Regardless of the season, or the standard of Madden, enthusiasts at OGPN are perpetually forward-looking. This could be a manifestation of unyielding optimism or a replay of the proverbial Lucy-football scenario. However, there is an undeniable buzz on the forums about the conspicuous absence of news and rumors regarding Madden 24. It’s fair to suggest that it is unusually quiet, but we’re still not at the point where EA traditionally begins disseminating information about the next Madden.
When June arrives, this is typically when the Madden-related news begins to emerge. But to circle back to the concern about the absence of rumors, the conversation is notably sparse at present. This time last year, the air was thick with speculations about franchise mode, crossplay, the homage to John Madden, the game’s potential debut on the Nintendo Switch, and the possibility of incorporating tech from FIFA (HyperSense). Though the fruition of these rumors was somewhat lackluster, with franchise updates falling short of expectations, John Madden adorning the game’s cover, and FieldSense acting as a substitute for HyperMotion, it was a fairly normal year in terms of the rumors’ accuracy.
In contrast, FIFA doesn’t have any standout gameplay elements this year for Madden to borrow. Furthermore, no information has surfaced regarding Madden 24’s development, aside from EA’s announcement of the closed beta. Although this silence might seem business-as-usual, the sense of anticipation is somewhat muted.
The Madden “offseason” has been particularly unusual as the Madden Ultimate Team (MUT) has hit a significant roadblock, sparking even more resentment among gamers than usual. The lessened enthusiasm surrounding NFL Draft content within MUT only adds to this sentiment. Despite being a minor piece of the puzzle, this signals EA’s current transitional period. While no revolutionary technology looms, the forthcoming release of EA Sports College Football is a point of considerable interest. How EA navigates the dual responsibilities of two annual football games — a challenge not undertaken since a turbulent transitional period for the studio — promises to be a compelling development.
Despite enduring a relentless barrage of criticism over the past few years, Madden barely scrapes a 70 percent rating on major review aggregation sites. Although sales are paramount, this consistent critique cannot be dismissed. The fact that sports games breaking the 80 percent barrier on these sites is now an exception rather than the norm reflects a sea change in reviewer sentiment.
This decline in review scores might explain why the only persistent rumor we see is that Madden 24 is poised for a breakthrough year in terms of critical reception. If sales alone were the criterion, Madden is sailing smoothly. While its launch figures may have slightly declined compared to the previous year, there are no major concerns that have been made public on the sales front. Yet, with MUT fans seemingly more disgruntled this year, it’s possible that microtransactions are seeing a dip, but in terms of actual game purchases, there appears to be no issue.
Yet, Madden also leads in public apologies. While this may be commendable to some degree, it’s also an indication of EA’s recurring shortcomings. The flurry of apologies, primarily centered around MUT and franchise mode, is becoming commonplace. This was exacerbated this year when EA’s claim of a “polished” Madden was contrasted starkly with the end product.
Without external competition, EA now faces the task of supporting two football games moving forward. If either or both fail to meet expectations, it will put significant pressure on consumers to support both releases year after year. Although the return of the college football game might trigger initial enthusiasm, such fervor is transient. Years ago, a rift began to form, with consumers choosing one game over the other — and on OGPN, it appeared to lean more towards the college game.
If two football games continue to receive negative reviews year after year, EA’s sustainability is in question. While the absence of Madden 24 rumors might seem odd to some, it could suggest that EA is implementing a “more is less” strategy. By refraining from setting high expectations with grand previews, they aim to evade the possibility of disappointment in a crucial year for the game where their exclusivity license with the NFL might be on the line.