I was planning on skipping Madden this year since the big changes to the game will come next year with the switch to the Frostbite engine, but the early buzz on the game has been very good so far. Amazon doesn't make the decision any easier with their 20% off new games either.
Anyone else picking up Madden next week?
I ordered it. Amazon's Prime discount got me again. I'm hearing a lot of good things about this year's game, but what put me over the top was the improved running game. My only complaint with last year's game was that the running felt a little twitchy and that has apparently been improved a lot in 17. I guess I'll know for sure in two days.
Is that discount for a digital key or do you have to buy a disc copy?
Disc only, which is kind of a shame.
My copy of Madden arrived yesterday. I only got to play one half so far, but the running game is definitely improved. It feels a lot like NCAA Football 14, which is a good thing. At first I was a little thrown off because the default setting is for the CPU to automatically pull off moves for you, so I felt like I had no control over my runner, but once I disabled that it felt great. Hopefully I'll be able to play a few games tonight.
https://twitter.com/lukezim/status/769673484024721408/video/1 (https://twitter.com/lukezim/status/769673484024721408/video/1)
https://twitter.com/NFLRT/status/769163060166746113/video/1 (https://twitter.com/NFLRT/status/769163060166746113/video/1)
Quote from: Brad Company on August 29, 2016 @ 05:32:27 PM
https://twitter.com/lukezim/status/769673484024721408/video/1 (https://twitter.com/lukezim/status/769673484024721408/video/1)
https://twitter.com/NFLRT/status/769163060166746113/video/1 (https://twitter.com/NFLRT/status/769163060166746113/video/1)
That's some funny shit. Hopefully the soon-to-be-released patch fixes those issues.
Well this is the most I've ever enjoyed a Madden title. Currently trying to get Cleveland to the winning side of .500 in franchise.
They really did a good job with Madden this year and another patch is expected this week.
Finished the first season with the Browns 5-11. Got 3 rookie starters in the draft, a QB, a SS, and a WR, and two other rookie depth WR that will see playing time the first year. Improved the team from a 71 overall to a 76.
Hoping for .500 in 2017 season.
Quote from: Ted on November 29, 2016 @ 12:05:46 PM
Finished the first season with the Browns 5-11. Got 3 rookie starters in the draft, a QB, a SS, and a WR, and two other rookie depth WR that will see playing time the first year. Improved the team from a 71 overall to a 76.
Hoping for .500 in 2017 season.
Nice. What skill level do you play on?
Pro 15 minute quarters, no slider adjustments. And I play only the key moments thing they implemented this year. Games go by quick and I get in just enough action to keep it fresh and don't get bogged down in a long game. It's like playing the highlight reels. There is so much of the game being simmed that I don't get ridiculous outcomes on Pro, but at the same time I don't get frustrated because I'm actually able to have routine success on the plays I do get to run.
In those 5 victories, 4 were at home and I never blew out anyone. Most I just barely held on to win. I did have one overtime loss too. When I lost it was routinely by two or more scores so it felt like a pretty "realistic results" season.
Game has its hooks in me pretty deep right now. When I'm at work I can't wait to get home and work through my season.
Well, you're doing a lot better than the current Browns "braintrust".
The next title update is available. Patch notes should be available soon.
Gameplay
- Adressed some RAC catch animations that were incorrectly triggering drops in certain situations.
- Addressed certain situations where Ice the Kicker was not triggering even though conditions were met.
- Fixed issue where catching a missed field goal in the end zone caused the position of the
- ball and the direction of play from the field goal play to be used in the play following the turnover.
- Addressed certain instances of defenders travelling across the field when the defensive play is flipped, instead of switching assignments.
- Fixed issue where receivers were getting a speed boost by timing the snap with motioning.
- Fixed several fatigue issues related to weather/temperature penalties for the Away team.
- Fixed an issue where using the give up mechanic after recovering a fumble would cause the player to fumble again.
- Fixed an issue where users could consistently place the ball in the coffin corner on a kickoff with an inaccurate kick.
- Fixed an issue in 3-4 Under where safety was taking himself out of the play vs. outside runs.
- Fixed a rare issue where the QB would pass the ball backwards when attempting to throw while crossing the LOS.
- Fixed an issue where user could ice their own kicker when calling a time out during a field goal attempt.
- Fixed an issue where a successful fake FG run would result in the player being called out of bounds.
- Fixed an issue where player icons were displaying ‘grey’ color for fatigue on the play call screen.
- Fixed an issue where the ball would rarely hit the FB when running HB Lead toss out of I Form Tight.
- Fixed an issue where the wind direction arrow was backwards in CFM.
- Fixed an issue where increasing the fumble slider was not causing more fumbles.
- Fixed an issue where Defenders were not always being credited with a Sack and Forced fumble in the Stats screen when causing a sack-fumble.
Madden Ultimate Team
- Added MUT Head-to-Head Seasons.
- Added Super Bowl presentation to appropriate MUT Head-to-Head games.
- Added the ability to give rewards after each MUT Head-to-Head game rather than waiting
- until the Event is over.
- Added additional logic to tell how many items you have available to add to a particular set.
