Madden 2012 Has Fans Wanting 5 Things

Published March 10th, 2011 by GoMadden

The release of Madden 2012 is still months away, but that isn’t stopping fans from talking about it. In our Madden 12 wishlist we’ve been getting a good feel for what gamers want this year in Madden NFL, and have picked five interesting points to highlight in today’s spotlight.

Madden 2012 could use a better practice mode, among other things.

5 Things Gamers Want in Madden 2012

With all the ideas floating around for Madden NFL 12, we decided to spotlight just a few of the improvements gamers want to see this year. Some of these ideas gamers have been waiting on for years, while others are relatively new, but they all have one thing in common: fans want to see them all in Madden 12!

1. More Robust Practice System

Fans of Madden NFL have long wanted a more robust practice system, and hopes are high that Madden 2012 will finally fill that void in their chest. For methodical players that like to test out schemes and plays regularly in practice mode, it’s often an annoyance that plays cannot be randomized based on formation, or type (blitz, zone, man, etc). True practice is also further made difficult by the lack of online practice support with a buddy. Madden players love to “lab” with friends to work on their game, but it’s made difficult by the restrictions of a game’s casual flow. With a co-op online practice mode, users would be free to test and scheme to their liking.

2. Tumbleweed Be Gone

Despite Madden’s recent addition of gang tackles and “pro-tak” moments, the reality is that more than one player can’t really effect the play. If a player on the defense is engaged in a tackle animation, then any tackles attempted by other members of the defense will simply slide off in a pretty looking animation to disguise the fact that they can’t actually influence the play.

To be real football, there should be risks to the types of hits you engage in on defense, based upon the positioning and leverage of tackles being made by your teammates. A big hit at the wrong angle when a player is currently being tackled for example, might spring him free, or knock him a few yards forward depending on where the two players are at. The fact that Madden has not fixed this problem yet leads some to believe this is a limitation of the engine, but hopes are high that “tumbleweed tackles” will finally be a thing of the past this season.

Tumbleweed Tackle Example (thanks flashxtr18!)

3. Revitalized Franchise Mode

Madden NFL 11 essentially took an entire year off of franchise mode, as it was stated that they weren’t happy with the current rendition of franchise and didn’t think continuing to make small changes to it each year wasn’t the right solution. Franchise mode is supposedly under going a complete uprooting and being redesigned, however we don’t know whether or not we can expect those changes this season, the next, or even if it’s something being saved for future generation consoles. All we know is that there are plenty of fans out there that love franchise mode, and would be thrilled to see it receive a massive overhaul with a stronger and more robust focus on the draft and scouting.

4. Take Sack Button

Sack avoidance is a huge part of the football, and it’s not uncommon to see the elite quarterbacks in the NFL drop to the fetal position on bad or broken plays to prevent from getting destroyed by a 300 pound lineman and risking a fumble. While you can certainly throw passes away in Madden NFL, as well as slide once you get across the line of scrimmage, there is currently no way to give up on a play and take a sack without taking a hit while you’re inside of the pocket.

Personally, we think the addition of an “avoid sack” or “take sack” button might be best attached to some kind of rating, where the speed and success rate of you safely executing the move is based upon the rating. You might even make this a “range-based” skill, where players with a high “take sack” rating such as Peyton Manning can drop down with a greater window of opportunity than a lesser quarterback (essentially, the higher the rating, the closer the defender can be for you to successfully drop down if you use the button, and the lower the rating the earlier you must use the button). This might also add more strategy to the game, as there might be some value to trying to extend the play with bigger and stronger quarterbacks instead of taking the sack.

5. Highlight Leaderboard

How awesome would it be if Madden 2012 implemented a video highlight leaderboard, perhaps with prizes given out each month or even specific challenges (such as create the best highlight with Maurice Jones-Drew, or have the best kick return with DeSean Jackson)? Highlights are only fun if you show your friends, and while the ability to upload highlights to your EA profile is nice, it would be much better if highlights from around the world were visible in an online gallery from within the game, where the top highlights were voted on, or even only allow the top 50-100 to be browsed. However it’s set up, fans would love to have a better way to communicate their awesomeness to one another in Madden 2012.

