Madden NFL 11 News Post

Madden NFL 11 Title Update #5 Available Now, Post Impressions Here (PS3, 360)

04:38 AM - December 14, 2010 by frankrizzo380

Madden NFL 11 title update #5 is available now for everyone to download on their PS3 or 360 (no longer hit or miss). Please post your impressions here.

For those that missed out on the details of the title update, click here.

Game: Madden NFL 11Reader Score: 6/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 96 - View All

Madden NFL 11 Videos

Member Comments

# 121 servo75 @ 01/06/11 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyJerz32


	I turned off the commentary and turned off on field sounds, crowd and PA announcer and it gives me the feeling of being there. I'm really liking the game a lot.

I wonder if there's a way to turn off the coordinator that describes the play to you even if you have gameflow turned off. This guy sounds like a top-40 radio DJ!

# 122 servo75 @ 01/06/11 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JVM


	You can turn coordinator off in Settings under I think it's called Game Options. When I get home later I'll let you know if indeed it is Game Options. Anyway, you can turn it off.

Thanks, I'll look at it!

"A sack would be nice, but if we can put pressure on the QB, we can force him into a bad throw!! I'm Casey Casum."

# 123 eye_opener @ 01/08/11 07:28 PM

I have mixed feelings about the update. It has increased the challenge to a degree in some respects but at the expense of some realism in others.

I think, for the most part, pass coverage has been improved. The outside CBs play off of the receivers which eliminates the deep ball as often. Also if the defender plays press (regardless of his rating) the receiver can be taken completely out of the play with his inability to get a release (also regardless of the release rating). I'm not pleased with this because it's not realistic. Most of the time, IRL, a bump will throw the receiver off of his route and mess with the timing of that section of the play by 1-3 seconds. I have gone back to replays and noticed receivers pressed at the LOS for 5+ seconds. These are receivers with excellent releases (low 90's) being pressed out of the play altogether by CB's with average press (between 70-75). Moreover, the receiver is 6'+ while the CB is 5'10". I'm all for a challenge, but not at the expense of realism. Of course, it's easier to code these things into the game than actual CPU improved AI, so they do what they can with the sub-par product they sent to market. Short crossing routes are covered in man better (they usually don't break completely away until they've crossed to the other side of the field, where as before the CB's were dust by the first cut). The safeties will still let the sideline receiver get in position to protect a middle that's not being attacked (this happens much more to the SS than the FS, which can make sense based on coverage skills but happens regardless of coverage skills, but it happens to the human much more than the CPU, regardless of coverages or skills). LBs (regardless of coverage skills, PRC, AWR, or physical attributes) are still horrendous in any coverage unless the receiver has physical attributes and route running that are sub par (all physical attributes below 80 and route running below 70). Out routes in a double bunch formation are money everytime. I can only cover one of the double out receivers. Even the flat man wont cover the other. It's pathetic programing. The flat CB will also sit on his zone with nobody around for 15+ yds. Flat zones are apparently only for HBs, out WR curls, or outside drags otherwise madden devs don't believe they should do anything. Keep in mind any of the benefits the AI gains are hardly offered to the Human. Again, not a problem with the challenge (since I adjust my gameplan a bit and still have little trouble), but it seems like a band-aid for poor programming. Only those not interested in realistic game play would appreciate the disparity. I know it might sound bad for some of the SELF PROFESSED "hardcore gamers", but if I call the right play, with the right players, I don't want an update to force the AI to succeed. There are definite improvements to the coverage, but some of them are gimmicks that the Devs don't know how to program proper AI to fix.

The pursuit angles for kick and punt coverages are better. If the punt is 50+ yds the tactic of going to one side far then the other still works 90% of the time (unless the punter is Brian Moorman, gotta love USC). However, most of this improvement on defense has little to do with the angles taken by the defense; instead, being a much larger radius for canned, suck-up tackles (which are one of my most hated features of madden). The "improved" angles are easily accounted for with non-juke move cut-backs. Which is a tactic I use to get my blockers to actually engage the defenders (pathetic).

The pass rush is improved, but I disagree it's a result of the D-Line moves. Most of my pressure is a result of the O-Lineman not engaging. It's like they are defending a pocket centered on themselves. They will watch their defensive assignment run by, turning with the player but not actually engaging him. I don't know what games IRL the people who think madden is in any way an accurate portrayal of the NFL are watching, but they need to pay attention better. If an O-Lineman lets a defender right past him IRL it's because he's double teaming a D-Lineman and the LB goes untouched on a delay blitz. In the game the O-Line acts scared of contact (not to even mention the FB blocking). It seems the blocking ai is not written in a dynamic code. The assignment is determined and the blocker will not recognize a true progression (hence why when you pass a defender your blocker will sometimes turn around and BLOCK YOU indirectly. I can't believe I haven't seen more complaints about this. And this isn't just a return man problem, this happens to me ALL THE TIME).

All in all I think the update is hit or miss. Some of the improvements are actual improvements (D-Line, PR/KR angles, outside CB coverage) but a lot of it are exaggerations of the same mechanics, the same BROKEN mechanics (defensive angles/canned tackles, OL blocking assignments, sideline and LB coverages).

The update islargely irrelevant. If the game is not improved next year I will not purchase it. I want to see better AI, "real-life" physics, and user customization. Without BIG, definable advances in those three areas I will stop buying a game I've owned since 1992 on the original Sega Genesis.

