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Madden NFL 16 News Post


EA Sports has just released Madden NFL 16 Connected Franchise details. Players can choose between offline and cloud saves. With cloud saves, you can advance weeks faster and access the league online and invite friends. The blog details confidence tuning, free practice, combine stats, scouting and much more.

Below are some of the new details in Madden NFL 16 Connected Franchise, click here to read the entire blog.

DYNAMIC DRIVE GOALS
Each new drive contains a Drive Goal that can be completed for bonus XP and/or Confidence.

Specific goals are tailored based on events in the current game to give players a unique challenge each and every game.

Dynamic Drive Goals truly influence the way you play. The more goals you complete, the faster your players improve.

POST-PLAY GOAL FEEDBACK
The team listened to fan feedback and made it easier for players to see which goals have been completed in-game. This year, players will now see goal feedback throughout the mode.

XP and Confidence updates appear next to your player at the end of each play. A new ticker at the bottom of the screen tracks goal progress and shows updates to all the goals influenced that play.

Players will also notice new broadcast interface elements that celebrate completing goals. This adds up to a groundbreaking broadcast experience for Connected Franchise.

WEEKLY GOALS
Weekly goals have been refactored from the ground up by implementing a new quest-like system that chains goals together week to week. These goals are assigned based on performance, position, and career status and are both team-based and individual.

For example, a “Breakout Running Back” goal may be triggered for rookie running backs that are having a great season.

As goals are completed or missed, player confidence will fluctuate. Some focus on negative stats such as fumbles and interceptions, and are tied to regression.

GOAL LOADING SCREENS
New goal loading screens allow players to maximize goal completion. Completing these goals during the game will give you additional XP and/or Confidence that helps players perform better on the field.

THINGS TO DO
The Connected Franchise Hub is more streamlined, and players can find what they need faster than ever.

It all starts on the consolidated Things to Do screen, which brings all the information from last year’s Actions and Home to one convenient location. Players can see where they stand in the season timeline, and how far they are from the Playoffs.

VISUAL TEAM DEPTH CHART
One major overhaul this year is the all-new Visual Team Depth Chart, which allows players to easily see each side of the ball and make adjustments.

Your depth chart is the heart and soul of your team, which is why we brought it to the forefront with the Team Panel. Simply drag and drop players to reorder the depth chart.

PLAYER CARD
Another big improvement is the new Player Card, which gives players an attribute breakdown without having to scroll left or right on a spreadsheet. This screen includes all the key position attributes for the player, and which attributes are being affected by Confidence.

Quickly perform key actions such as spending XP, viewing goals, adding to the trade block, and more.

NEW SCOUTING
Scouting has been reworked from the ground up in Madden NFL 16. Coaches and Owners will see a “Thing to Do” item in Week 3 that instructs how to Scout. The basic concept is that you’ll spend Scouting Points on a player, learn more about their abilities, and decide whether you want to select them in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Scouting Points unlock a player’s top three attributes, with the third unlock providing their true draft value. This true draft value will help teams find “Diamonds” and “Overvalued” players in the draft class.

Will you take a projected fifth-round pick with second-round skills in round two, or wait until later hoping that others don’t realize his potential? These are the types of decisions that come to life with the new true talent rating.

COMBINE STATS
Players can now access Combine Reports during NFL Combine Week, which includes a Combine Grade and results from six Combine events: 40-yard Dash, Vertical Jump, Broad Jump, 3 Cone, 20-yard Shuttle, and Bench Press. These results can be seen without spending any Scouting Points.

Combine Reports not only include results, but also how players stack up compared to others at their position. Will you draft the fastest running back in the class, or look for a well-rounded player?

DRAFT FEEDBACK
The Draft screen itself has received a visual overhaul, and now provides much-needed feedback right after selecting a player. You’ll immediately be able to see the player’s attributes and where he was ranked, which provides immediate feedback on whether or not you made a good pick.

MEMBERS LIST
New Members panels allow players to quickly interact with fellow league members in a Cloud Franchise. You can see their game status and whether they’re online.

Commissioners can toggle Auto Pilot, clear cap penalties, and remove them from the league.

