Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

[BenGerman]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

I would like to know this as well. I'm a HUGE proponent of upgrading the sideline players as they still look generic (all wearing high socks, no accessories, no names on back of jerseys, etc...) From the vids I've seen the sideline players looked the same as last year which is unfortunate. Upgrading the sidelines would make this game look so much better.

I can confirm the high socks stuff is still a thing, which is too bad. The sidelines felt more slightly more lifelike in-game to me, but I wouldn't expect any huge upgrades, in this regard.

[roadman]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

Thanks Ben, that clears it up for me.

I like to see Sanchez going l4/21, Bortles less than 50%, etc.... At least, based on those stats, appears to be differentials noticeable at the QB level.

[Chairman7w]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

I seem to remember hearing that from the PS1 days. They always say that.

I am really encouraged to hear there is a focus on eliminating money plays.

[BenGerman]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

Thanks Ben, that clears it up for me.

I like to see Sanchez going l4/21, Bortles less than 50%, etc.... At least, based on those stats, appears to be differentials noticeable at the QB level.

Not to rain on any parades but keep in mind that I controlled both of those QBs...

And I'm terrible.

[JKSportsGamer1984]

I can confirm the high socks stuff is still a thing, which is too bad. The sidelines felt more slightly more lifelike in-game to me, but I wouldn't expect any huge upgrades, in this regard.

Thanks for the response. Very good write up by the way!

[BenGerman]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

Thanks for the response. Very good write up by the way!

Thanks, and no problem!

In regards to money plays, they've definitely eliminated a ton of them from last year. Of course, the more time we spend with the game, the more we'll actually test the theory. I think they deserve at least a little credit for admitting that it has been a huge problem and doing what they can to fix it.

[Cowboy008]

Looks like they are improving Madden this year. Still going to skip it since it looks like they haven't added enough for me. Glad they are improving Madden though.

[Bull_Dozer]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

Some encouraging things to hear.

[capa]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

It could be a total non-issue. Remember, I played maybe ten games, all pretty short. But in my time playing the game, the CPU (when running diagonally, not right alongside the OOB line) would just keep running out of bounds instead of changing course. It was definitely apparent, in my time with the game.

Well, hope they corrected this for all cpu runners (RB, TE, WR, etc)...JP saw otherwise but this was a serious issue in 15...if they did not correct it in 16 ALL THE TIME it will be pretty bad.

C

[jpdavis82]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

Well, hope they corrected this for all cpu runners (RB, TE, WR, etc)...JP saw otherwise but this was a serious issue in 15...if they did not correct it in 16 ALL THE TIME it will be pretty bad.

C

Shop talked about it briefly last night too and said that players were staying in bounds now. Plus he tweeted this recently.

@brooklyncore: @Shopmaster did I just hear sideline passes to my full back , he heads up the field instead of sliding outta bounds IAM SOLD! !

@Shopmaster: @brooklyncore yes, they will! It's awesome!

[BenGerman]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

It's so funny that that's the case. I can almost 100% guarantee you guys that if we were to get the game tomorrow, you would still see CPU players running out of bounds when they could turn upfield, instead. Maybe not always, but you would definitely see it.

Will be interesting to keep an eye on for the game's release.

[jpdavis82]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

It's so funny that that's the case. I can almost 100% guarantee you guys that if we were to get the game tomorrow, you would still see CPU players running out of bounds when they could turn upfield, instead. Maybe not always, but you would definitely see it.

Will be interesting to keep an eye on for the game's release.

I'm not certain it's one way or the other, I think you're right we will probably still see it, just hopefully rarely.

[GiantBlue76]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

Very well done and objective write up, Ben.

I have a question about the "edge" pressure. Did you notice the DEs actually collapsing the pocket or did you notice them simply beating the tackle and having a free rush to the QB? Big difference. Madden suffers from binary line play where the O lineman get beat and that's it. Then the DE just looks silly as he is sprinting unabated to the QB. I want to see the tackles getting pushed into the QB or getting beat with an outside edge rush and them struggling to hold or grab the DE. I didn't see any of that in the videos so I was hopeful that maybe it was something that would show up down the line.

[RogueHominid]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

Not good about CPU QB AI.

If incompletions only occur due to inaccuracy on extremely long passes, that means another year of default CPU QB completion percentages of 75% and up. Last year, 80% was an achievable number for even average QBs on a regular basis. Coupled with the sack issue, it QB AI killed the sense of realism and immersion.

Even if the sack issue is reduced such that one could user-play every game and come up with less than 75 sacks (I'd love to see bad teams struggle to get to 30 for the season!), super high completion percentages will significantly lessen the immersion factor.

This alone has me thinking I'll forego a day-one purchase to see just how fixable this issue is or is not with sliders.

[BenGerman]

Re: Madden NFL 16: More Hands-On Impressions

Very well done and objective write up, Ben.

I have a question about the "edge" pressure. Did you notice the DEs actually collapsing the pocket or did you notice them simply beating the tackle and having a free rush to the QB? Big difference. Madden suffers from binary line play where the O lineman get beat and that's it. Then the DE just looks silly as he is sprinting unabated to the QB. I want to see the tackles getting pushed into the QB or getting beat with an outside edge rush and them struggling to hold or grab the DE. I didn't see any of that in the videos so I was hopeful that maybe it was something that would show up down the line.

Yep, that's a concern of mine as well.

So before I say anything, let me give the disclaimer that in ten or so games, I'm not sure I saw enough of the game to comment on this particular issue. I really don't want any thoughts I have to be reactionary - which is why I avoided really going into detail with this.

But, from what I could tell, DE's actually moved the line a bit without totally beating the tackles. This wasn't always the case, but the Bridgewater play I described above was definitely the CPU pressuring me with a collapsed pocket and forcing me outside. I went to my right, where the RT was holding up his end of the deal. The LE detached himself from the lineman and joined the pursuit.

Even when it happens, it isn't perfect. It seems like there were three real scenarios (DE slips past the line, DE pushes the line, DE gets blocked at the line). There needs to be like 50+ different scenarios, but it was an improvement. My first thought was whether or not - because of less pressure up the middle - we would be able to tune sliders in a way that the edge rush is amplified. To be fair, it was definitely noticeable that I had less time to throw the ball than in past years, especially on default.