(PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

[Cycloniac]

Welcome to the very first iteration of the TrueSim Roster Project for Madden. After successful releases for the MLB the Show series (18, 19, 20), the NHL series (19, 20) and the NBA 2k series (2k16), I have decided to expand to another sport I have always loved: football.

Now Available for Download
File Name: TrueSim
Gamertag: Cycloniac24

What's Included
-Re-rates for the majority of NFL players based on 3 years of data (standard and advanced metrics)
-Accurate positions for improved depth chart logic
-Refined player archetypes to give better snapshot of player roles, strengths and weaknesses
-Streamlined trait system for all players, based on play style.
-All injuries as of week 1, using the NFL kickoff weekend roster update from EA as the base

With this project, I am to increase the immersion and longevity of franchise modes by implementing the TrueSim Projection System (TPS), an algorithm I developed to assess players. TPS uses a mix of common and advanced statistics to measure player productivity, strengths and weaknesses. It uses a three-year baseline where possible, giving the most recent season the most weight.

In addition to full re-rates for most players on every NFL team, traits will also be adjusted to improve the way players behave on the field. EA's week 1 roster update will be used as the base. Teams take about an hour and a half to complete in-game for me, so I will keep this thread updated with progress.

Rating Process

Spoiler

EA has done a great job improving the ratings spread (last year and continuing this year). My goal is to ensure every player’s strengths, weaknesses and role show on the field. There are separate algorithms for each of the 11 main positional groupings: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, CB, S, K, P.

Sites used to gather data and advanced stats include Pro Football Reference, Pro Football Focus and Player Profiler (Roto Underworld).

Quarterbacks are assessed based on, but not limited to:
-Passing and Rushing Yardage
-Turnover Ratio
-Net Yards per Attempt
-Play Action Completion Percentage
-Deep Ball Completion Percentage
-Completion Percentage when Under Pressure
-Frequency of "Danger Plays" i.e. high-risk plays
-Fumble Rate

Running Backs are assessed based on, but not limited to:
-Yardage and Carries Per Game
-Breakaway Rate
-Yards Created per Touch
-Receptions per Game
-BMI (influences grouping into one of four categories, along with weight: balanced, elusive (change of pace/scatback), receiving, power)

Wide Receivers are assessed on, but not limited to:
-Yardage per game
-Average Depth of Target (influences role i.e. slot vs primary/flanker)
-Yards After Catch per Reception

Tight End ratings are based on:
-Yardage per game
-Average Depth of Target
-Percentage of snaps used as blocker

Offensive linemen are rated using PFF's pass blocking and run blocking grades as a baseline. Playing time is then factored in.

Defensive linemen are assessed based on, but not limited to:
-QB pressure rate
-Impact play rate i.e. sacks, forced fumbles, tackles for loss
-Weight (to determine physical stats, as well as power or speed bias)
-Playing time (influences role i.e. starter vs rotational lineman)
-Missed tackle rate

If a lineman has an elite pressure rate, PFF's pass rush and run defense grades are factored in. This helps to seperate players like Maxx Crosby, who is an excellent edge rusher, but not as polished defending the run at this stage of his career.

Linebackers are assessed based on, but not limited to:
-Completion percentage and passer rating allowed, with adjustments based on number of targets (influences LB type: coverage, balanced, pass rush as well as coverage ratings)
-QB pressure rate
-Impact play rate
-Solo tackle rate vs missed tackle rate
-Playing time

Cornerbacks are rated based on:
-Completion percentage and passer rating allowed, with ceilings implemented based on number of targets (influences coverage skills in man and zone)
-Average Depth of Target (influences role i.e. slot vs man-to-man/zone)
-Playing time

Safeties are rated based on:
-Completion percentage and passer rating allowed, with number of targets factored in
-Solo tackle and tackle for loss rate
-Forced fumbles dictate hit power

Kicker ratings are based on:
-Touchback percentage (kick power)
-Field goal percentage (kick accuracy)

Punter ratings are based on:
-Yards allowed per punt return
-Percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line
-Number of kickoffs (kick power bonus to identify kickoff specialists)

Once all of the ratings are completed, traits are adjusted for every player. As a result:
-Only the elite players known to force fumbles receive the big hitter trait
-Physical/deep threat receivers receive the aggressive play ball trait, all others are balanced
-All defensive linemen have play ball set to conservative
-Only elite ball hawks at CB/S receive aggressive play ball, most are balanced

Dev Trait Overhaul for Franchise: https://1drv.ms/x/s!AghAoHIeEMGM4G0E...k7alB?e=7kMPob

Instructions for Franchise

Spoiler

In order to make sure the CPU does not make silly moves like cutting key players, this is what you need to do. It will only take about half an hour.

