Madden NFL 10: Fumble Meter Follow Up

[tron8]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

I had to make some executive decisions today on the feature as we close in towards the end here...so I thought I'd keep you guys in the loop on the changes/additions we are going to try to make. I want to be clear - none of this is done yet - but this is the 'design' so I'll update again with what we end up getting (I am hoping we get all of it).

1. Add a on/off option to the settings screens for the button masher. If it's off, the fumble is recovered through some CPU logic of which players get there first
2. Make the meter more minimalistic - take it off the field and integrate it into the ticker at the bottom of the screen
3. Add support for the meter to disappear at a specified time based on skill level. Meaning, that on All-Pro or All-Madden, the button callout will still stay on screen to show you how to fight for the fumble, but the "meter" will disappear to give more suspense. On lower skill levels, the meter can stay up the whole time.
4. Give bonuses to make sure that the first person on the ball starts out 'winning' the meter
5. Tune all the animations to make sure that the pileup only triggers in the obvious situation where multiple people dove on it at once. If you fall on it and it looks like you have possession, then you should retain possession with no fumble pileup.
6. Change the camera(s) to be much tighter and more 'broadcast'.

I think this definitely meets the needs of all parties - it can be turned off for those that don't want it, the cameras can be much cooler without the need for framing the on-field button UI, and it shouldn't feel cheap anymore.

Sound good? Again I'll update later on as we get this stuff added in.

Wow. Unbelievable. I almost can't believe that I read that list and it was by a developer. Everything listed sounds PERFECT and EXACTLY how I would have wanted it to be fixed in hindsight.

A+. Sounds awesome. Fumbles are huge turning points in the game nad I'm glad Madden is no longer leaving them up to chance.

[permanent1]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

lol, as much as I'd like to believe that I don't see that happening. There's always going to be something.

Now ian if we just had multiple camera angles, say sideline cam etc, i would give you a kidney.:wink:

[polamalu82]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

Nice to see this getting worked out. Options are always the right way to go. Keeps everyone happy.

[FootballSchemer]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

create a play feature?

[burne]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

1. Add a on/off option to the settings screens for the button masher. If it's off, the fumble is recovered through some CPU logic of which players get there first.

Whoo! Customization FTW.

Just want to ask though, "CPU logic of which players get there first" won't mean that it'll just go 100% of the time to the first player to get there will it? It should factor in but I still want to just watch a pile and have some chance that someone else comes away with it.

[ChampIsHere42]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

please tell me with all of this focus on the pileups and fumbles that there wont be too many fumbles in this game.

[jeetaa6]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

Ian, as a Pro level player, my suggestion would be to have the meter disappear for all levels ie. treat Rookie and Pro the same as the upper levels. I'd rather hit the indicated button but have it be a total surprise if I win the fumble or not. No meter, please.

Thanks for listening.

[SouthernBrick]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

Thanks. Glad everyone can get what they want. Thats what its all about.

[Vikes1]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

Button mashing for fumble...optional. Great news Ian...thank you.

I'm not really into button mashing. So this is more than welcome news. Thanks again Ian, for bothering to consider everyones preferences.

[cam21224]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

This news is wavy good.

YEAH!!!! No button mashing for me.

[R9NALD9]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

I had to make some executive decisions today on the feature as we close in towards the end here...so I thought I'd keep you guys in the loop on the changes/additions we are going to try to make. I want to be clear - none of this is done yet - but this is the 'design' so I'll update again with what we end up getting (I am hoping we get all of it).

1. Add a on/off option to the settings screens for the button masher. If it's off, the fumble is recovered through some CPU logic of which players get there first
2. Make the meter more minimalistic - take it off the field and integrate it into the ticker at the bottom of the screen
3. Add support for the meter to disappear at a specified time based on skill level. Meaning, that on All-Pro or All-Madden, the button callout will still stay on screen to show you how to fight for the fumble, but the "meter" will disappear to give more suspense. On lower skill levels, the meter can stay up the whole time.
4. Give bonuses to make sure that the first person on the ball starts out 'winning' the meter
5. Tune all the animations to make sure that the pileup only triggers in the obvious situation where multiple people dove on it at once. If you fall on it and it looks like you have possession, then you should retain possession with no fumble pileup.
6. Change the camera(s) to be much tighter and more 'broadcast'.

I think this definitely meets the needs of all parties - it can be turned off for those that don't want it, the cameras can be much cooler without the need for framing the on-field button UI, and it shouldn't feel cheap anymore.

Sound good? Again I'll update later on as we get this stuff added in.

number 4 is absolutely a must, otherwise I'll turn the meter off. It will be absolutely dumb and ruin the whole experience if I see one teams players falling on the ball first and the other team winning it.

[Axeler]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

What about moving the analog stick back and forth or in circles to get the fumble? That would take turbo controllers out of the equation.

Or maybe instead of mashing a button you have to hit a certain set of buttons at the correct time. Like those quick time events in God of War. I think those QTE's are a little more interesting than, just mashing a button a hundred times.

Thanks for giving folks the option to turn it off though.

[GiantBlue76]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

I actually have to say, this is the first time in almost 9 years that I am actually feeling excited for Madden. Being a software Engineer myself for another big company, I really appreciate your work ethic Ian. You and your team have shown that you give a rat's a$$ about this game. I have started to sip the kool aid :wink: These changes sound very good. I actually think this feature is awesome. It's something that has been missing for far too long and it adds to the realism of the game. Just as long as it doesn't happen too often. I mean, there ARE still games where there are no fumbles at all and even when there is, a pile up shouldn't always occur. Great work man. With all of the flack you take around here (believe me I know how it feels) credit needs to be given when it's due as well.

[brza37]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

I like it.
Customization is king!

[gotti1914]

Re: Fumble meter follow up

I think you did too much to ratify something that has not been used yet...but the option to turn it on or off was a great idea...