Madden 12 News Post

Chatting With Josh Looman About Madden's Franchise Mode

02:56 PM - May 17, 2011 by RaychelSnr

With all the news already being released about what to expect in this year's Franchise mode in Madden NFL 12, I thought it would be best to go back through my interview with EA's Josh Looman, one of the main developers behind Madden's single-player behemoth, and just transcribe the entirety of the interview. If there is not news to break, at least you can find a bit more depth here about the reasoning behind some of the changes being made and why they should improve Franchise mode this year.

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# 1 Droopy03 @ 05/17/11 03:03 PM

Sweet nice chat!

# 2 SmashMan @ 05/17/11 03:14 PM

Like you said, nothing really to break; but some nice depth to the answers.

I'm disappointed in the constant Cutler example for rating swings. I mean, I totally get it...but

# 3 NoTiCe_O @ 05/17/11 03:16 PM

The Confidence and Consistency sound real good, Makes it seem like the real NFL.

Cause its true, You never kno what to expect from Cutler on a week to week Basis in real life, He might give you 3 td's one week playing like a 88 rated QB, then give you 4 picks the next week, playing like a 74 rated QB, that's pretty cool.

As long as it doesn't mess with any physical attributes because that wouldn't make any sense. Just because you had a bad game doesn't mean you should lose some speed for the next game, or vertical jumping ability etc.

# 4 jjsmitty34 @ 05/17/11 03:24 PM

It's great to know Looman is in charge of Franchise mode.. Dude is a stat junkie like all of us...

# 5 N51_rob @ 05/17/11 03:25 PM

How hard would it be to program the preseason so that for example in game 1 starters play 1 quarter, in game two 2 quarters, game three, 3 quarter and game 4 they play 1 quarter again. I was thinking about that this morning.

Great interview BTW.

# 6 tical2399 @ 05/17/11 03:27 PM

In the blog he said something like "if you think a guy is going to go around 20..." So looks like they didn't bother dealing with improved draft selections.

I don't want to look at a guy's stats and guess he should last til around 20 (how do I know what the cpu thinks he and others are worth) At least give improved projections (top 5, top 10, mid first, late first, top 2nd etc.)

This is why they should have put mel and his big board/mock draft in.

# 7 Lexicon @ 05/17/11 03:34 PM

And still nothing about how the free agent bidding system works with multi-users?

# 8 booker21 @ 05/17/11 03:36 PM

Does the cpu will update their roster in the middle of the season?

# 9 guaps @ 05/17/11 03:36 PM

Not really much news in this. I still have two questions that I'd like to be answered, but can find an answer to.

1. How dynamic are Dynamic Gameplans? Will it adapt every season, game, quarter or minute of a game?

2. Does expanded rosters mean that gamers have to use one of the 53 spots on a long snapper or does that position still not exist?

# 10 Hova57 @ 05/17/11 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N51_rob


	How hard would it be to program the preseason so that for example in game 1 starters play 1 quarter, in game two 2 quarters, game three, 3 quarter and game 4 they play 1 quarter again. I was thinking about that this morning. Great interview BTW.

my understanding from the blog is that the cpu does do that

# 11 scottyo60 @ 05/17/11 03:49 PM

I'm not complaining really here but the free agent signing kinda annoys me. Just copy and past the NBA 2k formula. older players taking less to play on competitive teams, young guys wantin theirs, all the contracts, rights etc... add maybe Live 10 where they had things to talk about to get in the door to negotiate. that would be so much better than a bidding system which isn't really what its about.

# 12 Hova57 @ 05/17/11 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyo60


	I'm not complaining really here but the free agent signing kinda annoys me. Just copy and past the NBA 2k formula. older players taking less to play on competitive teams, young guys wantin theirs, all the contracts, rights etc... add maybe Live 10 where they had things to talk about to get in the door to negotiate. that would be so much better than a bidding system which isn't really what its about.

how the nba goes about free agency signing and nfl are two complete diffrent things.

