10 Things We Need Changed in Madden 16

EA Sports' exclusive license with the National Football League, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, has created a world where video game enthusiasts only are allowed to play one football game. That game is called Madden 16.

No longer do we get to choose between gems like NFL 2K5, NFL Quarterback Club and others. Instead, the tyrannical fist of the Turducken lord, John Madden, controls us.

Without that sense of competition, the Madden franchise has fallen into an ugly pattern of repetitiveness. Not having two football games is like Apple not having to wage war with Samsung. It doesn’t work.

Here at Bleacher Report, we’ve made it our goal to improve the Madden series. After playing every copy released over the last 10 years or so, we’ve come up with a list of things that need to change in Madden 16.

Online Franchise Mode

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Online franchise mode has been a staple of the Madden series for a while now. Controlling your favorite team and putting it to battle against your friends makes for a lasting user experience.

It's terrible to say, but that experience has suffered as of late due to lack of innovation. The mode has gone bone-dry, leaving fans unsatisfied.

We know that Ultimate Team is the focus of EA Sports—money talks—but that doesn’t mean the company should just ignore Online Franchise. Reinvigorating the user experience with fresh content has to happen soon.

Imagine having the ability to work out players before the draft, learn about their flaws and figure out personalities. That type of stuff is what Online Franchise needs.

Plus, you could throw in a proper salary-cap system and realistic player contracts, and bam, you have yourself a mode that’s worth playing once again.

More User Strategy Features

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The only way you can really prepare for your opponent these days is either by playing them often, or using Xbox One’s SmartGlass app to see your foe’s tendencies in live time.

There has to be another way where you can really learn about who you’re playing. Whether that means having the ability to enjoy live-game look-ins, accessing a virtual scouting report or something else, that change would be welcomed.

With the advanced analytics movement at an all-time high in the NFL, it makes complete sense to give users as much prep time as they can handle—especially in Online Franchise Mode.

Endorsement Deals

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Considering NFL players have the chance to sign lucrative endorsement deals during their playing days, it would be cool if the creators of Madden 16 gave us a chance to explore those options.

Almost like a risk-reward system, users could sign contracts that are in the best interest of the team and individual players.

You don’t think Nike, Adidas and other brands would love to put their name in that game? It’s essentially free advertising for them.

Assuming there were mountains to climb, you could even make up brands. Either way, it would be really fun to navigate through those waters while you run your team.

An Overhaul of the Instant Replay System

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Madden’s instant replay system has become antiquated. After about a week of playing the game, you can tell right away what calls will be reversed and what ones will stand.

Besides that, some of the most obvious challenges never seem to take place.

Without making us sit around any longer than we have to, it would be nice to see an overhaul of the instant replay system. Considering how big of an issue it is in real life, EA Sports should really build a comprehensive way to look at all types of plays.

Adjust the Tackling Animations

One of the biggest challenges EA Sports has tried to address over the years is the tackling mechanics in Madden. We’ve basically been handed the same shoddy animations on a platter.

When it comes to tackling, it just feels overly arcade-like. On the flip side, you look at game like NFL 2K5 and are left amazed by its system. How can a video game released 10 years ago have more realistic tackling animations than say, Madden 15?

Adjustments have to be made. There’s no valid excuse to have such an apathetic system in place.

More Commentary

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Of all the ideas we've presented, this one would need a prime Donald Draper in order to sell it.

On television, we’re used to seeing different tandems of commentators working the crowd. It helps keep the games interesting and makes for a better viewing experience.

In Madden, historically we’ve gotten one duo to call every game. For video game reasons, it makes total sense. It must be quite the process getting all of those words, names and football terms recorded—not to mention the cost has to be astronomical.

But what if there was a way to mix in a few different play-calling duos? Think about that. Kind of like how WWE’s two flagship programs have different sets of announcers.

Little changes like that would provide a more organic world. You would have the chance to hear different breakdowns, catchphrases and other interesting tidbits of information depending on the game you played.

Come to think of it, we really do need Don Draper to get this idea into the right hands.

Online Tournaments

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It’s about time Madden 16 added an online tournament feature so that friends could decide once and for all who's the best in the business.

This feature would allow players to dictate the rules, hand out awards and preset the matchups. How icy-cool would it be to drop into your friends' games and watch them go to work without any sort of hassle?

There are definitely ways around this right now, but in life, simplicity is paramount. Building out an online tournament system would be a fun add-on for all Madden junkies.

Complete Team-Builder Tools

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Have you ever wanted to move your team to a new city in Madden? Of course you have.

In past editions of the game, a player was able to move his or her favorite team to a new location based on certain parameters.

Cities were limited and team names were bland. Instead of shoveling the same names and XFL-like uniforms down our throats, how about we give people the chance to create their very own squad?

That means they pick the city, the uniforms and the coaching staff from scratch. Heck, while we’re at it, why not include an expansion draft?

Okay, now we’re really cooking with gas.

Career Mode

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One of the hottest trends in sports video games has been the installment of an in-depth Career Mode. Separate from Online Franchise, Career Mode allows you to operate as one particular player.

Taking a page out of NBA 2K15’s book, Career Mode in Madden could not only take place on the field, but also off of it.

Signing with different agents, getting traded and making brash business decisions would give users another mode they could tinker with for hours on end.

You could even set it up online to make sure your friends end up on the same team. The possibilities are endless and exciting. If not this year, Career Mode needs to happen sometime in the future.

Let Coaching Play a Bigger Role in the Outcome of Games

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The NFL is a league predicated around talent and great coaching. More times than not, matchups play a huge role in determining the outcome of a game.

It's 2015. Instead of sticking a fast defensive back on a wide receiver and making a cheesy user-only interception, how about EA Sports gives us the chance to create our own matchups?

Let’s put Darrelle Revis on Calvin Johnson all game. How about a linebacker of choosing gets to shadow a halfback like Darren Sproles?

You can do this in certain packaged plays, but it’s not anywhere close to where it should be. Games should be determined by smart play-calling, crisp execution and intelligent coaching. Is that too much for ask for?