Commentary
- New lines and logic added for post PAT scenarios. This is previously a spot in the game
- where we had no commentary.
- New/additional names added for RB’s, QB’s,Kickers/Punters, and WR’s.
- New postplay analysis from the team for various different situations.
- Refreshed common touchdown analysis lines, and added additional logic and lines to fire
- new situational commentary.
- Hundreds of new lines added to Play the Moment to provide more variety during return to
- game scenarios.
- Legends names added.
- Numerous tuning changes based on common line telemetry.
Stability
- Various stability fixes in all modes including Franchise and Madden Ultimate Team.
Just entering my 5th seasons with the Browns and the final season on coach Hue Jackson's contract. Remembering my goal was to have a .500 season.
2016 5-11
2017 7-9
2018 7-9
2019 7-9
In 2019 we began the season 2-3, climbed our way to 7-4, and then lost the last 5 games of the season to finish 7-9. I think if Hue doesn't go .500 in 2020 I will not resign him to another contract.
The overall team rating by year
2016 71
2017 76
2018 78
2019 79-80 We started at 79 and got to 80 and then I had two players regress, one due to age (LT) and the other due to a problem holding on to the football (RB).
2020 79. We enter preseason season at 79.
I see a lot of teams in the 79-81 range. The highest rank team I have faced is an 86 so I think that's about the peak one can hope for with the way the salary cap and the financial side work in this game. I play on owner mode so I have to worry about the money and with the Browns it is a significant worry. The stadium is in poor shape and the fan base is small, but hardcore. I actually got offered to relocate the team in 2018, but declined. Maybe I shouldn't have. My 95 rated LT retired and I had to go to free agency to find a replacement. The best available was an 80. I wasn't expecting the retirement as that LT had a year left at 9M. On top of that the draft for offensive linemen was weak this year too.
It's pretty obvious that 75 is what Madden considers a marginal starter. 70-74 are bench and backups. 79 seems to be where a lot of players stall out at their peak. So the 80 was a let down to the 95, but finding an 80 was probably fortunate.
This is the final year on my first draft class' contracts too and some of them have gone to the Pro Bowl (QB, SS, WR). I'm not sure I will be able to bring all of them back. The QB especially is going to ask for a fat contract, I just know it. He was Rookie of the Year and QB of the Year twice. The really tough decision will be if they refuse to sign or I can't afford it do I trade them and sacrifice Hue's season to get something before they leave? Or do I let it play out and say thanks for the 4 years?
Also I think I've made a mistake for four years resigning 76-79 rated free agents. The signing bonus parts of their contracts eats up the cash available to do other things and the free agent market is full of 73-75 rated players after preseason starts that sign for 1 year contracts with no bonus. I think I probably should only be giving bonuses to 80 and above players
I find the franchise mode in Madden fantastic now. There is so much to balance. It's really tough to field a playoff team (or I'm an idiot who can't figure out this game...always a possibility ::) ) Coupled with Key Moment play on the field this is just about perfect.
Good stuff. It's nice to read about someone enjoying a sports game. I'm so tired of all the whiny little bitches on the major gaming sites complaining about every tiny detail of the game. I only go to some of those sites to get news in regards to patches, but instead I hear about how the game is "unplayable", "broken", "non-organic" or "a good foundation that needs a lot more work". These people should be forced to go back and play Atari Football. Madden is in no way perfect, but people need to realize it's a video game and not real life.
I especially love how they notice things, during their "testing", after patches that weren't even touched. EA should release a patch that does literally nothing and just watch how the online community talks about all the "changes" they're seeing since the update.
Sorry for my little rant...
I don't mind the rant. I feel the same way about the mega sites. I will say though that I do find helpful things if I do specific google searches, but to be honest the best stuff is on individual blogs. I found a good scouting guide for Madden that has really helped me understand what to look for by position.
Contract year 85 QB went down in 2nd preseason game with a fractured arm! Out 8 weeks!
When asked for comment Brown's head coach Hue Jackson said, "Fucking Chrysler plant here I come!"
If he can come back early from injury he may be able to start game 2 or 3 of the season.
Is this worth $10? I haven't played a football game since NCAA 14.
Is there a fantasy draft, or a way to scramble up the teams? Is roster editing a thing anymore?
Any game breaking glitches, or buggy patches?
I WANT ANSWERS DAMMIT! :))
The game is definitely worth $10 and no, there aren't any real game breaking glitches. The final patch surprisingly fixed up many of the major complaints, with the exception of QB's not scrambling enough.
You're in for a nice treat if you haven't played any football games this generation...the graphics are definitely a big step up from NCAA 14 and I'm almost positive there's a fantasy draft and you can definitely edit the rosters.
Cool, I'll get it.
Hell, the scouting and drafting mechanics alone are worth $10!
Grabbed some rosters and playbooks. The game helps flesh out my little "sports" folder, at least. :))
Wow, I'm actually having fun with MUT. I like being able to just play little sequences.
Got lucky, and got Brady at QB. I know it's a lure to spend real money, but I'm just gonna plug along with my dudes.
So many different ways to play that are fun.
I keep trying to reload and switch weapons, though. Thinking Brady can toss a grenade a long way. :))