Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

[MontagueBall]

It's about time. But we'll have to see if this promise pans out. History hasn't shown that to be the case with 'realism' in Madden. If the casual gamer has problems, then good. Go find an arcade game to play and leave football to those that understand the game.

[Sausage]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

Honestly.... The pocket and DL/OL interaction is the ONLY thing I like.

And I LOVE the fact the arcade crowd will probably HATE THE HELL OUT OF IT!!!

^ that makes me happy.... Seriously ... **** the casuals, the SIM crowd put madden on the map!!!

Same here about your comment on the "pocket", but I have a feeling its mainly cosmetic and it won't have any variety or effect any QBs laser accuracy and delivery to the magnetic hands of receivers and TEs. Hope I'm wrong for the sake of those of us who are tired of the same dog and pony show.

[GiantBlue76]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

I can assure all of you the new pocket collapse system has a direct and immediate impact on gameplay.

Here are a just a few of the ways it changes the game:

1) It is now critical to read blitzes pre-snap, as slide protection is now a big component of protecting yourself against the blitz.

2) With 5 man protection, you can only block 5 defenders. If they send 6, one will get through. This makes hot routing TE's and RB's in to block another key strategy in running an effective offense.

3) Understanding the concept of a 'hot read' receiver with a short curl, hitch or smoke screen route is often necessary against the blitz.

4) Less time in pocket means less time to go deep. Expect to adapt and hit your check down routes like shallow drags and RB's leaking out into the flat.

There are also huge upgrades in pass defense, making it more important than ever to make good reads.

Rookie and Pro are still pretty safe for the casual, but for everybody else the hope is that they change their play style and employ real football strategies to adapt to the change in direction.

Rex - I honestly cannot complain about anything you say here because I've been asking for all of this since we lost competition in 2005. More football, less "Madden". It actually makes me incredibly happy to hear you say these things. This is the exact same mindset that needs to be applied to the ENTIRE game - every facet. As angry and frustrated many of us have been with what's happened to NFL gaming over the last 8 years, by giving us a mind blowing experience, much like what Sony and 2k are doing with their franchises, all can be forgiven. Make it happen!

[razorkaos]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

I think when you boot up the game, it should ask something like: "Are you a casual gamer? Or hardcore football simulation guy?" It would then be set for "Arcade" or "Sim." (obviously, you could change this setting at any time). And then the game should play VERY differently on the different settings. Arcade would have less penalties, be easier to pick up and play (default to Gameflow play calling), have a faster game speed, all players would have crazy end zone celebrations, there would be less injuries, etc, etc. "Sim" would have realistic # and occurrences of penalties and injuries, slower game speed, realistic pocket, more realistic stats, etc. etc. There is no reason they couldn't get the game to work for both audiences.

They may even have this setting already (I haven't played Madden in a few years), but the difference b/w an "Arcade" type mode and "Sim" should be very noticeable.. so they could cater to both crowds.. that is my point.

All that being said, I'm very excited for this year's Madden. I like some of the steps they've taken to try to improve the gameplay.

[EDIT: Big FN Deal is right on. Beat me to it.]

There is a big problem here. Most casuals think they are hardcore, just because they play 300+ games a year, so they would choose the hardcore option. I see this from another perspective. I know its a different game, but the audience has more or less the same mindset. A massive part of the FIFA community believe they are hardcore FIFA players, including those players on the first 100 positions in the rakings and the guys who play the FIWC. But in reality, they keep playing with assisted controls, cheesing, exploiting the games flaws, and they often don't care about realism, cause most of them don't even know how the sport is. And the similarity can be extended to other games, like BF (cheaters everywhere), COD, NBA2K (3 pointers should not fall that easy, and people exploit it everytime) and why not, Madden. Like in FIFA, the so called hardcore players (not the real ones, i'm talking about the cheesers and AI exploiters) will keep abusing the QB sneak on the 1yd line that ALWAYS result in a TD, and every exploit or glitch they can.

