Madden 11 Strategy Pad Criticisms

Published July 29th, 2010 by GoMadden

A few days ago we reported on the Madden 11 strategy pad concerns that were raised by fans playing EA’s latest football video game demo, and while not everyone is in agreement on the changes, there has still been enough discussion to warrant a follow-up. In this case, we’ve decided to answer Ian Cummings‘ call for constructive criticism, in video letter intended specifically for him.

MAJOR UPDATE: EA has just announced they will make the strategy pad optional!

Madden 11 Strategy Pad Criticisms (Letter to Ian Cummings)

Video Letter Summary

If there is one thing fans can’t complain about in regards to the strategy pad, it’s that Creative Director Ian Cummings hasn’t been listening. In fact, over the last few days he has communicated with fans and taken messages on Twitter at a rate we would probably be best not to imagine. While a blog detailing the changes is expected to come soon in an attempt to quell knee-jerk concerns, I think there are some fundamental deficiencies to the strategy pad that warrant at least an option for players to revert to the old style.

However, if you’re worried that you can’t become proficient with the strategy pad, then you shouldn’t be. With practice, there is no doubt the strategy pad can become second nature as it enters your muscle memory. But I think there are some issues with the system that go beyond simply becoming more familiar with it. Yes, you can accustom yourself enough to the strategy pad, and enjoy your game just fine. However for veteran players, it’s going to be a rough go knowing that there was a faster, more comfortable and less tedious system available, that can no longer be used.

Do you like the Strategy Pad?

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Madden Opinions
Newer Comments →
  • CP3

    Right on the money with this breakdown.

  • http://GoMadden.com GoMadden

    As a side note, if it can't be taken out or given as an optional feature, then they could at least improve the strategy pad by allowing you to select players using the dpad.

    Basically, let users hold down A + DPAD to cycle through players, then all you have to do at least is let go of A every time you get to a player to continue using the dpad as a strategy system, and your hand never has to leave the strategy pad until the play begins.

  • http://GoMadden.com GoMadden

    If you hold A + DPAD you can select players without having to let go of the DPAD until the play begins, however it still brings with it the other issues.

  • SteelerPSUfan

    I would have to agree that it is better for the PS3. I think that getting it memorized is the hard part but there should not be as much time wasted on it than the xbox.

  • Amir

    Its Garbage bro,you know he knows it.Its was made to slow down nano masters because the pass blocking isnt where it prolly should be.Ya'll are doing a lot of huffin and puffin at him and he could care less about what the consumer thinks.He knows the old way is quicker.That learning curve stuff is all bs he's played he's already got complaints about it from his departments that tested it.Trust me he knows the look on some of the developers faces says it all during the developers series,no talk about pass blocking,only this big hype about 3-3,or run blocking,nothing I saw about defensive awareness or offensive line assignments for pass blocking as you can tell from the demo as the pressure comes alot from the out side.(meaning Right Tackles ,Left Tackles will be stupid as all heck)Its the developers who were gettin beat online so they sabotaged ya'll back.

  • Jason

    EA Sports really disappointed me with this strategy pad! I feel like they are dummying the game down for the newbies which probably have no passion for the game anyway. If you have passion about madden you would take time to study and practice the game not dummy it down like our education system! Ea Sports could have put an option on there if you want the strategy pad fine then keep it! but for the veterans if we don't want it we should be able to disable this function and have the old style, PROBLEM SOLVED! Everyone would have been happy, but they had a dilemma for doing such a terrible thing as this! And Ian Cummings I understand you trying to make money there's nothing wrong with that but don't take the people who have been buying your product for years for granted bro! I hope they change this!!! Thank you! Again EA Sports don't take part dummying our games down too as they do the education system already!

  • Sdaguilard

    i think ea trys to mess up madden because they can. i'm not going to buy it this year because they always make something about it fucked up.

  • bomza

    Excellent video and points made.

    I totally reject the argument that they did this in response to people who got too good at nanos. Does anyone remember Madden 06/07 ps2/xbox with random blitz angles? I thought that worked pretty damn well against the nanos since the rushers always took a random angle to the QB. If you sent more rushing than they had defending blitzes still worked, but it pretty much eliminated the nanos if you had 5 or less rushers. I also recall they also made it so if you moved a player, as soon as another button was pushed, that player returned to his default position in the formation. Those are solutions in last gen that they never implemented in next gen.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_D6VXNVE52Y2XVD3GDUH4QQANMQ Wesley

    wow if ur good then that means now more unusual nano blitz!! there is no problem that just means more losses for those nano ppl outthere that have no skills!! if ur good like me u dont need now blitz just adjust as much as u can the play u all are cry babys cause none of u all can beat me

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kimmaine-Sipho/100000030408472 Kimmaine Sipho

    If ya'll cats plan on playing the computer the whole time that's one thing, but online if your opp makes changes you plenty of time adjust!!!! Yo Boy S7890

  • Tremaes34

    It a damn shame NFL gave exclusive rights to EA: they have monopoly now with all it's consequences: high prices, crappy products and lousy customer service. Great job NFL.

  • Jschlachta

    this dude sounds like edward norton lol

  • Slicemoney

    it sucks I run pass catch with the D-pad don't take that away from me. they messed up Fight night round 4 with that analog stick crap now the madden Ea ya losing me and many others. please fix this sonner then the first week of the regular season of the NFL. WOW what a major Blow???

  • Jon

    If the patch to make the defense like madden 10 doesn't come out, then im returning the first madden I ever purchased. Madden 11 is junk.

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