Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

[RaychelSnr]

It’s that time of year again...EA’s latest version of Madden is upon us. If you’re a football fan there is no better time, and if you’re a video game football fan it’s, at the very least, an interesting and engaging time. The developers of Madden have gone on record that they truly understand the repetitive on-field issues that have plagued the Madden series over the last decade, and have promised the fan base to do all they can to eradicate them. Now having spent a solid 20 hours with the newest title, I take a look at just how realistic a game of football Madden 16 is on the gridiron. After all, football is a difficult game to faithfully recreate.

Read More - Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

[fistofrage]

You may want to reserve your opinions of the AI until after the patch or be prepared to revise them. I've seen robo QB patched back into the game before. I've seen penalties get removed. I've seen fumbles reduced to almost non-existent. I'm hoping the patches don't break what works well, but I see a lot of complaining that the passes aren't thrown with pinpoint accuracy so most likely EA with nerf that down.

[sethisthegoat]

You may want to reserve your opinions of the AI until after the patch or be prepared to revise them. I've seen robo QB patched back into the game before. I've seen penalties get removed. I've seen fumbles reduced to almost non-existent. I'm hoping the patches don't break what works well, but I see a lot of complaining that the passes aren't thrown with pinpoint accuracy so most likely EA with nerf that down.

My main complaint with the accuracy is that my throws are sometimes way off even when I'm standing still in the pocket. I would think a starting QB in the NFL could get reasonably close to a receiver within 20 yards if they're standing still in the pocket...

[4thQtrStre5S]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

My main complaint with the accuracy is that my throws are sometimes way off even when I'm standing still in the pocket. I would think a starting QB in the NFL could get reasonably close to a receiver within 20 yards if they're standing still in the pocket...

You would think, but it is not true....THe best QB's have made some of the worst passes on seemingly easy throws; the best RB's have fumbled a hand off, etc...These people make big mistakes too, but they just so happen to make great positive plays.

[2_headedmonster]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

The a.i and play calling are pretty bad, pretty much in line with what it has been in yrs prior. 4 verts here, curl flats there maybe z-spot or sticks to spice things up. But yea, its pretty bad.

[Jarodd21]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

You may want to reserve your opinions of the AI until after the patch or be prepared to revise them. I've seen robo QB patched back into the game before. I've seen penalties get removed. I've seen fumbles reduced to almost non-existent. I'm hoping the patches don't break what works well, but I see a lot of complaining that the passes aren't thrown with pinpoint accuracy so most likely EA with nerf that down.

There is not a problem with the accuracy at all. The problem is the USER. The guy's that are having trouble with some passes being off don't wanna work on placing passes with the left stick. They want all the passes to be placed for them. If I'm able to make all the throws with the accuracy at 5, these guys shouldn't be struggling with passes with the accuracy high. These guys need to go into practice mode and work with the left stick. Take advantage of this great feature. I been preaching this before the even improved the the precision passes. The passing is perfect in my opinion. All you have to do is raise the USER accuracy higher if you want the passes to be placed for you.

[bukktown]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

The QB AI is a monumental improvement.

[cmksalem]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

in game AI is much better, except perhaps on the edge rushing. Play-calling is still dumb as bricks. In player mode I'd like to use gameflow, but running the same 10 plays don't make any sense. The re-sign AI is also a bit screwy. Players often wont sign for double asking proce during the season, then take a discount off-season. weird.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

My main complaint with the accuracy is that my throws are sometimes way off even when I'm standing still in the pocket. I would think a starting QB in the NFL could get reasonably close to a receiver within 20 yards if they're standing still in the pocket...

I'd like to introduce you to a gentleman named E.J. Manuel.

[jerryrice4949]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

I'd like to introduce you to a gentleman named E.J. Manuel.

Best belly laugh I have had in a while.

