Madden NFL 25 Video - Exclusive Blocking Information (simfballcritic)

[simfballcritic]

I respect Sim for all the work he has put in but this just doesn't work me anymore. He told us a bunch of features - leave that to EA. I'd like to know how those things tie in to make Madden 25 a better game.

Again, no disrespect but he really just repeated whats already been said.

What's good man. I feel you all the way, now with EA it's about proven what you say. Guilty until proven innocent, it all comes down to how they implement and execute.

[kingsofthevalley]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Video - Exclusive Blocking Information (simfballcritic)

Hope this definition of the Reach Block helps:

Reach block: An offensive lineman reaches for the next defender, meaning he doesn’t block the opponent directly in front of him but moves for an opponent to either side. The reach block is common on run plays when the play calls for a guard to reach out and block an inside linebacker.

Got it thanks. Damn, wasn't what I thought it would be.

[Big FN Deal]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Video - Exclusive Blocking Information (simfballcritic)

What's good man. I feel you all the way, now with EA it's about proven what you say. Guilty until proven innocent, it all comes down to how they implement and execute.

Alright man so spill the beans, lol, what's up with the QnA session you mentioned? Can you go into further detail about the things you were allowed to reveal and how they play out? Have you even seen any of the stuff in action yet?

I'm kind of hoping you haven't considering Shopmaster keeps saying he hasn't seen a huge difference in the pass rush/blocking. Is anyone scheduled to go back to play a later build at some point?

[jpdavis82]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Video - Exclusive Blocking Information (simfballcritic)

Hey guys if you're like me, the additions in blocking can be taken as a good thing and an improvement, but maybe you don't know what they really mean. Here are a few videos to help show what these are and give us a greater idea of what to look for in these M25 videos as we go forward.

Reach Block
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MuJWun6PXFo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Pull Block
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s4hA8vphL7k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Highlights of Carolina Panther OT Bruce Campbell
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VnMm7AcJ7RI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Oregon Pass Protection Drills
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dgVdUr7aFtM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[khaliib]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Video - Exclusive Blocking Information (simfballcritic)

Like myself and others have said, they are doing the best that they can right now with what they have to work with. I think a lot of these issues will be a thing of the past almost by default with the new engine the next gen games will be powered by. I think this current dev team (as of M13) knows what the customer wants and they want the same thing, I believe Kolbe, Cam, and the rest of them will show us a much closer representation of what we have been clamoring for once the next gen console version is revealed.

In the meantime, positive steps and additions in the right direction should bring hope and be looked at as building blocks for what they are going to do with the next gen.

Not trying to cause nothing, because if I don't like it, I simply don't buy it.

But....
When I see the 1st statement, I ask myself, what was so wrong/limited with this current Gen System that EA's Football was/has "Always" been behind the other sports games in the genre with what they've been able to do with the system and the quality of game that was released over the cycle of this Gen?

As far as the who's on the Dev Team...
I'm older and understand it's about the "Shareholders" and profit, period.

It's nice that they got the GC's Program as representation and a cycle of different Dev's, but the above dictates what will be released.

As far as the 2nd statement, this has been the given sentiment since their 1st release of Madden '06 on this Gen and it's still being used and excepted going on 8 yrs later.

I was simply trying to chime in on what will ultimately be driving the discussions of gameplay issues after folks have bought the game.

"The under the hood" stuff that the game is built on/around.
Animations and the triggering thresholds pertaining to OL Pass Blocking and their needed combinations to address the "Pocket", "DE/OLB Outside Rush" etc... as they've admitted that this area "IS NOT" Physics based, but still animation driven.

**Gamers need to know this "NOW" because they do not have the ability anymore to adjust themselves to make these so-called new blocking animation occur at a rate they would like.

That's all I was trying to add that hopefully a more "In-Depth" discussion could be had concerning this fact.

