Madden 2016 wishes - thescoop's Blog

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Madden 2016 wishes

Posted on January 15, 2015 at 10:31 PM.

(2)

We'll it is time to dream. Of course Madden 16 is already in production so some of these wishes might be a bit too late for anyone to see. Overall I have enjoyed Madden 15. No it isn't perfect but it has been fun. But with that said here are some of my wishes for the next version of the game:

1, Custom draft classes - With no NCAA video game we need to be able to customize our draft classes as we we see fit. EA could either turn off their "stories of the draft" or allow us to enter random college stats for our classes that help generate the stories. I just want to be able to create much like we can with NBA 2K series. I don't really care about the stories per say.

2. Quartback and Receiver connection rating - Some quarterbacks and receivers are on another level together. If the QB throws back shoulder, the receiver always knows. It would be nice to have some type of rating that allows certain receivers to know their quarterback a little better. This could be from how long they've played on the same team or just how well they practice together. But it would be nice to have something that takes into account those special QB/receiver relationships.

3. Return of all the stadium sounds or custom stadium sounds - I doubt we'll ever see custom stadium sounds in a NFL game. But I'd settle for them to put back in the stadium specific touchdown songs we had a few years ago. It did add to the game to hear the actual songs played in the stadium.

4. More accessory customization - I still want to be able to have a certain under shirt for home jerseys and a certain one for road jerseys if I choose. You can even allow it to be set by team or by players. Just give me more custom options so I can make it closer to what I see on TV. Really should be an easy option.

5. Finally take a page from 2K and get commentators and a broadcast that looks like what I'd see on TV. I shouldn't be playing a game and commentators can't even get right what's happening in the game. I've seen it say "this guys is one of the lowest in the NFL in INTs this year" only to see he is actually one of the tops. EA is so lazy in department. Heck, they could even look at their own NHL game for ideas how to improve it.

6. Special teams overhaul - Special teams don't work like they should.Doesn't seem like they ever really have. You have long snappers with ratings. Maybe there should be a reason for the long snapper ratings.

That's all I can think of for now. Please feel free to add your own ideas to the comments.

Comments

# 1 RickyAC @ Jan 19

I'll rewrite what I've already said for Madden 16.

First of All, I'm 100% with you on the Custom Draft Classes, Quarterback-Receiver Connection Ratings, Accessory Customization, TV Broadcast look, and DEFINITELY the Special Teams. I only hesitate on the real stadium music because that is entirely a matter of licensing fees, and I'd rather see licensing money put into programming and development.

What's more important to me, is the gameplay core which gets us to some of those goals.

I think there are 3 core features which need built to solidify the foundation.

1) Wide Receiver / Defensive Back interaction system.
Accurate details with jostling, grabbing, Pass Interference, Holding, etc... are essential for passing stats to move become realistic while also adding a major "fun factor" If we're building a system for realistic contact, we also need a detailed system for a LACK of contact, so quicker releases by receivers, explosive cuts on routes, and realistically dynamic moments where 4+ players all move for a football.
I know that many simulation players here want more penalties, but having a randomized system to just call PI and holding penalties would piss off the tournament guys. Penalties HAVE to be driven by animations, and those animations HAVE to be driven by either
a) player ratings in conjunction with on-field-positioning or;
b) user input (meaning potentially a gameplay mechanic to grab a receiver to slow him, with the possibility that he escapes and burns you)

2) Accurate Locomotion
The "True-Step" system for ball carriers is not perfect, but I think it's fun and actually really well done. We need a similar mechanic for ALL-22 players on the field at a time. With continual, gradual improvements to tackle/blocking animations, and more work keeping mass AND leverage accounted for, it'll be a blast.

3) Realistic football physics
Footballs are weird, and "unpredictable" only because we can't observe and calculate their position, orientation, velocity, and angle of attack in real time. A PS4 or XB1 could probably do that though. Football Physics would give gamers at least a little taste of randomness in some situations. If AI is programmed to react correctly to the occasional odd bounce, thet would go a long way to eliminating staleness in gameplay. This is where the Special Teams fixes would be addressed. Special Teams really do boil down to positional discipline and ball control, so the core fixes give us a foundation where awesome Special Teams play is just a few AI tweaks away.

From this point, EA's work becomes changing the animation library every year to keep things looking fresh, improving and tweaking the open field blocking, pass receiving and defending, ball carrying, quarterbacking, and tackling systems. I know we hate having a repetitive game every year, but it's not so bad if it's a GOOD game being repeated every year.

Visual, presentation, accessory, and gamemode fixes can happen incrementally all along the way. But, a strong core will take Madden from it's current position where good visual or detail work is almost lamented ("They added wrist bands, but still no DPI!!!") to the position that NBA2K is in, where good visual and detail work is loved and they get nothing but kudos and purchases from it.

I am actually really hopeful with Madden. After playing 15 on the PS4, I can unsarcastically say they are only a game or two from matching the fun factor of NFL 2K5! I love the Connected Careers franchise mode and Gameplay is only a few core pieces away from being GREAT.

# 2 thescoop @ Jan 20

Awesome stuff there, RickyAC. I really like your list and thank you for sharing feedback. As far as the authentic music, I'd much rather them allow custom stadium sounds, but I know we will never get that. I do agree with your point as to money can be better spent.