For those of you who are unaware, the Gameflow feature in Madden NFL 11 (set to debut in August) is a default setting that, according to CNET, "aims to eliminate play calling by auto-selecting a play for every down, based on a team's actual playbook and play-calling tendencies." From the Yahoo! Games video game blog Plugged In (see the video at the bottom of the post for more information):
Gameflow is basically a virtual offensive or defensive coordinator that both calls plays and walks you through them. Not only will you get on-field diagrams, you'll also receive verbal instructions from your coordinator. This way, Madden NFL 11 will actually teach you to play the game as you go, rather than forcing you to spend hours in the Tutorial.
According to Madden creators, the typical gamer uses only a fraction of the 350+ plays in a typical team's playbook, and I'd be willing to bet there are tons of players who do nothing more than throw Hail Marys, use the Halfback Option Pass and occasionally run a Toss Sweep to the outside. For years, Madden has included the "Ask Madden" feature to assist with play-calling and encourage gamers to run a more well-rounded offense, but many users were likely reluctant to use the option likely because they either found traditional plays boring or didn't understand how to run them.
Although it will be the default option in Madden NFL 11, the feature can be turned off, allowing traditionalists and neophobics to return to the version of the game they know and love. For gamers willing to embrace the new technology, however, I can envision a scenario where Gameflow revolutionizes the way casual football fans (not only kids, but adults too) understand, follow, and appreciate the National Football League. While some Madden gamers (like myself) have a football background, understand the sport's complexities and thus run a well-balanced offense that includes a power running game, high percentage passes and the occasional shot downfield, others desperately need the Gameflow technology. I'm personally in favor of any addition to Madden where the goal is to encourage gamers to embrace the mental and strategic aspects of football.
For some, developing a better understanding of Madden's amazingly detailed and accurate playbooks will encourage a stronger appreciation for the strategy and finer elements of a sport that is often only associated with speed, strength and brutality. Others will use the feature to learn more about the tendencies, strengths and weaknesses of particular NFL teams, coaches and players, since Gameflow customizes its recommendations based on the team the gamer is playing with. Most importantly, though, Gameflow might limit the number of times the sweaty, overweight New Jersey resident sitting next to me in the upper deck of Giants Stadium screams for Eli Manning to through a Hail Mary to Hakeem Nicks on fourth-and-eight, which would be truly fantastic. I'm looking forward to testing out the technology; maybe even a hardcore Madden gamer and football fanatic can learn something.
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