When talking and listening to players, we kept hearing that being a star of their own football story would be fantastic. With that in mind, we crafted Face of the Franchise: QB1, where the story is not only about you, but one where the choices you make matter.
It kicks off with creating yourself as a quarterback – even using “face editing” to get an improved likeness. Once you have your player, you begin in college, choosing from top schools to attend, then competing for a national championship in the college football playoffs. Be the BMOC and take home the title, but bring your A-game, because your performance in college – just like on the real collegiate gridiron – has an impact on your capabilities and your draft stock.
The NFL draft doesn’t just happen, though – the combine comes first. Ever-increasing in importance and scrutinization, the combine is a key part of the process. And here, if you want your stock to soar, you’ll need to focus on every rep and decision you make to keep your name rising on draft boards. Where will you get picked, and where will your NFL career start? You’ll find out on draft day!
IN THE LEAGUE
No matter where you get drafted – from first round to last – once a team picks you, you’re going to have to show you belong playing with the pros. Whether you’re a first-rounder who needs to prove you were the perfect high pick, or a seventh-rounder busting your ass to make the roster, if you want success you have to work hard and make each opportunity count.
In the NFL, start building your legacy and taking your franchise to winning seasons, expanding your legend with each snap. It’s not about the cash your contracts rack up, but about how many Super Bowls you win as your legend grows. Give your all – and have fun – as you play your way into memorable moments. When you celebrate your career at the end, will you be remembered among the greats, placed alongside them in the Hall of Fame?
As you live your superstar story, Madden’s new Scenario Engine generates personalized playable scenarios, events, and dynamic challenges that tell the tale of a unique NFL career. Adding to it, in Face of the Franchise: QB1, like in Franchise mode, you choose your Archetype: Strong Arm, Scrambler, Improviser, Field General. Superstar abilities are tied to the Archetype you pick. Levelling up your archetypes unlocks different abilities.
It’s time for you to take your place as the face of the franchise.
OTHER MADDEN FRANCHISE IMPROVEMENTS
While we heard fan feedback for a superstar experience, we also dove deep into the forums and reddit and worked with Gamechangers to round out Franchise mode in other ways, too. With that, here are a few more things to get you ready to break the huddle.
Pro Bowl Returns to Madden NFL 20
The first thing you’ll see while Madden NFL 20 sets up is the Pro Bowl. You can play the pro bowl while the game installs, and you will also have the opportunity to qualify for the Pro Bowl during your Franchise seasons. It’s another opportunity to gain valuable experience and add to your Legacy.
Ratings Spread
We’ve adjusted the range of ratings that you’ll see on players. What does this mean? As examples:
The ratings difference between a 90 OVR player and an 89 OVR player is now larger
Each skill point you spend will be more impactful, and you can earn more skill points over the course of a career
In some cases, you will now see a starter with an OVR in the mid-50s.
New Scenarios
We’ve added an all-new in-game system that generates personalized playable scenarios featuring interactions with characters via a variety of ways including branching dialogue, dynamic events that reflect your performance and choices, challenges that build the story of your unique NFL career (from the moment you sign your rookie contract to you Hall of Fame induction), and more.
Development Traits
We’ve made large updates to our Development Trait system to support Superstar and Zone abilities. The Development Traits in Madden 20 are: Normal, Star, Superstar, and Superstar X-Factor. Both Superstar and X-Factors players can earn Superstar Abilities, but only X-Factors can earn Zone Abilities. We’ve also addressed one of the communities’ biggest complaints: players dropping down in Development Trait. In Madden 20, players can no longer go down in Development Trait at the end of a season.
Coach Mode
Coach mode is also getting scenarios. And the changes to Development Traits have a big impact on Coach mode. Coaches will want to build up their teams with Superstars and X-Factor Superstars via Trades, free agency, and the draft. We’ve also added an overhauled lineup UI to make Franchise mode even smoother.
Contract Updates
We’ve taken a meticulous pass on existing player contracts to ensure they match the NFL. This will not only be more authentic, but it will also make managing your roster’s cap space more realistic.
Progression Updates
We’ve overhauled our progression tuning, including making changes to XP gains from weekly training, actions on the field, and goal completion. These changes should ultimately lead to users being able to increase the OVR of more players on their team meaning they have more option in how to develop their roster.
Draft Updates
We’ve taken a full pass on our Rookie Generators. People familiar with draft classes from the past few years are in for some new surprises, from names, to bodies, to ratings, and more.
