Madden 2010 News Post

Madden NFL 10 Blog - Improvements to QB Position

07:54 PM - February 23, 2009 by Ian_Cummings

Check out the new Madden NFL 10 blog, which talks about improvements to the QB position.

Quote:


	"I'm back again folks, bringing you some more additions and improvements that you can expect to see in Madden NFL 10. This week, I'm going to focus primarily on the QB position and show some of the improvements we've made for this year. First off, I'm going to talk about a new animation technology that we can call "layered blending". Layered Blending "Layered blending? I thought you were going to talk about quarterbacks?" You'll see shortly how this works for QB's. First, a quick lesson on what blending is. Anytime a player transitions from one animation to another, he will use a 'blend' of his previous animation into the next animation. When you don't have a nice smooth blend, you'll get poppy / hitching animations. If you make blends that are too long, you can easily not have the correct amount of control over your player (he can feel very 'sluggish' or unresponsive). The most common types of blends are linear, ease in, and ease out. Those just refer to how many frames of either the previous or current animation you use while blending. For Madden NFL 10 though, we've added something new - the ability to actually separate the blends out between different parts of the body. We call this layered blending because it allows us to create different layered animation by blending one part of the body out quicker or slower based on the needs of the game. So how does it relate to QB's? Well, how often has this happened to you?"

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Member Comments

# 121 Glorious Arc @ 02/24/09 11:13 AM

They still have something like 20+ more posts to do and thats just one a week. like i said before for those who are scared something is not getting a look just think...they have put in stats and fixed two problems that gave me headaches with madden. now indeed madden still has alot of other problems but they still have so much more time to tell us new stuff that will change it hopefully for the better

# 122 JBucc @ 02/24/09 11:18 AM

I'm impressed....and these are the small announcements.

I too hope that this layered blending will be felt all throughout the game and not just for QBs.

# 123 g2thecore @ 02/24/09 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feeq14


	I feel like they could add QB ratings like leadership, consistency, and maybe a clutch/heart rating. In fact these could be universal ratings for other players. I think it could be allot like the "player roles" feature from last gen's madden 06. In that game they had roles like Team Captian, and Franchise QB, etc. These players would make every player on thier side of the ball get a ratings boost in the 4th quarter, and on 3rd downs. They also made younger players develop faster and made it less likely for players to cause problems on the team. So players with High leadership would make other players play better on their side of the ball, especially in clutch situations/make players develop faster in franchise mode. Consistency- This could affect the algorithms that Ian spoke of earlier. High consistency means your QB or WR/DE always plays up too their ability, players with poor consistency will have bad games for no reason, WRs will get shut down. DE's will take plays off and have games where it seems like they get no pressure. I think this could work great with the new ratings philosophy to really seperate John Abraham from Adewale Ogunleye. Ogun is a great pass rusher, but he doesnt bring the pressure every down, he gets in in spurts. John Abraham is a true playmaker. Good stuff! I really like the idea, especially with the consistency part. I doubt something like this would be implemented this year, but I would vouch for that in Madden 11. Clutch/Heart could be another modifier for leadership. I guess it would do the same thing so maybe it isnt as important... But we all know that there is allot more to a QB than his arm. Jeff George had an elite NFL arm and bounce around the league because his attitude and persona didnt make hime an ideal NFL QB. Who knows maybe this stuff is next year, but I hope they squeeze it in somehow.

Great stuff! I really like the idea, especially with the consistency part. I doubt that they'll be able to implement that this year, but I would love to see something like this in future Maddens.

# 124 NYyankz225 @ 02/24/09 01:12 PM

I have a question about the accuracy section. Don't know if this was mentioned....

Based on your new algorithm...It seems like there's no way that a ball can be thrown behind the receiver. I think having an inaccurate qb throw right behind a receiver running an out and into the waiting safeties arms would be good too.

I'm no programmer (or artist obviously

) but this is how it should look imo. I understand the smaller the area the less odds of the ball being thrown around that area which is why you went for the new shape. But the same should be done in a smaller fashion for the opposite side.

Just my opinion. Don't know if it's feasible or maybe I'm just misunderstanding your chart.

