Madden NFL 18 News Post

Dissecting the Madden NFL 18 Features Reveal

12:46 PM - May 13, 2017 by RaychelSnr

All aboard the Madden hype train!

We've officially started the slow ramp up to a new season of Madden NFL, as the first details (and footage) of Madden NFL 18 hit the wild yesterday. The inclusion of Tom Brady as the cover athlete is a bold move -- but ultimately cover athlete's importance is probably waning quite a bit.

What is important are the details which were revealed about the game. Here's my quick breakdown:

Target Passing, who knows? This could be a major, major thing or a gimmicky feature like the passing cone. My question is how much is it forced upon players? My second question is, regardless, how good and effective is it going to be? I'm full wait and see on this one.
Frostbite Engine looks good. If nothing else, the trailer really sells that Madden is taking a pretty solid step ahead visually. The lighting and stadiums are a solid step ahead. It seems like some details weren't included in the trailer (did you notice the barren sidelines?). Animations and players look similar, but overall the game will likely look a bit better this year versus prior years.
The Play Styles Totally Are for eSports. I mean, there's no confirmation of this, but its pretty clear the Madden team is wanting to grow that segment of the audience and a play style fully focused on 'Competitive' will do that. Most OS'ers are looking at Simulation and hoping for the best. So am I.
Franchise mode isn't getting anything big. The description adds nothing new and is an overview of the mode as we know it. I have a feeling the Frostbite upgrade took a lot of time and resources and the actual enhancements to modes, etc. is going to be focused on the card and competitive modes. I know, I don't like it either but it is what it is.
Coverage Assignments, maybe it'll be fun to be a CB or S? There's been a lot of work in previous years to make Madden fun on both sides of the ball. The area that still lacks is playing pass coverage. Hopefully these will help with playing a DB in Madden.
Coaching Adjustments: I'm on full wait and see. The details don't sound like anything that I'm not already doing myself during games. But I am guessing something about this will enhance the strategic side of the game, maybe?

Overall

The big leap with Madden this year is going to be the Frostbite engine. FIFA last year went through the same transition with no huge areas of progress. It's likely the upgrade took a lot of time and resources and big back of the box additions probably were hard to come by. Regardless, the Frostbite engine was instantly noticeable as an upgrade in environmental visuals -- I'm excited to see gameplay to see how it all ties together when the game is actually running in a way we will actually experience it.

What did you think of yesterday's Madden reveals?

Game: Madden NFL 18Hype Score: 6/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 9 - View All

Member Comments

# 41 Valaskjalf @ 05/14/17 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeuceDouglas


	CFM will be better but by how much, who knows. Like with Big Decisions, was the game better with it? Probably. Would it have been any worse without it? Not at all. My guess is that there aren't any major additions and most of what was done is tuning and tweaking. Gameplanning will probably see the most attention with how shallow and poorly done it was, regression, probably goals again, maybe scouting again. I think we'll probably see coordinators but not position coaches and I don't think they'll have much of an effect on anything outside of maybe some XP discounts or GamePlan boosts. On one hand I like it because it means they'll be working on some aspects that they haven't really implemented fully and need a lot of attention and they'll be able to start actually making them better rather than adding new stuff and leaving them behind. Then on the other hand there is so much that needs to be added/changed or shouldn't be there that I just wish they'd start tearing the bad stuff out and do it the right way. Last year was a complete dud and this year looks that way too as far as new additions but for features that are already in it could be really positive depending on how they execute which is obviously suspect but still.

The biggest frustration to me is that the moment EA makes some big hoo-ha about a new feature, it turns out to be massively underdeveloped. The Big Decisions feature is the perfect example of something that was added, but had absolutely no depth. Same with player regression....it literally came down to "This guy is old so -2 on his skills". All these things need to be fleshed out, going through the regression screen and see 15 players regressing for a singular reason is terribly shallow.

And I fear we will see similar things this year, all these new "features" or additional screens, which essentially adds artificial depth to the game. For instance I dont think I have ever selected the option to bring someone back from injury early instead of starting the backup. It's a gimmick to give you the impression of choice/depth when the answer is pretty obvious.

EDIT: Apologies for this evolving into a rant, probably not the correct place for it. Just showing my apprehension for CFM this year.

# 42 roadman @ 05/14/17 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valaskjalf


	The biggest frustration to me is that the moment EA makes some big hoo-ha about a new feature, it turns out to be massively underdeveloped. The Big Decisions feature is the perfect example of something that was added, but had absolutely no depth. Same with player regression....it literally came down to "This guy is old so -2 on his skills". All these things need to be fleshed out, going through the regression screen and see 15 players regressing for a singular reason is terribly shallow. And I fear we will see similar things this year, all these new "features" or additional screens, which essentially adds artificial depth to the game. For instance I dont think I have ever selected the option to bring someone back from injury early instead of starting the backup.All these features function as pseudo choices to make it appear as adding depth.

