Madden 12 News Post

OS Roundtable: What Does Franchise Mode Need?

12:16 PM - May 13, 2011 by RaychelSnr

What does Madden NFL 12 need to do to make you a believer in Franchise Mode?

Dustin Toms: There can only be one thing done to Franchise mode to make it better: a complete overhaul.

Steve Bartlett: I agree with Dustin. The Madden Franchise mode needs a complete overhaul.

Jayson Young: Get rid of the potential rating!

Christian McLeod: I'm going to think outside of the box here, but why not implement a comprehensive "Owner Mode" that mimics the framework of MVP Baseball 05.

Read More - OS Roundtable: What Does Franchise Mode Need?

Game: Madden NFL 12Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 44 - View All

Madden NFL 12 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 bostonsports @ 05/13/11 12:29 PM

For me they just have to redo the whole thing. I must admit madden franchise has been the top franchise in the sports gaming world. However it is also a feature that hasnt been touched on enough. heres my list:

75 Man Rosters: looks like its in so im happy

Fully Functioning IR: When you place a guy on IR, they shouldnt take a spot on your active roster

Redone Scouting System: mabey throw in some highlights of guys, but also some tape of their struggles

Random Generated draft classes: no more pre done draft classes, I use ncaa classes until 2 or 3 years in to franchise, but the pre done draft classes just annoy me.

Redone Free Agency System: It sounds like theyve redone it to an extent this year. A better bidding system for prospects, not like the one in hc but something to that extent.

Practice Squad: I dont know how simple this would be to implement in the game, I dont know if it was in past games, but this is a must have for any football game. A full 8 man squad is needed.

UFL/CFL: Sorta like minor league teams, I dought it will be in this year, but we know ea's been able to get different country teams for nhl before, im sure they could do it for the nfl. This could be the "big" feature next year, and could make a big difference.

Hide Roster Ratings until regular season: Make preseason games important, their pointless right now because your not basing your 53 man roster on them, but on ratings. Mabey it changes with 75 man roster and me and many others decide to start playing preseason games. If they just hid roster ratings then you could determine it prospect my prospect.

Stadium Creator/Better Relocation: Allow you to build a new stadium without having to relocate. Allow you to relocate without having to change your team name or logo.

# 2 GoodImmigrant @ 05/13/11 12:32 PM

Franchise Mode should be all about the offseason. The decisions you make when you're not playing the games. Draft, Free agency, training camp. It should even be called GM Mode.

# 3 PantherBeast_OS @ 05/13/11 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMChrisS


	What does Madden NFL 12 need to do to make you a believer in Franchise Mode? Dustin Toms: There can only be one thing done to Franchise mode to make it better: a complete overhaul. Steve Bartlett: I agree with Dustin. The Madden Franchise mode needs a complete overhaul. Jayson Young: Get rid of the potential rating! Christian McLeod: I'm going to think outside of the box here, but why not implement a comprehensive "Owner Mode" that mimics the framework of MVP Baseball 05. Read More - OS Roundtable: What Does Franchise Mode Need?

I would agree with Christian Mcleod on the Owner mode. I really would like to see it back in. It ain't been in since Madden 07 Ps2 days. Plus I would love to see a much better and up to date IR aswell.

# 4 falconfansince81 @ 05/13/11 12:39 PM

� dynamic player progression
� daily training and work regimens
� good cpu trade logic
� full owners mode to control the franchises economy in generating more cap revenue
� coaching impact on ratings (means feeling the affects on ratings based off how good your off/def coordinator is during weekly preparation).

would be a good start...

