Madden 13: Disspelling Most Popular Myth About Connected Careers

Judging by the comments I've seen on some of my articles, the banter around Twitter and some of the comments I've read in discussion forums, there is one huge misconception about Madden 13's Connected Careers mode.

No game is ideal for every gamer, but at least folks should be able to make an informed decision.

Some gamers have a grasp of the CC concept, but others don't, and it shows in some of the comments.

One reader wrote this comment on my review of Madden 13:

"

franchise is just about the only mode I play. It gives you a chance to hone your skills against the CPU. That's the best way to become nice if u play on all-madden with adjusted a.i. In the cpu's favor. Playing other people doesn't offer the same competition as playing the CPU with adjusted a.i.

No franchise mode= No buy

"

I want to clarify this for anyone who is of the same understanding: Connected Careers, when played as a coach, is exactly the same as traditional franchise mode—with a few exceptions.

You can still trade, draft players, sign free agents, play traditionally for your team in season after season, etc. You just assume the identity of a coach. However, don't let the term "coach" mislead you.

I think that may be some source of confusion. It doesn't mean you're simply coaching the team and not playing.

The only aspects of traditional franchise mode that aren't in this mode are as follows:

• No editing of players equipment, names or ratings
• No importing of draft classes from NCAA Football 13
• No fantasy draft
• No playing or watching games with teams that aren't user-controlled. Basically, if you're not playing in the game, it will be simulated. Before you could select any game on the schedule and play, or watch any game.

Those omissions may not cramp the playing style of most gamers, but some are put-off by the omitted options.

I enjoyed all four of those features in previous Madden games and I wish both the traditional franchise mode and Connected Careers were an option, but their absence isn't enough to make me dislike the game.

Madden 13 has so many awesome qualities, I'm not going to miss out on a game this good, because of those four things.

But everyone is different.

Hopefully, anyone that was unclear can now make an informed decision on whether to purchase the game.

Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay on YouTube and Twitter for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games.

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