GamePlan Better Include Packages

[J Masta J]

So...a while back I started a foolhardy thread, basically decrying the fact that while GamePlan was a great feature, it was a shame you had to use it with GameFlow. Well, someone set me straight on that one, and for a while I was in a state of bliss: EA had come up with a truly innovative feature that would make the game play more like the real thing on Sunday (aka, coaches gameplanning and calling plays for a given situation). I was on Cloud 9.

However, after mulling it over, I've come back down. While I still think GamePlan is a pretty nifty feature that us sim guys can appreciate, i think there is a pretty good chance that you will won't be able to employ packages when utilizing the feature.

This may be just an assumption on my end, but I feel it makes sense. Were you able to use packages when you selected "Ask Madden?" I don't remember for sure, but I don't think so. You by pass the formation selection page completely and are instead presented with a variety of plays from different formations, thus making formation specific packages a difficult thing to implement at that point. Since the GamePlan aspect will basically just be replacing the Ask Madden option for playcalling, I don't envision this issue being addressed. I hope I'm wrong, because GamePlan was a super neat feature I was looking forward to using. But if I can't utilize my specific packages when doing so, I'm not sure if I will.

[marktg30]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

You can completely customize your Gameplan with star ratings for how often you want to call plays in certain situations.

If you want to have a lot of 3 Wide Packages on Third and 5+ you can put those in your gameplan with a lot of stars for a higher rate of getting called in. The way I see it, it is more like a customizable Ask Madden feature than anything. If it were TRUE game planning, you would be able to go before the game (not in a pause menu) and select your player focus as well.

IE - If you are facing Andre Johnson or L. Fitz, you should probably think about double-teaming, etc.

[Blaise]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

You know, I was wondering the very same thing. If you can't imploy packages, the feature isn't fully fleshed out. They've made no mention of that, and I don't remember seeing it in the vids, so here's to hoping you can.

[J Masta J]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

You can completely customize your Gameplan with star ratings for how often you want to call plays in certain situations.

If you want to have a lot of 3 Wide Packages on Third and 5+ you can put those in your gameplan with a lot of stars for a higher rate of getting called in. The way I see it, it is more like a customizable Ask Madden feature than anything. If it were TRUE game planning, you would be able to go before the game (not in a pause menu) and select your player focus as well.

IE - If you are facing Andre Johnson or L. Fitz, you should probably think about double-teaming, etc.

I don't think you know what I mean by formation "packages." I don't mean formation "sets" (3 wide, I form, shot gun), etc. I mean "I want to stick Jermichael Finley in the slot" or "I want to have Brandon jackson in the backfield on this screen play." that is a PACKAGE. the ability to swap players in and out on a given play. what I am saying is that we better have the ability to use BOTH packages AND GamePlan at the same time, otherwise the GamePlan option has come up short and I probably won't use it over the normal old school playbook. which is a shame, because I really like it.

[LoWw]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

Does this feature include Defensive Game Planing?!

[J Masta J]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

Does this feature include Defensive Game Planing?!

Yes it does, but instead of "down and distance" situational, it's based on offensive personnel, which is how it should be.

Like I said, I love the GamePlan idea (not GameFlow, thats cheesy noob stuff), but if they don't allow you to use packages with those plays directly in the GamePlan window, it's an incomplete feature IMO, and I bet a decent majority of the sim community won't use it as much.

Just to avoid confusion, here's a scenario:

3rd and 3. I'm the Chiefs. Let's say Jamaal Charles is #1 on their RB depth chart over Thomas Jones. I use GamePlan and my 3rd and Short options come up. I want to run an up-the-gut run play, HB Dive. However, I don't want to do it with speedy but slight Jamaal, I want to do it with bruising Thomas. I should be able to utilize packages and swap Thomas for Jamaal right from the same window that I'm calling plays.

Another scenario. 3rd and 8 again and I'm the Packers. James Jones and Jordy Nelson are injured. I use GamePlan and my 3rd and Long options come up. I want to run a play with a slot WR running a post. However, with my #3 and #4 WR out, I want to stick Jermichael Finley out their instead of Brett Swain. I should be able to do this right from the window by doing the "TE Slot" package.

How about on defense? I'm the Pack again and it's 3rd and 6. I want to bring the HEAT. They're coming at me with 3 wides, so my plays for this situation come up. I want to run a nickel blitz, but I want to send Charles Woodson instead of Harris or Williams. I should be able to do this from the GamePlan play selection screen.

Them's my thoughts.

[Blaise]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

J Masta,

Your reading my mind, I'll even take it a step further and say that it better include formation subs that I set in or before the game. If it calls default personnel, its useless. I would also like it to suggest packages as well, if it were to notice potential missmatches.

A good example would be it telling you "we're going to line up a TE in the backfield on this play because the opponents LBs have not been playing great coverage on the FB position on passing downs, and this gives you a better target/mismatch. Or we're going to swap in a backup lineman for the TE on this run play to create a mismatch on their pass rushing DE/OLB."

I highly doubt its that sophisticated, but heres to hoping for next yr and beyound

[J Masta J]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

J Masta,

Your reading my mind, I'll even take it a step further and say that it better include formation subs that I set in or before the game. If it calls default personnel, its useless. I would also like it to suggest packages as well, if it were to notice potential missmatches.

A good example would be it telling you "we're going to line up a TE in the backfield on this play because the opponents LBs have not been playing great coverage on the FB position on passing downs, and this gives you a better target/mismatch. Or we're going to swap in a backup lineman for the TE on this run play to create a mismatch on their pass rushing DE/OLB."

