VG Strategy

One of the biggest letdowns in Madden 13, outside of the non-existent import NCAA Football draft class feature, was the inability to use custom playbooks in connected careers mode.  It seems the only reason it was left out was simply a lack of time.  There is no such excuse with Madden 25 given that they have had an additional year now to develop it.

If EA Sports had to choose only one game mode to allow custom playbooks in, logically it would make the most sense to have custom playbooks in connected careers while leaving the feature out of regular ranked games.  In regular ranked games, you have to play with a team that has a playbook built specifically for them.  For example, the New England Patriots playbook takes advantage of the Patriots personnel while the formations and plays are, for the most part, realistic to what you’d see the Patriots run on any given Sunday.

That is not the case in connected careers mode.  For example, that same Patriots team in a connected careers setting could be completely different 5 years in.  Tom Brady and his wide receivers will have retired, you may have drafted a stud running back and have a terrible passing game.  All of the sudden, you have an offense that is nothing like the Patriots playbook and doesn’t take advantage of their personnel at all.  You may not be able to identify your offense with any specific team’s playbook at this point.  This is where a custom playbook in Madden 25 connected careers would come in handy.

To be clear, we are not advocating getting rid of custom playbooks in regular ranked games.  Instead we are arguing that it must be included in all games modes that Madden 25 has to offer.  Most importantly, though, is connected careers.

The other 2 features that are essential to connected careers, are the ability to change playbooks without retiring your coach and the addition of a practice mode that will allow you to practice with your team more than 1 time per week.

If you agree with these ideas, hit the like, tweet, or +1 button below to show your support!

Every year wishlists pop up around the internet at fan websites like our forum and Madden-School.com.  Fans want their voices heard and developers of games are increasingly listening to feedback.  The 3 suggestions below are a sample of the most common requests that we see in online Madden communities.

1. Formation shifts – These were a crucial part of the golden generation of Madden NFL on the PlayStation 2.  Offenses were actually original and every good player ran something different.  Without formation shifts, we see the same few plays and formations repeatedly.
2. In-Game Viewing (Spectator Mode) – There are rumors that this will be available on the PlayStation 4, but if EA Sports can do it on the current generation of XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3 fans would ecstatic.  Connected Careers mode and Ultimate team are the future of sports games.  Being able to watch big games that your friends are playing would only add to those great features.
3. Ability to import NCAA Football 14 draft classes – The removal of this feature from last year’s game caused a huge firestorm in online communities.  For something that is so simple, it doesn’t make much sense to have ever taken it out in the first place.  Look for it to be added back into Madden 25.

Obviously there are plenty of other great suggestions that EA Sports would be wise to include in Madden 25.  Let us know in the comments section what you’d like to see in this year’s NFL video game.

Now that all of the final roster updates for Madden 13 have been released, it is time to rank the top 5 teams in the game.  VG Strategy resident Madden expert TheMeInTeam has the full breakdown for you.

1. 49ers – Overrated at a lot of positions (WR, TE) and rated as high as needed in others, this squad benefits from the unrealistic madden rule big hit = fumble more than any other. With extreme speed on defense, an excellent run game and an overrated WR corps this is easily the most obnoxious team in the game.

2. Seahawks – Very much like the 49ers, except with a better run game and slightly less effective passing game/defense. Slightly.

3. Packers – They have everything but a run game. Their defense is way too good compared to actual performance. Their corners can bail, their S are solid, and their LB’s can put a beating down. On offense they have arguably the best passing attack, with multiple brutal speed WRs and lots of solid depth there.

4. Steelers – Two ridiculous speed WRs and a QB that can make any throw on offense, and a bunch of BS hit-stickers on defense along with CBs that can ball. On top of all of that, Polamalu is one of the few safeties in ’13 that will occasionally play his assignment!

5. Bengals – They get the nod over the Ravens. Their secondary is absurdly good, and AJ Green is one of the best in the game. However, they also have two guys who can burn you (Tate and Hawkins) along with a good TE. Like the two teams above, they don’t have an elite back…and yet they have one of the better run block OLs in the game so you can still put up great production with Scott + Peerman.

Texans, Patriots, Broncos all get honorable mention and are in the same tier behind 49ers + Seahawks which are the best teams in this game.

Feel free to agree, disagree, or add your top 5 in the comments section below or in our forum discussion thread.