Madden NFL 16 News Post

Donny Moore, the 'Madden Ratings Czar', Leaving EA

11:28 AM - July 2, 2015 by RaychelSnr

Donny Moore, aka the ‘Madden Ratings Czar’, is leaving Electronic Arts as he will be “pursuing other interests.”

In an official statement on Twitter, Moore said, “After much thought & consideration, I have chosen to step away from @EASports & announce my retirement as the Madden Ratings Czar as I have opted to pursue other interests. I am especially grateful of the opportunity to rate players for some of the greatest fans in video games today. After 16 years, it is finally time to hang up the czar's mouse pad! #Czartirement"

For Moore, this ends a long tenure as the guy running the ratings and updates for Madden. Moore’s tenure spanned 16 years at EA Tiburon, which means he was easily one of the most tenured at that studio. There is no word yet on who will be replacing Moore, but we do expect an announcement soon.

The ratings position occupied by Moore has been a staple of Madden’s internet presence for years. Moore’s ratings oftentimes drew criticism, but the weekly ratings updates were always hugely anticipated by fans, despite what ire they may have drawn.

The ratings this year will likely still come in the same pacing as previous years, and it will be interesting to see if any differences in how much players move up and down the scale happens without Moore at the helm. We’ll certainly be watching it going forward!

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Member Comments

# 81 4thQtrStre5S @ 07/03/15 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheba2011


	Does anyone really think the rating or system are going to change without him? The ratings in this game are just as much marketing as they are anything else. The casual fanbase wants to see their favorite players rated as high as possible.

The fans do want to see their favorite players rated high, and that is a huge issue to getting anything effective in the game, such as more logical ratings.

# 82 msdm27 @ 07/03/15 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4thQtrStre5S


	The fans do want to see their favorite players rated high, and that is a huge issue to getting anything effective in the game, such as more logical ratings.

As some have mentioned, it is probably unlikely to expect a dramatic change in the ratings themselves. We'll probably still have an overflow of 90+ rated players.

And if they indeed decide to stay with that "marketing based" approach to ratings then the real fix should be to modify the scale that differentiates ratings; make a 95 play and feel different than a 93, for example.

# 83 4thQtrStre5S @ 07/03/15 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msdm27


	As some have mentioned, it is probably unlikely to expect a dramatic change in the ratings themselves. We'll probably still have an overflow of 90+ rated players. And if they indeed decide to stay with that "marketing based" approach to ratings then the real fix should be to modify the scale that differentiates ratings; make a 95 play and feel different than a 93, for example.

I agree with that idea..It needs to be the hidden mechanics of the game itself that needs to change while leaving the window dressing of high ratings available for the fans to swoon over..Hell, even NFL players have discussed their ratings, even disagreeing with how they were rated..

It has already been noted by EA that there have been some adjustments to how speed will be worked for M16..SO I assume ratings won't change for speed, but behind the scenes it is going to be calculated differently to some degree...

# 84 msdm27 @ 07/03/15 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4thQtrStre5S


	I agree with that idea..It needs to be the hidden mechanics of the game itself that needs to change while leaving the window dressing of high ratings available for the fans to swoon over..Hell, even NFL players have discussed their ratings, even disagreeing with how they were rated.. It has already been noted by EA that there have been some adjustments to how speed will be worked for M16..SO I assume ratings won't change for speed, but behind the scenes it is going to be calculated differently to some degree...

Jepp, the solution has to be that (internal adjustments to the scale)

I honestly don't care if a player like Matt Ryan is a 87 or a 91, as long as there is a noticeable difference between that 91 and player rated above that number, even if it's only a 93.

# 85 barsoffury @ 07/03/15 08:07 AM

I know it won't happen but now would be a good time to try something new with the ratings system and other sports titles have discussed it for a few years now (The Show, I've seen it talked, hoped for but it still has never been tried) and that is to eliminate "overall" numbers ratings and use things like statistics, performance, and maybe some numbers like 40 times, bench reps, cone drills, etc. to determine a player's value and ability.
Things like the scouting combine would be that much more beneficial to have. Scouts in general would be more important. You would have to use your head more by looking at a player's production and how it compares to the rest of the league.

# 86 poster @ 07/03/15 08:42 AM

First the development team needs to incorporate full editing of players in any of the game modes at any time.

Second, if marketing wants to have a hand in ratings, they can write up a manual that comes with the game or a blog post that is visible anywhere on the Madden website that explains in detail how to edit the rating of your players to whatever you think it should be.

I know, I know. Wishful thinking.

Best of luck, Dan! Hope things work out for you, whatever comes of it. Glad to hear you won't compromise and hopefully you can make a difference in improving the game if a partnership materializes.

# 87 TDKing @ 07/03/15 09:23 AM

Maybe they can make it an option. Default Ratings/FBG Ratings.

# 88 AP 17 @ 07/03/15 09:38 AM

Just go back in time to Madden 2004 and NCAA Football 2004, u only need 20 ratings not 50. The 40-99 scale works fine, just eliminate the arbitrary ratings like run block footwork. I understand what tiburon was going for, but it's unnecessary.

# 89 BleedGreen710 @ 07/03/15 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gman 18


	and NFL 2k5's rating system,

lets be real 2k5 is a great game but their ratings were wacky as hell

john abraham 92 speed and brian westbrook 83 speed?

# 90 DCEBB2001 @ 07/03/15 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barsoffury


	I know it won't happen but now would be a good time to try something new with the ratings system and other sports titles have discussed it for a few years now (The Show, I've seen it talked, hoped for but it still has never been tried) and that is to eliminate "overall" numbers ratings and use things like statistics, performance, and maybe some numbers like 40 times, bench reps, cone drills, etc. to determine a player's value and ability. Things like the scouting combine would be that much more beneficial to have. Scouts in general would be more important. You would have to use your head more by looking at a player's production and how it compares to the rest of the league.

