Why did swing routes have to change?

[Frank the Tank]

I've attached a screenshot to demonstrate something that has changed but never should have. Note my fullback heading out into the left flat with the linebacker trailing about 15 yards away and all other defenders much further away than that. Want to guess the result of the play? Despite an accurate pass that hits the player in stride, a 2 yard completion. Why? Because now the swing routes don't head upfield after the player reaches the flat. They stop in the flat, so then the player has to go through the same animation of catch, set feet, pause momentarily, turn around, then start upfield (meanwhile all defenders have run about 15 yards while all of this animation is happening) that has plagued the game since 2003.

I recall this being much better last year. Why change something that was working properly? You might as well hot route all these routes into an extra blocker.

[NaptownMVP]

Probably has something to do with the Locomotion, I would think.

[skinfan31]

That has been a gripe of mine on every year of football games on the next gen. I haven't experienced a proper swing route run since PS2 and the original XBOX.

[kingoftroy59]

The worst is when they decide to make that wide open swing route a curl, sending your pass 20 feet over their head.

[ibrokeu]

Because they didn't put in the time to fix broken gameplay.

Those routes turned into cheap money plays and it was all anyone online ever did.

Fixing it correctly would have meant a complete overhaul of how defense is played in the game and EA opted to just change the route so it can't be abused.

I think it's ok for now. Really you never see guys wide open in real football on routes like that. Hopefully next year they make defense the emphasis that offense was this year and fully currect it.

[Roggie]

Pretty much what ibrokeu said. Last year you could abuse that play. Everyone covered? Oh, I've got a HB running in the flats WIDE OPEN for a free fifteen yards. I'm glad it's like this now, and I'm someone who abused the heck out of it.

[Frost33]

Quote: Originally Posted by kingoftroy59

The worst is when they decide to make that wide open swing route a curl, sending your pass 20 feet over their head.

Or it bounces off his helmet even with a touch pass.

[bvb24]

I'm not happy with the change either.