Madden NFL Designers Podcast #2

[Ian_Cummings]

Quote: Originally Posted by marshallfever

They really said NBA 2K11 is too Sim like? Thats not what i wanted to hear. I want Madden to go in that direction. As 2K11 has proven, if you deliver an amazing game and have a good cover athlete you can sell!!!!

I'd suggest you listen to the podcast. We actually didn't say that at all.


PS I'd love to be on this forum more but when so many people have seemingly lost trust in our ability to deliver our vision it's really too frustrating and takes a toll personally. As you all know the proof is in the pudding. In August hopefully we'll change your mind.

[alf4lyfe]

Maybe it's because YOU aren't listening to what the community has said and instead put features in NO ONE asked for.

[marshallfever]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ian_Cummings_EA

I'd suggest you listen to the podcast. We actually didn't say that at all. I'd love to be on this forum more but I get more and more frustrated when no one seems to believe (or listen to) what we say anyway. So the proof is in the pudding. I'll see you guys in August I guess and hopefully we'll change your mind.

I do apologize, i personally didn't listen to the podcast, but it was mentioned throughout the thread that those words were said. If they weren't o apologize for being wrong.

I'm really hoping that M12 can change all our minds as well Ian. Its just a little frustrating. I know we fans demand a lot and truly don't know much about the work you guys put into making these games. It's sometimes just hard when we the fans ask for certain things over a period of time and it feels as if we're not being listened to.

But lets let M12 talk for itself.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ian_Cummings_EA

I'd suggest you listen to the podcast. We actually didn't say that at all. I'd love to be on this forum more but I get more and more frustrated when no one seems to believe (or listen to) what we say anyway. So the proof is in the pudding. I'll see you guys in August I guess and hopefully we'll change your mind.

Ian;

I can't speak for the whole community, but I think these are some of the concerns. I may not touch on all of them, but I'll give it a shot.

1. People complain that the developers haven't listened to OS since LG. I beg to differ with some of them because I know you listened for Madden 10. People are saying they didn't ask for Gameplanning or Strategy Pad,etc.. for 11 and felt neglected that the same developer action that occurred at OS for Madden 10 didn't happen for 11.

2. A lot of folks are interested in bringing back shading WR, individual bump n run, etc.....from last generation. They feel that they were taken away and they enjoyed those features.

3. On this one, I feel people are reading too much into the podcasts. Some folks didn't feel the team didn't adequately address the consecutive tackle issue, even though you did say, you would try to address it. Also, because of some of the developers NBA 2k comments and NBA Elite comments, people feel that Madden is being pulled in the "arcade" area.

I tried to summarize, if I forgot to add anything, feel free to add on.

[Senator Palmer]

Ian, while we got you here for a minute, I'd like to ask you a question directly. Can you explain the reasoning behind the decision to so drastically cut down the playbooks? I would think that with gameflow, the problem would be solved with the amount of time sifting through them. And the new blocking AI would allow for an even greater range of playcalling, rather than skipping over plays that were simply ineffective.

I find myself calling the same play more than ever -- especially running plays and I notice the CPU doing it too. The small playbooks have cut the teeth out of my strategy. Is there a chance that the old volume of plays could be put back in for Madden 12?

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...dden-10-a.html

[Ian_Cummings]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

1. People complain that the developers haven't listened to OS since LG. I beg to differ with some of them because I know you listened for Madden 10. People are saying they didn't ask for Gameplanning or Strategy Pad,etc.. for 11 and felt neglected that the same developer action that occurred at OS for Madden 10 didn't happen for 11.

I did listen, but talk only gets so far. Strategy Pad and Gameplanning and GameFlow didn't blow away the hardcore for sure, but those are tiny miniscule drops of dev investment. New locomotion systems on the other hand, are massive. Online team play was an EA mandate...it also was massive. We listened because it seemed like everyone was in unison that we focus on core gameplay changes, and I think it upset too many people when they realize how much time it takes to actually do something like that. Again in the podcasts I keep talking about not putting all the eggs in one basket again as a major learning.

Quote:

2. A lot of folks are interested in bringing back shading WR, individual bump n run, etc.....from last generation. They feel that they were taken away and they enjoyed those features.

I am not gung-ho for more pre-play options because they actually AREN'T sim, but many have made the point that because play-calling doesn't have the depth you want, these are a way to get around that restriction. It's something we're looking into.

Quote:

3. On this one, I feel people are reading too much into the podcasts. Some folks didn't feel the team didn't adequately address the consecutive tackle issue, even though you did say, you would try to address it. Also, because of some of the developers NBA 2k comments and NBA Elite comments, people feel that Madden is being pulled in the "arcade" area.

Of course we didn't answer it. It's November.

There is zero concept of going arcade. We're talking about basketball, not football.

[Ian_Cummings]

Quote: Originally Posted by Senator Palmer

Ian, while we got you here for a minute, I'd like to ask you a question directly. Can you explain the reasoning behind the decision to so drastically cut down the playbooks? I would think that with gameflow, the problem would be solved with the amount of time sifting through them. And the new blocking AI would allow for an even greater range of playcalling, rather than skipping over plays that were simply ineffective. I find myself calling the same play more than ever -- especially running plays and I notice the CPU doing it too. The small playbooks have cut the teeth out of my strategy. Is there a chance that the old volume of plays could be put back in for Madden 12? http://www.operationsports.com/forum...dden-10-a.html

Last year was a 'back-to-basics' approach from the playbook guys to ensure that all the plays that existed were actually drawn up correctly and a house-cleaning to make sure all the new run-blocking assignment AI was implemented correctly. I'll talk to them about filling them back out again.

[Senator Palmer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ian_Cummings_EA

Last year was a 'back-to-basics' approach from the playbook guys to ensure that all the plays that existed were actually drawn up correctly and a house-cleaning to make sure all the new run-blocking assignment AI was implemented correctly. I'll talk to them about filling them back out again.

Thanks for your response, Ian. Greatly appreciated.