10 ways Madden could be better [update 1]
by Blake Snow 
{ Aug 21st 2006 at 12:55PM }
With the release of Madden '07 this week, Giant Mag explores 10 reasons why the football game sucks and how to make it better. From the article: "You know, the technology exists to take that about-to-be-obsolete copy of Madden '06 and add this year's rosters changes and schedules, all for a modest fee. It's called Xbox Live Marketplace, and it's a shame EA doesn't allow people to make their old games new again."But if EA did that, they couldn't sell $50 rehashes (and it's a rehash unless significant game improvements happen says Giant Mag). So to slightly paraphrase Mr. Madden, "At the end of the day, the [publisher] with the most money wins." Boom!
[via Kotaku]
[Update 1: corrected grammer in headline]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Judd @ Aug 21st 2006 1:07PM
Although I don't like the methods they use, you can't blame EA for wanting to make money. The people who are at fault are the buyers who make it the best selling game every year, unless there is a Halo or GTA game out that year. Madden '06 was the best selling game of last year, and I can tell you already from the the 178 copies of Madden my Gamestop is getting in, in addition to the 60+ reserves, and the fact that we have a midnight opening tonight(I have to work till 1 a.m.), that Madden '07 will be the best selling game of this year. It's just that most the people who play Madden are too dumb to know about auto-updates so they're not gonna demand it from EA like they should.
karmaghost @ Aug 21st 2006 1:08PM
See, EA paid the money for exclusivity so that they wouldn't have to spend the money on making the game better every year. I'm sure they did a cost analysis about it (money for exclusivity vs. money for improvements/staff costs) and the former won.
Snapper @ Aug 21st 2006 1:17PM
@#1: Maybe the people who buy this game are not dumb. Maybe they like the game, in fact. I'm sure if they can figure out how to play this game they could figure out auto-updates, if it were available.
Jake @ Aug 21st 2006 1:27PM
People need to stop saying things like "people who get Madden are just that dumb." Madden is extremely popular in the US because of the popularity of football here. Anyone I know that owns Madden plays it way more than their other games. If someone purchases a Madden game and some other "good" game and plays Madden 5x as much and enjoys it more, are they dumb for getting Madden or the other game?
With that said, you don't have to get every version of Madden. EA makes mad bank on it because their investment is limited. They invest more in exclusivity from the NFL than making the game. But most people, including myself, don't want them to totally revamp it every year. The familiarity is a big selling point for many, not a negative. I just want them to keep making it more realistic, both in gameplay and visuals.
Sir Stank @ Aug 21st 2006 1:32PM
"In Madden-land, everyone sounds like those waterfall-noise-making sleep machines from Sharper Image. Let’s get some real crowd momentum."
I agree. It's like the crowd is watching a different game.
J Ron @ Aug 21st 2006 1:33PM
Exactly, EA holds the nfl monopoly, therefore they do not have any reason to make it better/different seeing that they will get more money if they don't, and they already blew their "make better" budget wad on the exclusive rights... probally.
I wonder if EA will start having their games fully expire when the new ones come out, forcing people like me to upgrade or hack to even play a 1-player game.
Lou D @ Aug 21st 2006 1:38PM
I only buy Madden every 2 or 3 years because of this. However if I was to buy every year, I would sell off the old one when I get the new one. With things like ebay, it's easy to get 10-15 bucks for last years version and put that towards the new one. So in effect you are getting it for $35. Not bad really.
Now if I had never owned a Madden game, ofcourse I would want the newest copy. So their "new" release every year with minor updates is justify-able.
Well, I have Madden '05 on the 'Cube. Skipped '06. However, I'll pick up this year's Wii version...
Marty @ Aug 21st 2006 1:42PM
The Wii is actually changing the way you play it though... so the money is justifiable with that purchase...
Patrick @ Aug 21st 2006 1:43PM
10 reasons how Madden could be better;
They stop making the games
They stop making the games
They stop making the games
They stop making the games
They stop making the games
They stop making the games
They stop making the games
They stop making the games
They stop making the games
They stop making the games
JesusXP @ Aug 21st 2006 1:44PM
Madden is a horrible franchise, I've felt they're games lack EVERY SINGLE YEAR. I had fun with the Passing-field of view feature though. But I'm seriously dissapointed that we are stuck with them monopolizing the NFL license and not giving us the option to pick up a game by any other developer. the 2K series was bread and butter on so many levels it surpassed madden and was only getting better every year... sigh... if only ...
Guess we'll just wait about .. 9 more years or so and hopefully it'll come back :(
kpiddy @ Aug 21st 2006 1:49PM
"It's just that most the people who play Madden are too dumb.." yadda yadda.
