Madden NFL 10 Blog: A Deeper Look Into Pass Blocking

[Valdarez]

Quote: Originally Posted by kicker

Never have seen the immaculate OL blocking in 2k described as a "problem" before. Hence why Ian said he is using them as a benchmark....

I absolutely love APF2K8, the strategy of the game, the game play, it's all there, and they really nailed the line play, but as good as it is, it's not perfect. I'm sure others can attest to players just coming in out of no where.

Not only that, but I know how they got their line play to work so well. Namely DLine calls, which is good, and bad. Here's how it works:

The OLine will react differently based on the DLine call that is called by the defensive player. The offensive player can over ride this to a certain extent by calling a pass protect audible on their OLine, but most players don't. If the computer is playing the defensive linemen then everything works out fine, however, if you get a human in there playing a DLineman, and they go a different direction than the DLine play called, then it can really mess up the OLine, because they were expecting the DLine player to come in from a specific direction. What they did gives the allusion of a really good pocket, but in the end, it's not near as dynamic as everyone thinks.

It's the linking of the OLine blocking to the Dline calls that causes bugs like the DE-Twst Glitch (http://www.2kfootballstrategy.com/mo...t=1972&start=0).

Even with the limitations of their approach, I still think it's the best line play we have seen to date. And, IMHO the ability to call your own DLine play/stunts is a huge advantage and a big addition to the overall strategy of your defensive play calling particularly when it comes to stopping the run and closing gaps.

[Moostache]

Quote: Originally Posted by Valdarez

@Moostach: That's why I said the DE's need to work the outside more and track the QB's step/drop and only head straight for the QB after he stops his drop. Otherwise, if they engage immediately when the ball is hiked, it seems like it could result in the same leave the pocket problems that plagued other versions of Madden as there would be nothing stopping them from running backwards and leaving the pocket.

I think the videos show a pretty good DE reaction to the QB going back too far...Romo gets sacked in both cases...I am more concerned with what the overly agile Madden QBs (lacking realistic physics to slow their directional changes) could do if they cut inside and instead of stepping up into the pocket simply took a 90 degree turn and headed to the outside while the DE and OT were engaged. I know that Ian said in the blog that this is why the steering and interruptible animations are in the game, but I have seen this too many times.

Every year the "QB roll and chuck" is "fixed"...for about a week or two, then people figure out how to break the new system and the roll and chuck offense is back like clockwork...I think that only improved QB physics can fix this...but I would love to be shown wrong!

[dbgameover]

valdrez thats exactly what i was going to say most of 2k8 is planned out you move someone it screws it all up it really feels built for computers

they also make good players make coverages stupid it should be there so good they get past the coverage not make the coverage run away from the ball its really sicking

rant over

the video really looks good so far i like that yall thought of when a defensive end gets his hands out quick enough and can get away quickly definetly will hope to feel more pressure

as everyone said chip blocks should be thrown in there to allow you control of the pressure

what i would really like to see is the ability to set blocks it would really make things better by being able to call out blitzes and such for when people figure out nanos

[Valdarez]

Quote: Originally Posted by Moostache

I think the videos show a pretty good DE reaction to the QB going back too far...Romo gets sacked in both cases...

Ahhh... good point, but that's because he's forced to stop (forced drop back & stop, followed by a start to run again) instead of automatic drop back with option to do whatever you want like in APF2K8. I guess it solves the problem, but hope it's not their long term solution. Players aren't going to like not having control of their QB. I know I won't. I'll endure it to make the game more realistic for one release though.

[big_larry]

i wouldnt worry about the de's getting engaged with ot's and the qb rolls out, because this is what this blog was all about the de's being able to disengage from the ot's. im pretty sure if the qb rolls outside in this game the de's will not get stuck like in 09.

[NYyankz225]

Great work! This should be even better than 2k's system. I always said this...once you were locked into an animation in 2k you couldn't escape. They must have done a decent job hiding it because Valdarez didn't even notice it when I brought it up even though I noticed it immediately when I played (admittedly not much).

This should allow the best of both worlds. Glad you guys noticed and used a breakable system. Obviously if you have small loops you have more user control but at what cost? Lack of variety/"static" animations. Breakable animations are the best way. Nice work...can't wait to see it all ironed out.

[steelers1216]

please change the size of the ball, heres a picture, look at the size of the ball in proportion to the players body

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BWCxqbXSsY

i dont know how to make the link a click-able link, but just put this in the search bar and take a look

APF 2k8 got the size of ball spot on

[steelers1216]

wrong link, sorry again
heres the right link

http://steelerstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/big-ben.jpg