After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

[Haze88]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

Very true; I also believe that the majority of users do not readily think about fatigue throughout a game, and thus ignore its presence.

I would like to see visual ques for fatigue effecting players in M18; Hands on hips, players slightly bent over with hands on knees, etc..

I believe this would be a major addition for immersion and visual affirmation of when a player needs to be subbed, as well as eliminating at least some of the comeback mechanics accusations.

My run game can tell you the effects. Anemic from quarters 1-3 and then from about the middle of the 4th on I get big chunk plays

[burter]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

Playing on all madden is a cheat fest anyways.

Since the last patch I have not seen one blocked kick, not one. I don't even worry about it anymore.

I have to post this haha. Playing on all madden, I was playing the Packers in the playoffs. I was up 20-3 after just scoring a TD. They block the extra point. Then later they block a punt returned for td, then after that they blocked a FG. It happens but normally not like what happen to me in this game . Lost 24-23 but I was cool with it. Didn't bother me I guess. I don't mind if the cpu gets an extra boost in the 4th, and that goes for all sports games not just Madden.

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

I'm not great at this game but could win anywhere from 9 to 11 games per season playing on all Madden with sliders I found here. However, after the last patch, it is an absolute struggle to win any games because cheating appears to be in full effect. Every time I get a lead, there will be a pass batted high in the air for a pick six. If that doesn't happen, my reliable running back will suddenly get stripped in the center of the line or be caught from behind and have the ball poked out. It never fails. If I am ahead by a touchdown or two in the fourth quarter, every time I get a first down there will be a holding call. It is hilarious.

I was up by 4 scores vs the CPU in the 4th quarter and had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. The very next drive... I had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.... Next drive? Fumble.

My response? I started running a hurry up, 5 wide, 4 verts every play. If they're gonna cheat I'm gonna cheat.

*I should point out that despite the fact that I won I nearly threw my controller into the TV. I didn't ask for unrealistic b.s. when I bought this game. It's marketed as an NFL sim, so FFS someone needs to do something about the A.I. cheating, All Madden or no.

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

@ the OP...

You're playing on All-Madden and are upset at how difficult the AI is? Should it be easy?

It should be REALISTIC. Harder, yes. Unrealistic? No. I don't think at any time in NFL history a team has blocked back to back punts and returned them for a touchdown. Yet this kind of thing happens fairly regularly on All Madden.

Instead of cheating, they ought to code better A.I. adaptation to your strategy. If the player likes to hot route a slant on a certain play, the A.I. should sneak a player into that passing lane just in time to intercept it.

You see, a SMARTER CPU is the solution, not a CHEATING one that gets Super Human attributes in the 4th quarter.

[roadman]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

It should be REALISTIC. Harder, yes. Unrealistic? No. I don't think at any time in NFL history a team has blocked back to back punts and returned them for a touchdown. Yet this kind of thing happens fairly regularly on All Madden.

Instead of cheating, they ought to code better A.I. adaptation to your strategy. If the player likes to hot route a slant on a certain play, the A.I. should sneak a player into that passing lane just in time to intercept it.

You see, a SMARTER CPU is the solution, not a CHEATING one that gets Super Human attributes in the 4th quarter.

Does it only happen in the 4th quarter or does it happen at the tail end of the second half, too?

On all pro, if I even sniff a comeback is coming for the AI, (a comeback, not a cheat, teams come back from leads a lot in the NFL, ie see SB) it's time to become more aggressive on offense. Instead of running the ball and sitting on the ball, it's time for me to go into Belichek mode and keep the throttle down. Also, I'll start blitzing more if I'm not blitzing, or play more coverage if I'm not blitzing. Also, I'll play more man to man vs zone or more zone vs man to man. The AI has picked up the tendencies you are playing, so, I try to stay one step ahead.

Also, I'll call timeouts to change up the tendency and rhythm of the AI trying to mount a comeback.

This is a complaint on the higher levels for sports games in the OS forums. Obviously, the dice rolls will be higher on the upper levels vs the lower levels.

I look forward to the AI making a comeback on all pro. For me, it's a challenge I like to take on to see if I'm able to hold the lead or win the game or falter like the Falcons.

[NinersFan49]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

My run game can tell you the effects. Anemic from quarters 1-3 and then from about the middle of the 4th on I get big chunk plays

I’ve noticed my running game picks up in the 4th quarter, too. Only thing is, I have fatigue turned off.

Since the last patch I’ve been having lots of big plays called back by holding penalties. In back to back games I had the cpu in 3rd and long and hit their QB, only to have the ball pop up in the air straight to an O lineman who takes off like Adrian Peterson to pick up the first down.

I’m not sure to what extent ratings and dice rolls matter, but it’s clear to me after thousands of games of All Madden vs cpu that certain drives are scripted and certain plays are choreographed to meet the script. Blocked kicks are a perfect example, notice how the ball always shoots to a player with a clear shot to run it back for a TD? If you look at certain pivotal plays in replay it definitely looks like the play is choreographed rather than random ratings/dice roll interactions.

I’ve been playing Madden for about 8 years and it’s always been like this, more or less depending on how they tweak it from year to year or patch to patch.

Great for the controller manafacturers

[GoBigRed29]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

I’ve noticed my running game picks up in the 4th quarter, too. Only thing is, I have fatigue turned off.

Since the last patch I’ve been having lots of big plays called back by holding penalties. In back to back games I had the cpu in 3rd and long and hit their QB, only to have the ball pop up in the air straight to an O lineman who takes off like Adrian Peterson to pick up the first down.

I’m not sure to what extent ratings and dice rolls matter, but it’s clear to me after thousands of games of All Madden vs cpu that certain drives are scripted and certain plays are choreographed to meet the script. Blocked kicks are a perfect example, notice how the ball always shoots to a player with a clear shot to run it back for a TD? If you look at certain pivotal plays in replay it definitely looks like the play is choreographed rather than random ratings/dice roll interactions.