SIM-A-WIN
League commissioners can influence wins by using the League Schedule. Sim-a-Win allows you to set the winning team for any game that has not been played.

This tool allows players to craft the season of their dreams, and also helps facilitate large multiplayer leagues.

FREE PRACTICE
Players voiced a desire to practice with their Franchise team, so the team went ahead and added Free Practice to Game Prep this year.

Coaches or Owners can take their team on the field to experiment by using Free Practice. When Game Prep is available during the week, Free Practice can also be used at no additional cost.

Free Practice is a great way to a look at how a team plays, and lets players stay ahead of the curve.

CONFIDENCE TUNING
Confidence has been greatly tuned in Madden NFL 16. We’ve decreased the amount that confidence changes for every player, and also adjusted the ratings per position that can go up or down, and how confidence impacts them.

A new Game Prep activity has been added to the preseason, which allows teams to improve their low confidence before the season begins. We’ve also increased the amount of time each team has in Game Prep every week.

OWNER MODE FINANCE TUNING
Small-market teams in older stadiums now have more money to spend into the offseason every year.

Game: Madden NFL 16Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 24 - View All
Madden NFL 16 Videos
Member Comments
# 141 SolidSquid @ 05/29/15 09:48 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaymeeAwesome
I would have to disagree there. Not being to edit draft classes is exactly tied to the lawsuit. Enabling users to edit players in the draft to mirror real life college players (and allowing users to share them) is just as bad as pre-programming it in. That ruling has set a precedent that is going to be a big problem for a while.

I don't see custom draft classes available for a while until the lawyers can figure out ways around it.
Other games do it so it's more than likely bc EA knows a significant amount of people wouldn't purchase future maddens if they could keep a cfm going with real life created draft classes. With 32 team control and custom classes you could be playing madden 16 with true to life NFL 2018 rosters.
 
# 142 howboutdat @ 05/29/15 10:00 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by NDAlum
I'm not a fan of XP for one reason: it makes the rich richer and the poor poorer in online leagues. It's just not fair.

I would prefer a natural progression/regression system with inherent traits such as a potential (The Show system). Performance can have an impact on the overall potential and growth/decline of a player.
Thank you ! As a commish of a league for 4 years straight, i can not stand this XP ,goal mess, for this very reason.It creates a greater seperation in competition in the league after about 3 years in . We normally get in about 10 seasons.... It really makes it hard and not fun on the guys who arent as good stick skill wise, but like to try to play . Its Not a fun way to do CFM. I hate it, and im about to just pull the plug , as bad as i hate to . I love the friends ive made in our league, and have always tried to provide them a fair place to play, but this is about the last straw here. I just dont think i can do it much more after hearing this .
 
# 143 asmmargod @ 05/29/15 10:07 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by aholbert32
I would love to see it but I doubt it. More likely will just be the KR/PR/K/P.

One thing that scares me with this change is where is the 3RB slot. Its not on the offense page of the chart. Because for some reason they wont add formation subs, I used the 3rb slot (along with fatigue) to get backup RBs more carries.

No formation subs. The depth chart stuff just looks like a visual overhaul and nothing that will matter gameplay wise.

Disappointing at first glance.
If the depth chart is done the same way as it is now in mut, then 3rb will be in special team tab.
 
# 144 Skyboxer @ 05/29/15 10:39 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steel4Reel
He has made the same comment numerous times with nothing to support his argument. Its getting old. Its already been disproven several times that that is not a major issue. As someone else stated, why is customization only an issue for EA? Why is user control and customization not a legal issue for countless other games? Answer: Its not....its just another excuse to be lazy and keep control out of the hands of gamers.

On top of that, he made it clear in the past that he is personally against customization in the game, so his opinion, while he is obviously entitled to it, is clearly bias.

It MAY be the excuse EA uses, but its not a good reason. As someone else stated, EA has continuously removed or omitted customization features over the years, and even today people still dig for excuses to make for them.

I dont get it.
I'm not saying his comment is right or wrong. Simply saying there are better ways to argue a point than to be disrespectful and rude which I believe you are capable of doing..

