Good article and I think it summarizes the Madden 12 experience. I wonder if the issues we as fan experience from year to year is due to the obviously lack of competition due to an exclusive contract and the fact that they try to reinvent the game every year. The game is made within 365 days technically. Today most high level games requires 2 to 3 years of development.
I think Madden 12 is on the right direction, play roles, DDP, traits, future draft picks, cut days, scouting. I think they simply ran out of time before the release date. To me this was one of the biggest upgrades to Madden in years.
Madden 13 will be good as long as they don't' walk backward. If they keep pulling things out of madden every year to remake them it will again anger me. removing extra point. why? space? what got it pulled? I don't understand that kind of reason.
Communication from EA on why things are added AND REMOVED i think provides a more respectful understanding of why they do what they do.
the HD lighting was cool and the grass was nice (kick ups and what not). dirty jersey's, scratches on the helmets. Details. Though I agree it wasn't polished, it is cool to see that kind of tech being put in the game. I expect Madden 13 to build on that.
In fact, It is my wish (fear though it won't happen) that build on a good thing. Stop hacking it apart every year. Take what is in this game and polish it, fix the problems, and add a new piece. Perhaps a more immersive draft. whatever that case, reinventing the game each year leads to not enough to time to put out a fully polished product and it causes me frustration and I am sure many others.
EA give the developers the time and the resources to do the job that makes the fans want more!
