EA Sports Responds to Madden 11 Strategy Pad Controversy

by pastapadre
Posted July 30th, 2010 at 3:07 pm

With the overwhelming negative response to the Strategy Pad in Madden 11 it was only a matter of time before EA Sports would officially respond. That came even a little quicker than expected with a new blog that has just been released that goes over the reasoning behind the change while acknowledging the uproar and communicating the ultimate solution. The old style of pre-snap adjustments will be patched into the game though it will probably be September by the time it arrives.

We do believe that this change is for the better, and that in the long run it delivers a much more positive experience to the gamers that are willing to try and adapt. Due to the overwhelming feedback however, we will be providing the old-style button commands as an option that can be enabled. We are currently targeting this change to be released around the first week of the NFL season as it will take some time to get through third party approvals.

Patching in the old controls while leaving the Strategy Pad as the default made the most logical sense of anything that could be done. If EA believes that the Strategy Pad is more welcoming to inexperienced gamers and solves some issues then great, however having the old way of doing things as an option is only fair to those who have bought the game year after year. They have made other changes in the game but have continued to make them optional, however in this case for some reason overlooked the potential reaction that would come from removing it completely.

The only question now is whether the fix will come too late. EA was much more responsive with this issue collecting feedback immediately and implementing a plan to resolve it within days as compared to what went down with Fight Night Round 4. In that case there was consumer uproar over the removal of the button control configuration that was ignored by EA leading to them literally telling people to get over it or move on. Gamers actually did move on as FNR4 took a big hit in sales, only for the button controls to be patched a few months after release. Will there be an impact in being stuck with the Strategy Pad for a month or however long it takes? That will be something to monitor. As always leave your thoughts on the developments in the comments!

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Sean

To quote my old coach “Competition brings out the best in everyone.” If EA is as confident and at times as arrogant as they think they are, a little competition can't be a bad thing. If anything, we the gamers, would certainly benefit…let the best game win over the consumers.
James

Reminds me of fight night, take something out then “patch” it back in and people are all excited becaues EA “listened”. Another freaking year for me without a NFL game… ohh well at least it gives me more time put into The Show and 2k11.

Demo wasn't half bad but with little to no franchise improvements I can't justify buying this game. Of course me not buying the game isn't going to effect the sales because their main goal was to appeal to the majority.
James

Reminds me of fight night, take something out then “patch” it back in and people are all excited becaues EA “listened”. Another freaking year for me without a NFL game… ohh well at least it gives me more time put into The Show and 2k11.

Demo wasn't half bad but with little to no franchise improvements I can't justify buying this game. Of course me not buying the game isn't going to effect the sales because their main goal was to appeal to the majority.
just played the demo

I just got done playing the demo. Here's my thoughts:

Right off the bat there was a cringeworthy scene of Peyton Manning getting off the bus that looks nothing like him. Since when does he have reddish hair?

No more coin toss. WTF???

After 2 plays I had to change game speed from slow to medium. Slow is way toooo sllllloooooowwwwww.

The commentary is not good at all. Gus Johnson is an upgrade over Hammond, but that's not saying much.

Shaun Greene for some reason is a tank and can break many many tackles.

The sideline still looks really, really bad.

With less than 2 minutes left in the 1st half, I threw a bomb to the endzone and it was caught by Santonio Holmes out of bounds and they called it a touchdown. They then did a booth review and they upheld the call. WTF!?!?! He was completely out of bounds, neither of his feet even touched the endzone and it's a touchdown? Ummm yeah….

At halftime, I turned off Gameflow. Ugh, I can't believe I even made it through a half w/ it on. Terrible. Ditto for strategy pad. HORRIBLE. On defense, they only thing I had time to do w/ strategy pad is adjust the line and that's it.

Pierre Garcon, Holmes, & Braylon Edwards are inexplicably able to break multiple tackles.

Was the new kicking meter designed for 2 year olds? By the 2nd half I was getting 95-99% power and perfect accuracy on every kick. I for one thought kicking with the right stick was a good idea. They should have stuck with it.

Peyton Manning throws a 77 yard TD to Wayne and he is seen celebrating and giving high fives to the offensive linemen. Umm….

There is pretty much zero differentiation between defensive backs on this game. Darrelle Revis is nothing like the real Revis, and on this game a great CB is pretty much exactly the same as a backup CB. Weak.

Not a single penalty was called the entire game.

The stadium atmosphere is AWFUL. I was the Jets and playing at the Meadowlands and when the Colts had the ball, the stadium would get so quiet between every single play that you could hear a pin drop. Even when the Colts were in the hurry up offense, stadium gets quiet every play. Even when the fans are cheering, it is really weak. It sounds like the crowd for a WNBA game, not an NFL game.

