‘Madden NFL 13′ Receiving Big Changes on Defense

Feb 23, 2012 by  

Madden 13 More Fun Tackling

While recent years have seen EA Sports tinkering around with the offensive mechanics, controls, and features in the Madden NFL series, this year’s iteration, which would be Madden NFL 13, will see big changes coming to the defensive side of things. Though Madden 12 had many areas that needed work, the most problematic area ended up being the defense, both in terms of its inconsistencies and its lack of realistic AI routines.

Speaking with Game Informer, EA’s Chief Creative Officer Richard Hilleman went in-depth on the history of the Madden franchise, and all of the changes that will be coming with Madden 13. Since coming under new management, so to speak, the expectation is that this year’s iteration will be the one to break the mode, revolutionize things once again.

Hilleman sees some pretty interesting things in the future for Madden, but most importantly it will be a game that is more fun to play. Defense hasn’t exactly been an uninteresting element in Madden games, but fans can agree that it has long been due for an overhaul.

“They are doing big things this year. They’re making big changes. Those are big changes that are going to break a lot of stuff, and they know that. What we’re after is a better defense that’s more fun to play.”

Unfortunately, Hilleman spends far too much time going into touting the pedigree of the new team working on Madden 13, which includes folks from NCAA and Fight Night, rather than discussing what changes will be made to the defensive controls and mechanics. Hit stick was a huge improvement for the series, but it didn’t necessarily make the game play better, only made it more fun.

Some elements that Game Informer thinks have a real possibility of returning run the gamut from gang tackling to cornerback AI, all important issues to address. And, of course, we don’t expect EA Tiburon to leave the offensive mechanics, which also need some work, alone, but clearly defense is the focus for this year. Hopefully EA Sports gave our ’6 Ways to Improve Madden NFL 13′ list a look before making some commitments.

What changes would you like to see made to the defensive side of gameplay for Madden NFL 13? How about on offense?

Source: Game Informer

16 Comments

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  1. For me what They need to do is revamp Superstar mode and make it at least a little fun….then on a personal level I’d love to see them expand the custom teams and uniforms (also add all uniforms ever worn by the teams). It would be really cool to make new uni’s for my team in Franchise mode but still use the teams logos.

  2. I’ll buy Madden and Fight Night on PS4, when there’s a significant graphically leap. That goes for Call of Duty too.

  3. ok changes i’d say a half time show a post game show an sports center to recap the week (in franchise) first person game veiw, a crib too see all yur achievements, an a way to contact other online friends to have a game or real life superstars (just to play them) an a blimp flying around the stadium (just to have it too be more real)

  4. What I think is they need to upgrade the online dynasty and make it like the regular dynasty and make the trades between the cpu better, make AI better when it comes to trades.

    Why cant you play with the updated rosters in online dynasty mode that’s dumb get that fix please ?

  5. HOW ABOUT A BETTER ONLINE FRANCHISE OMFG

    Online Franchise right now is a joke, and the offline is so boring cuz its just you verse the computer.

  6. the whole presentation of the game needs to be fixed. I’ve been playing NBA2k12 and one of the best features of the game is the presentation of every mode in the game like press conferences after games in my player mode that should be put into superstar mode, and don’t take a year to focus on only one aspect of the game, I’m just hoping to not be disappointed this year.

  7. How about troublemakers? You sign on TO and he runs his mouth and gets suspended? Or you have that DT on the lions who causes a fight and he gets suspended too?

    What about someone coming out of retirement?

  8. How bout the same hing that 2k was aiming for? Bring back the radio shows and newspaper like the one in ’05. Better tackling is in need. Sideline view. Rookies equipment actually look realistic, not pads above their ears. etc and etc….

  9. how bout the crowd actually yelling “DE-FENSE” on 3rd down…its 2012 and thats not even in the game? c’mon man

  10. How About gameface like in fifa so that you could put your likeness in the game.

  11. Passing defense needs to be improved….every corner or safety can catch the ball while springint down feild and never turning around? def. not…also the game gets ruined when you can throw the ball 50yrds down field o andre johnson and even when hes double covered jump and catch it….You need to make franchise mode more personable…you draft players maybe make it to were you user controle one that you like and give him the chance to make it to the hall of fame….and it needs more in that you win a superbowl…and thats it…just re-do everything all over again…you need to make it to were there is more of a point to actually wina super bowl.

  12. Also…you made it to were you can do a frinchise for 40 seasons…but whats the point…you just draft…sim the season just to draft again….Franchise has endless possibilites…just step up your game and add more….also player costumization…we all hate it when your fav player has stupid white elbow pads….let us ad more…more visor colors..and bring back cowboy collers….HERES SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT…when a player gets inuired say a torn ACL…next year he would most likely wear a knee brace….make it were wearing protective gear gives you a benifit….not just a look option…..and you guys made a big deal about momentum and no lagging to the ball….well…you failed…it still does it….i would rather you make one game that was well built and you just create DLC rather than worry about makeing a game every year.

  13. The superstar mode needs to be addressed big time!!! It’s boring!!!!!! As a superstar… I need to be able to do superstar things and make superstar desicions. Why doesn’t the superstar mode have press conferences after the game? How about putting the combine back in the superstar mode? The defensive controls need to actually work. I hated when I tell my CB or LB or even my Safety to jump and they do some half ass jump… It’s freakin irritating. Especially when the ball is there begging to be picked or deflected. Can the close ups come back… I wanna see the linebacker’s sweat dripping from his head on 4th& goal situation with the game on the line. I want to see that one fan that decided to wear the other teams jersey gettin hounded by the home team fans. I wanna see the quarter back get in that lineman’s face that let that sack happen. I want the emotion on the game to be shown in the video game. Please visit ESPN 2K5 and incorporate some of those things to Madden 13. Give us half time shows with Boomer and the guys.. let me see highlights from my game and other games.. I could go on and on…. But I’m sure you’re catching my point. Please!!!!!!! I’m begging you.

  14. Just make tackling the diffrence that sets great madden players apart from s***** ones.I want tackling to be an art a lot of controls to bring a man down not just analogue towards him and press square or truckstick a fucking retard can do that.I want to plant my feet slow down just before the hit as to not get cut or sidesteped you can’t just run full speed at a pro athlete they will cut you broken yes certain situations you can but mostly you rush up slow down watch the aponent and wrap him up.I want there to be about ten diffrent tackles leg truck stick chest truck stick slow down and wrap up high slow down and wrap up low full speed wrap up full speed truck stick damage wow! Grab jersey drag player down tackle and last desperate tackle were the defender will just throw himself in the direction your running to hopefully be in the way.

  15. There are several defensive changes I would like. The first is for my defenders to finish a sack when it is there to be had. No more open looks where the LB mysteriously jumps back into coverage.

    Next, if a guy does get hit with the hit stick, or a big shot, perhaps he should sub for a play or two…not to induce injury, just knock his wind out.

    Thirdly, I really miss the individual defender play options. Pulling a safety off a deep zone into a shallow zone or man can be so rewarding, or painful.

    I like the sound of player roles returning. The best improvements to be suggested would simply be to bring back some older features. I loved the run vs. pass play display after scores. The training camp feature which allowed players to hike their stats through training made sense and helped develop star players. Assigning a short yardage back or goal line back the same way we do for 3rd down backs on the depth chart should work easily enough…let’s catch up with the back by committee age.

    Thanks

  16. Jersey’s need to get ripped every once in a while. And also, when a QB gets sacked the jersey needs to come off the shoulder pad like it sometimes does.

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