GamePlanning - What's Missing?

[Valdarez]

I've not been a fan of GameFlow since I had to play in Beginner mode last year in Madden 10 to make offline Challenging. However, with the ability to create our own GamePlan had hoped we would have the ability to share them online some how. (not sure if this is possible yet) I finally broke down and messed with a GamePlan last night, and it seemed serviceable on offense, but when I got to the defensive gameplan, there really wasn't anything there other than formations. Did I miss something? What happened to all of the situations?

At the end of the day if I'm going to have to play in Beginner mode to enjoy the game again, then GameFlow (aka Beginner+AskMadden mode), then my own semi-custom GamePlan is better than the single play the comp gave me by default, and even if I don't use GamePlan to make my own GamePlan then the one that comes standard should be better than Ask Madden, which pretty much was the worst way to play the game (sadly). I digress however...

We make lists of what we want to see in the next rev, though it seems each year they move on to the next thing. If they are going to continue with GamePlans, they definitely need to flesh out the defense far better than it's been done so far. Unless I'm completely blind, defense is not playing based on situation at all, only off packages.

[phillysouljah]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

Substitutions would be nice. For example, if one of my OLB's is way better than my MLB, I'd like to have him substituted in on passing downs. Also, if it's third and medium, I want my best hands and/or most elusive guy at RB. If it's third and short and I'm running, I want my bruiser.

[bukktown]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

Online sharing would be HUGE!

Another thing would be cool is some feedback/analysis after each game and cumulative about how succesful each play is.

[TNT713]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

Play editor... I'd love to design my own plays and add them to my game plan. It would be even better if they were available to share.

Later

[jvaccaro]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

on defense, there should be down-distance situations instead of just personnel

[scott209]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

Who says ask madden was the worst way to play? you don't go 296-113 online last year when using the worst strategies.

[Sausage]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

Who says ask madden was the worst way to play? you don't go 296-113 online last year when using the worst strategies.

Wait, that was your record and you used "Ask Madden" to pick plays? If you did that is so funny, why didn't I think of it, lol.

[rooney8]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

Biggest problem is my defense coming out in 4-3 against 4wr. It seems on first down you have 3 lb's all the time. I constantly have a lb on a wr and sometimes my first cb marks the te while my lb marks a wr.
Have to add subs to gameplan. On third and long you don't leave your 350pound NT in or Roy williams.
It just doesn't seem to have good AI for defense.

[RGiles36]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

I think Gameplanning is set up the way that it is (defense called by personnel) so that you aren't wildly caught off guard. I know 1-2 years ago, people complained that if you came out in a 4-wide set on 1st down, the CPU defense would stay in its base personnel; thus making them an easy victim of mismatch.

So in that sense, I can understand why the defensive gameplan was structured to account for who's on the field rather than down and distance.

As far as what's missing from Gameplan, I do think in the future they should add a 'quick gameplan' feature. This way, I don't have to pick out each particular play I want to run. Rather, I could be more generic in my selection and have plays called accordingly. For example, maybe there could be run vs. pass slider for each situation. And then subsliders for each option: run = inside, outside, draw, etc. Pass = short, medium, long, etc.

The plays are already broken down categorically in the traditional playcall screen. We could make use of those categories and customize a gameplan more globally rather than having to select each specific play.

Regardless, pat on the back for EA electing to go with depth rather than a quick gameplan like I've suggested.

I've not been a fan of GameFlow since I had to play in Beginner mode last year in Madden 10 to make offline Challenging.

Sometimes I'm left scratching my head when you say this LOL. In the past, you've suggested that you're not a great "Madden passer." You seem to struggle with the ball arc and getting your passes batted down. Seems like you would need every advantage you could get i.e. calling your own plays?

In addition, I know that you customize your own sliders. You can't customize your slider set to make the game difficult?

[K_GUN]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

a way to flip the plays when setting up the plan

or can you already?

if so, how?

[Boregard]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

Play editor

slider for tendencies like NCAA had or has (you know like for OL to hold blocks longer risking holding calls vs playing conservative to avoid penalties)

More complex user controlled (custom) packages

Customizable formation audibles

Custom hot routes

Ability at the very least to select which formations and plays (out of the crap that EA has) to have in your offense/defense

Specific player tendencies - example SS is he gonna try to deliver the big hit risking missed tackles or is he a "wrap up" tackler or CBs do they jump routes often looking for picks or do they play more cover and tackle style or swat vs pick slider. Or RBs trk vs evade etc etc!!! Should be adjustable for each position!

[adembroski]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

Serviceable on offense, tough to use on defense... yeah, I agree.

I will use gameflow extensively for base situations (1st or 2nd and normal yardage, between the 20s), but on 3rd downs and when the score dictates, I'll be getting out of it most of the time.

[BezO]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

Missing?

Pause menu subs
Better plays

Tough to game plan with such limited control of subs.

I think it magnifies how limited the playbooks are, especially on defense. There are just not enough "plays" on defense for a good game to be called. I believe EA overlooked/ignored the real reason so few plays were used online.

[Valdarez]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

Online sharing would be HUGE!

Another thing would be cool is some feedback/analysis after each game and cumulative about how succesful each play is.

Agreed on the sharing.

Nice idea about a summary of your gameplan, what was and was not successful on both offense/defense.

[Valdarez]

Re: GamePlanning - What's Missing?

Play editor... I'd love to design my own plays and add them to my game plan. It would be even better if they were available to share.

Later

Yeah, I'd still like to have a PlayBook Editor as well, but looks like it's GamePlans or standard play calling for at least this year. Can't you design plays on the PSP and then import them to the PS3? Thought that was a possibility, but I may have dreamed it up. My memory is aging and lacks proper fault tolerance.