So what's the explanation for the "new" kicking meter?

[2krunk4u]

Simple question. I cannot be the only one that's going to let this one slide. It seems that Tiburon took 3 steps back with this feature. There's no challenge in kicking anymore and it feels like a last generation feature.

A better representation of kicking is presented when using the analog. Lining the arrow up was sort of like the kicker's eyes looking at his target, while using the analog to trigger the kick was the emulation of the kicker's leg. There was less room for error because you had to make sure that you didnt stray the analog too far from the accuracy zone...sort of like what NBA Elite is doing this year.

It just makes more sense to have the analog for kicking. I dont want to sound like I'm female dogging, but THIS was an unnecessary change. Kicking was not that hard with analog control, so it wasn't like beginners couldn't learn how to use it. Now it's clunky, and visually it's an eye-soar to see.

Am I wrong here?

[Blazzen]

Re: So what's the explanation for the "new" kicking meter?

I completely agree 100%.

[ryan36]

Re: So what's the explanation for the "new" kicking meter?

A common complaint was that FG were too easy, this meter was designed to allow more attributes to be a factor. The old meter, the way it was built/coded, was determined by the devs to be incapable of enough variation (misses, etc.). It seemed to be all user input/very little ratings and no way to fix it. I think the difference is, this meter does its stuff , then the ball is snapped and the play happens. Should allow for more misses. I don't really like the meter either...but it allows me to watch the field goal instead of kick it. I think as long is it truly DOES result in more missed FG it'll be fine.

...btw, there's lots of posts/threads on this if you search for 'em

[adembroski]

Re: So what's the explanation for the "new" kicking meter?

I'm pretty sure the meter was added because the analog control simply wasn't working (too easy, no difference between kickers) and they didn't want to spend a lot of time on it; so they grabbed the old code, added a graphical representation of the meter, and threw it in.

I don't think there was a lot of design time devoted too it. I think its an improvement because I want to spend some time thinking about what kicker I've got rather than grabbing the cheapest guy in free agency and hitting that last minute 55 yard FG everytime.

[jyoung]

Re: So what's the explanation for the "new" kicking meter?

I still don't understand why they couldn't just copy All Pro Football's kicking game, which is the best to date by far.

Even though you used the joystick to kick in recent Maddens, all you were really doing was controlling a meter.

And meters don't belong in the analog age, much less the huge gradient they've got in there now that takes up almost a third of the screen.

It's like going back in time and playing PGA '95 on the good ol' DOS.

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[Shadez]

Re: So what's the explanation for the &quot;new&quot; kicking meter?

I agree as well. They went back old school

[2krunk4u]

Re: So what's the explanation for the &quot;new&quot; kicking meter?

I still don't understand why they couldn't just copy All Pro Football's kicking game, which is the best to date by far.

Even though you used the joystick to kick in recent Maddens, all you were really doing was controlling a meter.

And meters don't belong in the analog age, much less the huge gradient they've got in there now that takes up almost a third of the screen.

It's like going back in time and playing PGA '95 on the good ol' DOS.

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LMAO at the swing at 4:02

[Glenn33]

Re: So what's the explanation for the &quot;new&quot; kicking meter?

I still don't understand why they couldn't just copy All Pro Football's kicking game, which is the best to date by far.

Even though you used the joystick to kick in recent Maddens, all you were really doing was controlling a meter.

And meters don't belong in the analog age, much less the huge gradient they've got in there now that takes up almost a third of the screen.

It's like going back in time and playing PGA '95 on the good ol' DOS.

THANK YOU!

[Skyboxer]

Re: So what's the explanation for the &quot;new&quot; kicking meter?

Simple question. I cannot be the only one that's going to let this one slide. It seems that Tiburon took 3 steps back with this feature. There's no challenge in kicking anymore and it feels like a last generation feature.

A better representation of kicking is presented when using the analog. Lining the arrow up was sort of like the kicker's eyes looking at his target, while using the analog to trigger the kick was the emulation of the kicker's leg. There was less room for error because you had to make sure that you didnt stray the analog too far from the accuracy zone...sort of like what NBA Elite is doing this year.