 
# 145 brandon27 @ 05/29/15 11:01 AM
Sounding good to me!
 
# 146 aholbert32 @ 05/29/15 11:04 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolidSquid
Other games do it so it's more than likely bc EA knows a significant amount of people wouldn't purchase future maddens if they could keep a cfm going with real life created draft classes. With 32 team control and custom classes you could be playing madden 16 with true to life NFL 2018 rosters.
Other games do it because they are willing to take that risk. EA isnt.

EA just spent 100s of millions of dollars to defend the Obannon and Keller lawsuits that had to do with the use of college students' likenesses.

Even though technically EA would be protected if a lawsuit related to custom draft classes arose, you can understand why EA is gunshy about doing anything that would come close to appearing as if EA is benefitting from college student likenesses.

Especially when this feature is probably used by less than a fourth of the people who play this game. The risk isnt worth the reward imo.

Its something that I tell my clients every day:

"You may be right under the law but it costs lots of money to prove you are right"

Why would EA take even a small risk if their internal polling shows that majority of gamers dont use that function much or at all?
 
# 147 saybur @ 05/29/15 11:16 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolidSquid
But will he look like he's 6'1 295 or will he look like a stick or obese person? Also will he be wearing equipment from 40 years ago? Will he have dreads even if his picture doesn't? Those are the quality control issues I have with Madden and rookies.
I sure hope they addressed those issues too since it looks like we still won't be able to edit players, which is simply ridiculous.
 
# 148 jmurphy31 @ 05/29/15 11:27 AM
I think with me is that Madden could be so much more than it currently is. Is it awful and unplayable?...To me, no.

I used to be able season over season with multiple teams. Now I have a hard time getting through a season. For me the fun factor in franchise mode is not only being able to compete vs the CPU on and off the field, but feel like I am truly engaged in an NFL season. For the past bunch of years (too many to count), it is simply not the case.

Franchise mode is just a bunch of play now games with an occasional generic commentary line about last week and a stat banner about your upcoming schedule. Unless you go through the twitter feed or just look at everyone's roster you have no clue who is doing what in your league.

When I see that instead of adding more stat banners or a CFM ticker at the bottom (though its still a possibility) they added goal banners, it is just frustrating. I think even the most casual gamer would rather have stats pop up about their season then XP points/goals. Casual gamers arent playing enough Franchise games to increase their XP over the years.
 
# 149 howboutdat @ 05/29/15 12:00 PM
well , ill say this, Kolbe said , that you wouldnt be able to tell where they spent most of their time in CFM in his interview on VSN.... and i have to say, he didnt lie one bit about that. touche
 
# 150 aholbert32 @ 05/29/15 12:13 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steel4Reel
Not really.

The difference is....one is free, user created content and one was likenesses used in support monetary gain.

Two different things.



EA has stripped away customization features for years.

Madden was more customizable 10 years ago than it is today.

I really dont buy that their hesitation has to do with that.

I believe it is just another excuse EA uses to take control away from the gamer.



Except the risk is extremely low, and it would be a very easy feature to implement.



Where is the supposed poll that shows this?
Two different things that could each lead to a lawsuit. The only difference is with the first one EA would likely win and the with the second one, they would lose. Like I said before, it still costs a lot of money to win a lawsuit.

The problem with your theory is that it doesnt make any sense at all. The inclusion of editable draft classes has never been shown to reduce sales from one year to the next. Most gamers want the newest game (especially if its improved). They arent going stick with an old version of the game just because they can edit draft classes and add the new players in the game.
They want the rookie likenesses and presentation like specific commentary that comes with a new version of the game.

So what benefit does EA get from as you say "limiting" control?

As you also say, it would be easy to implement, so why would a company like EA (that likes to generate revenue) not add that to the game? Especially if this feature is in such high demand and its inclusion will increase sales?

Now we can go with your theory that evil EA hates to give players control over their games.

or

My theory which is that the lawsuits have EA gunshy about too much customization especially when it relates to college athletes.

