Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

[wordtobigbird]

People WILL complain heavily.

"I can't even drop back without getting sacked!"

"Why can't I scramble anymore?!"

"madden ruined the passing! i use to be able to throw for 300 yards easily!"

A lot of people don't like difficulty or change, but if it's implemented realistically and explained properly with a skills trainer it would help the transition.

[therealsmallville]

I'm a sim player, but I hope the tourney guys adjust quickly to it. I think Rex said something about "no more back of the box features that will disappear the following year", or words to that effect. If the tournament players don't like it, it'll be interesting to see if it stays because it seems like they get catered to more than us.

[SageInfinite]

Cheesers will always find a way to cheese. Just keep making the game as realistic as possible. The jury is still out on whether the pocket even makes a real difference. The game hasn't been displayed to us outside of a controlled environment. Roll and chuck and super drop backs could still work.

[Only1LT]

Quote: Originally Posted by MMChrisS

RGIII is dangerous running the ball, but only because he is a rare talent. One of the Madden franchises' most glaring issues in past versions of the game has been with its offensive and defensive line interaction. The gamer never got a realistic representation of an incredibly important part of football in the line play. We ended up seeing the same two or three animations that didn’t portray any kind of realism. Madden 25 on next generation systems is touting a new “War in the Trenches” feature which promises to not only give overhauled offensive/defensive line play, but more importantly, it promises to change the way we play the game. Read More - Will People Adust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

What game is that picture from...?

[Big FN Deal]

I understand that Madden has built a brand around "pick up and play" football gaming, so even though I want the most NFL realism possible, I can see their concern. What I don't understand is why they don't provide both. I have been stating for years that it's possible to adjust a fundamentally sim game to be played arcade but not vice versa. So in the case of the passing pocket referred to in the write up, on the default setting, have the Oline 'hold"/maintain their blocks longer, nerf the Dline AI, etc, whatever is needed for it to be accessible to casuals.

Sim gamers have never had a problem with Madden being accessible to casuals out the box, the problem has been a factory simulation setting has never been provided, in the box. Have the "War in the Trenches"/true pass pocket play out on All Madden but make it as accessible, easy, casual friendly as possible on All Pro and lower. Rinse, repeat for every footaball aspect of the game, All Madden for simulation, All Pro and lower for "classic Madden", along with Custom for slider gurus. Problem solved.

[TeeDogg]

If they make it totally realistic I think both casual and so called sim guys will not like it. There will be insane numbers of both sacks and picks. Thumb jockeys will take DE's and become wrecking forces. But it will all depend on its implementation. As said above just because they are attempting this doesn't mean it won't have exploits or A.I. holes on both sides of the ball. I look forward to the challenge, I loose many games now because of bad throws by Rothlesberger (me) usually because of a bad read. So I can imagine how it will be with an intensified pass rush.

In fact I think even us simmers are so spoiled by just waiting till someone comes open, reading the coverage and making a throw in 2-3 secs will be culture shock lol

[josef]

I think when you boot up the game, it should ask something like: "Are you a casual gamer? Or hardcore football simulation guy?" It would then be set for "Arcade" or "Sim." (obviously, you could change this setting at any time). And then the game should play VERY differently on the different settings. Arcade would have less penalties, be easier to pick up and play (default to Gameflow play calling), have a faster game speed, all players would have crazy end zone celebrations, there would be less injuries, etc, etc. "Sim" would have realistic # and occurrences of penalties and injuries, slower game speed, realistic pocket, more realistic stats, etc. etc. There is no reason they couldn't get the game to work for both audiences.

They may even have this setting already (I haven't played Madden in a few years), but the difference b/w an "Arcade" type mode and "Sim" should be very noticeable.. so they could cater to both crowds.. that is my point.

All that being said, I'm very excited for this year's Madden. I like some of the steps they've taken to try to improve the gameplay.

[EDIT: Big FN Deal is right on. Beat me to it.]

[unfriendlyghst]

IMO, This is just a graphical update and not a mechanical one. I think the pocket is being formed artificially and that it has no bearing on the gameplay.