Madden 09 Online League Impressions
by 
The first thing I wanted to delve into after getting Madden 09 was an area of the game that hadn’t been previewed first hand and that is the addition of online leagues. We had details on how it would work but it is always better to do a real run through of a feature, especially when it relates to online play. So I spent part of the evening along with Fred from SportsGamer to try everything out.
Ultimately this online league system is not going to be sufficient for anyone running a serious league. It was clearly intended more for those who join random leagues and probably don’t end up completing a full season. Continue on to view screenshots of the league menus and information on what the online league feature offers.
If you decide to be the league commish (that role can be passed on to someone else later) then you’ll be setting up the league. When creating a league a number of options are presented.
The number of users for a league is anywhere from 2 to 32. Since there are no divisions it can be any number of teams. This isn’t an online franchise so only user controlled teams take part.
The number of games to choose from is 1,3 5, 7, 9 and 11. This signifies the number of times a team will take on each opponent. For example an 11 game season for a league that has 10 teams would result in each user committing to 99 games in total. I had to double check this because that seemed ridiculous that a league could potentially be set up for 341 games (31 opposing teams @ 11 games) but that is how it is described. “Enter the number of games to play against each league member”. So a full league of 32 users would at minimum require each one to play 32 games.
If you enable “unique rosters” then you have the option of having a draft and trades. The fantasy draft is not a true selection process instead it is an auto draft. You can set your draft list and priorities but ultimately the CPU will be conducting the draft. Player trades are always one for one (though you could agree to more and go through multiple steps to complete a bigger deal). Setting it to “restricted” means that they must be done within teams that have played the same number of games, while “simple” appears to allow them at any time. Leaving unique rosters off means that there could be multiple of the same team used and there will be no player movement (draft or trades) allowed.
As mentioned in the news on the first patch coming for the game the default quarter length is being changed to 5 minutes. Right now it defaults to 1 minute which most everyone would be changing.
Game skill level lets you choose from Rookie, Pro, All-Pro, and All-Madden. Fatigue and injuries can be turned on, and random weather is available. I did not find anywhere to set custom league sliders.
Basically all you have to do to get a game in is find someone who is online from the league, that you still have open games against, and challenge them to a league game. The person who challenges will be the home team.
After having completed a game we returned to the league area to see what would be displayed. The most important thing to mention is that there are no player stats. That right there is probably all many of you need to know. You can view someone’s online player card and their personal stats but no where are the league stats for players or even teams. All that is seen are the final scores, points for and against, and record against opponents.
In the comments some people have suggested that possibly unique rosters have to be set to yes in order to have player stats. This is something we’ll have to look into. Even if true, the default when setting up a league is no to unique rosters, and if Fred and I struggle to figure this out I don’t feel good about the possibility that the general consumer using leagues will know that is necessary in order to have them. After setting up a league with unique rosters on there is still no section to view stats, though I suppose it may be that it is added after a game is played. We should be able to check for this tonight.
Update: Player stats are in fact tracked when unique rosters are turned on.
The GM options are relatively limited. Changing the password, adding news, changing the trophy/logo, ending the league, and completing the draft and trades if applicable. As far as I’ve seen there is no way to change or erase results.
The playoffs are based on seeding as there are no divisions or conferences. I’m unsure as to how many teams are determined to take part in the playoffs as there is no option for setting that.
The only redeeming quality of the leagues is that you can set your depth chart and it loads up for the league games. Given how EA inexplicably hasn’t given that ability to the standard online games it is a nice thing to have here.
The lack of a web accessible component is also a big deal. Originally there was supposed to be one through EA Sports World. That may come in the near future as NCAA is getting the Online Dynasties viewable on EASW in the second patch. Though for the Madden leagues without details such as player ratings I’m not sure how much value people would find in browsing the latest happenings in a league other than checking records/results.
General online play impressions are to come this weekend but I’ve noticed a few things already in the short time I’ve been playing that I’m hoping will be addressed at some point.
As with the NHL 08 and NBA Live 08 league systems this turns out to be more of a glorified tournament or competition rather than an actual league feature. The addition of the playoffs does make it a more viable option though compared to those from last year. For people who just want to jump into an open competition with little organziation or planning it can make sense to utilize this feature. But for anyone who is running a serious league they’ll need to continue playing standard online games and using a third-party service to keep track of it.
August 7, 2008 at 9:32 pm
sound awesome
August 7, 2008 at 9:37 pm
but its stupid that ea cant take the time to make good lgs theres no way online franchise is in discussion for madden 2010 first they need to improve the franchise and the online lgs to even think of that
January 2, 2009 at 5:38 am
yeah eric your right
August 7, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Thanks for the write up. Unfortunate about no Stats being kept. More importantly, in the league we are running we were planning on an 11 game schedule one game a week. Is this impossible to do becuause by the way you put it (we have 32 teams) even if we set it to 1 game the we would have to play 32 games each? If thats the case that is horrible.
