How to make Madden a more dynamic game

[SimFBallCritic]

[ThunderHorse]

I agree completely on the 2k/Madden 08 ability statement. And I think using Madden 08 as the reference is even better because of the fact it is EA's own product.

The reason 2K's abilities "popped" is because the developers gave every player in the game roughly the same ratings. All of the generic players (non star) had the same base speed, strength, consistency, agility, catching, etc. ratings. All of your tiered players also had similar ratings that would increase slightly depending on the talent level (Gold players are going to be naturally stronger and faster than silvers, Silvers are better than Bronze, etc). I remember that 08 had abilities but I don't remember those abilities giving players ability specific animations outside of the "Spectacular Catch" animation, it just meant the generic animations were more likely to trigger.

In 2K the abilities gave players specific animations. So if your player had the ability, he'd do things that those without that ability simply could not do. For example IIRC Madden 08 did have a stiff arm ability but the only thing that would happen is the icon would flash when a successful stiff arm triggered. In 2K8 the ability is called "Arm of Steel", and players with the ability will perform a significantly better stiff arm. The animation is faster and different than a normal stiff arm animation. The important thing here is I can go into the game and Hex edit a player to have a 99 Stiff arm rating, and he'll stiff arm guys all day. But if I don't give him the Arm of Steel ability, he will never be able to trigger the best stiff arm animation.

The Animation is what's important because that's what truly differentiates my guy's Stiff arm from yours.

I think the way Madden has it set up is at a 90 rating you get access to other animations. That's lame, because an 89 rating shouldn't be that much weaker than a 90 rating. Instead try making the base rating for all players who don't have a legit stiff arm a 78, and give guys who do have a stiff arm the 90 rating. That way if a guy has it, he does; and if he doesn't, he doesn't.

[Guest]

I think the issue with that is how you quantify it. There aren't stats or numbers to support a stiff arm, so you have to go with the "eye test" to determine that. It's much easier to look at speed based off YAC, or 40 yard time and adjust that accordingly. Though I do think having something similar to "Arm of Steel" as a rating system would be great. The EA NHL games at the start of the PS2 era would have different icons for if a player had a hard shot, superior speed, clutch ability or a big hitter. I would love to see something like that in Madden, and brought back in NHL for that matter.

[BigBiss]

I have no Idea how 2-gap, 1-gap, 1-gap penetrating are not traits for DL, Scrape vs Take on Blocks for ILB, these could add a whole new dynamic to making defenses work like they should in real life. Wade Philips 3-4 should not play the same as Dick Lebeau's. If i have a 4-3 and i plug in 2 big 2-gap DTs that demand double teams I sould be able to mop up with my MLB vs having a penetrating 1-gap 3 tech and maybe a 2 gap or 1-gap nose. if im running the Pittsburgh 3-4 my 2nd ILB (thumper) should be taking that full back or guard head on to free up my other ILB to make the play. many of the 4-3s should play differently as well, I think fixing this though personal vs playbook is the best solution. some players should be able to play in any D (Ray Lewis), others should be scheme fits

[buckeye]

Definitely have to add back in the player weapons and expand on them. I'm working on a huge list of them to send to the team.

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[Aso]

Madden 08's weapons were just for show. There was a certain rating cutoff point. If you need a 90 rating to have a weapon, if you had an 89 you wouldn't have it.