[SageInfinite]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

I think your ai's secondary play can be pretty bad at times. I've seen big plays given up because my secondary does some bone headed, head scratching stuff. Not enough to ruin a game for me yet, but some stuff just makes me mad. Guys are out of position far too often. They also HAVE to make secondary animations/movement priority next year. Some of that stuff is an eyesore. Which bugs me because I've seen some REALLY good reaction animations but they are far too inconsistent.

[BleedGreen710]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

I think your ai's secondary play can be pretty bad at times. I've seen big plays given up because my secondary does some bone headed, head scratching stuff.

along with the QB inaccuracies mentioned earlier in this thread, this is something that happens every game even by the best players. blown coverages and missed assignments are not uncommon.

[therizing02]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

Something to consider though is that completion percentages are at all time high. Even Alex Smith went 16-18 last night! However, the QB AI has always been the root of the problem. It drives me insane when QB accuracy is talked about as the problem. Maybe they are too accurate, maybe not, but there are several factors over the years that contribute to ROBO or high pass accuracy ratings.

Maybe the most under discussed problem with the game in these forums over the years is the playcalling of the CPU. Z Spot, 4 Verts, Stick, Slants, Bench, Corners, Strong Flood, and Screens make up the majority of the calls and most NFL QBs without much pressure are going to be accurate on throws of less the 10 yards. That's the first issue and it's a big one. In M16 with the addition of shot plays it's easy to see how this has helped. A LOT of issues could be resolved if we were able to assign custom playbooks to the CPU opponent. I did this M11 and the gameplay was incredible. Why oh why can we not do this?????

Second problem is the zone coverage. While improved this year, there are still too many players standing around and not shuffling, strafing, or altering coverage based on the routes being run.

Lack of true pocket and pass rush causing hurried throws.

The biggest issue even in Madden 16 is the CPU QB's inability to read the defense, audible to the right call based on matchups, and throw the ball away under duress. I know it's improved in M16, but there's a long way to go. There are still too many cases (not as bad as M15) where every receiver is covered and the CPU QB just stands around.

I am happy with M16 but it seems that a lot of the incomplete passes are just based on a dice roll rather than a poor decision by a lower rated QB, excellent coverage, or hurried passes. Again, it's miles ahead of where it was last year, and I think the devs are on the right track, but there still a ways to go.

[SageInfinite]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

along with the QB inaccuracies mentioned earlier in this thread, this is something that happens every game even by the best players. blown coverages and missed assignments are not uncommon.

It's not blown coverages though. It's just jerky animations that send them in the wrong direction for no apparent reason. I actually love seeing blown coverages in the game, as it tells me the game is not psychic and the defense knows what each offense is calling. What I'm describing is not that. It's just bad movement and dumb reactions.

[SageInfinite]

Re: Madden NFL 16: Analyzing the AI

Second problem is the zone coverage. While improved this year, there are still too many players standing around and not shuffling, strafing, or altering coverage based on the routes being run.

Lack of true pocket and pass rush causing hurried throws.

The biggest issue even in Madden 16 is the CPU QB's inability to read the defense, audible to the right call based on matchups, and throw the ball away under duress. I know it's improved in M16, but there's a long way to go. There are still too many cases (not as bad as M15) where every receiver is covered and the CPU QB just stands around.

I am happy with M16 but it seems that a lot of the incomplete passes are just based on a dice roll rather than a poor decision by a lower rated QB, excellent coverage, or hurried passes. Again, it's miles ahead of where it was last year, and I think the devs are on the right track, but there still a ways to go.

This is exactly what I think leads to the high accuracy mark. The fact that defenders are out of position alot of the time, or just take themselves out of position. They just have BAD movement/animations for the secondary in this game. Add the lack of pass rush this year, and the lack of the pocket collapsing to cause bad throws, or throws being dead on the money after the QB being hit, and you got guys throwing for 80%.

As mentioned it's MUCH better than last year from a default standpoint, but I feel these areas Tiburon HAS to address next year if this game is to continue moving in the GOOD direction it's moving in.