One more draft surprise is that rookies with a Superstar Development or higher trait will have their development trait hidden until they’ve played through at least half of a season. These players have their abilities hidden until you reveal their Development Trait. This means that if you draft either a Superstar or an X-Factor Superstar you won’t know exactly what you’ve drafted until later in a season – use your preseason wisely.
Gameplay Effects Updated
We’ve implemented a ton of changes, like Throw Power overhauls to change QB trajectories. But that’s just one example! Tune in to our gameplay stream on 5/23 for more of the inside scoop on additions and changes you’ll find in Madden NFL 20.
Originally Posted by TambaBerry:
so, why the big change to ratings?
i think it's more realistic...there is a much wider disparity in player talent and ability than what we saw in previous maddens....where anyone below 75 was pretty much worthless [Reply]
Originally Posted by Hammock Parties:
i think it's more realistic...there is a much wider disparity in player talent and ability than what we saw in previous maddens....where anyone below 75 was pretty much worthless
i did my first draft last night and was like man i suck at this game when myhighest player was only a 71 [Reply]
I can definitely tell when I'm playing against a stud WR or RB vs an 80 overall. Same for in the QB franchise. I went to the Raiders, and AB is open all the damn time. I can actually see the difference in players talents this year. [Reply]
It is no different than any madden of the last 10 years. Physics suck. Computer always gets 2 yards added to the end of the play, I always get 2 yards subtracted. Press to pass 3 times but instead he holds for a sack. Computer jumping 10 yards. My defense runs away from the ball carrier. I guess that last part is kind of accurate. [Reply]
Originally Posted by SDChiefs:
It is no different than any madden of the last 10 years. Physics suck. Computer always gets 2 yards added to the end of the play, I always get 2 yards subtracted. Press to pass 3 times but instead he holds for a sack. Computer jumping 10 yards. My defense runs away from the ball carrier. I guess that last part is kind of accurate.
Sounds like general AI fuckery. That's pretty standard for sports games. The computer controls everything it can in order to make it more challenging. [Reply]
Originally Posted by SDChiefs:
It is no different than any madden of the last 10 years. Physics suck. Computer always gets 2 yards added to the end of the play, I always get 2 yards subtracted. Press to pass 3 times but instead he holds for a sack. Computer jumping 10 yards. My defense runs away from the ball carrier. I guess that last part is kind of accurate.
If you're playing that on playstation that's your fault. Hitting the receiver button more than once in quick succession does a pump fake. To throw the ball you push the button one time. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
If you're playing that on playstation that's your fault. Hitting the receiver button more than once in quick succession does a pump fake. To throw the ball you push the button one time.
That.
I think at some point the pump fake changed from one of the R buttons to the passing icon with a quick double tap. I forget which year this took place. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Sofa King:
I hadn't purchased a Madden game since '07 and I somehow feel like it hasn't really changed at all since I started playing again.
I bought madden 19 last year first one since 11 I think and it's the same. What they do is strip features out, then when poeple ask for those features back it's "new" in the next game. They don't give a shit about anything but ultimate team. [Reply]
Originally Posted by SDChiefs:
It is no different than any madden of the last 10 years. Physics suck. Computer always gets 2 yards added to the end of the play, I always get 2 yards subtracted. Press to pass 3 times but instead he holds for a sack. Computer jumping 10 yards. My defense runs away from the ball carrier. I guess that last part is kind of accurate.
mesh concepts, inside zone runs, wildcat power run and level concepts, crossers all work well vs the AI on All Madden. Mid blitz while usering the safety that's covering the RB or field goal block and then audible to punt man safe for easy interceptions. That's why single player franchise isn't that fun for me, I know how to exploit the AI. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bump:
mesh concepts, inside zone runs, wildcat power run and level concepts, crossers all work well vs the AI on All Madden. Mid blitz while usering the safety that's covering the RB or field goal block and then audible to punt man safe for easy interceptions. That's why single player franchise isn't that fun for me, I know how to exploit the AI.
The thing is you are supposed to give yourself "house rules" to you know not fuck with the AI on purpose. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
The thing is you are supposed to give yourself "house rules" to you know not **** with the AI on purpose.
ya I've put it on all madden and made the sliders hard so it's more challenging and it is.
I gave up on MUT and started a franchise last night. MUT is way too greedy this year, way more than the past 2 years so I'm done with that mode.
Week 5 and Tyreek Hill leads the league in receptions, yards and touchdowns but he's not happy with the amount of catches he's getting. EA logic. [Reply]