Not sure if this only happened for me but the instant replays were really choppy and would slow down the game.

I'm pretty sure I had a few other thoughts, but have forgotten what I was going to say. In short, there is no effing way in hell I'll be buying this game or even renting it. I honestly believe if this game didn't have “Madden” stamped on it, people would be talking about it as one of the worst football games ever made. Maybe they'll do better next year, but I doubt it…
just played the demo

Oh yea, one other thing I forgot. I absolutely HATE auto-turbo. I had to turn that off.
just played the demo

And the TE is open on every play just like last year's game.
http://pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

Its a setting change also. You can just turn GameFlow off then it reverts back to regular play calling.

This though is why defaults tend not to get changed. How many people know that is an option? I'd gather not that many.

UBetcha

Right but i wasnt talking about the setting change (that only 5% of people changed). I am solely referring to how on each play you have to select whether or not to use gameflow.
UBetcha

Right but i wasnt talking about the setting change (that only 5% of people changed). I am solely referring to how on each play you have to select whether or not to use gameflow.

http://twitter.com/TheImmortalGoud TheImmortalGoud

I'll consider getting Madden when they patch it.
http://pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

I dont know, both those series have had some serious issues despite competition. Certainly it can drive the companies knowing they can't slack off though which is the main criticism that Madden gets.
Davidgoliath

sweet glad to hear thatb they did that. now why they are at it why dont they do what ncaa is doing and bring back worn down fields and dirty jerseys. they had it before and then it just dissapeared???dont make sense!
Princepointe

It's the demo. A few of those things you mentioned ARE NOT in the real game. As far as the crowds and stadium atmosphere I think you way off the mark as I find they get a bit rowdy in places like NO, CLE, and NY.
Sidewinder57

Obviously they're not just going to come out and say “we screwed up.”….even though, they did, massively. Adding the option for the old format is the right thing to do and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Strategy Pad quietly disappear in Madden 12
Bearzfa

At least there listenin but they shouldnt be so ignorant about believing that the strategy pad will work out when it has been proved very well on why it is a negative change
MoneyMayweather

nice going cry babies Hope your happy.
http://www.woodsidemediagroup.com/ Amani

So good move by at least giving the users an option to use the Strategy Pad.

If they can quickly patch this and add the old controls, why is it so hard to improve Online Franchise? Why is it so hard to add a salary cap into the game?
Why have we heard nothing about Online Franchise as well?

I know I am beating a dead horse, but where are the priorities for EA?
If Gameflow is so popular, imagine how popular creating your own playbook would be (sarcasm here).

Just looking for a perfect product here.
Polorainbolt3

This is good, I have been playing it a lot more though and I have actually sort of gotten used to the SP. Something overlooked however: playing as a DB in this years game is much easier and tons of fun. I used to love playing as DBs in past years games on the PS2, but since the change to NextGen, it just wasn't the same. Now, though, the camera angle allows you to more easily cover guys.
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HUEJAC2

EA also sold more copies.
HUEJAC2

EA also sold more copies. That's why the NFL network is not on Cable. Not just because of money but because Cable would'nt include the Network in its basic package where Satellite and the Dish would. The NFL sold the license to EA to have more control and because between the 2 EA was selling more copies.
Papelbon5821

I am happy actually
Griggie1969

EA screwed up period that y they need to get rid of this exclusive license agreement and make it back open competition so they can quit screwing up
skihawks

I have no issues with developers trying new things. However, I never understood why developers (not just EA) would get rid of the controls that people are used to. If developers add something new at least keep the old school controls optional.
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Hottdimes

Great questions ,but there never answered.Online franchise should have been improved this is all hardcore gamers play. Who cares about that stupid online co-op. It was told to us a year ago that online franchise was going to be added to throughout the year LIARS so much for being on its own server same wack shit and now this strategy pad. Stop trying new things if you play Madden everyone knows that you just build on what you already have don go backwards. How about letting NCAA football programmers do the madden they seem to get it right every year and actually improve the game. Online Dynasty is great on NCAA and so is the gameplay I love how they don catch every single pass. Put Ian on the NBA live project or something, no body plays that shit anyways.
miguel garcia

i am happy too, and quit ducking pacquiao!!
LafayetteAzevedo

I didn't have any problems using it and learning it quick to where I could move players around quick, I like it.
remedy