1. Start in the preseason.
2. Turn injuries off.
3. Create characters for all 32 teams.
4. Advance week until you see the popup prompting you to cut x number of players. This should be week 4. The number of cuts will vary from team to team, but it will be between 0 and 6. Take control of each team, one by one, and cut as needed. I suggest moving as many players to the practice squad as you can, to make sure they don't disappear in free agency.
5. Retire each team after cuts are made, except for the team you intend to control.
6. Don't forget to turn injuries back on.
7. Enjoy franchise as normal.

XP Sliders and Dev Trait Targets

Spoiler

Alright, after more testing, here are the final progression settings:
QB 105
HB 110
WR 125
FB 100
TE 125
T 150
G 100
C 150
DE 85
DT 110
MLB 90
OLB 75
CB 125
FS 125
SS 125
K 210
P 100

My goal with these was to try to keep a similar spread found in the roster, and to keep the balance between the few elites, the good players, and the aerage players. I also wanted to ensure that generated rookies could progress realistically. I wanted to make sure that they had a chance to be elite players as well.

Here is how the top 30 players at the positions look after a 10 year sim

Spoiler

Quarterbacks
#1 - 99
#10 - 89
#20 - 80
#30 - 77

Halfbacks
#1 - 96
#10 - 89
#20 - 84
#30 - 80

Wide Receivers
#1 - 96
#10 - 92
#20 - 86
#30 - 85

Tight Ends
#1 - 94
#10 - 84
#20 - 79
#30 - 76

Tackles
#1 - 93
#10 - 79
#20 - 74
#30 - 71

Guards
#1 - 93
#10 - 76
#20 - 72
#30 - 70

Centers
#1 - 96
#10 - 80
#20 - 76
#30 - 73

Defensive Ends
#1 - 96
#10 - 83
#20 - 81
#30 - 77

Defensive Tackles
#1 - 92
#10 - 84
#20 - 80
#30 - 79

Outside Linebackers
#1 - 90
#10 - 79
#20 - 76
#30 - 73

Middle Linebackers
#1 - 93
#10 - 85
#20 - 78
#30 - 76

Cornerbacks
#1 - 95
#10 - 84
#20 - 83
#30 - 81

Free Safeties
#1 - 93
#10 - 79
#20 - 77
#30 - 74

Strong Safeties
#1 - 93
#10 - 79
#20 - 76
#30 - 73

Kickers
#1 - 90
#10 - 81
#20 - 78
#30 - 71

Punters
#1 - 86
#10 - 76
#20 - 74
#30 - 67

Desired X Factors: 75 (Top 4%)
Desired Superstars: 100 (Top 6%)
Desired Stars: 400 (Top 23.6%)
These targets will ensure the top third of the league shines.

Optional: increase all XP sliders to 300 at the start of traininng camp, then switch back to the above setting at the start of the regular season. This will give the preseason/training camp more meaning. This is the time of year where you see the most development, and gives rookies a chance to make an impression.

[The Kid 24]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

Oh wow awesome!

Do you have a spreadsheet or anything like you do for The Show? I unfortunately already started my CFM, would love to be able to incorporate your stuff into my CFM.

I'm mostly interested in the trait edits and ratings... As I've went thru depth charts and moved guys to correct positions.

[Cycloniac]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

Oh wow awesome!

Do you have a spreadsheet or anything like you do for The Show? I unfortunately already started my CFM, would love to be able to incorporate your stuff into my CFM.

I'm mostly interested in the trait edits and ratings... As I've went thru depth charts and moved guys to correct positions.

There is a spreadsheet, but it only has the traits for QBs, I'm doing the others by hand based on position and attributes.

[The Kid 24]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

There is a spreadsheet, but it only has the traits for QBs, I'm doing the others by hand based on position and attributes.

Oh, I'm totally fine with just the QB traits... Care to share? So I can make the changes in my CFM.

[mathey270]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

Welcome to the very first iteration of the TrueSim Roster Project for Madden. After successful releases for the MLB the Show series (18, 19, 20), the NHL series (19, 20) and the NBA 2k series (2k16), I have decided to expand to another sport I have always loved: football.

