Line play the foundation of video game?

[Agame]

The NFL has recognized that the offensive/defensive lines are the foundation of a good football team. They have rewarded them with big $$’s and have been drafting them in the top 10 for the last five years. Colts, Giants, Patriots success is directly related to line play (Peyton is always saying how smart they are).
I think the Madden football game would vastly be improved by assigning the time need to make the line play interaction as “real” as they can.

Sven Draconian asked Ian “Are we ever going to see blockers with clear assignments on running plays? Is Madden (or NCAA for that matter) ever going to implement plays like traps, belly’s or other assignment based on running plays? I'll see a play called "trap" and see a guard pull...and they just kind of move in the direction with no real purpose. Likewise, they never "trap" anybody; it’s just a pulling guard.

The same can be said for fullbacks lead blocking. Will we ever see them assigned to block a certain player? They go through the hole and just go past the person they are clearly supposed to block. Its one thing if they just missed, but they don't even make an attempt.

Ian answer: “I'd love to go in this direction personally, so we'll see what we have time for next year. Our current run-block AI doesn't handle these situations very well and we all are hoping for the time needed for an overhaul.”

Is Madden 2010 “next year”?

[g2thecore]

We're hoping to see that kind of O-Line D-Line interaction next year. I'm pretty sure Ian stated that it's his top priority for Madden 2010.

[Vikes1]

It was my understanding as well that Ian plans to spend a good deal of time on this issue for the 2010 game.

Improved line play will add a whole new layer of realism to Madden. And you bet...line play is the foundation of the game of football, and it'll be great to hopefully see that aspect greatly improved in future games.

[SoxFan01605]

Agreed. If offensive/defensive line play is significantly improved, it should filter into many of the other areas of concern (realistic inside rushing, QB pockets, dropbacks, etc.). Defense would actually begin to become more relevant as well. It's good to know that Ian and co. are recognizing this.

[Nza]

It all starts up front, in real life and in virtual representations of the sport. 09 may play well, hell it may play great, but Madden can't and won't push the gameplay barrier until this is addressed; it is simply too integral to the sport for it to not to matter this much. Right now, Madden plays its own brand of football that, while mimicking real life, fails to address far too many real life aspects. Properly done OL and DL will change this into Madden playing NFL football.

[JakeCourtney]

Let's hope they focus on this for next year instead of gimmicky crap.

[Goffs]

Ian already stated that they are going to work on it...im probably the first one to harp on it and im glad he responded that he didnt like the OL/DL interaction either of 09...

[Deltron]

Yep, they need to leave the Tecmo Bowl line play behind, where the linemen are made to stick to each other until one wins or loses.

Madden essentially plays the same in the trenches as a 20 year old 8-bit game.