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boritter · 06-13-2009, 05:28 PM

These are all screenshots from the videos Steve uploaded. Apparently there is something in the NCAA blocking AI that compels OL to turn and face guard their own QB.

After watching all the videos I'm pretty certain that this happens when offensive linemen do not have someone to block or when the defensive line stunts. Defensive stunts cause the offensive line to think that there is no one to block (see the NC State screens below). Instead of using their heads to look for someone to block they pivot around and stare at the QB. The sad part is this happens all the time.

This is the RG and RT from USC turning to stare at their QB.

Here is a reverse angle that was caught on the instant replay. Notice how the RB is blocking correctly but the offensive linemen are not. Funny how a RB has a higher blocking IQ.

Next we have two NC State linemen who have a man crush on their QB. Due to the man crush they are forced to look away from the defense and stare at their QB.

OL #50 definitely misses his block because his back is to the defensive line.

#50 is the player on the right with his back to the defense.

On the next screen we see the unblocked defender running free to the QB. #50 has turned back around and sees a second defender who is further away from his QB.

The next screen shows that the first defender is past OL #50. #50 goes for a cut block on the second (furthest) defender.

On this screen it is obvious that the defender had an easy route to the QB because #50 turned his back to the defense and watched his QB.

Not only do the linemen look silly, but the poor blocking AI causes them to miss blocks.

And the final picture is a Miami lineman who is dazed and confused. The picture quality is not great but if you look closely you will see that there are two linemen standing back-to-back. One is facing forward and is blocking the defense while the other one is looking at his QB.

I do not remember the blocking being this bad in NCAA 09. Instead of improved OL/DL interactions like EA has promised in NCAA 10, we get mentally challenged offensive linemen.

How did EA's product testers not notice this? I noticed it the first time I watched the videos. This is sloppy, incomplete work on EA's part. Just like the rosters.

Strummer101er · 06-13-2009, 05:33 PM

Wonky yes, but we won't know if the blocking AI is "terrible" till the game comes out.

Play it before you hate it.

Darkeus · 06-13-2009, 05:34 PM

Oh my.. Here we go again.. The real question is, do they turn back around when a defender comes within range. That would be bad.. Eyes in back of head... Whatever.

tyler741 · 06-13-2009, 05:36 PM

I'm with boritter. What gives? Easily could be one of the most annoying things game in and out. Hope this is fixed in a patch or something, because the dev team clearly has no plans on fixing anything until after the game is gold.

moylan1234 · 06-13-2009, 05:36 PM

I wonder if procedural awareness is to blame for this? players with nothing to do just automatically turn and look at the ball?

boritter · 06-13-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkeus


	Oh my.. Here we go again.. The real question is, do they turn back around when a defender comes within range. That would be bad.. Eyes in back of head... Whatever.

[I edited this when I discovered that the offensive line DOES miss blocks when they face the wrong direction]

Sometimes they do not turn back around and face the defense in time and this causes them to miss blocks.

Proof is found in the NC State screens in my original post.

jdrhammer · 06-13-2009, 05:39 PM

They need to understand that less is more in terms of movements by OL's. They form a shield around the QB and they face downfield and slightly angle on the outside to shield/force DE's/OLB's etc around the QB. Then, this is where we need better recovery time, in this case longer time, when a DE gets pushed away then has to build up speed to get back in the play. It's all about angles.

boritter · 06-13-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moylan55


	I wonder if procedural awareness is to blame for this? players with nothing to do just automatically turn and look at the ball?

Maybe so with OL. But not RBs. Look at the USC picture. The OL are lost but the RB is normal.

06-13-2009, 05:28 PM	#1
boritter MVP OVR: 31 Join Date: Mar 2006 Blog Entries: 3	Proof that blocking AI is terrible These are all screenshots from the videos Steve uploaded. Apparently there is something in the NCAA blocking AI that compels OL to turn and face guard their own QB. After watching all the videos I'm pretty certain that this happens when offensive linemen do not have someone to block or when the defensive line stunts. Defensive stunts cause the offensive line to think that there is no one to block (see the NC State screens below). Instead of using their heads to look for someone to block they pivot around and stare at the QB. The sad part is this happens all the time. This is the RG and RT from USC turning to stare at their QB. Here is a reverse angle that was caught on the instant replay. Notice how the RB is blocking correctly but the offensive linemen are not. Funny how a RB has a higher blocking IQ. Next we have two NC State linemen who have a man crush on their QB. Due to the man crush they are forced to look away from the defense and stare at their QB. OL #50 definitely misses his block because his back is to the defensive line. #50 is the player on the right with his back to the defense. On the next screen we see the unblocked defender running free to the QB. #50 has turned back around and sees a second defender who is further away from his QB. The next screen shows that the first defender is past OL #50. #50 goes for a cut block on the second (furthest) defender. On this screen it is obvious that the defender had an easy route to the QB because #50 turned his back to the defense and watched his QB. Not only do the linemen look silly, but the poor blocking AI causes them to miss blocks. And the final picture is a Miami lineman who is dazed and confused. The picture quality is not great but if you look closely you will see that there are two linemen standing back-to-back. One is facing forward and is blocking the defense while the other one is looking at his QB. I do not remember the blocking being this bad in NCAA 09. Instead of improved OL/DL interactions like EA has promised in NCAA 10, we get mentally challenged offensive linemen. How did EA's product testers not notice this? I noticed it the first time I watched the videos. This is sloppy, incomplete work on EA's part. Just like the rosters. __________________ EA: Please add in-game saves. Last edited by boritter; 06-13-2009 at 07:14 PM.

06-13-2009, 05:33 PM	#2
Strummer101er Banned OVR: 7 Join Date: Jul 2008	Re: Proof that blocking AI is terrible Wonky yes, but we won't know if the blocking AI is "terrible" till the game comes out. Play it before you hate it.

06-13-2009, 05:34 PM	#3
Darkeus Rookie OVR: 5 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Harrisonburg, VA	Re: Proof that blocking AI is terrible Oh my.. Here we go again.. The real question is, do they turn back around when a defender comes within range. That would be bad.. Eyes in back of head... Whatever. __________________ OH... IO... The Scarlet and Grey, best team in the land!

06-13-2009, 05:36 PM	#4
tyler741 Rookie OVR: 7 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Illinois by way of Iowa	Re: Proof that blocking AI is terrible I'm with boritter. What gives? Easily could be one of the most annoying things game in and out. Hope this is fixed in a patch or something, because the dev team clearly has no plans on fixing anything until after the game is gold. __________________ Iowa Hawkeyes \| Chicago Blackhawks \| Manchester City

06-13-2009, 05:39 PM	#7
jdrhammer MVP OVR: 19 Join Date: Feb 2008	Re: Proof that blocking AI is terrible They need to understand that less is more in terms of movements by OL's. They form a shield around the QB and they face downfield and slightly angle on the outside to shield/force DE's/OLB's etc around the QB. Then, this is where we need better recovery time, in this case longer time, when a DE gets pushed away then has to build up speed to get back in the play. It's all about angles.

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06-13-2009, 05:36 PM	#5
moylan1234 MVP OVR: 29 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Central Coast Blog Entries: 2	Re: Proof that blocking AI is terrible I wonder if procedural awareness is to blame for this? players with nothing to do just automatically turn and look at the ball?

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