Madden 2010 News Post

Madden NFL 10 Blog: Adaptive AI

01:33 PM - April 10, 2009 by jimbo1215

EA has just posted another Madden NFL 10 blog. This one covers adaptive AI.

Quote:


	"In nearly every sports game that you�ve ever played, there usually comes a time where someone discovers some sort of gameplay strategy that is extremely successful (in an unbalanced way). Often times these are considered �exploits� because they are either impossible or extremely hard to stop. You may find it on your own, or you may learn it from someone abusing you with it online, or you may even pay to find it on a shady website. Regardless, these exploits can often extremely hamper the replay value of a game because at some point, nearly everyone gets tired of doing the same thing over and over again and beating up the CPU by 100 points�and at this point the game typically comes out of the tray. Whether it�s an exploit or a �money play�, it�s all frustrating�so from the start of the cycle we knew that we wanted to create an Adaptive AI infrastructure in our football games. Two of our most experienced gameplay / AI engineers � Daniel White and Ryan Burnsides � took the reigns with designing and implementing the majority of this system so I hope this blog does it justice. "

Game: Madden NFL 10Reader Score: 7.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 76 - View All

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Member Comments

# 21 dregnus @ 04/10/09 02:38 PM

Some really cool things this blog pointed out.

1) Defensive changes are made based upon how successful the play(s) was.

- What this should mean is that, if the opponent is running the ball, but isn't gaining more than 2 yards or so a play, your defense will not "over-adjust" to stopping that play. You shouldn't get burned on Play Action just because they called 5 running plays in a row. Those runs will actually have to be successful.

2) The adjustments are based on the type of play, not the specific play.

- I think this is the best way to do it. If this works, it will cover the scenario in which they are actually running the same exact play. But it will also cover similar plays. As far as routes, looks likes slot cross won't be the money play it has been for years now. But it should still work 2 or 3 times a game. A FB dive might work once in a blue moon, but not every play.

3) The players get ratings adjustments to the "smart" ratings, like Play Recognition, Man Coverage, Zone Coverage (against that particular "route"). They don't get faster, hit harder, etc.

- This part will require the specific interactions to work a whole lot better than last year. Last year it didn't really matter if you had Champ Bailey vs. a low WR, that WR will still going to catch that out route in man 9 out of 10 times.

Questions:

1) Will this be tuned the same way for offense. For instance, if I stuff the running game will they start passing? If I call a lot of zone will they start calling screens or draws.

It looks like the style that I played offense last year (West Coast, Seattle playbook, lots of runs and passes out of the same set) will really pay off for me this year.

Awesome blog.

# 22 83evans @ 04/10/09 02:44 PM

Finally, each game will finally feel different.

# 23 Golden28 @ 04/10/09 02:55 PM

Read all of the blogs over again this morning just to remind me of what Ian has done so far, and now this, wow is all I can say.

If everything comes together as Ian is promising, just wow.

# 24 jfsolo @ 04/10/09 03:11 PM

I'm getting greedy now, but I hope the CPU and human CPU teammates also have Adaptive AI on offense. The CPU needs to stop running that stretch play if it keep getting blown up for 3 yard losses. Or if a User keeps blitzing the SS or a extra Backer every play then they should be able adjust the blocking or routes to take advantage of that.

# 25 Rashad19 @ 04/10/09 03:16 PM

Awesome blog!! I don't know about everyone else but this blog already has me brainstorming on how I'm going to put together my offensive/defensive gameplans. Madden 10 is making huge strides in the right direction. Nice work Ian and team!

# 26 CapnKill @ 04/10/09 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pnutt6


	This is an awesome feature. I cannot stand playing someone online and knowing exactly what he is running but still not being able to stop it cause my teammates don't know what the hell is going on. I hope it works as good as described.

Isn't it your job to stop it though? That's the whole point of on-line. You are supposed to put your players in the right spot to make the play. Its not the AIs job to help you.

# 27 Rashad19 @ 04/10/09 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 83evans


	Finally, each game will finally feel different.

This is what I've been looking for!! Madden 10 may get some serious play time in my 360!

# 28 Vikes1 @ 04/10/09 03:24 PM

I just don't know what to say, other than...this is something I've been hoping for, for years.

With adaptive AI now in Madden, you can imo, really consider the game a simulation. If it works as well as I hope, this feature will really change the game. Having to actually game plan, to have to use your head...as well as your stick skills.

With M10, I won't have to keep using "Ask Madden" anymore. I can now call my own plays! Ian & Co are going to have a tough time topping this one, as far as I'm concerned.

# 29 Mofficial @ 04/10/09 03:27 PM

I LOVE IT!!!!

Yes I hope it's on offense too.

# 30 thudias @ 04/10/09 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mofficial


	I LOVE IT!!!! Yes I hope it's on offense too.

Wow this is stupendous. I am super excited.

# 31 LionsFanNJ @ 04/10/09 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rashad19


	Awesome blog!! I don't know about everyone else but this blog already has me brainstorming on how I'm going to put together my offensive/defensive gameplans. Madden 10 is making huge strides in the right direction. Nice work Ian and team!

At least your team can have one. Here's my Lions gameplan:

1. Throw to Megatron
2. See play 1.

At least until i get some players in my franchise anyway.

# 32 CapnKill @ 04/10/09 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotgun styles


	And it should be, that's a silly statement. You can only control one player at a time, and THERE ARE NO CUSTOM ZONES so people can attack the areas that the generic zones don't cover.

What area of the field are you unable to cover with a zone?

# 33 Clarke_311 @ 04/10/09 03:38 PM

Wow, Madden 10's really coming together, this game's gonna be great!!!

# 34 LionsFanNJ @ 04/10/09 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnKill


	Isn't it your job to stop it though? That's the whole point of on-line. You are supposed to put your players in the right spot to make the play. Its not the AIs job to help you.

You can't control all 11 players at once man. Yes you controlling your player knows whats going on, it would be nice if the other ten do as well.

# 35 StevieTheD @ 04/10/09 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94niners


	It doesn't take much effort to see that.. See? What you have is the players being in better position. Or playing an out route tighter. You are not getting players moving faster, or hitting harder etc.

Yea, I was skimming it and missed that part. Glad to hear it though!

# 36 c dizzy m baby @ 04/10/09 03:54 PM

I think this will go along way for me becoming interested in playing against the CPU again.

Does this work in reverse though? If I set the CPU up with 3 straight out routes and run an out and up will the CPU bite on it? Or if I run the dive so many times out of one formation/look will I be able to hit the PA Pass for the big gain?

Cool blog Ian.

# 37 Vikes1 @ 04/10/09 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotgun styles


	Best blog yet. Kudos to Ian and his team, this was a long time coming. PLEASE NEVER TAKE THIS OUT.

I might end up buying a second copy of M10 just in case they did this.

Because I might wear out my first copy.

This feature could be a real culture shock to lots of people. Maybe even people like myself who have been crying for this for years. I may find out just how cheesy I've been all these years without meaning to be. I agree with you SS...of all the great blogs so far, this one really put a smile on my face.

# 38 ghostlight85 @ 04/10/09 04:08 PM

Fabulous. This is looking very very positive.

# 39 Pnutt6 @ 04/10/09 04:09 PM

I wonder if the Adaptive AI will carry over from game to game in franchise.
For example, if I always start the game off running 10 times in a row, will the defense be ready for that at the start of the game?

# 40 lgxjames @ 04/10/09 04:13 PM

Loving This

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