Blitz: The League II Q&A with the Lead Designer

[League Historian]

Greetings all!

I figured it was time to re-introduce myself on the Operation Sports boards, since the release of Blitz: The League II is not that far away and we've started leaking various media onto the web.

My name is Dave Friedland and I'm the Lead Designer on Blitz 2. Having previously been a Senior Designer on BTL-1, I took over for Kraig after he left Midway.

We're pretty excited about the game we've created and now that the "lid is off" as far as the majority of our features are concerned, I should be able to answer most of your questions.

[mgoblue]

How's the offline season replay value? One thing I found about BTL-1 was that playing offline got kinda stale, and the season mode (while fun) wasn't necessarily as long term like a franchise type mode in other football games.

I like to play online against humans, but a lot of times I don't have the time (or I'm not around when friends are to play). Then I'll play single player and like something more than exhibition, etc.

How does the targeting work? Is that a special tackle that brings up the screen where you can pick the area? Can you only pick certain areas depending on the tackle?

Thanks! I enjoyed the first game and looks like you guys are doing more to extend the lifetime!

[Kayotick]

Quote: Originally Posted by mgoblue

How's the offline season replay value? One thing I found about BTL-1 was that playing offline got kinda stale, and the season mode (while fun) wasn't necessarily as long term like a franchise type mode in other football games.

Dave I am also curious about this one. Can you elaborate a bit on the offline aspect of the game please?

[2krules]

Howdy, can we turn off the cursing and those ultra realistic injury graphics (I have a weak stomach)?

Thanks

[League Historian]

I'll tackle the subject of hit targeting first.

The hit targeting occurs when an injury result has been determined due to a Dirty or Unleashed tackle.

Which area can be targeted varies depending on both the angle of the tackle and the height. Hit someone high up on the body from the side, you are likely to get targeting circles on things like the head, shoulder, neck and elbow. Hit someone low from the front and you might get knees, ankles, legs.. Maybe even the groin (I'll let you imagine what that one might look like). The number of targeting options varies depending on what body parts make sense for each angle/height combo.

You perform a quick flick the left stick to pick your circle, then rapidly press the A(360)/X(PS3) button to pump up the intensity of the injury. The more you fill it in the brief moments we give you, the greater the chance of getting a more serious injury. So, what might have been a Shoulder Stinger could become a Dislocated Shoulder or even a Broken Collar Bone.

Pacing is very important to the design team in all aspects of our gameplay and our new injury system in particular. We wanted to make certain the whole process wasn't much longer than an ordinary Unleash hit, that the controls were easy to execute, and the experience was intense enough that you didn't mind the few added seconds. You'll all get to judge the end results soon enough.

[d_max]

Blitz 2 looks amazing and just like the last one, its probably as fun, if not more fun to play than the previous Blitz League. I will definitely be checking it out.

Just one question that I've been wanting to ask:

Will this Blitz have an open-ended, massively detailed, franchise mode with endless replay value?

I'm not going to compare Blitz to Madden, such is the same as comparing apples and oranges. But ever since I finished the story mode in the first Blitz the League game, I've had the craving for a less story-driven, more non-linear Madden-esque franchise mode. It would probably become my favorite game ever.

[Kayotick]

Quote: Originally Posted by d_max

Will this Blitz have an open-ended, massively detailed, franchise mode with endless replay value

Yes I am curious about this as well. When you finish the season will their be a second season available to play?

[Saber]

Will you be returning the same "story teller" from last game? One of my favorite video game lines of all time is still "I'm not going to sugarcoat it... Battaglia is an *******."

Also, when there are too many dirty hits will it still go into the free for all tackle fest? I had the hardest time ever winning those.

[Saber]

Quote: Originally Posted by d_max

Blitz 2 looks amazing and just like the last one, its probably as fun, if not more fun to play than the previous Blitz League. I will definitely be checking it out. Just one question that I've been wanting to ask: Will this Blitz have an open-ended, massively detailed, franchise mode with endless replay value? I'm not going to compare Blitz to Madden, such is the same as comparing apples and oranges. But ever since I finished the story mode in the first Blitz the League game, I've had the craving for a less story-driven, more non-linear Madden-esque franchise mode. It would probably become my favorite game ever.

I'm completely on the OTHER side myself and I loved the storyline aspect of the game and I actually want them to scratch a little deeper into the story line.

[d_max]

Quote: Originally Posted by Saber

I'm completely on the OTHER side myself and I loved the storyline aspect of the game and I actually want them to scratch a little deeper into the story line.

Don't get me wrong, I completely agree with you. I LOVE the storyline mode. It's a very unique concept. I just meant a deep franchise mode as a completely different mode in the same game. I don't want to see the storyline mode go away. I just would love if the franchise mode was added.