EA has detailed a number of changes it is making to the Franchise Mode in does do some things differently from its predecessor but not enough to satisfy most fans.
EA has been in charge of game adaptations of the NFL since 2004. In that time, it has created annual Madden games in addition to a series of spin-offs such as Madden NFL Blitz. But the publisher has done little to move the series forward in recent times and Madden 21 proved controversial before it even released thanks to a lack of perceived progress. Even though some fans of the sport want to see a change, EA has recently signed a new deal with the NFL ensuring that they have exclusive rights for at least the next few years.
Related: Madden 21's Collage-Style Box Art Ripped Apart By Online Critics
Madden 21 developer and publisher EA has revealed it is making a number of changes to the game's Franchise Mode following from fans. In response to criticism, the studio is working on a series of modifications that aim to improve the overall experience in Franchise Mode. In total, there are four key changes being made. These include the ability to add X-Factor and Superstar traits to any player as a commissioner. Extra stats based on how players perform each season will also be added alongside a playoff bracket for s to see the full playoff picture. Finally, more is being done to balance the development of players so that a fairer number develop Superstar and X-Factor abilities. EA notes that the developers are attempting to implement these updates without forcing players to restart their progress.
It wasn't just Franchise Mode that has fans angry. Madden 21 began trending on Twitter almost immediately after it launched, with players citing a number of bugs and technical issues that were preventing them from enjoying the game properly. There were also concerns raised that EA did not seem to have a clear direction in place for how to improve the series in the future. Some were so upset that they demanded the NFL ditch EA and partner with a new publisher to ensure that these problems did not happen again in the future.
Madden 21 has proven to be quite a controversial game since its release last week. Most of the criticism has focused on the fact that EA has made very few changes to the traditional formula, prompting fans to ask whether they really need to the new installment. However, it will reassure some fans that EA appears to be listening to and is attempting to fix some of the problems. But it remains to be seen whether the company can win back the trust of players.
Madden 21 is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Source: EA