Backbreaker Multiplayer Hands-on and Videos (IGN)

[mgoblue678]

Even though I agree with most of the criticisms in this thread, I will disagree with the people calling the player models hideous, at least from a technical standpoint. I can understand why some people wouldn't like the art style they decided to go with as far as being futuristic looking and having limited body types as I don't really I like it either. From a purely technical standpoint though, in terms of things like how well they are rendered, they actually look pretty good in that respect.

[Gort77]

Quote: Originally Posted by capa

I agree with you. I just think it is an odd design decision if the latter...I have never seen one request asking for a more futuristic look. Just the opposite actually, gamers (kids and adults) want to play with their favorite players in the NFL and they want them to be exact down to Jerri curls. Since they do not have the NFL license, they should provide a way to replicate the experience and the player models looking real is step 1.

You do realise that game devs make creative decisions without asking for input from people on forums. They chose the character models to differentiate themselves from Madeen, thats it.

[CreatineKasey]

Quote: Originally Posted by turftickler

The throw off the back foot didn't bother me. It was the bullet pass that I didn't like, but oh well. I could sit and pick apart any game all day long, especially "that other game".

I've got a big issue with stuff like that because it gets abused against other human opponents. Having a QB's feet set is one of the most important aspects to a SIM football game in my opinion. APF had it, Madden really doesn't. It's one of the factors that contributes to passing being so life-like and timing based in APF... you can't just run around and fling a ball at any time. You have to throw things on time consistently from the pocket to have great success passing. If a blitz gets you, you'll have to brace a hit and make a throw, not backpedal away from it.

Imagine the scenario where you send in a great overload blitz yet your opponent can just keep backpedaling and make ALL the throws that he could make with his feet set. The blitz would lose much of its effectiveness.

I've been through this song and dance too many times to be okay with it. I do like the limited playbooks though. I hope many are unique so clear identities come out from different playbooks. There's a better chance this game is balance-able with less plays available too.

[capa]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gort77

You do realise that game devs make creative decisions without asking for input from people on forums. They chose the character models to differentiate themselves from Madeen, thats it.

I understand that...but smart companies don't make the games they want...they make games that appeal to gamers. Like it or not, that other game has millions of followers...very few I bet are looking for player models that look like robots from the NFL on Fox.

Listen to your customers...marketing 101.

C

[Gort77]

Quote: Originally Posted by capa

I understand that...but smart companies don't make the games they want...they make games that appeal to gamers. Like it or not, that other game has millions of followers...very few I bet are looking for player models that look like robots from the NFL on Fox. Listen to your customers...marketing 101. C

Marketing 101 also teaches you to set yourself apart from your competition. To make a game that looks just like madden will not help solidify themselves as something different.

[elgreazy1]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheWatcher

I say either the models look this way because of a technology hurdle they haven't been able to get over, or they truly are trying to make a play on the futuristic angle in order to stand out. It's more than likely the latter.

I think the main reason for the art direction is, as you stated, due to the technology. The game is new and the devs spent clearly a large majority of their resources building one of the more complex game & physics engines ever released. It's just like a car: the engine & undercarriage comes first while the body comes second.

Look at the Madden's & 2K's games and we see how over time the player models evolved from blocks to defined, realistic shapes. It'll take at least another game release (BB2) and beyond before the devs can re-render and shave down the player models to look more natural AND to add more variation to the models themselves (ie: faces, skin tones, muscle definition, fabrics & fibers, etc). This is something I'm fine with seeing as you can't ask for everything at once in a new release. Am I making excuses for it, hardly not, but I understand where they stand and I'm actually okay with the generic, sleek look of the players.

Even still, I can't wait to get my hands on this for better or worse. I'm simply excited to see another football game, period, and it has nothing to do with my like or dislike of Madden, 2K, Tecmo, etc.

[capa]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gort77

Marketing 101 also teaches you to set yourself apart from your competition. To make a game that looks just like madden will not help solidify themselves as something different.

It would if it equaled or bettered it with on the field AI, graphics and the new euphoria system would be the thing that makes them stand apart. It would look, and play better.

Sadly, the player models and weak AI will doom this game. Tell you what...if in June/July the game is getting rave reviews on here and people are buying it off the shelves...I'll come back and eat my words gladly. I don't WANT to see it fail...I just think their design decisions and the fact that this is a first iteration sets it up for failure. It's different looking...yes...but if the gameplay is lacking and weird stuff is happening on the field...well...kiss it goodbye.

C

[adamgod8]

Just to update, Rob (producer) said today that the footage shown was a impulsive decision to let the big game companies capture direct feed gameplay. These plays weren't chosen they just happened to be the 3 sets of plays they captured and posted. What we have to remember is EVERY play is going to be different. This is also an unpolished build. Rob said this was the latest build, but it had some bugs because they added a TON of features right before they left for GDC so they could show all the improvements. Most of the bugs in the video have already been ironed out, it just so happened that that version of the build was new and raw. You also should read the review, the writer seems a lot more impressed than the last time he saw it. He said everyone that was playing it was having a BLAST.

I say at least rent this game before you write it off