[SageInfinite]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Video - Exclusive Blocking Information (simfballcritic)

Like myself and others have said, they are doing the best that they can right now with what they have to work with. I think a lot of these issues will be a thing of the past almost by default with the new engine the next gen games will be powered by. I think this current dev team (as of M13) knows what the customer wants and they want the same thing, I believe Kolbe, Cam, and the rest of them will show us a much closer representation of what we have been clamoring for once the next gen console version is revealed.

In the meantime, positive steps and additions in the right direction should bring hope and be looked at as building blocks for what they are going to do with the next gen.

I hope I'm not just saying this, but I honestly believe the next 5 years of Madden will far surpass anything that we have ever seen in football gaming history. With the new engine and the resources, disk space that they will have to work with, 8GB shared vs 256MB, I think they know that they will have no excuses to fall back on and must perform at a level that has never been seen in football gaming history.

I really truly with all my football gaming heart hope that you are 100% right JP. If not it will be a sad, sad future for most of us.

So Madden 13 was the first game in the 3 year plan right? So technically the first official Madden on next gen(Madden 15 I guess) will be "the big shebang". Should be very interesting next year. Still really looking forward to seeing the launch next gen Madden 25 though. We should see glimpses of greatness in that game, if not it will be very telling.

[simfballcritic]

They admit that they really didn't do too much to OL/DL, WR/DB interactions on this game, so we can't jump ship as though the these two areas are "Newly" rebuilt, because they are not.

Good to see something is being attempted, but lets not act like the issues are really going to be "Fixed".
These are simply tweaks/tunes per their admission nothing was really (meaning some type of overhaul) done to these areas.

They are more "Animations" (at least in discussion) being injected, not the overhaul that's needed.

Two major things to keep in perspective:

1) The interaction between their Ratings and how/when they trigger animations is simply a mess, so that not even the dev's themselves can give an definitive answer on the who/what/when/how on the matter (8 yrs now).

What is the rating threshold between the OL/DL so that the OL is pushed back?
How much of a difference must the window be to trigger this animation?
Is the game coded (finally) so that Star DL/OLB can really get this push compared to the avg DL/OLB?

Again, until the Dev team are all on the same page in being able to explain how their ratings/animations work together, we will still be dealing with the same mess.

2) This is a VERY, VERY big issue.
Remember the ability to edit in CCM has been removed/stripped away, so that the gamer/community no longer have the ability to improve/achieve the current Rating/Animation triggers through manipulating the Ratings of the players.

So if no one really knows/can explain the triggering thresholds and we don't have the ability edit to improve/accomplish triggering these "so called" new animations in CCM, folks have to understand that the game is, what it is no matter what's put out there during the Marketing build-up.

The games build, is it's build and there's only so much they can do with only manipulating animations.

The "Blur" wasn't added just for kicks, it's to bring/keep the gamers focus on what they want you to see play out during any given play.

Looking at how players are interacting on the outskirts of the direct focus will let you know how much of so-called "Real Time Physics" this game is utilizing.
Physics interaction should be occuring all over the field with "everyone", from on the field to on the sidelines.
Not just between the immediate runner/tackler that the focus is on.

It's still about linked Animations, and they've already made known by several dev's, that this area hasn't been overhauled with so-called Physics Based outcomes.

So it may be cleaned up somewhat, but that's not what the community has been calling/making known for the past 7 yrs.

It's EA though, lot's of Marketing to get over until the next year of marketed injections.

I feel you man. It's like I've been saying since last year, I view M13 and M25 as building blocks. The devs are building a solid foundation that they can build off of, they have to do that first. The problem is they are stuck with the task of cleaning up previous mistakes. It's no secret that the current console has limitations, going into next gen that shouldn't be a factor anymore. I will be the first one to say look at The Show, look at what 2K did, but we don't know how each company approached their games and what they are built off of. I've learned that things like disc space has to be allocated appropriately to areas when developing a game, and the public doesn't know where the bulk of Madden's disc space was used . Thank God next gen consoles are dropping this year. I say we the community need to continue to apply the pressure once on next gen, that's when I expect to see massive overhauls.