# 5 Vaporub83 @ 05/13/11 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostonsports


	For me they just have to redo the whole thing. I must admit madden franchise has been the top franchise in the sports gaming world. However it is also a feature that hasnt been touched on enough. heres my list: 75 Man Rosters: looks like its in so im happy Fully Functioning IR: When you place a guy on IR, they shouldnt take a spot on your active roster Redone Scouting System: mabey throw in some highlights of guys, but also some tape of their struggles Random Generated draft classes: no more pre done draft classes, I use ncaa classes until 2 or 3 years in to franchise, but the pre done draft classes just annoy me. Redone Free Agency System: It sounds like theyve redone it to an extent this year. A better bidding system for prospects, not like the one in hc but something to that extent. Practice Squad: I dont know how simple this would be to implement in the game, I dont know if it was in past games, but this is a must have for any football game. A full 8 man squad is needed. UFL/CFL: Sorta like minor league teams, I dought it will be in this year, but we know ea's been able to get different country teams for nhl before, im sure they could do it for the nfl. This could be the "big" feature next year, and could make a big difference. Hide Roster Ratings until regular season: Make preseason games important, their pointless right now because your not basing your 53 man roster on them, but on ratings. Mabey it changes with 75 man roster and me and many others decide to start playing preseason games. If they just hid roster ratings then you could determine it prospect my prospect. Stadium Creator/Better Relocation: Allow you to build a new stadium without having to relocate. Allow you to relocate without having to change your team name or logo.

I like all of this except the UFL/CFL stuff. These two leagues are not currently associated with the NFL, so they can't be considered as minor leagues. The guys from the UFL/CFL only get picked up as FA. Not to mention they must sign contracts with those teams so they can't just bolt for the NFL whenever they want.

# 6 jth1331 @ 05/13/11 01:00 PM

So much needs to be changed it isn't even funny.
From the player progression crap to backups wanting a 6 year, $30 million dollar deal.
Get rid of the player potential stuff. How a player progresses should be determined by what they actually do on the field, and coaches. If I draft a running back in round 4, and he blows up in preseason and becomes my starter, and wins OROY, he should go up in ratings a good amount and it shouldn't be dictated by the fact he has an "A" rating for potential.

I felt free agency is lacking severely.

The draft process should include a breakdown of the stats of the player as well IMO which should hold some weight in the player's ratings.

Ability to trade future picks.

# 7 Step2001 @ 05/13/11 01:00 PM

As to what the mode needs? Look at that "Wishlist Forums"! Everyone has done a great job with there ideas & postings the workings of a Real NFL offseason!

# 8 goalieump413 @ 05/13/11 01:01 PM

Open Head Coach '09
Copy *.*
Open Madden 12
Paste *.*

I can't find too many reasons to not duplicate Head Coach '09's effort in introducing gamers to a more realistic and thorough approach to running an NFL franchise. Sure, it has its weaknesses, but was fun.

Less ambitiously, Franchise Mode should focus on, well, THE FRANCHISE, not just cheesing coverage exploits all game long. Money, ticket prices, free agency, player holdouts, draft day war room, stadium maintenance... Stuff like that.

# 9 tical2399 @ 05/13/11 01:28 PM

Franchise needs the following:

Improved draft. There should be a presentation like the real thing. Get a voice actor to say "with the x pick in the x round the x team selects" if its a common first and last name have him say joe smith, RB, Florida State. If its a uncommon name have him say #31, RB Florida State. For the second round and on have another person say the rest.

Both consoles have HDD now, they should use em to expand the draft class data. There should be an option to import classes with highlights (NCAA would capture highlights from all simmed and played games) or just the players.

Team philosophies need to matter. If a team plays a tampa 2 and they go into the draft needing a CB they should skip the top rated CB who might fit a man scheme (poor tackler low zone coverage) and go for a lower rated CB who fits a zone scheme better.

Better logic for filling postions. Why are teams having like 6 OLBs all 80 or better but no LG on the team?

Like others have said, practice squads and a REAL IR situation. Also They said they they were doing undrafted free agent bidding so that taken care of.

FULL coaching staffs. Retired players being able to be hired as coaches. With this they need to make it that the type of player the new coach was is accurately represented. If I hire Brandon Jacobs as my RB coach he should not improve the juking and spin move of my backs.

This calls for increased NCAA/Madden integration. Draft class file sizes need to be doubled or even tripped. As it stands now a NCAA draft class is less than 500 KB, and you only have less than 10 undrafted rookies after the draft. In real life there are tons of undrafted rookies.

Have scouting for secondary positions. If I import a class and I want to scout a 6'2 260 pound college DE I should be able to scout him as a pro 4-3 DE or a 3-4 LB.

Let players be able to play secondary positions. Why not let me save a roster spot by letting my 5'11 200 pound 5th WR also double as my 3rd RB. So where it says position it would actually say WR/RB.