August 7, 2008 at 9:53 pm
After reading again I believe the reason it was like that is becuase you only had 2 teams in the league so an 11 game schedule youd have to each play each other 11 time, If we have 32 teams it prob just means you play 11 game. 32*11=352 games. That does not seem correct?
August 7, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Wow…I was getting ready to trade-in Ncaa 09 for this? Not to be a total downer, but I was really looking forward to this feature, and already have 2 different leagues I have committed to–but now, this sounds really disappointing.
No Stats? Seriously?
I was thinking that the Madden 09 leagues would be somewhat similar to the Ncaa Online Dynasties, but this doesn’t seem to be the case. Currently, I am in an online dynasty in Ncaa and so far, it has been a great experience. No issues like some have reported. I must admit, that comparing my stats to the other guys in the league is one of the best parts of the online dynasty feature. For instance, one of the guys in my league has chosen to play with Wisconsin, and his tight end (out of nowhere is in the running for the heisman (sp?) trophy. Just following his progress and trying to elevate one of my players to that position has been truly fun and interesting.
Pasta, what can possibly explain this attempt at online leagues? If they would have copied and pasted the Ncaa online dynasties with NFL teams, I would be WAY better than this.
With all of its faults, NCAA seems to be the best football game for me this year. Especially if the patch(es) really do a decent job of addressing some of the gameplay faults.
August 7, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I’m going to double check on the # of games topic…I’ll update if it is different than the way I’m describing it. I agree it doesn’t sound right.
August 7, 2008 at 10:13 pm
what an utter disgrace, this fucked over a lot of people running leagues on the web.
kisses
August 7, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Thanks Pasta I am pretty sure the way I described it is the way it is. If it is the way you originally thought, well then that is probably the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
Also can you please contact EA and ask them how many teams make the playoffs if you have a full 32 teams? This is very important for us to know and I cannot seem to get an answer. Thanks for all your help and great site!
August 7, 2008 at 10:55 pm
pasta quick question will the peron whos running the online league set the difficulty level for everyone or will each person have their own difficulty level based on tha madden iq
August 7, 2008 at 10:56 pm
So looking through the options again, for the number of games it says “enter the number of games to play against each league member”. So potentially that would mean that you could have a 32 team league and require 341 games played for the regular season!
I thought I’d clarify that the number of games (1,3,5,7,9,11) doesn’t change regardless of number of users and neither does the description.
August 7, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Funny, i remember reading the IGN preview on online leagues in madden and the producer stated that there would be full stat tracking.
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/870/870503p1.html
August 7, 2008 at 11:06 pm
That is very wierd. If that is in fact the case then these on-line leagues are a complete failure. Thanks for checking/
August 7, 2008 at 11:07 pm
so pasta can u please tell me how the diffucutly settings will be…will everyone have their own setting based on madden iq
August 7, 2008 at 11:08 pm
In that article it does say FULL PLAYER STATS? I really hope it is in there somewhere.
August 7, 2008 at 11:11 pm
yea me too! seems pointless without them. The league structure is somewhat like 2k does their leagues, the only difference is that the cpu will generate a schedule for you to play on 2k.
August 7, 2008 at 11:33 pm
how can they even call this a league… this “new” feature is horrible, until madden makes a true online franchise with REAL trades, STATS, and a REAL fantasy draft they wont be stealing my $60
SO DISSAPOINTED, I was hoping they would prove me wrong this year but again… same old EA bull ish
August 7, 2008 at 11:43 pm
As Madden Commish over at Xboxlivesportsleagues.com, I can’t even begin to describe how disappointed this makes me. Especially since EA has been more or less lying about this feature since around April. Maybe Leaguedaddy paid them to make the Online Leagues feature suck.
I F*cking hate EA.
August 8, 2008 at 12:08 am
PASTA,
try turning unique rosters on
then it should track stats.
just a suggestion.
August 8, 2008 at 12:18 am
I wasn’t planning on joining a league anyway until the possibility of online franchise where you can transfer draft classes from NCAA OD’s, but this sounds like it will be disappointing for those with serious leagues like the Red Zone league over at ML.
However some could love playing others 11 times. We’ll see what happens.
August 8, 2008 at 12:52 am
Huh no player stats in league STUPID!! I hope tis is just a pre-release thing they cannot be that dumb can they?
According to this interview they were supposed to have the same stats that are tracked in franchise mode
“That being said, we have support for up to 32 users, full player stats, player trades, a fantasy profile draft, news options and a myriad of other features.”
looks like their online play will STILL be wayyyyy behind 2K!!!
