Madden 25 Info Thread

[brza37]

So much Info on Madden 25 recently that it deserves its own thread. I put all the info from previous M25-related posts here and will update the original post when new info comes. Enjoy!

Here's the complete info release schedule:
http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/features?platform=playstation-3

Below are Madden Playbooks 1 (Run Free) and 2 (Infinity Engine 2):
http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/news/article/madden-25-run-free

http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/news/article/madden-25-infinity-engine-2

And here's some initial hand-on impressions about the new gameplay stuff:
http://underthecode.com/2013/04/24/madden-nfl-25-play-book-1-hands-on-impressions/

http://underthecode.com/2013/04/24/how-fatigue-and-stamina-affects-gameplay-in-madden-25/

http://underthecode.com/2013/04/24/madden-nfl-25-smittys-initial-impressions/

Here's a new video showcasing the precision modifiers for ball carriers:


There are two new articles and a video talking about defensive improvements for M25 on EA and ESPN:
http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/news/article/madden-25-defense

http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/tech/post/_/id/4807/madden-25-makes-defensive-adjustments

Also, this video talks about some added Line animations and improvements:


Here is a List of improvements that he mentions in the video:
1. 5 new "Pull Block" animations.
2. 8 new Run Block double team interaction animations.
3. 6 new "Reach Blocks."
4. 20+ new Pass Block/Pass Rush interaction animations.
5. new zone step blocking interaction animations.
6. new lateral & vertical displacement animations for OL & DL interactions.
7. 30 new blocking schemes.
8. all new pass blocking locomotion.
9. all new open field targeting system.
10. completely reworked impact blocks and decleaters.

Info on the Connected Franchise is now out:



http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/news/article/connected-franchise

http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/news/article/owner-mode

Here are some hands-on impression blogs for Connected Franchise from different sources:

http://kotaku.com/keep-the-fans-happy-or-break-their-hearts-as-an-nfl-own-508914667

http://underthecode.com/2013/05/20/top-5-things-to-know-about-connected-franchise-mode-in-madden-nfl-25/

http://underthecode.com/2013/05/20/madden-nfl-25-quick-hits-new-progression-changes-in-connected-franchise-mode/

http://mymaddenpad.com/2013/05/20/connected-franchise-owner-mode-puts-you-in-control/

http://traditionsportsonline.com/madden-nfl-25-connected-franchise-mode-information

http://traditionsportsonline.com/madden-nfl-25-connected-franchise-preview

http://www.gameinformer.com/games/madden_nfl_25/b/ps3/archive/2013/05/20/madden-nfl-25-preview-owners-mode-returns.aspx

http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/20/4347402/madden-nfl-25-preview-connected-franchise-owner-mode

Connected Franchise: Relocating Your Franchise in Madden NFL 25

Connected Franchise Q&A with Josh Looman

Under the Code: CF Roundtable

New Connected Franchise Video with Position Changes (Joystiq)

Connected Franchise FAQ

Random Connected Franchise Info:
- Ability to edit position (only in offseason and limited to logical changes like DE to OLB)
- CPU teams that switch from 3-4 to 4-3 or vice versa will change positions of pass rushers to match the new defense (no more Bruce Irvin being cut cuz he's too small for 3-4 DE )
- Ability to edit draft classes (minus ratings)
- CPU head coaches may actually stay with the team after their contract is up
- Players won't all retire at the beginning of free agency
- Relocating teams can be turned off
- Transaction Log is back
- Full 32 team control available
- Custom Playbooks allowed
- In Owner Mode can sign Head Coach, Scout and Trainer (no assistant coaches)
- Head Coaches now have levels 1-30 instead of just 1-4
- Progression and Regression tuned (Regression age position specific and Regression steeper than past. Less XP the older the player)
- Draft classes can be imported from NCAA Football 14 (No storylines if this is done. Also ratings randomly generated for imported classes ie. Jadeveon Clowney could be eventually be a bust or projected to go in the 7th round despite being a beast irl and NCAA 14)
- Owners can't bid for Super Bowl hosting.
- Overhauled Connected Franchise website, much more functional with tutorials.