If we had an option to make the game more sim or more arcade, as you said, believe me, a lot of people would choose the hardcore option, and they would get frustrated with the game, and guess what will happen? As they did with FIFA, they will storm the official forums with the old talk about how the game is broken and how they will never buy a Madden game again. And what the guys on EA will do? Yes, they will soften the game, we will see more "accessibility" and our dreams of a realistic game are gone.

[kdenson1283]

This is going to be an interesting experience. Madden 25, will be at it's best with this feature due to the fact that rolling out of the pocket with a DE on your trail will limit the pass on the run and those uncalled for INT's. No reason why, a QB should throw 5 picks in a game, and then still have 5 TDs in one game. Not Simulation football. 2 weeks until we get to find out. 1 week for you Playstation gurus.

[TeeDogg]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

Interesting comments...This is why Ive played Madden on Very Fast Game speed & Speed Threshold at 0
Since Madden 11. Forces you to Snap/Read/Throw.
And pressures coming at the snap of the football.
The new innovations are gonna make the game even better to me on my settings.

I don't play on fast but I love the lower speed threshold settings. It makes blitzes with DBs much more effective. If you don't pick up that blitzing corner he's gonna be on your arse.

[TeeDogg]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

The bottom line is EA needs to take a page from NBA 2K and implement different modes, casual, default and simulation. This is the only way to appease everyone! They could also throw in different lobbies for online play. This has been said on OS repeatedly!

Yes, and on top of that sliders and on/off options would handle any concerns about tourney players. Bad snaps - off. Holding - off, anything random let them dudes turn it off or set it to zero themselves.

Now to me bad snaps itself is not a big deal. But I would like to see high and low snaps where the qb has to reach. I'd also like to see roll out animations and more pocket manuevers mapped to the right stick along with the existing evade maneuvers.

[SA1NT401]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

The problem why madden sticks to the arcade style of play is simple.... The developers are arcade/tourney style players....

The NFL needs to void their contract and pick a developer that wants to make the best football game.... Not the best video game based loosely around football.

[SteelerSpartan]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

If they would have included Tiered PlayCalling I would have believed that it was a lot more then just some window dressing.

It could still be an admirable effort though, but I would like to see it put through the test....

It probably still lacks the depth of animations and qb pursuit logic we want.....but at the very least I hope that they have it setup so that it adheres to the ratings....so that punters(Players with low ratings) are getting destroyed

[jpdavis82]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

I can assure all of you the new pocket collapse system has a direct and immediate impact on gameplay.

Here are a just a few of the ways it changes the game:

1) It is now critical to read blitzes pre-snap, as slide protection is now a big component of protecting yourself against the blitz.

2) With 5 man protection, you can only block 5 defenders. If they send 6, one will get through. This makes hot routing TE's and RB's in to block another key strategy in running an effective offense.

3) Understanding the concept of a 'hot read' receiver with a short curl, hitch or smoke screen route is often necessary against the blitz.

4) Less time in pocket means less time to go deep. Expect to adapt and hit your check down routes like shallow drags and RB's leaking out into the flat.

There are also huge upgrades in pass defense, making it more important than ever to make good reads.

Rookie and Pro are still pretty safe for the casual, but for everybody else the hope is that they change their play style and employ real football strategies to adapt to the change in direction.

Wow Rex actually responded on the forums. If THAT doesn't tell you he cares about what we think, then besides not seeing it in the game itself, I don't know how anyone could feel like the devs don't care what we say.

[dghustla]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

I can assure all of you the new pocket collapse system has a direct and immediate impact on gameplay.

Here are a just a few of the ways it changes the game:

1) It is now critical to read blitzes pre-snap, as slide protection is now a big component of protecting yourself against the blitz.

2) With 5 man protection, you can only block 5 defenders. If they send 6, one will get through. This makes hot routing TE's and RB's in to block another key strategy in running an effective offense.

3) Understanding the concept of a 'hot read' receiver with a short curl, hitch or smoke screen route is often necessary against the blitz.

