The launch and base MUT card ratings have been released on muthead.com for Madden 18. As is typical for launch, the highest rated MUT cards are right around 90 OVR. Four legends (Cris Carter, Marshall Faulk, Warren Moon and Anthony Munoz) are the highest rated cards at 91 OVR while 19 other current NFL stars like Tom Brady, Gronk and Julio Jones are at 90 OVR. This is typically how cards are released in MUT with better, higher OVR versions released throughout the year.
The problem with this system is that for users who spend money on packs out of the gate, 100% of the cards they get at launch become obsolete when the new versions of those players are released (typically withing 1-2 months). But what if there was a way to increase demand in packs at the outset but also to give the consumer a chance to feel like they actually have a chance at a card they can use all year?
Tiered High-Level Elites
By releasing versions of the top players and legends early on that have OVR's in the 95+ range, you could accomplish both. For instance, EA could release a 99 OVR G.O.A.T. Tom Brady, a 97 OVR Madden 17 Cover Boy Rob Gronkowski, a 97 OVR MVP Matt Ryan and a 95 OVR #1 Draft Pick Myles Garrett (plus possibly a few more 95-99 OVR stars or legends). They could then limit these players to around 100-500 versions of each making each card extremely rare. However, potentially 2,000-3,000 players could wind up with a card that they could theoretically use all season long. As the Madden year goes along, EA could release special packs with increased odds of getting these players (say another 500-1000 are released of each) or just up their odds of finding them in any pack overall. This would allow the consumer to have a legitimate shot (although extremely limited) of getting cards that they could potentially use all season versus the current system of buying packs and completing solos just to have to do more of each to get the newer, higher OVR version of their cards.
The initial resistance to a system such as this would be that it would make certain solo challenges or featured sets irrelevant. But would it? There would only be a small handful of players with very limited availability. Any player or legend that did not get a 99 OVR to start would have that as an option down the line. In addition, since these cards are so rare, you would still have demand for released 93, 95 or 97 OVR versions. We've even seen Madden have multiple 99 OVR versions of cards. So, nothing would have to change as far as sets or featured releases but the consumer would have a chance right away to get a card that has long-term redeeming value.
The other question that would be raised is whether cards of that OVR when every other card is 91 OVR or lower would cause an imbalance in the gameplay. If not done correctly, that's entirely possible. However, if past versions of Madden are an indicator, would a 97-99 OVR QB be that over-powered vs a team of all 91 OVR players? Would a 95 OVR DE really break the game vs 90 OVR OT's? There would obviously be considerations that would have to be made to limit the possibility of that. However, its extremely feasible with a little thought and effort. It would also add a tremendous amount of incentive to try and secure one of those rare players early on which, conceivably, would only be good for business. Both the consumer and the company win.
What do you think about MUT adding higher OVR cards at release? Like the idea, love the idea or hate it? Tell us why in the comments. Madden 18 releases August 25, 2107 for the Play Station 4 and Xbox One. The Madden 18 G.O.A.T. Edition is available on August 22. The Madden 18 EA Access trial period begins on August 17.
The problem with this system is that for users who spend money on packs out of the gate, 100% of the cards they get at launch become obsolete when the new versions of those players are released (typically withing 1-2 months). But what if there was a way to increase demand in packs at the outset but also to give the consumer a chance to feel like they actually have a chance at a card they can use all year?
Tiered High-Level Elites
By releasing versions of the top players and legends early on that have OVR's in the 95+ range, you could accomplish both. For instance, EA could release a 99 OVR G.O.A.T. Tom Brady, a 97 OVR Madden 17 Cover Boy Rob Gronkowski, a 97 OVR MVP Matt Ryan and a 95 OVR #1 Draft Pick Myles Garrett (plus possibly a few more 95-99 OVR stars or legends). They could then limit these players to around 100-500 versions of each making each card extremely rare. However, potentially 2,000-3,000 players could wind up with a card that they could theoretically use all season long. As the Madden year goes along, EA could release special packs with increased odds of getting these players (say another 500-1000 are released of each) or just up their odds of finding them in any pack overall. This would allow the consumer to have a legitimate shot (although extremely limited) of getting cards that they could potentially use all season versus the current system of buying packs and completing solos just to have to do more of each to get the newer, higher OVR version of their cards.
The initial resistance to a system such as this would be that it would make certain solo challenges or featured sets irrelevant. But would it? There would only be a small handful of players with very limited availability. Any player or legend that did not get a 99 OVR to start would have that as an option down the line. In addition, since these cards are so rare, you would still have demand for released 93, 95 or 97 OVR versions. We've even seen Madden have multiple 99 OVR versions of cards. So, nothing would have to change as far as sets or featured releases but the consumer would have a chance right away to get a card that has long-term redeeming value.
The other question that would be raised is whether cards of that OVR when every other card is 91 OVR or lower would cause an imbalance in the gameplay. If not done correctly, that's entirely possible. However, if past versions of Madden are an indicator, would a 97-99 OVR QB be that over-powered vs a team of all 91 OVR players? Would a 95 OVR DE really break the game vs 90 OVR OT's? There would obviously be considerations that would have to be made to limit the possibility of that. However, its extremely feasible with a little thought and effort. It would also add a tremendous amount of incentive to try and secure one of those rare players early on which, conceivably, would only be good for business. Both the consumer and the company win.
What do you think about MUT adding higher OVR cards at release? Like the idea, love the idea or hate it? Tell us why in the comments. Madden 18 releases August 25, 2107 for the Play Station 4 and Xbox One. The Madden 18 G.O.A.T. Edition is available on August 22. The Madden 18 EA Access trial period begins on August 17.
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