Added a new link that details the new personell-based audible system:
New Personnell-based Audible System

For example if you have a 5 WR formation in the game you will only be able to audible to other 5 WR formations. This is long overdue and should stop that cheese you see in random online games and some other leagues where guys audible to get speed receivers at FB or TE. The same rules also apply to defense.

Presentation Info
- Year 2 with Nance and Simms adds more depth in commentary, especially in career mode, more details on that at a later date.
- Replays feel more human, varied and specific to the types of plays. Using real cameras, from the real locations in the stadiums (framing, timing, etc.)
- New animated tickers, banners, feels more like a broadcast.
- Added more team chants, first down and stadium sounds, since they went to many stadiums with Jim and Phil and grabbed live recordings.
- More authentic tracks from various stadiums. Redone referee audio.
- If you move your team, commentators will talk about that.
- New sideline reporter has been added, will talk about that later.
- Adam Schefter is still in the virtual news feed, breaking story lines, but he has also been added to the draft commentary.
- When the draft is running, Trey Wingo is the host and Adam talks about the outlook and expectations of the player.
- Brand new branching story lines for 30 draft classes and Adam made them sound authentic. Adam has been signed for a couple of years.
- Facial scans were made for most of last year's rookie class (roughly 20 didn't get in)
- All starting QB's and some QB's that could see some time also got facial scans.
- Also ran facial scans for coaches, in total close to 100 facial scans made it in.
- Head coaches, head trainers, head scouts and owners will be featured in story lines, not coordinators.

Madden Share
- Rosters, Sliders and Playbooks can be shared online through Madden Share


Next-Gen Madden 25:
- Will release this year on PS4 and Xbox One as launch titles
- Use a new Engine called the Infinity Engine announced and displayed at Xbox One reveal
- The video they showed was confirmed by EA to be just CGI
- Playable Practice-Mode Demo available at E3. Only 2 running plays available for that demo. Full gameplay was shown to some media people behind closed doors.
- All features that current-gen M25 has including Connected Franchise and Owner Mode will also be in M25 next-gen this year
- Double team pass blocking IS FINALLY IN!!
- 300 new pass rush animations
- On passing plays, tackles set up the edge rush to create the width of the pocket, guards and center create the depth of the pocket
- The QB has a pocket, and not just a pretend one anymore
- No two pockets will look the same.
- Offensive lineman will double team and abort double teams when they sniff out a blitz
- If a blocker can't get to a defender in time, he will chip to try to slow him down or adjust his path.
- Commentary on PS4/XboxOne is much better than PS3/360

Ignite Engine Video Interview with Andrew Wilson (Polygon)

Next-Gen Madden 25 Gameplay:
Next-Gen Trailer made from actual gameplay:


Gameplay Demo:


Slow-Motion Breakdown of Above Gameplay from The Sim Standard:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMJo6dY8eEM

5 Next-Gen Questions with Creative Director

New Next-Gen Trailer (Visuals)


http://www.goodgamebro.com/2013/10/31/what-you-need-to-know-about-madden-nfl-25-on-ps4-xbox-one/10/

E3 Impressions:
http://www.pastapadre.com/2013/06/11/quick-thoughts-from-e3-2013-day-one
http://www.operationsports.com/features/1650/e3-2013-madden-nfl-25-xbox-one-hands-on/

[trulyinfemous]

great stuff Brza!

