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

[ThunderingHerd06]

I don't know much about the whole oline/dline thing in the game because well it never has been realistic. Passing game in general over the past few years has just been way too easy. I mean I actually stopped playing this year because just to try and make realistic #s I had to purposely throw the ball away. I was playing on all madden difficulty with the Falcons and still completing 85% of my passes, rarely getting sacked and definitely no INTs. My biggest problem isn't animation or pockets or any of that.. it has to do with realistic passing (QBs need to be less accurate and throw to spots instead of at receivers.. the DBs need actual reaction ability too) the best way the QB accuracy has been done was with the QB cone in Madden 06. Still was my favorite madden of all time because of this feature that so many people seemed to hate. Fact is better QBs had better window to pass and if you weren't in the cone looking your receiver you were inaccurate it made the whole passing more realistic. Maybe if you could at least do something not quite like that but similar that helps. Or for that matter the HORRIBLE reaction in general by defensive players not being controlled by users needs to be fixed. The game is way too offensively focused and that needs to be fixed.

[Jetpac]

Quote: Originally Posted by jpdavis82

Wow Rex actually responded on the forums. If THAT doesn't tell you he cares about what we think, then besides not seeing it in the game itself, I don't know how anyone could feel like the devs don't care what we say.

Prob because we have yet to see ANY gameplay footage of a game that will release in 4 days...

Not saying he doesnt care because I honestly think the guy works very hard, but his employers sure don't. And it shows.

[LBzrule]

Quote: Originally Posted by RexDEAFootball

I can assure all of you the new pocket collapse system has a direct and immediate impact on gameplay. Here are a just a few of the ways it changes the game: 1) It is now critical to read blitzes pre-snap, as slide protection is now a big component of protecting yourself against the blitz. 2) With 5 man protection, you can only block 5 defenders. If they send 6, one will get through. This makes hot routing TE's and RB's in to block another key strategy in running an effective offense. 3) Understanding the concept of a 'hot read' receiver with a short curl, hitch or smoke screen route is often necessary against the blitz. 4) Less time in pocket means less time to go deep. Expect to adapt and hit your check down routes like shallow drags and RB's leaking out into the flat. There are also huge upgrades in pass defense, making it more important than ever to make good reads. Rookie and Pro are still pretty safe for the casual, but for everybody else the hope is that they change their play style and employ real football strategies to adapt to the change in direction.

This is great stuff to hear. Sounds better than CG already. Sounds... Now my follow up question is when will pressure be more about the total number of guys you send to a particular spot. For instance, if we outnumber the offense on the weak side 4-2 and my other guys from center to the strong side drop out in coverage, can we get a free runner? After all it is 4-2. This is without slide protection of course. I would really like to see overloads and deceptive looks play an enormous role with defensive play.

[bucky60]

Quote: Originally Posted by LBzrule

This is great stuff to hear. Sounds better than CG already. Sounds... Now my follow up question is when will pressure be more about the total number of guys you send to a particular spot. For instance, if we outnumber the offense on the weak side 4-2 and my other guys from center to the strong side drop out in coverage, can we get a free runner? After all it is 4-2. This is without slide protection of course. I would really like to see overloads and deceptive looks play an enormous role with defensive play.

I would like the option of having awareness play a big part in this. I say option for those that want to have to make the adjustments themselves. But I would like an option that a smart QB and smart center could recognize the blitz and change the OL/RB blocking to try and counter the blitz.

One option could be more for the joystick and or coach guys, while the other option could be for the GM/Coach guys.

[Hiro1]

I just want slide protection to matter again. Nothing is worse than calling a blitz overloading left side of the line only for the right tackle to slide all the way to the left side of the line to pick it up.

[Pokes404]

If they do create a realistic pocket and cut down on the scrambling, why not have the game take people straight into a "Pocket Presence" training drill the first time they fire up the game? Show them how rolling out and/or dropping back 20 yards is not the best way to buy yourself time with this new blocking system (and in real life). Maybe even show them a few examples of when you should escape the pocket (such as a DE crashing inside and losing containment). Even if "arcade" players aren't as interested in realism, they're usually pretty good at adjusting to the game if you just show them how.

[mestevo]

That'd be nice, but not expecting it. Enjoyed the option training and queues added this year, something to help guide you through identifying the mike and the ramifications of that, how/when/why to slide protection (something I just did last night for the first time in 3+ years because honestly never felt the need or really understood the effect).

[N51_rob]

Lots of information here. Thanks for the detailed response. I have a couple of questions.

Quote: Originally Posted by RexDEAFootball

I can assure all of you the new pocket collapse system has a direct and immediate impact on gameplay. Here are a just a few of the ways it changes the game: 1) It is now critical to read blitzes pre-snap, as slide protection is now a big component of protecting yourself against the blitz.

Very good to hear, but what about the psychic Oline/TE/RB of current gen who will run clear across the offensive line to pick up a free runner. Basically if I know the blitz is coming from the left and a slide protection to the right will I get the desired effect or will some one come across to pick up the free rushers?

Quote:

2) With 5 man protection, you can only block 5 defenders. If they send 6, one will get through. This makes hot routing TE's and RB's in to block another key strategy in running an effective offense.

Does this mean that guys will use their hands to slide and slip? No more blitzers just running into the back of the Dline effectively allowing one blocker to block multiple rushers?

Quote:

3) Understanding the concept of a 'hot read' receiver with a short curl, hitch or smoke screen route is often necessary against the blitz.

Some of these routes were already overpowered in current gen madden, the curl and hitch in particular vs man coverage (which is what you get with a lot of blitz') will these routes be tuned to be less effective?

Quote:

4) Less time in pocket means less time to go deep. Expect to adapt and hit your check down routes like shallow drags and RB's leaking out into the flat.

Will users be able ti differentiate between an excellent, average and poor pass protecting offensive line? There are times on current gen where w/o uniforms there is no differentiating between players. This goes for all posistions. QBs are too accurate, WRs are all the same. There is no real way to differentiate between a route running technician and a raw speedster.

Quote:

There are also huge upgrades in pass defense, making it more important than ever to make good reads. Rookie and Pro are still pretty safe for the casual, but for everybody else the hope is that they change their play style and employ real football strategies to adapt to the change in direction.

Thanks again for your feedback and your joining OS to interact with the community. Seems like you guys have taken the direction of building the game from the Line of Scrimmage out. I hope it works well. I am excited to see what Next-Gen Madden has to offer.