Fix that nonsense where a 235 pound LB goes from an 80 to a 86 at DT or 88 at DE

Let there be another position called Wildcat QB. In madden 11 I can put a few people back there but not my 3rd QB What I i run the wildcat and my starter and backups are pocket passers but a take a Pat White type soley to run the wildcat.

Got more but don't feel like typing anymore for now.

# 10 ThisIsReality @ 05/13/11 01:35 PM

Using the ESPN license to it's fullest.

# 11 Matt Diesel @ 05/13/11 01:48 PM

I agree with mostly what everyone else said (important off-season, real roster rules, practice squad, proper player roster sizes as well as cut down dates).

The draft class should be randomly generated or imported through NCAA. The excuse that pre-defined draft classes offer a better experience is weak. In my opinion, that is to cover-up the fact that their algorithm to generate realistic draft pools is flawed.

Also, combine numbers and college stats should also be included in prospects you are scouting.

For the super hardcore, as an option, the ability to have relative ratings all players based on your scouting dept. You should have scouts. Some scouts are better than others. You can hire better scouts. The ratings can be based on your scout's skill not a global rating.

Also, a la HC09, some players will have better ratings based on the team they play for and that teams style/scheme.

Retired players should also be able to become position coaches (if they were to have position coaches) that can move up the coaching ranks during the dynasty.

They need to keeps stats on everything:
1. All-time stats/records
2. Season stats/records
3. Milestone watch
4. Team stats season to season
5. Coaching W-L (if they have them as a separate entity)
6. Individual team records for game/season/career

Basically, more stats, more front office dealings, better off-season, more depth. A franchise is not successful just playing the game. Its preparing for it that is just as, if not more, important.

# 12 packers718 @ 05/13/11 02:18 PM

its not a complete overhaul but it is the interface needs to change, 08 had some nice features especially mini camp increasing player stats, hopefully practices help in that was well. And practice squad position battles and other players making the roster help in preseason preseasons a joke in madden atm.

# 13 iva-chargers-fan @ 05/13/11 02:24 PM

I hope players that are rated in the 60-70 tating and they are WR and for some reason hes your #1 WR and he has a 1400 yard 13 TD season i hope they incrrase atlrast 20 rating points because one time i had a 74 rated WR and he had 1200 yards 9 TD in thr season and from a 74 he went to a 77 the next year when i think he would of gone to at leadt a 89!! Please fix player rating!!!

# 14 N51_rob @ 05/13/11 02:32 PM

Quote:


	Jayson Young: Get rid of the potential rating! Age, season stats and playing time should be the only factors in player progression. EA Tiburon's Donny "roster guru" Moore should not be the one who determines which players are going to be studs in Franchise mode and which players are never going to progress. The CPU teams are completely ignorant of the potential rating, so it's easy to just stockpile "A" and "B" potential players and have a super team built by your second or third season. And in online franchises, everybody just snatches up all the "A" and "B" potential players in the first two rounds, while the dozens of draftees with "C" potential and below are basically worthless since they will never progress.

This.

To expand I would like to see the offensive knowledge added. Instead of going Head Coach with having to practice the play to learn it. Have playbook knowledge tied to the Awareness rating or make new rating for learning. Some players spend a few years in a system, before they hit the field (QB specifically) so they should progress a bit for learning a system while not always seeing the field. Look at Rex Grossman/Donovan McNabb situation this past season.

Coaches, schemes, time with a scheme should matter. That way even if you get fired or quit a job, you may grab a few backup players from your former team that know your scheme to help your transition. Rex Ryan/Jim Leonhard

# 15 mjhyankees @ 05/13/11 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iva-chargers-fan


	I hope players that are rated in the 60-70 tating and they are WR and for some reason hes your #1 WR and he has a 1400 yard 13 TD season i hope they incrrase atlrast 20 rating points because one time i had a 74 rated WR and he had 1200 yards 9 TD in thr season and from a 74 he went to a 77 the next year when i think he would of gone to at leadt a 89!! Please fix player rating!!!

