Madden NFL 15 Continues A Long Tradition of No Penalties

[RaychelSnr]

It shouldn't surprise you that Madden NFL 15 has a penalty problem, in the sense that most penalties are just never called in the game. With the default sliders, it is highly possible you won't see a single penalty called during a game. Most OS'ers agree that more penalties would add to the game and not subtract from it.

The popular theory is that EA doesn't have penalties called in the game because the randomness of penalties would ruin the experience for the average user. From talks I've had with Madden developers past and present, there is some credence to that being the case for the lack of actual penalties in the game.

What is baffling though, is why penalty sliders can't account for more variability where you can get to a more realistic penalty count while keeping the default game as separated as possible from penalties. Next year, it would certainly benefit the game if EA Sports could deliver a set of sliders that more adequately gives users the power to create a game experience more suited to the real NFL with actual 1st and 20s being possible.

Perhaps this could be where the all-mysterious (and oft-useless) AWR rating could finally play a hand in things on a tangible level on the field?

What do you think could be done to balance the needs of casual gamers who may not want a realistic number of yellow flags being thrown with the more hardcore Madden fans who demand more realistic handling of penalties?

[ddv25]

Stating that the randomness of penalties is ruining the experience for average users is just a cheap excuse for EA's inability to have a proper penalty detection system in place. If it were for the average user and their experience, they could deactivate penalty calls other than obvious ones (e.g. encroachment). At least - if you put some "alibi" sliders into the game - make them do something...

[JayD]

Re: Madden NFL 15 Continues A Long Tradition of No Penalties

I could of sworn I heard something in the past about penalties being implemnted correctly in Madden 15, was wrong again.

[Greenblood60]

Re: Madden NFL 15 Continues A Long Tradition of No Penalties

I'm sorry, but did "casual gamers" exist before 2005 ? Because up until the 360 & PS3 came out, which was in 2005 for the 360, they had penalties, and if casual gamers existed back then they sure didn't mind haveing penalties in the game.

[capa]

It's simple. Code the sliders so they work as penalty sliders and not tied to animations. If I want a normal range of penalties, each slider should be 50. If I want more penalties, up whichever ones you want.

If I want an arcade type no penalty game because I just want to throw bombs and have fun, or compete in some online tourney (ahem)...then zero them out.

Couldn't be a more simple solution.

[majesty95]

I wouldn't mind if the sliders worked a little better. I think it may be difficult to find a balance in those though between making the ref call the penalty more and the penalty animation triggering more often. Either way, I'm starting to enjoy games without very many penalties even though its not technically "sim." I wish they would fix the no huddle and the defense vs the pistol and read option so teams could use those offenses more often without being considered cheesy.

[fistofrage]

Thanks for focusing on this. They need to make the penalties work. I mean come on a game without holding penalties. They had it on last gen. There is no excuse for this. Not having holding penalties is more of an issue than you would think. Very few second or 3rd and longs so it really changes the game.

Just make a global on off switch to turn off penalties for people who don't want them.

[lynkraid]

I cant remember how many times during league games when my WR"s are ran into or blocked well past 10yds and nothing is ever called. I mean these are plain as day PI calls while watching in real time.

Oh and not to mention the horrible replay/review system, they either don't review something that should be, or wont allow a review, or they just totally get it wrong.

In a league game: guy threw a pass and the ball was never caught, it bounces off the ground, the defender catches it off the first bounce and the ref calls it a INT. No review for the play it was under 2 minutes left. Or a WR that catches the ball, takes about 5 steps in bounds, dives for the first down, and the ref on the review calls it no catch. Another is the WR who catches the ball, takes about 6 or more steps and the ball drops, and they call that a drop.. Not a fumble.

So both are issues that need addressed. The game just looks too good to be so unrealistic like that.

[kidanything2]

Re: Madden NFL 15 Continues A Long Tradition of No Penalties

Penalty options and sliders for offline are fine, but I'd rather them keep it out of online. NBA 2K has implented things like bad passes and "realistic" fg% and it has completely killed any competitive feel to online play. I'd hate to be playing online, stop someone on a crucial 4th and 10 just to have a pass interference called just because the game thought it needed a penalty for realism.

[kongemeier]

Just have a simulation settings for those of us that want simulation football - and have a Madden setting for those that enjoy casual.

[CHAPEdawg45]

I hate to be "that guy", but I don't think EA really cares about the true representation of the sport. The crew that does is 2k sports. I think EA is really just trying to smash that casual audience and tournament demographic. At least with a 2k product, well I've thought at least, that the true essence of the sport was felt throughout the product. Yeah there's some cheesy stuff, what game doesn't have that? But they nail the little things. They even have technical fouls for calling too many time outs! I mean...c'mon.... We can't even get PASS INTERFERENCE called. The most called foul in football.... Or holding. It's a joke.

[statum71]

I would AT LEAST like to see offsides, holding, and pass interference.

It sees so strange being halfway through my NFL season and I haven't either one called even one time.

[Fist Of Kings]

"The popular theory is that EA doesn't have penalties called in the game because the randomness of penalties would ruin the experience for the average user. From talks I've had with Madden developers past and present, there is some credence to that being the case for the lack of actual penalties in the game."

Then they shouldn't hype this game as a 'sim' football game. And with some sliders effecting the actual amount of penalties called like facemask, I have a hard time believing this was intentional. It's been like this since NCAA 14(maybe longer), so to me it's more likely that they can't make a good football game.

[CHAPEdawg45]

"The popular theory is that EA doesn't have penalties called in the game because the randomness of penalties would ruin the experience for the average user. From talks I've had with Madden developers past and present, there is some credence to that being the case for the lack of actual penalties in the game."

Then they shouldn't hype this game as a 'sim' football game. And with some sliders effecting the actual amount of penalties called like facemask, I have a hard time believing this was intentional. It's been like this since NCAA 14(maybe longer), so to me it's more likely that they can't make a good football game.

Is it fair to question the type of talent Tiburon studios has in the bullpen? Because I think they're really weak. They haven't pumped out supreme quality since 05.

[kidanything2]

Re: Madden NFL 15 Continues A Long Tradition of No Penalties

I hate to be "that guy", but I don't think EA really cares about the true representation of the sport. The crew that does is 2k sports. I think EA is really just trying to smash that casual audience and tournament demographic. At least with a 2k product, well I've thought at least, that the true essence of the sport was felt throughout the product. Yeah there's some cheesy stuff, what game doesn't have that? But they nail the little things. They even have technical fouls for calling too many time outs! I mean...c'mon.... We can't even get PASS INTERFERENCE called. The most called foul in football.... Or holding. It's a joke.

I have to disagree with your thoughts on 2k. Offline is good, but anything competitive is a joke. It's unrealistic where it needs to be realistic (dunkers can dunk from anywhere) and realistic where it should allow for some unrealism that video games should (you cannot shoot better than 50% from three no matter how open your opponent leaves you just because the game wants to keep the % realistic).

But like this guy said ...

Just have a simulation settings for those of us that want simulation football - and have a Madden setting for those that enjoy casual.

Sliders and options are where it's at. Offline there should be sliders (that work) for every tiny thing in the game. Online competitive modes should be competitive based on player skill, not realism, even if the game is a little arcadey. Adding penalties that you have no control over like pass interference, holding, false start in competitive modes would take away from the feeling of skill just like 2k and the fg%.