End of Console Generations is Not an Excuse for No Innovation

Feature Article

Submitted on: 04/10/2012 by Jayson Young

"Innovations will come with the new consoles" has become a popular defense for stale franchises like Madden NFL and NCAA Football, as they continue to improve in marginal and incremental ways instead of making sweeping changes or true innovations during the Xbox 360's and Playstation 3's final hours.

Yet Madden's history, spanning over 20 years and four generations of consoles, suggests that the opposite of "incremental change" should be happening right now.

In all previous console generations, the Madden NFL series reached its creative peak just as veteran systems neared their retirement.

End Of The 16-Bit Era: Madden NFL '95

The three years between John Madden Football's console debut and the release of John Madden Football '93 saw no meaningful upgrades to the Madden franchise. It wasn't until Madden NFL '94 that the series started to make significant strides, nabbing the official NFL team rights and introducing a full season mode.

The following year, Madden NFL '95 made the series' biggest gameplay change of the 16-bit era when it gave players the ability to pass the ball without the annoying "passing windows" taking up a third of the screen. It also secured both the NFL and NFLPA licenses for the first time in the game's history, adding to its authenticity. The addition of Fox Sports' theme music and logos also added a "televised feel" to Madden NFL '95. Even the season mode was expanded, offering full stat tracking for all the game's players and teams.

Madden NFL '95, arguably the best, most-ambitious version of the 16-bit era, released at a time when the next generation of consoles were already underway in Japan, with both the Sega Saturn and Sony Playstation launching in the fall of 1994.

The Playstation and Saturn would be released in America and Europe the following year, and by 1995, Electronic Arts' focus had shifted towards developing for the new systems. The Playstation version of Madden NFL '96 was never released, as it could not pass EA's internal testing standards, marking the only time in Madden's career that a console game had to be cancelled.

End Of The 32-Bit Era: Madden NFL '99

Electronic Arts initially struggled with developing for Sony's and Sega's new hardware, as EA Sports' early crop of games for the Playstation and Saturn were unspectacular. Particularly on the Playstation, many gamers preferred Sony's NFL Gameday series for its 3D polygonal graphics and groundbreaking audio design.

After trailing NFL Gameday in sales for two consecutive years, Madden NFL '99 finally rejuvenated the series in 1998 with one huge inclusion: franchise mode. The 15-season mode featured a yearly four-round draft, player progression, trades, free agency and a realistic rotating schedule.

Other football games before Madden NFL '99 had included multi-season modes, but for many console gamers, Madden NFL '99 was the first exciting look at what would become the sports genre's primary mode of play for the next decade.

Franchise mode was not the only innovation for Madden NFL '99. The game was compatible with NCAA Football '99, to the extent that created NCAA players could be added to the free agent pool in Madden. Compatibility between the two EA Tiburon football games would continue to expand in future editions.

The ability to create custom plays also made its way into Madden NFL '99, a feature that carried over to PS2 versions of Madden but remains inexplicably absent this generation.

Madden NFL '99 delivered the series' peak performance for Sony's Playstation and Nintendo's N64 the same year that a new 128-bit console was launching in Japan -- Sega's Dreamcast.

Electronic Arts would take a company-wide stance of not publishing games for Sega's new system, and though Madden would remain strong financially the next few years, the series struggled to match the quality of Sega's new 2K Sports brand while EA Sports underwent the transition from Playstation to Playstation 2.

End Of The 128-Bit Era: Madden NFL 2005

Madden 2005 Box

For anyone who had a Dreamcast, Madden's early Playstation 2 games were forgettable and unremarkable. EA Sports chose to ignore the rapidly growing world of online console gaming until their third Madden release on the system, Madden NFL 2003. It wasn't until Madden NFL 2004 that EA Sports produced the series' first real winner in the 128-bit era. Owner mode and training camp added new life to the stale franchise mode. Offensive "playmaker controls" were a great gameplay addition, though they had the unintended side-effect of imbalancing the game in the offense's favor.

