This week's edition of Gridiron Notes has been released and takes a deeper look at Face of the Franchise: United We Rise. This year's iteration of the game mode provides more customization through player classes, scenarios, rewards, and side activities, all based on the decisions you make and your overall performance.
In today's article, we will highlight some of these key new features but if you would like to read the full Gridiron Notes, Click Here.
Road to the Draft
Your career mode journey begins at Nike Headquarters where you will train with some of the best players in the NFL. This is where you will get the opportunity to boost your own draft stock and personal brand through team interviews, private workouts, the College Football Playoffs, exhibition matches, and other various events. Your performance and choices along the way will impact your position in the Draft, rewards, and allow for multiple outcomes and career paths, as opposed to the linear storyline you've grown accustomed to over the past couple of years.
Meet the Cast
This year's Face of the Franchise will feature an all-new cast of characters who are both invested in your success as well as their own individual quests. Check out the new cast below:
- Alexandra Bishop - Defensive Coordinator
- Manny Kahue - Offensive Coordinator
- Nia Polanco - Podcast Host
- Ethan Rhodes - NFL Analyst
- Brandon Yung - Nike Trainer
- Jordan Wright - Agent/Close Friend
- Alonzo "Zo" Aiden - Brand Manager/Close Friend
- Carter Landry - Mentor/NFL Teammate
Class Progression System
For the first time in Face of the Franchise, you will now be able to play on the defensive side of the football as a linebacker in addition to the usual QB, WR, and HB options. Each position will offer different classes to represent the unique playstyles you see in real life at those positions. Each class will feature three different Superstar Abilities and one X-Factor. Once you have unlocked these Superstar Abilities and X-Factors, you will then be able to equip them on other classes, adding another level of customization to your players.
Class Rewards
In addition to unlocking Superstar and X-Factor Abilities, you will also earn Skill Points, Cred, Rep, and Gear for the Yard based on your performance on the field. With unified class progression, you will be able to level up your classes and unlock Gear for your Avatar while playing the Yard as well.
Career HUB
The all-new Career HUB will be the command center for your journey throughout the NFL. Here is where you will find different scenarios, side activities, and class progression information.
Podcasts
This year's Face of the Franchise will feature more than 70+ different podcast segments with unique interviews, mic 'd-up clips, opinions, trivia, and storylines based on your career decisions and overall performance. Podcasts during the draft will begin with The Rich Eisen Show and continue throughout your NFL journey with two of the fictional cast members: Kevin Connors and Nia Polanco.
Season Engine
This will be the heart of your career experience and provide you with new side activities, storylines, challenges, and scenarios, all based on how you and your team are performing during the year. Expect different scenarios to trigger throughout your journey based on your position, team, and weekly performance.
Side Activities
Side Activities in Madden NFL 22's Face of the Franchise help simulate decisions all elite athletes must make with their spare time, leading to unique rewards and both temporary and permanent buffs. There will be four categories for rewards and buffs: Mental Focus, Physical Recovery, Team Bonding, and My Brand. Each week will offer different Side Activities for you to choose from with some being rarer than others. Check out the following example provided by EA:
- Fan Meet & Greet (Uncommon)
- +100 Cred and +20 Morale for the entire team for 1 week
- Team Film Study (Common)
- +100 REP and +100 XP for the entire team
- Weight Training with O-Line (Rare)
- +3 Strength for entire O-Line permanently
Ultimately, how your player spends his free time and which boosts they earn along the way will be completely up to you.
Pressure Moments
Throughout your NFL journey, high-pressure moments will arise that give your player a unique opportunity to face the pressures that come along with playing professional football. If you happen to be playing on a next-gen console, Dynamic Gameday will be integrated with these moments, adding a new layer of detail and realism to your experience.
What are your thoughts on the changes coming to Face of the Franchise: United We Rise? Join the discussion and share your opinion with us in the Official MUT.GG Discord.