If they bring me in to do their ratings, one of the first things I would do is suggest to do away with the overall rating. Let the users "scout" their team like real GMs and coaches do based upon the TRAITS and PRODUCTION of their players. If you have a WR who has 1500 yards and 10 TDs a season, who cares if he is only a 61 OVR right? Start that guy based on what allowed him to produce, not his overall rating! Common sense here!

# 91 BleedGreen710 @ 07/03/15 10:09 AM

i always wished madden had an option to just turn off player ratings or turn them all to question marks. it would be so neat to play with no ratings. you would have to like actually practice with your team to see whos best. scout your own players. have intense position battles. performance on the field would matter! breakout games would have you thinking maybe that player is better then you thought. and with rookies they could let you run drills with them or bring back the college all star game. it would be so awesome. i've actually tried using a cardboard cutout to block the ratings whenever i went into rosters but it was just too damn annoying.

# 92 gr18 @ 07/03/15 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BleedGreen710


	lets be real 2k5 is a great game but their ratings were wacky as hell john abraham 92 speed and brian westbrook 83 speed?

I know it's hard to believe but Abraham's 40 time was clocked as low as 4.41 in 2001,while Westbrook is listed at 4.57.

# 93 sir psycho @ 07/03/15 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BleedGreen710


	i always wished madden had an option to just turn off player ratings or turn them all to question marks. it would be so neat to play with no ratings. you would have to like actually practice with your team to see whos best. scout your own players. have intense position battles. performance on the field would matter! breakout games would have you thinking maybe that player is better then you thought. and with rookies they could let you run drills with them or bring back the college all star game. it would be so awesome. i've actually tried using a cardboard cutout to block the ratings whenever i went into rosters but it was just too damn annoying.

Agreed. The option to hide ratings in franchise mode is something I've wanted for a long time. It would make roster/depth chart management so much more realistic. Having to actually evaluate players based on on-field performance as opposed to looking at a set of numbers would be one of the best(and most sim) improvements they could make to the mode.

# 94 BleedGreen710 @ 07/03/15 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BleedGreen710


	lets be real 2k5 is a great game but their ratings were wacky as hell john abraham 92 speed and brian westbrook 83 speed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr18


	I know it's hard to believe but Abraham's 40 time was clocked as low as 4.41 in 2001,while Westbrook is listed at 4.57.

# 95 crenk @ 07/03/15 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poster


	First the development team needs to incorporate full editing of players in any of the game modes at any time. Second, if marketing wants to have a hand in ratings, they can write up a manual that comes with the game or a blog post that is visible anywhere on the Madden website that explains in detail how to edit the rating of your players to whatever you think it should be. I know, I know. Wishful thinking. Best of luck, Dan! Hope things work out for you, whatever comes of it. Glad to hear you won't compromise and hopefully you can make a difference in improving the game if a partnership materializes.

Hell I would be thrilled if they left the numbers jacked up but allowed us to do the grunt work of editing ratings down.

Im now solidly in the camp that full customization is the most important need in Madden

# 96 D81SKINS @ 07/03/15 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCEBB2001


	If they bring me in to do their ratings, one of the first things I would do is suggest to do away with the overall rating. Let the users "scout" their team like real GMs and coaches do based upon the TRAITS and PRODUCTION of their players. If you have a WR who has 1500 yards and 10 TDs a season, who cares if he is only a 61 OVR right? Start that guy based on what allowed him to produce, not his overall rating! Common sense here!

That would definitely help with the sim factor but how many casual would cry about not seeing it.
Maybe make it an option and it hides the overall. For those that don't want it hidden, turn the option off.

Overall rating: On/off setting

# 97 crenk @ 07/03/15 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucky60


	I realize you guys are just talking about overall, but I would also like to have each rating/attribute (actual values) hidden, with the combination of your scouting staff, GM, and coaching staffs (ability to evaluate) give a perceived value of these ratings/attributes. Whether it's a range, letter grade or whatever. Even including overall. Plus EA/Tib would have to do something about CPU teams and how they look at a players value and ratings. CPU and Human info should somehow be comparable.

Ive personally felt this way for a long time. We dont look at Tom Brady and Peyton Manning and say oh this ig a 98 but he is only a 96 so one is clearly better the the other. We debate based on perception and statistics. This is what is needed to bring that element of realism to Madden and perhaps make it a little harder to just go after the top guy in each position to stack your team. Its one of the reasons why myself and others have house rules to prevent oneself from just targeting the top guys in FA.

EA woud have to improve the scouting system but base it on the concept of the better the scout the more reliable their impressions of the player...obviously stats are stats but the good scouts give more accurate assessments of the players skills and traits.

# 98 Senator Palmer @ 07/03/15 01:12 PM

Don't the overalls heavily influence what goes on in CFM such as salary demands, trade value, free agency, player development?

It's already wonky now but I can just imagine how completely broken it would be with this drastic a change. I'm no expert but the re-writing of the code would have to be substantial, I would think, to re-weigh everything to traits -- the same trait system that I still don't think is totally fleshed out. I just don't see EA even putting that on the table

# 99 2_headedmonster @ 07/03/15 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCEBB2001


	How is compromising a system that works, with years of research placed into it, benefiting Madden if they don't use it the way it is supposed to be used?

If theres a compromise, it doesn't have to be in a way that destroys your system. You could delegate responsibilities, supplement similar formulas for the sake of cohesion etc. If you feel your process benefits the game, finding a compromise YOU can live with prior to a meeting isn't a far-fetched idea.

# 100 Luke Skywalker @ 07/03/15 01:54 PM

I guess this means Odell Beckham Jr will not be rated 99 overall?

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