I highly doubt its that sophisticated, but heres to hoping for next yr and beyound

I'm not sure if you're talking about GameFlow (the feature that has the coach pick the play for you) or GamePlan (the feature that you can use with GameFlow or by itself, where you select 15 plays for certain situations. if you use it w/o GameFlow, it replaces AskMadden and when I go to the Play book I can click GamePlan and my 15 plays for that situation come up, and I (not some stupid AI coach) am the one calling them).

I'm strictly speaking about that second option, GamePlan. I really doubt you'd be able to do it for GameFlow, probably because that feature is designed for casual gamers who could care less if their TE is in the backfield or if they have a power back in for a third and short. But for GamePlan, where I am the one selecting the plays themselves (even thought they're limited to 15 based on my gameplan for that situation), I should still be able to use PACKAGES from the SAME SCREEN where I am selecting my plays.

[beastwork]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

those sound like advanced features. in all fairness I think we have to give them a chance to figure out what works and what doesn't. community feedback will help them fine tune this feature. I personally will not use it as a down and distance guide but simply a place to capture my favorite plays

[joejccva71]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

Sorry if I'm confused on this topic, but J Masta are you referring to packages like how it was setup in NFL Head Coach 09 where you can swap out players in a partciular position for that particular play that you were trying to run.

For instance, if it's 3rd and 1 and you normally have a speed back in for that play, you switch him out (on the fly) and put in a power back to get that 1st down.

Is that what you are talking about?

[Bootzilla]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

In my 3rd and short and goal line packages I would already have my power back or jumbo personnel in on most of my plays in those situations. Or at least a 50/50 split.

I guess I'm not certain you can do that because that is essentially a formation sub and I'm not sure those are in. Ideally in your gameplan you should be able to have correct packages for certain situations. Hmm.

Let's get this out there so, if it's not in they get it in.

[Hova57]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

I think as long as they have formation subs and you can save them either from roster menu or I prefer in game also it will work with what your saying.

[jvaccaro]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

I hope there's formation subs outside the game and in the pause menu this year.

I love the ability to change them from the playcalling screen in m10, but there's no way to save them from game to game.

If I can't set up formation subs in advance, or at least as part of gameplan, then this feature likely won't work for me.

Also, if the defensive gameplan is based strictly on formations only, then there's issues there too... On D, everybody will obviously choose Pass D against a Dime O, yet in 3rd and 1 we can choose a 4WR set and run it up the gut every single time no problem.

[J Masta J]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

I have no idea how topics I start confuse people so much, but they always do.

Let's establish some definitions, so when you see them in something I say, you know what they refer to:

Packages: alterations to the personnel on the field that can be accessed from the play-call screen without going into the depth chart

This is NOT an advanced feature and has been in the game with the standard playbooks for a while.

ex: Spell HB (puts your 2nd string HB in), Jumbo (FB as HB), TE Slot (puts TE in the slot).

GamePlan: the new feature that allows you to select 15 plays for a given situation (2nd and long, 3rd and short); when you are in the playcall screen and you select this feature, the 15 plays relevant to the situation come up.

ex: for 3rd and short I put in a lot of dives, power runs, quick passes, and PA passes for my GamePlan, so when that situation arises and I select GamePlan, these are the 15 plays I can choose from.
Here's what I want: While I am using GamePlan and I am in the playcall screen, I also want the ability to employ my packages as well.

Formation subs are NOT what I'm talking about. They are way too broad a brush. For instance, I don't want my power back to replace my starter on ALL I-Form plays, just ones on 3rd and short. I am talking about PACKAGES, not FORMATIONS SUBS.

joejccva, yes that is what I'm talking about. On the fly, PLAY SPECIFIC (not formation specific), substitution or player reassignments (switching WR's side or something).

The reason i DON'T think this will be included with GamePlan is because when you do GamePlan you aren't just picking ONE formation, you're picking a bunch of individual plays from a variety of formations, thus making it more difficult to include packages that are tailored for specific formations...but a guy can hope, right? let's hope EA proves me wrong.

[joejccva71]

Re: GamePlan Better Include Packages

I have no idea how topics I start confuse people so much, but they always do.

Let's establish some definitions, so when you see them in something I say, you know what they refer to:

Packages: alterations to the personnel on the field that can be accessed from the play-call screen without going into the depth chart

This is NOT an advanced feature and has been in the game with the standard playbooks for a while.

ex: Spell HB (puts your 2nd string HB in), Jumbo (FB as HB), TE Slot (puts TE in the slot).

GamePlan: the new feature that allows you to select 15 plays for a given situation (2nd and long, 3rd and short); when you are in the playcall screen and you select this feature, the 15 plays relevant to the situation come up.

ex: for 3rd and short I put in a lot of dives, power runs, quick passes, and PA passes for my GamePlan, so when that situation arises and I select GamePlan, these are the 15 plays I can choose from.
Here's what I want: While I am using GamePlan and I am in the playcall screen, I also want the ability to employ my packages as well.

Formation subs are NOT what I'm talking about. They are way too broad a brush. For instance, I don't want my power back to replace my starter on ALL I-Form plays, just ones on 3rd and short. I am talking about PACKAGES, not FORMATIONS SUBS.

joejccva, yes that is what I'm talking about. On the fly, PLAY SPECIFIC (not formation specific), substitution or player reassignments (switching WR's side or something).

The reason i DON'T think this will be included with GamePlan is because when you do GamePlan you aren't just picking ONE formation, you're picking a bunch of individual plays from a variety of formations, thus making it more difficult to include packages that are tailored for specific formations...but a guy can hope, right? let's hope EA proves me wrong.

Awesome bro...yea I loved that feature in NFLHC09. As with you I don't think it will be included with Gameplan unfortunately.