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.

Read More - Chatting with EA's Josh Looman about Madden's Franchise Mode

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# 41 SGMRock @ 05/18/11 02:09 PM

Personally this is year 1 of them revamping things after years of neglect. So I am happy with the steps they have taken, they only get a year to do this game and really can't expect them to fix Franchise in one season. So far I like what they have done and in my mind would expect more tweaks next year as well. At least they are moving in the right direction now instead of just giving us the same thing 5 years in a row.

# 42 mirrored32 @ 05/18/11 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySmooov


	Well I would think teams would go at it, as usual. Just like people could look at one page on the internet, and all be looking at different parts, all the players could be bidding on different players, against the human players or CPU who are interested, all at the same time. It would eliminate that 30 day wait, and make you have to work harder, because you'd have to go back and forth, keeping tabs on you're players. Its gonna be hectic, that's for sure, if you have guys who are really involved in the franchise. Offline could be troubling, anf I have a feeling that's what you're getting at. But Offline franchise is kinda sorta dead. I couldnt imagine more than 4 users in an offline 'chise, which would allow all users to be present and bid on guys.

by the poll in Operation Sports I don't know that offline Franchise is dead. If it is, Then I would no longer be playing Madden.

# 43 mirrored32 @ 05/18/11 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammidysam


	When I got NFL Head Coach 09 back in the day and loved it, I knew there was only one thing missing for it to be a really amazing game. That was gameplay, and the ability to play your team's games. Now, Madden 12 will show me what I always wanted, so it deserves a pre-order in my opinion. It will also be great for simulating, as I have always loved simulating in my sports games. But another thing I love is the player models. The draftees look like real people (they may actually be real people)and I give props to whoever made those models, as they are high class. Madden 12 is looking amazing.

i agree! I enjoy watching the other games through the season in a simulation. I hope they have the broadcast cam again this year for cpu vs cpu games. That was awesome!

# 44 Smoke316 @ 05/18/11 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinking Out Loud


	Whenever I see fun touted as if it and realism can not coexist, it frustrates me. I think the Ebay bidding system is a great idea but incomplete without player wants, team promises and a Halo style multi-player split screen added. (split screen for up to 4 users playing on the same console) Nothing major, just a simple check box system where players have their wants listed and teams have checks in the box of the wants listed, they are ABLE to promise. Obviously, Green Bay couldn't promise warm weather to a player, 2011-12 Vikings couldn't promise a RB to be a starter or a 2-14 team couldn't promise a playoff appearance. So if any of those wants were listed for a player, those teams wouldn't have those wants checked/promised . The team that has most wants that a player has listed, checked, wins the player. For example, if a player just listed/wanted money then that's all that matters. If a player listed/wants money, playoff contender and elite QB, teams that have all these checked/promised, are the contenders for that player. In case of a checks/promises made stalemate, the most money is the tie breaker. For some reason concerning Madden great ideas just seem to get consistently lost in translation.

I see where your coming. Im interested to see how this bidding system works myself. Next year they can expand on it buy giving us some of those factors that are in NCAA . Those along with the ebay style bidding would make for a real pressure packed negoitation.

Theres a WHOLE lot they added this year I cant be too uspet with the factors not really being a factor right now. Come to think of it I wonder if team morale made it in with the other roles. In last gen morale would flucuate depending on the roles one had or if you put a player on the trading block, etc.

The one thing i would like to see and hopefully it get in this yr is the backround menu screens for Franchise. Someon mentioned in another thread that they should have idfferent backgrounds for different parts of the franhise your in. For instance if dealing with roster stuff a shot of the Gms office should be in the background or the coaches office with a round table for cut days. These subtle touches can really help bring franchise to life this year without the newspapers and such. Also I read there was an Owner Mode involved this year has anyone else got confirm on that?