[brza37]

I updated the original post with the following new links and info:
Connected Franchise: Relocating Your Franchise in Madden NFL 25

Connected Franchise Q&A with Josh Looman

Under the Code: CF Roundtable

Random Connected Franchise Info:
- Ability to edit position (only in offseason and limited to logical changes like DE to OLB)
- CPU teams that switch from 3-4 to 4-3 or vice versa will change positions of pass rushers to match the new defense (no more Bruce Irvin being cut cuz he's too small for 3-4 DE )
- Ability to edit draft classes (minus ratings)
- CPU head coaches may actually stay with the team after their contract is up
- Players won't all retire at the beginning of free agency
- Relocating teams can be turned off
- Transaction Log is back
- Full 32 team control available
- Custom Playbooks allowed
- In Owner Mode can sign Head Coach, Scout and Trainer (no assistant coaches)
- Head Coaches now have levels 1-30 instead of just 1-4
- Progression and Regression tuned (Regression age position specific and Regression steeper than past. Less XP the older the player)
- Draft classes can be imported from NCAA Football 14 (No storylines if this is done. Also ratings randomly generated for imported classes ie. Jadeveon Clowney could be eventually be a bust or projected to go in the 7th round despite being a beast irl and NCAA 14)

[trulyinfemous]

Not sure I want NCAA connectivity in any of my leagues if guys like Clowney aren't gonna be beasts... Also think it'll be glitchy as hell and I enjoy the stories!

[brza37]

Yeah, I see it the same way as you. We won't be using draft class imports in the league. I could see possibly using an import a couple seasons into the franchise if our draft will be around the real NFL draft time. But that would also depend on how random and glitchy the classes really are.

[brza37]

Added a new link that details the new personell-based audible system:
New Personnell-based Audible System

For example if you have a 5 WR formation in the game you will only be able to audible to other 5 WR formations. This is long overdue and should stop that cheese you see in random online games and some other leagues where guys audible to get speed receivers at FB or TE. The same rules also apply to defense.

[trulyinfemous]

http://mymaddenpad.com/madden-nfl-25-connected-franchise-faqs/

http://mymaddenpad.com/madden-nfl-25-connected-franchise-faqs/

You can start a online CFM with edited rosters which means no need to wait on Donny Moore's crap roster updates!!!!!

[trulyinfemous]

My lord. What did you guys think of the next gen footage??

I think its a definite pass on M25 for PS3 unless its like 20 quid or PS4 Madden doesn't have Online Owner Mode or something ridiculous.

On a side note. Who else jizzed their pants hearing about Star Wars Battlefront's return? If you combine what we saw for Battlefield 4 and stick Star Wars stuff on it... OMG. Think I will have to get Madden, Battlefield, FIFA and NBA 2k14 (getting into Basketball) for PS4 if all goes well, while waiting desperately for Elder Scrolls MMO and Battlefront...

[Pastinator]

haha i certainly enjoyed the next gen info that was released!

who in their right mind would go out and buy a Xbox with what been announced so far? PS4 all the way and the pricing structure is awesome, Kudos to them - over 100 quid cheaper that Xbox! PS4 is a gaming console for gamers.

i am really stuck what to do now i know PS4 is gonna be that price - i may also be swaying to PS4 M25. i really wouldn't like to buy madden for 40 quid on ps3 knowing it would become redundant within afew months. What everyone else s thoughts and plans for the new console?

[Pastinator]

[Pastinator]

Ok guys this looks Awesome ....

Chap also confirms that M25 will be released at launch with Gen 4 consoles....

[brza37]

I updated the original post with the videos from Pastinator and the following info:
Next-Gen Madden 25:
- Will release this year on PS4 and Xbox One as launch titles
- All features that current-gen M25 has including Connected Franchise and Owner Mode will also be in M25 next-gen this year
- Double team pass blocking IS FINALLY IN!!
- 300 new pass rush animations
- On passing plays, tackles set up the edge rush to create the width of the pocket, guards and center create the depth of the pocket
- The QB has a pocket, and not just a pretend one anymore
- No two pockets will look the same.
- Offensive lineman will double team and abort double teams when they sniff out a blitz
- If a blocker can't get to a defender in time, he will chip to try to slow him down or adjust his path.
- Commentary on PS4/XboxOne is much better than PS3/360