# 13 JayInSaratoga @ 05/17/11 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tical2399


	In the blog he said something like "if you think a guy is going to go around 20..." So looks like they didn't bother dealing with improved draft selections. I don't want to look at a guy's stats and guess he should last til around 20 (how do I know what the cpu thinks he and others are worth) At least give improved projections (top 5, top 10, mid first, late first, top 2nd etc.) This is why they should have put mel and his big board/mock draft in.

There was a screen shot in the franchise blog that alluded to how you would do this:

Looks like the scouting screens list a projected round for each player. I wouldn't be shocked if by the time the discs hit stores, this is refined to show top-5, top-10 etc.. for 1st round picks.

# 14 scottyo60 @ 05/17/11 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hova57


	how the nba goes about free agency signing and nfl are two complete diffrent things.

it's not really the going about it part but the "immersion" you hear stories of players taking less to play for a winner and this appears to be gone now, or with player roles the Drew Brees situation before NO. 5-6 teams could offer a back up role but you really want him and think he can start so you offer the starter role to him how it works in 2k. It may not be simple, but i enjoy in depth more.

# 15 RGiles36 @ 05/17/11 04:13 PM

I'm glad he could lend some clarity to the dynamic ratings in franchise. I like the idea of ratings fluctuating regardless.

Gotta wonder what Romo's consistency rating will be. A 2 or a 3? Toss up, eh?

# 16 vln13 @ 05/17/11 04:20 PM

At least now we got confirmation that the E3 announcements concerning Dynamic Performance stretch beyond Franchise mode. It seems like it will swing ratings throughout the game itself based on situations and results, and maybe computerized ratings changes every week based on real life statistics might leave Donny without a job

haha jk.

# 17 SoxFan01605 @ 05/17/11 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerseySuave4


	i dont like that free agents just go where they are offered the most money. Lets say the Patriots are offering Chad OchoCinco and the Browns are offering Chad OchoCinco and the money is close but the Browns are offering more you think he's going to just take the money and play on another crappy team, in a crappy city where he's gotta play Pittsburgh & Baltimore twice a year and prob never win a Super Bowl. Or is he going to go play with Brady, play on a team constantly in the playoffs where he has a chance to win? Thats why i dont like that guys just go to the money. Other factors should be considered. If its a young guy then maybe money is more important than rings but if its a guy who hasn't won a ring yet he'll be more willing to take less for a shot at a title.

I agree, but I understand where Looman is coming from as well. I've yet to play a game that attempted this and couldn't be overridden with money. Eventually, there is only so much logic in place.

It sounded like he was open to (and even leaning towards) the idea of introducing other factors back into the equation, but just wanted it to be obvious and sensible for the user.

I respect the fact that they are finally seeming to try and get things right and plan to build on them than just throw in stuff for the sake of it. If this bidding system works (and I like it in HC), maybe they can add competing factors that will give you an edge if you don't offer the most $$$.

The bright side, I believe it was already stated that veterans, rookies, and guys in their primes will all demand different salaries. The same based on position as well.

# 18 oneamongthefence @ 05/17/11 04:48 PM

I'm kinda surprised no one is jumping up and down since teams can now distinguish between 3-4 and 4-3 DE.

# 19 Armor and Sword @ 05/17/11 04:55 PM

Anyone who has played HC09 knows how much fun the new free agent auction/bidding mini game is going to be. If you never played HC09 your in for a nice treat.

Fast, fun and effective. Free agency will become one of your favorite parts of the game. Plus the new scouting features? Awesome. Now you have to really work to find your studs, avoid your busts and also hit a HR in the 5th round.

Loving this big time! Man 8/30 is a long way off.

# 20 JayMuzic @ 05/17/11 04:55 PM

the franchise mode has surpassed 2k5. they have brought the guy in who worked on head coach(which is my favorite ea football game) the question is did they surpass 2k5's gameplay because if they did, i may consider(key word) renting madden 12 and trying it out. until then, i am still skeptical.

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