Rex Dickson's Secret 5th Pillar

[NateDogPack12]

I want us to put our collective heads together and try to figure this little mystery out. I hope this thread may also serve as a place wherein we can talk about some of the biggest areas in which Madden can improve.

Rex Dickson mentioned five pillars in his interview with EA when they brought him on board - WR/DB interaction, making defense fun, ball carrier physics, trench warfare and a fifth unknown pillar he won't reveal because it is to be the focal point of Madden '17.

http://youtu.be/nJlg4SKHfy8

(Go to 16:30 and watch from there)

Here are some of my thoughts as to what this pillar may be, and what I hope it encompasses. Some of my thoughts are far too narrow in scope to represent a broad pillar, but rather represent what I think this game needs to implement.

(1) - Meaningful, impactful special teams - Madden just doesn't get special teams "right". The physics on punts is particularly abysmal, as balls don't bounce realistically and hang time is insufficient to allow gunners the ability to get downfield. Kicks are often too easy, with no real degree of randomness to permit a kick that just doesn't come off the foot correctly. It's just an aim and shoot mechanic at this point that isn't immersive. Kickoff returns are successful only when a wild and unrealistic pattern of zigzag is employed. Special teams just don't feel "open" as there are never any blocked punts or field goals (See NCAA '06)

(2) - Rotations / Formation Subs - This feature could be implemented successfully alongside or within the game plan windows, allowing us to designate a certain percentage of snaps to be allocated to a particular player, or to adjust the formation subs manually. This was in the game a decade ago. It needs to return.

(3) - Matchups - We should be able to ask our best defensive back to shade their best receiver. This is a staple of NFL game planning every single Sunday. The fact we can't employ it in Madden is outrageous.

(4) - Realistic Injuries - It's been a decade since an offensive lineman could actually be injured in-game barring some crazy place in which one picks up the football. Skill position players are hurt too often while defensive players and linemen on both sides are basically non-existent on the injury report.

(5) - CFM - CFM just needs a big overhaul to bring this mode up to speed with sports genres across the diaspora of video gaming. The ingredients of love, detail, and precision are just missing from Madden. Developers like Rex Dickson realize this, openly admitting the mode needs improvement. A few valuable strides forward would include:
-Real Depth Charts
-Custom Packages
-Less Cumbersome Navigation
-Realistic Force Win Scores
-Customizable Draft Classes
-Realistic Injuries
-Offensive / Defensive Coordinators
-Pick my Team Captains
-Bring Back Badges / Expand Player Traits
-Realistic Preseason
-Practice Squads
-Player Happiness / Team Chemistry
-COMPENSATORY PICKS - This is a huge strategical element missing.

(6) - Progression System - This is just a matter of personal preference, but I've never understood the rationale in having players "choose" which players will breakout via improvement and which ones shall remain obscure due to lack of allocation. True coaches and development programs offer all their players the chance to improve. Points should be rewarded to EVERY player every week based on a generated practice grade from "F" to "A+". Attributes or player traits like work ethic or motivation could cause a boost, while player badges like Born Leader or QB Mentor could affect allocations for team members. There should also be a way to accommodate for a "Breakout" season in which a player becomes a star. Guys like Lockett, Cruz, Foster, or OBJ may be examples of this.

[Cnada]

Great question to what will be the focus of next year. Given the 5 were pitched at the same time it must be a gameplay feature not mode related.

Pocket pressure? I would like to make evading defence a skill

Strategic enhancements? Recgonise the Mike?

[ggsimmonds]

I truly hope it is vastly improved AI. I want that really bad.

My guess is improved animations. Maybe next year you guys get signature animations.

[westwood]

i really hope its CFM. its been ignored for far too long now. i completely understand why they push the ultimate team stuff so hard because they are making extra money from it but one good year of focus on CFM and the game would be standing so much taller.

[capa]

Pretty sure he mentioned in some interview that it is special teams that will be getting a ton of focus for next year.

Not to say the other items won't be addressed or tweaked, but I think the special teams play bothers him a lot and it is a critical factor week to week in the NFL.

[DCEBB2001]

If I were a betting man, I would throw a ratings overhaul into that list.

[jfsolo]

I had forgotten about that interview, but now is a great time to contemplate what that could be. Since he is the gameplay director I doubt that CFM is what he's talking about. Kolbe's the mode director now so a CFM overhaul should be his call to make.

Special teams does seem the logical choice, but is that something that they would commit enough resources to get turn it from it's abysmal current state to a solid well function part of the game when such a large part of their customer base doesn't seem to care about it at all. Hopefully.

A.I., animations, physics always, always, always need improvement, so that being a key focus would be great, but are those aspects of the game the kind of thing that could be sold as a foundational element. To us, yes, to EA brass, not sure.

We probably won't find out what's up until around the time of the Draft.

[Rysumm]

Hopefully it's a game based on physics rather than a bunch of canned animations like we get now. No nickel back in the league is able to shed block a 300+ lb linemen like a rag doll. That's M16.