Madden gets worse as the years go on.
remedy

Crowds and sidelines would look cheesy even if it were released on Sega back in the day.Balls still go through players bodies.CPU qb's still turn around and face the opposite direction of the playing field, and then do a quick spin and hurl the ball to a receiver without even looking.Franchise mode is about as fun as watching paint dry.I could go on and on…..but hey!! EA sports has included team color wristbands and cool visors!! The only people who still play this game are people who like to play dress up with computerized players.Madden is gay, and hasn't been a relevant game since 94! Just look at how poorly the players move.Nothing about this game is fluid.Somehow, someway though, it will get an 8+ rating by all the major reviewers.No doubt EA pays these people off.Video games are becoming more corrupt than real life politics.
pasta sucks

Go away troll.. You are still buying it
Iranman

Pasta, what means ” it will take some time to get through third party approvals”, they will do it or what?
Jmlippe

When a company such as EA submits a patch to MS and/or Sony, it takes time for MS/Sony to test and approve it before its release. It will definitely happen tho
http://maria-kanellis.org Eminemdrdre00

I wonder if Madden 12 will have the old pre-play controls too?
HUEJAC2

September is not fast enough. I just played the demo and I could' not call a single audible with exception of a hyper audible on offense. The beauty of the hyper audible is that your is that it is almost undetectable whether on line or head to head. Not anymore. Now head to head your opponent can see everything you do and select. I thought Madden was about moving foward. Now your play art is exposed. I can't figure how to call protection change on offense not to memtion a play change with exception of a hyper audible.

I normally call a line audible and a coverage audible at minimum every snap on defense. Now there no time to do anything other than flip the play. I have 4 brothers who play online and non of us like it. What the hell happen? Did EA hire all new staff? They should call this Madden 11 for dummys. My brothers and I have been Madden since 03 when left NFL 2k. This the worst Madden ever. Madden has been set back at least 8 years by these geniuses. Welcome back glitchers.

All they needed to do keep me happy is to update the graphics, the rosters and fix a few glitches every year. To drastically change all the control functions and take back all the new advanses in head to head play made a year ago makes no since to me. I don't think I will be buying this year. This is garbage.
HUEJAC2

Dude you want to defend the flats. Stop blitzing. Anytime you blitz you have to give up something. Thats why not everybody does it. Thats just real football. Madden played and coached the game so his game is based on real football. If you don't like it try another football game with no strategy involved.
Yallaregays

Im must be missing the big fucking deal… Madden 10 = hot route, Y, then Receiver button, then directional input, that is three steps.. Madden 11 = hot route, D pad, receiver button, then directional input, 3 steps. Im realy not seeing the difference. So its harder to hit down, then right on the dpad to crash your linemen, than it is to hit LB then right? They just replaced the seperate buttons to the dpad, no more steps. I actually find it faster. You guys are so gay! WE WANT CHANGE!! ITS THE SAME EVERY YEAR!! HEY!?? THEY CHANGED IT? WE DONT LIKE IT!! make up your fucking minds.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CZEGYV4HBCBFIFOLUF4SVYHWAM MIKE

I didn't think the strategy pad was that bad.
Growndhawgg

What about the crowd going quiet while the announcer is screaming in excitment ten minutes after the play happened?
Princepointe

Once upon a time PATCHES DIDNT EXIST. Be happy were getting one. Remember the vision cone patch…… Oh yeah.lol
WillRadie

You bring up the Fight Night example of how even though they listened almost immediately, but it still did the damage, but I think that was just an early step in EA (and other companies) starting to listen to consumers. It might not fix the immediate revenue issue that a game like FNR4, but as we moved forward and we see that these companies have a reputation for fixing things that really upset or disappoint the fan base, well that has to account for something.

I see nothing wrong with patches and welcome each and everyone.

When I buy a game and notice a glaring flaw, at this point, I expect it to be fixed and rarely am I let down.

The only issue and one that I am not sure can be fixed is to have MS and Sony spend more money to get a better and more efficient approval system in place.
Zoeboi33186

I used to complain about the strategy pad but after constant playing i have learned to work with it.It actually makes the game more realistic like if u shift the wrong way or while your trying to jam or audible a single defender on the field the offense can say hut..It takes the old term offense doesnt wait on defense..But overall i like it when you guys get the game or while playing the demo just work on learning how to use the strategy pad you'll see it makes it for more realistic gaming.
http://www.facebook.com/djwilliams21 Dyron Williams

I'mma buy da game just 2 have it… den play it wen the patch cums out, cuz I wuz sayin how stupid da strategy pad wuz cuz I been playin Madden since '98 and like da old way!
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blackhole21

Pasta, will auto straf and auto sprint be default for online games? Will they be able to be turned off for online games?
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http://www.facebook.com/people/Cody-W-Kelley/1504448324 Cody W. Kelley

how about EA works on fixing the Pass interference for when the ball is already over the recievers head! or maybe that 1 second throw time you have in the demo! maybe the incredible amount of injuries? if they fix these…..it'll be better then 10