A while back, I brought to light the debate of restarting your console mid-game, to avoid the agony of defeat. While the feedback of said article was largely not in favor of such an activity, I have a sneaking suspicion that last year’s Madden/NCAA turnover system led to an all-time high in in-game restarts.
This season, EA Sports has inserted a devious little tool called the "Rewind" option, which will allow you to take a mulligan on a play within a game. From initial reports, this feature will be available to use up to three times per game, and may or may not be limited to a handful of situations such as missed opportunities or blown plays.
While the initial marketing would have us believe that this is a upgrade for the series, I find it vomit-inducing. Here’s why…
Catering to the Casual Fan/GamerIf you’re reading this, you’re most likely not a casual NFL fan, nor a casual Madden gamer. You’re hardcore. And more power to you. Sports games were originally created with you in mind. In the case of Madden, that original (and immeasurably successful) model of thinking is being altered with this new feature.
I understand the marketing tactics of EA’s continues to pander to the casual gamer. There is substantially more profit potential in broadening a product’s audience for sure. However, changing a product as such to alienate its core niche seems a bit like cutting off one’s nose to spite his or her face.
Football gamers are always clamoring for the next big step in NFL simulation and realism. Remember how our jaws dropped when we first saw the dynamic visuals of NFL 2K for Dreamcast? Remember that tingly feeling when you first imported a real draft class into Madden from NCAA? We want realism, and we want depth. What we don’t want is game developers spending precious paid hours creating features for gamers who wouldn’t know a safety blitz from a safety dance.
Like rising gas prices, this ever-present dumbing-down of Madden has me largely pessimistic for the future. If EA is focused on creating a game that even your grandma could play, then it’s doubtful that they will work on improving pass defense AI, or including all the correct alternate uniforms. You know, the things that really matter to the football fans. Seems like some flawed thinking to this guy.
Implications for the Turnover SystemMy next problem with the new Rewind system is pure speculation, even though I believe it is rooted in solid logic.
Seeing as how Madden 09 is including an easy do-over tool, it can be inferred that they have not corrected the dreadful shortcomings of Madden 08’s turnover system. While the turnover system did need a serious tweak going into last season, things went from one extreme to another. We went from having no turnovers to having six or seven per game. I have commented before that this problem seemed like short-cut to eliminating "money plays" and balancing gameplay between offense and defense, when the root of the issue rested in the defense’s AI and its ability to react to plays.
The Rewind feature in 09 could thus be a band-aid on top of a band-aid, on top of a bullet wound. The initial quick-fix was flawed, so we now see a new quick-fix for the original quick fix. Ugh, I’m giving myself a headache.
Long story short, the implications are that interceptions and fumbles could be equally as numerous this year as last year. Rather than fixing the real problem, EA now offers the consolation price of allowing in-game do-overs. I hate to say it, but it feels kind of like EA Sports is giving me the middle finger out the window while driving to the bank to cash my $60 check. Figuratively speaking of course.
The Real Kick in the PantsContrary to some opinion, EA Sports is not the evil empire of sports gaming, hell-bent on world domination at the expense and exploit of its loyal customers. They are simply a business attempting to branch out into uncharted territory to increase their year over year profits. With the monopoly of the NFL license, they no longer need fight for market share of the hardcore sports gamer population. Thus, they are attempting a unique strategy of reaching an untraditional audience with their flagship product. This has spawned such sports game abominations as "Family Play" and this year’s "Rewind."
The interesting thing about this maneuver is that it contradicts the strategy of its other big football seller, NCAA Football. Although we have seen some slip-ups and regressions in the last-gen to next-gen transition, NCAA Football has seemingly remained dedicated to providing a realistic experience (Excluding the Wii version Mascot Game focus, of course). It has done an admirable job of getting us armchair quarterbacks as close to the real game as possible short of time travel and heavy steroid use.
For example, last year’s NCAA 08 implemented a brand new recruiting system. While not completely realistic, it took a drastic step toward simulating realistic football recruiting/program building. Was it complicated and a tad tedious at times? Absolutely. But did it make the game better? You’re damn right it did.
Similarly, this season’s NCAA 09 will provide a new feature in which gamers will be quizzed on coverages after throwing errant interceptions. Answering correctly will maintain your QB’s composure, while answering incorrectly will heighten his confusion. This is a perfect example of a feature designed for the hardcore sports gamer. It is realistic, in that play recognition, composure and in-game adjustments are all part of real college football. It also caters to those who have a high football IQ, and will reward them for their knowledge. Overall, a win-win.
So how can EA make such a brilliant move for one football title, yet make such a blunder for the other? It’s hard to say. But a lot of faulty decisions have been made in search of greener pastures.
Wrapping Things Up…For numerous, and perhaps overly-analyzed reasons, Madden 09’s new Rewind system is clearly a step in the wrong direction, if not a blatant slap in the face to the game’s faithful, long-standing audience. The studio’s lust for more dollars while disaffecting the target market is reaching new heights.
Ultimately, I believe that such a strategy may create a unique phenomenon, and move the loyal fan-base from Madden NFL over to NCAA Football, as the college football franchise will provide a more realistic and satisfying football gaming experience. If and when EA Sports loses its exclusive NFL license, they will have even bigger problems to deal with.
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