Group Admins
Madden NFL has long been the go-to video game for football fans, but it has often fallen short of capturing the full depth and drama of the NFL. With Madden NFL 25, developer EA Tiburon aims to change that, focusing on immersing players in the complete NFL journey.
The heart of this effort lies in two beloved modes: Franchise and Superstar. Both have undergone significant overhauls, designed to make players feel more deeply invested in the careers and stories of their teams and individual athletes.
Franchise Mode: A More Immersive Ownership Experience
Franchise mode, traditionally focused on building and managing an NFL team, has been revitalized in Madden NFL 25. “We wanted to make the experience feel more alive and engaging,” explains Madden producer Josh Looman. To achieve this, the game introduces a host of new features and narrative elements.
One notable addition is the return of Looman himself as a virtual persona. As the owner’s right-hand man, Looman provides regular updates, offers advice, and even challenges certain decisions, shaping the direction of the franchise.
The game also features an overhauled player registration and scouting system, making the annual NFL Draft more immersive. Detailed storylines and personalities are assigned to top draft prospects, adding richness to the evaluation process and making draft day decisions even more impactful.
Superstar Mode: A Deeper Dive into the Player’s Journey
Superstar mode, which allows players to create a custom athlete and guide them from high school to NFL stardom, has been elevated to a new level in Madden NFL 25. The game introduces a robust set of story-driven scenarios that unfold based on the player’s decisions.
Pre-draft interviews, contract negotiations, and media interactions all influence the player’s career path, with multiple potential outcomes for each situation. This expanded role-playing element adds a new layer of depth and engagement to the Superstar experience.
A Holistic NFL Simulation
With these sweeping 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’ signature gameplay, the developers hope to provide 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,” 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 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 truly embrace the full scope of the professional football experience.”