@Bab9090 I've seen at least one YouTube video referring to EA's algorithm that "evens" the playing field for players that win or lose too much. Correct me if I'm wrong, because I haven't seen the GameFaqs forums. I'm sure it was discussed there for the same reasons that it's been discussed elsewhere for the past 18 years. People like to add justifications to a process when they can't accept the results of that process.
The theory goes that EA wants players to keep playing their game(s). To do so, an algorithm written to level the playing field was written to balance players with lesser skills so they won't abandon the game early in the season. It's supposed to work like this: once a player wins too many in a row, the algorithm will cause seemingly random occurrences to make them lose the game; likewise, a player that loses a lot will be the beneficiary of seemingly random occurrences that help them win.
Over a decade ago when Madden 2003 went online, and years before this supposed algorithm existed, the term "Madden gods" was coined to describe the random events that won/lost games. If you fumble on the goal line of what would be a game winning drive - blame the Madden gods. Drop an interception that would seal a win - blame the Madden gods. So on, so forth... Justify the bad result by inserting a reason the process is flawed.
I mention the Madden gods to link them directly to the aforementioned algorithm. The phenomenon is identical. The difference is that instead of gremlins causing fumbles, someone renamed it 'algorithm' so it would be more readily accepted by people that understand a programming environment.
I have it on good authority from a former high level EA developer who left the company abruptly that this mysterious algorithm does not exist. The circumstances surrounding his departure would give him every reason to expose said algorithm if it was real. But it's not.
Beyond the "this happened to me once" anecdotes; of which we all have a relatable story, there is no evidence that this algorithm exists. Furthermore, if it did, I believe it would have the opposite effect for a community of gamers that rely so heavily on accumulated skills they have developed over a years. Many of us would stop playing.
That said, EA has gone to great lengths to make Madden, specifically, easier for new players entering the online H2H arena dating back to Madden 2004. All out in the open, and none have been sufficient. Why? Because human nature hasn't changed. People still look for justifications in the process when they don't like the result...
Oddly, no one ever blames the algorithm when they win. Funny that.
Later