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http://twitter.com/GunsNRoses300 fsda

that poll isnt even a question, easilly the most important thing is a much better franchise mode. coming in a close second is the tackling thing. i dont really care about the other things
http://GoMadden.com GoMadden

I actually want to see either a QB “take sack” button, or a fix for tumbleweed tackles a bit more than I want to see franchise mode revitalized. They’re both core gameplay mechanics that should be in the game.
http://GoMadden.com GoMadden

I actually want to see either a QB “take sack” button, or a fix for tumbleweed tackles a bit more than I want to see franchise mode revitalized. They’re both core gameplay mechanics that should be in the game.
http://twitter.com/GunsNRoses300 fsda

this is true, but i dont think there should actually be a button for evading sacks, i think it should just be another skill, the more elite quarterbacks like peyton manning would have the highest rating and would automatically evade sacks depending on the defender’s rating
http://GoMadden.com GoMadden

It’s not so much “evading” a sack as it is “taking” a sack (just to clarify). The only problem with having quarterbacks automatically fall to the ground to take sacks without running the risk of getting hit and fumbling, is that it takes a lot of control out of the players hand, since there might be times where you want to take the risk of getting hit to get the ball out. A button is the only viable solution imo… But definitely ratings should play a part in it.
http://twitter.com/GunsNRoses300 fsda

ahh i see what you mean, like a flimsy QB like tom brady dropping to the ground when hes about to get sacked instead of taking some spine breaking hit causing a fumble and 3 broken limbs right? that is a good idea and i just watched ur tumbleweed tackle vid and now i remember how annoying that is, when i stand somebody up i want to be able to control ray lewis, get him full speed and just jack the ball carrier up hopefully ending his career
http://GoMadden.com GoMadden

Just to be clear, the tumbleweed video isn’t ours, it’s just a useful video on youtube. And yeah, tumbleweeds are definitely a big hindrance to the game. I’ve had some games where players have broken 80 yard touchdowns with five guys around them, just because one guy failed a tackle struggle animation while the rest went into tumbleweed mode. Not pretty! lol
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LNUQ26BKGQ7XLMWWGMKQCLYU5I Maurice

I also think small things like custom accessories and uniform modifications aswells revamping superstar mode back to premium quailty gamplay and commentary are things seem to be left out or lagging each year…!!!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LNTZAKX6MSK63HJ46NBUJQ7FIM Gregory W

Instead of worring about new features like onside kicks. How about fix some problems first to make the game better.

1.Put my online record on the main page once I log on line. It is impossible to see my online record on Madden 11.

2.Bring back the in-game save feature from Madden 2005. That was a great feature, why take it out?

3.Bring back the ability form me to look up my opponents last 10 games played history after I played them online. The person who took that feature out should be fired.

4.Bring back the screen shack after a good hit stick.

5.Bring back the Highlight feature that shows more than one play over and over. I use to like to see four shots of the game highlights.

6.CONSECUTIVE HIT TACKLING!!! Pro tak is not consecutive hit tackling, its consecutive hit hugging. Stop the one tackle at a time animations. Let a player be able to be hit twice on one tackle.

7.Let players where their own team helmets in the pro-bowl.

8.Let the field affect the player’s jerseys. I use to like it when player’s jerseys would get dirtier during the game
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JWQTLRFAV4VDB56JTE2UBXXU2I James

please bring back the legends and maybe legend mode
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_F6DY65Y6UWX2W6QF4BEHYJFJ7M Dg

I WANT MORE PLAYS. HAVING 3 FORMATIONS AND RUNNING THE SAME PLAYS OUT OF THOSE FORMATIONS ISN’T A SCHEME…PRO TAK…LOCOMOTION….THEY BOTH SUCKED BAD….FIND OUT WHAT NFL 2K5 USED AND MAKE IT BETTER!!! THAT GAME WAS GREAT WITH ANIMATIONS FOR IT’S TIME…LOOK AT NBA2K11, IT IS A WORK OF ART!!! U GUYS ARENT LOOKING AT IMPORTANT THINGS…THE GAME HAS BEEN HORRIBLE FOR YEARS!! STOP SELLING US A BAD GAME!! WE ARE FORCED TO BUY IT BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE CAN MAKE AN NFL GAME…SO U JUST THROW THIS BAD PRODUCT OUT….I’M 34, I’VE PLAYED MADDEN ALL MY LIFE…WHEN THE 2K SERIES WAS AROUND I DIDN’T PLAY MADDEN….MAKE A GOOD GAME PLEASE…FB DIVES AND SWEEPS SHOULDN’T BE SO EFFECTIVE….SCREENS AND CHEESE PLAYS IS WHAT MADDEN IS ABOUT….MAKE IT BETTER GUYS!! PLEASE!!
Anonymous

I love taking a shitty team getting next year draft class from ncaa football and moving them to a different location and starting there history all over..I think online is boring cause u cant go at your own pace..I would love for them to make a franchise mode that kick the s**t out of 2k5′s….Better weekly shows, practices including helping the guys on practice squad get better.. add a playoffs show and a super half time show better drafting and add mel kiper and todd mcashay and put them into a draft preview show…that would be awesome .
http://twitter.com/bplano Bryant Plano

