Whew - PRO-TAK is Much Better Now

[mexmarkjen]

Ian,

As I read your ending to your post about addressing pass rush, I had two thoughts in my head -

1. Fix it please so we all love the game

2. More applause for you in recognizing an area of need and addressing it directly.

I want this game to be great for me, but I'm finding myself wanting it to be even greater for you and the team at Tiburon -the approach you've all taken with the community is to be commended and I hope that commencement comes with a crowning jewel on August 14. Finish it up strong my friend, we all want a great game with Madden 10!

[Droopy03]

Re: Whew - PRO-TAK is much better now.

for the pass rush IAN. just dont make the D-line fall, let them stand they ground or get push back or you can input the O-line getting push down by the D-LINE.

IMO its just not realistic that defensive players that engage the O-line only goes one way in the struggle and thats defensive players getting put on there butts and the other standing tall and talented

I like this one. Ian I agree with him on this one
+1

[Moostache]

Re: Whew - PRO-TAK is much better now.

Locomotion, momentum, acceleration, etc is all still being worked on so once we get locked in I'll do my best to let everyone know how it panned out (positive and negative). Though the game was more 'weighted' at community day than it is now, it was also the primary cause towards all of our broken gameplay (600+ rush yards per game with fast players, easy money 100% completions on curls and slants, etc). I am still definitely happy with the strides taken this year. Every single person felt the changes immediately at E3...and that was a great goal to reach.

Just so you all know, compared to the build at community day, as of right now the turn rates are about 4% tighter, and acceleration/deceleration are about 8% faster. The direction change animations (they are still there) were trimmed to be about 7% shorter.

Even with us having to slightly back away from the CD values to help fix all of our AI issues, I just thought it would help to compare the current Madden 10 values against Madden 09..
Turn rates = 46% wider than 09
Acceleration/Deceleration = 32% slower than 09
Direction change animations = can't compare, there really weren't any in 09

I am honestly the most concerned with the actual bugs at this point where players blip around and face the other direction without having to cut or slow down and follow ANY laws of momentum...it is a much more rare occurrence now but it is still happening (mostly with blockers). Momentum is still very important to me though - we are doing our best to balance the game to not have money plays and AI issues while still keeping that "SIM" feel at the fore-front. Will update soon.

Ian -

Thank you very much for the incredible amount of detail in this reply. I can honestly say that you are one of the most publicly dedicated people in the country to their craft!

I am looking forward to the demo for this game and also the retail build. I hope that you are able to get these things tuned and into the game the best way possible.

Much appreciation for you coming in here to share that info.

BTW...GREAT job on the presentation stuff...there were a couple of interviews from E3 that pointed directly to you personally doing some of the work on that and I have to say that compared to where its been the last few years, Madden NFL 10 simply oozes atmosphere. LOVED the souvenir stand, the tailgate shots, teh fans in cold weather gear getting ot their seats, the shots of teammates after a INT, and on and on....that is really something amazing to see in Madden again!

Also - congrats on the "Best of Show - E3" Nominations...maybe its not an Oscar nod yet, but its got to be rewarding to have your industry recognize your work even when us bloodless zealots keep demanding another pund of flesh!!!

[FadeEmAll]

Re: Whew - PRO-TAK is much better now.

There is no way I could give anything close to an accurate evaluation of the game in those circumstances. On top of that, what we saw at CD was expected. They hadn't even released a screen shot at that point. The game is going to be broken that far from release.

You mentioned that running was easy at CD and that's exactly what the E3 people are saying too, that running is broken, so looks like aint nothing fixed. Now he is saying is going to fine tune it. Why was this not done between CD and E3, trust me I'm not hating just asking some questions.

[lendog691]

Re: Whew - PRO-TAK is Much Better Now

Guys there is only so much they can do in one year and they have done alot, more than expected. and with the time left to fine tune and work a few things out this has chance to be the best Madden ever released. Just to let you know i didn't buy Madden last year but i will for sure this year.

[adembroski]

Re: Whew - PRO-TAK is much better now.

You mentioned that running was easy at CD and that's exactly what the E3 people are saying too, that running is broken, so looks like aint nothing fixed. Now he is saying is going to fine tune it. Why was this not done between CD and E3, trust me I'm not hating just asking some questions.

I don't think it's the same problem. At CD, the problem was Linebackers not reacting to the run until way too late. Now it seems to be broken tackles and players being able to bounce outside too quickly. One problem fixed, another takes over.

I hope it's tackling... that can be fixed with sliders.

[SportsTop]

Re: Whew - PRO-TAK is much better now.

No cap,no trade logic and no contracts.

Nice comment considering it wasn't in the subject line of the thread so you shouldn't expect it to be addressed in it.

You could always have Option B: Developers who don't take community input, release a subpar game, and still sell millions of copies in the process. Rinse and repeat.

This game is light years ahead of where it has been. Be thankful for what you do have.....or you could simply cut out the middle man and not buy the game.

[rsoxguy12]

Re: Whew - PRO-TAK is Much Better Now

This is Ian on August 13th -

This is Ian on August 15th -

[RolandOSU]

Re: Whew - PRO-TAK is much better now.

Nice comment considering it wasn't in the subject line of the thread so you shouldn't expect it to be addressed in it.

You could always have Option B: Developers who don't take community input, release a subpar game, and still sell millions of copies in the process. Rinse and repeat.

This game is light years ahead of where it has been. Be thankful for what you do have.....or you could simply cut out the middle man and not buy the game.

[Ijeswannaknow]

Hey Ian...will there be any comentating during halftime highlights or custom tracks to play while highlights are being played?...During the E3 build there was pure silence when the raplays where going...I jes wanna know...LOOKS GREAT!!!!!

[j2k9]

Ian I noticed in the Raiders vs Dolphins vid, after the initial kickoff, two of the Raider players were walking through all the the players standing on the sidelines as if they were ghosts. I hope you guys iron that out too because thats been plaguing Madden for years now. Keep up the good work!

[maxamilian 27]

Re: Whew - PRO-TAK is Much Better Now

Hey Ian the presentation is blowing me away so far. I didnt think that you guys would really address this like you did. I am a big football fan, and i really appreciate the effort the new team has showed. I love how you really listened and put the small things in the game that really make a difference. The colored cleats that are now in the game are a testament that shows that you are really listening! Thanks for making madden a real representation of the sport of football.

[j2k9]

Ian I don't mean this as a negative comment but just a question. Is it really that hard to get the sideline players to look like the players on the field? I'm no game developing guru by any means but I'm just wondering. Is it that the engine you use doesn't allow it? During the cutscenes they look great but during gameplay they look like they belong on the PS1. Again you guys are doing a great job but just asking.

[j2k9]

Ian please tell me that at least you have music during the halftime highlights. If you're not going to have commentating during the highlights at least have music. Anything is better than complete silence. Other than that I'm loving the presentation this year! I love all the presnap camera shots & the immediate close ups on the players after the play this year! It reallys immerses you in the game.

[permanent1]

Re: Whew - PRO-TAK is much better now.

Nice comment considering it wasn't in the subject line of the thread so you shouldn't expect it to be addressed in it.

You could always have Option B: Developers who don't take community input, release a subpar game, and still sell millions of copies in the process. Rinse and repeat.

This game is light years ahead of where it has been. Be thankful for what you do have.....or you could simply cut out the middle man and not buy the game.

Sure he could do that but if everyone who thinks like him(which there are a lot)then the amount of games sold would be cut way down guaranteed, you don't tell people to NOT buy you give them other reasons TO buy just good business.