Madden NFL 16 News Post

Donny Moore, the 'Madden Ratings Czar', Leaving EA

11:28 AM - July 2, 2015 by RaychelSnr

Donny Moore, aka the ‘Madden Ratings Czar’, is leaving Electronic Arts as he will be “pursuing other interests.”

In an official statement on Twitter, Moore said, “After much thought & consideration, I have chosen to step away from @EASports & announce my retirement as the Madden Ratings Czar as I have opted to pursue other interests. I am especially grateful of the opportunity to rate players for some of the greatest fans in video games today. After 16 years, it is finally time to hang up the czar's mouse pad! #Czartirement"

For Moore, this ends a long tenure as the guy running the ratings and updates for Madden. Moore’s tenure spanned 16 years at EA Tiburon, which means he was easily one of the most tenured at that studio. There is no word yet on who will be replacing Moore, but we do expect an announcement soon.

The ratings position occupied by Moore has been a staple of Madden’s internet presence for years. Moore’s ratings oftentimes drew criticism, but the weekly ratings updates were always hugely anticipated by fans, despite what ire they may have drawn.

The ratings this year will likely still come in the same pacing as previous years, and it will be interesting to see if any differences in how much players move up and down the scale happens without Moore at the helm. We’ll certainly be watching it going forward!

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Member Comments

# 141 jpdavis82 @ 07/03/15 09:12 PM

I wonder how this will affect scouting and the combine results and all of that. This could drastically change things for CFM scouting.

# 142 DeuceDouglas @ 07/03/15 09:17 PM

Not sure how this will turn out but whether they stay the course or try to make a significant overhaul I don't think it will really matter. There are far bigger issues that no matter how players are rated won't change anything. Changing the ratings isn't going to magically make QB's inaccurate or any player in the game be able to cover a corner route. Greater differentiation in ratings is can be great but only if it's actually represented on the field and at this point I don't think there is enough ratings that properly do that or do it well enough that a drastic overhaul in ratings would create much of a significant difference.

I also worry about how much a significant overhaul would affect CFM and thinking about the amount of things that it would break and force to be redone for a mode already missing so much but that's besides the point.

# 143 Playmakers @ 07/03/15 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vannwolfhawk


	1st off I always enjoyed your edited rosters in years past they were truly amazing to play with. You truly knew how to manipulate the games ratings to get players to feel like who they were and you could see a difference between individual players. The thing is how can you disagree with ratings that are data driven such as speed, acceleration, agility, strength, etc...? It's the subjective ratings like awareness, route running, man coverage, zone coverage, tackling, hit power, route running, pursuit, etc that obviously become where you could obviously disagree on. But how many times have we heard speed is the only rating that matters and is usually what most people look at besides overalls. That can be eliminated by using data and 40 times. Don't like your speed rating? Well go run a better 40 then. You know ratings and how they effect the game better than anyone here IMO so would you agree or disagree that the effects of just having accurate and spread out ratings off real data in areas of speed, strength, agility, acceleration, and footwork alone would be a game changer in itself? All areas that wouldn't need to be edited by you or anyone else as you knew it was accurate and scaled properly.

Hey trust me i would absolutely love to have a game that used true data for those ratings right out of the box.....and your right i wouldn't change a thing if that was the case.

But in most sports games (EA) i don't feel as if that data is being utilized to determine ratings.

When i say i would still edit the ratings even if EA hired a new guy to do ratings that is because I don't believe EA would ever go that direction with Madden where Ratings are based on True DATA!!!!

# 144 StefJoeHalt @ 07/03/15 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeuceDouglas


	Not sure how this will turn out but whether they stay the course or try to make a significant overhaul I don't think it will really matter. There are far bigger issues that no matter how players are rated won't change anything. Changing the ratings isn't going to magically make QB's inaccurate or any player in the game be able to cover a corner route. Greater differentiation in ratings is can be great but only if it's actually represented on the field and at this point I don't think there is enough ratings that properly do that or do it well enough that a drastic overhaul in ratings would create much of a significant difference. I also worry about how much a significant overhaul would affect CFM and thinking about the amount of things that it would break and force to be redone for a mode already missing so much but that's besides the point.

DD I respect and agree with most of what u write but not this...QB inaccurate is right in front of our/everyone's face..the ratings should (for accuracy) more reflect QB completion %..example 70% = 70 not 70% = 99 completion %..corner route by design are one if not the most difficult routes to cover....problem in madden is corner routes are to easy for QB to complete...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 145 SolidSquid @ 07/03/15 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpdavis82


	I wonder how this will affect scouting and the combine results and all of that. This could drastically change things for CFM scouting.

How so? You'd still be scouting ratings

# 146 fballturkey @ 07/04/15 12:46 AM

Did Donny have anything to do with how rookies got generated in CCM or was he just in charge of setting the ratings for current players?

# 147 ggsimmonds @ 07/04/15 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fballturkey


	Did Donny have anything to do with how rookies got generated in CCM or was he just in charge of setting the ratings for current players?

