Special Teams

[TarHeelPhenom]

This is not something that's Madden specific because it's been like this on pretty much every football game ever created; but Special Teams, specifically punt and kickoff returns seem to be the one phase of video game football that's hardest to replicate. I wonder why that is? Just from my bad eyes, it appears that either the gunners receive a speed boost while running to cover punts as well as block shed boosts or the speed that punts travel as opposed to the players running down the field is unbalanced maybe? It just seems like the devs have found it most difficult to get it right.

The same goes for field goal and punt blocks. I know Madden went the scripted route in order to get FG and Punt blocks. You pretty much know/knew when one was coming because of the slow hike animation. But, as far as Usering blocked kicks and FG's, I haven't really seen it since the PS2 football days.

I wonder what, if anything can be done to finally get this phase of football up to par?

[jfsolo]

IMO because all online players and every other non hardcore Sim player just goes for it on 4th down every time, the development team has made a conscious choice to not spend the resources necessary to fix special teams.

I don't expect it to ever be overhauled with the game being on a yearly release cycle.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[khaliib]

Quote: Originally Posted by TarHeelPhenom

This is not something that's Madden specific because it's been like this on pretty much every football game ever created; but Special Teams, specifically punt and kickoff returns seem to be the one phase of video game football that's hardest to replicate. I wonder why that is? Just from my bad eyes, it appears that either the gunners receive a speed boost while running to cover punts as well as block shed boosts or the speed that punts travel as opposed to the players running down the field is unbalanced maybe? It just seems like the devs have found it most difficult to get it right. The same goes for field goal and punt blocks. I know Madden went the scripted route in order to get FG and Punt blocks. You pretty much know/knew when one was coming because of the slow hike animation. But, as far as Usering blocked kicks and FG's, I haven't really seen it since the PS2 football days. I wonder what, if anything can be done to finally get this phase of football up to par?

For Returns.....

Punt:
There's an "auto" loss jam/chuck at the LOS that's weighted to trigger not matter the Press/STR vs Release levels.
- 0 or 99's rated levels either side triggers the same loss Press animation 99% time

3 rating edits that will drastically improve the Return game interactions (I don't mean easy returns):

***check this thread for granular details why https://forums.operationsports.com/f...variables.html

Since majority of players on ST mainly consist of #2 Depth players of TE/LB's/CB/SS/FS, not an entire roster/Draft Class needs to be edited

1) Pursuit Rating
- Because of the new tackler Break Down animation, defenders no long stupidly take bad angles when this rating is low like previously

- Lower to "50's" and players (esp Gunners) will not make it down the field so fast
*** can't do anything about outside blocker running up the sideline, blocking nothing

- even if/when they are the initial tackler, the Tackle edit below will allow stiff arm/spin/other Break Tackle animations to trigger, providing better Return opportunities (esp AI Returners)


2) Tackle Rating
- "0" out for 98% DB's, greatly reduces locking Returner into a tackle animation, which typically is a DB Gunner

- it's equivalent to that of the Tackle Slider being lower, allowing other animation an opportunity to trigger


3) Impact Block Rating
- "99's" for the #2 Depth players noted above

- will not knock over/down players that often, but the collision interaction will cause more brief run lanes openings


Draft Classes aren't as time consuming to do, it's doing the Front End roster yourself that is a headache

[kennylc321]

Special teams needs an entire demolition and I don't mean merely changing the kicking meter. I don't want to hear 'improved AI logic."

For one, long snappers need to matter. IRL teams have dedicated specialists. But in Madden, any body can do it. It's ridiculous that they even have a depth chart for this even though it doesn't matter.

Second, seriously, the return game needs an overhaul. There is no strategy to it. Just get the ball and run and hope for the best. There just needs to be some level of excitement.

[Hubie]

I am a cpu vs cpu guy and for kickoff's lack of blocking and for the returner they just run a straight line and rarely do any type of move. if returners would run at an angle to avoid tacklers instead of keeping that straight line would help a long ways. Also if the blockers would continue to block instead of racing you to the end zone. On punts the gunners are to fast and the same with the blocking and the returner would do what I said above about the straight line running and lack of trying to avoid the tackler. Just seems like it is a straight line maybe one cut but you don't really see no juking, spin, stiff arm, lower shoulder, or just cutting through the lane. Probably takes the fun out of it but what about everyone be either a SS or SSX and lower XP and maybe those extra animations would help.

[Heisman]

Quote: Originally Posted by kennylc321

Special teams needs an entire demolition and I don't mean merely changing the kicking meter. I don't want to hear 'improved AI logic." For one, long snappers need to matter. IRL teams have dedicated specialists. But in Madden, any body can do it. It's ridiculous that they even have a depth chart for this even though it doesn't matter. Second, seriously, the return game needs an overhaul. There is no strategy to it. Just get the ball and run and hope for the best. There just needs to be some level of excitement.

Snapping on special teams definitely needs to matter. Snapping in general really. You can go a whole season with a 21 rated long snapper at center and there would be no fumbles at the line of scrimmage.

I think the field needs to be bigger or feel bigger for special teams to work. There just isn’t any chance to run or make a play because everything feels like it’s in a phone booth. Also they need a ton of new animations, spinning out of tackles, guys tripping and falling down, more random occurrences.

It’s ridiculous how this hasn’t been addressed since M99. Just the same recycled stuff for the most part year over year.

[TarHeelPhenom]

Over the weekend I was playing All-Pro 2k8. I had a game going CPU v. CPU while I was watching something else on tv. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a play unfold. At first I couldn't believe what I saw. So, I went to replay and then saw what is probably one of the coolest plays I've ever seen in video game football...on special teams no less. If asking, what you want special teams to be like...I'd love to see plays like this...