Madden NFL 10 Blog - Improvements to WR/DB Interaction

[AnthonyPhillips]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

Wow this should make a huge difference now. No longer will we have the 99 speed WR at 65 overall dominating Champ Baily. Thanks for all the hard work guys.

[BezO]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

Ian could you make sure of something for the DB to WR assignment feature. Could you make sure if I assign a Safety to the TE, that the OLB or MLB will not swap out with the Safety. On the old games this happened and it created a problem with the fronts I wanted to use.

Another reason why strong & free safeties need to automatically line up on the correct sides, and why weak & strong OLBs need to be designated & automatically line up on the correct sides.

Match ups just got that much more important.

[LBzrule]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

Another reason why strong & free safeties need to automatically line up on the correct sides, and why weak & strong OLBs need to be designated & automatically line up on the correct sides.

Match ups just got that much more important.

Yep, I forgot also Ian, if I match up one OLB or ILB on a TE, make sure the other OLB or ILB does not Swap with him. I'm doing this on purpose to create fronts with my defense. Make sure nobody swaps with nobody. I want to be able to use the match up screen to create fronts. This is exactly how I built a crazy defense for 2k4 and it was fun doing it because I had a unique D

[splff3000]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

Ian could you make sure of something for the DB to WR assignment feature. Could you make sure if I assign a Safety to the TE, that the OLB or MLB will not swap out with the Safety. On the old games this happened and it created a problem with the fronts I wanted to use.

I second that. Last gen had all kinds of funky stuff happening when you used assignments, like LB's at CB and stuff like that.

Also, I would like to make one small request. Can we PLEASE have the name of the CB's and WR's shown pre snap so we can know who's covering who? On last gen, I could never tell if my opponent had assigned someone to my WR because the names of the defensive players was not displayed. I usually found out after I threw a pick or something and saw his name come up then. Other than that, the info was good as usual. Can't wait til next week already!!!

[SomeStrangeSin]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

id hate to be a buzzkill but that arm bar animation looked really cheesy.
maybe its just the player models in the video i dont know.
but i hope thats not the only way the cb can keep the receivers in check they dont just use there arms they use there body as well (bumping)

[Golden28]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

id hate to be a buzzkill but that arm bar animation looked really cheesy.
maybe its just the player models in the video i dont know.
but i hope thats not the only way the cb can keep the receivers in check they dont just use there arms they use there body as well (bumping)

I think there is a wide variety of jostling animations...as Ian said in the blog..."We've added a lot of variety that ranges from minor hand-fighting to severe push-offs and holds"

So we should see plenty of different bumping animations I hope.

[feeq14]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

I think there is a wide variety of jostling animations...as Ian said in the blog..."We've added a lot of variety that ranges from minor hand-fighting to severe push-offs and holds"

So we should see plenty of different bumping animations I hope.

I figure this has probably been said already, but is it possible to add "Jostling" animations during the catch as well?

This could definately add an ellement of realism and intensity to the game as you wonder and hope that your man comes down with the ball. Kind of like the old tecmo super bowl.

[Golden28]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

I figure this has probably been said already, but is it possible to add "Jostling" animations during the catch as well?

This could definately add an ellement of realism and intensity to the game as you wonder and hope that your man comes down with the ball. Kind of like the old tecmo super bowl.

Maybe layered blending can come to aid in this particlular instance?

[SageInfinite]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

I wonder why the match up feature is not in NCAA? It seems like something essential to football strategy, not just confined to the NFL game, I wonder why it was left out?

Other than that great stuff. Can't wait to see how this stuff plays out in actual gameplay

[BezO]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

Will we be matching up with positions or actual players?

What happens when the WR I'm matched up with is subbed out? Does my CB stick with his replacement or is the match up disabled? I'd prefer match ups to be disabled when the offensive player is not in.

Oh yeah. Unless I missed the question, how will the match up feature effect how defenses line up when we call zones? If I match up my #1 CB with the other team's best WR, and call a zone, will my #1 CB still line up over that WR? What about LB/RB, zone call, with the RB split out?

[therizing02]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

Great job Ian and thanks for posting the blog.

I know you're a FIFA player, the thing about the jostling system that really makes it work is that the players size, weight, and strength are the major factors that come into play when deciding who will get possession of the ball and who may or may not end up on the ground.

Will we see something like this in Madden? The bigger/stronger receivers like Fitz, Moss, and TO should have a clear distinct advantage in the jostling department over smaller DB's and it should be prevelant in the game. If this is in the game it would also help with the fade routes and jump balls. No?

Thanks again man.

[c dizzy m baby]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

I'd like to see more missed swats on deep balls, WRs have the ability to go get the ball in the air also, and since accuracy is deflated perfect passes near indefensible. Overall amazing work though.

[LBzrule]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

Will we be matching up with positions or actual players?

What happens when the WR I'm matched up with is subbed out? Does my CB stick with his replacement or is the match up disabled? I'd prefer match ups to be disabled when the offensive player is not in.

Oh yeah. Unless I missed the question, how will the match up feature effect how defenses line up when we call zones? If I match up my #1 CB with the other team's best WR, and call a zone, will my #1 CB still line up over that WR? What about LB/RB, zone call, with the RB split out?

Great questions because on old gen it was not this way unless you had Man Lock on.

[Palo20]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

Will the CPU actually be moving their star players around now so that Player match ups are worth it in franchise mode?

[RogueHominid]

Re: Latest Madden NFL 10 blog - WR/DB Interaction

Wow, Ian. I have a man-crush on you. Seeing the improved route running was absolutely a joy to watch. Now the receivers move like people!

I'm assuming that the distance between an "open" receiver and a "covered" one in man coverage will vary on the basis of the agility/route running/coverage ratings of the players in question rather than being set by one animation for "covered" and one for "open," but this wasn't addressed explicitly.

Again, stellar job with this WR/DB stuff. This is already going to improve the overall look and sim quality of the game by a wide margin.