E3 Impressions:
http://www.pastapadre.com/2013/06/11/quick-thoughts-from-e3-2013-day-one
http://www.operationsports.com/features/1650/e3-2013-madden-nfl-25-xbox-one-hands-on/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMJo6dY8eEM

I also added this link which has links to pretty much all the gameplay video from E3 for current-gen:
http://www.operationsports.com/forums/madden-nfl-football/636905-official-madden-25-e3-video-thread.html

I gotta say I'm not really impressed with what I see from current-gen M25. They said they made tons of upgrades to gameplay but I'm not seeing it from the videos. Still looks like guys are skating around instead of really slowing down, planting and cutting. There are also plenty of examples in the videos of the insanely, frustrating "Madden moments" that ruin the experience year after year. In this video around the 3:20 mark RG3 somehow truck-spins a DE who is in perfect position to make the tackle and RG3 is also coming from a standstill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=odyYda5BEz0#t=196s

Then on the next play he drops back 20 yards in the blink of an eye and rolls out without a defender getting anywhere close to him.

The Next-gen video looks better but still out of all the PS4 and Xbox One games I saw the past few days Madden 25 looks the least impressive. Still weird crap like AP going into a hurdle animation then making contact with a defender and ending up trucking him even though he already left the ground right at the 1:24 mark of the video Past posted above. Maybe I'm just being too critical but I was hoping stuff like that would be eliminated on next-gen hardware. Yeah the graphics are nice but in the actual gameplay video (not the instant replay trailer) the game just doesn't pop off the screen and scream NEXT-GEN like the other PS4 and Xbone games I've seen.

I do like the fact that the O-line can now double-team on passes (so no more dropping 9, rushing 2 and still getting pressure ). I also like what seemed to be new speed rush moves around the edge.

Either way, because of all the games I saw for PS4, especially Watch_Dogs, the features (live streaming will be awesome for our league) and the price (399€/329 Pound) I'm about 99% sure I'll be pre-ordering PS4. The devs confirmed that next-gen Madden will release at launch and have all the features that current-gen has including Connected Franchise and Owner Mode. Considering that and the fact that current-gen Madden 25 gameplay doesn't look much improved over Madden 13 I would prefer to just wait till PS4 releases in November and get Madden then. If I was really impressed with the product I wouldn't have a problem getting it on both systems but so far it doesn't look or sound that impressive. I may get NCAA to tide me over till PS4 as that somehow looks better than Madden this year in the videos I've seen.

Infemous and Pastinator seem to be leaning toward PS4 too. What do the rest think? If a majority of the league would rather stick to PS3 this year or can't wait till November for their NFL game fix then I'll get the game for PS3 so we can continue the SML. But if everyone else is as ready for PS4 as I am I'd prefer to just wait till then.

[trulyinfemous]

I think I am gonna wait for PS4 tbh.

I don't think I can justify buying GTA V and Madden full price and then dropping however much I'll need on PS4 and Battlefield 4, FIFA and Madden again...

I agree with you completely Brza and I saw that leap into a truck and shook my head. The game is based off the same 'physics' as current gen and I'm really only gonna buy it because I love the NFL and leagues like this.

I like a couple of things such as the new pass protection animations but if the CB/WR interactions are still awful and most importantly, the bogus animations that allow for such easy INTs on any ball thrown downfield with some air on it in front of the safeties I will still moan a lot.

I just wish they used this opportunity to really implement some real time physics... I'm really worried that ratings will still be crazy and will mean different things... I am stating it all over OS so hopefully someone who can ask that question will do so.

It sucks about having to pay for online gaming on PS4 but I want my name to carry over, so will probably buy Plus just as I'm going to buy a PS4 so it carries over.

Where are you guys going to get a PS4 from? I want to pre-order one but I can't see any bundles and would like to get them all at the same time to save some money.. It's still gonna be very expensive.

