Madden NFL 11 Hints From EA (IGN)

[Critical Kills]

You know i'd like to extrapolate on what you said about goal line and short yardage. I'd like to see a clear difference in urgency and method of tackling when it's short yardage and/or goal line situations. As it is now I don't see it. If they could add a sense of urgency and more of a swarm to the ball in short yardage we'd also see the occasional play where it's 4th and inches near midfield and a running back makes it past the initial line somehow and runs 50 yards for a TD. As it is now that is nearly non-existent.

It really all goes back to the way the AI is programmed. The players in the real NFL are more aware of down and distance in general and play accordingly. They tackle someone completely different at the 7 yard mark when it's 3rd and 23 (they stand them up, do a safe tackle, wait for teammate) then they do when it's a 7 yard gain and it's 3rd and 7 (uptmost urgency to bring down the ball carrier and drive him backwards).

In the game the players seemingly tackle in both situatons exactly the same. That's wh it's so frustrating to see someone get a 7 yard gain, break a tackle on 3rd and 19 and scamper for the first down. Yes it happens but not as much as it does in Madden. And on the flip side there is nothing more frustrating than it being 3rd and 7 and the guy runs up and actually drags the ball carrier forward a yard or two for the first down.

I will say this aspect of the game has gotten much better since the PS2 days, especially with the dragging offensive players forward for 4 yards like we all saw so much in the PS2 days, but the bottom line is it's still not where it needs to be. Bottom line, we need much, much, MUCH more situational awareness from our virtual teammates.

[BezO]

Quote: Originally Posted by ODogg

You know i'd like to extrapolate on what you said about goal line and short yardage. I'd like to see a clear difference in urgency and method of tackling when it's short yardage and/or goal line situations. As it is now I don't see it. If they could add a sense of urgency and more of a swarm to the ball in short yardage we'd also see the occasional play where it's 4th and inches near midfield and a running back makes it past the initial line somehow and runs 50 yards for a TD. As it is now that is nearly non-existent.

Agreed! With the extra effort on goal line & short yardage plays, I'd also like to see defenses more susceptible to the play action pass. Actually, I'd like some control over my guys selling out to stop the run and/or looking for pass, but combine it with awareness ratings.

I'd also like to see different blocking interaction on goal line & short yardage plays. On runs & play action, o-linemen almost always submarine block, and d-linemen are trying to stay low as well.

Quote: Originally Posted by ODogg

It really all goes back to the way the AI is programmed. The players in the real NFL are more aware of down and distance in general and play accordingly. They tackle someone completely different at the 7 yard mark when it's 3rd and 23 (they stand them up, do a safe tackle, wait for teammate) then they do when it's a 7 yard gain and it's 3rd and 7 (uptmost urgency to bring down the ball carrier and drive him backwards). In the game the players seemingly tackle in both situatons exactly the same. That's wh it's so frustrating to see someone get a 7 yard gain, break a tackle on 3rd and 19 and scamper for the first down. Yes it happens but not as much as it does in Madden. And on the flip side there is nothing more frustrating than it being 3rd and 7 and the guy runs up and actually drags the ball carrier forward a yard or two for the first down. I will say this aspect of the game has gotten much better since the PS2 days, especially with the dragging offensive players forward for 4 yards like we all saw so much in the PS2 days, but the bottom line is it's still not where it needs to be. Bottom line, we need much, much, MUCH more situational awareness from our virtual teammates.

Agreed! It needs to spill over to the offense too... RBs putting more effort out near the goal line & first down markers, ball carriers trying to get out of bounds, QBs looking down field more, ect. This is all CPU controlled stuff of course.