4) Less time in pocket means less time to go deep. Expect to adapt and hit your check down routes like shallow drags and RB's leaking out into the flat.

There are also huge upgrades in pass defense, making it more important than ever to make good reads.

Rookie and Pro are still pretty safe for the casual, but for everybody else the hope is that they change their play style and employ real football strategies to adapt to the change in direction.

can't wait to show a strong side blitz only to be sending heat from the weak side.

It will be nice to see some A gap blitz that isn't some nano cheese where the DT comes unblocked because someone is in spy.

Question: What happens if I only rush 5 they have a slide protect strong side but I send a weak side blitz and vice versa, does my guy have a chance to get through un blocked? Or will the Oline always pick up 5 man rushes?

2) Do you have any plans for impliment a delayed blitz option route. Simular to the HB block and release? I would like to see LBs be able to fake coverage at times and then blitz to confuse the QB.

[therealsmallville]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

I can assure all of you the new pocket collapse system has a direct and immediate impact on gameplay.

Here are a just a few of the ways it changes the game:

1) It is now critical to read blitzes pre-snap, as slide protection is now a big component of protecting yourself against the blitz.

2) With 5 man protection, you can only block 5 defenders. If they send 6, one will get through. This makes hot routing TE's and RB's in to block another key strategy in running an effective offense.

3) Understanding the concept of a 'hot read' receiver with a short curl, hitch or smoke screen route is often necessary against the blitz.

4) Less time in pocket means less time to go deep. Expect to adapt and hit your check down routes like shallow drags and RB's leaking out into the flat.

There are also huge upgrades in pass defense, making it more important than ever to make good reads.

Rookie and Pro are still pretty safe for the casual, but for everybody else the hope is that they change their play style and employ real football strategies to adapt to the change in direction.

Rex,

thanks for coming by the forums! This all sounds great. Will d-lineman put their hands up if a QB is throwing a low pass over their heads? Will they knock the ball down?

Thanks!

[wordtobigbird]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

I can assure all of you the new pocket collapse system has a direct and immediate impact on gameplay.

Here are a just a few of the ways it changes the game:

1) It is now critical to read blitzes pre-snap, as slide protection is now a big component of protecting yourself against the blitz.

2) With 5 man protection, you can only block 5 defenders. If they send 6, one will get through. This makes hot routing TE's and RB's in to block another key strategy in running an effective offense.

3) Understanding the concept of a 'hot read' receiver with a short curl, hitch or smoke screen route is often necessary against the blitz.

4) Less time in pocket means less time to go deep. Expect to adapt and hit your check down routes like shallow drags and RB's leaking out into the flat.

There are also huge upgrades in pass defense, making it more important than ever to make good reads.

Rookie and Pro are still pretty safe for the casual, but for everybody else the hope is that they change their play style and employ real football strategies to adapt to the change in direction.

I may be able to play random games online in Madden again. This is huge.

(and btw, this exactly when I meant when i said devs posting to clear up myths and someone said people will believe what they want anyway. of course they will, but now WE know what to expect. Thanks for the feedback Rex)

[hanzsomehanz]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

Rex,

thanks for coming by the forums! This all sounds great. Will d-lineman put their hands up if a QB is throwing a low pass over their heads? Will they knock the ball down?

Thanks!

Players already have this logic but the occurrences are rare: players known for defeats should attempt it more often.

This should be covered under the hood as one of those AI features re knowing their surroundings - true intelligence (I think its called).

Sent from my SGH-I727R using Tapatalk

[wordtobigbird]

Re: Will People Adjust to the Pocket in Next-Gen Madden?

Players already have this logic but the occurrences are rare: players known for defeats should attempt it more often.

This should be covered under the hood as one of those AI features re knowing their surroundings - true intelligence (I think its called).

Sent from my SGH-I727R using Tapatalk

This. I've seen a few bat downs at the LOS in current gen so its definitely in there. They actually improved the tipped ball physics over previous years too, I've seen some nice tips in different situations.