# 124 roadman @ 01/08/11 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eye_opener


	Also if the defender plays press (regardless of his rating) the receiver can be taken completely out of the play with his inability to get a release (also regardless of the release rating). I'm not pleased with this because it's not realistic. Most of the time, IRL, a bump will throw the receiver off of his route and mess with the timing of that section of the play by 1-3 seconds. I have gone back to replays and noticed receivers pressed at the LOS for 5+ seconds. These are receivers with excellent releases (low 90's) being pressed out of the play altogether by CB's with average press (between 70-75). Moreover, the receiver is 6'+ while the CB is 5'10". I'm all for a challenge, but not at the expense of realism. Of course, it's easier to code these things into the game than actual CPU improved AI, so they do what they can with the sub-par product they sent to market.

I'm not sure if you are using sliders or not, but I was getting penalized for playing press coverage a lot with the Packers against the Bears. Several times, Hester or Knox would blow by Woodsen and Williams. I stopped playing press coverage and started seeing better results.

I played several games against the same two teams and Hester/Knox were breaking free of press coverage. So, just like IRL, to me, it has a reward/risk to it.

Otherwise, I agree with the rest of your post. I'm very pleased post title update, tightened up the pursuit angles and the secondary.

By the way, physics might be something down the road, but I don't think you will see it in 12. I'm guessing they will improve locomotion and the consecutive hit tackles, but that is a guess, at best.

# 125 Sausage @ 01/08/11 10:14 PM

After several weeks this patch was definitely for the better. The only adjustment I made was to the A.I. D-line, because they constantly did the "insta-swim" move to get past my guards and center.

# 126 youALREADYknow @ 01/08/11 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eye_opener


	I have mixed feelings about the update. It has increased the challenge to a degree in some respects but at the expense of some realism in others...... .................The update islargely irrelevant................

Which is why I haven't connected to XBL on Madden since December and still play on Update #4. This update provides no benefit to someone like myself who has a working slider set.

# 127 eye_opener @ 01/08/11 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	I'm not sure if you are using sliders or not, but I was getting penalized for playing press coverage a lot with the Packers against the Bears. Several times, Hester or Knox would blow by Woodsen and Williams. I stopped playing press coverage and started seeing better results. I played several games against the same two teams and Hester/Knox were breaking free of press coverage. So, just like IRL, to me, it has a reward/risk to it. Otherwise, I agree with the rest of your post. I'm very pleased post title update, tightened up the pursuit angles and the secondary.

Not my press coverage, the CPU's. I rarely do press unless I'm bringing heat on the QB in short yardage pass plays for the risks you mention. Keep in mind most of the benefits for AI with the update are almost EXCLUSIVELY for CPU AI. This is also why it was mentioned the update was modeled for online play (a tactic the dev's have obviously decided to push HARD. In fact I think they just WANT online to be the most dominant form of the game because of DLC revenue, and the devs just seem to like the idea more. Which, while the idea is enticing the market is telling them otherwise. Of course, the devs know what's better for the franchise than the stupid mobs who shell out hard earned cash for an unspectacular game that never fails to disappoint this year). The disparity between the update's effect is differentiating between Human V Human and Human v CPU. If you're playing a person then both teams see the effects of the update. If you're playing the CPU offline the update's effect for your team is not even noticable except for PR/KR lanes and outside CB coverage...and the CB outside coverage is still iffy for the human against the CPU.

# 128 roadman @ 01/09/11 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eye_opener


	Not my press coverage, the CPU's. I rarely do press unless I'm bringing heat on the QB in short yardage pass plays for the risks you mention. Keep in mind most of the benefits for AI with the update are almost EXCLUSIVELY for CPU AI. This is also why it was mentioned the update was modeled for online play (a tactic the dev's have obviously decided to push HARD. In fact I think they just WANT online to be the most dominant form of the game because of DLC revenue, and the devs just seem to like the idea more. Which, while the idea is enticing the market is telling them otherwise. Of course, the devs know what's better for the franchise than the stupid mobs who shell out hard earned cash for an unspectacular game that never fails to disappoint this year). The disparity between the update's effect is differentiating between Human V Human and Human v CPU. If you're playing a person then both teams see the effects of the update. If you're playing the CPU offline the update's effect for your team is not even noticable except for PR/KR lanes and outside CB coverage...and the CB outside coverage is still iffy for the human against the CPU.

Ok, gotcha, I understand what you are saying.

I'll need to take a harder look at that. Anytime I see Jennings lined up on the outside with a fly route or for that matter Jones and Nelson with press coverage and not a safety over the top, I'll lob it to them and most of the time they come down with the catch.

I'll keep more of an eye out for that, though.

# 129 eye_opener @ 01/10/11 12:33 PM

This is a much more common occurrence for the outside WR/CB match-up as opposed to a 3rd or 4th wr/cb match-up (this is regardless of the rating. There is absolutely no justification for a back-up cb, because the starter is injured, with a press below 75 standing 5'10" weighing less than 200 lbs with a str rating not even worth mentioning being able to press CJJ @ 6'5" 225+lbs with a release rating of 95 and str 78. But i've had 5'10 sub 80 release WR, percy harvin, shake off a big strong press based dbs subbed in, chris gamble, whose other stats put them in position to have a ratings advantage. It seems the WR/CB spot on the depth chart/formation position determines a lot about how the ratings actually match-up, which is deplorable gimmick to make the game SEEM realistic, while eschewing all notions of realism). A successful press in that situation would be 1-2 seconds and more often than not a single step delay is likely. However, I have seen this situation play out where he's jammed for the whole play while I dance in the pocket for 5+ seconds eventually having to drop it off to the check-down man. Are you kidding me? If you can show me this EVER happening in the NFL on a PASS play I'll gladly eat my words (remember there are a lot of stipulations for this scenario. Charles woodson did this in the game, but I didn't begrudge the play because C Wood can do that, and often does IRL though he still only jams 2-3 seconds unless he takes the receiver off of his feet)

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 67Next »

More Links

Madden NFL 11 Title Update #5 Available Now, Post Impressions Here (PS3, 360)