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/870/870503p1.html
August 8, 2008 at 1:02 am
Pasta anyway you can ask someone at EA if online league really are going to be this limited??? NO STATS!! Crazy
August 8, 2008 at 1:33 am
There are player stats:
I did a little research and the leagues should have player stats. You have to have the League set to Unique rosters=off. With Unique rosters, every guy in the league can have Tom Brady on their team. There’s no way to track stats if you have 10 of the same guy.
This video on EA’s website (which appears to be pretty new) describes it near the end:
http://www.easports.com/madden09/fullsite/media.jsp?itemID=360onlineleagues
Thus, as someone eluded to earlier, turn off Unique Rosters and Player stats will be there. The rest of the stuff though is still pretty inexcusable. Surely there is some way to have an authentic 16 game season that replicates the NFL, or at least where a commish could make it into the NFL schedule.
Someone find an answer to the 32 teams = 32 games thing and I might be able to make this work.
August 8, 2008 at 2:05 am
I typo’d the above, Unique Rosters should be ON.
August 8, 2008 at 3:22 am
Pasta during a game that features snow do the players slip and slide all over, or do they perform actions as they would with no snow? In other words is the snow just for show or does it actually have an impact on the game?
August 8, 2008 at 6:05 am
[quote comment="31282"]Pasta during a game that features snow do the players slip and slide all over, or do they perform actions as they would with no snow? In other words is the snow just for show or does it actually have an impact on the game?[/quote]
I haven’t played a full snow game, but I don’t feel like it actually affects play all that much.
August 8, 2008 at 6:30 am
Man this sounds like total crap. I HOPE and PRAY that the Madden developers make adding a fully functional online franchise mode a priority for next year! Even with NCAA’s problems the replay value (thanks to online dynasties) is high.
What baffles me is they had a failry decent idea with the PS2 version of Madden to allow for spawned games and merges. But they never refined it or fixed the problems with it. It was kind of crude and not the best design for online franchises, but it at least was something that could have worked in the short term until they were ready to roll out something better.
Kind of sad that the NCAA guys get it and the Madden team doesn’t. Multiple seasons, with progression, drafts, reirement, etc…..that is where it is at. Replay value is there when you have a chance to build and shape your team and compete with friends and peers. In all honesty it is something they should have had several years ago.
August 8, 2008 at 6:33 am
these online leagues should probably be renamed online leagues-lite…that being said, not to defend EA or anything…but i know that phil frazier has spoken about the fact that franchise mode would be getting a much-needed facelift next year…so with that thought in mind combined with the fact that EA was under mega-pressure to get some sort of online league/tournament online this year…EA took the easy route with online leagues, with the hopes of putting a fully redone and functional franchise mode online next year…just my thoughts…
August 8, 2008 at 6:34 am
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA…..once again everyone falls for the EA hype machine. When will you all learn??? EA releases a new feature and it is never good and never right and never complete in the first time. I would assume that when more people go to use it, it will probably just break too.
So basically, this is just glorified matchmaking for online games. Instead of playing against random people or having to look for one of your friends online, you can group them into a “league” so you can find them faster.
Too funny.
August 8, 2008 at 6:55 am
That video from EA explains why you can’t have stats if unique rosters are off- then there would be five LTs to track. Stat tracking is on if you turn on unique rosters.
NCAA Dynasty seems so much better- why wouldn’t Madden use the same formula????? EA would be better suited to share ideas across to make all of their games worth the price of admission.
August 8, 2008 at 7:16 am
everyone stop talking about copying NCAA think about madden copies stuff from NCAA the year AFTER NCAA copies madden the year AFTER maybe theyll copie it next year and have hiesman races and bowls in MADDEN 2010 u guys are wack
August 8, 2008 at 7:19 am
The Online League sounds absoultely retarded with the number of games…EA should be ashamed of themselves for calling it that. I’m glad I wasn’t banking on that. They need to collaborate and learn some things from NCAA *smh*. Never thought I’d make THAT statement but wow….Hope Franchise mode doesn’t suck as bad as it did last year…I am really praying for that because that’s my bread & butter. Damn I just cant get over that crap they’re calling “Online League”
August 8, 2008 at 7:21 am
It sounds great. Madden online should be about playing each other. Not keeping stats, not playing the computer, not having drafts. I agree those things should be added features. Maybe have this as the Online Tournament feature and then have an Online Franchise feature for people that are in to that. But for me, it sounds pretty perfect. Even the draft seems pretty good, even though I would like a future addition that allows live drafts. Can you import a roster into the game and play with it?
August 8, 2008 at 7:39 am
Pasta, I hate how you keep saying that we wont be able to organize a serious league;If you know people that are serious about finishing a league and not quitting then it is possible to finish a Madden league.
