I decided this evening to sit down and write a review of Madden 2010’s Online Franchise system. I myself am the owner and commissioner of a league called Gridiron Gods. We have maintained stellar activity and brought together some of the greatest GM’s in the online world. Therefore, who better then I, to talk about the functionality of this very program?

First, I will start with the positives. From the get-go you can tell the system was designed by EA sports. It is graphically appealing and has a wonderful framework for the program. The idea behind it is that you can create a league with 32 GM’s, trade players, play games and even move into off-season mode (for up to 10 seasons) for that all elusive rookie draft. Sufficed to say, this year’s beta version has gone pretty well. The overall program is functioning fairly well.

However, you remember how I just mentioned that you can tell from the outset this was designed by EA? Well there are quite of few of the “guy runs through the stadium” or “arm goes through the backboard” type of things EA is know so well for.

The negatives, while there may be a few, are able to be worked around.

First, the settings are very limited. You can’t change game speed, sliders, or anything of the sort. Basically, your game style is dictated by EA.  

Next, there is no salary on contract length system. This can lead to teams taking up too many great players or even stopping that one great player from ever leaving the team (cough Brett Farve cough).

Third, there has been a major problem with people not being able to play games against teams without a real-life general manager. While some are able to do it, it seems as though others never make it past the loading screen.

Forth, EA gave us an awesome new feature where we can control the league via easports.com. However, this website is extremely buggy and doesn’t provide all the things inside the game. Why leave out features like advancing a week or booting that arnry GM? Getting the internet version to sync with the game version is a big, but necessary project for EA.

Fifth, if you offer the CPU any trade they take it. Hooray for trading Jarrett Dillard for Larry Fitzgerald.

Sixth, the depth chart will randomly reset. Oh how wonderful it is to start a game and realize Adrian Peterson isn’t your starting running back; instead some 69 backup is pounding it out against the Steel Curtain.

Seventh, there is no export team or practice function. Therefore, you have to go re-draft your fantasy team in mymadden every time to you make a trade if you want to practice at all during the season.

Next, and one of the most annoying problems, is that you cannot trade draft picks. In my league, we have developed a system to do so. However, it creates multiple complications and really will prove to be a pain in the butt for many long-term leagues.

Lastly, the rookie draft is made up of 30 pre-made rookie sets. They didn’t have the brains to just make randomly created players. Now you can sign onto google and find that 7^th round gem to take first overall.

Now, I know I may not have covered every problem and I know this may sound like EA bashing. However, I’m pretty happy with this year’s beta version. I am thrilled that we have anything at all. BUT, this system does have a long way to come before all of the bugs are worked out.

Overall Rating: 7.4 / 10

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