See, this is why it's hard to design a game for 5 million different users and now, hopefully, with the separation of arcade, sim and competitive, that will start changing those dynamics.

I loved the Big Decisions feature. I had players that were good players (WR's) that were two weeks removed from coming off the DL and I was taking a chance they healed quicker.

# 43 Madden08PCgmr @ 05/14/17 10:49 AM

"What do I think?"

I feel great about my decision to go on Madden sabbatical.

I just can't support this title any longer.

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# 44 ps2sportgamer @ 05/14/17 11:32 AM

LMAO at dudes talking like they're disappointed over some basic back of the box descriptions. When the features get revealed in detail don't come back on here acting like the game will be good and being your usual corny self. You still gonna buy it like you do every year....

Now for my opinion: Frostbite probably took up a lot of the development cycle but I'm all for change. With 4k probably being included I'm gonna be happy for that too! Coaching adjustments will probably include CB/WR coverage assignments which will be a small but great addition for me.

I'll wait for EA to come in and talk about what they added before i talk about anything else...

# 45 NateDogPack12 @ 05/14/17 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2sportgamer


	LMAO at dudes talking like they're disappointed over some basic back of the box descriptions. When the features get revealed in detail don't come back on here acting like the game will be good and being your usual corny self. You still gonna buy it like you do every year.... Now for my opinion: Frostbite probably took up a lot of the development cycle but I'm all for change. With 4k probably being included I'm gonna be happy for that too! Coaching adjustments will probably include CB/WR coverage assignments which will be a small but great addition for me. I'll wait for EA to come in and talk about what they added before i talk about anything else...

As of now, this is the information we have. When new information becomes available, it's reasonable to assume some people will change their opinion. The purpose of this board is to discuss the information available.

# 46 kjcheezhead @ 05/14/17 11:55 AM

I was and am a fan of the vision cone. Calling it target passing makes it sound like something different like read and lead from NFL Fever which was really clunky and hard to use.

Hopefully it's a return of the vision cone and the 3 different play styles allows the people that loved/hated it to choose to use it.

Of the feature reveal and the trailer it's really the only piece of information that intrigued me at all.

Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

# 47 tonyfire2001 @ 05/14/17 12:21 PM

Totally understand what ea sports is going for here, they are going after all the exporters out there that play online and that play competitions, but us older guys that remember ea when they were all about franchise mode and if it's in the game it in the game motto, it's kinda disappointing now.

For me I love madden I've bought each years version since the first one and looking at it, I believe I'm going to skip this years, I kinda wish they being back passing cone loved that game play for me it was like playing a real qb looking to throw to that wide receiver and on defense playing a safety it was like when I played in college you read the qb eyes in zone along with playing an area, anyway I'll stick with 17 this year and try to wait out for 19 to come...

# 48 StL_RamZ @ 05/14/17 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjcheezhead


	I was and am a fan of the vision cone. Calling it target passing makes it sound like something different like read and lead from NFL Fever which was really clunky and hard to use. Hopefully it's a return of the vision cone and the 3 different play styles allows the people that loved/hated it to choose to use it. Of the feature reveal and the trailer it's really the only piece of information that intrigued me at all. Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

Always thought why not bring the vision cone back

just have a toggle to turn it on or off, Off by default for casual players since hardcore player will already know where to to turn it on

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# 49 roadman @ 05/14/17 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NateDogPack12


	As of now, this is the information we have. When new information becomes available, it's reasonable to assume some people will change their opinion. The purpose of this board is to discuss the information available.

Over the past few years, that is all the info we receive at this time of the year.(and most people are aware of this)

It's not time to shout out the doom/gloom, and it's not time to throw a ticker tape parade, either.

I need more information on coverage audibles, sim mode, franchise mode and other tangibles that haven't been listed.

There isn't a good read one way or the other on the morsel of information that has dribbled out.

# 50 roadman @ 05/14/17 02:13 PM

A. Welcome Back, Big.

And I agree with you on most of your points.

I'll just say I'm indifferent on Story Mode.

If it's anything like Superstar mode, color me impressed.

People knew that FIFA had it with Frostbite last year and so naturally it was thought it would make it's way over to Madden, so, I'm not surprised.

Hard to tell if it took anything away from the development team at this point.

# 51 Americas Team @ 05/14/17 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iLLWiLL


	If they didn't even re-do the quarterback throwing animations, I'm out.

They need to redo the throwing animations, drop backs, and Qb movement in the pocket in general.

