Okay, so I wanted to do something kinda cool with Madden NFL 2004. It’s an old game, but I’ve always loved it. The big thing I was aiming for? Getting a feel for that “owner mode” they introduced.
Digging into Owner Mode
First, I fired up the game. I mean, that’s the obvious first step, right? I chose a team (don’t judge, it was my old favorite, I don’t even know what I chose!) and jumped straight into franchise mode. Then I went for the “Owner Mode.”
What’s it about?
It’s way more than just playing games. You’re dealing with, like, everything.
- Stadium Stuff: I messed around with ticket prices. Jacked ’em up a bit, then realized nobody was coming to the games, so I had to lower them again. Classic rookie mistake!
- Team Finances: It’s not just about player salaries. I had to think about staff, stadium upgrades, even the price of hot dogs! Who knew running a football team was so much work?
- Making Moves: I even considered relocating the team! Ultimately I decided against it because, sentimental value, but the option was there. That’s what I thought was interesting.
I spent a good few hours just tinkering. I played some games, made some trades (some good, some really bad), and tried to make my team profitable. Let me tell you, balancing the budget is HARD.
My Takeaway
It’s a way deeper experience than just playing the regular games. You get to see what it might be like behind the scenes. Of course, it’s still a video game, so it’s not exactly like real life, but it’s a fun simulation.
I wouldn’t say I “mastered” owner mode, not even close. But I got a good taste of it, and it made me appreciate the complexities of running a sports franchise a bit more. If you’re into the older Madden games, and you haven’t tried it, definitely give owner mode in Madden 2004 a shot. It’s a nice touch and makes the game a bit different than just running and passing plays.