Enter Madden NFL 2005, which addressed the previous game's defensive issues with two new features: defensive hot routes and the fan-favorite "hit stick." Those new defensive tools made Madden NFL 2005 one of the most-balanced entries in the series' history. Arguably, Madden NFL 2005 was the first time in a Madden game where players could enjoy defense instead of feeling frusturated and powerless to stop the offense.

The improvements didn't stop with gameplay, as Madden NFL 2005's franchise mode also received an entertaining new feature with the "Tony Bruno radio show." Bruno's weekly broadcast generated storylines for your franchise based off its week-to-week performance, featuring interviews with players, coaches and crazed fans. Bruno's radio show helped bring a human element to franchise mode, which traditionally has suffered from being overloaded with stats, ratings and text menus.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 would debut in the fall of the following year, just in time for the release of Madden NFL '06. The Xbox 360 version of Madden NFL '06 would infamously become one of the least-liked and lowest-rated editions in Madden's 20-year history, primarily due to its lack of modes and features.

End Of The Current Era: Madden NFL '13

If Madden NFL '13 fails to deliver a great football experience this fall, it won't be because new consoles are looming. Historically, some of Madden's greatest achievements have come when systems are nearing the end of their relevancy, just as the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 are now.

With Nintendo's Wii U set for a worldwide 2012 launch, and rumors of Sony's and Microsoft's next consoles launching soon after, the next generation of consoles is imminent.

So if Madden NFL '13 fails to innovate -- if it fails to excite, as no Madden has this generation bar Madden NFL 10 -- do not blame the new consoles, blame developer EA Tiburon's inability to take advantage of the current consoles' technology.

Madden NFL 13 Videos

Member Comments

# 41 wat3 @ 04/11/12 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcmax3000


	From what I was able to find, it goes through 2013, meaning that Madden 14 would be the last game under the current deal... But yes, they're likely just going to extend.

Thanks. I did some research of my own and was finding different answers from different sources. Some websites said Madden 13 is the last one and some sites said it runs to Madden 14 so I'm still a bit confused. Thanks for the reply.

# 42 swiftychampleone @ 04/11/12 05:12 PM

There's a huge group of sim-gamers that feels that the PS2 versions of Madden 07-10 played much better that the current-gen counterparts? Sure, it's not in HD graphics but the gameplay mechanics are way better and simpler? I have a PS3 and STILL have no current-gen Madden. I need a football fix so badly that I've been looking at Madden 10 on PS2 and contemplating buying it. I mean, I have Madden 07, but it's TOO outdated.

# 43 avwhitechic @ 04/11/12 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mestevo


	Just more of the same, as if EA finds millions of new customers every year (they dont), and invoking the sacred 2k5 (again, will be happy when the sticky rules are finally enforced again). You'd think the gameplay has been the same since Madden 06 by many of the posts here, of course many probably consider Madden a roster update and little more every year which is probably the least genuine statement anyone can make. If we get half as many improvements to 13 as we saw in 12, many here will be pretty happy - but we have no idea what they've done with 13 yet, but this gen has been written off, nothing to see here. I would have expected the "can you be objective..." thread to come from a staff member and this thread created by one of the many jaded who post here, not the other way around. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

rgiles they've turned u but i understand....now back to this post

# 44 bobtrain @ 04/11/12 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotmadskillzson


	Much like the NCAA series, the Madden series spent this whole generation playing catch up to the last generation. Adding features we already had last generation back into this generation as new features, when in reality it wasn't. This generation was nothing but the HD generation for EA Tiborun, because the only thing they improved upon was the graphics and online stability. Game play has been at a stand still for 6 years now. If it wasn't for online, most people wouldn't even buy Madden or NCAA. And that is the sad truth of it all.