[KBLover]

Quote: Originally Posted by ODogg

You know i'd like to extrapolate on what you said about goal line and short yardage. I'd like to see a clear difference in urgency and method of tackling when it's short yardage and/or goal line situations. As it is now I don't see it. If they could add a sense of urgency and more of a swarm to the ball in short yardage we'd also see the occasional play where it's 4th and inches near midfield and a running back makes it past the initial line somehow and runs 50 yards for a TD. As it is now that is nearly non-existent. It really all goes back to the way the AI is programmed. The players in the real NFL are more aware of down and distance in general and play accordingly. They tackle someone completely different at the 7 yard mark when it's 3rd and 23 (they stand them up, do a safe tackle, wait for teammate) then they do when it's a 7 yard gain and it's 3rd and 7 (uptmost urgency to bring down the ball carrier and drive him backwards). In the game the players seemingly tackle in both situatons exactly the same. That's wh it's so frustrating to see someone get a 7 yard gain, break a tackle on 3rd and 19 and scamper for the first down. Yes it happens but not as much as it does in Madden. And on the flip side there is nothing more frustrating than it being 3rd and 7 and the guy runs up and actually drags the ball carrier forward a yard or two for the first down. I will say this aspect of the game has gotten much better since the PS2 days, especially with the dragging offensive players forward for 4 yards like we all saw so much in the PS2 days, but the bottom line is it's still not where it needs to be. Bottom line, we need much, much, MUCH more situational awareness from our virtual teammates.

Dear EA AI programmers,

Please read this and post it on your monitors at all times.
Keep as a reminder of one of the things you can do to really improve the game.

Sincerely,
AI player lover, KBLover.

[Phixius]

I'm not happy with the direction EA is heading with Madden. What's wrong with the clock settings? Football doesn't end in 20 minutes. Players need time to develop their gameplan and make necessary adjustments. With a faster time, I don't see that possible.

A lot of players don't use their entire playbook. I agree with that but that has more to do with plays not being effective in the first place. This possibly could go back to the A.I. not being effective as well. I also prefer to use the hit stick over diving because hit stick is the only effective way to tackle someone. I say using the right analog stick to the right or left is a great way to use reach tackle or hold a trigger button as a modifier to do a wrap tackle.

I see that EA is trying to target the wrong audience (mainly people who just don't care about the NFL). There are millions of NFL fans throughout the world. They'll be the one that buys the game. If some person wanted to try a football game, they should do some research on how the game is played.

[Jukeman]

Quote: Originally Posted by kjcheezhead

Wasn't adaptive AI put in place to make gamers use their whole playbook? Madden 11 is showing every sign that it just wants to bring in new/casual gamers. Most people who liked Madden 10 still felt it was just a step in the right direction and I don't see the leap from Madden 10-11 being that great right now.

Bingo, Im done with this..

"And thats all I have to say about that"

[kwpit79]

Quote: Originally Posted by CreatineKasey

76% of Madden gamers play online. There's your answer offline franchise guys. It's not a big priority to them.

Wait, is that 76% who play exclusively online? I mean, I have an online account, but have played maybe 3 games combined online. I'm sure a lot of people play both is what I'm getting at, so it should still be a high priority.

[Boregard]

Where the hell are we getting 76% of Madden gamers play online???

I know a ton of Madden players and while all of them have played online a time or two at least, 95% of them are Offline 'chise ballers, because of the rampant BS you encounter during online play. I know 15 guys who don't even have their system plugged in to online. They switch out the computer just long enough to get roster updates and patch downloads.

I play in two multi-user franchises and none of those guys play online with any consistency. We tried in the beginning to do the online franchise, but got annoyed with some of the issues with it, so we started over completely offline.

Game play improvements benefit both sets, but sales will be most affected in a positive manner when franchise mode is EA's focus - you can bet on it!!!

[Valdarez]

Quote: Originally Posted by Boregard

Where the hell are we getting 76% of Madden gamers play online??? I know a ton of Madden players and while all of them have played online a time or two at least, 95% of them are Offline 'chise ballers, because of the rampant BS you encounter during online play. I know 15 guys who don't even have their system plugged in to online. They switch out the computer just long enough to get roster updates and patch downloads. I play in two multi-user franchises and none of those guys play online with any consistency. We tried in the beginning to do the online franchise, but got annoyed with some of the issues with it, so we started over completely offline. Game play improvements benefit both sets, but sales will be most affected in a positive manner when franchise mode is EA's focus - you can bet on it!!!

It's 76% of Madden gamers have an online connection, not that they play Madden online. I read it the way you did as well the first time.