11 key changes Madden 19 needs to make according to fans

7. Deeper player customisation

Confession time: back in the PS2 days of Madden I would ritually update player cleats, tape and helmet styles for at least a fortnight before going anywhere near franchise mode. Yet there’s a perception that PS4 and Xbox One still haven’t caught up with classic Madden when it comes to player customisation, and fans rightly clamour for a step-change in this field.

“I second, third and fourth [the idea of] individual equipment-colour customisation for each player,” writes Patsguy49 on Operation Sports. “[We also need] more variety of Under Armor cleats. Like the ones sported by Tom Brady. There are four pairs of UA cleats in the game, with only one set of low tops, and they’re hideous. Spat-style ankle tape [would be welcome too] for Brady and Matt Ryan. Also, short- and long-sleeve jersey options for players. Not every player with long jerseys sleeves should have them at Peyton Manning length, like it’s the ‘80s.”

8. Return of the QB vision cone

9. Reconfigure quarterback accuracy

If the return of the QB vision cone is considered too controversial, there are still other ways EA can tweak the passing game to increase both realism and fun. “Add a passing speed rating, so that the speed of the pass is not entirely dependent upon arm strength alone,” proposes ForUntoOblivionSoar∞ at Operation Sports. “Arm strength should have an affect on passing speed, but its primary focus should be the distance that a ball can be thrown. The speed of a pass would then be determined by: (1) The user (do they throw a bullet pass?), (2) The passing speed rating, (3) Arm strength. Also, maximum throwing distance should be entirely dependent upon the user and arm strength. Not every QB can throw the ball the same distance. QBs with bad arm strength should end up throwing ducks or passes short of the mark if they try really deep passes.”

“There should be more poorly thrown balls, but not to the point where they lead to interceptions or blatantly inaccurate throws,” echoes fellow OS-er nttnybuc. “Basically more "safe" bad throws: overthrown deep, out-of-bounds on outside routes, balls thrown just behind a receiver coming across the field. This would keep completion percentages more realistic, without relying on defenders jarring the ball loose. I would love to see receivers having to adjust to balls, with their catch rating determining their success rate and ability to do so.”

10. Take Longshot in a new direction

If FIFA 18 – which saw a return for fictional The Journey protagonist Alex Hunter – is anything to go by, Madden 19 will continue the Longshot story of QB prospect Devin Wade. That move makes sense, but most fans concur that they’d rather have a touch more player choice this time around. “I'd like a focus on another position besides quarterback, perhaps put you in the position of a halfback or, if you really want to p*** people off, a kicker,” says Reddit poster Vitefish. 

Jetman999 agrees that the mode is welcome back, but with a narrative do-over. “[For example,] school dropout who goes to/returns to college and amazes when he joins the football team, finds newfound NFL dreams.” Which, er, isn’t actually all that different from last year. Alternatively: “Foreign exchange student joins football team, chases pro level. Or, player with a large history of football failure. And if EA wants to get REALLY REALLY bold: Player attempts to be first female NFL player. There are actually no rules against it. In fact, there was a female kicker at one of the regional combines a few years ago, as well as there being another right now on an NCAA D2 team.”

11. An NFL 2K5-style halftime show

GR covered this to an extent recently in our look at 13 key features we need returned to sports games. If that argument wasn’t convincing enough, watch the above vid. Or listen to JMD from Operation Sports. “The game would be better for me if they got rid of Larry Ridley,” he writes. “I find him irritating and skip over every time he opens his mouth. And still, all these years later, we don't have a halftime and post game show as good as NFL 2K5. I know EA probably doesn't want to [bother] because they think most will skip over it, but it would add a lot of realism to the game.” 

With presentation a key focus, you’d think it’s only a matter of time. Yet I seem to have been saying that for the best part of a decade…

Want further sports reading that isn’t related to EA’s annual soccerball effort? Then check out GR’s 11 best current football games that aren’t called FIFA or PES.