Madden on the Frostbite Engine: Reactions

Feature Article

Submitted on: 02/03/2017 by

With the news landing that Madden was moving to the Frostbite engine, what is your initial reaction to the news?

Chris Sanner: First off, this is hardly a surprise. Madden was going to be using Frostbite this year and there was little out there to doubt that.

As far as what it may mean for this year's game, I'm honestly a little worried. Unlike FIFA, Madden is much more dependent on a lot more interactions and animations. To make a switch from Ignite to Frostbite (I'm assuming EA is still using Ignite?) has to be taking up a lot of manpower and time. Are we going to have a Madden 06 type of scenario where the game improves underneath but the results don't actually show for a few years? What parts of the game are not going to be getting upgrades to make up for the time moving to a new engine?

Something is going to end up suffering from this. Even if the end product is more beautiful, looks better, and overall makes the gameplay better -- I can't help but get a 'pit in my stomach' feeling that there'll be some disappointing news to come from this as well.

Fraser Gilbert: Those who aren't familiar with the FIFA series are probably feeling a nervous excitement about Madden's transition to the Frostbite Engine. As a 20-year veteran of the FIFA series, I've got mixed thoughts about it.

The much improved graphical features of FIFA 17 are excellent for the most part, and the series' new story mode wouldn't have been possible without Frostbite's addition. However, I felt FIFA's gameplay lacked polish in certain areas last year, resulting in a game that felt less satisfying than its predecessor.

I'm not skeptical about the Frostbite Engine's potential, but I think it'll take time. Hopefully, there won't be any major teething issues to speak of when it arrives in Madden 18.

Ryan Spencer: It's a bit surprising to me after reading hundreds of posts on the OS forums over the years begging EA to switch to a new engine that we are seeing such hesistance now that EA has finally decided to pull the trigger.

I don't think anyone should see the move to Frostbite as a magic bullet that will cure all the ills that plague Madden. The first year will be challenging to avoid glitches and unexpected impacts, but after that we should see improvements to environments, player emotion and lighting.

The move to Frostbite may push the Madden team to build a "MyPlayer" type mode as FIFA did this year with "The Journey". If done properly, this could be an exciting way to play the game and really provide a different Madden experience.

Josh Houtz: I for one was a bit let down when I heard that FIFA 17 would utilize EA's Frostbite engine, but Madden would be forced to wait an additional year. Little did I realize how much time and effort it takes to completely build a game from the ground up.

The difference graphically between a game like FIFA 16 & 17, were night and day. Facial features are far more prominent and the overall lighting and visuals were jaw dropping. Overall, the game just looked that much better. However, with a new engine being implemented came downfalls, which led to a game that felt unfinished and at times rushed.

Although it won't happen overnight, the end result of Madden's transition to Frostbite should be a good thing for the franchise. The idea of EA potentially implementing a "story mode" to Madden has me giddy, like a kid on Christmas morning. The transition won't be seamless, and Madden 18 could suffer because of it. When the dust settles a few years down the road, we will all be happy EA implemented the Frostbite engine into Madden.

Member Comments

# 1 scottyp180 @ 02/03/17 12:33 PM

Overall consensus here definitely matches my sentiments and likely the majority of sports gamers. In the long run I think this will pay huge dividends but who knows what the results will be for madden 18. My guess is that we will see areas that are definitely improved while other areas either take a step back or need some more polish.

Hopefully this is a little bit better and smoother than the transition to the ignite engine. The ignite engine showed promise the first year, can't remember which year it was, and definitely resulted in a much better product in the years to come but man was that first game a bit of a mess. There would be some moments that could never be done in madden before and looked great and then there would be some messy, ugly animations that were awkward and unrealistic. Players tripping and falling over eachother is something that sticks out in my memory.

With madden 18 I just want the game to overall feel like it's a step forward and not a step back. I think the series has made some strides over the last few years and while I think the frostbite engine will definitely be worthwhile in the long run I'm concerned this first game will feel like a mixed bag.

# 2 outkaz79 @ 02/03/17 03:02 PM

I just hope they don't implement Frostbite features in Madden like they do everything else. Example: Madden 18 featuring the Frostbite engine and new dynamic weather. Madden 19 now with better lighting and facial scans. Just put it all in. You all ready know what Frostbite is capable of

# 3 brandon27 @ 02/03/17 04:06 PM

Personally, I'd be a bit surprised if they deliver something that feels like an unfinished product for Madden 18. It seems like Rex and his crew understand the demands of the fanbase, and it seems that they'd be aware of the backlash they'd face if features that presently exist, were left out of M18. Any good will they've built up, would surely be out the window at that point given how fickle the Madden fanbase can be.

