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Madden NFL has always been the go-to video game for simulating the NFL experience. However, the series has been criticized for lacking the depth and drama found in the real-life league. With Madden NFL 25, developer EA Tiburon aims to change that by focusing on immersing players in the full spectrum of the NFL’s ecosystem.
Two of Madden’s most popular modes, Franchise and Superstar, have undergone significant overhauls in Madden NFL 25. The goal is to make players feel deeply invested in the careers and storylines of their teams and individual athletes.
Franchise Mode: A More Immersive Experience
Franchise mode has always been about building and managing an NFL team. But in Madden NFL 25, EA Tiburon has added a plethora of new features and narrative elements to make the experience more engaging.
One of the key additions is the introduction of Josh Looman, the Madden producer, as a virtual persona who interacts with the player throughout their career. As the owner’s right-hand man, Looman provides regular updates, offers advice, and even challenges the player’s decisions, shaping the direction of the franchise.
The player registration and scouting system has also been revamped, making the annual NFL Draft a more immersive and important event. Detailed storylines and personalities have been assigned to top draft prospects, providing a richer context for evaluating talent and making crucial draft day decisions.
Superstar Mode: A Story-Driven Journey
Superstar mode takes the individual player experience to the next level. Players can create a custom athlete and guide them from a high school prospect to an NFL superstar. However, Madden NFL 25 introduces a robust set of story-driven scenarios that unfold based on the player’s decisions.
Pre-draft interviews, contract negotiations, and interactions with the media all influence the player’s career path, with multiple potential outcomes for each situation. This adds a new layer of depth and realism to the Superstar experience.
A More Comprehensive and Immersive Experience
With these significant changes to Franchise and Superstar modes, Madden NFL 25 aims to deliver the most comprehensive and immersive football simulation experience yet. By blending deeper role-playing elements with the series’ trademark gameplay, EA Tiburon hopes to give players a true taste of what it means to be an NFL team owner, general manager, head coach, or star player.
“Our goal is to make every mode in Madden NFL 25 feel like a fully realized world unto itself,” says Looman. “Whether you’re guiding a franchise through decades of success and failure, or creating a custom superstar and steering their career, the stakes and the drama should feel just as high as it does on an actual NFL Sunday. We want players to be invested, to feel the weight of their decisions, and to really embrace the full scope of the professional football experience.”