Madden 25

[Adam]

Yeah that doesn't look any different really.

When are they releasing CCM info?

[Cactus Drags]

It was supposed to be a fortnight ago, but it got delayed, I think it's next Monday now.

[Your Mom]

I read that if you buy the special version for $100 you get a free year of NFL Sunday Ticket. I am sure there are a ton of catches to that though

[billyzzz80]

I looked at a few websites and can't tell if it comes with a code for Sunday ticket on your system or if you can only get a code on your system if you already have Sunday ticket or directv isn't available where you are.

[DYSI]

Yeah that doesn't look any different really.

When are they releasing CCM info?

Hopefully they pay more attention to detail with any new CCM features. I wouldn't mind player holdouts, contract renegotiations in mid-contract or random player off-the-field actions that are both positive and negative that could lead to positive team morale or punishments (suspensions, fines , etc).

[Cactus Drags]

I doubt we'll see too much by way of off the field issues, the NFL is very protective of its image. I think it ws ?Madden 12, Tiburon announced that they were paying attention to injuries and had included a thing to do with concussions and keeping guys out various amounts of time. Nothing more was said and by the time the game came out, it had vanished. I have seen a cutscene where Wes Welker gets the typical "how many fingers" type test on the field after getting hit in the head, so there's something left in there, but it's not nearly as prominent as they first had us believe.

[Cactus Drags]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/976528_10151584856998756_23123175_o.jpg

Connected Franchise reveal tomorrow. Doesn't look like much of a change other than the look of the interface so far.

[The Buscher]

I hope to hear some good news tomorrow. Last year sounded very promising at first, but as more and more details crept out about the mode there were just too many restrictions for my tastes, especially with the lack of player editing. I'm not somebody who wants to cheat and edit player ratings, etc. but not being able to edit simple things like player numbers and gear definitely annoyed me, as I'm a stickler for realism.

Instead I skipped last year and am now year 14 in my Madden 12 franchise.

[9 to 5]

What was the first Mega Drive game of this? 92? I owned on that game with the 49'er's.

[Adam]

I hope to hear some good news tomorrow. Last year sounded very promising at first, but as more and more details crept out about the mode there were just too many restrictions for my tastes, especially with the lack of player editing. I'm not somebody who wants to cheat and edit player ratings, etc. but not being able to edit simple things like player numbers and gear definitely annoyed me, as I'm a stickler for realism.

Instead I skipped last year and am now year 14 in my Madden 12 franchise.

They fixed the editing players thing in one of the first patches though.

[livid]

While true it's still incredibly limited. The position change addition was barely anything.

[ROC]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/976528_10151584856998756_23123175_o.jpg

Connected Franchise reveal tomorrow. Doesn't look like much of a change other than the look of the interface so far.

The XP thing seems a bit nicer, more of a clean RPG process. But that's assuming from one picture.

[Dan]

​Just noticed Dragsy post that picture, I kinda like it but I didn't mind the layout last year, just needed cleaning up a bit and to get rid of the lag between menus..

[Dan]

Connected Franchise details revealed (in a podcast):

http://operationsportspressrow.libsyn.com/webpage

Or a blog:

http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/news/article/connected-franchise

Or here:

Playbook 3: Connected Franchise

Welcome to the latest and greatest career mode in Madden NFL 25, Connected Franchise. There are a lot of cool upgrades and new features this year, so let’s quickly hit the highlights.

BUILD YOUR EMPIRE

The biggest and most notable change in Connected Franchise is the introduction of Owner mode. Take control of your franchise and manage all aspects of the day-to-day operation of your team. Create yourself as an owner or take on the persona of one of the NFL’s 32 current head honchos. Hire and fire personnel, set prices on everything from parking to concessions, manage stadium upgrades or even build a new one if your current facility just isn’t cutting it. Or, if you’d prefer a truly fresh start for your team, you can relocate your franchise to a new city and try to build a new fanbase from scratch. This is the perfect mode for those who want ultimate control.

Owning a team and managing it well is going to be challenging, so check out Owner mode’s features in more detail. Learn more about managing your people, marketing your team, improving your cash flow and more, all in the name of creating a true juggernaut organization.

EXPEDITING THE PATH TO STARDOM

Last year in Connected Careers, Madden NFL 13 introduced the idea of XP and skill progression for players and coaches. This year, the logic has been tuned to help you upgrade faster and get on the field sooner. You’ll see a substantial boost in the amount of XP earned in both practice and during games, allowing you to upgrade your player or coach faster than ever. This year, if you enter a practice session but don’t achieve the set goal, you’ll still get a good chunk of XP just for completing the drill. The XP enhancements don’t apply to just your player, however. CPU players will also show bigger changes in progression or regression.