I'm not a huge Fifa player. I usually download it through EA Access, play the 10 hour trial sporadically then if, and when it runs out I let it be until it hits the vault and I then play it again sporadically when it's available to me again. I played Fifa 15 quite a bit, 16 I just haven't had as much time to play. I hadn't even downloaded the trial yet for 17. I did last night after seeing the Madden to Frostbite news. I must say, I always thought Fifa was a great looking game. Fifa 17 though, looks much better in Frostbite. So, I'm pretty excited for what that will bring to Madden. In the quick game I played, I didn't notice much different in the player movement or gameplay. I'm also not a hardcore Fifa player either though.

Bottom line for me.. at this point, we just have to sit and wait. I'm curious to see what Frostbite can offer Madden. I think initially it's upgraded visuals and environments. Would be interesting to see if a mode similar to the Journey in Fifa makes it's way to Madden this year. It seemed like they moved Fifa over to Frostbite without loosing a lot of features and modes. At least, in my quick time in Fifa 17 last night. I'll poke around in it a bit more over the weekend probably.

I for one though, will be surprised if Madden 18 takes a hit due to the switch. It may need a bit more tightening up post release, but I'd just be surprised to see the team let it slip. This crew working the game seems to take great pride in it, and the strides they've made, so I'd be surprised to see it slip.

Time will tell I suppose.

# 4 UFCMPunk @ 02/03/17 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outkaz79


	I just hope they don't implement Frostbite features in Madden like they do everything else. Example: Madden 18 featuring the Frostbite engine and new dynamic weather. Madden 19 now with better lighting and facial scans. Just put it all in. You all ready know what Frostbite is capable of

Only one way to figure this out, tweet to Rex and Clint. Ask them specifically how long they have been working on Madden transitioning to Frostbite, so we can get a better idea of a timetable. They said they worked on the current Connected Franchise Mode for 2 years before it showed up in Madden 13, so the key here is how long have they been working on Madden using the Frostbite engine.

# 5 phenom2311 @ 02/03/17 05:23 PM

I hope it gives the game a more organic, natural looking running animations.

# 6 mestevo @ 02/03/17 05:30 PM

I'm sure it'll be a great first step, looking forward to it.

# 7 Flazko @ 02/03/17 05:45 PM

I'm pretty excited. I've been a long time madden player and I've always felt that madden's visuals have always been lacking (Especially. Madden has been improving on gameplay throughout the years and now it's time for the visuals to be enhanced. I'm also really hoping that they focus on the interactions more this year, DL vs OL, CB vs WR. We all know madden needs some work for a number of things like better ball placement by qbs, better fumble recovery, updated challenge system and numerous other elements of gameplay but I think with better graphics and maybe some dynamic weather thrown in, Madden 18 would be a pretty solid game. I actually was hoping the physics engine would be eliminated and they would go to using crisp animations but after seeing this news, I'm really hoping it works out and we can also get some good interactions along with it.

# 8 Jr. @ 02/03/17 06:23 PM

My biggest concern is with Franchise. Will they be able to take all of the things they've added and put them in the new game? If not, what gets left out? I only play Madden for the online Franchise that I'm in.. if that's bare bones, I can wait until it gets built back up.

# 9 jfsolo @ 02/03/17 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandon27


	Personally, I'd be a bit surprised if they deliver something that feels like an unfinished product for Madden 18. It seems like Rex and his crew understand the demands of the fanbase, and it seems that they'd be aware of the backlash they'd face if features that presently exist, were left out of M18. Any good will they've built up, would surely be out the window at that point given how fickle the Madden fanbase can be. I'm not a huge Fifa player. I usually download it through EA Access, play the 10 hour trial sporadically then if, and when it runs out I let it be until it hits the vault and I then play it again sporadically when it's available to me again. I played Fifa 15 quite a bit, 16 I just haven't had as much time to play. I hadn't even downloaded the trial yet for 17. I did last night after seeing the Madden to Frostbite news. I must say, I always thought Fifa was a great looking game. Fifa 17 though, looks much better in Frostbite. So, I'm pretty excited for what that will bring to Madden. In the quick game I played, I didn't notice much different in the player movement or gameplay. I'm also not a hardcore Fifa player either though. Bottom line for me.. at this point, we just have to sit and wait. I'm curious to see what Frostbite can offer Madden. I think initially it's upgraded visuals and environments. Would be interesting to see if a mode similar to the Journey in Fifa makes it's way to Madden this year. It seemed like they moved Fifa over to Frostbite without loosing a lot of features and modes. At least, in my quick time in Fifa 17 last night. I'll poke around in it a bit more over the weekend probably. I for one though, will be surprised if Madden 18 takes a hit due to the switch. It may need a bit more tightening up post release, but I'd just be surprised to see the team let it slip. This crew working the game seems to take great pride in it, and the strides they've made, so I'd be surprised to see it slip. Time will tell I suppose.

Concur with this 100%

I'll be beyond stunned if there is anything not brought over from M17 in terms of gameplay and in CFM. According to the team, MUT, competitive and CFM all grew quite a bit in terms of participation numbers. Obviously they don't want to lose any of those gains, and unlike some other Franchises, Madden is always scrutinized with hyper critical eyes.

