Madden 2010 News Post

Madden NFL 10 Blog: A Deeper Look Into Pass Blocking

06:28 PM - May 11, 2009 by Ian_Cummings

The new Madden NFL 10 blog is online, taking a deeper look into pass blocking.

Quote:


	"Hello Madden faithful - it's Monday, and it�s time for another blog! This week we'll be following up a little bit on the last PRO-TAK blog [link]. We covered gang tackling in detail last time, so for this blog we thought we�d dig a little deeper on our pass blocking, and also mention how PRO-TAK�s dynamic steering technology will help take our blocking a little bit farther into that next level that we know we need to hit of realism. At the top of nearly every community wish list for the past 3+ years has been OL/DL interaction�so this year we�re proud to say we�ve spent a really good amount of time improving this area, and we�ve also built a strong foundation that we can continue to add on to in the future."

Game: Madden NFL 10Reader Score: 7.5/10 - Vote Now
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Madden NFL 10 Videos

Member Comments

# 141 lgxjames @ 05/11/09 11:47 PM

as always, good stff ian

# 142 tennesseetitans @ 05/11/09 11:53 PM

It looks good but the players are a bit too upright. At times they stand perfectly upright, and it doesn't look like they aren't using any real leverage. I could hardly focus on the actual pass rushing animations (which were pretty good overall) due to how unconvincing the postures were. Pass rushers, even the big guys, usually have more bend in their hips and more leg expolsion.

Look at the fight between these guys. Both are using leverage, in the M10 video, it looked a bit like the guys were dancing as opposed to fighting it out. Now when they get off the blocks, that's when D-Linemen usually run more upright.

# 143 Goffs @ 05/11/09 11:57 PM

how bout posting some of the double team blocks that 2k has...id like to see them implemented in madden please kthnxbai

as for the quarterback issue..meh..this blog is about the blocking so im not too worried about QB animations YET...im sure Ian will have a blog about quarterback animations in the future

# 144 convince @ 05/11/09 11:59 PM

I love what EA is doing. Its seems like a big step in the right direction. I am assuming that I am in the minority being one of the few that like different things about 2K and EA football. But sense we are speaking on blocking in general, I would like to call to those that have the 2K5 football or APF 2K8 and a video card to capture some video for me. These are a couple tings I want to see in The next Madden. Double team blocks are a given(show some good examples), and chop blocks as well. But what i really want to see are those occasions where the offensive lineman goes go down and take the legs out from the defender. This would normally happen when the defender is really given the lineman hell. This is not a chop block because normally these are one on one battles. Anyone who have played the game should be aware of what i speak of. I would love to see these blocks implemented into Madden. Those with the ability to capture the video please help me out.

# 145 Valdarez @ 05/12/09 12:06 AM

@Moostach: That's why I said the DE's need to work the outside more and track the QB's step/drop and only head straight for the QB after he stops his drop. Otherwise, if they engage immediately when the ball is hiked, it seems like it could result in the same leave the pocket problems that plagued other versions of Madden as there would be nothing stopping them from running backwards and leaving the pocket.

# 146 kicker @ 05/12/09 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valdarez


	You should watch more videos, someone has already called out a double team block in a past video. Sorry, not sure which one it was, but it was there, and it was on the OLine. Double teams were a problem in 2K's APF2K8 game, as they happened unnecessarily too often, allowing blockers to come through untouched. Nothing worse than having 3 men rush, seeing a double team on the DE to right, with the center moving the other way and the NT allowed to come through pretty much clean. So I guess the addition of double teams will concern me far more than the lack of them.

Hmm....if they are in, then that is a great step.

Double teams were not a "problem" in 2k8. Sorry. It happens in real life where a player is doubled and another becomes free. The is a drawback to the double team block.

Never have seen the immaculate OL blocking in 2k described as a "problem" before. Hence why Ian said he is using them as a benchmark....

# 147 kicker @ 05/12/09 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	I'm sure we will hear something in the near future. We still have E3, the rest of May, June and July ahead for all this info to pop.

Ok, but it shouldn't be a secret, this is as much apart of football as pulling a guard on a sweep, this should be in the game already. It is well known that it hasn't been in the past, it should be obvious in the videos that it is in. Even the picture someone post showing a double, it is not an engaged double.

I'm sure it will be in the game this year, just don't know why it has to be a "feature".

# 148 Valdarez @ 05/12/09 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kicker


	Never have seen the immaculate OL blocking in 2k described as a "problem" before. Hence why Ian said he is using them as a benchmark....

I absolutely love APF2K8, the strategy of the game, the game play, it's all there, and they really nailed the line play, but as good as it is, it's not perfect. I'm sure others can attest to players just coming in out of no where.

Not only that, but I know how they got their line play to work so well. Namely DLine calls, which is good, and bad. Here's how it works:

The OLine will react differently based on the DLine call that is called by the defensive player. The offensive player can over ride this to a certain extent by calling a pass protect audible on their OLine, but most players don't. If the computer is playing the defensive linemen then everything works out fine, however, if you get a human in there playing a DLineman, and they go a different direction than the DLine play called, then it can really mess up the OLine, because they were expecting the DLine player to come in from a specific direction. What they did gives the allusion of a really good pocket, but in the end, it's not near as dynamic as everyone thinks.

It's the linking of the OLine blocking to the Dline calls that causes bugs like the DE-Twst Glitch (http://www.2kfootballstrategy.com/mo...t=1972&start=0).

Even with the limitations of their approach, I still think it's the best line play we have seen to date. And, IMHO the ability to call your own DLine play/stunts is a huge advantage and a big addition to the overall strategy of your defensive play calling particularly when it comes to stopping the run and closing gaps.