August 8, 2008 at 7:47 am
I think the problem is the amount of games….that doesn’t really makes sense (IF it holds true) “EA Sports; It’s in the game”….so tell me when does a team play each other 11 times over a course of one season. It takes the importance out of the games and the NFL is BUILT to be *every game is important*…Thus 16 games= 16 games…. I understand that some poeple will want to run less than that amount but come on
August 8, 2008 at 7:53 am
[quote comment="31297"]Pasta, I hate how you keep saying that we wont be able to organize a serious league;If you know people that are serious about finishing a league and not quitting then it is possible to finish a Madden league.[/quote]
What I mean is this setup if more intended for people who are less likely to be part of successful leagues. The majority of leagues don’t ever go to completion. Only the most serious ones do, and this league system wouldn’t work well for those IMO.
August 8, 2008 at 8:37 am
[quote comment="31304"][quote comment="31297"]Pasta, I hate how you keep saying that we wont be able to organize a serious league;If you know people that are serious about finishing a league and not quitting then it is possible to finish a Madden league.[/quote]
What I mean is this setup if more intended for people who are less likely to be part of successful leagues. The majority of leagues don’t ever go to completion. Only the most serious ones do, and this league system wouldn’t work well for those IMO.[/quote]
I understand what you mean now, thanks.
August 8, 2008 at 9:17 am
I disagree that this isn’t a good way to run a serious league. This is the same way it’s run offline for FIFA and it works brilliantly. I don’t think the setup is to blame if your league isn’t completed, it’s the lack of committed participants.
August 8, 2008 at 9:38 am
Ryan the Online League Dev just posted this on OS.
“Yes, there is full player and basic team stat tracking. Any statistic that is tracked offline for a player is tracked online. You must have Unique Rosters ON to enable this because with Unique Rosters set to OFF, there can be up to 32 of the same player so stat tracking doesn’t work here.
In regards to your other question, there is no ’set schedule’. We have a Flex scheduling system that allows for you to play your games in order you like. We like this system because if one of your buddies is gone on vacation for 2 weeks, the rest of you will be able to continue playing games. Additionally, if players want to leave or join your league, they’ll be able to do so mid-season. The slate of games you have to play will just dynamically grow or shrink based on the amount of players. Once everyone has played their games, you’ll be taken into the playoffs, which is a set schedule and must be played in order.”
August 8, 2008 at 10:45 am
eric, ur a moron. Don’t come in here trying to down people for what they want. People want madden to copy NCAA not for the game mode. But the idea. I want to play in a franchise where I have divisions and a superbowl. Not bowl games. U are the problem with message boards. U over analyze peoples comments cuz u have no life. Grow up and post good feedback. But anyway man that sucks . Me and my roommates got really amped about madden. Now I don’t want it.
August 8, 2008 at 10:53 am
[quote comment="31323"]I disagree that this isn’t a good way to run a serious league. This is the same way it’s run offline for FIFA and it works brilliantly. I don’t think the setup is to blame if your league isn’t completed, it’s the lack of committed participants.[/quote]
a FIFA game takes 15 minutes at the most and runs smoothly…a madden game takes about 40 minutes and generally doesn’t run as smooth…i understand what you are trying to say…but it would take nearly three times of the amount of time to get through a 100 game league on madden as it would in FIFA…and i have to be honest….that is a LOT of time…
August 8, 2008 at 11:26 am
So you play fewer games. Play a realistic schedule. No need to play 11 games against each opponent.
August 8, 2008 at 2:30 pm
you officially cant run a serious league, i had one set up http://www.freewebs.com/rttsb. and its now basically gone down the shitter.
August 8, 2008 at 2:35 pm
we all truly have to get at EA and nag and complain either by phone or by internet. only way they’ll realized how bad they fucked up and haul ass to develop a patch to get either EA Lockers so people can do leagues off the web, or at least make the online leagues somewhat better then something i’d expect in like Madden 2004
August 8, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Ok thanks Pasta.
August 8, 2008 at 2:49 pm
2 questions
1.Can you do a fantasy draft
2.U cant play a full 16 games cause if not that is some gay stuff that might keep me away from this game
August 8, 2008 at 9:50 pm
1. Yes
2. That’s not even a question.
August 9, 2008 at 9:34 am
Hi Pasta, this is NB from VG. On the playoff setup. I read an interview with Phil Frazier about a month ago where he said the playoff system would consist of half the teams making the playoffs, i.e., 16 team league would have 8 playoff teams. No idea which way it would teeter if it was a 15 team league but i’m thinking to the lesser side ( 7 teams).
August 10, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Can you play a full 16 games
August 13, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Thank’s EA. The number one requested update – online Franchise capability – is not included in the “revolutionary new Madden 2009″. Typical idiocy and incompetence from EA. But consumers have come to expect as much from such a substandard business.
August 14, 2008 at 6:16 am
Does anyone know how to quit a leage once you have statrted it (and are NOT the GM) it will not let me leave a leauge no one is playing in