# 52 ampjackson94 @ 05/14/17 02:19 PM

Can we please just have more than 1 RB carrying the ball the whole game? Hopefully that goes with coaching adjustments.

# 53 DeuceDouglas @ 05/14/17 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	I loved the Big Decisions feature. I had players that were good players (WR's) that were two weeks removed from coming off the DL and I was taking a chance they healed quicker.

My only thing that could have been implemented separately (and far more realistically) and accomplished the exact same things regardless of Big Decisions. Instead of the arbitrary two-week model, Questionable/Doubtful designations with separate stat hits for both for example. It was a good thought, just poorly executed IMO. Outside of that and the coach goals though, everything else was already in the game it was just attempted to be friendlier and easier UI but, for me, felt more clunky and annoying than it was before. But just from 16 to 17 Big Decisions didn't really fundamentally change anything you did or what could do, it just tried to change how you did it.

It's like if 'Target Passing' this year turned out to just be a slightly tweaked version of 'Precision Passing' or whatever the passing mechanic is in 16 is called. It might be packaged differently so it seems new but if it works pretty much the same as 16 but with slight tweaks, yeah, it's still an improvement but not much which is what Big Decisions felt like.

# 54 Americas Team @ 05/14/17 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBleedingRed21


	I honestly feel like this thread was created prematurely. I wouldn't call back of the box features from amazon and GameStop feature reveals. The stuff that matters to most of us (the os simulation crowd) is not gonna be appealing to the masses and probably wouldn't make the back of the box. To say in the article there will be no improvements to Franchise is nothing but a guess and gets people assuming things. I think we should wait before taking this leap.

It seems to me if they overhauled an area of the game it would be on the back of the box. Everything else will be mostly tweaks and minor upgrades.

# 55 DeuceDouglas @ 05/14/17 02:28 PM

I tried going back and looking for this thread from last year because these happen every year with Amazon or GameStop but all I could find was the Xbox Site bundle thread which just gave these general description for Madden 17:

Quote:


	Take your team all the way in Madden NFL 17 with a renewed focus on Franchise mode, putting you at the center of your team�s Championship run. Arm your team for gridiron glory on both sides of the ball with the most balanced gameplay to date, featuring all-new ball carrier feedback cues, defender fake out mechanics and an innovative, authentic defensive AI system. Madden NFL 17 is the most complete Madden � ever.

But Madden 16's included this from this same type of thread about CFM:

Quote:


	Connected Franchise � Whether playing solo or online with friends, your quest to build an NFL dynasty comes complete with a brand new scouting and draft system as well as all-new dynamic goals throughout each game. Develop players with Game Prep and build your teams� confidence through performance and front office transactions. Balance keeping players� confidence up, to increase abilities and build player XP.

CFM will see it's fair share of work but having been through this same process year-in and year-out they always oversell features in these cases so I don't think it's too far fetched to not expect much from CFM being that they're completely underselling with that generic description. Last years "overhaul" debacle could definitely have something to do with that though. We'll know for sure in a few weeks though but until then everything is speculation. I'd love to be wrong about CFM.

# 56 roadman @ 05/14/17 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big FN Deal


	I think it's safe to say if took dev time and if it's like Superstar mode, that highlights the point I was making. They condensed Superstar, Franchise and Online franchise into one mode back with CCM, claiming it would allow expedited improvement, only to then add even more individual modes. Seems counterproductive to the stated goal of CCM and contradictory to the claim that they couldn't upgrade existing X because existing Y took priority, when they find time, as well as resources, to create Z.

And it could have been made by a separate team, too? No?

As far as CCM is concerned, sounds like they are moving off of that and going forward by separating the modes.

Things and goals change from time to time in business, wouldn't you agree?

There's been talk of working on the Frostbite Madden for the past few years.

# 57 roadman @ 05/14/17 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big FN Deal


	I'm not following Road, no matter what team or where created Story mode in M18, simply by virtue of it being in M18 means it took dev time and whatever from M18. For example we know for fact that CFM is worked on by a different team, in a different state but it's been hammered repeatedly that it's development takes away from Madden development as a whole and vice versa.

Hammered by who?

People that work there or people on the outside?

# 58 Loshaw36 @ 05/14/17 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayStarr


	Story mode. Right. For the little kids.

Story modes are such a waste of time and resources in sports games as far as I'm concerned.

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# 59 schnaidt1 @ 05/14/17 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Americas Team


	They need to redo the throwing animations, drop backs, and Qb movement in the pocket in general.

and how qbs look and move when making audibles and adjustments

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# 60 adembroski @ 05/14/17 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quentin32


	The cone was no gimmick. It separated elite from avg

The cone was not a gimmick, you're right. It still sucked. It was an attempt to add a feature of substance, but it complicated control too much.

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