Now my theory is supported by the fact that they havent added customizable draft classes to Madden, they eliminated fighter share from UFC (it was in Fight Night Champion and when EA planned to release NCAA 15 (or College Football 15) it was rumored that Teambuilder was going to be eliminated.

What support do you have for your theory?
 
# 151 oneamongthefence @ 05/29/15 12:15 PM
Sad they didn't bring gameface back. The generic faces were really lacking. Maybe they expanded it for coaches and players too. Its the same faces that have been in the game for about 10 years.
 
# 152 NDAlum @ 05/29/15 12:42 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolidSquid
But will he look like he's 6'1 295 or will he look like a stick or obese person? Also will he be wearing equipment from 40 years ago? Will he have dreads even if his picture doesn't? Those are the quality control issues I have with Madden and rookies.
This is a very good and fair question.

Madden 15 rookies were very hit or miss with their appearances. The equipment issue was bad and so were the player models.

When I sim that first CFM to see how the rookies turn out I'll have my eyes squinted afraid to see the results when I put them on the field.
 
# 153 cuttingteeth @ 05/29/15 12:50 PM
If I can't rename or resize players in my draft class...then I'll just do it in create-a-player to a further, exacting degree. Either way, EA has allowed or not allowed me to do so. I'll just live with knowing they are confused as to what contradictions and/or loopholes are, and I'll move on.

On a funnier note: Let NDSU come trying to sue me, should I make their team via teambuilder in NCAA 14. I bet I make better uniforms than they have, and they should instead be thanking me that I like them enough to try making them more relevant in my game compared to real life. My making them more popular to my friends, perhaps a whole league and however many others is me giving them free promotion, as well.

On a disturbing and more legally binding note: If legal types were really, really smart and wanted to dig for something worth going after per actual likenesses...they would pay attention to EA's Sims games and online communities where tons more real people's likenesses are in use and doing far, far more crude and horrible things that probably go beyond the statutes of slander (at the least).
 
# 154 howboutdat @ 05/29/15 01:03 PM
here is the new press row podcast out today with Kolbe....http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/9/8/0/980c...2b537c5860da57
 
# 155 howboutdat @ 05/29/15 01:18 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by capa
LOTS of talk about catering to the casual gamer for CFM.



Ugh

C
EXACTLY, and this is why ive lost all hope for madden now, Forget the "just wait" ....no point in waiting on them catering to the casuals.
 
# 156 howboutdat @ 05/29/15 01:31 PM
"a timeline so you know where you are in the season" .....
 
# 157 howboutdat @ 05/29/15 01:44 PM
so instead of having to hunt and peck thru numerous attributes to find what this payer is good at ,we're now giving them the power, to spend some scouting points on this player and we will now tell you his best attribute. If you send points a second time , we will tell you his second best attribute....

that is a loose quote ( not word for word, but exactly what he was saying) ..... Thanks for taking out so much mystery in the drafts!
 
# 158 xx13cloud @ 05/29/15 01:53 PM
Is there STILL no co op franchise? Im tired of playing alone why cant friends play on the same team in a sports game...
 
# 159 sebennayx @ 05/29/15 01:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by howboutdat
so instead of having to hunt and peck thru numerous attributes to find what this payer is good at ,we're now giving them the power, to spend some scouting points on this player and we will now tell you his best attribute. If you send points a second time , we will tell you his second best attribute....

that is a loose quote ( not word for word, but exactly what he was saying) ..... Thanks for taking out so much mystery in the drafts!
I think this is a poor direction to take CFM and scouting, but I can kind of see how they came to that direction. Here's an example;

- You pop in tape of Cordarrelle Patterson, what's the first thing you notice (outside of athletic skills portrayed by combine results)?
1. Incredible elusiveness, tough for tacklers to get their hands on him (ELU)

Take more time and watch more tape, what else do you notice?
2. Ability to navigate traffic with the ball in his hands (BCV)

Etc.

Again, I think it's a poor choice for the direction of CFM, but that's how I interpret it with regards to scouting. It should be much more immersive and advanced...
 
# 160 Sheba2011 @ 05/29/15 02:03 PM
The scouting sounds very good this year, still not quite what I want but a lot better than years past and the combine results are excellent.
 


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