*IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

[DUDERMAN]

I've read all the complaints about the "super linebackers". I believe, like many of you, that there are no exaggerated jumping linebackers in Madden and instead are a product of poor ball trajectory.

From what I can tell, there are only 3 different types of passes:
1. hold down the button for low trajectory, quick pass
2. tap button for a high trajectory, long pass
3. somewhere in between the two based on how long the button is held.

I was thinking during a game about how this could be fixed and found a way that seems so obvious that I'm surprised they haven't implemented it before.

When you press the button to pass to your receiver (lets say B or circle) a small window should pop up in the lower left or right hand corner of the screen. In this window, it should show a curve indicating the exact trajectory the ball will take. There will be a meter that moves from left to right as long as you hold down the button to pass. As you hold down the button, the curve will adjust and increase. This should emulate the arm's throwing motion.

Now here is where people may have a problem adjusting. Since it is based on the arm moving, it makes more sense that a tap of the button will throw a quick pass and a long hold will get you a higher trajectory (the exact opposite as it is now).

Ideally, you would want the meter to work similar to the active reload in Gears of War. For those that aren't familiar with that game, whenever you press the reload button a meter will pop up and you must hit the reload button again when it hits a certain part of the meter in order to "active reload" (makes your bullets stronger).

So when you select your receiver to pass to it should show you the best possible spot to release the button. This defined "perfect pass" area could be determined by difficulty, QB rating, and/or DPP.

On top of this, they would need to create a release rating for QBs to help with the realism.

I'm not the best at explaining things so I figure I will just show you my idea. I made a very rough draft of what I think it should look like in game. Obviously Madden's art department could make it look much nicer.





So let me know what you guys think.

[RumbleCard]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

Although it might work I'm not a big fan of what could become a mini-game within the game. Also I would think this could potentially slow the throwing motion down to give yourself time to read the meter which wouldn't be a good thing.

The most simple fix would be a higher trajectory automatically on deeper balls or limit the how tight the arc is when the button is held down for the entirety of the throw.

I think the real problem is that people instinctively hold the button down on deeper throws thinking it adds velocity (which it might) to the ball when in fact it also lowers the arc leading to more blocked balls.

Unless its a lob ball speed should be there on normal throws as well as quick zippers in between defenders.

[prostige-]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

GENIUS !!!!

[DonkeyJote]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

The only way this would work is if the slowed down the throwing motion to accommodate, which would result in way too many sacks, and interceptions.

[DUDERMAN]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

I don't think it needs to slow down the game at all. As I said, it should mimic the throwing motion (timing wise). So if you want a quick pass, just tap the button. If it's a quick slant, the game would tell you to release quickly anyway. In just 1 sec of time (about how long it takes to throw the quick pass now in Madden) you could react to the meter moving across. If you can't, then maybe they can slow it down for pro and rookie modes.

Any gamer playing on all pro or all madden shouldn't have any problem reacting in that timing window. Eventually over time, you will get the feel for how long it needs to be held so you won't need to look. Gamers can adept pretty quickly.

In the real NFL, it takes more time and a longer throwing motion to throw a ball with a higher trajectory.

Having the meter show where to release could be optional but would be a nice aid to help people get use to the new system. This would give you FULL control on the trajectory of every pass.

The way I see it, this would fix one major problem with the passing game. The next thing that would need a fix would be throwing to a spot before a receiver makes his cut.

[Big FN Deal]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

I commend you for the picture showing just how non invasive the meter could be but it still seems too visibly arcadey, imo.

Of course we all have our own opinions on how to improve pass trajectory and mine is to scrap icon/button passing. Therefore allowing those buttons to be used to represent various types of attempted throws, (lob, bullet, touch, back shoulder, throw away, shovel), the left stick to control pass location (high, low, left, right) and the right analog stick directions (left, right, up down and push) could be used to select/lock on to different receivers.

The discouraging thing is that with all the ideas that abound, Madden still has yet to adequately address this. Maybe this year they will.

[JaymeeAwesome]

I'd rather have trajectory decided by the right analog stick. I know it's being used to lead the receiver but instead of a button, think of tiger woods golf how you pull back and then push forward to swing. Same could with arm motion.

