Breaking Down Madden: The Run Game

[liberaluser]

If this new dev team delivers bigtime next year I will surely buy Madden as a day one purchase. But until then I can't suffer another mediocre entry.

When the old team gave up on ProTak is when I stopped buying. Yes, I know that was kinda gimmicky to begin with but the fact they wouldn't even improve upon it and the rest of the gameplay made me lose all hope for Madden this generation.

[chi_hawks]

Fantastic write up. Agree on all counts.

And to people wondering why he used 12' instead of 13', line interaction is the exact same in 13' (Dev's have already confirmed this).

[Feldman011teen]

I've got the retail version as well, and at higher difficulties, it doesn't matter, there could be two defensive lineman and they suction off their blocker on to your RB or QB. I guess they stated it's a passing league, so they hope you take advantage of that.

[GiantBlue76]

Quote: Originally Posted by PGaither84

So, everything we have all been saying for years, except he used to make Back Breaker. It wasn't a bad read, but it isn't like EA doesn't know this already. Heck, AJ and I talked about this at length two years ago, or when BezO, Ryan Moody, and Valderez talk about "engaged player movement," and EA already has a former NFL offensive lineman working for them. This is why I don't think the guys in central game play are as talented as, say, the art team or Josh Looman and those who work on Franchise [CCM.] APF2k8 and ESPN 2k5 had this already and was/is a major reason why those games are so much better on the field than Madden, even today.

Yes - but it's nice to see someone in the industry backing up what many of us have been saying for years. It's been said before, but the stuff that takes the real work is either kicked down the road or not done well at all. Gameplay in Madden is a decade behind old hardware. That's embarrassing and it was refreshing to see someone finally calling them on it who works in this space. Hopefully this type of analysis will lead to positive change.

[Only1LT]

Very good read, but as PG said, this blog could have been written by me, or any number of other people on this forum. That isn't a knock against the author, and as taz says, it's nice to see validation from an industry professional, it just makes it that much more obvious how wrong the direction on this game has been, and more frustrating because I'm not sure when or if it will change.

Their philosophy on animations, in general, and their delusion that the user needs to be in control at all times, will continue to be one of the biggest impediments to getting a realistic game from this dev house ever. Seems even rival developers know this.

I'm sure Tiburon knows it too. Question is, will they muster the courage, and perhaps discover the humility, to change?

[Big FN Deal]

Quote: Originally Posted by PGaither84

So, everything we have all been saying for years, except he used to make Back Breaker. It wasn't a bad read, but it isn't like EA doesn't know this already. Heck, AJ and I talked about this at length two years ago, or when BezO, Ryan Moody, and Valderez talk about "engaged player movement," and EA already has a former NFL offensive lineman working for them. This is why I don't think the guys in central game play are as talented as, say, the art team or Josh Looman and those who work on Franchise [CCM.] APF2k8 and ESPN 2k5 had this already and was/is a major reason why those games are so much better on the field than Madden, even today.

I honestly think people around here don't give your posts enough attention but you post some insightful ish, lol. I wonder how many posters or even EAGCs realize you have been down to Tiburon before, along with Bezo, LBz and others. To piggyback on PG, Taz and LT in this thread, this is the exact same things anyone bothering to do an OS search can see that knowledgeable posters, not speaking of myself because I don't know ish about programming, have been saying FOR YEARS!

I think it's great to have someone in the industry and that has worked on an actual next-gen football game give what others have said validity, that should be beyond reproach. I got so frustrated and relieved at the same time reading that write up because if this guy and a whole lot of other people can see what the core problems are, I am damn sure EA/Tiburon does too. Yet we still have been getting the Madden game play we have for going on 8 years, which is bad enough but could be due to FUBAR code or whatever What's worse, imo, is having random members in the community and even worse still, SOME EAGCs, acting as if people posting the things espoused in this write up, is asking for PERFECTION and/or try to marginalize others as EA hatemongers.

All that said, many of us knew full well or at least had some inkling of what Madden's ills are and the shortcuts it seems to utilize. However, we still buy it, therefore support these practices every year, so it is what it is.

Give'em hell Andy! lol

PS. Now I understand your PM Taz.

[Dirk504]

If this guy is smart enough to come up with some suggestions... then what's taking EA so long? They need to hire this guy.

[atc43]

Beautiful write up! Again like others have said it really is great to see someone who has experience in programming talk about the flaws in Madden's genes. I have some programming experience(and by some i mean 1 year) and what the OP said is very much more than likely true. With that said I'mm positive Tiburon knows the same things. They said they'll address line play in 14 hopefully along with player momentum(foot planting).

If Madden can ever get any semblance of this in the game it would be an incredible, i repeat incredible improvement.

skip to 4:40

http://youtu.be/bdkyMfYZqQA