I don't claim to know this but player ratings are based on abilities more than stats. Which aspect of his rating should go up exactly? His speed, agility etc will stay the same. Awareness tends to be related to IQ which isn't going to change although most improve at least somewhat in this area. Maybe his catching? But if gets thrown 100 balls and catches 80 should that make his "catching ability" better? What about if he caught 19 out of 20...shouldn't that matter more. I don't think they could or should do this IMO.
I have a back right now leading the league in Rushing. His name is L. Leslie. He has 98 speed, and 91 trucking and he's 230 lbs or so. Well he's a beast and his ovr is only 72 because awareness and some other stuff are low....and you know what I see the difference. I have another rookie back at 80 who gets through the holes much better consistently. But Leslie's the kind of guy you just keep giving him the ball and he'll break one or two every game. I don't think he should suddenly jump up 10 points if he leads the league in rushing. Again what should go up? He already has high speed and trucking. Should his awareness go up? Again is he suddenly having a higher IQ!? He is what he is....a total beast who couldn't find the whole if he fell in it....but he's good enough to make his own hole or outrun people outside.

# 16 mjhyankees @ 05/13/11 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalieump413


	Open Head Coach '09 Copy . Open Madden 12 Paste . I can't find too many reasons to not duplicate Head Coach '09's effort in introducing gamers to a more realistic and thorough approach to running an NFL franchise. Sure, it has its weaknesses, but was fun. Less ambitiously, Franchise Mode should focus on, well, THE FRANCHISE, not just cheesing coverage exploits all game long. Money, ticket prices, free agency, player holdouts, draft day war room, stadium maintenance... Stuff like that.

Agreed....or if you want to aim lower.....I'd be thrilled just to have madden 07 old gen's franchise features. They have most of the stuff you talked about. They had an PA announcer for the draft including cheers and boos. I'd really like a good halftime, pre and postgame show as well as a weekly wrap up with highlights. of other games.

# 17 Hooe @ 05/13/11 02:38 PM

The biggest things it needs are depth and context. A bunch of people have hit upon the depth issue and potential additions to address that above.

On context, I'm talking about the way that games in franchise mode are presented. Having special on-field graphics, Super Bowl patches, and playoff game presentation wipes was a good start. Moving forward, the commentators should talk more in-depth about the goings-on in the league. Talk about how my division rivals are doing. If I'm in the wild-card hunt, talk about other potential wild-card teams and compare their roads to the playoffs. If my starting quarterback goes down in Week 5 for the rest of the season, talk about how this issue has affected my team in Week 12, particularly with regard to how the backup quarterback has performed.

Basically, take cues from the games that have led the pack in terms of sports video game commentary, and follow their lead.

# 18 209vaughn @ 05/13/11 02:43 PM

EA needs to sit down and play NBA 2k11 & MLB The Show franchise modes to understand what a greatness is.

The ONLY reason Madden is so successful is b/c people love football in this country. FIFA, The Show and 2k11 are much better games.

# 19 Daking0325 @ 05/13/11 02:47 PM

Dynamic Player Progression: It makes the game so much fun and worthwhile when you can develop players

Sim Stats: Please get it right no 2000 yd seasons for rb's because they get alot of carries, no 20 sack seasons annualy

Full coaching Staff: To make the game deeper and more methodical so you can work on the strengths of your team

In-Depth Coaching Schemes: Make it deeper, and give us the ability to tailor every aspect of how our team plays, Im sick of basic pass vs run schemes, make sub categories like outside run vs inside run, or deep ball vs short pass, instead of the aggresiveness meter replace it with Team styles of play: some examples would be; run n gun offense, Grind it out offense, Conservative offense,

Do the same thing with defense also

# 20 buckeye02 @ 05/13/11 03:13 PM

If Madden's new feature for franchise mode is an owner mode i will be extremly disappointed. For 1 thing it isnt new. It would be new to next gen, but not new to veteran Madden players.

I think everyone has pretty much hit the nail on the head about what is needed. I thing i would like to see is not really tied to franchise mode, but i would like to see the game in general. How about a dynamic sideline. Real players with their real numbers on the sideline. When you run out of bounds i want to see players trying to grab you so you wont crash into the benches, run into the gatorade jug....etc. It was in NFL 2K5 by the way.

« Previous12 3 4 Next »

More Links

OS Roundtable: What Does Franchise Mode Need?