Agree. Madden has a long history of removing features only to add them back in and call them new. I'm sure everyone one can recall when Madden recently added officials and field goal nets back into the game. Remember when Madden coded the game so if you called the same play multiple times that the CPU would read and react better each time. I'm not sure how it actually executed, but it was the little things the dev teams of old added to the game that made this one of the best franchises in the 90's and early 00's.

It's also sad to see John Madden (the guy who the game is named after) have less of an impact. I believe his insight into the football world has hurt this madden franchise over the years as now you have the "gaming" community pushing this product vs. the "football" community. I see more exploiting of "money" plays now and less football technique used. The philosophy of gaining leisure fans to increase sales has made simulation die. It's sad.

# 45 Gotmadskillzson @ 04/11/12 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misterkrabz


	I couldn't imagine playing a sports game on a PC (small monitor, generic controller or god forbid the keyboard, a bazillion hacks/cracks/cheats)...couldn't disagree more. No thanks.

You could hook a PC to any size HDTV, whether it be plasma, LCD, LED or DLP, hell you can even hook it up to a HD projector and play on a 300 inch screen if you wanted to. Also you can use a regular XBox 360 controller with PC games as well.

# 46 The_Gaming_Disciple @ 04/11/12 07:21 PM

Looking forward to next Tuesday when the official gameplay for NCAA will be unveiled. I know these forums as well as other game sites for college football will be on FIRE!!!

# 47 ch46647 @ 04/11/12 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Gaming_Disciple


	Looking forward to next Tuesday when the official gameplay for NCAA will be unveiled. I know these forums as well as other game sites for college football will be on FIRE!!!

I hope so. But unless they come out with pretty much an entire new game engine. I think most people will just be looking at it as "same old, same old."

# 48 mestevo @ 04/11/12 07:50 PM

I think in the last 3 years or more the Xbox 360 controller has become the 'default gamepad', thanks in part to the consolitis of PC titles and number of ports most likely.

# 49 SageInfinite @ 04/11/12 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Profit89


	This must be a joke. I have my PC Rig hooked up to my 50" LED in the living room, with xbox360 controllers. Please don't compare a console, now or any future console, to a PC. A PC will smoke, and will always smoke, any console. If you want to bring in the cost argument, then that's different. Because that's really the only argument that could be made in favour of a console (ie, the lower cost). Other than that, the PC crushes the console in every way imaginable.

I don't even own a pc and I agree with this. The only thing for me is some of the games and series I really like are on console only. Other than that I totally agree.

# 50 DCEBB2001 @ 04/11/12 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misterkrabz


	I couldn't imagine playing a sports game on a PC (small monitor, generic controller or god forbid the keyboard, a bazillion hacks/cracks/cheats)...couldn't disagree more. No thanks.

PLEASE tell me you are only 1% serious...

# 51 Briskin00 @ 04/11/12 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotmadskillzson


	You could hook a PC to any size HDTV, whether it be plasma, LCD, LED or DLP, hell you can even hook it up to a HD projector and play on a 300 inch screen if you wanted to. Also you can use a regular XBox 360 controller with PC games as well.

Im still paying with the dying madden 08 PC population on my HDTV with an Xbox 360 controller and its still better than madden 12 on the 360.

# 52 roadman @ 04/12/12 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thevaliantx


	LOL!!!!! There is always .... someone .... who comes out of the woodwork with the "but, the next one's going to be better". I'm not sure if these folks are just fanboys, or just gullible. As for me, and the droves upone droves of folks here on OS that I (know) I speak for, EA's football game is terrible in terms of gameplay. That fact won't change until EA changes.

I have my reasons like Big said above and I did say, cautiously optimistic, but that must mean something different than what you think it means.

If you continue to think 13 will be the same or worse than 12, please, by all means, continue.

And like Big said, there have been position changes and number of game play people changes, but I know how that can be forgotten and ignored.

What a boring place this would be if people's opinions and expectations would be the same.