[DUDERMAN]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

or limit the how tight the arc is when the button is held down for the entirety of the throw.

This is what my idea is trying to accomplish only with a visual element to aid you.

Don't get too caught up with how it looks, it could easy be made smaller and blend in more with the madden theme. It's not meant to change how you play now in terms of speed, only to give you more freedom with your passes and make it a bit more realistic.

Anyone who has used the kicking meter on all madden knows how fast that can go. If you can react in time for that, you will have no trouble reacting in time with this.

If done correctly, it shouldn't change the speed of the game or allow more sacks. In fact, since I have reversed the button holding mechanics, a quick button press may help you avoid more sacks in the future.

I'd rather have trajectory decided by the right analog stick. I know it's being used to lead the receiver but instead of a button, think of tiger woods golf how you pull back and then push forward to swing. Same could with arm motion.

This could be cool but way more complicated. Also, how do you choose your receiver? Do you press a button, then go to the right thumb stick? what if I'm throwing on the run?

My idea is not meant to be the a perfect solution. Just an easy one that I would think could be easily implemented within one development cycle.

[DonkeyJote]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

I also don't think it takes any longer for a QB to throw the ball with a higher trajectory. It takes longer for them to throw harder, yes, but to throw higher? I don't believe that's the case.

[Broncos86]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

As I've suggested in the past (and this year), we need a trajectory gauge during practice. NOT during the game. I don't want that taking up screen real estate, and I don't want it distracting me. However, give us a trajectory read-out in practice mode so we can see what we're doing when we throw the ball and learn better touch.

[michapop9]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

I dont think thats a bad idea, its not any different than the mechanism we use now, its just expanded upon. I think with time a simple adjustment or change like this would be accepted. With practice you wouldnt even have to use the guage on the bottom of the screen, you would just know.

The problem to address after this would be how poorly qb differentiation is in this game.

[charliemike]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

What I don't understand is why the speed of my throw doesn't affect the arc to the degree it should ...

Obviously if I gun a pass it should be relatively flat. If I basically tap the button it should float.

But if I throw a pass that has a decent speed to it (what I would assume is a normal throw) it still gets knocked down by a LB in the seam playing zone, even if the WR is 8 yards past him. I've done all the priority changes, etc and it has opened up things for me a bit. I can now throw slants without uber-LB miracle plays.

But it's still not fixed. IMO what EA needs to do is program in arcs for types of throws by default and let the speed of the throw determine variation.

A 15-yd out has a certain type of trajectory. Each QB might have a variation but I wouldn't think it's statistically significant. So does a slant, a fade, a post, etc depending on how far away the receiver is from the QB. This should be how Madden operates by default.

For the same reason that if my WR runs a 50-yd post pattern the ball isn't 10 feet in the air the whole way. They know that much. So why have they messed up the rest so badly?

[TMJOHNS18]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

Why don't they use the AWR to determine trajectory? Higher AWR, the QB knows what kind of throw he needs to make; Lower AWR, the QB tends to force bad throws. This would make up for users being able to use low AWR QBs with no penalty.

Would help with using lesser talented vets over rookies. The rookies might be more talented but their lack of experience will lead to poor decisions when throwing. And guys like Grossman will have low AWR simply cause they just sling it everywhere regardless of what the coverage may look like.

Also, adding a release rating would be nice. Would at least allow QBs to feel different from each other, given that most use the same throwing motion.

[goravens2052]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

I like the idea of tying it with Awareness but also, I'm surprised nobody has suggested this. Why not have EA motion capture the ball better. Have Quarterbacks throw short passes, medium passes and deep passes with the ball set up to be motion captured on all throws. That way the ball motion is fixed but also it could help with the arc as well.

[Sim Easy]

Re: *IDEA* Easy Ball Trajectory Fix (picture inside)

This is a great idea. However, just lower all LB jump ratings and it solves the problem more expediently. In addition to the blatant lack of simulated gravity in madden/NCAA, the players are rated entirely too high in many attributes.