Madden NFL 13 News Post

Madden NFL 13 Team Focuses on Making Defense Fun Again, What Do You Hope to See?

02:01 PM - February 21, 2012 by Gotmadskillzson

GameInformer recently sat down with Richard Hilleman, Electronic Arts Chief Creative Officer, as they discuss Madden NFL 13's focus on making defense fun again.

What are you hoping to see on the defensive side of the ball?

Quote:


	Electronic Arts chief creative officer Richard Hilleman says the new leadership group at EA Tiburon is focused on making defense fun again. Hilleman is no stranger to the Madden franchise, having designed the original game alongside Scott Orr and John Madden back in 1988. When I sat down with him at DICE, one of the big questions on my mind was what fans should expect from Madden NFL 13 given the large turnover at the top of the development team. Hilleman seems optimistic. "They are doing big things this year," he said. "They're making big changes. Those are big changes that are going to break a lot of stuff, and they know that. What we're after is a better defense that's more fun to play." The defensive side of the football has been long overdue for a revamp. The last major change to the defensive controls came in Madden NFL 05 with the introduction of the hit stick. Hopefully this retooling will also address the poor awareness demonstrated by the secondary in last year's game and mark the return of true gang tackling. If the new approach to defense was developed by EA Tiburon's shared technology group, there is a chance these features could extend over to NCAA Football as well.

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Member Comments

# 41 N51_rob @ 02/22/12 12:32 AM

Don't know if this has been mentioned so I apologize if it has. But I would like to see defensive assignments work properly. If I want to have my #1 CB cover the #1 WR on the other team, that doesn't mean that I want my LB covering the #2 receiver in base personnel formations, or in a three wide when I go nickle and there is a 3rd CB/5th DB on the field. Just asinine to still have that happening.

# 42 iAM-IncReDiBLe- @ 02/22/12 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N51_rob


	Don't know if this has been mentioned so I apologize if it has. But I would like to see defensive assignments work properly. If I want to have my #1 CB cover the #1 WR on the other team, that doesn't mean that I want my LB covering the #2 receiver in base personnel formations, or in a three wide when I go nickle and there is a 3rd CB/5th DB on the field. Just asinine to still have that happening.

This please, I'm sick an tired of the offense coming out in a twin wr set an for some reason my LB thinks its ok to gaurd the wr in the slot....ummm whoa there buddy. YOUR a LB, go cover the HB or something. I have two CBs on the field for a reason. Let Champ Bailey hold Santonio Holmes down. You just worry about filling your gap....../end rant

# 43 Ueauvan @ 02/22/12 02:46 AM

- oline/dline interaction where something other than str and power moves helps you get past
- linebackers who become world class high jumpers, ie ball trajectory
- tackling that actually impacts the carrier
- love the idea about secondary and stances (shade/standard etc)
- offensive pass interference, can i have some please? besides the obvious defensive pi which may be affected by secondary stance or user control to jostle etc
- 3-4 working, the 49ers did quite well with this formation

- pre game formation substitutions; ie like hc 06, for example putting des as dts, olb as des in nickel like aldon smith and 49ers used, second string in st plays so not all starters are stopping returns etc, unless you want to risk injury or you try best to block a kick
- gang tackling and the entire physics thing, dline pushing tackle into qb aka j smith and eli, while a smith uses finesse/speed to get past oline and assist on pressure
- psycic defence, even though is running away and not looking, when snap happens or throw all react even though cant see

# 44 btemp @ 02/22/12 03:08 AM

1) A REALISTIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 3-4 AND 4-3, PLEASE!

Why? This will have a massive impact on every aspect of the game, whether its online or franchise. These are two totally different defences that form the core of what every single defence does in the NFL. That this has never been added to the game is a shame. Further, you could then go to one gap vs. two gap d-lines, tune how you're LBs play. Is my sam backer a blitzer while my will drops into coverage? How does my Mac play? Thus when I select Fire Zone Blitz, much like how Suggs is coming every play, so does my sam backer. This could then be expanded to every player.

