The best and most customizable franchise modes in sports video games give users the opportunity to rebrand the entire league, fresh with new uniforms, team names, logos and more.
NBA 2K and MLB The Show offer this functionality in layers, but unfortunately, the Madden franchise hasn’t placed this level of customization in its users hands in well over a decade.
That’s about to change, at least to some degree with Madden 24.
EA released its franchise mode deep dive this week and among several other notable features, the publisher/developer announced the new functionality for the relocation system within Madden 24 franchise mode.
“This year, we wanted to revamp the way Relocation is handled within Franchise, making it more accessible and giving a visual refresh to the older style uniforms that have been in the game for years,” the Madden franchise blog reads.
“Relocation is no longer limited to owners – you can also relocate while playing as a coach.”
This was one of the more mind-boggling limitations in previous years. It’s good to see this chain removed from the ankles of franchise mode players eager to venture out into regions of the country and world the NFL doesn’t currently, or has never serviced.
“The process of relocating has changed, now allowing you to select your new city, team branding, and stadium immediately after choosing to relocate.”
This is another piece of great news. Having to wait until Week 8 to do any aspect of the relocation process used to feel more like a deterrent than an immersion builder, and it made the overall process clunky.
“Once you select your stadium, your relocation will be completed and you will be in your new city with your new team,” the blog writer continues. “You’ll be able to relocate again once the next season starts. We’ve added 15 new cities that you can relocate to, for a total of 34 cities.”
The new cities are as follows:
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Canton, Ohio
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Melbourne, Australia
- Montreal, Canada
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Paris, France
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Tokyo, Japan
- Vancouver, Canada
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
Bringing the list of possibilities to 34 means there are enough new cities to facilitate a complete rebranding or alternative league within Madden 24.
In addition to my traditional franchise mode experience, I enjoy creating a new league with all new teams (and sometimes players) and running that alongside the NFL/NBA or MLB experience.
This functionality reopens that possibility in Madden.
“The way names/logos work has also been updated,” the blog writer continues. “Previously, each city had 3 name choices that were limited to that particular city. Name choices are no longer tied to the city, rather being available no matter where you move. The Oilers, however, remain exclusive to Houston.”
Previously, the other discouraging limitation to the process also included a scant number of name options for your relocated teams. I’m glad to see layers added to this part of the experience as well.
“There are over 90+ uniforms that have been entirely refreshed. Previously, you would select a uniform set and only have access to that home and away uniform. Now, selecting a logo choice lets you access the unique home, away, and alternate uniform for that logo. This will allow 9 uniform combinations per team.”
There are more naming, location and uniform options than before, what’s missing from this concept that is still present in other sports titles? The ability to create your own logos, uniforms and stadiums. Those are the final pieces of the relocation/rebranding puzzle.
This functionality is available in MLB The Show and NBA 2K’s franchise modes, yet Madden–the most franchise-mode-ready sports title in existence still doesn’t have it.
I won’t blow this too far out of proportion. In all honesty, the relocation options represent an excellent leap for Madden franchise mode, and there are several other options to be excited about–assuming they work as described.
I’m looking forward to a hands-on opportunity to test out the relocation system and the other new options. Madden 24 releases on all major platforms on August 18.
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