I’ve been playing Madden for about 8 years and it’s always been like this, more or less depending on how they tweak it from year to year or patch to patch.

Great for the controller manafacturers

I'll agree on this to a certain extent. There are certainly times where it seems the CPU took some roids before stepping out onto the field but I find you just need to take your time and dial in on what you are doing in order to survive. The ensuing anger from moments like this tend to only make it worse. For example, in my current online franchise...in one of my losses, I had 5 fumbles and 7 ints thrown It seemed that my players couldn't look at the other defense without dropping the football. What I learned from that experience was.....when I feel the CPU is bringing the pain, I start doing conservative playcalling and actually have my players dive to the ground or duck out of bounds. The next time I noticed the CPU stepping up their game to that level....I ended up winning by superior ball control. Anger clouded my judgement in that first game.

Adapt or die.

And yes, controller companies love Madden. One of our players in CFM has already broken a controller and it's only week 8.

[montesixpac]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

Whatever is the reasoning is it does seem like blowing out the cpu is difficult. i have had many games in which I had a good lead late in the game turn into a close game or loss. I only had one game that I got a good lead in and closed out the game strong.

Blocked punts, unstoppable offense, and penalties seem to be prevalent late in games when the cpu is going to make a comeback.

I have had quite a few games in which the cpu scored 10 or less in the first 3 quarters but their offense all of a sudden is nearly unstoppable in the 4th.

One other thing to remember is just simply watching real life games, how often do you see offenses get aggressive and a low scoring game turns into a late shootout? It does seem to happen quite often.

I can see how fatigue can be a factor. Maybe I need to call strategic timeouts to give my defense a rest (of course this would mean finding times that I am not stopping the clock to their benefit).

I also wonder how much the dice rolls late in game are effected the players skills/ratings such as players that are clutch, have low or high confidence, high or low awareness, etc.

I play on All-Pro.

[aziatic77]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

Had an NFC championship game where:

-2 of my field goals blocked
-had a walk-in TD but my receiver possession catched it and rolled down at the 1 yard line (leading to a blocked fg)
-my o-line mailed it in and had defenders in my QB's face the whole game
-defenders warping to wide open passes.

[cable guy]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

Had an NFC championship game where:

-2 of my field goals blocked
-had a walk-in TD but my receiver possession catched it and rolled down at the 1 yard line (leading to a blocked fg)
-my o-line mailed it in and had defenders in my QB's face the whole game
-defenders warping to wide open passes.

What was your team rated as compared to the opponents team? Were you home or away?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[NinersFan49]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

Had an NFC championship game where:

-2 of my field goals blocked
-had a walk-in TD but my receiver possession catched it and rolled down at the 1 yard line (leading to a blocked fg)
-my o-line mailed it in and had defenders in my QB's face the whole game
-defenders warping to wide open passes.

Yes, it seems this stuff is much more prevalent since last patch. Overall defense on both sides is better, which is a plus. But it keeps hitting me with holding penalties, dropped passes after late mild contact, lineman batting down passes, and fumble-on-demand late in games.

[Ueauvan]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

so my 15-1 team playing the 10-6 opposition in the division playoff. they blocked a fg and an extra point. my 99 car hb fumbled twice, having not fumbled all season. my oline let in 5 sacks despite being the best oline in the season, my pocket passer qb with 90 car fumbled twice and my speedy lbers never got to their qb. i lose to a fg 34-31 in the last 10 secs after a catch in bounds, from 55 yds against the wind and they didnt have a time out. everything but the last bit i can live with ...

this is coach mode and Josh's sliders

[4thQtrStre5S]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

Yes, it seems this stuff is much more prevalent since last patch. Overall defense on both sides is better, which is a plus. But it keeps hitting me with holding penalties, dropped passes after late mild contact, lineman batting down passes, and fumble-on-demand late in games.

I have been considering trying some tests to see if the carry rating may affect whether a WR holds onto the ball better when hit while catching.. Intuitively it would make sense that it is the catching rating all the way through the catch, but there seems to be more going on at times besides a single rating..Also curious if awareness plays a role.

As for holding penalties, awareness would be something to look into..I have noticed a big difference in how Oline players pick up blocks just between 89 and 90, and I wouldn't even bother having any Oline player below 85 awareness start..

[NinersFan49]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

I have been considering trying some tests to see if the carry rating may affect whether a WR holds onto the ball better when hit while catching.. Intuitively it would make sense that it is the catching rating all the way through the catch, but there seems to be more going on at times besides a single rating..Also curious if awareness plays a role.

As for holding penalties, awareness would be something to look into..I have noticed a big difference in how Oline players pick up blocks just between 89 and 90, and I wouldn't even bother having any Oline player below 85 awareness start..

Interesting, I'll try tracking those to see if there's any relation. Thanks!

[roadman]

Re: After the Last Patch, the Game is a Cheating Machine

Nah, this just doesn't happen on AP level sliders with everything turned on using Josh C's sliders.

I was up 14 to 3 before halftime and I held Luck to a FG at the end of the half. If the CPU was a cheating machine, the HT score would have been 14 to 10.

I was up 21 to 6 with 3 minutes left in the game. If the CPU wanted to mount a comeback, they waited till 3 minutes left in the game to score a TD with 37 seconds left in the game. The score became 21 to 13 with 37 seconds left.

The CPU tried an onside kick and I was able to scoop up the ball. There was no fumble, no onside recovery by the CPU.

Game over.

The game is tested on AP w/o adjusting sliders. The game plays a good game with ratings matters playing the game this way.(yes, there are still legendary issues with the game that everyone knows about)