Perhaps indirectly.

I do not know how the ratings dynamic works for the development team, but lets assume Donny rated players based on what he thought they should be (lets ignore the marketing aspect for now) and that alone. The CFM team then has to balance rookies towards the scale Donny made with the current roster.

The more likely scenario is that there is teamwork between each aspect of the game. Donny works with the gameplay guys to nail down the rating thresholds and the relationship with ratings and animations, those two then work with the CFM guys to make sure it transitions smoothly.
Imagine if Donny changes the rating distribution and does not work with the other guys; it would be a disaster. For example, right now a CB with MCV of 80> is terrible. I think that is too high. So imagine Donny decides that from now on the average should be 70 but the gameplay guys don't update the code. Wanna guess what the result would be?

(I use the term work with very loosely here)

# 148 Hooe @ 07/04/15 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggsimmonds


	Perhaps indirectly. I do not know how the ratings dynamic works for the development team, but lets assume Donny rated players based on what he thought they should be (lets ignore the marketing aspect for now) and that alone. The CFM team then has to balance rookies towards the scale Donny made with the current roster. The more likely scenario is that there is teamwork between each aspect of the game. Donny works with the gameplay guys to nail down the rating thresholds and the relationship with ratings and animations, those two then work with the CFM guys to make sure it transitions smoothly. Imagine if Donny changes the rating distribution and does not work with the other guys; it would be a disaster. For example, right now a CB with MCV of 80> is terrible. I think that is too high. So imagine Donny decides that from now on the average should be 70 but the gameplay guys don't update the code. Wanna guess what the result would be? (I use the term work with very loosely here)

OT, but I looked it up and did the math for funsies - the average CB on the default roster of Madden NFL 15 has a MCV rating of 79 and a ZCV rating of 80.

On the substance of your post, I agree wholeheartedly. Whoever ends up doing the ratings is going to have to work with the CFM team to make sure that the balance multiple seasons into the mode doesn't get out of whack.

# 149 msdm27 @ 07/04/15 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StefJoeHalt


	DD I respect and agree with most of what u write but not this...QB inaccurate is right in front of our/everyone's face..the ratings should (for accuracy) more reflect QB completion %..example 70% = 70 not 70% = 99 completion %..corner route by design are one if not the most difficult routes to cover....problem in madden is corner routes are to easy for QB to complete... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In my opinion your comment about the qb accuracy rating is wrong. Accuracy should not be reflective of completion %, the ratio in which a qb completes his passes is affected by way more things than just his general accuracy.

# 150 StefJoeHalt @ 07/04/15 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msdm27


	In my opinion your comment about the qb accuracy rating is wrong. Accuracy should not be reflective of completion %, the ratio in which a qb completes his passes is affected by way more things than just his general accuracy.

I agree with u completion is effected by more then one thing..however I believe in simple terms this is how it is programmed..it's been posted here before, a few years ago one of the Dev's even said as much in a blog or post..there is a link..let me try and find it..but IMO that is part of the accuracy issue..they reverted back to normal 0-100 scale..but when it should be more related to each QB %..should there be a better system Yes I agree

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 151 ggsimmonds @ 07/04/15 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StefJoeHalt


	I agree with u completion is effected by more then one thing..however I believe in simple terms this is how it is programmed..it's been posted here before, a few years ago one of the Dev's even said as much in a blog or post..there is a link..let me try and find it..but IMO that is part of the accuracy issue..they reverted back to normal 0-100 scale..but when it should be more related to each QB %..should there be a better system Yes I agree Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I remember the blog you are talking about. It was a ratings reveal and it was in regards to Aaron Rodgers deep accuracy. The line was something like "He has a deep accuracy of 92. So 92% of his deep passes are on point!"

I think they simplified the description a bit. I think that under ideal circumstances he is on point 92% of the time.

# 152 msdm27 @ 07/04/15 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggsimmonds


	I remember the blog you are talking about. It was a ratings reveal and it was in regards to Aaron Rodgers deep accuracy. The line was something like "He has a deep accuracy of 92. So 92% of his deep passes are on point!" I think they simplified the description a bit. I think that under ideal circumstances he is on point 92% of the time.

And that's ok.... 92% of passes being on point does not mean 92% of passes are completed.