Nice one, Judd. A smart guy like you probably spends all his time slaying dragons and fighting orcs or whatnot all day long on WoW. (When you're not working for minimum wage at that video game store in the mall, of course.) Even though I rarely play/purchase the Madden games, I may bite the bullet for the 360 version if the reviews are good (above an 8). Judd can snicker at me from behind the counter if he likes.
Enigma @ Aug 21st 2006 1:50PM
"Exactly, EA holds the nfl monopoly, therefore they do not have any reason to make it better/different seeing that they will get more money if they don't, and they already blew their "make better" budget wad on the exclusive rights... probally.
I wonder if EA will start having their games fully expire when the new ones come out, forcing people like me to upgrade or hack to even play a 1-player game."
Just like 2K with the baseball? At least Madden can be tollerated by yes, even the small group of haters ... where as 2K's baseball is just crap on a stick no matter what!
Brian @ Aug 21st 2006 1:53PM
"10 reasons how Madden could be better"
Come on guys, you can do better than that. Your English teachers would be ashamed.
Judd @ Aug 21st 2006 2:10PM
Snapper- I said that most of the people who play this game are dumb, not all. And by dumb I didn''t mean not intelligent in the general sense(although that applies to a lot of these college gamers), just that they don't knoq about games. There are millions of people who know how to play Madden, but you'd be suprised how few would know how to manage an online account. For instance, not to sound like a hypocrite, but I'm actually gonna buy this game. It's for my oldest brother though, because I can get an employee discount. He doesn't know much about games at all. He has the original Xbox, and I'm not even sure he has Xbox Live. I always wonder how they say that around 50% of people with an Xbox or Xbox 360 have connected online, especially considering that the 360 comes with free silver. That's because most of the people who play games in America , only play 1-3 games a year. Sure it may come off as generalizations but I wouldn't be suprised if most of the people who are getting Madden for the 360 don't have Xbox Live. I understand some people don't like paying 50 bucks a year, but why would you spend $400 for a system, if the reason one goes with a Microsoft system is because of Live. Then why the fuck are people getting it for the 360, if there are even less features in the next-gen versions then on the current gen. In that regard, I was calling those gamers dumb.
Oh and also Enigma, I know the MLB 2k6 hitting system might be kinda complex compared to other games but don't try to tell me, that it's worse than "The Show".
joe @ Aug 21st 2006 2:18PM
"I wonder if EA will start having their games fully expire when the new ones come out, forcing people like me to upgrade or hack to even play a 1-player game.""
they already did
http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/262F7977-27B6-4174-A8CB-BCFF558DD763.htm
i guess the madden gamers are that dumb after all.
madden has been crap since 1994. when Trip and Orr left
Mike Kazanjian @ Aug 21st 2006 2:19PM
Every year this same stupid argument comes about. Who cares? Honestly, it's 50-60 bucks one time a year. That's what a tank of gas costs. Is that really so much to part with for someone who enjoys the game? I don't what game that rest of you have been playing, but in my opinion, the game changes every year. Maybe the changes are earth shattering, but it's updated, it's got the new players and it's exciting. I hate all these people who crucify EA for releasing a fu(king football game. Get over it.
Designerbradr @ Aug 21st 2006 2:23PM
For the love of all grammar robots, please fix the subject line. Sorry, but it's just really starting to bug me. A "reason" is an answer to the question, "Why?" not "How?".
So the headline to this post should either read something like "10 reasons why Madden sucks – and how to improve it". Or it could be "10 suggestions to improve Madden".
-------------------------
Now getting on topic, I haven't really been jaded by the Madden remake craze, but I can understand on what ground these complaints lie. I'm hoping the Wii version of Madden can address some of these concerns - not in an abject literal way, but in a refreshingly figurative way.
I understand that the game can get stale and repetitive, but perhaps addressing the experience in a different way can alleviate some of the pressure in other areas of the game.
Sponge @ Aug 21st 2006 2:51PM
• Full 52-player online games.
Now THAT would be worth $50-60 new just to play online like that.
hulk @ Aug 21st 2006 2:52PM
Headline awful. Make ears bleed. Make Hulk angry.
daCuk @ Aug 21st 2006 2:52PM
Another reason how Madden could be better:
Scrap the American Football sport.
Nobody cares about it outside USA.
EA could do some "Madden presents FIFA 2008" or something...
That way it will sell a lot internationally...
Just kidding!
