I’ve been reading a blog called SportsGaming that has been publishing some great articles about Sports Gaming.  One of their recent articles talk about what needs to be tuned in Madden NFL 12.  Some of the things they talked about needing tuning have been Toss Plays, QB Sneaks, 4th Down %, Interceptions, User Control, and some others and go in some detail of what needs to be fixed.

While I agree with everything they have on their list, I somewhat disagree with how some of the details of why it’s broken in the first place … specifically with User Control.

Here is an excerpt of the article including that of which User Control is a problem:

4th Down Percentages -We touched on this in our Interview with an ex-Tiburon developer, but we have to reiterate it as much as possible. FOURTH DOWN PERCENTAGES ARE TOO HIGH. How can the same people that understood that the success rate of the Surprise Onside Kick could ruin gameplay if it was too high, not get that the too-high 4th down conversion rate is hurting Madden. There’s one reason and one reason alone why people insist on going for it in situations where it would normally not take place: They have success. The NFL 4th Down conversion rate isn’t even 40%. So why does Madden reward non-football behavior with foolishness like tipped passes being caught and other elements that seem to help offenses? It’s common knowledge that it motivates defenders when teams disrespect them and go for it on 4th down frivolously, we need to see a much lower conversion rate with elements like batted passes at the line of scrimmage, deflections, dislodges from big hits, false starts and even holding calls to change people’s behavior when it comes to going for it on 4th down.

User Control – While we understand the ability to make the game more user-friendly, its been dramatically overdone in Madden 12. To the point where players can circumvent drawing up gameplans and defenders by simply throwing the ball up to a receiver, taking control and simply out-jumping or bumping off the CPU defender. This is ludicrous.Where are the offensive pass interference calls when user-controlled WRs purposely knock our defenders off their path to gain an advantage? The lack of pass breakups from big hits and dislodges really stands out and hurts gameplay here. Like we’ve stated many times before, there isn’t a downside to throwing into coverage. If the pass isn’t intercepted or deflected–its a catch. Its just as bad on defense, where we now see all manner of gimmick defenses that are successful because user control allows us to negate blocking and burst a LB/DE through the line or click on the defender closest to the ball and intercept/deflect the ball regardless of the skill level of the player and because the speed burst is NOW on defense. We’re all for user-friendly, but the current settings have LBs covering WRs effectively and other foolishness. This needs to be addressed. Doubt how big an issue this is? Here are a series of videos taken from an online game that illustrate how bad things are. As long as we lack defender jumping animations, deflections and dislodges, gameplay will continue to reward the “throw it up and user catch” offense.

I love the 4th down % breakdown and that definitely needs to be fixed, even if you instituted a “Fair-play” option to games.  I think you would make the game better for everyone if Tiburon adjusted their thinking on this. Here are my thoughts.  They are 100% right in the fact that people do this because they can.  They go for it on 4th down, no matter where they are on the field and no matter what the distance for the first down is.  Then when they fail to convert, their opponent is in better position to score than if they had punted.  Thus making for some lopsided games and in most cases a player quitting, pulling, or just cutting their game off because they are getting blown out.  EA SPORTS needs to save these people from themselves is what I’m saying.  New players have bad experiences playing Madden because they don’t know real football and they get penalized because they go for it and then can’t understand why they are getting blown out.  This works on the other end also when you are playing someone that is good, but you call the right defense, you catch them off guard and force a 4th down and 2.  It’s frustrating for that player that made the stop to see his opponent in a 4th down situation going for it because he can and because there are no consequences when he hurry’s up and do the same play and converts the first down.  The solution to me is easy, you either limit the ability to go for it on 4th down (Fair Play) or like the article suggest, you decrease the probability of conversion.  Here’s a suggestion, use the new DPP to trigger this option.  Meaning on 4th down there is another trait like clutch and some guys have it and some guys don’t and the guys that don’t have it will most likely come through.  Nothing worse that your opponent hitting a slot WR who’s overall is 60 and he get’s hit by Ray Lewis and holds on for the first down.  Shouldn’t happen.

Now the other discussion or debate is this whole user thing.  In the article it says:

As long as we lack defender jumping animations, deflections and dislodges, gameplay will continue to reward the “throw it up and user catch” offense.

I disagree with this statement. I see way more deflections at the line of scrimmage than I ever have in any other Madden.  Guys get hit and drop the ball all the time and the linebacker still jumps up to bat the ball down consistently.  So this notion of lack of all of that is wrong in my opinion.  I think what they really are talking about is Jetpacking and guys who take control of their WR and user catch.  The article makes it seem as if this is unstoppable and it is not, you just have to click on as well.

Here is the debate we are having in the comment section:

Shopmaster said…

About the user control: I think it’s fine and if you as a defender is not going to click on then you shouldn’t complain when someone else does it and makes you look foolish. You have every opportunity to go underneath that WR and press L1 or LB and swat that pass away. Instead you complain you want it fixed.In those “JetPacking” videos you uploaded, you are throwing to a 6’5″ WR with 90+ SPC and the DB makes no attempt to break up the pass. Not one of those videos did I see the person taking the DB even attempting to break it up. Now the rocket Catch is a different story, but you can’t get mad when a person takes control of his WR and goes and gets the ball why you rely on the CPU to do the work for you.Nice article!