2) Evolve player tendencies so that players have "settings". Who blitzes and who doesn't of my LBs? How do I want my DEs coming off the edge (attack the QB or run support)? If I'm playing Ravens I always want Ed Reed back deep, so that when I call plays he stays back there. etc. etc. etc.

But if you have to pick one... ACTUAL 3-4 AND 4-3 DEFENCES!

# 45 btemp @ 02/22/12 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DUDERMAN


	4. Differentiate between 3-4 and 4-3 front seven players

As you can see I wholly agree. One thought on moving players hugely influencing their ratings. I think you could get around that if, as I suggest above (hopefully its clear), players have "roles" of some sort on the team. So rather than Cliff Avril's rating being say 74 at OLB and 92 and DE, if you set him at OLB as a "pass rusher" or "blitzer" (or "x") his rating becomes 90. But if you designate Cliff Avril as "coverage" or heaven forbid move him to MLB his rating plummets to 72. The reason I see this is because ratings are dependent on what a player does and the game assumes that a LB blitzes half the time and drops into coverage the other half and thus doesn't compute that Demarcus Ware, Terrell Suggs, Mario Williams etc. aren't dropping into coverage.

And while you can ignore the ratings it adversely affects a number of things (I had a problem when converting to a 3-4 team from a 4-3 where I lost many simmed games because my OLBs were rated too low). As well, its a major problem moving from an LB to a DE as we know.

# 46 carnalnirvana @ 02/22/12 06:11 AM

the more i read the more i am glad i bought madden 12 and the game ticket....

maddden 12 will hold me over for 2 yrs and the game ticket will ensure i dont get burned again.

madden D does not need to be fun it needs to be real, and i know they cant please everyone so it would be FUN if they would just fix what they added 2 yrs ago....

momentum: which should include footplanting, weight and looking at the ball to make a play on it......

if i hear anything else announced .....

# 47 TreFacTor @ 02/22/12 07:25 AM

While I do expect some level of improvement, I really believe that Madden 13 will just be Madden 12.5 and that all of the staff additions were made with future next gen consoles in mind and not the current state of things. What do I hope to see?

1- Man defense with proper offensive/ defensive interactions including the offensive and defensive lines. This could include the removal of mirrored image animations that cause the receiver and defender to perform the same exact animation at the same exact time (One of THE MOST frustrating things in the game). Simply changing this aspect of the game alone could bring the game to where it should have been on this generation of consoles.

2- Fix the cheating AI. It's time to let All Madden die. Not only does it nullify the ratings that EA spends so much time and money on (you'd think they'd have realized this by now), it's not even good enough to put up a challenge because it's so cheap in design...Simply knowing what play I picked is not going to beat me or the average 5 year old for that matter. It also serves to handicap the animations that, according to the devs there are hundreds of new animations added each year, but the difficulty setting seems to make certain you'll see the same scripted events play out over and over and over again.

3- Player ratings that mean something, anything to translate actual individual abilities on the football field.

4- Passing trajectory,windows and timing patterns mean anything to anyone? This could solve the issue with the super human leaping linebackers at least.

5-Fix what we can see about the draft picks prior to the draft. Not showing me the players 40 times is not realistic in any way shape or form and hiding this and other attributes really only screams ""Speed is all that has mattered since 06 so we'll just make it harder for you to pick the fastest players"".

6- No more gimmicks... things that should be standard should not be touted as improvements at this stage of the game. The NFL doesn't need gimmicks to get you to watch a game, attend a game, keep up with off season transactions... and neither should the game that proclaims itself to be the most authentic simulation ever. At this day and age, I should be picking up Madden because I can't wait to play it, not simply because I have no other option for an NFL video game.

7- Fix the penalties... no, it's not fun to get a personal foul for a late hit, illegal hands to the face, offensive/defensive pass interference, but they occur IRL so they should be in the game.

8- For the love of all that is sacred in the universe.. PLEASE fix instant replays. Replays should start at the snap of the ball and continue until the play is completely over including the celebrations or rejections. Why is it that I get to see the computers blunders and spectacular plays without obstruction but whenever it's my time to shine or fail I get the play call screen immediately or a replay that ends abruptly at the goal line.