What Will Be Included
-Re-rates for the majoriy of NFL players
-Accurate positions for improved depth chart logic
-Refined player archetypes to give better snapshot of player roles, strengths and weaknesses
-Streamlined trait system for all players, based on play style.
-All injuries as of week 1, using the NFL kickoff weekend roster update from EA as the base

With this project, I am to increase the immersion and longevity of franchise modes by implementing the TrueSim Projection System (TPS), an algorithm I developped to assess players. TPS uses a mix of common and advanced statistics to measure player productivity, strengths and weaknesses. It uses a three year baseline where possible, giving the most recent season the most weight.

In addition to full re-rates for the majority of players on every NFL team, traits will also be adjusted to improve the way players behave on the field. EA's week 1 roster update will be used as the base. Teams take about an hour and a half to complete in-game for me, so I will keep this thread updated with progress.

Love ur work in the show really looking forward to this!

Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

[Teleo]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

Welcome to the very first iteration of the TrueSim Roster Project for Madden. After successful releases for the MLB the Show series (18, 19, 20), the NHL series (19, 20) and the NBA 2k series (2k16), I have decided to expand to another sport I have always loved: football.

What Will Be Included
-Re-rates for the majoriy of NFL players
-Accurate positions for improved depth chart logic
-Refined player archetypes to give better snapshot of player roles, strengths and weaknesses
-Streamlined trait system for all players, based on play style.
-All injuries as of week 1, using the NFL kickoff weekend roster update from EA as the base

With this project, I am to increase the immersion and longevity of franchise modes by implementing the TrueSim Projection System (TPS), an algorithm I developped to assess players. TPS uses a mix of common and advanced statistics to measure player productivity, strengths and weaknesses. It uses a three year baseline where possible, giving the most recent season the most weight.

In addition to full re-rates for the majority of players on every NFL team, traits will also be adjusted to improve the way players behave on the field. EA's week 1 roster update will be used as the base. Teams take about an hour and a half to complete in-game for me, so I will keep this thread updated with progress.

Really looking forward to this!

[mathey270]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

Will you be re-rating free agents as well ? Seems like the EA roster has way to many guys overrated that are sitting in FA.

Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

[Cycloniac]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

Will you be re-rating free agents as well ? Seems like the EA roster has way to many guys overrated that are sitting in FA.

Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

Yes, OVRs for free agents are way too high.

[mathey270]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

Yes, OVRs for free agents are way too high.

Awesome good stuff!
I'm gonna use ur roster for my offline franchise once it is released
I know your a coach mode guy based on ur slider thread but do u think the roster will still work with a user vs CPU slider set like Joshs or armors ?

Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

[StormsWarning]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

Your work in mlb the show hands down is my favorite as well as your sliders, cant thank you enough for that, I loved your work in Madden 20, as well as your sliders, will you be doing your specific slider for 21?

[The Kid 24]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

I’m going thru depth charts myself and I’m having a hard time determining who should be in the SubLB spot?

Depending on the team, idk if I should be putting best LB or some cases a S in that spot.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[Cycloniac]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

I’m going thru depth charts myself and I’m having a hard time determining who should be in the SubLB spot?

Depending on the team, idk if I should be putting best LB or some cases a S in that spot.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

The SubLB is typically the LB with the best coverage skils, usually one of the Mikes/ILBs.

[The Kid 24]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

The SubLB is typically the LB with the best coverage skils, usually one of the Mikes/ILBs.

Yep that I get.

But some teams have Safety’s that rate the best there.

I just don’t know which teams use LBs in there or Ss in there.

What are you doing?


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[Cycloniac]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

Yep that I get.

But some teams have Safety’s that rate the best there.

I just don’t know which teams use LBs in there or Ss in there.

What are you doing?


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

I let the ratings decide who should go in that spot. The way I am doing the ratings, I want the AI to order the depth charts as logically as possible as opposed to managing team depth charts by hand.

To start, I make sure that players are listed in their correct positions (according to base defense/offense), and let the AI work from there.

[Cycloniac]

Re: (PS4) The TrueSim Roster Project: Madden 21

Your work in mlb the show hands down is my favorite as well as your sliders, cant thank you enough for that, I loved your work in Madden 20, as well as your sliders, will you be doing your specific slider for 21?

Yes, the sliders will accompany the roster