[simfballcritic]

Like myself and others have said, they are doing the best that they can right now with what they have to work with. I think a lot of these issues will be a thing of the past almost by default with the new engine the next gen games will be powered by. I think this current dev team (as of M13) knows what the customer wants and they want the same thing, I believe Kolbe, Cam, and the rest of them will show us a much closer representation of what we have been clamoring for once the next gen console version is revealed.

In the meantime, positive steps and additions in the right direction should bring hope and be looked at as building blocks for what they are going to do with the next gen.

I hope I'm not just saying this, but I honestly believe the next 5 years of Madden will far surpass anything that we have ever seen in football gaming history. With the new engine and the resources, disk space that they will have to work with, 8GB shared vs 256MB, I think they know that they will have no excuses to fall back on and must perform at a level that has never been seen in football gaming history.

Man, you wouldn't believe some of the ideas Kobe has. It they stay on track with what they want to do with Madden we will all be very happy eventually.

[SageInfinite]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Video - Exclusive Blocking Information (simfballcritic)

Man, you wouldn't believe some of the ideas Kobe has. It they stay on track with what they want to do with Madden we will all be very happy eventually.

[jmik58]

Looks like uncovered linemen are taking some sad routes when blocking the second level -- aiming where the LB is instead of where he's going to be.

[lsutygurfan]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Video - Exclusive Blocking Information (simfballcritic)

Wait, I'm confused!

They are adding new "Animations" to the blocking game? I thought madden went to an all Physics engine (Infinity?).

So, Is OL/DL not physics based? Only parts of Madden physics? If so, which parts are NOT physics?

Hmm, i'm just saying.

[Gronk4M13]

Re: SimFballcritic Exclusive! Blocking.

Here is a hard copy of the List by SimFballcritic....

1. 5 new "Pull Block" animations.
2. 8 new Run Block double team interaction animations.
3. 6 new "Reach Blocks."
4. 20+ new Pass Block/Pass Rush interaction animations.
5. new zone step blocking interaction animations.
6. new lateral & vertical displacement animations for OL & DL interactions.
7. 30 new blocking schemes.
8. all new pass blocking locomotion.
9. all new open field targeting system.
10. completely reworked impact blocks and decleaters.

All sounds like it has potential, depends how well it's implemented into the game.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Video - Exclusive Blocking Information (simfballcritic)

I'll believe it when I see it.

[therizing02]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Video - Exclusive Blocking Information (simfballcritic)

Man, you wouldn't believe some of the ideas Kobe has. It they stay on track with what they want to do with Madden we will all be very happy eventually.

This sounds great as does JP's point about working with a sort of inherited mess. I think one of the biggest problems that has plagued this franchise over the years is the constant shuffling in and out of people that work on the game.

I get it that Ian and few others left on their own, but we all know that a new guy coming in with new ideas is more than likely not going to be able to execute everything even in a two year cycle. I believe that Ian was on the right track as far as ideas and where to take the game. I also believe that the current dev team has some good ideas up their sleeve as well. Let's just hope they stay in place long enough to execute because any change in the structure will bring new ideas on how to implement and in what order they should be implemented.

FYI, David Rutter has been the face of FIFA since 2007. A lot of people have come and gone underneath him, but his vision and direction for the game for the last 6 years are why FIFA continues to build on it's success of minimal back of the box marketing nonsense and solid acceptable and believable gameplay that improves every year.

[PVarck31]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Video - Exclusive Blocking Information (simfballcritic)

Wait, I'm confused!

They are adding new "Animations" to the blocking game? I thought madden went to an all Physics engine (Infinity?).

So, Is OL/DL not physics based? Only parts of Madden physics? If so, which parts are NOT physics?

Hmm, i'm just saying.

There will always be animations. Physics is how the animations interact with everything in the environment.