Associate Producer: Sean Campbell

Game Tempo Control – Part 2: Coach Feedback System

In my earlier post this week I talked about Team Styles of Play and the introduction of Game Tempo Control, two features that significantly impact Gameplay. When it came to the question of how we would implement and communicate the idea of controlling game tempo we were definitely not short on ideas. When it came to tracking and communicating game tempo we thought about: timing windows, sliders, meters that filled and decayed. The list went on. The more we thought about it, the more elaborate and ambitious the plans got and we knew this would be an issue. We didn’t want to make it overcomplicated, interrupt the flow of the game or distract the user from thinking about what they were trying to do. We had to tell the user what was going on, who was in control and give them the tools and understanding to be able to continue or make adjustments. Here’s what we came up with:

We have a couple of supporting features like the Game Tempo Meter and the Coach Feedback System. These features are tools for the user to control the tempo.

The Game Tempo Meter is a meter that comes out of the score overlay. The purpose of this meter is to show the user how fast or slow the game is being played. The goal for the user is to “Set the Tempo” to match you teams ideal tempo. If you do that you’ll be rewarded with higher percentage shot success. If the tempo is out of your favor you won’t be as successful because your team will be out of rhythm which will result things like players missing shots and turning the ball over more often.

The more you are able to control the tempo and swing the meter in your favor, the greater shot success your team will have. But no matter who is controlling the tempo, your best chance at keeping it or getting it back, lies with you replicating your school’s style of play.

For example, if a user is playing with a Half Court team, they will need to slow the game down, run sets and use the shot clock in order to get quality attempts and limit the number of possessions. Conversely, an Up Tempo team will be successful if they are pushing the ball in transition and looking to score early and often. The goal is to control the tempo by playing your school’s ideal style of play.

It is important to know that we do not enforce ‘blanket’ penalties on all shots taken out of tempo. We evaluate each shot based on several factors such as: ratings, guarded level, distance to basket etc. to ensure that the game plays as true to life as possible. As an example, an open lay up is still a high percentage shot and you will not be penalized if you are playing out of tempo.

The Coach Feedback System is designed to give you advice in real time based on various factors such as: time and score, fatigue, how you’re playing based on our team style and your coaching points of emphasis.

For example - we monitor player fatigue and if it drops below a certain point – your coach will let you know that it’s time to make some subs.

If the user’s team is an Up Tempo team and he isn’t playing at the right pace – then your coach will let you know about it.

If you need to press late in the game or need to go for a quick 2 for 1 then your coach will let you know.

I should also mention that we have coaching points of emphasis that the user can select pre-game. You can select from numerous points of emphasis based on your Team’s Tempo. So If I’m a Halfcourt team I may choose “stop dribble penetration” as one of my points of emphasis. The coach will let me know how I’m doing.

I hope this gets you a little more excited for a game we think will deliver what college basketball fans have been waiting for. Thanks for reading and just a reminder to everyone that our new ship date is Nov. 17 so look for the game in stores Nov. 19.