Another significant upgrade this year is that whenever you create a player or coach you’ll be able to see your overall rating and where you’ll factor into the depth chart (player only) before you commit to a team. This lets you put your created character in the ideal situation, either starting right off the bat or patiently sitting behind an established starter while you build up your ratings and try to earn your roster spot through old-fashioned hard work and practice. All the info is provided at a glance, and you can quickly scroll through all 32 teams and find your landing spot at each. On the first day of practice, you’ll know exactly where you are in the pecking order and how many other players stand between you and your shot at cracking the starting lineup.

EVERYTHING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Connected Franchise sports a brand new user interface that makes navigation a breeze. Available actions are laid out in tiles on the home screen, making it simple to jump into a game, upgrade your player or coach, check out the league news and more. There are still separate tabs for the various actions for when you want to dig in at a bit more depth, but it’s nice to be able to take in everything at a glance.

Complementing the new menu is a revamped trade screen that allows players to easily see the trade block and the offers from other teams. The new interface makes it easy to see what’s on the table and allows for quick comparisons between offers.

On the topic of drafts and trades, Madden NFL 25 also features retuned logic for the draft, trades and free agency, which was another major topic of community discussion. The team has been able to account for fan feedback and adjust to ensure that all parties gain the greatest possible benefit from every transaction.

One of the best-received features of Madden NFL 13 was the ability to play as legendary players and coaches in Connected Career. This year, Randall Cunningham, Mike Ditka, William “Refrigerator” Perry and many more will be joining the ranks of the immortals. Cunningham was one of the first true running quarterbacks, a mantle he has passed down to the likes of Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III. Now fans can experience Cunningham’s blazing speed firsthand as an Eagle, Viking or on any other NFL team.

There’s a great deal of debate both within the EA SPORTS offices about whether Mike Ditka was a better player or coach, and Connected Franchise lets you decide for yourself. Madden NFL 25includes both player and coach versions of Ditka, so you can have him lay the lumber on the field or demonstrate his prowess with a clipboard and a headset on the sidelines.

Also included this year is William “Refrigerator” Perry, a truly intimidating player. Football historians may know that not only did was The Fridge a fierce defensive end, but he actually also started his career at fullback. In Connected Franchise it’s up to you to decide if you want to utilize Perry’s brute strength coming out of the backfield or disrupting it.

In addition to the new players and coaches, there are also several new members of the media who will follow your progress and heap praise or scorn upon you via social media. Expect Peter Schrager to offer his unique insight into your performance, while Matthew Berry may chime in to encourage followers to pick up your player in their fantasy football leagues.

THE FEATURES YOU ASKED FOR

Madden NFL 25 also includes several fan-requested features, including full 32-team control, new commissioner tools, and a league transaction log. Also, fans of the NCAA Football franchise will be pleased to hear that they’ll be able to import their draft classes from NCAA Football 14 intoMadden NFL 25.

Madden NFL 25 Owner Mode

This year, Madden NFL 25 introduces Owner mode within Connected Franchise, adding an incredible amount of depth and intricacy to sports gaming’s most innovative career mode.

STEPPING INTO THE OWNER’S BOX

Your first decision when you start up Owner mode is choosing which NFL team you'd like to control. There are lots of ways to approach Owner mode, starting with the first decision you make. Interested in taking on the challenge of building up a young team like the Cleveland Browns? Or maybe you’d be interested in instilling some discipline in the unruly Raiders. Or perhaps you take a free-spending team like the Redskins and try to reign in their finances a bit to clear some salary cap space.

Another thing to consider is whether you want to take on the persona of a real NFL owner or start fresh by inserting yourself as the new boss. It’s always fun to build up a team in your own image, but it’s also incredibly alluring to embody the larger-than-life personalities of guys like Jerry Jones or Jim Irsay.

Once you’re ready to get started, it’s time to familiarize yourself with your team’s current situation. What does the cash flow look like? Is your stadium in good shape, or could it use some upgrades? Do you have the right coaching staff, or is it time to bring in a new regime? There’s a lot to keep track of, but fortunately you’re not going it alone, as several advisors are on-hand to help you understand exactly where you stand.

PUTTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACES

While many fans gauge a team based on their performances on Sunday, savvy fans know there are a lot of folks who play a big role in the team’s success. The most public of these figures is the head coach, who’s ultimately responsible for the gameplan and making sure the players are motivated and ready every week. Make sure your coach’s philosophy aligns with the strengths of your team; otherwise, you’re in for a rough season!

If you’re looking to make a change at head coach then there are several factors that will influence who’s willing to hear your pitch. Want to get Jimmy Johnson out of the broadcast booth and back onto the sideline? To pull it off, you’ll need a team that is both valuable and popular, with enough potential to make a run at the Super Bowl.

