Madden is promising a revamp of its Connected Franchise mode (CFM) for Madden 17, and so we've decided to create our own list of what we hope to see.
While we certainly don't expect all of these items to be tackled this year, we think it's a good base for developer EA Tiburon to work from now and in the future.
What are some of your ideas? Please put them in the comments section below!
For more on Madden NFL 17, check out the 27 ways the game is trying to fix money plays, ratings & more.
GENERAL
Create NFL Storylines to surface player personalities and the drama of the NFL. Players could ask to be traded, suspended, regress or progress in ratings dramatically necessitating being cut unexpectedly or demanding a new contract. I understand the league/Players Association may be sensitive to suspensions, so perhaps non-specific language like "league discipline" can be used for incidents.
Surface league news in the front of the menu system, don't bury it like in Madden 16.
Add training camp so you can have storylines like hold outs, injuries, and the emergence of diamonds-in-the-rough.
Bring back NCAA's browser-based team creation tools.
Player morale tied to playing time, contract situation, and overall success. This can be merged with the current confidence system.
Press conferences where players and coaches can call out and motivate each other.
CONTRACTS
More contract options such as front-loading/back-loading and performance bonuses. Bonuses could influence when teams might cut players to avoid paying them on certain dates.
Restricted free agent status.
The transition tag.
The fifth year option for first-round picks.
Player contracts commensurate with career status. Thus, star players strive for that last payday or the team puts its faith in you as an up-and-coming player and locks you down with your first big contract. Some players demand contracts that put them in the top-echelon based on other players at their position.
Player-for-a-day respect contracts for retiring players.
Teams approach players to take a pay cut for good of team.
The ability to re-sign players through contract extensions, not just those who have one year left.
More retirement options. Talk specific players back out of retirement or prevent it via a back-and-forth dialog.
ROSTERS
Add a practice squad
Gameday active/inactive list
Put formation subs, defensive assignments, and special teams personnel in the CFM My Coach menu so you're not rushing to do them pre-play.
Fix the weird roster substitutions for the pre-season so you don't see your starting running back, for example playing special teams.
COACHES, COORDINATORS & GMS
Hire coordinators, position coaches, and GMs and have them influence your franchise. GMs could control scouting and free agent signing, while coordinators/position coaches influence players' development.
Coaches have to navigate GM/Owner pressure to sign, re-sign, draft, or play certain players as starters. This could extend into different players being suggested by different camps during the draft.
Scramble to interview coaches as they become available at the end of the regular season or wait on those still in the playoffs.
Inject coaches' decisions besides injuries into the game like the old NCAA concept that would ask you to go for the INT vs. be conservative, for example, during key moments. Get some information from coordinators about the tendencies of your team and opponent during the game so you can highlight mismatches.
READ ON FOR PLENTY OF IDEAS ABOUT FREE AGENTS, THE DRAFT, AND MORE!