Adam @ Aug 21st 2006 2:53PM
John Madden is Captain Ed Hocken, i've never been so sure of it
Jeff @ Aug 21st 2006 3:01PM
the headline is still awful. Lose the word "how" and just do "10 Ways Madden Could Be Better"
hulk @ Aug 21st 2006 3:15PM
Jeff correct. Hulk still angry.
striderhayasa @ Aug 21st 2006 3:20PM
@ jesusxp
I'm with you on that dude. I won't be playing football if all there is for the NFL is Madden
striderhayasa @ Aug 21st 2006 3:29PM
sorry I guess I should stay on topic. 10 ways Madden could be better. Get
1) better presentation ( like 2k5)
2) realistic passing game.
3) realistic blocking on the O-Line and D-LIne (look at 2k5)
4) better character models (like 2k5)
5) better soundtrack (or custom sound tracks like 2k5)
6) better commentary (like 2k5)
7) better half time and end game hilights (like 2k5)
8) better crib mode (better than the rip off EA did of 2k5)
9) Better animation (like 2k5)
10) Don't let EA develop it.
Thryon @ Aug 21st 2006 3:47PM
I am considering Madden 07, but this would be my first Madden game...and most likely, only Madden game for the Xbox 360. But I do have an input on this topic, as I will be purchasing NHL07 on launch day.
Why do I do this? Am I to stupid to figure out how to update my rosters? Do I have too much money to spend?
The answer the above question is simple...because I like the game. The launch of the new NHL game to me is not just another game launch; it is more like a holiday. I actually look forward to it each year.
I have been purchasing each version since the inception of NHL Hockey on the Sega Genesis way back in 92. I started to purchase the PC version in 1994 and remained loyal to the PC version till NHL06. Each year I would get the new version, and maintain the update roster throughout the season. So I did not purchase the next version because of lack of knowledge on how to update my roster. It comes down to the simple fact that I love the NHL series of games. Come launch day, it will start a series of events that will last the entire year. I have booked launch day off. I will rush to my local EBgames, where I have pre-paid the game, and will pick up my copy of NHL07. I will spend the day trying out the new/improved controls and creating my dream team. I will then play this game non stop for the first few weeks (unless my wife steal my copy to play, she is also a fan). At the start of the regular NHL season, I will start a new season. I will settle down to start a new season and play a game a day. I will most likely start my playoffs during the same time as the real playoffs, and finally I will set the game aside when the real NHL season comes to an end. It is about this time that pics and news of NHL08 will start appearing and I get all excited and start to look forward to this "new" version. Then comes release day, and I start the process all over again. This equals to one year of enjoyment out of a $60 game. Tell me this is not worth every penny.
I can only assume that Madden fans feel the same.
dice13 @ Aug 21st 2006 4:13PM
Once again... Not EA's fault about getting the exclusive license. The NFL set it up so that the highest bid that year would get the exclusive license for the next 5. EA made the highest bid. Can you blame them?
dubz @ Aug 21st 2006 4:38PM
Sorry, but this is going to sound like I'm an ass, and who knows maybe I am. Anyway here it goes:
The people that get the most upset about Madden being a "rehash" every year, and yet still being the top selling video game every year, are the same people that have never followed sports, played sports, or care about sports.
Having this "grudge" against Madden stems from their experiences in high school when they were the nerd in the corner of the lunchroom, and all of the jocks were getting layed and being worshipped by the "hot" chicks.
I don't want to get all Freudian on you all, but WHO THE F*** CARES IF it's a rehash!!!! People that watch sports, care about sports, and like sports video games are EXCITED by the fact that the new rosters are in. They are excited about a new passing cone, or run blocking gimmick. People that get upset about roster rehash sports games are the same people that go out and buy the new and improved MMO clickfest....My point is????? I really don't know what my point is, but I'm sure someone smarter than me will know what it is, and they can tell you all
Just so you all know I was that nerd in the corner of the lunchroom, but I was also obsessed with sports...even though I couldn't play them.
32_footsteps @ Aug 21st 2006 4:44PM
Is it a bad time to remind folks that the word is spelled "grammar"? And that the error in question was a syntax error and not a grammatical one (believe it or not, the grammar was completely correct)?
jimy @ Aug 21st 2006 4:57PM
7 HOURS TIL MADDEN 07 COMES OUT!!!!!
HATE ALL YOU WANT MADDEN IS THE GREATEST FOOTBALL GAME AROUND!!!!
EA SHOULD STILL HAVE THE MLB TITLES TOO!!!
Tondog @ Aug 21st 2006 5:09PM
Dubz has by far the most intelligent post on this whole page.
You could argue the same thing many other games that you nerds are saying about Madden. FPS games have basically the same gameplay all the time and no one complains. Final Fantasy is almost the same gameplay in every game, and people praise it.