# 45 callmetaternuts @ 05/18/11 09:54 PM

Most features sound good, but a few of them make me wonder. I like that they gave us what we wanted in some regards but some features just seem, off. Like the free agency bidding. No matter what the player will go to the highest bidder, which isnt what real free agency is about. This seems like its a half-done concept. Haynesworth two years ago turned down a better offer to go to a team he thought gave him a better chance. It shouldnt be based on money alone. I get where they are going with better free agency, but its not done right based on how its described here

# 46 savoie2006 @ 05/18/11 11:39 PM

I hope this is a sign that all the Franchise modes will see heavy upgrades for EA Sports games.. The NHL series is in need of this kind of overhaul.

# 47 jmurphy31 @ 05/19/11 10:06 AM

When will Part II come out...I enjoy reading these interview type pieces...

# 48 xblake16x @ 05/19/11 05:57 PM

I wonder, with all the new roles and such, if this means we will have (know when) our players decide to hold out for a new contract

# 49 Jowhh @ 05/20/11 08:19 PM

seems pretty cool how the the drafting works

# 50 KOTC Wayne @ 05/22/11 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinking Out Loud


	Whenever I see fun touted as if it and realism can not coexist, it frustrates me. I think the Ebay bidding system is a great idea but incomplete without player wants, team promises and a Halo style multi-player split screen added. (split screen for up to 4 users playing on the same console) Nothing major, just a simple check box system where players have their wants listed and teams have checks in the box of the wants listed, they are ABLE to promise. Obviously, Green Bay couldn't promise warm weather to a player, 2011-12 Vikings couldn't promise a RB to be a starter or a 2-14 team couldn't promise a playoff appearance. So if any of those wants were listed for a player, those teams wouldn't have those wants checked/promised . The team that has most wants that a player has listed, checked, wins the player. For example, if a player just listed/wanted money then that's all that matters. If a player listed/wants money, playoff contender and elite QB, teams that have all these checked/promised, are the contenders for that player. In case of a checks/promises made stalemate, the most money is the tie breaker. For some reason concerning Madden great ideas just seem to get consistently lost in translation.

I like that idea and I agree dearly. Its like Namdhi A. ( I know thats spelled wrong ) for the Raiders, he wants to go to a team with a great chance of winning a SB so in his case, all teams that's SB chances look highly unlikely, regardless of how much money is thrown his way, he wouldn't go to them.

# 51 Ueauvan @ 05/22/11 06:56 PM

what about rookie progression? many start 2 or 3 on depth charts and for some like some qbs they learn a lot, whereas other positions absorb in other ways.

personally in hc 06 you could put formation subs in and on special teams thats where i put rookies, i dont want my #1 cb being a gunner for example

# 52 Clonefan84 @ 05/22/11 08:11 PM

you know, since the topic of long-snapper and special teams positions and stuff are being talked about, there was one thing that I always wanted to see in these football games. What about an added importance to the holder for FGs? I would say that every team should have someone that's a quality holder (doesn't matter what position they are), and if their rating happens to be low, there's a chance for botched FGs. Also the long snapper's rating could lead to bad snaps on those FGs (or even punts) that could lead to messed up FGs.

Right now FG kicking is stale imo, as it seems that pretty much all FGs are automatic with an occasional botch with a slip up on the meter. With this it could make special teams a lot more unpredictable. Maybe even have something where if the snap or hold isn't great, but the ball is still placed in time for the kicker, do something to the timing of the meter (pause it, make it faster, anything like that) to make it more difficult to kick it. Not sure if anyone has thrown an idea out there like that, but for me special teams is just too mundane anymore when in real football special teams sometimes wins ballgames (outside of just KR or PR for TDs).

# 53 Vikes1 @ 05/23/11 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savoie2006


	I hope this is a sign that all the Franchise modes will see heavy upgrades for EA Sports games.. The NHL series is in need of this kind of overhaul.

Yep Savoie, I've been thinking the same thing.

Although imo...NHL's franchise modes, haven't been as sparse this gen as Madden's. But could still use a nice upgrade.

Anyway...good to see EA Tiburon was good to their word about this being the, "Year of the franchise".

