The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

[jetup2343]

This thread is the product of a recent discussion in one of the other threads in regards to the lack of realistic running animations in Madden, all the way through M12. At times, we do see footplanting and nice jukes, but when watching a player run normally with the ball, it is very obvious that something is not right. Maybe it's because the runner is hunched over, maybe because the strides are the wrong length, or maybe because the player doesn't really have independent movement in his hips, shoulders, neck and legs (or those movements just don't fit together). I'll say again that when I showed an E3 M12 video to someone who doesn't care about video games, the flaw that "gave away" the fact that the footage was not real was the quirky, choppy and downright bad running animations.

The purpose of this thread is to try to bring this issue to the attention of the devs, so that this will be at the top of there list of necessary improvements in M13. I know we haven't seen the retail build yet, but I can't believe that there would be such a huge difference between the E3 videos that we've all seen, and the final build. This is NOT a thread for banter like "First fix the gameplay etc." It's an issue that many others have already brought up, and I think it deserves much more attention than it's been getting.

So Cam Weber, Ademborski, Michael Young -- whoever sees this, do us all a favor and make sure it's a priority for next year's game. Thanks!

[nyg92fan]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

This thread is the product of a recent discussion in one of the other threads in regards to the lack of realistic running animations in Madden, all the way through M12. At times, we do see footplanting and nice jukes, but when watching a player run normally with the ball, it is very obvious that something is not right. Maybe it's because the runner is hunched over, maybe because the strides are the wrong length, or maybe because the player doesn't really have independent movement in his hips, shoulders, neck and legs (or those movements just don't fit together). I'll say again that when I showed an E3 M12 video to someone who doesn't care about video games, the flaw that "gave away" the fact that the footage was not real was the quirky, choppy and downright bad running animations.

The purpose of this thread is to try to bring this issue to the attention of the devs, so that this will be at the top of there list of necessary improvements in M13. I know we haven't seen the retail build yet, but I can't believe that there would be such a huge difference between the E3 videos that we've all seen, and the final build. This is NOT a thread for banter like "First fix the gameplay etc." It's an issue that many others have already brought up, and I think it deserves much more attention than it's been getting.

So Cam Weber, Ademborski, Michael Young -- whoever sees this, do us all a favor and make sure it's a priority for next year's game. Thanks!

I agree.. But we probably won't see that happen until a new engine is created..

[simfballcritic]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

Let me be the first to say that I'm in full support of this thread. The running animations were almost perfect in Madden 04.

[MiNiDiTkA]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

This and that the players don't feel like they have weight to them bother me the most.Compared to 2K or last gen Maddens the running looks and feels funky.

[jetup2343]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

I agree.. But we probably won't see that happen until a new engine is created..

I'm not a tech guy by any means but I doubt that the whole engine needs to be changed in order to do this. Maybe it does. Let's wait and see what the devs say...:wink:

[jetup2343]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

Let me be the first to say that I'm in full support of this thread. The running animations were almost perfect in Madden 04.

I'll agree that they are better overall, but if you watch players cutting and juking in Madden 04, it still isn't realistic.
But comparing won't do us any good. We need change to be implented next year. The past doesn't bother me right now.

[AmericasTeam]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

I couldn't agree more. You see this animation more than any other. Great thread!

[XtremeDunkz]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

I dont believe the "running animation" people will ever be satisfied. I think they have changed it the last 3 years in a row, and all have looked fine to me.

[adub88]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

I agree, the running animations need work. I did hear that they have several different running styles this year though.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

Yeah certain things won't be changed until they make a new engine. Sure it isn't the best looking, but it isn't the worse either....

It would be great if they had a whole team dedictated to animation. I for one will also like them to end the linemen mirroring each other animation.

Where it is either 2 or 3 guys get pancaked at once or those 2 or 3 guys get through the line at the same time, doing the exact same move.

Way too much player mirroring that goes on.

[jetup2343]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

I dont believe the "running animation" people will ever be satisfied. I think they have changed it the last 3 years in a row, and all have looked fine to me.

There's one video that stands out to me that showed off how much it needs to be changed. It was an E3 video with the Chiefs, and on a kick return, the returner just looked so unnatural. If you just watch an M12 video and then go watch NFL highlights, you'll see a marked difference. Running in Madden just doesn't feel right, and it translates over to all player movements, during a play or not.

[The Duke]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

even the jogging/walking animations between snaps and pre-play are terrible. they dont move like humans. not quite sure how you botch something so simple as having a player walk up to the line of scrimmage, but whatever.

[Evan_OS]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

I always thought the running animation was a little odd compared to madden 10, but it's grown on me. I wouldn't mind a fix, but right now the running animation we have now is serviceable.

[lasthour]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

I think the running problem is a combination of the camera view not adjusting properly, not enough animations for different player types and player weight.

Honestly, if the game tripled player animations, tripled the amount of aniations that can be triggered at key moments, tripled immersive cutscenes and slightly exaggerated player sizes; I think the gaming company would be sincere in their efforts. Until then, lies.

[bakesalee]

Re: The Official Running Animation Petition Thread

Co-signed.

Every year I download the demo and hope for the best since there's no competition anymore. Out of necessity, I WANT to like this game. But if there's just one glaring thing that reminds me that this isn't my game, it's this.

On a breakaway run, I'm never thinking "Yes! Yes!" but instead: "just look at him!"