How about… speed? I’m sick of waiting 5 minutes to get through two weeks of games.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YRH2JJ4DP3AAYEZSG6POBPFBSY Guillermo

The main two things i think madden 2012 needs to improve are its phyics and tackling for the defense. its laughable to the way running backs or offensive players break tackles in madden 2011.
Anonymous

I don t give 2 poops about online play I just want to play a franchise mode that I cant find an 87 in the 5th round every year and by the 3rd year my whole team is 99 rookies that I pay next to nothing for and gang tackling real gang tackling would be awesome. I would also like sometime of drat analysis it doesnt have to be mel kipper but at least a moch draft Also just better defense awareness If I have a 98 corner and I do man defense the WR should not catch the ball better defense schemes, but most importantly Franchise mode and the draft was pretty weak these last two years madden I love you but please make your game better.
Anonymous

madden is way to easy in franchise mode and no fun after year 1 or 2 there should be no way every year i can win 16 games rank number 1 on offense and 32 on d every year when u play 15 min
quarters just make madden real i want to feel like im in the game step it up
Anonymous

how about changing the create a team and create a player mode. I belif that they should get new emblems for the team emblem or make ur own emblem. And for create a player by making it look more like the person u r creating.
Anonymous

I DON’T REALLY CARE ABOUT THESE FEATURES. WHAT I WANT REINSTATED IN “MADDEN NFL 12″ IS THE ABILITY FOR ME TO CREATE MY OWN PLAYS AND HAVE MY OWN PERSONALLY CREATED PLAYBOOK!
Anonymous

I broke out Madden 2010 a few week ago and started a new franchise mode including a fantasy draft with Hall of fame players included. Madden 2011 omitted the Hall of Fame players. I’m really hoping they bring that back or even made it a update option you can buy online through XBOX Live. I love pitting former players against today’s NFL stars and combingin former “NFL Greats” with today’s NFL players.
Jose Carlo

We have a Madden 2012 league going and we need more players. We are looking to serious players who can Facebook ocassionally and who dont cheat! We have about 10 serious players and have a lot of open teams. Look up titans2mfl@gmail.com on facebook to inquire if you are interested. We have a warm up 2011 Franchise going on now.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B5JR27HT6VKFIIRAXQEYXJRWTM Richard Mills

MADDEN GAME DESIGNERS

CB’S AND SAFETYS NEED TO LEARN HOW TO COVER DEEP PASSES!!!
ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE HIGHLY RATED!!!

AIRMILLS – I HAVE SPOKEN, THAT IS ALL!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B5JR27HT6VKFIIRAXQEYXJRWTM Richard Mills

MORE IMPORTANTLY – SAVE AMERICA!!! OR GAME OVER!

SAVE USA
http://www.Facebook.com/SAVEUSA
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJ45J55QIY532K6I4VROYDNSEU Ozni

i thought i was the only one who wanted this feature to come back. allows more creativity in plays offensive and defensive, and you wouldnt haft to conform to a certain style of play like good pass plays bad run and vice versa, and on defense you wouldnt haft to only play a certain defense like 3-4 or cover 2.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJ45J55QIY532K6I4VROYDNSEU Ozni

i thought i was the only one who wanted this feature to come back. allows more creativity in plays offensive and defensive, and you wouldnt haft to conform to a certain style of play like good pass plays bad run and vice versa, and on defense you wouldnt haft to only play a certain defense like 3-4 or cover 2.
http://twitter.com/JordanBarnes5 Jordan Barnes

THE BEST PS3 MADDEN ONLINE LEAGUE HAS BUSTED OUT IT’S NEW WEBSITE FOR MADDEN 2012!!!PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AND ADD THE DIRECT LINK FOR PLAYERS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO JOIN.THANKSwww.wix.com/ps3nfl/madden-living-legendsFEEL FREE TO SPREAD THIS TO ANY GAMING SPORTS WEBSITE YOU DESIRE. WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE BEST OF THE BEST!!!
Lawrence Ray

I have Madden 10 and bought Madden 11. I then sold Madden 11 because i believe it was a mistake of a game. The new “choose your play for you” gets rid of the skill going towards the game. As an Englishman who had never played American Football and only watched it online, the difficulty to learn the rules and how to play etc on Madden 10 is what got me into the game and made me the Huge fan i am now. Madden 11′s graphics seemed animated and the tumbleweed situations seem much more noticeable.
Personally I have also always believed that in all sports games you should be able to play a franchise mode in different years, for example you could do franchise mode in 2012, 2010, 2005, 2000, 1990, 1980, 1970, 1960 or something like that. That would be awesome!
Anonymous