# 149 dbgameover @ 05/12/09 12:32 AM

valdrez thats exactly what i was going to say most of 2k8 is planned out you move someone it screws it all up it really feels built for computers

they also make good players make coverages stupid it should be there so good they get past the coverage not make the coverage run away from the ball its really sicking

rant over

the video really looks good so far i like that yall thought of when a defensive end gets his hands out quick enough and can get away quickly definetly will hope to feel more pressure

as everyone said chip blocks should be thrown in there to allow you control of the pressure

what i would really like to see is the ability to set blocks it would really make things better by being able to call out blitzes and such for when people figure out nanos

# 150 Valdarez @ 05/12/09 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moostache


	I think the videos show a pretty good DE reaction to the QB going back too far...Romo gets sacked in both cases...

Ahhh... good point, but that's because he's forced to stop (forced drop back & stop, followed by a start to run again) instead of automatic drop back with option to do whatever you want like in APF2K8. I guess it solves the problem, but hope it's not their long term solution. Players aren't going to like not having control of their QB. I know I won't. I'll endure it to make the game more realistic for one release though.

# 151 NYyankz225 @ 05/12/09 12:48 AM

Great work! This should be even better than 2k's system. I always said this...once you were locked into an animation in 2k you couldn't escape. They must have done a decent job hiding it because Valdarez didn't even notice it when I brought it up even though I noticed it immediately when I played (admittedly not much).

This should allow the best of both worlds. Glad you guys noticed and used a breakable system. Obviously if you have small loops you have more user control but at what cost? Lack of variety/"static" animations. Breakable animations are the best way. Nice work...can't wait to see it all ironed out.

# 152 steelers1216 @ 05/12/09 12:52 AM

please change the size of the ball, heres a picture, look at the size of the ball in proportion to the players body

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BWCxqbXSsY

i dont know how to make the link a click-able link, but just put this in the search bar and take a look

APF 2k8 got the size of ball spot on

# 153 steelers1216 @ 05/12/09 12:56 AM

wrong link, sorry again
heres the right link

http://steelerstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/big-ben.jpg

# 154 kicker @ 05/12/09 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valdarez


	I absolutely love APF2K8, the strategy of the game, the game play, it's all there, and they really nailed the line play, but as good as it is, it's not perfect. I'm sure others can attest to players just coming in out of no where. Not only that, but I know how they got their line play to work so well. Namely DLine calls, which is good, and bad. Here's how it works: The OLine will react differently based on the DLine call that is called by the defensive player. The offensive player can over ride this to a certain extent by calling a pass protect audible on their OLine, but most players don't. If the computer is playing the defensive linemen then everything works out fine, however, if you get a human in there playing a DLineman, and they go a different direction than the DLine play called, then it can really mess up the OLine, because they were expecting the DLine player to come in from a specific direction. What they did gives the allusion of a really good pocket, but in the end, it's not near as dynamic as everyone thinks. It's the linking of the OLine blocking to the Dline calls that causes bugs like the DE-Twst Glitch (http://www.2kfootballstrategy.com/mo...t=1972&start=0). Even with the limitations of their approach, I still think it's the best line play we have seen to date. And, IMHO the ability to call your own DLine play/stunts is a huge advantage and a big addition to the overall strategy of your defensive play particularly when it comes to stopping the run and closing gaps.

I don't disagree with anything you said, way to support your viewpoint.

# 155 strong safety @ 05/12/09 01:38 AM

I like what I see, keep it goin guys!

# 156 cowboysfan440 @ 05/12/09 02:00 AM

LOVED IT one thing i have to complain about and im sure someone has already said something about it i just dont have time to skim through the entire thread is that flozell adams is really skinny he should be bulked up a bit more everything else is beautiful i cannot wait to get this game. im foaming at the mouth for some franchise info.

# 157 SouthernBrick @ 05/12/09 02:03 AM

Nice vids. Liked the cowboy's jerseys and helmets. Hope to see the Charger's throwback 1963 version in the game. One of my favorites.

Hope when the chargers finally get a little bit of light on a vid, them would be the jersey's i'd like to see but, them having a little light in a vid. would do just fine no matter what jerseys.

Also the pass blocking is looking very good. Blog was a little short, but its all good it was a good read.

# 158 cowboysfan440 @ 05/12/09 02:06 AM

i really hope they add the 94 jerseys for the cowboys i love those they are in the ps2 version but havent been on 360

# 159 crackdownjr @ 05/12/09 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moostache


	Ian - can you comment on this? Basically what I am concerned about or looking to see if you can address is how will the other defenders react to the play. I have been very impressed by the way 2K8 handled this problem - specifically the way other defenders would combine with the QB's own momentum to make you essentially choose to run or pass but not retain the option to do either - at least not as long as you can have both options in Madden. I think previous Madden releases have used a speed cheat to control this - making almost any QB lame and slow out of the pocket, instead of having different defensive logic. Is that still how this is controlled? In Madden games, once the QB gets to the outside, a skilled player can buy an inordinate amount of time to throw and can hold the ball waaaaaaay longer than a similar situation in 2K8 (or 2K5). This also leads to unrealistic rushing gains when the Madden defenders in zone defense fail to react to a running QB until he has past the LOS.... Other things that looked good:

I like the points that you brought up, the only problem is with the second pic. I hope that DB does not move up on the QB until the QB passes the line of scrimmage, considering that the DB is 15 yards off the LOS its definitely not his top priority.

# 160 The Lob Mob @ 05/12/09 02:19 AM

I'm still looking for the actual pocket. . .

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