MAG Worldwide said…

we’re glad you liked the piece. To be fair, many are looking for a SIM where NFL players play like their real-life counterparts, EA seems to have missed the boat here. This alarmed us because it was against one of the game’s best secondaries. Its the reason games like 2K and FIFA have left Madden behind. We shouldn’t have to click on players so that they make the plays they’re supposed to. also, where are the DB jumping animations? How can gameplay be balanced without them? lastly, imagine that flawed rationale in NBA 2K. can dwight howard get dunked on? certainly. can it happen at will with a player using nate robinson just because he knows how to trigger an animation? probably not (and thank God)thankfully there are true SIMs that let players resemble their real-life counterparts i.e. Howard swatting that mess into the 3rd row. in the immortal words of the czar…play football–not videogames.

Shopmaster said…

Mag Worldwide,I understand your point but if that’s the case why are you clicking on and jumping like that with your WR. You say you shouldn’t have to click on players to make the plays that they are supposed to but you have to do that on both ends. You can’t have one person click on, weather it’s offense or defense, and then claim the other players man should have defended it. Before you clicked on to the WR, the DB was in perfect position to swat the ball away but you clicked on to move your man in a better position to get the ball, the same can happen for the defense. The user should get rewarded for clicking on and making moves to get the ball as well as the defense if the WR doesn’t click on. This is a game you play, not watch the computer play. Just my opinion. The DB has animations, I’ve intercepted plenty of balls when I take control of the DB and move in front of someone that doesn’t click on. Are you saying I shouldn’t do it, if so then you shouldn’t click on your WR.Ok, next time you play get Brandon Banks and try to trigger those same catch animations. You can’t can you? You know why? Because he can’t do it in real life. In real life Vincent Jackson makes those plays. That’s true SIM right. He triggers it because he has a high rating in Jump and in Spectacular Catch so everyone can’t do it.

MAG Worldwide said…

i guess thats our concern. We shouldn’t have to click on a player like Revis for him to be a shutdown corner, because he’s that ANYWAY. if that’s the case why even have NFL players or ratings? just rate everyone a 70 and let user control determine what happens. But if we’re going to have NFL players, represent them with the skillset they have in reality. we got another video where a guy did the same thing with Devery Henderson, he’s not 6’5″ nor is his SPC high so whats the excuse this time? we’re all for user control within reason but this time it hurts gameplay. Give DBs the same jump animations WRs have so that gameplay is balanced. defenders shouldnt just watch a guy sky for the ball helplessly.

MAG Worldwide said…

we were sent those videos and pics from a user on PS3. phillip rivers had 500yds throwing to covered receivers and V. Jackson and Malcolm Floyd both had over 200yds receiving. we’re abou to do an article on the return of the jetpack. thats SIM? we disagree…spectacular catches should be animations that we see every once in awhile. they’re NOT routine. and certainly not an animation a player should be able to trigger at will.

Shopmaster said…

I totally understand where you are coming from and I have the same concerns, my only problem is that you are clicking on with your WR but the DB isn’t. If you say you shouldn’t have to click on a player like Revis, then I say you shouldn’t have to click on to a player like Vincent Jackson.None of these games play like they are supposed to. When you play MLB: The Show do lesser named guys never get a hit off of Roy Halliday (CPU) when you control the batter. No, you can still get a hit off of him. In NBA 2K if you control someone on offense don’t you have an advantage over someone who doesn’t.I have played against guys that try to jetpack and I have stepped in front of them and hit the swat button so it’s not like the DB’s don’t have the ability to stop it and don’t have animations, you just have to click on.

I’m in no way saying Jetpacking is SIM, but it’s not unstoppable as it was in 06. I also agree that DBs need some more animations.

Love the debate.

So what side of the fence to you fall in?

Every year in the NFL there are teams that rise to the top and then there are teams that rise to the top in the Madden NFL franchise also.  Most of the time if the team is good in real life you can expect to see a heavy dose of that in Madden; unless you are the Raiders.  The Raiders suck in real life but are always at the top of the most used teams list in Madden.  Madden has always been about speed and the Raiders have a lot of that.  So how do you compete with the Raiders and the other top teams in Madden NFL 12.

Kat Bailey from GamePro tells you what makes some teams just annoying to play but then tells you how to beat that team in this article I found on PC World

Here’s what he said about the Packers and the upstart Lions who you will see a lot.  He also breaks down the Eagles, Raiders, and Steelers so make sure you go check out the whole article.

The Champs | Green Bay Packers

Why They’re Tough to Beat: It’s tough for me to say this as a diehard Vikings fan, but that Aaron Rodgers kid turned out alright. Good enough, unfortunately, that when I pit the Purple against Rodgers’ Packers, it usually ends in tears. As it turns out, the Vikings’ putrid defensive backfield is just no match for Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Rodgers. Naturally, it’s those same qualities that will make the Packers a popular pick online, which means that I’m in for even more frustration than usual this season.