[Bishbosh1985]

I have suspected for some time that M25 on PS3 will be just as annoying as M13, so for me to wait until PS4 is out is easy enough. My only concern is mid-September i awake in the early hours of a chilly autumnal morning, sweating, disorientated and terrified due to a lack of Madden.

Agree with you guys about what we have seen so far from PS4 madden - basically AP just runs over everybody. Also, EA's penchant for 'how the game looks' over substance is also evident, as AP points for a teammate to block ...... but he is 20 yards from the endzone without a defender in sight.

But, the usual concerns about a new system will be applicable - i.e. the bugs, improvements etc that normally take a good few months to sort out, do we risk jumping straight in at launch?

I will do what the majority do - as Infemous said, its leagues like this that matter most so if you guys wanna wait till Dec thats fine by me.

Just hope they stop programming Madden for a quick hit and look after the online franners for a change to really herald 'next-gen' gaming.

Inf - i too would love a top Star Wars blaster

Brza - love the term Xbone - if you made that up then cudos to you, if not well done for putting it on your post - did Microsoft really think their name through lol

[Pastinator]

I reckon ill be buying GTA V for PS3 and thats it! then saving for PS4 and all them shiny new games that come along with it.

PS4 Madden for me.

[brza37]

Here's a thorough new hands-on impression from the closed doors nexgen Madden demo:
http://mymaddenpad.com/2013/06/17/madden-nfl-25-nexgen-impressions-ignite-lab/

[Bishbosh1985]

Interesting stuff. The thing that may prove to be fantastic is if the O line are 'intelligent' when it comes to run blocking and picking up blitzes i assume the ratings will have to play a really big part. Exciting (i hope)

[brza37]

EA released an excel sheet with all the ratings for all offensive players a couple days ago. Here's the link:
http://vassets.ea.com/Assets/Resources/File/madden25-offensive-player-ratings.xlsx

The defensive ratings should be released this week.

[brza37]

Apparently current-gen version is pretty buggy. They fixed the invisible players crap from the demo but now there's this:





Players from opposing teams somehow get inserted into your line up in franchise games sometimes. And not even at the correct positions. Skins HB Evan Royster playing RG for the Jets, in his Skins uniform. smh.

I hope they put most of their resources into next-gen.

[Bishbosh1985]

I understand there's quite a few probs with the game:-

long delays in game
defenses are worse than last year
Blockers ignoring obvious targets and engaging players 10 yards behind instead
small HB's stiff arming much bigger, stronger players with the RB precision modifier
slower WR's running past faster DB's (again)
Run game way too over-powered
commentary still awful - same comments
cut scenes repetitive
curls still unstoppable

there are some minor improvements but the overall consensus seems to be a 'slight' improvement on M13, which, lets face it is just not good enough. I guess it was to be expected with next gen on the horizon, plus Madden on this gen has been under-whelming overall.

Pleae EA, forget the fantastic replays - just get the gameplay closer to being realistic. We don't care if a guy gets water poured down his throat by an OC, or if we can change a CB to a Wr, we just want a game that generally represents football.

It is possible once humans start playing other humans the above criticisms (and more) may be exaggerated - although i'm not betting on it.

[AfroDizzyMac]

Let's be honest, EA package a bug infested load of code and wrap it in the best possible marketing speak...No matter what the game.

I expect a patch in about 5 weeks or so which will probably only address some of the issues....standard EA

[trulyinfemous]

Kinda puts me off getting it for PS4 too.

Its just all types of sad really.

How hard is it to release a good game these days???

[Bishbosh1985]

I've been waiting for a good PS game since Destruction Derby!!!

[Notorious_MH]

Destruction Derby?! I can name a PlayStation game better than that... Destruction Derby 2! Ah nostalgia lol.

I'm gonna go on record and say that not a single Madden game this gen lived up to the PS2 games and the early games this gen were nothing short of a train wreck. I'm sure the PS4 version will be horrible too but at least it'll look pretty good... IT BETTER!

[Bishbosh1985]

Yeah, the PS4 Maddens had better be good!!!

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