Backbreaker Preview (GamerPros)

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: GamerPops Article

http://gamerpops.com/2010/03/backbreaker-preview-event/

<link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cpharmlab%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cm sohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> Insightful. Informative. Short, simple, sweet and to the point.

I see features as the cherry on top. Solid gameplay will essentially make solid features that much sweeter. However, I was hoping for a little bit (a lot) more insight. I was hopnig for more insight with regards to actual on-the-field-player-player-interactions, including off-ball player-player interactions, and off-ball defensive and offensive artificial intelligence, and situational/procedural awareness.
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Hopefully we'll get articles delving into these aspects as they show up in the upcoming days/week(s) from early previews, especially those at these preview events. Sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, I believe we’ll be getting the same type of reviews that will continue to only touch on the surface of backbreaker’s euphoria technology and game features (e.g. franchise, etc.), rather than on the field football fundamentals.

Seeing as how 3rd person camera will actually magnify a player's demeanor, behavior, movements, situational awareness and on the field football intelligence, it would have actually have been crucial for team NaturalMotion to have gone deeper into these aspects with those fortunate enough to be present at these preview events. Features are nice, but let's talk gameplay (other than tackles) and what a “backbreaker football player” is capable of doing on the field, and how closely it resembles what a real live, real football player can do. Right now, euphoria (& naturalmotion tech) = physics. But the question remains what part of NaturalMotion’s tech = football intelligence/ football physics?

As of right now, we are seeing more and more partial snippets of gameplay, all I really know definitively is tackle intelligence. It has been stated that defenders are programmed (and modified to numb ultra aggression) to take down the offensive ball handler at all cost. Tackling is a small part of football, but what about the segment prior and between snap-and-tackle. What about player-player interaction without the ball? (OL vs DL; WR vs. DB, etc.). Tackles is the end product, but what about all the flavors that coat Backbreaker immediately before and after the football snap? How will they stand up to the test?

I would like future developer's diary to present videos to (finally) illustrate CPU vs. CPU artificial intelligence, situational and procedural awareness. With each passing interview and developer's diary that continue to solely focus on what we already know, I grow more concerned. Gameplay CPU vs. CPU match-ups (offensive and defensive cameras) without “player vs. CPU” or “player vs. player” involvements.

I am always excited to see new Backbreaker footage, but it's getting little bit frustrating not seeing more focus on off-ball player awareness, player-player interactions, and artificial intelligence. If they are not natural (in 'motion') it could very well be a problem even if we can completely customize the NFL from scratch. I believe more off-ball player interactions and situational awareness segments (and not simply brief moments) would give this game strong football credibility, if and if it replicates football.
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I believe NaturalMotion should have forked over true gameplay footage much, much earlier rather than keeping it secretive until 2 months before release. Any issues or problems that critics see with this game could have been better fleshed out and polished if the developers worked closer with the community, especially critics. If I was a new and upcoming developer, I would want all the negatives that critics can dish out. I would want to prove them wrong. Plus, if you want to understand how something works, ask the experts. Ask those who have first hand experience. I am hoping NaturalMotion enlisted the help of real football players at each and every single position. Based on gameplay footage and web reactions, right now, NaturalMotion is falling short.
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I will remain optimistic at this point but it’s rather difficult based on recent gameplay footages and knowing the time is ticking, fast. Two months is a very short time frame. Regardless, I will be supporting this game when it comes out hoping that it will give other developers (i.e. especially 2ksports) an understanding that a solid game of football is what truly works. Because guess what? Sales figure do dictate what developers do.

If sales figure for Backbreaker are solid, 2ksports must take notice that official NFL branding is not an absolute requirement to sell “video game football.”

EDIT: On the flip side, the problem<o></o> with Backbreaker not succeeding is that it gives 2ksports (or another developer) another reason not to create a generic and fully customizable football game. THIS is why backbreaker one needs to do well. Football fundamentals need to be fixed, quick. I pray for Backbreaker success.

[granddogg]

Re: GamerPros Article

that said it about 2yrs they had former pro players and coach helping with insite

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: GamerPros Article

that said it about 2yrs they had former pro players and coach helping with insite

Sounds good, but would have preferred pro players and coaches to have given initial insights and also to be proactively involved during the entire development phase.

Meaning pro-players and coaches taking a look at actual gameplay footage including initial, initial-middle, middle, middle-final, near-final, pre-final AND pre-close to find build and dissect the football physics, football mechanics and football intelligence, and make crucial suggestions that developers take and implement. Basically, each and every step of the way. Personally, I hate to see the “final build” so close to release date. If the “final build” was 6 to 7 months out, at least the window of opportunity to fix any issues would be easier.

Quick points. Unbiased critics and even fans of backbreaker have noted is that OL/DL interaction, WR/DB interaction along with QB throwing motion and other things seems off. Here's hoping the final build is at minimum 10 times better than what we've seen in preliminary gameplay footage.

Developers (or anyone) can take notes of what experts/critics/pro-players/coaches have to say, but unless the experts/critics/pro-players/coaches see it in action (hands-on), they won't know how well their initial insights on paper will translate on screen.
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->Here’s one quick example (hopefully, and really needs to be fixed in the final build) of poor football intelligence, and it’s things like this where coaches/pro-players/experts would have caught this even before the “half-way build” of the game. Happens in the very beginning of the video:
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@0:19 – 0:30 mark [ Missed Block ]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xnmSCoQgIQ
1. QB#19 scrambles out of the pocket and commits to running the ball.
2. Offensive player (WR#?) allows DL#79 a free pass to tackle the QB.
3. Offensive player fails to make a block or even motion/attempt to make the block (or temporarily impede DL#79's progress, or simply change DL#79's pursuit angle)
4. Offensive player remains in static position, uncertain about what to do.
5. EDIT: Offensive player's should also be able to make "big hits" too, not just the defense.

<o></o>

[cam21224]

Re: GamerPros Article

Sadly, users will not have the ability to share their rosters online, for legal reasons. However, you will be able to take your team online, and your friends can see what you’ve created.

That sucks, looking forward to playing this gm however lil disappointed cause it probably would have been some good rosters made by fellow members.

[hatisback]

Re: GamerPros Article

Sadly, users will not have the ability to share their rosters online, for legal reasons. However, you will be able to take your team online, and your friends can see what you’ve created.

That sucks, looking forward to playing this gm however lil disappointed cause it probably would have been some good rosters made by fellow members.

We can still probably save and swap files using a flashdrive for PS3 or the transfer kit for 360. No worries.

[cam21224]

Re: GamerPros Article

We can still probably save and swap files using a flashdrive for PS3 or the transfer kit for 360. No worries.

Awesome.

[CreatineKasey]

Re: GamerPros Article

We can still run leagues online. We'd just need to all create our own individual teams and ensure our guys are in our friends list. I've been through enough of this in APF.