Maybe you should just let people play what they want to play. Who are you to insult their intelligence? What makes you better than someone who wants to just play Madden?
Anthony @ Aug 21st 2006 5:09PM
So.... why is it that there are no reviews out for this game yet? Isn't it released this week? Usually critics get advanced copies of games for review. Maybe it will be as unstellar as I've feared.
Amul Arya @ Aug 21st 2006 5:34PM
Dubz, you make good points. Madden titles never receive critical acclaim, but they are always fun to play and include a few improvements over the prior year's addition, which to most people, warrants a purchase. I'm very excited about Madden 07, but bummed that I haven't seen a review yet. I'm hoping for at least an 8.5 or so.
@ Tondog - I'm not sure a comparision can be made to the Final Fantasy series. They are first and foremost an RPG, which doesnt compare to sports games. They introduce a completely different world and storyline each game, and in many ways completely revamp the gameplay. Just my opinion...
Luck @ Aug 21st 2006 5:43PM
Heh, you spelled "grammar" wrong.
N3k74r @ Aug 21st 2006 6:48PM
Madden NFL 2005 - Used
Platform: Playstation 2
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Category: Sports
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Usually ships
in 24 hours
$2.99
JRT @ Aug 21st 2006 6:50PM
Noone has mentioned yet that there are potentially some positive ramifications arising from an exclusive license. For starters, assuming that EA actually was afraid of the competition, EA may have been afraid to innovate too much in fear of alienating the loyal fan base. With an exclusive license, EA is now free to take risks with gameplay innovations without fear of a failure that may have eaten into their market share. There is potentially a second benefit that comes from spending less money on advertising, although it appears from the marketing blitz for 07 that they're not planning on taking advantage of this one.
Dirtyboy @ Aug 21st 2006 7:24PM
What EA really needs to do is take 2 years to make a new version of Madden and just release an online update in the off-year.
I miss Sega football...
AoE @ Aug 21st 2006 7:25PM
JRT, I wish what you say could exist as a reality in some parallel universe, but I fear it doesn't. You see, the only REAL challenge for madden in years was the line of sports ESPN sports titles Sega was developing, and selling at the reasonable price of $20 (especially reasonable when you figure that a football game is, for many gamers, a yearly must-purchase). Sega was praised for being less greedy than the competition, and gamers that I know at least prefered the controls. EA's solution? It wasn't innovation or a price drop; it was throwing lots and lots of money at the NFL for exclusivity, and then at ESPN to snatch that license from Sega. THAT is how they reacted to innovative competition. We're now looking at like the 3rd or 4th iteration of Madden since and the price hasn't dropped, nor has there been any real innovation; which is most likely why no one mentioned any potential possitive ramifications; it's been long enough that if they were going to manifest they would have at least begun to. But guess what? It's business as usual up in Redwood Shores.
Geoff @ Aug 22nd 2006 11:57AM
Getting people to buy the same game year after year is an amazing feat. If more companies could figure out how to pull it off they would. Keeping simple things like players rosters to themselves is enough of a carrot to dangle in front of the drooling players. Why would they want to give that up? Thats where the real money is made! Its like the razor blade companies make their real money selling the cheap little blades replacements. Of course I won't be buying Madden cuz football's gay and I can't fight dragons in it.
Tyson @ Aug 22nd 2006 1:33PM
"The people that get the most upset about Madden being a 'rehash' every year, and yet still being the top selling video game every year, are the same people that have never followed sports, played sports, or care about sports.
Having this 'grudge' against Madden stems from their experiences in high school when they were the nerd in the corner of the lunchroom, and all of the jocks were getting layed and being worshipped by the 'hot' chicks."
I was a four year started on my varsity football team, I played baseball or lacrosse every spring, and was liked by just about everybody at my school. I always had a girl friend and went to all the right parties and events... I'm pissed about Madden costing an arm and a leg for pretty much just a roster update. This game should cost thirty bucks, tops... oh yeah, the "cool" thing isn't nearly as important after high school... nobody cares anymore =)
Josh @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:46AM
to whoever thinks the ps2 graphics are better than the 360, please quit drinking when you put messages on here, its obvious your drunk as ___ if you think ps2 madden looks better than the 360, time to upgrade to the next gen consoles for all the people who compare the ps2 to the 360 lol, just like comparing a ant to a elephant
tim @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:56AM
i think they could improve it by visuals,game breaks,halftime show,betterendings and better endings starting with winning the divison and in the play off rounds. they definitly need to improve on all areas of the game if they put the money into the game instead of advertising it they could make it better on all platforms!