9- Half time show, weekly wrap up show, something anything (I don't really expect to see this but I've been holding out hope for the last 7 years.)

10- Random/ selectable weather in offline franchise mode and optional accelerated play clock. The accelerated clock has never been realistic in my opinion.

I'm not expecting any of the aforementioned improvements, but I do hope these are some of the areas they are focusing on (if I can see them as concerns, why not the developers). I'd really hate to see that hand towel articulation is a higher priority than anything anyone has posted in this thread.

Just my thoughts.

# 48 Senator Palmer @ 02/22/12 10:52 AM

Enjoyed the read. Don't know what it means for the final game, don't know who this guys is, but as an eternal optimist, I really enjoyed it, and I really like the attitude this guy seems to have. For everyone thinking this'll cause more super human acts by the CPU, I don't think that's what he was saying at all. I read it as them making it so that the user-controlled defense is enriched.

Quick question for my man, TNT -- you seemed to jump pretty decisively against this dude's authenticity. Could this be because he's coming down on the side of the majority of Madden players who have maintained for years that the defense in this game is horribly underdeveloped, which completely undermines the position you always held, that there's this deep "toolbox" to draw from and it was actually the player coming up short, not the game?

Now to what I want to see on defense, I don't have that much time, so I'll just go off the top of my head with something that is long overdue. DEPTH CHARTS. A REAL NFL DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART WITH ACTUAL DESIGNATIONS:

We should have an actual slot for the nickel back the same way we do for a 3rd down back, because it's a completely different skill set for a corner to play inside vs. outside, and not every guy can learn that position.

I'd like a pass rush specialist. Guys like Robert Mathis began their careers only playing on 3rd downs. And tweener guys from Peter Boulware, to Von Miller are/were designated linebackers who became rush ends in passing situations.

The same way there's a team that spends the off season in these facilities making sure every inch of a stadium is properly recorded for a 5 second overhead shot that I button through, get into some of these NFL playbooks give us the names of some of these positions. Some teams call it the JACK, some teams have the LEO -- if I choose to play with Pete Carroll's defensive book, I should have to find me an ELEphant. Authenticity is fun. Let me know what Chuck Pagano calls his field corner? Does he even designate a field corner? What does Mike Nolan call a box safety when he goes to Nickel, etc.?

AND FINALLY -- let's have the linebacker's and defensive tackles switch sides based on strength. I realize that not every NFL team does this, but if I am playing a 4-3 under, the SAM backer is a completely different animal than the WILL, same thing with the Under tackle vs. Nose. The way that defense is designed, they can't play on the same side all the time. When I run any 46 set in Madden, both safeties and the linebackers will switch sides whenever I hit R2, so I'm at a complete loss as to why it doesn't happen in the regular base sets that we've had forever.

Let me create some customized packages to create mismatches and have to go through training camp actually worried about how I'm going to fill a Nickel spot and I'd have plenty of fun.

# 49 BezO @ 02/22/12 10:52 AM

My answers to most issues seem to be the same as I feel most things are due to a few big issues. I'd like to see:

Engaged player mobility - Engaged defenders need to be able to move laterally to close down the space on outside runs, contain, and allow for true cutbacks. Engaged players also need to be able to move forward/backward to allow for true edge rushing, contain, pocket collapses, etc.
Run fits - Defenders should have assignments like they do irl. Run defense is based on gap/contain assignments. Without contain assignments, the success of outside runs is based too heavily on the OLB/OT fight. An OLB can do his job without disengaging, by maintaining outside leverage. An OT can do his job without pancaking or "holding", by staying engaged & rinding a defender and giving the RB a lane.