BRING BACK THE STATS IN ONLINE MODE….YOU HAVE TO INVITE SOMEONE TO SEE THEIR DNF%..YOU USE TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT TEAM AN INDIVIDUAL PLAYED WITH MOST OFTEN, WHO THEY PLAYED ETC…THE 2009 MADDEN SET-UP….THE GAMEPLAY ON THE PS2 WAS FAR BETTER THAN PS3…MADDEN HAS MADE IT MUCH TO DIFFICULT TO HOT-ROUTE ON DEFENSE..THEY HAVE TAKEN A WONDERFUL GAME AND MADE IT FAR TO DIFFICULT WITH THE WAY YOU HAVE TO MANIPULATE THE BUTTONS ON DEFENSE..AND WHAT THE FUCK ARE THE TROPHIES ABOUT?????????????…THAT IS JUST GAY….BRING BACK THE 2009 FORMAT THAT WAS ON THE PS2…
Anonymous

bring back the format from 2009 madden….2011 madden is lame on the ps3….the gameplay on the ps2 was far better…on the 2011 you have to hit a million buttons to hot route on defense…the gameplay is horrible…what happened to the stats????when you could see what team a person played with most often, his dnf%, who he had played in past games…etc….who in the hell came up with coins and trophies???????..this format is lame…..
Anonymous

just like I said…you said it with number 3…….bring back the last 10 games that someone has played, their dnf%, who they played…etc..that was awesome….on 2011 i can’t even figure out how to accept a game invite until i quit and go inn the off-screen mode…how do i find friends online????..you need a fuckin’ cpu course in order to hot route on defense…..madden 2011 is fucked up…
Anonymous

Just overhaul the AI engine, because sometimes game is too stupid and gets annoying as AI controlled players won’t do what I want them to do, not even if asked to.
I know EA needs to hire overseas Hindi and Pakistani programmers to do the job, because they are too busy getting rich to pay American programmers, but for Lord Jesus Christ sake just get an American to work on the AI engine so we can have someone that understands about the football game building it, and not some freak that only knows about fried rice, curry chicken and cricket.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TUCZAW5I77VNI3SOM43KXXB77Q Zeke B

EA won’t do anything different. They just won’t. They care about graphics and changing the players (rosters, retirements, trades, etc.) every year. If they do attempt to change any of this I will be VERY surprised.
Taco Paco

ok fuck you fags your all wrong those five reasons are gay the problem is they need to make madden more realistic like conerbacks dropping basically every pic now thts fucking annoying thts real shit these five reasons are fucking gay.
Taco Paco

your thing is gay l0l0l0l0l your a dumbass
phillip rosencrans

what needs to be added to the madden games is the ability to use old school teams an pro bowl teams like you use to be able to do back in the day, it’s always fun playing with OJ or Walter Payton when playing games with the friends
Anonymous

“Madden” sucks! GameDay and GameBreaker were so much better than “Madden” because I could design my own plays and playbook and take them to the practice field and really work on my scheme….I am very meticulous about creating plays. I have given up on football gaming and have not purchased A Madden game for several years, and I will not until this obvious lack of control is remedied. Madden has been the same old game with new packaging for way too long now. I wish they would just stop the franchise all together so a new company step up and finally make a better game!
Anonymous

“Madden” sucks! GameDay and GameBreaker were so much better than
“Madden” because I could design my own plays and playbook and take them
to the practice field and really work on my scheme….I am very
meticulous about creating plays. I have given up on football gaming and
have not purchased A Madden game for several years, and I will not
until this obvious lack of control is remedied. Madden has been the
same old game with new packaging for way too long now. I wish they
would just stop the franchise all together so a new company can step up
to the plate and finally make a better game!
phame fortune

I’ve been playing Madden for a long time and every year Madden has the same playbook but why not include a Pass-heavy playbook instead of Run-heavy??!!??!!!!!
Anonymous

I think Madden should make practice mode just like mini games where they suit up in just helmet and shoulder pads, with just shorts on just like the did on Gameday on playstation, or at least make it to where their not wearing their game uniforms during practice dats getting plain boring, and I aslo think they should have the Raiders stadium with the baseball field on it like it really is I mean if your gonna be realistic may as well do it right!
Anonymous

I agree I liked Gameday so much better shitty graphics but they had all the right things dat’ll make a person wanna play the game I know so many people that say Madden gets boring after a while and I agree cause it’s not like it used to be I used to enjoy playing the game just to play on the Raiders stadium in rain jus to get extra dirty or how u couold practice in jus helmet,shoulder pads, and shorts so many different things