Backbreaker Video: Developer Diary #1

[Dalsanto0026]

Quote: Originally Posted by Phobia

First day I posted on the BB forums and I must say that is the biggest group of immature idiots I have ever neglected myself to. I am a football fan first, these guys are blind fanboys. I stated that their are some key fundamentals off in the defense and spacing in many of the clips in the video and they make immature posts to get a rise. Some people I will never understand.

Sounds alot like this site.

I'm looking forward to this game.
Euphoria should be used in all sports games.

[Dalsanto0026]

Quote: Originally Posted by bill2451

while I know there will be flaws, more likely than not some bad AI, missing features, head scratching bugs, etc, here is what I'm excited about... the future This is arguably the most significant "game engine" change in gaming history... by far the most significant change in the last 2 generation of consoles for years and years mo-cap has been the only way to go, and euphoria is the first engine to really change that... I truly believe this is the beginning of a monumental shift in how video games work. For years and years development teams have simply been adding animations, every year they tout "200 new goalie animations added, etc" and despite that, mo-cap will never be able to satisfy sports gamings future goals... developers have made better strides in mo-cap, making the animations possible to "break out of" to create a chain, etc, but it will always feel "canned" (bb's word, I know), it will always feel a bit scripted Backbreaker is our first peak into the future... and while it will obviously have flaws, for me it is the symbolism the game holds, the technology driving it, that excites me. physics based engines (not necessarily even euphoria) will be the wave of the future... and I'm excited to see the first one in action, despite the flaws it will have

Great post bill. I totally agree.

[Afrikan]

Quote: Originally Posted by strawberryshortcake

Short Version: Reason for why defensive backs "seems" to be running out of position has to do with the following combination. (1) The incorporation of non-traditional EAST-WEST camera angles on top of your traditional NORTH-SOUTH camera angle. (2) The perception of speed. Perception of speed is much, much faster up close & personal on the field (Backbreaker speed) vs. sitting in the nose bleed section. Long Version: I am only going to do a few of these in this post. Discuss amongst yourselves or bypass my post if you choose. Either way, it's simply my take on the situation. No smart remarks please. When you look at these game footage, you have to keep in mind these are not your traditional camera angles. Backbreaker gameplay uses more than your simple traditional NORTH-SOUTH camera angles (e.g. NFL2K5/APF2K8, EAMadden, etc.). It includes a new EAST-WEST camera angle as well. This is why some of your defensive backs (or other tacklers) seems to be running in the "wrong direction." It's not necessarily true because physics/momentum is keeping them moving in a straight line. This happens when the camera zooms in the EAST-WEST, NORTH-WEST or NORTH-EAST direction. Look at where the green grass & white field lines are with respect to how the players are moving. Their initial position makes a difference. Also keep in mind with the camera being truly up close and personal, the actual perception of "speed" looks exponentially faster on the field compared to "sky-vision" (1A) Stand still in the middle of field at the 50 yard line. Usain Bolt speed passes you. (2A) Spectator sitting in the nose bleed section. Spectator sees Usain running right by you. (1B) Your perception on field = Usain is lighting fast. (2B) Spectator seast = Usain is "slower" 1. In this case, there are multiple defensive backs down field in the secondary ahead of the CB 2. WR jumps for the ball. 3. The CB is trailing the WR, but is looking at two things: (A) the ball in the air, (B) the secondary defensive backs down field. 4. There is an "awareness" the CB has for his secondary. He slows up, and allows the secondary to make the tackle. 5. Review the footage and it makes sense. Please note the camera angles (east/west/north/south) 1. The QB pass leads the WR from west to east. 2. The WR is running WEST-EAST. 3. The CB is going SOUTH-NORTH and attempts an interception. 4. Momentum takes WR from west to east. 5. Momentum takes the CB from south to north. 6. This CB is also "aware" of his defensive teammates coming in for a tackle. 7. Keep note on the camera angle (east/west/north/south). 1. Here there are actually two different WR. Receiver one (WR#81) is in the middle of the field. The second WR#2 is all the way to the left in the picture (lower right 4th). Here you will see three football players: 2 CB and 1 WR. 2. Assumption here: For whatever ridiculous reasons, WR#2 will be triple covered with the help of the “Right Safety” in the middle of the field. Initially, “Right Safety” is running counterclockwise towards WR#2 to give triple coverage maybe because of a “pump fake.” 3. Then the 2 CB sees the actual pass towards the middle of the field to WR(#81). “Right Safety” sees his 2 CB react. Both CB looks and move towards the middle of the field. “Right Safety” sees his 2 CB leaving the assign WR#2. 4. “Right Safety” now needs to make a clockwise 360 degree turn to face SOUTH-EAST to put himself in a position to make a defensive play. 5. WR(#81) catches the ball and heads NORTH-WEST fast well before the “Right Safety” can make the complete clockwise 360 degree turn. WR(#81) speed burst moves right pass “Right Safety.” 6. “Right Safety” looks out of position because physics/momentum keeps him going in a straight line PLUS the combination of WR#81 speed and NORTH-WEST camera angle. Isn’t weight what gives player’s momentum? Physics/Momentum keeps a football player moving forward in a straight line. This is why the defensive player’s weight (and subsequent momentum) takes them out of the play. In order to change direction, the player needs to foot plant himself to stop the momentum first. You can’t defy the laws of physics. EDIT/Correction: For the other video clips that you mentioned ("frozen" defender and "turn around" defender with touchdown pass over his head to WR). I just reviewed the video and they are in very slow motion. Slowed video may sometimes cause visual discrepancies. There could be reasons for these defender "unawareness," or they could have misjudged the pass. The "frozen" defender could very well have been frozen because of a "rocket laser pass" or "by a preceding pump fake" and he might well be s-l-o-w-l-y making his turn up field. Real time gameplay footage may better reveal the defenders "unawareness/awareness." But the video cut away from his next move/action. We don't know until we know the context of the play, their assignment and their reaction on field. We need to keep Backbreaker gameplay footage within context, and the gamer (player or CPU induced). Quick clips really don’t show the whole picture. We need to take into account player position, physics/momentum, their assignment and their original intended route, plus camera angle. Nevertheless, if there is in fact a problem, team Backbreaker should be aware of them and make the suitable adjustments/correction/coding. Plus, the more and more I see this 3rd person camera view (North/South/East/West), I am actually getting use to it, and actually looks intensely promising. I like it. Yeah I know, long post. No smart remarks please. Thanks.

