Madden 23 Franchise Mode changes, explained: What to know about all new features for 2022 game
Madden has emphasized the franchise mode to varying degrees throughout its history, but Madden 23 brings a new sense of depth to the mode.
While Madden 22 introduced features like staff, game scheduling, and AI tweaks to the fold, Madden 23 is trying to add some smart thoughts to its franchise mode. This includes features like player motivation, player tagging, scouting and even more AI adjustments.
The reach of these features depends on how in-depth you want to go, but Madden is clearly aiming for a MyGM feel to NBA 2K on top of the on-pitch product.
Below is Madden’s full video of each of these features, along with an explanation from The Sporting News of what they are.
Madden 23 Franchise Mode Features
player motivations
Arguably the biggest revision, player motivation, will expand during contract negotiations. Where Madden 22 simply boiled down to “the team that bids the most gets the player,” player motivations will now consider ring hunts, legacy, plan customization, game potential, proximity to home, state taxes, and weather, among other things.
While money is always an issue, myriad factors can bring a player onto a team.
Ultimately, team motivation must match player motivation.
player tags
Player tags are given to players based on their status in the league.
The tag a player wears helps dictate the interest they generate in free agency or trade talks, and it’s a way to rank players beyond the box score.
Tags players can hold include Franchise QB, Bridge QB, Future QB, Day 1 Starter, Future Starter, Bridge Player, Mentor, and Trade Target. The award winner tops it all off.
This allows you to manage your roster and identify/value players effectively. While all of this is self-explanatory, taking advantage of it when a player is in transition can improve the longevity of your franchise.
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Hub for free agencies
Free agency is complicated. There is a finite number of good players and 31 other teams competing with you for them. So the hub for free agencies can act as a kind of storyboard.
Within the hub, users can place offers, compete against teams, manage signatures, view motivations and tags, and take advantage of the new active negotiations and ratings.
At its core, free agency is a negotiation. So, in order to lure a player whose motivation doesn’t already match that of your franchise, there will be a back and forth between the team and the player.
Contract negotiations will of course have tailored offers, but there are also four presets for team friendly, player friendly, very player friendly and neutral. Of course, expect players to react accordingly.
scouting
Madden now has 260 total scouts and 100 free agency only, up from 50 free agent scouts in previous years.
In an upgrade from Madden 22, players can now explore multiple locations at each stage of the process, instead of just exploring one location at a time. This is especially valuable for players who want to take on the rebuilding of franchises and build a dynasty.
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These scouts also reach the conscript class and will group potential conscripts accordingly.
There are potential generations (from the Andrew Luck mold), 99-club prospects (players with a generation ability), high-variance prospects (boom or bust types), and specialist prospects (players who have a specific need cover).
More logic tuning
From year to year things always need to be optimized.
Madden 23 hopes to bring more logic to things like trades, awards, and drafts.
Against this background, Madden is trying to appeal to a larger audience with its tuning.
What that means is, of course, still unclear. But in theory, it should mean that Franchise mode offers a more realistic, seamless, and competitive experience.