EXCELLENT work overall though Ian

# 125 rudyjuly2 @ 02/24/09 01:28 PM

I thought the chart shows a small chance for it being thrown behind a reciever but either way I think it's well done. I also think redoing these charts based on route type will have a huge impact on the cpu QB going deep. They never led the WR enough in the past and this will hopefully make them try it a lot more and be more successful.

# 126 dman1976 @ 02/24/09 01:30 PM

KKKHHHHaaaannnn!

# 127 Sausage @ 02/24/09 01:37 PM

Wow, what a great gameplay addition. I cannot wait for the first cheeser to sprint to the sideline and attempt to launch the ball across there body to a receiver on the other end of the field, and watch as I swat or pick it off. They will be saying dang that worked the last 10 years, but not anymore.

# 128 deadlyCane @ 02/24/09 01:45 PM

This is impressive. I've been wanting separate ratings for short, medium and long passes and throwing on the run for a long time now. I’m still skeptical in that EA has ratings that don’t work as it is. If you’re going to add these well needed new ratings, PLEASE code the game so that they actually have an effect.

And as others have said, please don't make this result in more interceptions. Just have more incompletions hit the ground...PLEASE!!!!

By the way, for the NCAA guys, Jacory Harris of the Miami Hurricanes is good at throwing on the run and might even have more accuracy on his deep ball than he does his short passes.

Now I’m waiting for the announcement that says the defensive user can decide which player defends an offensive player, kind of like how 2k5 does it. Sorry to bring up that title. I bought it last night and almost jazzed my pants when I saw that feature in there. I’ve been wanting it forever.

# 129 ch46647 @ 02/24/09 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadlyCane


	This is impressive. I've been wanting separate ratings for short, medium and long passes and throwing on the run for a long time now. I�m still skeptical in that EA has ratings that don�t work as it is. If you�re going to add these well needed new ratings, PLEASE code the game so that they actually have an effect. And as others have said, please don't make this result in more interceptions. Just have more incompletions hit the ground...PLEASE!!!! By the way, for the NCAA guys, Jacory Harris of the Miami Hurricanes is good at throwing on the run and might even have more accuracy on his deep ball than he does his short passes. Now I�m waiting for the announcement that says the defensive user can decide which player defends an offensive player, kind of like how 2k5 does it. Sorry to bring up that title. I bought it last night and almost jazzed my pants when I saw that feature in there. I�ve been wanting it forever.

Defensive assignments were in Madden 2005 for current gen. I agree it is a great feature and should be included in this years game.

# 130 Brandwin @ 02/24/09 02:14 PM

Sounds great. I have to say though, hopefully the franchise is a lot better and or online leagues are added.

# 131 Lakers 24 7 @ 02/24/09 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian_Cummings_EA


	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbie_Downer

Well you can look at it that way and disregard my concerns, or you can see it as constructive criticism and further opportunity to ensure that Madden is the game that everyone wants and hopes it to be.

With that link I'm guessing that the latter won't be the route taken. Look, I'm not here to insult, you have one of the coolest jobs that there is, and I understand a very tough one as well. Part of it that makes it tough is taking the good feedback with the bad. It doesn't matter what business you're in, when building/developing anything you always have to listen to both sides.

What I posted is simply the reality of the situation. If Madden ever wants to win over simulation football fans then a lot of changes need to be made. Throwing the ball when directed to do so is only a basic step in that overall direction.

# 132 rudyjuly2 @ 02/24/09 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakers 24/7


	What I posted is simply the reality of the situation. If Madden ever wants to win over simulation football fans then a lot of changes need to be made. Throwing the ball when directed to do so is only a basic step in that overall direction.

But it IS a step in the right direction. Ian's response to you, which I agreed with, had to do with your overall negativity to what was a fantastic announcement. This thread was to talk about what he wrote which was great. It's not an excuse to just bash the Madden series some more. That's been done a million times over. What's the point of being negative at this point? Every time Ian writes a new blog do you plan on saying, "That's great but Madden still sucks and I don't believe it will be any good?"

# 133 Lakers 24 7 @ 02/24/09 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youALREADYknow


	Spoken like a true Kobe fan... ignorance . That was a pure gameplay enhancement.

It is a gameplay enhancement. But, moreso than if player momentum/movements was finally replicated right? WRs running more realistic routes.. Proper gap assignments and flow to the ball. Different DT techniques, 3 tech, etc. Guys like Casey Hampton demanding double teams from the o-line.. Some 'signature style' from key players.. Better playbooks. etc etc.