# 53 DaveDQ @ 04/12/12 04:38 PM

Good article. I think though that nothing so far this generation gives me hope that what looks to be the last installmment (or second to last) will do much. Madden let down a lot of sports gamers this generation. We knew what we were getting with the exclusive license. It was going to be up to EA Sports to deliver something definitive and they didn't.

I will continue saying this until I see a distinct, positive turn around with this franchise. Madden football has no soul. You just don't get the sense when you put this game in that it is pulling you in. It's just not that kind of game. You could argue that in many cases it's out of the developers hands because this game makes money and they will always play it safe and not fix what they consider not to be broken.

But the game lacks an identity. Pro-tak is in, pro-tak is out. Online franchise is in, online franchise isn't enhanced or even give much attention. There's a long list of "improvements" that come in for one year and are grayed out the next. It just gives you the sense the title lacks a true core identity.

# 54 mcmax3000 @ 04/12/12 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wat3


	Thanks. I did some research of my own and was finding different answers from different sources. Some websites said Madden 13 is the last one and some sites said it runs to Madden 14 so I'm still a bit confused. Thanks for the reply.

I think the confusion comes from the fact that I believe they signed a one year extension last year when there was threat of an NFL lockout, which would've likely had a significant impact on sales for Maddel 12 so the original deal would've expired this year but the extension allows for one more year.

(I could be wrong on how long the extension was for but I know I'm right about an extension being signed last year when there was talk of a lockout)

In reality, this will probably all be a moot point though when EA & the NFL sign some six or seven year extension that shuts out other companies again (hopefully not the case but I don't see things realistically going any other way).

# 55 roadman @ 04/12/12 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balcobomber25


	There are still the ones who try to claim nothing is wrong with either EA Football game and anytime someone says something bad about EA they chalk us up to just being 2k fan boys. It always makes me wonder if they are playing the same game, or if there standards are just that low that they are easily pleased by anything shiny.

I really doubt there are "fan boys" on either side. Madden doesn't play a realistic brand of NFL football and 2k is in the distant past.

I just think one side likes to label the other side and vice versa to rehash historical references.

There's plenty of reason's to feel a bit optimistic with Madden 13 and there is plenty of reasons to feel apprehensive about Madden 13 at the same time.

We'll soon find out.

# 56 The_Gaming_Disciple @ 04/12/12 10:41 PM

Wow...seeing those covers really brought back memories...

# 57 49ersgiants4life @ 04/14/12 08:54 PM

No matter what we all say nobody will listen to us because millions upon millions of people go out and buy the game and whats the point of working extra hard to make changes when EA just makes hundreds of millions off games that it seems like they hardly try on

# 58 Galarius @ 04/16/12 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveDQ


	Good article. I think though that nothing so far this generation gives me hope that what looks to be the last installmment (or second to last) will do much. Madden let down a lot of sports gamers this generation. We knew what we were getting with the exclusive license. It was going to be up to EA Sports to deliver something definitive and they didn't. I will continue saying this until I see a distinct, positive turn around with this franchise. Madden football has no soul. You just don't get the sense when you put this game in that it is pulling you in. It's just not that kind of game. You could argue that in many cases it's out of the developers hands because this game makes money and they will always play it safe and not fix what they consider not to be broken. But the game lacks an identity. Pro-tak is in, pro-tak is out. Online franchise is in, online franchise isn't enhanced or even give much attention. There's a long list of "improvements" that come in for one year and are grayed out the next. It just gives you the sense the title lacks a true core identity.

i agree....madden has no soul...it is the hands down winner of the 'most corporate' sports gaming product year after year.a mcdonalds cheeseburger compared to good steak sandwiches like mlb, nba 2k, and nhl

# 59 mjhyankees @ 04/18/12 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Profit89


	This series needs to move to the PC if they want to be taken seriously.

:Youve got to be kidding

# 60 xblake16x @ 04/19/12 12:44 AM

Mjhyankees,

You do realize that when people say, "move it to the PC," they don't mean exclusively to the PC, right? They mean that the hard workers in the PC community will mod the heck out of it for the better...

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