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o---DaVeX---o's avatar
o---DaVeX---o
4 years ago

Why all the focus on non-simulation football modes?

As I understand it, the exclusive rights contract with the NFL gives EA the only legal right to produce a SIMULATION NFL football game, yes?  So, why is all the focus of development by the Madden team on all these game modes such as MUT and The Yard which are NOT simulation NFL football?  Buying packs with non-real world player ratings to build a fantasy team is not simulation NFL football.  Playing 7 on 7 or whatever it is in neon uniforms and shorts is not simulation NFL football.  I'm not faulting EA for including these game modes.  Some people find them fun and they generate a lot of micro money and EA is a business so I get why these modes exist.  But if the contract is all about producing a simulation NFL football game, and being the only company that has the right to do so, why does the lion share of development get devoted to these type of game modes which are not simulation football?  Franchise mode is the mode that represents simulation NFL football, and yet, year after year it seems very little to no focus gets put to improving it.  Things like SpongeBob stadiums get time and effort put into them, yet trade and free agency get overlooked?  Zone coverage and blocking functioning properly get pushed to the side for custom cleats and MUT packs?  These priorities seem backwards to me and out of step with the nature of the exclusive rights for NFL football.  Again, not faulting EA for having these other game modes.  The fact they exist is not a problem.  But prioritizing them over the actual simulation football mode is troubling to many of us and why we are choosing to move on from Madden.  I feel like the resources exist to still develop and nurture the alternative non-simulation game modes while still building a strong simulation NFL football game mode like Franchise.  I guess if the focus is not on the simulation football mode, then fine.  But then remove the simulation football terminology from the exclusive contract and let another company focus and develop that type of product.  If not, then it's time to stay true to the nature of the contract and make the simulation football game mode of Franchise an actual priority every year instead of an afterthought.  I do not say any of this with ill will.  I grew up playing Madden when it was all about simulation football and wish that were still true, but I just don't believe it is at this point.  This is why I have not bought the game since I believe 2016 or so when the focus changed to MUT and other alternative game modes.  As a final thought, wasn't it Coach Madden's vision for the game to be focused on and about a simulation of playing real-life football?  It was, and that is what put Madden and EA Sports on the map decades ago.  I know this, because I lived it.  The game as it stands today has strayed very, very far from that and it's very disappointing to see.  I say this as constructive criticism, I hope it is taken as such and understood that this is the reason many people are walking away from the gaming franchise they once loved and looked forward to every year.  Cheers.

madden nfl 23

2 Replies

  • MaximasMagneto's avatar
    MaximasMagneto
    New Novice
    18 days ago

    I 10000 agree 👍 w this comment, I've been saying this for yrs especially in some of my videos I've posted.  All EA does is cater to the young YouTube ers & MUTers to get there flashy kicks in & bragging views on. It's not made anymore for OGs that grew up playing ol school technical defensive a man's gm football TECMO ball.  As long as u can throw for 500 passing yrds while showing off rainbow & uni brow kicks EA doesn't give a hmmm just give em da money.  For glitches. & they'll patch it 5 months down the road w the same glitches just glossed over w a flashy old brought back feature EA tries to imply that it's brand new 😆 lol

  • jus2kasual's avatar
    jus2kasual
    4 years ago

    The game isnt made for people who understand football -OR- people who are good at the game. The game is made for beginners and casual players (Weekend Warriors) because that is EA's largest marketing demographic ($$$). That's why people who have been around Madden for 5-10-15+ years are left scratching their head in WAY more instances than they should. Its blatantly obvious EA only cares about MUT. That much is well documented and not debatable. If EA's largest marketing demographic gets slapped around, like their true skill would naturally suggest, what do you think is going to happen? They're going to uninstall and go play something else, so if this happens think about the money EA is losing due to people not ripping packs in MUT. Thats the only thing EA truly cares about. Thats why they have promo's & new card reveals 5-6 days a week. That's why they have ignorant promos like OOP that make 0 sense and its 100% just a cash grab. Tyreek Hill at MLB!!! Derrick Henry at QB!?? Wow! Sounds amazing(ly dreadful) ! * 

    There is a common misconception around EA Sports and that is they are incapable of making a good/well balanced game. The simple fact of the matter is, they CAN, but the devs aren't allowed to because EA is THAT greedy. They let their marketing ploy override their true ability to make a genuinely good game. Should be called Caesars Palace Football 2023 or Belaggio Football 2023. How else can you explain the same things being broken year after year in a largely Copy+Paste annual release game? You cant explain it. Its meant to be that way. Instead of starting with a good product and working to make it better its almost like EA gives us a broken game in many aspects and only fixes what the majority of the MUT community wants fixed. A shame and a sham to true football lovers everywhere. Both things could exist, but EA will NEVER risk pulling players away from MUT so everyone who doesnt play MUT has to suffer. 

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