Madden NFL 15 Title Update #2 Available Now, Details Included

[wordtobigbird]

Sorry to be negative here, I rarely am, but they didn't fix the MAIN issue. The CPU QB AI has zero "player sense" and until they fix that we will all have our own "issues" with sacks. However major or minor you think the issue is based on your number of sacks. I have a huge issue with the CPU QB AI though. I was ready to test this patch out and see an improved game. I liked the feel of it pre patch even though I didn't play it much.

Unfortunately on the first play of the game, Wilson takes an idiotic sack. All-Pro, default settings, the way these guys INTENDED us to play it. No slider tweaks that could make the QB do this. It's empty backfield shotgun set. I run cover 2 expecting short routes on first down. CPU runs curl flats combo. Which brings up another issue is the lack of diversity in the CPU play calling if you really pay attention. So he takes the snap and the routes are covered up. We all saw Wilson last night, we all know how he and all other GOOD QB's would react. I'd say most would read the cover 2 and make the tight throw in zone coverage and see if the WR could take the hit. But if theres no pressure they could sit in the pocket and wait and if there is pressure they would go AWAY from the pressure. Keyword, away. In Madden the CPU QB's do not have this 3 option logic at all. They cannot sense which direction pressure is coming from and avoid it. If they can, it doesn't work like it should.

Wilson decides not to trust his arm and use his legs. That's fine EA, I'm okay with that. But what does he do? He runs DIRECTLY INTO THE PRESSURE. He tucks the ball, runs the same exact angle they always run to the right, and right into the sack. This is why we had the "LE sack issue" this is why there is even a sack issue now. The QB does not have any ability to sense direction. There is no "Pressure coming, Right? Run left" or even "Pressure coming right? Run right, but run wide around it." Wilson has the legs to roll out based on how quickly he knew Kerrigan was coming. But he run runs right into Kerrigan and even tries to truck him. This is an easy, I have eyes, that's a free rusher coming, let me go around this big dood. If the QB can't do that simple thing. I can't play against them. Think about it, we are trying to outsmart that?

Of course we get too many sacks. It's sad too because they did do a lot of good but as they tend to do they missed this one crucial thing. QB play is the most important thing in the NFL. We all know that. If they got one thing right it needs to be that. They fixed it with the RBs it seems like. They avoid tacklers and run away from defenders now instead of that predetermined path. If they could somehow eliminate that from QBs you would see these sacks. And the sacks from screen plays where the QB seems to have no concept that on screen plays they will be free rushers so maybe I should have some urgency with this ball. Until then don't expect to see realistic sack numbers against the CPU across the board.

You will always have to change the intentional grounding slider to the point where it almost doesn't exist or you make it so the QB traits don't matter anymore and every QB plays the same because they get rid of the ball instantly. Otherwise if their is no open man the CPU QB has no answer for it. Whenever that logic triggers they will find their way into a sack because they don't have a right answer built in.

The slim play calling menu was much needed. I'm sure it will be default next year.

EDIT
So I put IG on 25 and restart the game. From my testing before I know this effects the QBs "release logic". They will throw faster after sensing that pressure is coming. Doesnt fix the issue but makes them just throw. So they run empty backfield again, I go cover 2. THey run dual slants from right to left. I was in some Big Dime defense so Kerrigan and MLB are dropping into coverage and dropping way too far. Wilson is literally staring at these WRs as they run wide open across the field. I don't even want to waste time with a picture. He's lookign right at Harvin with Hall standing behind him watching him run away. Kerrigan is 5 yards away downfield. The MLB is 15 or 20 yards back as the WRs run across the field and Wilson has ZERO PLAYER SENSE. ZERO. So IG slider breaks QB's ability to see open receivers so it can never be changed so you leave it default and the QB runs right into sacks.. Not sure what we can do here. Because why else would Wilson not be able to throw it? Everything else is default. Theres no pressure. Guys are wide open. He waits until the the slot WR has gotten all the way from outside the right numbers to the left hash before he throws it and then bunks it right off the Dlinemans helmet because he doesnt have the ability to take two steps to the left before he throws. CPU QB AI needs to be fixed. Period. One penalty slider shouldn't break it and even on default they have no idea where to run anyway. Theres a lot of good with this game but if the CPU has no QB, what's the point..

