Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

[djordan]

Quote: Originally Posted by splff3000

This is why we need some type of community interaction here. I don't want them doing special blogs or anything for us, but someone should answer some questions. Now, they're probably going to have a Live Chat session on this, even though, this was already talked about in the NCAA forum and in a NCAA Live Chat session. I'm willing to bet the same questions will be asked as well. We need questions answered. Right about this time, Ian or whoever should be here saying, "Calm down guys. This was played on rookie for an added effect. Here's some footage of it played on All Pro and All Madden and against multiple defensive fronts." That would put a lot of people at ease. I understand that some people were more than rude at times last year, but a few questions in a thread shouldn't hurt anyone. I have had questions about every "feature" that has been blogged about this year and for each and every one of them, I have numerous unanswered questions. Those little live chat sessions just ain't getting it done. What happens when you got a lot of unanswered questions about something? You become more hesitant to purchase it. Now, I'm most likely gonna get it( after you guys get it and I find out all of the answers that I need), but I'm sure there are some that want answers, but won't be able to find them.

I agree..expect a "LIVE CHAT" about blocking next week..LOL.

[greenegt]

MUCH better blocking than in the past. The CD guys seemed to enjoy the run game, so I'm hopeful that everything is tuned well on both sides of the ball, in the retail release.

[CreatineKasey]

People's knowledge of gaps will probably be challenged by this solid run blocking. Guys who know where to blitz to blow up a stretch or power-O will have a strong advantage. It looks like we'll probably have to manually keep tabs on gap responsibilities on defense, something we've always done in Madden. Fortunately I'm already decent at it considering I've done it for so long. Unfortunately it does suck up a lot of attention on defense, especially on base D and base O downs.

[o Mass Murda o]

Quote: Originally Posted by Exonerated

In past games, the defenders reacted WAY toooo fast. Like they'd be fooled by a misdirection but recover so fast that they tackle you for a lost.

exactly! plus not to mention but maybe the delay is slightly intentional to go along with the new locomotion. if u guys remember the reason they toned locomotion down in '10 was because of the ai needing a rewrite prolly cuz they were still reacting the same old way and thus overshooting everything. they may have the D now being slightly more patient and "sure" so they dont take themselves outta the play all the time....just a guess?!?

any CD'ers have any thoughts on this?

[LeafyBug]

Hey guys, just saw the latest blog & I figured I'd join in add my two cents.

After watching the vids, I noticed the LBr's getting knocked down almost instantly on contact. I know this was likely on a lower difficulty, or maybe the settings were adjusted for emphysis but its still good to see EA attempt to address line play & blocking in general (especially run blocking).

I honestly felt like the spacing or the areas on the field where the blocks were taking place seemed off or odd...just not really forming with good flow or visually seeming accurate to real life. I'll take it though! I mean, its better than what we have right now, and it does get me more interested in the run game because I'll be able to pick my own holes (hopefully), set up my blocks, and actually cut it back when the defense overflows.

At some point though, they (EA) are going to have to stop arm waving every little wrinkle and touting it as a NEW FEATURE. This stuff is all core to football & belongs in the game. Not saying they shouldn't advertise it as selling points in text or imagery, but just standing on these additions as singular reasons for me to go out and buy this years version of the game...its getting old.

I honestly have to see all the details about the game (and in game video) before saying I will or won't buy it...but, at this point I can say I'm leaning more towards NCAA 11. Waiting to hear about what Madden has to offer from a presentation/offline franchise standpoint...I have a feeling I may be pleasently surprised.

Overall, EA has me pretty much sold on NCAA 11. I dont know about Madden 11 as of right now.

[kjcheezhead]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out they are communicating differently than last year. Oh wait,........

They are communicating with OS differently this year, if all people are doing is reading the blogs and listening to the Q and A's, then it would seem to be more hype train similar to last year....

They put some vids up of a feature being played on rookie/pro and show how great it is, or in the case of the catch debugging tool, they just tell us how great it is while showing us 2 picks of animations from Madden 10. Then during the Q and A question they talk up the feature and tell us how great it works.

Same hype train, just not as flashy as last year or as NCAA's vids have been.

[Segagendude]

Quote: Originally Posted by splff3000

For those saying that they don't trust the blogs this year, I was right there with you, but I've noticed something this year about the blogs. Most of the vids shown this year, are in game. It's not just one or two players, but it's a full 22 players on the field. That's why I'm not as skeptical as I was before about these blogs now. When I see it in game, I guess I feel reassured that it'll be in since I've seen it in game already.

This. Also, last year they used computer generated footage showing what they "hoped" would make it in game.

[RGiles36]

Quote: Originally Posted by kjcheezhead

They put some vids up of a feature being played on rookie/pro and show how great it is, or in the case of the catch debugging tool, they just tell us how great it is while showing us 2 picks of animations from Madden 10. Then during the Q and A question they talk up the feature and tell us how great it works. Same hype train, just not as flashy as last year or as NCAA's vids have been.

Yeah, it's a hype train. They have no business trying to market their game in order to build anticipation and generate revenue .

Not biting your head off sir LOL. It's just funny that anything EA does for marketing is looked at as a "hype train" and not marketing. I hate analogies b/c they're overused on this forum, but Toyota is showing commercials for their new Avalon despite the bad pub this year. Hype train too? No, it's an effective way of marketing to get individuals like myself into what they're selling.