EA, I have been playing Madden since I was a kid. Mainly, I’ve fell back on your “franchise mode” time and time again. But, please. I’m desperate to see changes that I’m sure most of the Madden community can speak towards—mainly an experience that feels in-depth.
I have some thoughts (simple, but necessary) that I believe would add a much fresher feeler to a proper franchise experience.
- Multiple Different Scoreboards
When watching the NFL, the audience is never subjected to just one score bug at the bottom of the game. We have numerous options from Fox and CBS’s morning and afternoon games, NBC’s Sunday Night Primetime, Monday Night Football, and Thursday Night football. This is a simple, and easy ask. Another addition to make the game feel more authentic. The addition of new announcers was a nice touch, but let’s take it a step further!
2. Better Game Introductions
In Madden 25, upon the original release nearly a decade ago, there was real game footage of historic players and coaches that played prior to the actual video game. This was a classy touch that made the player connect with the historic roots of each team. Something as simple as adding real player highlights could be beneficial to a game’s introduction in franchise.
3. In-Season Press Conferences
Like I said, I played franchise religiously, but once you’ve played enough times to see every available press conference, player meeting, and conversation involving your coach—the game begins to feel repetitive. It makes the player feel as if they’ve seen all the experience has to offer. Truthfully, I’ve played more franchises than I can count in Madden 25, but never did I finish a coach’s entire career! After reaching a certain point, having won enough rings, I quit far earlier, and deleted the franchise to start over again. Please add more in-depth moments like these—elaborate on press conferences, AND make super bowl media feel different!!! Think of all the great settings Jalen Hurts and Mahomes took on their Super Bowl press conferences. Don’t rely on the same background a coach has used all season long in the biggest game!
4. Eras / Historic Teams
2K has done a wonderful job placing the player in different eras of a franchise’s existence. Their latest addition, which could have a player pick from generations like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe, or LeBron, was AMAZING! Imagine this in Madden!!! If we could choose from eras like Bradshaw and Roger Staubach, Montana, Favre, Brady / Manning. This would add so much to the game—and especially in 2k’s presentation—which features vintage scoreboard bugs and grainy game display. I understand it is a much more arduous feat seeing how larger rosters are—but it would be a tremendous addition that I can positively say would ADD to the madden game.
5. General Presentation
We NEED MORE THAN ONE SUPER BOWL CELEBRATION. There’s only so many times a player can watch themselves win the super bowl, see their team a coach celebrate by dumping the gatorade bucket, and not feel as if the moment is small.
6. Editing Coaches - Realistic / Mods
The addition of realistic coordinators would be HUGE. It’s something that would add tremendously to the game, especially considering the staff period of franchise which sees teams shuffle around coordinators rapidly. THIS would add real depth. Not only that, but players should be able to change the coaches of each team at whatever time in the season. I don’t just mean for Franchise—as to actively play as the coach—but in the “edit roaster” section. We should be able make entirely new coach from scratch, then enter franchise and play alongside that coach.
7. Career Options
Something college football did this use was offer the ability to play as a coordinator before a head coach. I thought this was a brilliant touch—something that made the coaching career of a player feel more realistic. Adding this to franchise mode would be huge. Just another, simple option to make players experience something new.
8. Award Show Presentation
In franchise, it is always nice to read headlines of “Lamar Jackson wins MVP!,” but what would be nicer is if we could watch various coaches and player attended their award shows, walks up to receive their seasonal award, and have options to choose from making our speech. This is an idea that gives more insight to the custom coach or player you have chosen to create. It makes the player feels connected to their custom adage.
9. Seasonal Score Bugs
Whether it’s Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, franchise must include various decor to add to the scoreboard of any holiday game. Something as simple as turkey legs and autumn leaves, christmas lights, or pumpkins goes a long way when making the player feel as if real time has passed since first taking hold of their custom coach or player.
10. Half Time Show
The half time show has been in need of a major overhaul for a while. Just a quick flash of the other major games going on in the league is not enough. We need in-depth analysis, presentation, and SOMETHING that feels substantial.
CONCLUSION
Like I said, I’ve played Madden since I was a kid. I love football, and I have memories of playing this game with my little brothers that I’ll never forget—competitive moments that brought us together, and still do. But I am not bogged down by nostalgia. I actively look forward to the next Madden game every year, and, in fact, this is the only real video game I play! It is because I adore the sport. However, I consistently look for new additions such as these that will make the game feel fresh, new, exciting, and overall, give me the same experiences I endured in my youth. I understand you have a myriad of letters like these to review, but going into the next year, I wanted to write a statement to see my favorite game improve, and be the thing I know it’s possible of being.
Please, humbly, consider what I’ve written out today.
Sincerely,
A devoted fan of the Madden game
