the same piece of cr@p put a few useless features on it and a new cover athlete and sell millions. Sorry guys (Ian and Phil and anyone else involved with madden) But you guys meaning the game has become a laughing stock great job. You can count me as another one who wont by into the hype and do a midnight release! But I guess its all good cause your the only NFL game in town and sell millions so keep up the good work

# 10 noshun @ 10/17/08 07:29 PM

Sounds like the bait and switch tactic used to dupe customers..

# 11 djordan @ 10/17/08 07:31 PM

Good.

I'd rather them focus on on 2010. They never said we would get DLC anyway...remember that.

# 12 spankdatazz22 @ 10/17/08 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djordan


	Good. I'd rather them focus on on 2010. They never said we would get DLC anyway...remember that.

Not sure that I get this logic... Wasn't like working on downloadable content in Madden '08 affected Madden '09 negatively.

Either way, not sure how upset people can get about the announcement. Would seem there are bigger problems when the game needs to patch in things like accelerated clock and cpu sliders

# 13 countryboy @ 10/17/08 07:45 PM

I can't help but wonder if people are making the DLC a bigger problem fixer than it really would've been. Yes, I know that Cpu sliders were highly touted and should've never been removed in the first place, but there are far more issues that the game has that DLC wouldn't have fixed.

*cpu playcalling
*boring atmosphere
*cpu punting in odd situations
*bare bones franchise mode
*odd progression/regression

As for cpu sliders, you can get them via the dummy profile system thats been talked about in the sliders forum extensively. Yes, you have to have a second controller, but is that really a bad thing if you don't have one already? I know someone is going to say, that they are then being forced to spend an extra x amount of dollars to make the game enjoyable, but what are the chances that the controller you have now was going to last forever anyways?

Just food for thought.

# 14 manny2k8 @ 10/17/08 07:49 PM

I couldn't be more disappointed AGAIN by EA, that is completely it for the football series for me.

I can now get rid of my CE "Completely Evil" edition and congratulate EA on celebrating there 20th year of Madden the crappiest way possible.

You have lost another customer and I truly hope this effects you guys in the worst way possible next year.

# 15 TheWatcher @ 10/17/08 08:10 PM

We really only needed CPU sliders. The rest of the stuff was kind of frivolous, especially the one with gamer pics... I was a bit puzzled by the need for a gamerpics feature in DLC when so many more important things needed attention.

I just wanna make a plea now that when you (and for God' s sake, you must) put working CPU Sliders back in the game, whatever you do please don't tout it as a new feature. In fact, it would be wise to just mention it very lightly in passing. And I mean that seriously--besides how the communities will make it the butt of jokes--for one good reason... it's one of those essentials that should've never been taken out in the first place. Like another poster said very well, it's kind of like having a high-priced car with no steering wheel.

We want a game that we can adjust, rather than one that attempts to tackle the impossibility of adjusting on its own to the fickle human nature.

# 16 edaddy @ 10/17/08 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noshun


	Sounds like the bait and switch tactic used to dupe customers..

While I can see some people thinking it was a bait and switch I can't see people being duped..I mean cmon if people didn't research Madden before they bought it that's on them..By now everyone should know the EA cycle it's rinse and repeat..like clockwork..They (the reps) will be in here sporadically from Jan- May then in full force as the release date and Community days are near...They will tout old features like they are new explain why this is the best Madden to date (with the help of Community leaders) and then proceed to market their game..marketing will be oversaturated and we will all be intrigued and caught up in the hype until the actual game comes out(EA banks on this) and reality sets in..a patch or two will come out for glaring issues and then the cycle will repeat..While I hate to put it in simplistic terms that's basically it in a nutshell...Anyone who doesn't research or rent before they buy then complain really has no gripe...it's the EA way ..I howver do repect Ian and Phil for subjecting themselves to people but at the end they are in it to sell games and make money thats the bottom line.. and if adding in old features and calling them new as well as marginally improving game play each year helps them make money then so be it ..it is obviously working..lol ...DLC was never promised however they way to put it implied that it was almost a done deal, and I could see how people might be upset about this...

# 17 kehlis @ 10/17/08 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edaddy


	While I can see some people thinking it was a bait and switch I can't see people being duped..I mean cmon if people didn't research Madden before they bought it that's on them..By now everyone should know the EA cycle it's rinse and repeat..like clockwork..They (the reps) will be in here sporadically from Jan- May then in full force as the release date and Community days are near...They will tout old features like they are new explain why this is the best Madden to date (with the help of Community leaders) and then proceed to market their game..marketing will be oversaturated and we will all be intrigued and caught up in the hype until the actual game comes out(EA banks on this) and reality sets in..a patch or two will come out for glaring issues and then the cycle will repeat..While I hate to put it in simplistic terms that's basically it in a nutshell...Anyone who doesn't research or rent before they buy then complain really has no gripe...it's the EA way ..I howver do repect Ian and Phil for subjecting themselves to people but at the end they are in it to sell games and make money thats the bottom line.. and if adding in old features and calling them new as well as marginally improving game play each year helps them make money then so be it ..it is obviously working..lol ...DLC was never promised however they way to put it implied that it was almost a done deal, and I could see how people might be upset about this...

you will probably have many who disagree with you but i agree 100% with everything you said...

now for the next 8 months we will have to listen to people gripe, moan and complain about everything that is wrong with the game when the decision to buy was theirs and theirs alone...

# 18 bcruise @ 10/17/08 08:39 PM

I think it's very possible MS and/or Sony put the kibosh on this late in the process, or right before testing. Think about it - This would have simply been an attempt to get around MS's 3rd patch limitation - do you really think MS wouldn't have realized this? And if that was the case, don't hold your breath on anyone ever announcing it.

I will say that with that possibility existing, it probably wasn't a good move on EA's part to treat this as having such a high chance of being released, though.

# 19 PioneerRaptor @ 10/17/08 08:48 PM

You can always buy the PS2/Xbox version. I sold my Madden CE edition for the 360 and I am now having a very good time with the PS2 version :]

# 20 SoxFan01605 @ 10/17/08 08:49 PM

Since the thread I commented in earler was closed, here goes...

The DLC not being released is no big deal, IMO. Is it disappointing? Sure, but only from the standpoint of people having their expectations raised higher than they probably should have been. I asked in the other thread (rhetorically, mostly) what about the DLC would make the game so much more playable? The answer I got (as expected) was CPU sliders. Flashback to the last few years and try to think of one of the big gripes of previous Maddens (non gameplay related). SLIDERS. "They're useless," "They don't work," They don't do enough," Only some work, and not right." The list of gripes about the effectiveness of the Madden sliders was nearly endless. Yet, these are the "game-fixing, Madden is now playable" solution everyone was breathlessly waiting for? Come on fellas.

I'm not bashing Madden, because I personally think 09 is not too bad, but this is all just another case of expectations being too high. Let's say they did release the DLC. Most of you who are so upset now would be complaining that it didn't help the game or didn't work right, etc. I also recall some of those slinging the "it's official, I'm done with Madden" type lines right now, are pretty much on repeat from when patch #2 was released. You're no more or less done now than you were then. You can blame the "EA hype machine" all you want, but at this point, I don't think people can say they bought the game in anticipation of any great improvement. The DLC was never promised or even probable. In fact, there was quite a bit of caution on the part of the devs when it came to DLC. I will watch Madden with reservation as I do each year and make an informed decision about whther or not to purchase. There are aspects that frustrate me too, but I'm not all ramped up because I know what I payed for (basically HC, plus another fair football game...lol). Again, it just seems to be another case of expectations exceeding reality, IMO.

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