With the NBA restart still a month away and the NFL season starting in September, the only other alternative is video games, including Madden 21. Though hitting 30+ foot bombs as Damian Lillard in NBA 2k and throwing literal bombs as Patrick Mahomes in Madden is nice and all, games are still far from the real, especially the latter one.

Not gonna lie, these past months have been rough as a sports fan. I go through almost every NBA and NFL article on ClutchPoints daily and it's still not enough to get me through the day, which is why an improved Madden would be a welcome addition for video game fans like myself.

Though EA has improved its Triple-A title over the years, there are still a few improvements and additions fans want to see once the newest edition of the game hits the shelves.

Before that happens around August, here's a list of the top things fans, including myself, want to see in Madden 21.

4. Less Ultimate Team ads/pop-ups

Somebody in EA has to know that there's a reason pop-up and ad blockers were invented. There's a reason people pay extra to use apps on their phones ad-free. POP-UP ADS ARE ANNOYING. And it's no different in video games.

People pay full price for the game to destress and enjoy but end up getting frustrated because every few minutes and MUT ad shows up on their screen asking them if they'd like to spend more money. Microtransactions are the biggest money-making trend in the gaming industry and for good reason. So we get it, EA. But please don't shove it down our throats.

I know they have to make bank to keep things running and some players might not mind or even want to keep the ads. A simple compromise would to simply have the option to turn these notifications off or at least have them occur less.

3. Better gameplay and realism

Many football and sports fans, in general, will agree that one thing we all love is the high-level of competition. This is what drives most players, coaches, and teams to constantly try to improve and develop. So it's not a surprise that every year we also want to see a better product in our virtual arenas and fields.

Gameplay improvements and more realism are something fans have asked for since the inception of sports titles in gaming. With the dawn of Next-gen consoles upon us, Madden players are going to want to see EA step up to the plate.

This is tricky, however.

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Madden 21 is scheduled to be released in August but Sony already announced an October-December release for the PS5, the first of the next-gen consoles. Meaning, Madden 21 will be experienced on current consoles first. The question is if EA will already have an improved Madden on release or will it be saving a much more improved version for the next-gen?

Whatever direction they choose, one thing's for sure: We want those gameplay upgrades! Whether it be better blocking, smoother player movements, or just an overall more realistic feel to the game, this is a definite need.

2. Improved Offseason in Franchise mode

We've all heard it before. “Winning starts in the offseason.” In Madden's Franchise mode, however, the offseason doesn't seem to hold as much weight. Of course, you still get things done but you should be able to accomplish more in this period just like in reality. And we're all about realism when it comes to our sports games.

One idea for making the offseason more realistic is having more “drama” during the downtime. Maybe a player suddenly wants to retire or asks for a trade. Or maybe even add a little more difficulty and uncertainty when it comes time for contract negotiations. Because nothing's more real than contract drama, right Jerry?

1. Next-gen game for a next-gen console

Technology has given gaming countless blessings. Motion capture, Virtual reality, you name it. With more advancements and better machines being rolled out, it's only natural for people to ask for games that have also made their improvements.

And none of this “quality of life” and “small details” stuff. I don't think anyone's spending on a PS5 just so they can see NBA 2K cover athlete Zion Williamson‘s sweat. Sorry, 2K.

Simply put, consoles are making noticeable upgrades that are worth paying for and we want the same from the games we play on them.