[ggsimmonds]

Quote: Originally Posted by NimitsTexan

That is undoubtedly part of the problem: some players may think there is something wrong if they don't meet their sack goals every game/year on their user controlled Titans; evidently the same players that don't want realistic penalties or the chance for blocked kicks and bad snaps. That said, how they could "extensively test CPU QBs and come to the conclusion they were NOT taking too many coverage sacks is beyond me, and probably the most depressing thing I have heard relative to Madden in a while.

That is what I would love to know as well. How did they look at it?
check the metrics?
Double check the code?
Played a few games?

If it is any consolation the developer has now backtracked a bit and is now saying it was too big to fix in a patch. I am confused now. So does he know acknowledge the issue?

[4thQtrStre5S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Millennium

Lowering QB Acc always killed the cpu offense for me. I found that raising Human coverage was the better route (strictly opinion) Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3

I agree 100%...Lowering QB Accuracy also appears to reduce some of the abilities of the QB to avoid certain things or trigger certain animations; to throw the ball away or scramble....Lowering QB Acc, IMO, is the worst way to solve the high completion percentages...

In generally, I see better everything, from each position, when ratings are raised...More animations "seem" to be triggered....RB's make spins and cuts and stiff arms with Run Blocking and Fumbles at or above 50, from my observation, for example....Below 50 and running backs just follow the line of travel set out be the play design, as if the further below 50, the more they lose in ratings...

[Hiro1]

I feel so fortunate to only play in a online 32 user league and online play now. A lot of these fixes have made my day. I'm curious about some of the more vague fixes and can't wait to try the game out.

Lol at people complaining about not being able to pick a defense until the offense picked their play 100% FALSE. Just press B then you could select your play before the offense. It's the only way I've ever picked plays and learned that after only playing 2 games. If you want to wait for suggestions though you have to wait.

[wordtobigbird]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hiro1

I feel so fortunate to only play in a online 32 user league and online play now. A lot of these fixes have made my day. I'm curious about some of the more vague fixes and can't wait to try the game out. Lol at people complaining about not being able to pick a defense until the offense picked their play 100% FALSE. Just press B then you could select your play before the offense. It's the only way I've ever picked plays and learned that after only playing 2 games. If you want to wait for suggestions though you have to wait.

I hear you. This game offers a lot from the gameplay. They just haven't figured out how to do AI. Playing against humans is a blast.

[TCrouch]

Quote: Originally Posted by wordtobigbird

I hear you. This game offers a lot from the gameplay. They just haven't figured out how to do AI. Playing against humans is a blast.

Yep. In a 32-man league that plays 3 games a week, and it's the most fun I've ever had with Madden. Plays a damned good game against other humans.

[4thQtrStre5S]

Quote: Originally Posted by ggsimmonds

There are difficulties in how the game handles playcalling and reconciling that with realism. I don't think there is a solution that would please everybody. Still, the better solution would be to allow formation subs to either stick game to game or be inputted from menus. I think that is why the time calling plays is such a handicap. As for general playcalling, I am inclined to argue that 10 seconds is more than enough. Someone should have enough of a defensive identity to have an idea of what they will call as soon as the previous play ends. If they are scouring their playbook hunting for a good play they are doing it wrong.

Argue away all you want, but 10 seconds was too short of time..If you are fast at it, golf clap to you, but playing against the CPU, most of the things you can do on defense are useless cause there is not enough time...

I think it is silly to base your disapproval of a change because it may add a couple minutes to a game...Maybe then you just don't have the time to spend playing a game at all if a few extra minutes is gonna kill your heavy schedule?

But please, by all means, if I am doing my defensive play calling all wrong, expand on the "right" way to go through a playbook and call plays...

[fistofrage]

Quote: Originally Posted by wordtobigbird

I hear you. This game offers a lot from the gameplay. They just haven't figured out how to do AI. Playing against humans is a blast.

And that's where they are trying to push the game. To the online players. This is why you won't see realistic penalties or a harder kicking game. These players don't care about realism, they only care about winning at all costs and if there are glitches in the game that allow them to win, the more the better.