This might be a long post, idk. Strap in.
Madden has taken steps to fix franchise mode. I’ll give them that. But, there are so many basic things that literally every other sports game offers that isn’t anywhere on madden.
I’ll start small.
-better create a player options: look at MLB the Show create a player system. It can be done, with effort. Draft classes would become phenomenal to use.
-Player DNA: there is no way to save a player DNA. If you create a player, there should be a way to store it. Mainly for the next reason..
-Add a player in franchise: it happens every year. Multiple players who start, become fan favorites, or key backups get added to the game and don’t make the first roster cut. That’s fine. The issue is, for any franchise fan, that to get those guys, you have to restart completely. There is no way to add that guy in. It’s insane.
- coaching staff options. It’s small, because it’s been improving. But real life coordinators are a must. NBA 2K has 17 spots now. We could at least get 4. (Head, OC, DC, Special Teams).
- Sandbox relocation option. Sandbox rebranding option. Just look at what 2k can do, it’s so robust and deep.
-accurate roster updates, and fast. It’s frustrating that the roster update comes out a couple hours before the Thursday night game. which leads into the next one…
-make sharing rosters easier to load in franchise, and more stable in general. The roster sharing community in other games is huge. In madden, it’s like a minefield. Impossible to work with at times.
- Better scouting. We will see what the September update brings. Hopefully it’s promising and this can removed from the list
-dynamic fans in stadiums. Team bad? Fans leave. Close game? Fans louder more full. Could expand to bad teams have low attendance, good teams sell out.
Now more medium sized complaints:
-A start today feature: Madden can’t get that feature for online (only) out until an hour or so before the Thursday night kickoff. And there is only 17 weeks. NBA has 82 games and it’s at the most a day late. It’s rough.
-rookie camp option. Those skill games from the past were awesome. Bring those back.
-the ability to creat depth charts and subs and put guys anywhere: i don’t need an RB to have to be my WR. If I want 5 WRs, i should be able to put them in there. (This is hit or miss, but it seems like it’s been an issue a lot. Some plays have the option, but not others).
- better subs. At least an easier way to sub at a skill position. It takes to long.
-option to change rules. don’t need all rules, but for sure OT rules. Salary cap rules. Trade rules. Let it be an sandbox.
-contract restructuring: its a huge part of the real life management of teams, it should be here too.
-the ability to chose the pro bowl players: this should be easy. Just have a roster set based on stats like normal, but then the option to go through and change it if you want.
-league realignment: let us switch up conferences and divisions.
-postpone retirement for players.
-in depth preseason: Positional battles. Correct subs for preseason games (no starters playing all the time).
Now, the major ones.
- Edit Injuries option in franchise, and on normal rosters: This is insane that it’s not possible. You don’t even have to edit what the injury is. Just the ability to remove, or edit the length of time injured. There is no reason a player scheduled to return this year should be out 43 weeks. It’s asinine that the user has no control over this. The ability to edit injuries adds so much to follow real life games.
-select all 32 teams or multiple teams at once: I shouldn’t have to go create a new character 32 times. It takes forever. Should be easy to select all teams or the ones you want, then go in and edit things like coach and owner after having control. Also, this feature should be included in a Start Today mode as well, where you can pick up multiple teams with real life stats. Unfortunately, the only option is online, and you can’t select multiple teams there.
-a functional IR. Where you can activate and deactivate from like in real life.
- Un-drafted Free agents: the lack of this is tough. Should be an option to immediately after the draft add players to your pre season roster.
-compensatory picks: this would be tricky without knowing the real formula, but you could make it up. Something simple, like picks based on overall level leaving vs those you signed.
-edit superstar traits: more depth. More options. Should be locked into specific archetypes.
-contract structuring system. Nothing too crazy, but the ability to make it even, front load, or back load would immerse the multiple season team building aspect of the game.
-coaching carousel: EA would sort of be on the front end of this, though it would be bringing it back from the past. It’s already been done. By EA.
-positional terminology: there is a difference between depth chart and realistic position. Edges, interior lineman, exterior lineman, ect. Linebackers who are coverage don’t rush like an edge. Let us customize it like it.
I’m sure Im missing stuff, but this would be an excellent start. Especially the ones in bold print, and the major additions needed. EA, I would absolutely help you all get this accomplished too. However I could help.
But man, this is rough and some of these things need to change, and change fast.