Subjective opinions about aspects of gameplay, graphics, or sound, being worse will obviously happen for sure, but it if some existing mechanic or feature(with the exception of maybe tackle battles) is actually left out, people are going go off the rails.

# 10 fballturkey @ 02/03/17 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jr.


	My biggest concern is with Franchise. Will they be able to take all of the things they've added and put them in the new game? If not, what gets left out? I only play Madden for the online Franchise that I'm in.. if that's bare bones, I can wait until it gets built back up.

Changing the gameplay engine shouldn't affect franchise much. It's possible they do some different things with ratings, perks, etc in the new engine that have knock on effects for franchise but we shouldn't (and had better not) see a Franchise to CFM type of step back again.

# 11 DeuceDouglas @ 02/03/17 10:31 PM

Agree with pretty much everyone and the consensus at this point seems to be a lot of unknown. As to what Ryan said about people who have been clamoring for a new engine for so long being hesitant I think it has a lot to do with what happened with Infinity and, more recently, Ignite where a lot of things were promised but failed to ever materialize.

I think anyone expecting Madden to be built from the ground up though are going to be hugely disappointed but I highly doubt they'd risk stripping the game down with this transition. I think it's a good move that should hopefully be beneficial long term but as far as Madden 18 I'm really only expecting pretty much the same gameplay with a lot of aesthetics with crowds, weather, and lighting as well as a similar story mode to FIFA and 2K. I don't think we have to worry at all about any kind of Madden 06 situation or any feature or gamemode purge.

# 12 Jr. @ 02/03/17 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fballturkey


	Changing the gameplay engine shouldn't affect franchise much. It's possible they do some different things with ratings, perks, etc in the new engine that have knock on effects for franchise but we shouldn't (and had better not) see a Franchise to CFM type of step back again.

I guess it depends how much of the coding for franchise can be transferred over, or if they have to redo it all.

# 13 qdog @ 02/04/17 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outkaz79


	I just hope they don't implement Frostbite features in Madden like they do everything else. Example: Madden 18 featuring the Frostbite engine and new dynamic weather. Madden 19 now with better lighting and facial scans. Just put it all in. You all ready know what Frostbite is capable of

Yoe alredy know thats what going to happen.. they going to milk you for yrs to come giving you bit by bit . Smh

# 14 fballturkey @ 02/04/17 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jr.


	I guess it depends how much of the coding for franchise can be transferred over, or if they have to redo it all.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think that the UI/CFM/MUT etc are coded in Ignite or Frostbite or whatever. I think those engines just control the on the field play (and maybe game simming.)

# 15 Birdman18 @ 02/04/17 01:49 PM

From what I've been told and heard from friends within EA, is that they have been building the game for a good while now and that it's a separate group within EA who's doing the coding. Apparently work for M18 had been going side by side M16 and M17

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 16 timhere1970 @ 02/04/17 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdman18


	From what I've been told and heard from friends within EA, is that they have been building the game for a good while now and that it's a separate group within EA who's doing the coding. Apparently work for M18 had been going side by side M16 and M17 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is really good to here. It does mean that some of the things we like about the last couple of years may not be in the game though. The possibilities of a ground up build are limitless though.

# 17 Birdman18 @ 02/04/17 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timhere1970


	This is really good to here. It does mean that some of the things we like about the last couple of years may not be in the game though. The possibilities of a ground up build are limitless though.

Now I don't know details on what will or won't be in the game and all of that. All I've been told is that there are two teams who have been working closely together trying to get the games done. And I emphasize that this isn't two diff development groups from what I've been told. These guys all work together in the same studio and they did it this way as to not pull too much from the current version of the game but also to stay on their timeline for M18.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 18 timhere1970 @ 02/04/17 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdman18


	Now I don't know details on what will or won't be in the game and all of that. All I've been told is that there are two teams who have been working closely together trying to get the games done. And I emphasize that this isn't two diff development groups from what I've been told. These guys all work together in the same studio and they did it this way as to not pull too much from the current version of the game but also to stay on their timeline for M18. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Correct but at some point the new game had to diverge from any new code that was put into the game we have now. That may have been as far back as 15. Doesn't mean they didn't write code to do the same thing in the new game but doesn't mean they did. When they write a patch for 17 that will not go into the new game. I am not a code expert but that is how I see it. I am sure others know better than me.

# 19 dcal @ 02/04/17 03:49 PM

Bring it back to PC...that is all I want. Frostbite is used in multiple PC games so perhaps they will have a PC version of Madden 18. After buying Madden 15 & 16 (PS4)and only playing them for two weeks each I did not buy and have not played 17. Will have to check out 18 out of curiosity for the new engine.

# 20 eagskerfan @ 02/04/17 04:49 PM

There should not be any steps backwards for this game really ever again. If it's not ready, Don't put it out. Release a roster update the next year. If it's ready, great. EA gets enough free passes with next gen systems every time when they strip out the features to a plain game, then re-release those old features and pretend that they are innovative.

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