2k Defense from 2k3 to 2k8 - Design Decisions

[Kruza]

Quote: Originally Posted by LBzrule

Yeah it's another instance of VC not capitalizing on something they did that NOBODY else had at the time. Madden had the Safety walking to the line but that's it. No linebacker movement. VC had all kind of movement and then they just ditched it when they should have expanded it. I'll say it again, they did it and all they needed to do was to polish and expand it and extend it. It was something and has been something that has not shown up in any other game since 2k3, but no, they just got rid of it all together

Many of the animations restricted and changed in 2K4 was VC's attempt to try and even up the inbalance between the offense and defense because there weren't that many offensive pre-snap options back on 2K3. And when you think about it, it was actually appropriate for VC to do this 2K4 came out. The reason? To keep it simple: More offense -> more popular among gamers to play -> more sales.

But like all you have mentioned, all of those nice pre-snap defensive animations and options that were in 2K3 should be brought back for future games since all of the available offensive pre-snap adjustments are finally in the 2K8 version, which would bring both sides of the ball up to near even stages of advancement. And the game would have better balance for it.

Kruza

[grunt]

Picked 2k3 for 2 dollars and lb speaks the truth. 2k3 is 6 years old and its play a mean game of football.

[SoCal-Phenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by grunt

Picked 2k3 for 2 dollars and lb speaks the truth. 2k3 is 6 years old and its play a mean game of football.

Updated Roster Project anyone? No, just kidding

[jyoung]

You are right about the atrocious DB AI in this game.

Here are the main problems:

-- The game's idea of "man coverage" is having the DB run the same route as the WR, which leaves the DB trailing behind anytime the WR makes a cut of any kind

-- DBs in zones only cover the center of their zone circle. This leaves the outside of those zones wide open

-- DBs in zones will sit and guard their tiny circle even when no threat is present, and in the case of a "center fielder" safety, the safety will even go so far as to ignore WRs running deep routes on the sides of the field.

-- DBs have eyes in the back of their head that make them able to hone in on the ball the instant the QB starts his throwing motion. Even if they are sprinting full speed in the opposite direction of the throw or sprinting with their backs completely turned to the ball, they will still magically do a 180 and take a direct path to the ball the second it leaves the QB's hands.

Never do you see a DB looking back to "find the ball" like you might see in real life, because in 2k8, the DBs don't turn to "find the ball," they turn to intercept the ball because they already know where the ball is before they start turning around!

Funny thing is, if you are manually controlling a DB and try to do what the CPU does (go from running full speed one way to doing a quick 180 and running full speed the other way) you get hit with a huge, penalizing momentum animation, which means you won't even be half-way to the ball by the time it hits the WR's hands.

[SoCal-Phenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by grunt

Picked 2k3 for 2 dollars and lb speaks the truth. 2k3 is 6 years old and its play a mean game of football.

Yo grunt,

Are you playing on the 360 because I checked out the BC compatibility list and its on there!

How do the graphics hold up to 2k5? DB AI better than 2K5? Hell I'll pick it up and we can play some games online

[grunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by SoCal-Phenom

Yo grunt, Are you playing on the 360 because I checked out the BC compatibility list and its on there! How do the graphics hold up to 2k5? DB AI better than 2K5? Hell I'll pick it up and we can play some games online

The game looks really good to be 6 years old. 2k3 is a direct descendant of the dreamcast football games.

I can't connect to the 2k3 servers.

[burnwood]

Quote: Originally Posted by wEEman33

You are right about the atrocious DB AI in this game. Here are the main problems: -- The game's idea of "man coverage" is having the DB run the same route as the WR, which leaves the DB trailing behind anytime the WR makes a cut of any kind -- DBs in zones only cover the center of their zone circle. This leaves the outside of those zones wide open -- DBs in zones will sit and guard their tiny circle even when no threat is present, and in the case of a "center fielder" safety, the safety will even go so far as to ignore WRs running deep routes on the sides of the field. -- DBs have eyes in the back of their head that make them able to hone in on the ball the instant the QB starts his throwing motion. Even if they are sprinting full speed in the opposite direction of the throw or sprinting with their backs completely turned to the ball, they will still magically do a 180 and take a direct path to the ball the second it leaves the QB's hands. Never do you see a DB looking back to "find the ball" like you might see in real life, because in 2k8, the DBs don't turn to "find the ball," they turn to intercept the ball because they already know where the ball is before they start turning around! Funny thing is, if you are manually controlling a DB and try to do what the CPU does (go from running full speed one way to doing a quick 180 and running full speed the other way) you get hit with a huge, penalizing momentum animation, which means you won't even be half-way to the ball by the time it hits the WR's hands.

And don't forget the DB A.I. when defending a gold WR. They just move out of the way even when in good position to allow the WR to catch it. Blatantly programmed in. Makes me think that's how future Pro Bowl rules will go.

[SoCal-Phenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by grunt

The game looks really good to be 6 years old. 2k3 is a direct descendant of the dreamcast football games. I can't connect to the 2k3 servers.

awww boooooo

That sucks