# 134 Lakers 24 7 @ 02/24/09 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudyjuly2


	But it IS a step in the right direction. Ian's response to you, which I agreed with, had to do with your overall negativity to what was a fantastic announcement. This thread was to talk about what he wrote which was great. It's not an excuse to just bash the Madden series some more. That's been done a million times over. What's the point of being negative at this point? Every time Ian writes a new blog do you plan on saying, "That's great but Madden still sucks and I don't believe it will be any good?"

Ok, no longer then will I derail this thread with my opinions. But, I never said Madden sucks, and yes I do want the devs to hear what sim football fans think/feel. If I don't express concerns how will they ever know to address them?

# 135 youALREADYknow @ 02/24/09 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakers 24/7


	It is a gameplay enhancement. But, moreso than if player momentum/movements was finally replicated right? WRs running more realistic routes.. Proper gap assignments and flow to the ball. Different DT techniques, 3 tech, etc. Guys like Casey Hampton demanding double teams from the o-line.. Some 'signature style' from key players.. Better playbooks. etc etc.

So in essence you're stating that only the issues that YOU consider top priority will be worthy of being released to the public?

I'm sorry, but this was indeed a gameplay enhancement that could have a impact on making this game more true-to-life. The relative importance to the other remaining issues in Madden is irrelevant to this topic.

In addition, the main purpose of this thread is to gain feedback about the feature and possible other uses for the feature. All your response accomplished was stating your personal opinion about the Madden franchise and other unrelated improvements that you consider more important.

In other words, it's all about YOU. Ian's response was civil and justified. Now hopefully this thread can go back to useful feedback that helps the game.

# 136 rudyjuly2 @ 02/24/09 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakers 24/7


	Ok, no longer then will I derail this thread with my opinions. But, I never said Madden sucks, and yes I do want the devs to hear what sim football fans think/feel. If I don't express concerns how will they ever know to address them?

There is a wishlist thread along with many specific threads where you can complain about certain things. Ian also has an Arena here where you can post things you want improved on his chalkboard or his blogs or even a private message. I understand wanting them to improve on things but this isn't a wishlist thread. It was about the discussion of the new QB features which I think are great. Just list the stuff you posted below in the wishlist thread to make sure it gets noted (I'm sure it won't be the first time that stuff is posted though

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakers 24/7


	It is a gameplay enhancement. But, moreso than if player momentum/movements was finally replicated right? WRs running more realistic routes.. Proper gap assignments and flow to the ball. Different DT techniques, 3 tech, etc. Guys like Casey Hampton demanding double teams from the o-line.. Some 'signature style' from key players.. Better playbooks. etc etc.

# 137 strong safety @ 02/24/09 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chargersa7x


	Funny.... This is the best news I've read about madden in a long time, and its not a new "big feature." Its just a great improvement to gameplay. Keep up the great news and good work!

You nailed my thoughts exactly! I'll say what he said, the best news coming out this year has been about gameplay tweaks, not a bullet point on the back of the box. Keep it up guys!

# 138 MrNFL_FanIQ @ 02/24/09 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmccormi


	Just got one question, hopefully it hasn't been asked yet... For the Playaction Abilityy, are myy defenders going to be biting on a playaction on 3rd and 20 just because the guy is good at it, or are they going to be smart enough to realize there is no way Peyton is handing the ball off. I just hope it doesn't turn into a cheese where I'm going to have to control my safety just so a reallyy good PA passer doesn't get him out of position time and time again when IRL we would know better.

I'd love to hear an answer to this too, great question.

Definitely a step in the right direction with these ideas, hopefully they get implimented properly.

# 139 NYyankz225 @ 02/24/09 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94niners


	You don't really see all that many out routes where the ball is THAT far behind the WR. Usually it's either a step behind or way too far out of bounds or too high.

That's why I made it smaller behind the receiver. In my estimation that's about 2 or 3 steps behind the receiver. Maybe it's too much but as it's shown now there's now way to underthrow the receiver which seems silly.

# 140 wildthing2022000 @ 02/24/09 03:56 PM

Laterals should also use this as some laterals are thrown while the player is getting tackled.

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