One addition to a sports gaming franchises feature set may not always equate directly to the subtraction or dilution of another, but those are the theories the general public will almost never be able to prove. In any case, prepare for Madden franchise fans to be even more agitated with EA in the coming days.

Twitter user Cameron Mertz gained access to an extended version of Madden 21 (click here to buy mut 21 coins), and among other things, he exposed a new mode likely coming to this years game that is called The Yard.

Based on screenshots Ive seen, the mode is a 6-on-6 feature that charges you and friends to compete with backyard rules.

It sounds a lot like NFL Street, which was a great game, and its a smart concept to include in Madden. Bryan Wiedey, aka Pasta Padre had a poignant take on the modes inclusion.

Its difficult to poke holes in that theory, though there could have been plans to bring this forward prior to 2Ks announcement. The bigger issue is how this will be received by franchise fans.

Because of the disappointing neglect of the games franchise mode, the addition of this mode might not go over well with fans of more traditional football concepts.

Its quite possible The Yard was going to make its way into Madden 21 even if franchise mode and its fans were shown a little more respect.

Still, if The Yard is in, and in the least bit feature rich, it will be like standing on the nerve of the hardcore franchise mode fan. Can you imagine if there were initially plans to add to franchise mode, but those initiatives were placed on the back burner (or eliminated) because EA wanted to dull the impact of 2Ks football vehicle with The Yard?

Well have to wait and see what happens with The Yard, and the promised improvements to franchise mode closer to the Madden 21 release on August 25.