Sean @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:44AM
This Madden like every other Madden ever made is going to be pure crap. Its so fake it makes me sick. I could play ESPN 2k5 ALLLLLL day long, I play one game of Madden and get so mad how crappy the game play is I want to throw my 360 in the pool. WHOEVER is in charge of developing Madden needs to get together with the Sega people and make another NFL game EXACTLY like the 2k series NFL games. EA buys the NFL franchise because they knew Sega Sports were on their way to becoming the dynasty of football games. Madden spin move....sucks, stiff arm is a joke, juke makes me wanna puke, charging someone is just like regularly running into someone, and everyone looks like this super pumped up steroid taking monster. Madden is horrible, always has been always will be. Bring back the God of football games, ESPN 2k7 by SEGA Sports. PlzKthx
Sean @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:53AM
And to add also, I purchased Madder 06 last year. This was the most INCOMPLETE football game I had ever played in my life. It was like EA just slapped some NFL game together and threw it on the market. Challenging plays is something that a lot of people I'm sure enjoyed about NFL games and Madden didn't even incorporate this into Madden 06, how pathetic. A halftime/endgame show without Chris Berman is just wrong. You can't have football without the Swammy. Overall I just wish EA realized what they did, which I'm sure they did. Just shows you how greedy Americans can be. Not even having a choice of a certain football game because people want that every extra penny they can scam out of your pocket. EA Sports sucks......period
Jake @ Aug 23rd 2006 7:26PM
Madden is only as complex as the person you're playing against. For people who do prefer to study into football a little, they know exactly how complex it is. For instance, whats the difference (pre-snap) between a Cover 2 and a Cover 3, or perhaps Cover 0? If you dont know, you will get owned 9/10 times.
Its like Rock, Paper, Scissors except with Knife, Spoon, Gun, and actually using them against your opponent effectively.
But yeah, popularity of the sport is what drives this game to be the Uncle Tom's Cabin of console games, thus paying madden millions for nothing but voice snippets and his name.
Ciao!
Jake @ Aug 23rd 2006 7:33PM
I agree with #43, I get to the Playoffs in my season, and its nothing but a mention, no hype or anything, and the superbowl the same all togather.
Upgrading franchise mode is a must.
Graphics of course, sound; sure... but depth needs to be the MAJOR focus of '08, pretty sad actually, already talking about '08 a day after '07 drops *sigh
But Football is awesome, and I'll play this one into the dirt like last year's and all the years before that.
Beaju @ Aug 26th 2006 11:21AM
If you're like me, you play these games mostly because of your love of football. I've played both Madden and Take Two's 2k series. Although I prefered the 2k series for various reasons. Because of my love of the game of football, I must say that Madden will always be a viable alternative. I know that to the average person, seeing how fiercely loyal fans of these games can be in their defense of them may seem unreasonable but most of us are sports fans which in essence makes us very competitive by nature. I was upset when Madden locked the rights down to the NFL and Espn basically eliminating the competition. I've always believed that the competition between the two franchises would guarantee that both parties would strive each year to one up the other, product wise. I swore I wouldn't play Madden after their savy business move that basically monopolized their hold on the market. But because like most of us I am addicted to the game of football more than I am to the actual football game. I will probably buy Madden because I am addicted to the challenge of testing my knowledge of the game against an opponent online that believes his knowledge of the game is superior to mine. I so look forward to reading defenses and busting some rookies ass who insist on cheating his safety down to help stop the run only to have me audible to a play that exposes a mistake in his thinking. Anyway, I hope the product lives up to the hype. I better start brushing up on my Madden skills.
dave @ Sep 4th 2006 1:37PM
Madden is a GAME/SIM. It's a hybrid. If you didn't play in college it may be too sophisticated to play with any degree of realistic gameplay or statistical accuracy. Heck, even if you DID play in college, you better understand more than just the position you played...
You CAN run the ball both inside and outside, you can protect your QB if you can slide protections, check to your hots, audible out of a bad play, recognize single coverage, etc... You just need to know WHAT you're lookin' at on the field. That's the tricky part and unfortunately most people just don't know how.
Don't blame the game... Football's not rocket science but there is a HELLUVA lot going on on the field and and if you don't understand it you can't play MADDEN with any degree of "realism" unfortunately.
Charden @ Oct 25th 2006 9:37PM
My comment is not about Madden, but I just want to know why there isn't a WNBA video game. I happen to be a big fan of women's basketball, and I would love to see a WNBA video game out in stores. So, could you please see what you can do about this.
Thanks
Charden @ Oct 25th 2006 9:43PM
Why isn't there a WNBA video game? I am a big fan of women's basketball, and I think it would be great if there was a video game for it. So, can you see what you can do about this,
Thanks!!!