How to Turn the Tables: Unless you’re playing as the Jets or the Eagles, you’re probably not beating Rodgers. Even mediocre players can just heave the ball up there; and more often than not, Jennings or Driver will come down with it (Driver has a 97 Catch in Traffic Rating). And even if you shut down those guys, Jermichael Finley is there for the quick outlet pass.

Really, the only obvious weakness that the Packers have is their running game. The Ryan Grant-John Kuhn-James Starks tandem might work well in real life; but in Madden, they’re pretty mediocre. Thus, Packers fans are apt to rely heavily on the pass, which plays into your hands somewhat. Blitz linebackers through the gaps and generally try to keep Rodgers off-balance, or he will be able to sit back and pick you apart. When you get the ball back, play ball control defense and try to run away from Clay Matthews as much as possible. Methodically drive down the field, minimize the impact of guys like Jennings with manually coverage, and you will have a decent chance to win.

One the Rise | Detroit Lions

Why They’re Tough to Beat: The Detroit Lions haven’t established themselves as a powerhouse–or nuisance–in quite the same sense as the Raiders or Packers, but it wouldn’t be a shock if they became a popular pick this season. They’ve got many of the ingredients needed to be a powerful Madden team: a great receiver, a speedy running and a good quarterback who can get them the ball. The defensive backs are definitely wanting; but if Madden 12′s pass rush is really as vicious as it looks, watch out.

How to Turn the Tables: Lions players usually have one strategy: go up top to Calvin Johnson. Unfortunately, this is a strategy that usually works, as Megatron has 95 speed and 99 jumping. And once you start double (or triple) covering him, a smart opponent will go to speedy receiver Nate Burleson​, reliable tight end Brandon Pettigrew or Jahvid Best–another speedster–out of the backfield.

It is possible to get pressure on Detroit’s mediocre line though, so blitz linebackers through the gaps and generally try to make sure that Stafford doesn’t have time to set and throw deep to Johnson. If you don’t let them turn the game into a track meet, you should be able to take your time and pick apart the slow secondary with lots of short, quick passes. Just watch out for defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and his 95 hit power.

Today, we finish up our look at the NFC with the ratings for the Bucs and Saints.

Ratings: New Orleans »

Ratings: Tampa »

If you’re looking for a reason to play as Tampa, look no further than LeGarrette Blount and his 98 trucking ability. Blount hits the hole like a runaway semi, just looking for defenders to knock over on his way to the end zone. Throw in Kellen Winslow’s ability to work his way open across the middle and some decent speed at the wide receiver position, and Josh Freeman has plenty of weapons at his disposal.

As for the Saints, Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in “Madden,” even boasting 99 throwing accuracy short. Rookie runner Mark Ingram also adds a nice dimension, as his toughness and trucking ability will help the Saints pound it through near the goal line.

Today we dive into our final division, the NFC South, with a look at the Falcons and Panthers.

Ratings: Atlanta »

Ratings: Carolina »

If you’re playing as the Panthers, rookie QB Cam Newton is a lot of fun to control. The kid has 83 speed, 94 acceleration, 88 agility, 97 throwing power, 81 throwing accuracy, and 85 throwing accuracy deep. Wow. Talk about “Madden” rookie of the year. Gamers are going to be able to do a lot of damage with a virtual Newton under center.

The Falcons are another team that should be popular this year as they have all the makings for a great “Madden” offense: accurate quarterback, big tight end, fast running backs, and multiple threats from the wide receiver position. If the defense can stop anybody in the game, you might be looking at one of the top “Madden” teams right here.

We finish up our look at the NFC North with the ratings for the Packers and Vikings.

Ratings: Minnesota »

Ratings: Green Bay »

The Packers are the highest-rated team in “Madden 12″ and all it takes is one glance at the numbers to see why. Aaron Rodgers is one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the game with his ability to hit targets all over the field, not to mention, his ability to avoid the pass rush. Add in a defense that can apply pressure and force turnovers, and you have a team destined for video game greatness.

The Vikings, on the other hand, are watching their virtual stock fall for the first time in years. Sure, people will still want to run the ball with the beast that is Adrian Peterson, but there are just so many more exciting teams to play as now, I doubt you’ll find many outside of Minnesota using this team online.

Today, we head to the NFC North and take a look at the Lions and Bears.

Ratings: Chicago »

Ratings: Detroit »

Look for the Lions to be a lot of fun this year thanks to a defensive line that is going to knock around the offense like few others in the game. Suh and Fairley can disrupt the timing of any play by penetrating the backfield, not to mention, have the power and hit stick skills to make for some serious virtual pain.

As for the Bears, this is a team built for “Madden.” Just look at that speed from their wide receivers: Knox (97), Hester (98). Add in Forte’s running ability and Cutler’s arm strength, and you have an offense that can do a lot of damage in the game.