Even on inside runs, it seems a d-lineman's 1st move is always towards the blocker assigned to them, even when they have to move away from the play. D-linemen have to be programmed to "read" the o-linemen, maintain their gap & flow towards the play.
Realistic Footwork - Another one that affects the spacing of plays. Ball carriers are too twitchy & can cover too much ground in a short period of time. And it looks ugly. Defenders are also too twitchy, covering too much ground, very noticable on pass plays when they get to balls they shouldn't.
Tiered Play Calling - One I don't expect for a while, but it's very necessary to even out the playing field. Madden's preconceived plays just don't give us enought ammo. I can't be the only one that has been getting beat by a play type, knew it was coming, but couldn't find a "play" to match the scheme in out head.

D coordinators put schemes together in parts. They can combine fronts, stunts, blitzes, shells & coverages in a great number of ways. In Madden, I always feel I have to make a choice between stunt/blitz package & coverage. If I want to play Man Free, I'm stuck to the 2-3 plays from a particular front. If I want to blitz my WOLB, I'm again stuck to the few plays with that blitz. In either case, I can't put together a defensive scheme and often have my front 7 or DBs doing someting I don't want.

Sure, we have audibles. Problem is I'm limited to the time my opponenet gives me before he snaps the ball and there are no stunt audibles. IMO, the only way around tiering the defense is to add many, many more preconceived plays to cover more of the stunt, blitz, shell & coverage combinations that exist.
WR/DB Interaction - Shading is there, but it doesn't seem to work. Shading inside should take away inside routes more times than not, at a particular depth. Same for shading outside.

We need more depth options for DBs. Press, off, at/near 1st down & way off for the desparation situations.

DBs need more ability to bump & redirect WRs.

Not so much interaction, but I'll put it here. DBs (& WRs) need separate jump & catch/swat buttons. Too often, I want to jump and the DB only puts his hands up. But this also needs to be connected to line of sight.
Line of Sight - This will take away from the defense, but make it more realistic. Defenders should not be reacting to balls they can't see. If a DB is playing man & the ball is thrown in another direction, he should not be turning & chasing right away.

DBs/LBs should also be limited in how they react to a ball. Most trailing defenders shouldn't be jumping at balls since they are focused on the WR. Few DBs have the awareness to turn & look in those situations. We should have to play the WR's hands in these cases.
More double team animations and the ability & need to draw double teams. Some 3-4 NTs commandd double teams on inside runs. This is often what makes the 3-4 successful. Some DEs (& DTs) command double teams on passes.

# 50 sportyguyfl31 @ 02/22/12 11:58 AM

Just make every matchup on the field,.balanced and fair.

Thats all.

Whenever I hear talk like this, I get a little nervous because they have a habit of swinging the pendulum too far in the opposite direction.

Reward the right use of personnel and x's &o's, and punish those who dont.

Simple.

# 51 blocknose @ 02/22/12 12:19 PM

as long as the slot WRs and TEs can be covered by the comp teams Id be happy

# 52 knighthawksfan @ 02/22/12 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patscanes


	Does this mean the 3-4 defense will be fixed? I hope so

I agree will the 3-4 be fixed since I am a cardinals fan. Holy cow the last two maddens pretty much had no defense holy cow

# 53 knighthawksfan @ 02/22/12 12:56 PM

I hope they do something with online franchise as well because that needs an upgrade along with superstar mode

# 54 bobtrain @ 02/22/12 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tazdevil20


	Everything in this post!!!! The thing that I DON'T like mentioned in that article is the "poor awareness by defenders". Really? I believe it's the exact OPPOSITE problem. You have guys that are running in the opposite direction with their back to the QB stopping the instant the ball is thrown, doing a weird circle animation then warping through the receiver to pick off the pass. Linebackers are running to their left only to warp 5 yards to their right to intercept the pass with one hand. It's a total mess in my opinion. Passing the ball should be challenging and I like that, but when you make a good read and you see the separation only to have the defender magically warp to a spot that he can't possibly get to, it's infuriating. Player interaction in madden needs the overhaul, not just the defense. I don't want to see all 11 defenders reacting to the ball before it's left the QBs hand, yet that is EXACTLY what happens.