It just makes more sense to have the analog for kicking. I dont want to sound like I'm female dogging, but THIS was an unnecessary change. Kicking was not that hard with analog control, so it wasn't like beginners couldn't learn how to use it. Now it's clunky, and visually it's an eye-soar to see.

Am I wrong here?

Yes. When has there ever been a challenge in the Kicking system? For a few years many people, myself included, used the wish list thread and explained other ways to get a better kicking system. yet nothing ever changed.

The analog system was just as useless because there still was no challenge at all. Until they come up with a timing system and real OL/DL interaction also...we'll be stuck with zilch.

Example (And not perfect by any mean but an example)
Hit A to start a SNAP accuracy meter
Hit A to snap ball - Based on accuracy the ball will go up/down etc... not perfect.
At same time the ball is snapped the LS is used to move kicker towards ball and when you want to initiate the kick you use RS. When it gets initiated and when the stick is pushed forward dictates L and R (Early and late)of kicking the ball.


Again not perfect but seriously... EA soesn't have a think tank or a group of people that like NASA "Just sit around thinking up ****!" (Thanks Bruce lol )

How long did it take them to decide "hey lets go to another boring uninspired meter!"

Sorry for the mini rant but I hope you get my point....

[SA1NT401]

Re: So what's the explanation for the &quot;new&quot; kicking meter?

The point was to make kicking a bit tougher...I actually find it just as simple as the RS method. They should have just tweaked the RS....But instead went WAY back and kept it just as easy...But online, lag could make it harder....But i dont play online.

[ryan36]

Re: So what's the explanation for the &quot;new&quot; kicking meter?

I think if they stick with the meter, you'll see where the meter accuracy gets smaller if the kickers missed a couple earlier in the day, if his clutch rating were low, etc...bad weather. I'd be ok with the meter if it reflected conditions in the game. I don't mind it now, kinda hokey and yes 2k5 did it well. I don't know why EA doesn't just steal it. The moving arrow made it challenging, and was the exact representation I'd love to see in this meter regarding game conditions going forward.

[jyoung]

Re: So what's the explanation for the &quot;new&quot; kicking meter?

Yes. When has there ever been a challenge in the Kicking system?

All Pro Football 2K8.

No kick in that game was a gimme -- even extra points.

Kicks inside of 35 yards were fairly easy, but could still be shanked short, hooked wide, or even blocked if the snap was bad (yes, APF also had bad snaps!).

Anything from 40+ yards with a generic kicker was a true test of skill, with their maximum range being exactly 50 yards (without wind).

Bronze kickers could extend their range out to 55 yards.

And I don't think I ever played anyone with a silver kicker, but they maxed out at about 58-59 yards without wind.

[Skyboxer]

Re: So what's the explanation for the &quot;new&quot; kicking meter?

All Pro Football 2K8.

No kick in that game was a gimme -- even extra points.

Kicks inside of 35 yards were fairly easy, but could still be shanked short, hooked wide, or even blocked if the snap was bad (yes, APF also had bad snaps!).

Anything from 40+ yards with a generic kicker was a true test of skill, with their maximum range being exactly 50 yards (without wind).

Bronze kickers could extend their range out to 55 yards.

And I don't think I ever played anyone with a silver kicker, but they maxed out at about 58-59 yards without wind.

Sorry... meant in Madden....not ever in any game

[jeremym480]

Re: So what's the explanation for the &quot;new&quot; kicking meter?

I do think that this does seem like a step back at first glance and that the analog kicking is probably more "Next Gen" looking. However, at this point I'm in favor of anything that makes the kicking game more challenging and causes a bigger difference between great kicker's and average kicker's.

[big_larry]

Re: So what's the explanation for the &quot;new&quot; kicking meter?

I was all for a new kicking meter because the last one was way to easy, it gave you no challenge, remember last gen, kicking was not a walk in the park especially on all-madden. Now they changed the kick meter but they still didn't make it much of a challenge. I thought the more power you give the kick, the harder the accuracy is suppose to be, so the faster the meter goes down? Not in this game, the kick meter goes the same speed up and down, which is very slow. If this is the case they should have left the kicking meter how it was, cause atleast there is not a huge colorful bar at the bottom of your screen, dang they cant do anything right!