The coach isn’t the only one who can help your team succeed, so you’ll need behind-the-scenes personnel to help build your team and keep it healthy. Every team needs a good scout, and the better yours, is the bigger discount you get when buying scouting packages.

It’s a fact, players get hurt. That’s when you’ll be reliant on trainers that can help your players rehab and get them back on the field. These folks are particularly helpful when players sustain serious injuries, getting them back on the field sooner and reducing the chance of reinjuring it. Investing in a great trainer will go a long way towards helping you keep your best players on the field.

BUILDING AND MAINTAINING YOUR DREAM STADIUM

As the NFL has grown in popularity, stadiums have continued to get bigger and more opulent. Newer venues boast some incredible amenities, and many teams in older buildings are doing everything they can to keep up. As the owner, it’s your responsibility to maintain an attractive stadium and make it a destination where fans want to come spend their time and money. You’ll have to plan your upgrades carefully though, as all stadiums have a maximum upgrade capacity.

In the event your team’s home just can’t keep up with the Joneses, you’ve also got the option to rebuild your field from the ground up. Building a new stadium is an expensive proposition, so you’d best make sure this is a place appealing to your team’s fans and that the house is packed every weekend.

FIND A NEW HOME

What should you do if you find your team just isn’t the right fit for its city? If that’s the case, then you can move the team to a new city and try your fortunes in a different town. Maybe you want to move the Rams or Raiders back to Los Angeles, or expand the league to a new country by placing a team in Toronto or Mexico City. If you’re truly bold, you can even move a team to London and try to sway English fans into watching a completely different kind of football.

Moving a team doesn’t just give you a new name, mascot and stadium, it also brings with it new fans and a completely different dynamic. If you go to LA, you’re heading into a situation where you can make a lot of money very quickly, but you’ve also got to compete with several other professional sports teams vying for cash and attention. Win early and often and you may be able to hold sway over the fanbase, but one or two losing seasons could lead to a drop in attendance that takes a long time to recover from.

On the other hand, a city like Toronto is likely to be more loyal to the team, but won’t provide as much of a cash infusion. It’s a good city to build up a franchise, but can you make the money necessary to realize your grand visions for your team? These are all things to consider before you uproot a team and try your fortunes in a new location.

HAPPY FANS AND FULL COFFERS

As the owner, you maintain full control over pricing on everything from tickets and merchandise to concessions and parking. Fans may love $20 tickets, but that’s not going to keep your team out of the red. Conversely, most folks won’t pay $10 for a hot dog, so pricing yourself right out of the market won’t help either.

Finding the sweet spot between these extremes is key, and the city you’re in and the players on your team will help determine which way the pendulum swings. The shrewdest owners know that they always have to take into account what the market will bear, and so should you if you expect to succeed.

WHAT’S YOUR STATEMENT?

Another component of fan happiness and overall team success is the media statements you’ll be asked to make after some games. Say you’ve lost three in a row; are you prepared to promise a victory next week or do you think it’s best to soft-pedal and remain non-committal? Be bold and the fans may rally if you win, but lose another and they’ll be furious. Offer a lukewarm response and you’ll see little boost after a victory, but also won’t be facing a full-on fan revolt if you can’t turn things around.

Ultimately, everything you do comes down to your fans and how they perceive your team. If the fanbase is strong you’ll be able to build a beautiful stadium with plenty of amenities and, most importantly, put a championship contender on the field. However, if you wrong the fans you may find yourself struggling to make ends meet and could be forced to sell the team if you just don’t have what it takes. Are you ready to prove what you have what it takes to be an NFL owner? Find out on August 27.

Wow.

Owner mode sounds amazing. Totally moving a team to London

Also saw this:

Incidentally, if you play as the San Francisco 49ers, your first season will be in venerable Candlestick Park, and then you will move to the newly christened Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., meaning that venue will debut in Madden NFL 25 a year before it will in real life.

Neat.

Annnnd another cool article:

New Progression Changes in Connected Franchise Mode

[Maxx]

I can bring back Jimmy Johnson!? Give it to me now!

[Adam]

That Owner Mode looks amazing. They seem to have listened to fans in some key areas.

I like the changes to the XP as well, can't wait for some more information on the Connected Career Mode.

[The Buscher]

Yeah, this is looking very promising so far.

[TCO]

It looks good but it kinda sums everything up in a way when literally all the the "fan-requested features" were features that were in Madden 12 and previous franchise modes but taken out last year.

[Cactus Drags]

Don't think any of that was in '12.

[TCO]

Before they stripped franchise and gave us this bare-boned Connected Career nonsense you could definitely control all 32 teams and there used to be a transaction list too. Not sure when the switch happened though.