# 54 nighttrain32 @ 05/23/11 01:54 AM

Player roles were in Madden on the PS2. its nice to see them return

# 55 cocacolaman @ 05/23/11 11:02 AM

Heck I'd just be happy if they put back in what they took out over the years.
I still don't understand why the PS2 version has more features then the "Next Gen"
Systems like PS3 and Xbox360.

Having multiple custom uniforms and create a uniform would be nice, being able to do this to your team in franchise. Also if moving a team keeping the uniform. Heck when the Raiders went to LA nothing changed but the city.

Same with Stadiums. If you but the stupid upgrades have them actually show up. Even be able to upgrade and design a new stadium with current team...not having to move the team to do so.

Those are two simple things that should be in franchise. I'm so sick of EA taking things out of games how about actually adding to the games and making them better for a change.
I hate exclusive rights to sports games, having different companies making games made for better games, and gave the consumer the option to buy. With only one NFL or MLB maker the company that got the contract got super lazy and made horrible games. Madden hasn't come out with a good version in almost 5 years.

But they had a great game with Head Coach and dropped it????? But they keep pumping out watered down versions of Madden each year....makes no sense.

# 56 Tecmo Bowl @ 05/23/11 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocacolaman


	Heck I'd just be happy if they put back in what they took out over the years. I still don't understand why the PS2 version has more features then the "Next Gen" Systems like PS3 and Xbox360. Having multiple custom uniforms and create a uniform would be nice, being able to do this to your team in franchise. Also if moving a team keeping the uniform. Heck when the Raiders went to LA nothing changed but the city. Same with Stadiums. If you but the stupid upgrades have them actually show up. Even be able to upgrade and design a new stadium with current team...not having to move the team to do so. Those are two simple things that should be in franchise. I'm so sick of EA taking things out of games how about actually adding to the games and making them better for a change. I hate exclusive rights to sports games, having different companies making games made for better games, and gave the consumer the option to buy. With only one NFL or MLB maker the company that got the contract got super lazy and made horrible games. Madden hasn't come out with a good version in almost 5 years. But they had a great game with Head Coach and dropped it????? But they keep pumping out watered down versions of Madden each year....makes no sense.

Whoa settle down buddy. I am sure EA tries as hard as they can with their games. I don't think being lazy or the exclusive license is the problem. Coming to a new system it takes time to redevelopment things. They can't just take the features from the PS2 game and throw them into PS3. Takes man hours research and development.

Besides. I know I am just grateful that we are getting these features back! Great job EA and keep up the great work you have done, especially over the last 5 years.

# 57 brza37 @ 05/23/11 12:40 PM

When can we expect Part 2 Chase?

# 58 Argooos @ 05/23/11 05:01 PM

Quote:


	Eventually, we�d like to get something in there where players refuse to sign with you or something like that, but we have to be really careful when we do that and make sure it�s very clear why something like that is happening so it doesn�t frustrate the user. So if they desperately need a corner and Asomugha is sitting there in free agency, only some users just cannot sign him, they need to know exactly why and figure it out.

Why not have certain players just have certain demands and refuse to even consider offers from teams that do not meet those demands. Veteran players signing their last contract may have as their demand "Will only sign with a playoff team", which would mean only teams that made it to the playoffs the previous season could bid on the player. Another demand could be "Will only sign where I have a chance to start" - this role could be assigned to players who are among the top-32 in the league at their position. You would only be able to bid on those players if your starter at that position is comparable or less than that players' rating. Other demands could be "team must have a quarterback with >80 OVR" or "team must have x number of mentors on the roster". These demands would only be for certain players, and you could have some that are easy to meet, like "team must have had at least a 6-10 record last season"

Most players would still have no demands except the most money possible. And if you didn't meet a player's demands, you would not even have the option of bidding on them. That button would be greyed out or something, but you'd still be able to view their demands in case you were able to meet them (say they wanted the team to have a certain type of player - you could go out and sign that type of player first).

# 59 Argooos @ 05/24/11 08:14 AM

Some combination of both our ideas would probably be best.

# 60 Hellisan @ 05/25/11 02:28 AM

Wait... How is "fumble prone" or "injury prone" a role?

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