" @Stang: I was pleasently surprised to see some of the staff partaking as well!   I'd like to do some more advertising for this thing as the weeks go on.  I'll be keeping a leaderboard on here and things like that.We are all updated and down to 11 teams! "

So, are we going to be using default rosters or doing a fantasy draft? It seems like to keep the playing field level we would need to do a draft. I imagine there's probably a lot of variety in terms of player skill here so it's entirely possible that someone experienced with Madden that signed up for a good team early would be able to just charge through with no problem.

For what it is worth, I vote for default rosters.

" @Stang: Well, the Dolphins aren't absolutely terrible so I guess I could live with that, but I still think that fairest thing to do would be to do a draft. Whoever picks teams like the Lions or Rams though could be at a major disadvantage. "

Well you wouldn't be stuck with your roster completely with trades and the draft but for the first season it would be a disadvantage for sure. 

" @Stang: Well, the Dolphins aren't absolutely terrible so I guess I could live with that, but I still think that fairest thing to do would be to do a draft. Whoever picks teams like the Lions or Rams though could be at a major disadvantage. "

Updated with everyone, I hope someone takes the Rams cause as a Seahawks fan I'll enjoy that battle.

I wanted to address a few concerns.  We will be using the default rosters and sense the team on Madden has said they don't know what the situation with free agents/trading is going to be we will wait and see how that turns out and then draft up a rule sheet based on everyone's feedback.  Early word is that it will be wide open so depending on the number of CPU teams it could make things interesting but also fun and challenging.

In regards to people flaking out I think it is bound to happen for various reasons and I will do a poll if people feel someone needs to be "kicked out".  Either from lack of participation or other situations.  I've read that the CPU can pick up a team at any time so if somebody does have to drop out it won't be a big deal but definitely not as good.

Default rosters are the only way to go in my mind, it would be impossible to get everyone online for a draft at the same time which will lead to problems.  Plus with the draft every year of the franchise and players coming and going there is bound to be lots of turnover.

Totally, that is going to be the one thing that I could see tanking this thing.  If people just don't play their games within a week before we advance then they will get behind and so on....  I don't think playing one game a week is to much to ask.

Also I was thinking that when we first start possibly giving the teams that are rated the worst a better shot at signing the best free agents, might help even things out.

Q: So no free agency, no contracts, and no salary cap...that stinks! Why didn't you put them in?

A: Many have asked why we left these features out, and the simple answer is that there just wasn't enough time to get it in before the game hits the shelves. Creating a 100% server-based Online Franchise mode with full stat tracking and numerous other features wasn't a very quick task. :) It took a major effort from our team to get to what we were happy with in a 1st year feature. The good news here though is that we HAVE given you a way to simulate this important part of the NFL off-season. We have given you a way to handle all of your offseason player movement, player contracts, etc. with your own house rules. The commissioner will have the option to Add/Drop players at will during the offseason (this is a website exclusive feature). I can give you an example of what we are already doing here at the office in our online franchise...Each team in the league is forced to give up five 70+ OVR players to free agency (we all agreed on the CPU team players to release). We then took that list, and did a quick free agency draft with that list of players. The commish then went into the Commissioner Options screen and add/dropped the players to the new teams. While this is not exactly ideal, it does give those folks who are looking for a very realistic Franchise experience a way to have offseason player movement every year. We are actively looking at a robust, live bidding free agent type feature for the future, but a lot depends on the priority you all (the fans) give us on each feature once you get your hands on online franchise.

Well, I guess I should go redownload that demo and play through it a couple more times.

Mods, is it possible to anchor this thread(and the ps3 one) at the top?

I always liked playing as an awful team, sign me up for the Lions.

GT = nuzreq

You are in.  It's not all bad you'll have first crack at free agents when we start, Stafford, and the best WR in the NFL.

I'm in as the Chiefs.

GT: Brownick

Updated.
 
Jaguars, Bengals, and Rams are the only teams left.

I'm looking forward to this.

Yeah, I preordered on Amazon so I should have it on my doorstep on launch day. I can't wait to throw down with some of you GB guys...even if I do get demolished.
 
I assume the online franchise games will start pretty much immediately since preseason games start the same week this comes out. Do you guys have any idea about how the scheduling for the games works? Is there a set time for each game or do both people in each game just have to get together and play their game prior to some deadline?