quoted for new page, great work!

[JayBee74]

Quote: Originally Posted by Afrikan

quoted for new page, great work!

DITTO

[DaveDQ]

I still love the idea and concept of this game. These guys are doing something that is going to show us how dated some games really are. It's not really about exposing Madden; however, it is about exposing these antique sports gaming engines that continue to rise on their branding and very little under the hood improvements.

Rather than get caught up in how they are doing things differently, I'm going to continue to celebrate their efforts. What this dev team is doing is creating something positive. We sit on these boards and critique things from head to toe, really doing nothing on our own to offer something different. These guys are taking a risk and I like that.

I guess you can call it a moral purchase for me.

[CreatineKasey]

Fortunately if anything is really easy to abuse online, we can just simply avoid that and play with "house rules" with other OS guys. That's a great luxury users at this site have. I'm sure a Backbreaker gamertag list (and leagues!) will open up quickly after the release. If the game has any redeemable qualities, we'll get a good sim crowd here to work with

[major major]

Really like the fact, some of you are really open to giving this game a chance along with being critical. I have and never will understand blind FB's for anything. I do hope the online GP is solid and we can some great SIM style play and leagues!

Hell.. this game may take some of my time away from the SHOW!

[lasthour]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaveDQ

I still love the idea and concept of this game. These guys are doing something that is going to show us how dated some games really are. It's not really about exposing Madden; however, it is about exposing these antique sports gaming engines that continue to rise on their branding and very little under the hood improvements. Rather than get caught up in how they are doing things differently, I'm going to continue to celebrate their efforts. What this dev team is doing is creating something positive. We sit on these boards and critique things from head to toe, really doing nothing on our own to offer something different. These guys are taking a risk and I like that. I guess you can call it a moral purchase for me.

These are my thoughts exactly. Sport games in general have failed to keep up with the changing technology. It is about time someone updated their efforts.