I completely agree. This is what separates Madden from an enjoyable football sim for me. The passing game is totally flawed in this game due to Defense AI. I'm running a Online Franchise (no slider adjustments online) and EVERYONE is averaging 3-7 interceptions a game. This is ridiculous. There are a ton of good suggestions all of which I'm sure will not come out in such a short dev cycle for a new Madden dev team. Here are possible some quick fixes?

-LB, S and CB jump ratings mean nothing. That needs to be fixed ASAP.

-Eye placement on ball should be fixed (i.e. a CB should not make Willie Mays catches repeatedly in a game).

-More animations on offense and defense (in my opinion this would help with the CB and WR interactions and create less glitching by defenders in making ridiculous interceptions)

-Ball trajectory and game speed (just improving the ball trajectory wouldn't work because player speed on the field is faster than real life. This would only create more interceptions, so ball trajectory and game speed would have to be addressed at the same time). I highly doubt Madden will ever fix game speed though, seeing as I've been feeling that Madden has been supporting the fast twitch type player more than the football simulators.

-Everything else mentioned in this forum would be great, but I'm holding my breath.

# 55 bobtrain @ 02/22/12 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knighthawksfan


	I hope they do something with online franchise as well because that needs an upgrade along with superstar mode

oh yes, we all forgot about features (we were talking about gameplay), but yessssss. Superstar is the worst feature ever. They should just copy NBA 2k12 in this aspect. Nothing is rewarding about starting right away when your player is rated 75 OVR. Ideas:

-Interactive draft process (combine, interviews and scouting)
-Draft day (doesn't need to be flashy, just a draft where you can see where players get drafted etc...like 2k)
-Training Camp (fight for position...what happened to that feature in Madden????)
-Get points based on YOUR performance, not team performance (just copy the entire point system after 2k really)
-Then you can use those points to upgrade and fight for a starting position.

# 56 chi_hawks @ 02/22/12 02:29 PM

blah blah blah.....

SSDD with these guys. Until they revamp the physics engine, things will be very similar to past years.

# 57 michapop9 @ 02/22/12 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chi_hawks


	blah blah blah..... SSDD with these guys. Until they revamp the physics engine, things will be very similar to past years.

yeah, pretty sure this is the case. Phil Frazier said a "real time physics engine" was somewhere in the future, wonder with these new devs if that is still in the picture, it needs to be.

# 58 bobtrain @ 02/22/12 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySmooov


	I don't get the notion that a company should copy another game's product. Why would you want a game to copy another game? That makes no sense at all. It makes you sound like some type of 2K homer rather than someone with a rational opinion or suggestion. That's like telling your girlfriend, "Oh, I think you should get implants, get your nails done, etc. so you can look JUST like that girl down the street. Oh, but you don't have to change your hair or the way you talk, just make sure you do EXACTLY what she's doing."

Actually if you had some intelligence you'd understand that all things in life are borrowed. Everyone agree's that Steve Job's was not the best inventor, but the best borrower. He didn't invent the iPhone. He revolutionized it. He didn't event the computer. He made it simple. So until you get a little bit smarter here, then I see no problem in borrowing what works and making it better. LOL

# 59 bobtrain @ 02/22/12 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySmooov


	I don't get the notion that a company should copy another game's product. Why would you want a game to copy another game? That makes no sense at all. It makes you sound like some type of 2K homer rather than someone with a rational opinion or suggestion. That's like telling your girlfriend, "Oh, I think you should get implants, get your nails done, etc. so you can look JUST like that girl down the street. Oh, but you don't have to change your hair or the way you talk, just make sure you do EXACTLY what she's doing."

oh and that 2k statement is what smart people call an assumption, but I understand. LOL. No really, I've only played 2k12. so again, no I'm not a fan boy. I see what works and want a better product.

# 60 Steven123 @ 02/22/12 06:21 PM

The problem is the engine, without a different engine, the gameplay will be underwhelming no matter how many changes they make for it. I expect a few new animations and maybe a new pre-play defense menu then BOOOM, the "newest feature" - "Total Control Defense!" Yeah right.

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