If it's anything like NCAA 09's franchise you will see who you play on your "home" screen and be responsible for sending that person a message to relay times.  This shouldn't be a problem with this thread as I'll post the schedules constantly.

Since I'll have College (and work) come september, I'll probably have to play most of my games on the nights I don't work.

im pretty excited for this to start!... whats the default difficulty gonna be?
 
edit: nevermind just reread original post 5 min quarters on all pro
 
edit 2: so if for some reason i cant find any time to play 1 week will my opponent get the option to play cpu, or a default win, or will it just be sim'd with 2 cpus? i would feel real bad if my team won on a cpu vs cpu victory

@NickL I'm not sure but I believe it will just be simmed but I'll see how it is and take a vote.
 
Also the Dolphins have opened back up.

Fuck whoever took teh Eagles. Give me dem Dolphins.  Gamertag: MakinItRainfrm3.
 
PS: I might not having on August 14th (I did the SI TV Offer), I imagine it won't be a problem but so you don't fill my spot if I don't join right away.

When do we start playing season games because im not getting the game till sunday. Is that o.k or will I be missing a lot of stuff?

" When do we start playing season games because im not getting the game till sunday. Is that o.k or will I be missing a lot of stuff? "

It'll be a while before we actually get to the regular season games.  I think there is a preseason and "off-season" period so it'll be a while.  I'll post more details but I'll probably give it a week or two before I advance for the first time so everyone can get caught up.

Good to know - cause' I didn't know if I was getting Madden 10 on release day (i.e. review copy) or a few days after it was released (i.e. GameFly). Regardless, I have my month of Gold, and I'm certainly ready to begin the online franchise with the rest of Giant Bomb!

I want the Jaguars. GT: Darth Revan 666

Updated to include Troispoint.
 
I had a blast playing through the demo a few times last night.  Everything feels pretty good on all-pro especially the pass rush.

Guess I'll sign up to be the bengals since my panthers are gone
 
gamertag: Cpt Culpepper

And with that we are down to 1 team(Rams).
 
Just a reminder to everyone, the franchise will be set up on Friday morning at around 12:30 AM, I'm picking this up at midnight and setting it up then.  Not sure if it works off of invites or if everyone just selects the franchise and inputs a password.  Either way any and all info will be put into this thread.

Sounds good. I'll probably set get in on it on Sunday, since I work friday night and all day saturday.

Operation Sports review is up
 
 http://www.operationsports.com/review.php?id=495 
 
Sounding good.  Unfortunately there are no sliders in Online Franchise at the moment(could always be patched) so we are going to be on default settings, all-pro, 7 minute quarters as this is what online ranked matches are at.  The game is still great though and I don't want to get into arguments about adjusting slider x for y amount.

 @bretthancock: if nobody has the rams - i'd like to claim that spot.... gonna edit ur post to add my name in there. picking up the game tmrw.

"  @bretthancock: if nobody has the rams - i'd like to claim that spot.... gonna edit ur post to add my name in there. picking up the game tmrw. "

Hell yea!  That will fill us up!  Welcome Coonce!
 
Thanks to everyone for signing up and staying interested so far, more to come as it's t-minus 6 hours until I'll have the game in my system.
 
I was bored so I made a twitter for the Franchise.  
https://twitter.com/GiantFranchise
 
I'll keep it updated with anything of note

I have my copy and I am eagerly waiting for the league to be set up.

" Hell yea!  That will fill us up!  Welcome Coonce!  Thanks to everyone for signing up and staying interested so far, more to come as it's t-minus 6 hours until I'll have the game in my system.  I was bored so I made a twitter for the Franchise.   https://twitter.com/GiantFranchise  I'll keep it updated with anything of note "

 Franchise Name: Giant Bomb
Password: onthemoon
 
Join up guys!  Let's get this going

Ay, looks like I'll be waiting on GameFly to send me a copy. Go figure, they shipped it out a day early, and I still get screwed over. :(
 
Is it possible to join-in while the franchise is on-going?

It's possible but I don't think it's going to come with the Online Franchise code that ships with the game, you'll have to buy it for 10 bucks I believe.

Do what you gotta do, we likely won't start for a while so everyone can get in.
 
I'll try and post the schedules for each week so people know who they need to contact.