EA Releases Madden 21 Franchise Patch Notes V.2

So, earlier I wrote about how EA has failed to add anything new in Madden 21 franchise mode. Then when EA answered in a Twitter video, I broke that down and decided to give them some time to try and fulfill what they said they would do in said Twitter video. Then after waiting about a month I, along with other franchise players, weren’t happy with not receiving any form of list and I even said I’d be okay with getting a list of features for Madden 22. Well EA finally answered with a list of what they will be adding to Madden 21 Franchise POST LAUNCH. These patches WILL NOT be in Madden 21 at launch.

The list for Madden 21 Franchise Post Launch is literally more patch notes, patch notes v.2 from EA’s website:

MADDEN NFL 21 – Post Launch Support

Based on community feedback (subject to change)

With each update, this list may shift as our plans for M21 and M22 come more into focus. We will share with the community as the list evolves.

• TUNING – Improved progression and regression of players. Improve core player progression into the future such that X-Factors and other abilities for older players work well with incoming rookie classes.
• COMMISSIONER TOOLS – See a more detailed summary below.
• AI PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT – The AI will make better team management decisions in the draft, free agency, and trades.
• PLAYOFF and SUPER BOWL PRESENTATION – Improve and refresh.  
• X-FACTOR / SUPERSTAR ABILITY CUSTOMIZATION – Introduce the ability to customize X-Factor and Abilities on all players, allowing you to customize your roster as you see fit.
• CAREERS STATS UI – Improved UI showing historical player performances. More immersion and depth on how players have progressed in your Franchise.
• TRADE LOGIC – More fidelity, depth, and authenticity.
• RETIREMENT UI – Better insight into retirements each season to allow players to react/manage.
• PLAYOFFS UPDATE – Add an authentic playoff bracket screen to see who’s in, who’s won and who’s up next.

Commissioner tools is a large bucket of items with a lot of opportunities and a lot of work. We see this as something we’ll continue to work on to give you more control over your Franchise in the year(s) ahead. For Madden NFL 21 and 22 we are looking at the following tools: 

Commissioner Tools Priority Ranking

1. Ability to undo transactions, reducing friction and control over player movement contracts and trades.
2. Ability to approve trades.
3. Ability to reset a game in case of a disconnect.

That “Subject to change” is scary because it means EA cannot be held accountable for these and can ultimately scrap all of this. I’m not giving EA any credit for these because these are updates that should already be in the game. We shouldn’t need to pound the table and be extremely vocal to achieve this. EA should not need to be pushed by the franchise community to add this. It is an improvement from the original patch notes we got, but that’s not saying much. It’s like saying I beat Alex in Trivia, it’s expected. I also will not be giving EA any credit whatsoever until features are actually implemented.

It should be noted that I am pleased that EA has provided some “areas, while not fully committed yet, we (EA) are exploring creatively.” This list is from EA’s website:

For Madden NFL 22 it is still very early. We are at the very beginning of the planning and pre-production of next year’s product. That said, we’ve been actively discussing some of the areas we’d like to focus on, stemming from your feedback and player engagement. Here are few of the areas, while not fully committed yet, we are exploring creatively:

– Coaching and staff management

– Scouting improvements

– New Scenario Engine Enhancements

– New team chemistry system

– Commissioner Tools improvements

– MORE CONTENT – Examples: Relocation/Branding Assets for Franchise-New uniforms, names and logos to relocation options for more variety and depth in deeper careers.

Plus other key additions that we’ll reveal as we get deeper into the year for Madden NFL 22 development season.

I will be honest, I am happy that these options are on the table for Madden 22. However, EA has left themselves a scapegoat for when they disappoint us franchise fans again by saying “While not fully committed.” I will not give EA any credit until these features are actually implemented within Madden. If they do get implemented, then hats off to EA but until then I am still not buying the game until real changes are made.

EA can’t sit on the monopoly they have on simulation football because other companies are making a push. Maximum Football LISTENS to their community. The wants and desires of their community direct the development of the following year’s Maximum Football game. EA can really learn a lot from this small company doing great things.

Subscribe! Support the Vendetta Sports Media team by checking out our store!