# 153 jerwoods @ 07/04/15 11:47 PM

dan i hope u get this u do great work if EA is reading this i might as well explain what i would do and how it could heip

its called Liquid ratings kinda like NCAA 05 and NFL Head coach

here is the Pats
under my system

QB T Brady 95-99 95 is the Low rating while 99 is the peak rating
Jimmy G 67-80 younger players have a higher ceiling

RB Blount 73-77 Cadet 70-75 J White 68-78 Gray 70-76 Bolden 71-74 Gaffney 67-73
FB Devlin 74-79
WR Edelman 86-96 LaFell 79-84 Danny A 75-80 Tyms 69-73 Slater 66-77 Boyce 59-68 Dobson 60-73 Brandon Gibson 74-78
TE Gronk 94-99 Chandler 78-83 Hoom 72-75 Derby 67-70 Bequette 50-65 at TE as DE 57-63
LT Solder 87-92 Cannon 70-76
LG T Jackson 64-74 Devey 68-72 Barker 61-69
C Stork 84-95 Mason 65-71
RG Wendell 66-73 Kilne 67-71
RT Vollmer 86-93 Flemming 68-73 Hup 60-65

LE Nink 82-87 Flowers 68-75
RE Jones 81-91 Moore 67-74 Gissom 66-76
DT Branch 75-79 Sliga 72-80 Brown 70-84 Shead 76-83 easely 69-79 vellano 70-74 Johnson 65-71
Lolb Collins 85-95 freeney 68-74 fleming 70-73
MLB mayo 83-88 Flecher 66-72 Marin 65-69
ROLB Hightower 84-89 waton 70-73 white 67-72
CB Ryan 75-82 Butler 76-85 Mccain 77-81 Swanson 62-68 RCB Green 70-75 Fletcher 66-74 Cox 69-73 Robets 65-74
FS Mccouty 86-92 wilson 67-73 Harmon 69-74
SS Chung 71-76 ebner 66-72 Richards 68-77
K gostkowski 88-97
P Allen 70-80

# 154 sphinxnole @ 07/05/15 02:05 AM

Jerwoods,
I Like That Idea Also...
U Can Account 4 Subpar Days, & Everything in Between All the
Way Up 2 Spectacular Days..
Then Consistency, & Confidence Could Also Factor in Creating Better &
More Diverse Gameplay...

# 155 msdm27 @ 07/05/15 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphinxnole


	Jerwoods, I Like That Idea Also... U Can Account 4 Subpar Days, & Everything in Between All the Way Up 2 Spectacular Days.. Then Consistency, & Confidence Could Also Factor in Creating Better & More Diverse Gameplay...

The sad part is: That was probably the idea behind Dynamic Player Performance (DPP)... to account for the variance in level of play by different players.

Needless to say, it didn't quite work optimally.... but it would have been so cool if DPP was expanded upon instead of just being forgotten.

- Give each player a range in which their ratings fluctuate from week to week.

- Give each player a consistency/confidence rating that dictates (along with a randomized algorythm) how often and how much ratings change.

BOOOOOOM! Gameplay woulde've changed forever... Hopefully they get back to it at some point.

EDIT: This same "performance range" system for ratings could also be used to handle regression.... the older you get, maybe the broader the fluctuation range for your performance gets.

# 156 crenk @ 07/05/15 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msdm27


	The sad part is: That was probably the idea behind Dynamic Player Performance (DPP)... to account for the variance in level of play by different players. Needless to say, it didn't quite work optimally.... but it would have been so cool if DPP was expanded upon instead of just being forgotten. - Give each player a range in which their ratings fluctuate from week to week. - Give each player a consistency/confidence rating that dictates (along with a randomized algorythm) how often and how much ratings change. BOOOOOOM! Gameplay woulde've changed forever... Hopefully they get back to it at some point. EDIT: This same "performance range" system for ratings could also be used to handle regression.... the older you get, maybe the broader the fluctuation range for your performance gets.

I love it. It could simulate a Kurt Warner like Cardinals comeback season of a few years back or a former elite player showing flashes of his old self while not being able to string them together over a season. It would really give more "personality" to the players and differentiation. Great idea....

# 157 jpdavis82 @ 07/05/15 03:03 PM

Dan,
We should be finding something out tomorrow right? I'm looking forward to what they have to say and how willing they are to work with you.

# 158 DCEBB2001 @ 07/05/15 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpdavis82


	Dan, We should be finding something out tomorrow right? I'm looking forward to what they have to say and how willing they are to work with you.

Yup. I have a call tomorrow with Rex at 3:30pm CST. Should have an idea what it is they are looking for sometime after that.

# 159 CaseIH @ 07/05/15 04:03 PM

Personally I always thought Madden ratings were done much better than that incompetent fool NBA2k had doing there ratings up until they made the change on the PS4. Now I got smart and quit buying Madden every year due to the game being poorly done, but when I did bite and buy Madden the ratings as a whole were solid. Obviously there will always be a difference in opinion with ratings no matter what but Donnie did a solid job. Only real grip I ever had was they had weak arm QB's like Mark Sanchez, etc that seem to have bullet arms in the game which always turned me off.

# 160 jpdavis82 @ 07/05/15 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCEBB2001


	Yup. I have a call tomorrow with Rex at 3:30pm CST. Should have an idea what it is they are looking for sometime after that.

Are you going to be open minded to what he has to say or do you feel like you have a way of doing things that you don't want to budge on? One thing I'd like to see is have the ratings fluctuate under the hood so there's dynamic performance happening each week but people won't really know about it. This would have to be tied to consistency.

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